He Loves Us!

SCRIPTURE

Fourth Sunday in Lent
Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 (NRSV)

The parable of the forgiving father

Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them."

So he told them this parable: ...

"There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands."' So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly, bring out a robe -- the best one -- and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!' And they began to celebrate.

"Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.' Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, 'Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!' Then the father said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.'"

DEVOTION

Today's scripture reading is the story of the prodigal son. I love this story because it is a wonderful reminder of the fact that we can't out run, out sin, or out fox the love of God!

Just like the prodigal son, we've all done things that we are not proud of. We've been places, seen and done things, and messed up in ways that cause us to blush whenever we think about them.

But, although God sees and knows all things, God's love is still big enough to cover the multitude of our sin.

I don't know about you, but I am so glad that God's love gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life.

We know we didn't deserve it. We know we've fallen short in countless ways. We know that we have failed to love God and neighbor as ourselves. We know that we have sinned against God in word, thought, and deed AND STILL our God loves us, pursues us, and won't give up on us!

Nobody has ever loved me (us) the way that God does--and no one ever will!

If you have not yet accepted the free gift of God's love, today would be a wonderful day to do so.

Won't you pray with me:

God thanks that although I'm not perfect, you love me anyway. Thanks that you gave Jesus to die for my sin and to gift me with eternal life. I believe that Jesus did not stay dead, but was resurrected on the third day, just as you promised! I am so blessed that you love and forgive me like you do. Please forgive me of my sin and fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I can share my blessings with others. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.



SPECIAL NOTE

If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today, you are saved! Let me encourage you to tell a Christian friend that you just put all of your hope in Jesus. Ask him or her to help you find a Bible that is easy for you to understand and to find a good Bible believing church where you can be baptized and make new friends who will walk with you on your Christian journey!

I would be honored if you would let me know about your decision today by clicking "YES" in the poll located in the upper-right hand corner of the good news blog in answer to the question, "Did God save you today?"

Congratulations and Happy Re-birthday! Your salvation is our GOOD NEWS, please go and share the GOOD NEWS with others!


ANNOUNCEMENT

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