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Monday, July 28, 2008

When God Ran... Part 1

The Prodigal Son
Luke 15:11-24
11 Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons.
12 The younger one said to his father, "Father, give me my share of the estate." So he divided his property between them.
13 Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.
14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.
15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.
16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 When he came to his senses, he said, "How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!
18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you."
19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men."
20 So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 The son said to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son."
22 But the father said to his servants, "Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate.
24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." So they began to celebrate.


This particular father had two sons. One day, the younger son decided that it was time for him to get his share of property from his father because he believed that it was time for him to be independent. So, his father gave him what he wanted; a car, one million dollars, a condo, credit cards, and many more. Once he got what he wanted, he left his home. He led a life of partying, shopping, gambling, drinking, merrying; He thought he had everything in the world. Not long after, he had to sell his car, his condo and all that he had to support his wild living. Yet, he never realised his mistake, not even once. Soon enough, he had no more money; he was bankrupt. Instead of going back home, becaue he wanted to save his face, he tried to get employed. His job was so low paying that he could not afford to eat everyday. His life was so miserable. He realised that his father's workers were all living in comfort, thirst and hunger were never a concern for them. He decided to go back home to find his father to say sorry, and to ask his father to hire him as a worker because he feel that he no longer deserve to be his son.

On his way home, some distance away, his father saw him. His father's heart melted because he still loved his son and he longed for his return. Without a second thought, he ran towards his son immediately, hugged and kissed his beloved son. He exclaimed, "My son is home! He's home! He's home!" The father had joy spelt all over his face. The son told his father that he's no longer worthy to be called his son because of what he had done. Instead, his father told his servant to cover his son with the best robe, put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. He even celebrated his son's return with a great feast.

Sunday, July 6, 2008

The Greatest Love of All

You may be in the lowest valley, you may be walking in total darkness, and you may feel that you are totally screwed up, that life is meaningless, that life is worthless, that there is absolutely no reason for you to live on. You may have experienced many hurts in your life, hurts that formed deep wounds in your heart, hurts that put you in great agony, hurts that haunt you every single day of your life. You may be feeling rejected, despised, hated, and shamed. And you may be wondering if there’s gonna be a chance whereby someone will understand you, your pains, and your sufferings. Yes, who will ever understand what you are going through now? Who will? Who will? It’s painful to know this but the truth is, no one will ever truly understand what you are going through now, no one, not from this world.

It was Judgement Day in heaven. There were many who were rejoicing, for the time had come for Jesus to reign forever. However, there were also many who were crying and cursing God. They hated Jesus because they believed that He was unfair, unjust, and merciless. There were handicaps cursing at God for what had happened to them, some using abusive language against Him for their tragic lives when they were alive; raped, murdered, abused, tortured, despised, hated… The curses continued.

Finally, a voice spoke and all of heaven fell into complete silence. The voice said,

“He came down as a man, born not in a palace, not in a home, not even in a decent place, but in a manger. His birth wasn’t any big fanfare, nor glory, nor respected – It was dubious and despised. He didn’t grow up in a rich family; He was poor. He experienced all the sufferings that we might experience – Hunger, thirst, pain, torture, persecution, temptation, shame, sickness, hatred. He even went through the cruelest death.

What did He do to deserve all these? Did he commit a murder? Or a rape? Was He a thief? Did He even lie?

No! He was perfect and sinless!

Yet, He chose to die for us because His love for us is higher than the heavens and deeper than the sea. Not that we loved Him first, but it was His love for us when He created us, making us his highest creation. Even when He was suffering on that Cross, He still had us in His mind. Do you know what Jesus was thinking when He was hanging there, with blood dripping all over, and pain so overwhelming? He was thinking about how through His death, we can be reconciled to God; that through His death, we can be saved; that through His death, we can be healed, delivered, redeemed, blessed, strengthened, set free; that through His death, we have victory; that through His death, we can be with Him forevermore!

Is it fair for Jesus to die a death that belongs to us? Is it fair for him to die for our sins, something He didn’t even commit? Is it fair? Is it fair? Is there any justice if you want to look through this situation through the world eyes?

NO!

Why? Why did Jesus do that for us? The reason is simple. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. Even when we were sinners, Jesus loved us. There’s nothing we can do to make Jesus love us more or less because He love us just as we are. You can be a murderer, a rapist, or even the greatest sinner, and He still loves you. He is the greatest love of all.”


I may not understand what you are going through now, but God understands. Because He went through all that pain and suffering, He knows how you feel. He knows you inside out, even before you were born. Today, Jesus wants you to experience His love, His love that conquers all fear, His love that is so amazing, and His love that is all you’ll ever need. He wants to heal your heart; the deep wounds that no man can reach, He can. The pain and suffering that you are going through now, Jesus wants you to cast them all upon Him. It’s heavy but He wants to carry it for you. He longs to be your greatest friend who will shower the greatest love upon you. And if you have been living in defeat, He wants you to know that from today onwards, you can live in victory because He has won it all at the Cross. You no longer have to live in darkness because Jesus is the light of the world, and His word is a lamp unto your feet, a light unto your path. He wants to give you a second chance to live your life. If you have never accept Christ as your Lord and Saviour, if you want to experience his amazing love, if you want God to heal your heart, if you want Him to change your life, pray this prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus,

Please forgive me of all my sins. I know that I need You. I need Your love to change me, and Your grace to forgive me. Thank You for Your amazing love, and for giving me life and eternity. And above all, thank You for dying on the cross for me. I open up my heart and my spirit, and I receive You as my Lord and Saviour. Come and abide in me. From this day onward, I will serve You and be a good testimony to Your great name. Give me Your power and anointing to become the person I ought to be. I will live my life for You and I will love You forever.

In Jesus’ Mighty Name I pray.

Amen.