Luke 15:11-24 It Is Time To Return To The Father

Luke 15:11-24 -11 Then He said, “A man had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.’ So he divided his estate between them.

13 “Not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together, and journeyed to a distant country, and there squandered his possessions in prodigal living. 14 When he had spent everything, there came a severe famine in that country, and he began to be in want. 15 So he went and hired himself to a citizen of that county, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 He would gladly have filled his stomach with the husks that the swine were eating, but no one gave him any.

17 “When he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have an abundance of bread, and here I am perishing with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’ 20 So he arose and came to his father.

“But while he was yet far away, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and ran and embraced his neck and kissed him.

21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22 “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 shoes on his feet. 23 Bring here the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and be merry. 24 For this son of mine was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ So they began to be merry.

Is God looking down the road to see if you too are on the road that leads back home to where He is?  I have no doubt that He is not only looking, but He is calling you back home to the Father's house.

Yes, God is calling you for it is time for you to return to God. He is even willing to run down the road and meet you once your foot steps begins to head His way.

Remember, no man knows the day nor the hour when their last breath will be drawn. I urge you to repent of your sins and return to God on today.

God makes a promise that when you return on today, there will be a celebration not only in earth, but a greater celebration in heaven over your return back to the Father.

Let's listen to Luke 15:7-Likewise, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous men who need no repentance.

Oh, what a day of rejoicing it will be on the day of your return to the Father.

God is still looking down the road for you, hoping to see you in His view.

God bless.

Debra

I do not own this video nor do I claim ownership of it. This video is copyright by Brian Doerksen.

Matthew 11:28-30 Feeling Weary On Today? God Is Calling You To Rest In Him

Matthew 11:28-30 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me. For I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.[a] 30 For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

In the world today, in the hustle and bustle of life, we all deal with issue that tries to weight us all down to some degree. But, in spite of them, God offers us hope on today.

Whatever the cause is for your need of spiritual rest, God is inviting you to that place of rest for your weary soul on today. “REST” that is not found in anything or anyone else but HIM.

The call to true "REST" is only found in the saving of our souls.

As humans, we have a tendency to look to other people and places first and use God as a last resort, but God is saying to us on today that He is our first and only option to true rest for our souls.

There is a “PROMISED” place of peace and quietness that Jesus is invites all to come. This place is called “Salvation” through Christ Jesus alone.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;6 in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.

The invitation is to “COME, TAKE AND LEARN”.

Oh what an invitation on today that Christ offers to all who would “Come” and trust Him by faith.

He promises that if we come, He will give us rest from the struggles, worry, stress, sorrow and sins of life.

He promises to receive us and not condemn us.

In need of rest for your weary soul on today? Jesus is the answer!

God bless you.

 Debra

I do not own this video nor do I claim ownership of it. This video is copyright by James Fortune. 

Matthew 6:33 Get Your Priorities In Order

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be given to you.

This text is part of what is known as Jesus “Sermon On The Mount.”

The call today is to get our "priorities" in order by "Putting God "First" in our lives.

In this part of His sermon Jesus drives home His point which says “do not worry, but instead, seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.”

Seek the kingdom of God first!  Seek the rule and reign of Christ on the throne of your heart. This is the kingdom that Jesus is calling us to seek on today. Seek to know Christ, seek to know His will for our lives and obey it.

We as humans have a tendency to seek and put before God everything imaginable and all of them last but for a little while.

Proverbs 14:12- There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

Anything that is not adding to your spiritual growth is hindering it and affecting your relationship with God and His purpose for your life.

It is not enough to just seek God, but to seek Him “first”. First means first. How do you seek Him? By faith through His Word and prayer.

Life is uncertain, time is short, therefore, we need to attend to the matter of making God first “priority” in our lives an urgent matter.

Until we put God “first” in our lives, we will never be satisfied. We can shop and buy all we want, we can take one vacation after another, we can seek one career after another, we can do this and we can do that, but we will still be empty and find our self still needing more and more “stuff.”

"But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence” (Jer. 17:7, NIV)

We will never know the full reward of obedience until we put God "first.”

Where does God fit in your life? Is He first? If not, who is?

