The Parable of the Prodigal Son..Craig Denison Ministries

 The Parable of the Prodigal Son

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

Jesus loved to use stories to illustrate profound, life-transforming concepts. He loved to use real and genuine settings, characters, and ideas that apply to all of us to reveal God’s heart of pursuit and love. This week we’re going to spend time allowing the parables of Jesus to speak directly to our situations, mindsets, and core beliefs about who God is. Open your heart and mind to be transformed by the powerful and captivating stories of Jesus.

Scripture:“And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’” Luke 15:21-24

Devotional:     

There isn’t a single passage of Scripture that better illustrates the heart of our heavenly Father than the parable of the prodigal son. So as to not miss any of the details of this life-changing passage, open your heart to the Spirit as you read it in its entirety.

And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

“Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found’” (Luke 15:11-32).

The life-changing core of the gospel is that when we feel far from God, he is never far from us. The moment we turn back toward him, he runs out to meet us. The moment we lower ourselves in response to our sin, he exalts us, calls us his child, and throws a party in our honor. Sometimes the most important truths are the simple ones. Sometimes the very word we need most is the truth we’ve heard thousands of times. My prayer for you today is that you wouldn’t extend yourself past the foundation of the gospel. God’s desire is that we would linger in the revelation of the aftermath of Jesus’ work, that through his life, death, and resurrection we have been raised to newness of life (Romans 6:4). Get lost today in the profound grace of your loving God. Of no work of your own, you have been set free from the bonds of this earth and brought back into the fold of your loving heavenly Father. Through the sacrifice of King Jesus you have been crowned as a co-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17).

Take time today to simply rest in the foundational truth of the gospel. Run toward God with all humility and allow your heart to be raised up as he exalts you. Humble yourself in light of his majesty and allow him to pour out a joy over you like you have never felt before. God has every reason to condemn you, but out of his overwhelming love he has chosen to call you his beloved child. Meditate on this life-changing truth and respond to his love with the offering of your life. 

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the profound truth of the gospel that you are fully loved only through the grace of your heavenly Father.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8

“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12

“They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him.” Malachi 3:17

2. Where do you need to turn and run toward your heavenly Father? Acknowledge your total need of his grace and receive the abundant mercy he is waiting to pour over you.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

3. Spend time resting in the knowledge of Jesus’ finished work. Rest in the love of your heavenly Father. Allow his presence and his love to change you from the inside out today. Allow the Spirit to guide you into the heart of God.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

There is nothing you could do that could separate you from the love of your heavenly Father. The prodigal son sinned against his father in the worst way a son could. And still the father ran out to meet him at first glance of his son’s return. Your heavenly Father runs to meet you anytime you turn toward him. Don’t let the enemy spread lies to you that you are too dirty for God or that you have to fix yourself before you can spend time in his presence. Your relationship with God is based completely on grace, not on works. He loves you because he loves you, not because of what you do. Go out today in the knowledge that you are eternally loved by your heavenly Father, regardless of what you do. And may his love spur you toward a life lived in the abundance of restored relationship.

Extended Reading: Romans 8

Trusting God or Getting Antsy?..LISA ROETTGER

 Trusting God or Getting Antsy?

LISA ROETTGER

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

It was a dark, moonless night in southern Sudan. I was walking from the house to our sleeping hut, trusting that my bush lamp, a small kerosene lantern, would light my way.

But the puddle of light before me was only enough to illuminate the next few steps, not enough to show me the small hut I hoped was lying ahead. Starting to feel a little anxious, I thought, Where is the hut? Shouldn’t I be there by now? Am I even on the right path?

I needed more light. Stopping, I held up my lamp, stretching my arm out as far as I could.

But I’d picked the wrong spot to stop and question the way — right in the middle of a trail of army ants. They took advantage of my hesitation to let me know how much I’d annoyed them. Scurrying up my legs, they began to bite, oblivious to the fact that I’d meant them no harm.

Under their none-too-gentle prodding, I took off again, choosing the only option left: keeping to the bit of path I could see, trusting it would take me to my destination. Thankfully, it did.

