Prayer Journal

Tuesday, December 26, 2000
361/5
Read the Bible through in OneYear

Of his two sons, the father's youngest decided to take what was due him and leave his father's house to make it on his own. But after much wild living and wasted time, this son depleted his inheritance and became another man's servant in order to survive. Jesus told this story to a large crowd following him 2to teach those who would listen, something about making right choices. (cp:Luke 15:11-32)

Jesus said this prodigal son "came to his senses" one day (vs. 17) and determined to seek restoration with his father. Look at the steps he took in order to set his plan in action: He confessed his sin to God, repented of it (vs. 18), humbled himself and wanted to make it right with his father (vs. 19). But, when the son actually went to his father, he was confessing these very things when his father, in compassion interrupted him and restored him without even hearing his son's offer of restitution.

To me, the key to this wonderful story is found in verse 17 when the son "came to his senses and remembered". Many times in my life, I have been just like the prodigal. Doing things my own way, rejecting the counsel of my spiritual authority, I set out to live it up without regard for what God wanted. Months, sometimes years later, I would come to my senses and remember.

At that moment, my circumstances became secondary to a strong desire for restoration. I was willing to do anything to regain just a part of what I had given up by my foolishness. That to me, is the embryo of revival; a desperation without shame, an urgency without pause - seeking restoration with our Heavenly Father, at any cost.

Right now, you and I have the opportunity to "come to our senses" and decide that we're not where we need to be in our spiritual life. We need to see that our lives do not represent the "best God can do through us". We need to create a larger impression of God instead of limiting Him to our puny vision, impaired by adaptation to worldly living and the maintenance of a status quo in our religious life.

You may be asking, "What does all this have to do with honesty?" I'm glad you asked. We as Christians, two thousand years after Jesus walked the earth, have built some of the biggest religious shams into holy shrines. We get the nervous jerks when someone suggests change. And some go into convulsions when the motives of moral people within the church are questioned. I believe that much of what we call victory over the world, the Christians of the first church would see as compromise with the world.

It not only takes honesty with yourself, but it takes a love for God, so strong that you live believing all things are possible through Him, and nothing worthwhile is necessary outside of Him. Will you be honest with yourself and God, or take your status quo to the grave with you?

Just Thinkin'.. WebServant

(1) Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society
(2) The images used herein were obtained from the Learning Company's ClickArt Christian Graphics Deluxe product, (c)1999 The Learning Company, Inc and its subsidiaries, 88 Roland Way, Novato, CA 94945 USA. All Rights Reserved.

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