God bless you all.

Debra

I do not own this video nor do I claim ownership of it. This video is copyright by Nathaniel Bassey and Love Song.

Philippians 3:13-14 Forgetting The Past and Reaching Towards The Future With Christ

Philippians 3:13-14 -  Brothers, I do not count myself to have attained, but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press towards the goal to the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

2015 is gone and will never return. We can no longer grab a hold of it. It is time to continue moving forward with confidence and assurance in Christ Jesus, for there is a prize to be won, only by looking forward unto Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith .

The Apostle Paul declares in this text that he has not made it on his own. In viewing his past he knew that if it had not been for the Lord, he would not be where he was at the time of his writing this text.

The call today is to forget all those past hurts, pains, failures, disappointments, rejection, lies that were told on you, regretful things, misunderstanding, and all those bad past experiences of 2015. Let them go!!! You cannot change the past!

What’s in your past that God is calling you away? In order for you to move forward into that place that God has destined for you to be, you have got to let go of the past! Leave it behind!! Is it worth holding on to? No, it is a hinderance. You can not drive looking back, ,because you will wreck. What is it that you are holding on to that is causing you to delay where God is trying to take you?

I have purposed in my heart and mind that 2015 will not be my focus in 2016. Christ goals for my life is my goal for my life, therefore, I am not looking back.

The life of a new creation in Christ Jesus cannot be lived looking back, but pressing forward to the goal of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Forgetting the past and reaching toward the future with Christ in view is where I am headed in 2016. What about you? 

God bless and I love you all.

Debra

I do not own this video nor do I claim ownership of it. This video is copyright by William McDowell. 

John 10:1-18 Jesus Is The Gate That The Sheep Must Enter Into

John 10:1-18 -Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

God bless you all.

Debra

I do not own this video nor do I claim ownership of it.

John 21:1-22 - "Feed My Sheep" Is Still an Active Command Today

John 21:1-22 - Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee.[a] It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus[b]), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.[c] 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me? ”He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me? "Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 

18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 

19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”

The call is still going forth today. The command from heaven to earth still is "FEED MY SHEEP".

God bless and I love you all.

Debra

I do not own this video nor do I claim ownership of it.

Hebrews 4:16 Take It To God's Throne In Prayer

Hebrews 4:16-Let us then come with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

The call on today is to draw near to the throne of God in prayer with confidence and assurance so that we may find the help we stand in need of.

People of God, we must daily remind ourselves of this one thing and that is our God is "God of the impossible." NOTHING is to hard for Him.

Jeremiah 32:27-"I am the LORD, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?

The Lord our God is declaring to us on today that He is our "HELP" in our time of need, therefore, "IF" we come, we are promised to find grace and mercy at His throne. 

Searching for peace in a world full of chaos and confusion? Come boldly to God's throne of grace. Searching for love and hope? Come boldly to God's throne of grace in prayer." These words still ring true in my ear and heart today from when I was a child.

Let's listen:When we suffer, the enemy of our mind often comes to us with thoughts that are contrary to God's Word in his attempt to convince us that “God doesn’t care about us and that is why we suffer and He is not, have not yet answered and will not answer us so stop wasting your time with these worthless prayers?”  THE DEVIL IS A LIAR! KEEP PRAYING!!! TRUST GOD!!!

At God's appointed time, HE WILL ANSWER! He promised us in this text that when we come in prayer, "we will find the grace and mercy we need." KEEP PRAYING PEOPLE OF GOD!

Now is not the time to be discouraged, but NOW is the time to PRAY!

In need of help on today? Take it to God's throne in prayer for that is the place where grace and mercy awaits you on today.

God bless.

Debra

I do not own this video nor do I claim ownership of it.

Proverbs 22:6 Are You Training Your Children As God Commands You To

Proverbs 22:6-Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

TRAIN=paideuó in the greek and is defined as  I discipline, educate, train, (b) more severely: I chastise.

We are reminded in scripture that children are a heritage from the Lord. In other words, they are God's gift given to parents to raise in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

With that being said, we as parents are to make it a top priority to raise our children with the knowledge and understanding of who God is. First,  by our own example of a life of one who knows God, honors Him and obey Him. 