After arriving and removing all the ants, I had a chance to think and was reminded of Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Like the oil lamps of Old Testament times, and like my bush lamp, God’s Word may light only a few feet of path, illuminating the next few steps He wants me to take. Yet often in life, I find myself demanding to see the final destination. Where are You taking me, Lord? I ask. I want a spotlight, not this feeble bush lamp!

What options do we have when we want to see farther than God reveals? We can stop in our tracks, refusing to go another step more until God shows us His entire plan. We can struggle to illuminate the path ourselves, trying to figure out the final destination and the best way there on our own.

Or we can trust God and His Word.

God often lights just enough of the path for us to take the next few steps. We may not like it. We may want to know more. We may want to know all. But God wants us to trust Him and His Word. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV). When we, in faith, take those first steps, the light will move forward with us, and we’ll be able to see the next bit of path God wants us to follow.

We don’t have to get antsy after all. We can choose to trust the Lord instead.

Lord, thank You that time and time again, You have shown Yourself trustworthy. Help me to take those first steps forward that You want me to take, fully trusting You even when I can’t see the entire way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

What God Chooses to Accomplish His Wil..Amanda Idleman

 What God Chooses to Accomplish His Will

By: Amanda Idleman

Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. - 1 Corinthians 1:27

Have you ever felt the nudge to do something, say something, or try something that felt outside your ability? As soon as the thought came into your head another did as well, discrediting your qualifications. Yet, the idea brought a quickening in your heart. The undeniable feeling this could be great./p>

These are the moments when God wants to step in to do something bigger than what we believe is possible with our seemingly unqualified lives. The amazing truth is that we are not left to ourselves in these moments! When God lays something on our heart to do or brings on a challenge for us to conquer for Him, then HE is the one who is going to be sufficient to see us through! He pushes us into uncomfortable places so that we are able to recognize His power at work.

If God only called us to what we felt capable to do, then would we even recognize God’s hand at work in our lives? When we feel like we have it all together, when things make sense in our own minds then we stop seeking God for his help. Our pride so easily steals our need for a Savior.

It is for this reason that God allows us to face obstacles that feel insurmountable at the moment. In these moments we must be faithful to take a step of faith. God will meet us and miraculously provide so that His glory can be seen in our lives. God enables his people to accomplish what He desires them to do with their lives.

God’s plan for humanity is not one that we can make sense of on our own. God came in a form that no one expected, died a criminal's death, and yet used these lowly circumstances as the tool to free humanity from the chains of sin and death.

If we are to be ones who accomplish God’s plan for our lives or even to be those who are able to accept the truth of the cross, we have to be willing to lay aside our expectation, known limitations, and step out in faith that God will meet us where we are. He uses a foolish cross to redeem our lives.

He gives us the strength we need to minister to those who need His love in our daily lives. God will carry us through dark days. He will provide for our families when we see no way forward. God is able and uses our powerlessness to show His great ability to carry us through whatever it is that He calls us to.

Pause to consider in what ways you need to invite God to show His mighty hand at work in your life? Are you only relying on what “makes sense” to you or is there an area in your life in which God is nudging you to step out in faith so He can do something great? God only gave the Israelites in the desert the manna they needed each day so they would have to learn to trust in God as their provider. How is God teaching you to trust in him as your daily provider?

A Mother’s Day Prayer for Courage..Jessica Van Roekel

 A Mother’s Day Prayer for Courage

By Jessica Van Roekel

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” - Deuteronomy 31:6, ESV

I remember the sleepless nights when my grown-up babies were babes in my arms. Their cries for comfort or hunger filled the midnight space, and I stumbled down the hall to scoop them up. I sat in a rocking chair and hummed a little song as they snuggled close. Then the years went by, and they grew from baby to toddler and child to teen. My nights became my own again as I slept night after night, knowing they were tucked in safe and sound down the hall.

