The Incredible Love Of God.

“But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough to spare, and I’m dying here ^d with hunger. I will get up and go to my father, and will tell him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight.”Luke. 15;17-18.

A young man was to be sentenced to the penitentiary. The judge had known him from childhood, for he was well acquainted with his father–a famous legal scholar and the author of an exhaustive study entitled, “The Law of Trusts.” “Do you remember your father?” asked the magistrate. “I remember him well, your honor,” came the reply. Then trying to probe the offender’s conscience, the judge said, “As you are about to be sentenced and as you think of your wonderful dad, what do you remember most clearly about him?” There was a pause. Then the judge received an answer he had not expected. “I remember when I went to him for advice. He looked up at me from the book he was writing and said, ‘Run along, boy; I’m busy!’ When I went to him for companionship, he turned me away, saying “Run along, son; this book must be finished!’ Your honour, you remember him as a great lawyer. I remember him as a lost friend.” The magistrate muttered to himself, “Alas! Finished the book but lost the boy!” 

In Luke 15 Christ related to the people one of the most poignant stories in all literature, that of the prodigal son. Nearly everyone can relate to one of the characters, the prodigal son, the elder brother, or the father. Each of the characters teaches important lessons for Christians to learn. In Luke 15:20-24 we learn some things about the father that Christian fathers need to imitate as they try to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. He was patient-Although the son had been gone a long time (long enough for a famine to ravage the land), the father was still looking. He "saw him a great way off." His eyes were never tired of looking for his wayward son. Fathers, how patient are you with your children when they falter on life's pathway?

He was loving- When he saw his son coming, he ran to him. He could not wait for his son to come to him. He immediately hugged and kissed his son. The father did not even ask for an explanation of where he had been or what he had been doing. He did not give him a lecture on "you should have known better," or "I hope you have learned your lesson." Fathers, how loving are you toward your children when they make mistakes? He was forgiving-We know he was forgiving because his actions demonstrated it. So anxious was he to forgive his son that he did not let him finish his plea. (In Luk 15:18-19 the son plans to ask his father to make him a servant. But the father cuts him off before he gets that far, Luk 15:21-22). The father restored his wayward son to his original place and treated him with the highest honor. Fathers, how forgiving are you of your children when they do wrong? May God grant to us all the wisdom to raise the right children in Jesus name.

FURTHER READING:

“But the father said to his servants, Quickly, bring out the best robe, and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat, and celebrate;” Luke. 25:22-23.

“But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this brother of yours was dead and is alive; and he. was lost, and is found.’” Luke. 15:32.

DECLARATION: 

Dear Abba, I thank You for the gift of life and the privilege of salvation. You are the perfect parent. You love us with unconditional love and are the perfect example of sacrificial giving. And You are grace, mercy, and discipline. Everything we need to parent the children you have given us we find in you and through You. I ask that you anoint me afresh to be the right parent and children who will not bring You shame and embarrassment in the mighty name of Jesus, may we be mindful of the opportunity You give us and take advantage of it in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:

Psa. 6:1-10.

Psa. 7:1-17.

Psa. 8:1-9.

Psa. 9:1-20.

QUOTE FOR THE DAY:

“Parenting Is The Easiest Thing In The World To Have An Opinion About, But The Hardest Thing In The World To Do."