Verse of the Day

²⁰ “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.

Luke 15:20 (NKJV)

Quote of the day

“When a man’s heart is set on mischief, he will go a long way in it; but when God’s grace brings him back, he will find a shorter way home.” 

– Matthew Henry

Reflection

The prodigal son is a parable about a young man who left his family and squandered his father’s inheritance. Most of us are familiar with it, and many of us have even lived it for a season. The beauty of it is that it offers us an example of hope. A hope that applies directly to our relationship with Jesus Christ, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), and God the Father’s loving embrace to those of us who may have strayed.

We often underestimate the significance of our sins in God’s eyes. Yet we also underestimate the extent of His unfathomable compassion, mercy, grace, love, and forgiveness (Romans 5:20-21). While we shouldn’t ever sin more because grace abounds, it’s unhealthy for us to lose sight of God’s approachability through our connection in Christ (1 Timothy 2:5-6).

There are segments in the story that demonstrate the prodigal’s belief that he had no hope of returning to his father’s house, much less to his father’s open arms. How many of us have felt, or even feel that way now, about our Heavenly Father? He made a really bad decision, squandered a lot of money, and turned his back on his family. But his father didn’t lose hope that one day he could return.

Finally, he returned, but only after he tried to remedy the situation himself. He went from living a comfortable life with his father to living a lifestyle of sin and perdition. He had to hit rock bottom before realizing that even his father’s servants lived a better lifestyle than he did at the time.

One key that is vital for us not to miss is in Luke 15:17-19:

17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’

Here we can see the humility with which he approached his father. He recognized what he did wrong in his father’s eyes and, in the grand scheme, how wrong it was in God’s eyes as well. But as today’s verse of the day clearly demonstrates, his earthly father didn’t see it that way. His father chose to celebrate him instead. He gave him his best robe and essentially called for a feast to commemorate his lost son’s return. It was so much so that the other son couldn’t wrap his head around it. His brother’s expressions of disbelief and even frustration about what was happening to him were apparent. Luke 15:28-30 demonstrates this understandable reaction:

28 “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’

Some of us may look back and think of this as a self-righteous attitude, but if we’re honest with ourselves, many of us might feel the same way in a similar situation. Ultimately, the father explained his position in Luke 15:31-32: 

31 “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’ ”

What mattered was that he had come back, and the welcome wasn’t about merit. It hinged on the unconditional love of a father who desired what was best for both of his sons.

Application

As we consider it in the context of our lives, we can see the parallels between our Heavenly Father and us. All of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). There’s not one of us who is righteous outside the justification of Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). Matthew Henry’s quote reminds me that God lovingly calls His children back to Himself, no matter how far they wander (Isaiah 55:7).

We shouldn’t take this parable as a license to sin, much less as a pattern of persistent rebellion in our lives (Romans 6:1-4). However, I would venture to say the majority of us can relate to the prodigal son. When you think back to that season and how far away you felt from God, I hope you can find solace in how God brought you back. For some of us, maybe this is a reminder that we’re far too close to becoming prodigal sons and daughters again now.

Let’s not reach rock bottom before we run back to God. Why would we want to test the limits of grace, mercy, and forgiveness of God? If we are genuine believers, we will bear real fruit in our lives (John 15:4-5). If the fruit of the Spirit isn’t apparent in our lives, it is our duty to figure out why (Galatians 5:22-23). We must test ourselves to see if we’re truly saved (2 Corinthians 13:5).

Do you feel closer to God today than you were a month ago, a year ago, or even a decade ago? Is God helping you grow, conquer habitual sin, defeat addiction, treat people better, and draw closer to Him? Do you see consistent spiritual discipline when it comes to reading the Bible, prayer time, and a distinct desire to worship God?

I don’t think anyone can claim to have any of these areas figured out without at least some margin for improvement, much less all of them. It’s not about obtaining complete mastery of every discipline and layer of obedience. The real question is: Can we find a clear display that things are moving in the right direction? 

My hope for all of us today is that we would look at the parable and reflect on our walks with God. Even when we think we’re in a good place, it’s easy to let pride or over-reliance on self rather than on God creep in. Even knowledge itself is capable of puffing us up to think of ourselves more highly than we ought to (1 Corinthians 8:1-3). 

Actively pursuing a stance of humility in God’s eyes and seeing a true reflection of our sinfulness is essential (James 4:6, Romans 3:10-12). It reminds us that we cannot meet God’s standards on our own (Proverbs 3:5-6). Our reliance on Jesus Christ for salvation and victory over sin and death is crucial (John 14:6). Without Him, we are nothing, but with Him, we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37).