They entered adulthood, and with it came the more significant cares of life. No longer can I hear their cries from down the hall and rush to soothe them. Instead, I lay awake and wrestled with wonder and worry. Yet, I still want to rescue them, give them advice, and see them take it. I want them to have a struggle-free kind of life. And then I remember. I remember Jesus’ statement in John 16:33 that we will have trouble in this world, but to take heart because he has overcome the world. This verse brings me peace, and I cling to it for myself. But I’m coming awake to the truth that my kids will have their own set of hardships. Hence, my midnight wrestling. On the one hand, I wish a trouble-free life for them, but on the other hand, I don’t because it’s in our difficulties where we grow the most if we choose to do so.

These are the crossroads we mothers face. Life is hard, but we will overcome it when we stay close to God. We want our adult sons and daughters to choose God’s way of trust and embrace his presence in their lives. But, we also know life becomes hardest when someone walks away from God, and we cannot make them choose his way. And so, we need extra courage. No one warned me about this when I nestled my babies in my arms. I needed the courage to train them through the terrible twos, hurricane threes, childhood drama, and teenage angst. But I had no idea the level of courage it would take to watch my kids navigate their first steps into adulthood. I need resolute courage to speak when God says to and to be silent when he instructs. I need gutsy courage to lay in bed at night and intercede for my children rather than worry. I need tenacious courage to trust God to guide my kids’ steps, knowing he does a much better job than me. Finally, I need formidable courage to believe that even though they will struggle, they will know victory because Jesus says he overcomes the world.

In Deuteronomy 31, Moses passed the mantle of leading the Israelites to Joshua. It was time to enter the Promised Land, but Moses could not go with them. Instead, he told them the Lord would go ahead of them to destroy the nations occupying their land and that they must obey the Lord’s commands. I imagine there may have been some fear and trepidation about the future. After all, the last four decades had taken on a familiar routine. They gathered manna in the morning, lived in tents, and moved as the Lord directed. Now they faced an unknown future in a strange land with a brand-new leader. The risk for acute worry and diminished courage was high. Moses gave them three instructions: to be strong, courageous, and not fear. Then he implored them to remember that God goes with them and won’t leave or forsake them. He commissioned them for their future. Mamas, we need the same instructions and reminders. It requires remarkable courage to entrust our grown-up kids to God.

Let’s pray:
Lord God,

Thank you for the children you entrusted to me. Help me be brave. I’m scared. Will they make the right choices? What kind of troubles will they face? Will you be there for them? Will you catch them or let them fall? I want to swoop in and rescue them. I want to tell them what their next steps should be. But I entrusted them to you when they were tiny, and I’ve got to re-entrust them to you now. You are with them, and you will not forsake them. Help me have the courage to lean on you and give them space to follow your leading through their valleys and mountains. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Influences from Childhood..Dr. Charles Stanley

 Influences from Childhood

Dr. Charles Stanley

Isaiah 61:1-3

No one's childhood is perfect. What we experienced during those years has a profound impact, even into adulthood. Things we saw, heard, felt, and even things we did not feel can affect us later in life.

As one might expect, external influences do help to shape our personality. However, the result is not always predictable. For example, early years full of painful experiences leave deeps wounds in some, but in others, they contribute to the development of depth and perseverance.

Whether your younger years were joyful or painful, it can be valuable to consider what their impact was, back then as well as in the present. You might start by exploring your responses to key childhood events. Next, identify traits that you appreciated in your parents and others--qualities you'd like to nurture in your own life. Finally, think about people with characteristics that impacted you negatively. Ask God for healing and freedom from the patterns you may have developed in response. Then shift your focus to godly attributes you want to exhibit instead, such as peace, grace, and gentleness.

The heavenly Father wants to free you from any negative trends that took root early in life. He can break any unhealthy pattern and replace it with hope and deep satisfaction in Him.

As you explore the effects of childhood experiences, pray to see through a lens of truth. When you recognize ways that others negatively influenced you, pray for strength to forgive and God's help in mending areas of brokenness--whether spiritual, emotional, relational, or mental.