DON’T SWEAT OVER LOSS OR WASTE

By Joseph Prince – Posted April 26, 2017

Luke 15;22-23

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us and be merry;

What would you say if your son, whom you had given a large inheritance to, came crawling home one day after wasting all his money on riotous living?

In the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11–24), the father did not say one word about loss or waste, though his son had indeed wasted his inheritance on riotous living. 

The father only saw his son’s homecoming as an opportunity to show him how much he loved him and to restore to him what he had lost.

Like the father in the parable, it is your heavenly Father’s desire to embrace you and show you how much you are loved. And it is His good pleasure to restore to you what you have lost.

Perhaps you have lost something recently, or you are frustrated that something has gone to waste due to a bad decision you made. My friend, God does not see the finality of the loss or waste the way you do. When you come to Him with it, He sees it as an opportunity to restore to you what has been lost or wasted.

Even if, like the prodigal son, you feel far away from your heavenly Father, or you feel that you have disappointed Him, don’t despair. The truth is that the moment you come to Him, He immediately restores to you the robe of honor to clothe your nakedness, the ring of authority to declare your position of power and dominion, and the sandals on your feet (which servants do not wear) to reinstate you as a son in His house.

He reassures you that you had never lost the position of sonship. And He celebrates your return to Him with the killing of a fatted calf because you are His beloved child whom He cherishes.

Beloved, in your Father’s house, you not only come under His complete protection, but you also enjoy His inexhaustible provision and unconditional love!

Thought For The Day

It is your heavenly Father’s desire to show you how much you are loved and to restore to you what you have lost.

The Great I AM

By DR. David Jeremiah – Posted April 26, 2017

And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.”
Exodus 3:14

Recommended Reading: John 11:25-27

When Moses asked God for His name, the Lord answered, “I AM WHO I AM,” indicating He is self-existent, eternal, unchanging, undying, and infinitely self-sufficient. Centuries later, Jesus adopted this name for Himself in John’s Gospel, saying, “Before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58), and telling us, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35),” I am the light of the world” (John 8:12), “I am the door” (John 10:9), “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11), “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25).

This is the One in whom we place our trust. Because He is self-existent, we have a basis for our own existence. Because He is eternal, we have everlasting life in Him. Because He is unchanging, we can trust every word in His Book. Because He is infinitely self-sufficient, He can meet all our needs.

Since He is our bread and light, we have provision. Since He is the door, we have entrance into His presence. Since He is the good shepherd, we have His care. Since He is the resurrection and the life, we have a certain future.

We are, because He is.

There is no power in hell or any who can stand / Before the power and the presence of the Great I Am!
Jared Anderson, in the song “Great I Am”

Abundant Life Today

By Joel Osteen – Posted April 26, 2017

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:

"...I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
John 10:10, NKJV

TODAY'S WORD:

Are you living the abundant life Jesus came to give? I’m not talking about living in the fanciest house or driving the newest car. No, His promise of abundant life goes way beyond material things that this world offers. Abundant life means “life to the full.” That means no matter what is going on around you, you can partake of the full blessings of God. You can have peace in the midst of a storm. You can have joy when things are uncertain. You can have hope when circumstances seem hopeless. As believers, a lot of times it’s easy to look at that verse and think, “God is going to give me abundant life someday.” But the truth is that God wants you to have abundant life TODAY! Don’t waste another second living in mediocrity or settling for less than God’s best. Receive His blessings by faith today. Receive His hope, joy, strength and favor. Declare that you are living the abundant life today and every day! 

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Father, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, so that I can have eternal life. I know that You want the best for me. Help me to keep my heart and mind focused on You so that I can walk in Your ways all the days of my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.

My Beloved Son (and Daughter)

By Joyce Meyer - Posted April 26, 2017

And all of us...are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another.... 
—2 Corinthians 3:18

We all make mistakes every day of our lives. But if we love God and want to do what is right, He keeps working with us and loving us into wholeness. We don't have to feel rejected in the meantime. God sees the end from the beginning. He knows where we are now and is fully aware of every one of our faults, but He also knows where we can be if He keeps loving us and encouraging us to go forward. God changes us from one degree of glory to another, according to 2 Corinthians 3:18, but He also keeps loving, accepting, and approving of us while we are making the journey. 

The Scripture tells us that a voice came from heaven two different times and said, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Why was this necessary? I believe that Jesus needed to hear these words, and I believe we need to hear the same expression of love and affirmation. Knowing that God is on our side gives us confidence. Jesus received God's encouragement, and we need to do the same. Don't concentrate on everything that is wrong with you. That will distract you from proper fellowship with God. Thank God for your strengths and turn your weaknesses over to Him. 

When God finished all of His creation, including man, He looked at it and said, "It is good!" God intends to work in and through you, so relax and believe that God approves of you! 

Love Yourself Today: Say out loud, "I am God's beloved child. He approves of me and will finish the good work He started!"