Anglican Devotional 9 July 2023 – Stop Wishing, Repent Now!

anglican devotional

The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 9 July 2023 – Stop Wishing, Repent Now!

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TOPIC: Stop Wishing, Repent Now!

READ: Luke 15:11-32 (KJV)

11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:

12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.

26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.

27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.

28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.

29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.

32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

THE MESSAGE:

Today’s text gives an account of the prodigal son who, having collected from his father his portion of inheritance, went to a far country where he lavishly and recklessly spent all with nothing to live on again. In his poor situation, he tried all he could for survival still until he came to his senses and thought of going back to his father. When he was to return to his father a servant, his father ran to him and welcomed him back home with lots of merry as a son.

Brethren, repentance does not stop at a thought of turning over a new leaf, it requires taking decisive steps (verses 17-19). Thoughts of doing the right thing do not bring forgiveness except one takes the needed steps of confessing and repenting (verse 2a). Dear reader, you know how far away your journey from the Lord has been since you gave room to that sin in your life like the prodigal son (verse 13). You need not waste away in a strange land when you can return to your heavenly Father (verses 14-16). You have done enough with the world and its lusts. Stop that sin before it stops you from accessing the throne of mercy again. Do not delay your salvation; come back to God today with a heart of repentance. He will never reject you or treat you with contempt., He will accept, decorate and restore you to your original position and opportunities. Take a step today, tomorrow may be too late (2 Corinthians 6:2).

PRAYER: Just as I am without one plea, Lord, make me YOURS now and ever. Amen.