July 16th, 2017
Devotional
“The Gospel in Storybooks: Where the Wild Things Are” - Luke 15: 11-32
Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com
Monday: “Father” - Luke 15: 11-12
How many of us when we hear the words “Our Father”, especially in the Lord’s Prayer, think first to the story Jesus tells of the prodigal son? The son who disowned his father, squandered his inheritance, and then returned thinking he would work for his father as a hired hand, only to find out that he celebrated, love, reinstated. We were once far from our Heavenly Father, separated by sin. But now we are welcomed into the Kingdom in loving arms. This is the Father we pray to. The one who loves us unconditional, with an eternal forgiveness. The one who reminds us that while we may want to stop being God’s child, disowning Him, he will never stop being our Father.
God wants us to choose to see him as a loving parents. God wants to give us what is best, but too often we start to demand what we think is best, putting ourselves in the position of being God, like the younger son, or disown God entirely? As we explore this text this week may we seek the grace of God in our lives.
When are times that you have demanded that God give you something instead of asking God what is best?
Prayer: God, we confess that all too often we are your ungrateful children. We chastise the younger son for disowning the father in the parable by asking for his inheritance now, while failing to see that we are just like him - making demands of you and disowning you too quickly when we do not get our own way. Forgive us, gracious God. Amen.
Tuesday: “He Began to Be in Need ” - Luke 15:13-14
This parable tells the story of a son that sinned more then we could ever imagine, but when he left that life behind, broken, to return home that he was greatly celebrated. We have such a celebration is waiting for us. We can leave behind burdens to find great joy. We can throw away that which distances and we find hope in the future, and hope in the present and the future.
But first, we need to recognize that we have a need for God. For the younger son that came when he found himself with no money, no place to call home, and working a job he never imagined himself doing. For each of us, rock bottom, or recognizing our deep need for God will be different. But when we do have that realization it can lead us to the foot of the cross, where we can admit that we cannot deal with our own sin, and we hand our lives over to Jesus Christ.
What lead you to Jesus Christ?
What keeps leading you back to the cross to find forgiveness? Do you find confessions and repentance to be easy or difficult? Why?
Prayer: Lord, there are so many ways that we go astray, O Lord, and you look on all our sin equally. Lead us back to the cross, Precious Savior, whenever we stray. Welcome us home. Amen.
Wednesday: “ I Will Get Up and Go” - Luke 15: 15-19
In all stories there is a moment that changes things. This is that moment in the Parable of the Prodigal Son. The younger son realizes that life is not meant to be lived in this way and decides to go back home, back to the place where he left, and beg for forgiveness. He is so ashamed of his behavior that he doesn’t even plan on begging his father to take him back as a son, rather he wants to be taken in simply as a servant.
We have such moments in our lives as well. Moments where we make a decision that changes everything. In the church, we hope and pray that those who do not yet know Christ have a moment where they choose the love of Jesus. However, we cannot force such moments to happen. They are truly free choices, when people recognize and respond to the love of a Savior.
Tell about life changing moments in your life. How did they lead you to Jesus?
Prayer: Lord, we thank you that even when things are at there worst, you still offer us your love and mercy. We pray today, O Lord, for those who haven’t made that choice yet. Let them by your love, Holy Spirit, to accept Jesus Christ. Amen.
Thursday: “I Have Sinned” - Luke 15: 20-21
Perhaps some of the hardest words we ever have to say in life are those when we admit that we have screwed up. Admit that we have hurt someone we love. Admit that we did not make the right choice. Admit that we sinned against God.
What the younger son says to the father in these verses takes a lot of humility. We, too, need to humble ourselves before God. We model what this looks like every week when we come together and pray a prayer of confession. We need confession in our life for it cleanses our soul.
Do you find confession before God easy or difficult? Why?
Prayer: Lord, we thank you for the gift of confession. We thank you that you show us time and again that when we stray into sin that we come humbly come back to you and find forgiveness, if only we earnestly repent. Help us have a repentant heart this day and always. Amen.
Friday: “Celebrate” - Luke 15: 22-32
This is perhaps my favorite part of the Parable of the Prodigal son - the celebration. I truly believe that the Kingdom of God rejoices whenever a lost child returns from the world of sin.
However, as a church, we have much to learn about the celebration of God. Too often we can find ourselves acting like the older son - trying to scale back or quash the celebration because we want to be recognized and celebrated.
Let us see others with the eyes of God. Let us acknowledge how beautiful it is when a lost soul returns! Let us sing with the angels in heaven! Amen! Amen! Amen!
Who do you identify with most in the parable of the prodigal son? Why?
Do you celebrate when lost souls return to God? How?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for searching for us. Thank you for accepting us. Thank you above all for celebrating each time someone returns to you! Make us part of the celebration, Lord! Let our voices of love sing out in praise of you! Amen.
Saturday: Preparing for the Word
You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “The Gospel in Storybooks: Old Turtle” - Isaiah 40:28 and Exodus 34: 6-7.
Family Activity: Read Where the Wild Things Are. What do you love the most about home? How does your love show you the love of Jesus?
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