MEMORISE: I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee. Luke 15:18
BIBLE READING: Joel 2:12-13
12 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
MESSAGE:
The story of the prodigal son in today’s memory verse is a message of hope to everyone who has turned away from God’s love. That entire Bible passage shows that no matter the pleasures a child wants to get in the world, they will definitely finish. Only God’s love will not come to an end even until the second coming of Christ, when He will separate His real children from those of the devil.
A fellow’s reasons for turning away from God could be betrayal from a trusted Christian, maltreatment from people, or being ignored by those he or she thinks should show him or her love. As understandable as these reasons might be, they would only affect the fellow’s relationship with God.
Years ago, I almost backslid as a young Christian when the same man who preached the message of salvation to me disappointed me at a stage in my life. That day, I cried in my car and decided to turn back from following God. Thankfully, God spoke to me immediately and asked if He had ever disappointed me, and I replied, “No.” He then said if He had never disappointed me, then I should not base my spiritual journey on people’s behaviour. Since that day, I have remained focused on my relationship with God.
My dear child, if you have backslidden for any reason, God’s arms are open, and He is waiting to receive you; please run to Him today before it is too late.
ACTION POINT:
Don’t allow hurts and disappointments make you turn back from following God.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Ezra 1:1-2:70 & 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5