Today’s passage is not a guilt trip, but it’s a spiritual call to arms to remember that we are fallible. I know I, for one, must ask for forgiveness over sin and request a renewed desire to repent almost every day regarding all sorts of sin (Romans 7:18-20, 1 John 1:9).

I am thankful that, although I have a fallen nature, Jesus Christ has justified me and that I am on the path of sanctification. As God transforms me to look more and more like His Son, Jesus Christ, I want to continue to rely on Him to conquer every sin, including sinful habits, addictions, and even strongholds, through my lifetime. Without His grace, there is no hope. 

Thank God for His wide open arms. Run back to Him today if you don’t already find yourself underneath the shadow of His wings (Psalm 17:8, Psalm 91:4).

Prayer

Dear God,

Thank You, Father, for Your wide open arms. Despite my countless sins, You have seen it fit to embrace me back into the fold. I know that I cannot lose my salvation, that Your love is unfathomable, that Your grace abounds, and that Your forgiveness is plentiful. 

But with all that in mind, I don’t desire for it to lead me to complacency and sin against You. On the contrary, I want to recognize that righteousness is achievable as you enable me to obey You. Please help me to love You with all my heart, body, mind, soul, and strength. After all, Your Word tells me that those who love You obey Your commandments.

Thank You for transforming my mind, healing my body, and restoring my soul. Sometimes I feel like the prodigal son in at least one, if not multiple, areas of my life. I don’t want to minimize such disobedience as minor. I want to fight sin and repent aggressively by relying on Jesus Christ.

Thank You for Your provision throughout my life and for leading me by Your Holy Spirit. Thank You for Your Son’s presence in my life. 

Finally, thank You for never abandoning me or forsaking me, but for welcoming me back into the fold after every compromise I have ever made or will ever make.

I pray in Jesus Christ’s precious, holy, and mighty name.

Amen.

In a world that elevates self-promotion, humility can feel countercultural. But God’s Word reveals a better way. In this episode of the Savior and Lord Podcast, discover how living humbly shapes your heart, aligns you with God’s will, and leads to lasting fulfillment.

In this episode of the SaviorandLord Podcast, host Victor Nunez and his guest Emanuel delve into the topic of making the most out of life by serving God. The discussion centers on the Christian concept of service, emphasizing that it goes beyond church walls and includes various ways of contributing to God’s work. 

They explore the journey of faith, the development of spiritual maturity, and the importance of community and motivation in serving the Lord. They also discuss practical aspects like balancing profession and calling, the significance of prayer, and the importance of humility and gratitude. 

The conversation touches upon various biblical references, personal experiences, and the challenges and blessings of walking in faith.

For those times that we have fallen short, we must quickly seek God to confess our sins, ask for forgiveness, repent, and ask Him to cleanse us of all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). We can move forward with a clean slate when we do things God’s way. Instead of carrying around the burden of our past trespasses, we can walk in confidence that God does not hold condemnation against us (Romans 8:1). We may approach His throne boldly and recognize that by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, His Son, we have been counted righteous in His sight (Hebrews 4:16; Ephesians 2:8-9).

A key component of ensuring we keep God first revolves around avoiding idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:14). Idolatry can be deceptive because good things can become idols if we fail to approach them as God designed them. God blesses us with the chance to form deep connections with others that could potentially lead to marriage. However, we are not exercising wisdom if we prioritize these relationships over our devotion to God. Sex is also a blessing from God, but if we have it outside of His design in marriage, it is a sin and carries consequences with it (Hebrews 13:4). Thank God forgiveness is available to those of us who have fallen short in such areas. Still, our responsibility is to battle them and repent. These two blessings go hand-in-hand with God’s intentions for creation, and God designed them for us to enjoy in their proper place (Mark 10:7-8). The problem arises when we do not follow God’s guidance with the gifts He has given us.

When we think we are standing in victory from a disposition of self-righteousness and pride, we are also terribly mistaken (1 Corinthians 10:12). We all have different strengths and weaknesses. It would be imprudent of me to judge someone harshly because they struggle with a sin I find easy to abstain from. In our hearts, we must remember that there is always room for improvement in at least one if not many, areas of weakness. We should let that reality lead us not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought and esteem others more highly than ourselves whenever possible (Romans 12:3; Philippians 2:3). If not, our pride and self-righteousness may become serious precursors to significant falls (Proverbs 16:18-19).

