Faithfully Yours Forever

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+15%3A11-24+&version=NIV
Passage: Luke 15:11-24
Verse: Luke 15:24 (NIV 2011)
For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

The parable found in today’s passage, the parable of the lost son, is a powerful expression of redemption and the love that our heavenly Father has for all of His children.  Our heavenly Father longs for all of His wandering children to find their way home.  Lord, may we keep things in perspective – a heavenly perspective, not an earthly or worldly perspective.  May we praise God and express our gratitude for His mercy and grace that led to our salvation.  However, May we also rejoice as others are found and accept God’s gift of eternal life.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+15%3A1-10&version=NIV
Passage: Luke 15:1-10
Verse: Luke 15:10 (NIV)
In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

Have you ever obsessed over something that was lost?  Have you ever had to search for whatever was lost until it was found?  In this passage, we read of two of Jesus’ parables – one about a lost sheep and the other about a lost coin.  Other passages in Scripture tell us that God seeks for no one to be eternally lost.  We learn how He goes to great lengths to reach out to and find those who are lost.  Just as we celebrate when we find something that has been lost, the angels of heaven rejoice when a lost sinner repents and is found.  May we put in the time and energy required to find someone who is lost, but desires to be found.  May we share the hope we have found in Christ with them.  May we pray that they will turn to Christ.  May we rejoice when they repent and are no longer lost.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2%3A11-22&version=NIV
Passage: Ephesians 2:11-22
Verse: Ephesians 2:13 (NIV)
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
 
This passage of Scripture speaks about the Jew and Gentile being reconciled to God through Jesus, the Christ.  We know that Jesus was a Jew.  We also know that God has a special place in His heart for the Israelites and their nation.  However, those who believe in and follow Jesus have been grafted into the nation of Israel.  Before accepting Christ as Lord and Savior, we were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.  Jesus came to earth to reconcile both Jew and Gentile to God.  He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.  Praise God!  As Christians, we join Christ [as the chief cornerstone] as He builds His kingdom…His holy temple.  May we praise God for considering us worthy of His love and for including us in His family, His nation, His kingdom.  May we be at peace in Christ. (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+15%3A25-32+&version=NIV
Passage: Luke 15:25-32
Verses: Luke 15:31-32 (NIV)
‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’

Today’s passage is the “end of the story” to the parable of the lost son.  It may be understandable, from a human perspective, why the one that has always been faithful and obedient [the older brother] will look at a “late comer” to the faith [the wayward younger brother] with a bit of resentment, anger, or frustration.  However, the Lord hopes the faithful will rise above those human tendencies and view things from a more heavenly perspective.  May we appreciate the daily blessings that come from having a strong and faithful relationship with the Lord.  May we selflessly desire for others, who now choose to obey and be faithful to our heavenly Father, receive a full measure of His grace and blessings.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)