MANNA FOR TODAY ~ Luke 15: 24-32 .... ...for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry. 25 “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’ 28 “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’ 31 “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’” Notes from my Bible: THE OTHER PRODIGAL Luke chapter 15 has been called The Lost and Found Department of the Bible...We read the parables of Christ: the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son. The passage today is the ending of the prodigal son story. We all know the story of the younger brother... he demands his inheritance, squanders it on sinful living, becomes destitute, is humbled through trial, comes to the end of himself, and returns to his father in repentance and shame. The fathers welcome home in love and forgiveness is an endless treasure of Gods grace to the wayward sinner. The young prodigal found out that sin---will keep you longer than wanted to stay, -- sin will take you further than you wanted to go, and --sin will cost you more than you planned to pay... But what about THE OTHER PRODIGAL? ... the angry elder brother. I contend today to you that there are many such prodigals in the Church! Saved and serving folks, but living in the flesh and having no real joy nor devotion to God the Father. Angry, resentful, conceited, haughty, proud, and, I admit, that I have at times been one these kind of church folks. So I can share with certainty some traits of the other prodigal--the self-righteous elder brother: ....1) They make no attempt to understand. 2) They never give the benefit of the doubt. 3) They present themselves as the standard 4) They really dont know the heart of The Father. 5) They always paint others in a bad light...they will lift themselves up by putting others down. Both sons did time in prison..One in the prison of rebellion, the other in the prison of resentment. One came home to a joyful welcome, the other was always home, but wallowed in self-pity. Because of jealousy, the elder missed the party. Bitterness and unforgiveness incarcerates us along with all those victims of betrayal, abuse, the system, who have chained themselves to the walls of their own prisons. Hurt can turn to hate-- let it go! You are always Gods child and nothing can change that. there is a place for you at the feast---enjoy it! Realize that OTHER PRODIGAL may be you today. -------He missed salvation without a song. Service without joy. ------ Sonship without fellowship. ------- And , Security without satisfaction. Dont let a lousy attitude rob you of what God has for you today./ love, mike
Posted on: Mon, 31 Mar 2014 12:53:53 +0000
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