Sometimes, even though we feel we are in good standing with God, we must ask God to examine and help us align our heart’s desires with His will (Proverbs 3:5-6). We may have a problem that may be hard to detect due to being desensitized to the gravity of the situation. Perhaps it stems from ignorance, habitual sin, or the long-term underestimation of a foothold that became a prominent issue or a stronghold. Thankfully, God can help us take thoughts captive and empower us to demolish strongholds we may have mistakenly allowed our adversary to develop (2 Corinthians 10:4-6). A combination of humility, self-awareness, and prayer can be the antidote we need to resolve these issues immediately. The sooner we cut a small sin off at its root, the better off we will be long-term, for it will not have the chance to grow (Matthew 5:29-30).

It is vital to pursue the well-being of our loved ones and help them when they are willing to consider our advice. Sometimes we can offer the truth in love to a fellow brother or sister in Christ (Ephesians 4:14-15). It can bring temporary discomfort or, in extreme cases, potentially cost us that relationship altogether. But they may need to hear what we say, which could become an eternal blessing (Galatians 6:1-3).

I only advocate that we do this with careful consideration of factors such as our proximity to them relationally, the timing of relevant circumstances, and their willingness to heed our advice in prior instances. Sometimes we must be willing to risk a friendship to offer them the direction they might not realize they desperately need. There are enough people out there that are willing to tell you what you desire to hear (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Good friends occasionally offer advice that challenges and steers us to consider our decision-making.

When you give this kind of advice, it is wise to pray beforehand and ensure it is with good intentions. Speak the truth with love and offer it gracefully in proportion to the topic’s sensitivity. Transparency with your difficulty in a similar area may help them understand they are not alone in their struggle (Matthew 7:1-5). They may not appreciate it now but will be grateful in the long run. If you receive such constructive criticism or judgment, try to exercise self-control and discernment (James 1:19-20). It may be difficult not to get defensive, but ask yourself if the person has your best interests at heart and is qualified to offer advice about the topic. You should take their advice with a grain of salt when one of these requirements is lacking. Seek God’s guidance above all in prayer to find confirmation before you make any sudden decisions.

Ultimately, we all need each other and God above all others. Do not hesitate to act if you are confident God is leading you to do so. But remember that God often aligns us with His will and speaks to us through the loved ones He surrounds us with. Keep in mind that God will never contradict His Word. Seek and obey Him above all others, but try to maintain the humility to recognize when you are given quality advice from someone perhaps older, wiser, or otherwise more experienced than you in certain areas. Their words may not be as gracious as you desire, but if acting on them would save you from a world of pain, they are crucial to consider.

Last time we discussed James 4:1-6 and explored some of the numerous downsides to pride. Today, it’s time to proceed to James 4:7-12, where we can examine the benefits of humility. Some considerations include the answers to questions such as:

• Does humility assist us in conquering temptation when we submit to God?
• How does humility in God’s sight hold tremendous value?
• What are some of the implications of surrendering to God, and how does humility open the door for it?

I hope that today’s message will motivate you to pursue God and let go of more of the world’s allures every day. May it prove practical in your walk with God whether you recently became a believer or have been serving Him for a lifetime.

Thanks for stopping by the channel. If you like the content and want to see more of it in the future, don’t forget to subscribe. Hit the notification bell to receive immediate updates when I upload new videos. May God bless you and your loved ones!

In today’s video, we examine how pride interferes with the Church. Some of the questions James 4:1-6 can help us answer include:

• What happens if we allow our fleshly desires to take over our priorities? – Can we seek after God’s blessings for the wrong reasons?
• What are some examples of potentially Godly reasons for seeking God’s gifts?
• Is it possible to be a friend with the world and a friend of God?
• Why does pride cause God to resist us, and how does humility invite God’s grace into our lives?

I am confident that you might find it thought-provoking, and I hope it inspires you to draw closer to God and challenges you to consider these dynamics as they pertain to your life.

Thanks for stopping by the channel. If you like the content and want to see more of it in the future, don’t forget to subscribe. Hit the notification bell to receive immediate updates when I upload new videos. May God bless you and your loved ones!

Repentance, in consideration of sinful behavior, signifies a turning away from such endeavors. It involves eliminating the evil in our lives and pursuing righteousness and holiness in God’s sight instead. We must consider this remains a moving target for us as Christians throughout our lives. It is not a destination that is arrived on this side of eternity. There is always room for us to improve. No matter what you and I may have already brought to fruition through Jesus Christ, we should recognize this continuous pursuit of holiness.

Outside of Jesus Christ, we could do nothing of eternal significance. Therefore, it helps us to remain as humble as possible. Otherwise, it could lead us to self-righteousness, pride, or complacency when we fail to remember the Source of our achievements. Keeping these realities aligned in our understanding helps us to stay on track. Instead of relying too much on our strength and human knowledge to navigate life, we surrender more and more of our lives willingly to God. It is safe to trust that the more we acknowledge His sovereignty over each area, the better off we will position ourselves in His eternal will for us (Romans 8:28).

