Fasting | Day 8
In Luke chapter 15 we find the story of the prodigal son asking his father for his inheritance. Our main character was still in the father's house with his older brother. After the brothers had received their inheritance, a restless spirit came upon the younger brother, and eventually he left to spend all his inheritance on riotous living.
When God blesses us richly and prospers us abundantly, some people can handle it, while others can't. We are either drawn closer to God and become anchored to Him and His house, or we are pulled away from where we are supposed to be and misuse the blessings of God.
The enemy's job is to pull us away from God's house and His purposes because he knows that if we come out from under the covering of the Father, he can take everything away from us-not only our finances, but also our reputation, our name, and our witness for Jesus. In these last days we need to have a 'made up mind' to STAY in God's house where there is love, peace, safety and blessing ... for our families and us.
Maybe you are a faithful member of a church and attend weekly. So staying in God's house isn't an issue for you. I would ask that you consider this on another level. Return to Me is the theme of this week. Many times we can be faithful by our presence in God's house but unfaithful in coming fully under authority of that house, or that pastor, or even fully under our ultimate authority, Jesus Christ. On the surface we are doing all the right things, and to everyone looking on, you are all in. But you know in your own heart there are parts of you that are not fully surrendered. Your sins are not visible for everyone to see, but God sees. And like it or not, no matter how much good you do, the un-surrendered parts have created a distance. They've created a separation that keeps you from taking that next step closer to Him, and to your purpose.
The Lord would say these simple words to you: "Surrender. Return to Me. There is grace. There is mercy. There is forgiveness."
So many people can quote Jeremiah 29:11, '"For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."' But we need to read the rest of the passage, especially the part that talks about the power of drawing near and pursuing God with your WHOLE heart. It contains a promise most people do not realize is there:
"Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity." JEREMIAH 29:12-14
Think About It
- Can you relate to the prodigal son story?
- Are there parts of your life you have not fully surrendered to God?
- Take a moment right where you are to offer the Lord all of you. Then listen for His voice. What is He speaking to you, today?
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