DEC 12
0:00 0:00

December 12, 2019 · Bob Gass

Come back to God!

“When he was still a great way off.” Luke 15:20 NKJV

The Bible says concerning the Prodigal Son, “When he was a great way off, his father…had compassion…ran…fell on his neck and kissed him.” The truth is, you’re not beyond the reach of God’s grace, so your future can be greater than your past! When he was “a great way off,” his father ran to him. Why? Because his relationship with his son wasn’t based on performance but on the fact that he’d given him life and brought him into the family. When you think about the things his father gave him that day, you realize the significance of each item. (1) The robe. That confirmed his identity as a son. God doesn’t see you in your weakness; He sees you clothed in the righteousness of Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 NIV). (2) The ring. This was a signet ring with the family seal that gave him back authority to do business in his father’s name. (3) The shoes. Household servants didn’t wear shoes, only family members did. He returned home thinking the best he could hope for was a job in the servants’ quarters. But his father not only restored his identity and authority, he restored him to full son-ship in the family. (4) The party. Back then when you rebelled against your father’s authority and left home, they conducted “a ceremony of shame,” which meant you could never return. Not this father—he threw a party! The point? Because Jesus took our shame! “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT). The word for you today is this: come back to God!

Bible in a year: Obadiah and Revelation 6

Previous Daily Encouragement

Trust God, and do good 

Sometimes when we have problems, we withdraw from normal life and spend all our time obsessing and trying to solve them. We talk about...

Pray for the desire to forgive 

When we have been hurt, our first instinct is to retaliate. We know it’s wrong because the Bible says we must forgive in order...

Sin is bad for you 

When you knowingly sin, it puts your body under stress. There is actually no such thing as a “lie detector test.” The fact is...

Do something! 

When a multimillionaire was asked how much money it takes to be happy, he replied, “Just a little more.” Now let’s assume you’re not...

You have only two options: forgiveness or bitterness 

The Bible says, “Then Peter came to Him and said, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up...