It is crucial for us never to forget how important the role of repentance is in the life of all Christians. How can we expect God’s blessings, including His presence in our lives, if we do not focus intently on what His Word shares about repentance? 

“12 Then the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: “I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. 13 When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, 14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

2 Chronicles 7:13-14 (NKJV)

If we want to enjoy God’s promises, we must also do our part to fulfill their conditions. How can we expect God to heal our land altogether, and for that matter, all the nations impacted by the pandemic if we do not repent? With a warning as straightforward as this found in God’s Word, like a blueprint for us to borrow for modern-day application, it should provoke a desire in us to obey the Bible’s instructions. Of course, we cannot expect non-believers to abide by these principles, but the Church should take heed. It brings me comfort that God did not destroy Soddom and Gomorrah immediately in their depravity because of a few righteous people. It was not until after extensive warnings, mercy, and grace that this ultimately came to happen. God even provided a way of escape for Lot and others before He destroyed the city along with everyone else. I can only imagine a similar situation today is keeping us alive here in the United States (Genesis 18:16-33).

Thus, if we want to see healing across our lands, we must follow these instructions in 2 Chronicles with a great deal of care. I believe God would potentially delight in ordaining another “Great Awakening”. Although individually, it may appear as though our prayers or influence may be small, we cannot afford to underestimate their power in the times we live. We cannot account for everyone’s lives, but we should take our stand as the Church. Therefore, let us come together in prayer, pursue holiness, and fight to repent of all our sins as the Holy Spirit leads us to. Let’s make our mark in this fleeting world by counting it all as loss and making our lives count for God’s glory by seeking Jesus Christ above all else (Philippians 3:8).

Thankfully, whether it is in God’s providence to lead us to a renaissance of repentance or things keep getting progressively worse from here, we do not need to fear. Either way, since we fear God and rest in His sovereignty, it is without question that despite facing an uncertain future in the near term, we await a sure reward in our Lord’s presence for eternity. Therefore, it follows for us to pursue everything that has eternal value rather than merely temporal value here on earth.

Often it may seem as though the allure of the world’s amenities are more meaningful than they are. Yet, the truth is that the appetites of the flesh are insatiable, and the world will never satisfy that missing puzzle piece in our hearts that only Jesus Christ can fill. Without Him, we are left to our own devices, pursuing fleeting idols and living purposeless lives. Yet, with Jesus Christ, we are more than conquerors, and we are building towards a future in Heaven that none of us can fully fathom. Therefore, let us repent and seek forgiveness from God. We need to ask Him to reveal our shortcomings to repeat this process daily. We may be in the process of sanctification, but we will remain imperfect during our time here on earth.

Suffice it to say you and I still have a mission left to do here. If you are reading this sentence, God still has a purpose for you here on earth. While that purpose for all of us is to bring Him glory, He wants you to grab hold of the calling that He sets before you. You may or may not have figured that out by now, but it is not too late if you are not sure or if you have delayed answering His call. Consider this your call to action. I encourage you to seek God in prayer, read His Word and do some introspection to determine what He would have you do. The most unexpected avenues can become favorable opportunities for planting seeds that will one day provide plentiful harvests for you.

If you still remain uncertain, consider what some people have recognized as a potential area of strength in your life. For example, it could be a gift, talent, resource, opportunity, or a career that opens the door for you to honor, glorify, and acknowledge God. Often it comes more naturally to you than to the average person, and you find a great deal of fulfillment in it. You may have to look beyond your day job to see it, but God will help you find it if you look diligently. It may even be something you already do that can be slightly modified to be effective for God’s Kingdom.

I recommend finding ways to win souls for Jesus Christ (Proverbs 11:30) and helping those who cannot help themselves (Matthew 25:30-40). Look to love God and love your neighbor. If we fight for these two things, everything meaningful in this life stems from them. That is why they are the two greatest commandments.

36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”

37 Jesus said to him,” ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Matthew 22:36-40 (NKJV)

Store up for yourself Heavenly treasures where they last forever, rather than the allure of worldly pleasures and desires. All those will quickly fade while accomplishing the former will never cease to bless countless people forever (1 John 2:17). Every encounter to evangelize could be the difference in someone’s eternal destination. Keep your eyes on God and abide in Him as you answer the call He puts in your heart. You will not go wrong eternally when you genuinely take this approach.

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Matthew 6:19-21 (NKJV)