Born in Satan’s Image
Can you imagine being five years old and already a felon? That was the case with me. As a shorty I was in to stealing early on. If momma said that I couldn’t have something that I wanted I would simply take it. Nervous? YES! Convicted it was wrong? YES! But that didn’t stop me. I wanted it and was willing to do whatever it took to get it.
When we are born into this earth, we are born with a natural tendency to rebel. If someone tells us not to look in here, our curiosity gets the best of us and we look. Someone can tell us until they are blue in the fact that the fire will burn us, but many of us are too hard headed and we need to learn for ourselves.
That was the case with Prod, the main character in one of Jesus’ more popular parables found in Luke 15. Here a young guy treats his dad as though he is dead. Takes is pre-maturely received inheritance and hits the high road, spending the money living the high life. Then he goes through four major stages. First off, he begins to want something more than what he has. After hitting rock bottom, broke as can be Prod starts work as a pig feeder. After spending some time at the bottom of the barrel, the Bible says that he comes to his senses. This is crucial if you and I want to experience God’s amazing power and forgiveness is that we must come to our senses where we recognize that we have issues. Thirdly he figures out what he needs to do, and finally he does it.
Have you ever noticed that as you are trying to follow Jesus that you often begin to want something, that you come to our senses, and that you reach a place where you figure out what needs to be done? But how often does it occur that we sit there and do nothing? God is leading, but we get distracted.
God is good, because as we turn our will over to Him, He comes running to our need.
Where can you relate with the story of the prodigal son? What might Jesus be telling you out of this story tonight?
Blessings,
mg
Secondly
Posted by matthew gamble on July 07, 2008 at 06:26 AM
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Last night i go so emotional at the picture that formed in my head of me, dirty and full of sin, taking 1 step toward Jesus (whom i have ignored, sinned against, who i hurt time and time again) who sees me from a long way away and starts running toward me and is elated at the sight of me.
I thank God that He is a God, that no how terribly and disgustingly we treat Him, He is always there to receive us with open arms and He never stops loving us no matter what we do!
What an amazing God!
Thanks Matt for last nite!
Looking forward to the rest of the week!
Posted by Caryn on July 07, 2008 at 03:01 PM | #thank you matthew for coming to parramatta i personally am obtaining a real blessing from hearing bible parables presented in a different light. thanks also to all the people in the background that are pulling the programs together and also “the battle food cafe” before and after your presentation are ab fab. this week has and will change peoples perspective on Jesus/Holy Spirit/God forever.
Posted by irene on July 07, 2008 at 05:27 PM | #I have been looking forward to this WOSE for a couple weeks because I know like Prod that I need to go home but felt too far away, too dirty and that I have repeated this scenerio too many times for God to really want me back. I tried prayer and bible study but none of my prayers seemed to go above the roof. I’ve had friends tell me that God still wants me but I just wasnt believing/feeling that I was any closer to finding my way back. I had awaken to my need and decided to go home but couldnt find the way, still feeling consumed by guilt and shame. Your proof from the Bible convinced me that it is not too late and I found my way home. Thanks Matthew for your guidance.
Posted by David on July 07, 2008 at 06:58 PM | #I guess I’m just back from being away from God for a long time, but am struggling with all the different ideas in my head of Him - I have pretty much grown up in the church since I was 13, and did that thing u were talking about last night, like when you turn ur back on God you do everything more extreme than everyone else, I made a mess and yet God still gave me another huge gift that I totally didn’t deserve (my wonderful husband) after I messed up worse than ever before. So now I am struggling with what does God want with my life? I am between jobs and surely He would want me to do something more with my time, something more worthwhile than making some rich people more rich. And also I think this is a common thing, I struggle with guilt and letting go of the past....... no matter how many times I hear that Jesus has wiped it away.....
Posted by Nerida on July 07, 2008 at 08:33 PM | #This all stems from the original sin. Because of it, we are born with the innate characteristic of falling to sin. But we must always remember that we can fight it, it is in our nature to do so.
Posted by Fairings on September 04, 2008 at 08:01 AM | #Just trust in God, he made us this way for a reason.
Posted by Hieyeglasses on September 09, 2008 at 12:13 AM | #Page 1 of 1 pages