Daily Bread 10-15-18

Luke 15:18

I will arise and go to my father and I will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee,

ref. - Jer 50:4,6 - In those days, and in that time, saith the Lord, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping: they shall go, and seek the Lord their God.

My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away unto the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their resting place.

Job 33: 27,28 - He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.

This is the very familiar story of the prodigal son. He went out, he spent his fortune, he destroyed his life, he ended up living and eating with the pigs. But what is most important, and what we some times forget, is that he did find his way back through honesty and repentance. When he realized that he was laying in a field eating the empty husks from the corn there was very little pride to be had. He needed help and he humbled himself. Once he did this the help was there and he was accepted back in. He did not go back in desiring to be in a chief seat though, he went back win just happy to be accepted as a servant and received the welcome and acceptance of a son. Many times we let our pride get us in a place where we have walked away from the will of God and in a very short time we are suffering and back out in the world. We look for hep out there but there its no help offered. The Spirit of God does not dwell in the people of the world so, therefore, there can be no help for our souls from these men. As the reference says, often times it is the fault of the shepherds. They lead them into the ways of the world instead of the ways of God and they forget where they need to be. In the hands of our savior and in the family of God is the only place where we belong and will be fed and treated like sons and daughters. But in order to get back in, or to remain in the graces of God we must be honest and repent. We must go seeking after his forgiveness and acceptance into his family and we must strive to stay there. Truth be told, the lowest or most humble position in the family of God far surpasses the highest position that the world can offer. And we have a savior that is waiting for anyone who has strayed to repent and be welcomed back in. So, today, if you find yourself outside of the will of God or just in offense to what Christ has brought us in the Gospel, look around. If you are honest with yourselves you will realize that you are no longer looking for the promises and blessings of God but looking for the approval of ungodly men. You will realize that you are eating the things that the pigs(sinners) eat and trying to be nourished. But you are not being fed the sincere milk of the Word and also not dwelling within the house of the Lord. Your return to the grace of the Lord dwells in honesty, sincerity, and repentance. Be welcomed back in to the family and repent. The kingdom of heaven is at hand and God has put us on this earth to be a part of this kingdom. Not as a vessel of dishonor, but as a vessel of honor. A son and not a stranger. A stranger and pilgrim to this world but blessed and accepted sons and daughters of God. Arise, go to your Father and repent, your Father and your God given family awaits your return!!! Have a great day!!!!