When Plans Turn to Ashes, Pt. 5

God wants everyone who reads the parable of the prodigal son to know that He will do the same for you and me as the father did for his son.

When Plans Turn to Ashes, Pt. 5

"And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.' "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 eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry."

(Luke 15:20-24)

The prodigal son repented and turned back to his father. He lost it all... but I love verse 17: "But when he came to himself." He was dying and in desperate need of food and self-esteem. He had sinned against his earthly and heavenly Father, but then he said to himself, "I am going home." He decided it would be far better to be a hired servant with his father than starving with pigs. He left the far country and headed home. When his father saw him, he ran to his son, embraced him, and did not let him finish his prepared speech. The father was thrilled the son had come home! He threw a party and celebrated the joyous reunion.

Have you seen Rembrandt's painting entitled, "The Return of the Prodigal Son"? It is one of my favorite paintings in all the world. Rembrandt completed his masterpiece around 1667, and today it resides in the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia. He captures the scene beautifully:

Pastor Stanley asked, "Why did God put this story in the Bible?" God wants everyone who reads the story to know that He will do the same for you and me.

You may be the prodigal in the story, but if you are alive, there is time, and there is hope. Be willing to repent; there is forgiveness, and you will once again be rejoicing.

I hope you have been blessed and encouraged in your walk with God as you have read these devotions based on Luke 15, Jesus' famous parable of the prodigal son. If you have a special prayer request, feel free to jot it down and send it to us at DFEA. You can email your prayer request to pray@dfea.com, and we will be honored to lift your request to God.

Have a blessed weekend.

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Podcast of the Week

Life Principles: #16: When Plans Turn to Ashes

Pastor Danny continues his series exploring his favorites of Dr. Charles Stanley's Life Principles. Today he dives into Principle #16: When Plans Turn to Ashes.

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