I was once listening to a sermon where the preacher said “sometimes we forget what a miracle it was that God saved us ” we can forget that all of us were prodigal sons who had taken what really belonged to God , tried to live our own way and failed before returning to a gracious father who had always loved us. We can sometimes then look at others like the older brother ” they don’t deserve it – they are sinners – they shouldn’t get the blessing I got” yet we too didn’t deserve it – are sinners and yet God pours out blessings! He forgives us! What a good good father!
Tears because I’ve been both sons! At one time lost and away from my God, then next phase bitter for the blessing another lost sheep receives. Oh Lord in your great love, help us rejoice when another turns from their wicked ways to a life with You, knowing their acceptance does not affect our good standing with You — “My son, you are always with me and all I have is yours” are your words to us Father, we as your children partake in all your blessings so help us rejoice with you when our brother returns & not grow bitter!
Luke 15:4-7 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
God’s ways are so amazing to me. This part of Luke just sums up God’s all-encompassing grace that I cannot even begin to fathom – he never leaves anyone behind. My friend is currently on a Mission trip in Africa and she emailed a story about how many of her (and other interns’) belongings were stolen. They ended up finding the man who stole their things. My initial thought was that the man should be punished. But what my friend explained in the email was that the interns wanted to maintain a relationship with the man and show him God’s grace, as opposed to being angry with him.
God works in incredible ways and i was truly amazed with the fact that they were willing to forgive and even teach the man about God’s word. Jesus said it himself, he came not to save the righteous but to save the sinners, and although I (we) may not be the same type of sinner as this man (who was known for theft multiple times in the area), I am still a sinner (we are all sinners) and i (we) always will be. God, however , is always willing to take me (us) into his loving arms and forgive me (us).
This makes me want to be strong in the Lord. I don’t want to get an ego boost from some big people if it leads me to turn away from God in any way. I want to be cautious of where my security comes from.
It is a comfort to know that God’s eyes are always searching for us; that he never gives up on us. He always desires a relationship with us, despite what we have done or how far we have wandered. Wow.
I was once listening to a sermon where the preacher said “sometimes we forget what a miracle it was that God saved us ” we can forget that all of us were prodigal sons who had taken what really belonged to God , tried to live our own way and failed before returning to a gracious father who had always loved us. We can sometimes then look at others like the older brother ” they don’t deserve it – they are sinners – they shouldn’t get the blessing I got” yet we too didn’t deserve it – are sinners and yet God pours out blessings! He forgives us! What a good good father!
Never forget God loves all of his children
I had forgotten how Joash’s life ended. What a sad story, but an interesting contrast with the prodigal son. It’s never too late to turn back to God.
Gods love will always be there for us and it is comforting to know he is always watching.
Tears because I’ve been both sons! At one time lost and away from my God, then next phase bitter for the blessing another lost sheep receives. Oh Lord in your great love, help us rejoice when another turns from their wicked ways to a life with You, knowing their acceptance does not affect our good standing with You — “My son, you are always with me and all I have is yours” are your words to us Father, we as your children partake in all your blessings so help us rejoice with you when our brother returns & not grow bitter!
Luke 15:4-7 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
God’s ways are so amazing to me. This part of Luke just sums up God’s all-encompassing grace that I cannot even begin to fathom – he never leaves anyone behind. My friend is currently on a Mission trip in Africa and she emailed a story about how many of her (and other interns’) belongings were stolen. They ended up finding the man who stole their things. My initial thought was that the man should be punished. But what my friend explained in the email was that the interns wanted to maintain a relationship with the man and show him God’s grace, as opposed to being angry with him.
God works in incredible ways and i was truly amazed with the fact that they were willing to forgive and even teach the man about God’s word. Jesus said it himself, he came not to save the righteous but to save the sinners, and although I (we) may not be the same type of sinner as this man (who was known for theft multiple times in the area), I am still a sinner (we are all sinners) and i (we) always will be. God, however , is always willing to take me (us) into his loving arms and forgive me (us).
This makes me want to be strong in the Lord. I don’t want to get an ego boost from some big people if it leads me to turn away from God in any way. I want to be cautious of where my security comes from.
It is a comfort to know that God’s eyes are always searching for us; that he never gives up on us. He always desires a relationship with us, despite what we have done or how far we have wandered. Wow.