What are your goals as a parent who is responsible for raising your child as God commands you to based on the scriptures? What is your goal? is it your agenda to raise them to be self sufficient or God dependent ? What is your goal in raising your child? What is it?

If we are parents who confess Christ as our Savior then raising our children according to scripture should be a priority.

How do we begin to train our children as God commands us to? Glad you ask!

Let's listen to how God instruct Moses to train the generations of his time. This same word applies to us. God changes not for He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

God and His word is one! Let's listen to our instructions from the Word of God on how to raise our children as He commands us to.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 -These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be [written] on your heart and mind. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your [b]children [impressing God’s precepts on their minds and penetrating their hearts with His truths] and shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up. 8 And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand (forearm), and they shall be used as [c]bands (frontals, frontlets) on your forehead. 9 You shall write them on the [d]doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Believe it or not, in everything we are doing with our kids, we are training them either for gain or loss in their life.

Our primary task as parents is to prepare our sons and daughters to walk according to God’s plan, His will, and His purpose for their lives. 

Parents, take your children to Sunday school and church regularly so that they may receive knowledge and understanding of God's Word. Teach them to pray by letting them see you pray and study God's Word.

Parents, teach your children by allowing them to read a bible verse each day. Teach them to pray at meal time, at bed time and when they arise early in the morning. Teach them to pray when you get in the car and head out on the road. Let them pray for safe travel to and from their destinations. Teach them to pray for family members, friends, their teachers, neighbors, the needy and poor, the sick, etc.

Parents, once you have done your BEST in what God commanded of you and your children are grown and out of the home, they can either follow the path that you have taught them that God has outlined in His Word for them to follow or they can follow the ways of the world. Either way, there are consequences for both.

Parents, if you have done what God told you to do in raising your child in the way he or she should go according to scripture, you have done well, regardless of the course of action they may take in later life..

When we have done our best to raise our children in godly homes will they still stray? Possibly!  BUT, if the seed is planted, it may take years, but they will come back.

The good news is the "seed" of God's Word has been sown into their hearts by you and they will eventually take root.

 One thing of a surety is only what we do for Christ will last. A personal relationship with Jesus will be all that matters when we all and our children come to the end of life on this earth. 

The example of praying parents is the foundation for a child's faith!

Parents, are you training your children as God commands you to?

Ponder this question on today parents.

God bless.

Debra

1 John 1:9 Confession Bring Healing And Forgiveness

1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

CONFESS=exomologeó  in the greek and means I consent fully, agree out and out, I confess, admit, I acknowledge, I give thanks, praise, I publicly declare.

The problem is "PRIDE".  Many people around the world refuse to admit that they are a sinner in need of God's forgiveness and are still living under the curse of sin which has already been broken by Christ when He shed His blood at Calvary over 2k years ago.

Refusing to confess (acknowledge, admit declare, agree with God that you are a sinner in need of a Savior and refusal to repent (change, to turn away from sin and turn to God) will cause you to miss heaven and eternity with God if you should die in your sins

How do you obtain faith? Romans 10:17-So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Hebrews 11:6-And without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

The good news on today is that "SALVATION" by faith alone through Christ Jesus is still being offered by God to all who would confess and believe.

Today is the day of "SALVATION" for now is the acceptable time. Confess and be forgiven! It is a promise from God to you!

God bless.

Debra

I do not own the pictures and video on this site nor do I claim ownership of them.

Proverbs 3:13-22 Blessed Is The One That Find Wisdom

Proverbs 3:13-22 Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, 14 for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor. 17 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.

19 By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; 20 by his knowledge the watery depths were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.

21 My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion; 22 they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.

Wisdom is the principal thing. In all our getting, make sure we get understanding of true  wisdom that is only available through a personal relationship with God through Christ Jesus!

Be not wise in thine own eyes for blessed is the man or woman who find God's Wisdom for it is priceless and no value can be placed on it.

In need of Godly wisdom? The Word of God is the key to finding it. God and His Word is one.

Godly Wisdom! Blessed is the one who find it.

God bless.

Debra

I do not own this video nor do I claim ownership of it.