Title: Come Back Now
Memorize: I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, Luke 15:18 (Nkjv)
Bible Reading: Joel 2:12-13 (Nkjv)
[12] “Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”
[13] So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm
Message:
The story of the prodigal son in today’s memory verse is a message of hope to everyone who has turned away from God’s love.
That entire Bible passage shows that no matter the pleasures a child wants to get in the world, they will definitely finish.
Only God’s love will not come to an end even until the second coming of Christ, when He will separate His real children from those of the devil.
A fellow’s reasons for turning away from God could be betrayal from a trusted Christian, maltreatment from people, or being ignored by those he or she thinks should show him or her love.
As understandable as these reasons might be, they would only affect the fellow’s relationship with God.
Years ago, I almost backslid as a young Christian when the same man who preached the message of salvation to me disappointed me at a stage in my life.
That day, I cried in my car and decided to turn back from following God.
Thankfully, God spoke to me immediately and asked if He had ever disappointed me, and I replied, “No.”
He then said if He had never disappointed me, then I should not base my spiritual journey on people’s behaviour.
Since that day, I have remained focused on my relationship with God.
My dear child, if you have backslidden for any reason, God’s arms are open, and He is waiting to receive you; please run to Him today before it is too late.
Action Point
Don’t allow hurts and disappointments make you turn back from following God.
HYMN 43: LEAD US HEAVENLY FATHER, LEAD US
1 Lead Us, Heavenly Father, Lead Us
O’er The World’s Tempestuous Sea;
Guard Us, Guide Us, Keep Us, Feed Us,
For We Have No Help But Thee,
Yet Possessing Every Blessing
If Our God Our Father Be.
2 Saviour, Breathe Forgiveness O’er Us;
All Our Weakness Thou Dost Know;
Thou Didst Tread This Earth Before Us,
Thou Didst Feel lts Keenest Woe;
Lone And Dreary, Faint And Weary,
Through The Desert Thou Didst Go.
3 Spirit Of Our God, Descending,
Fill Our Hearts With Heavenly Joy,
Love With Every Passion Blending,
Pleasure That Can Never Cloy;
Thus Provided, Pardoned, Guided,
Nothing Can Our Peace Destroy.
Bible In One Year: Ezra 1:1-2:70 & 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5
Authors: Pastor E. A. Adeboye and Pastor Folu Adeboye