February 22, 2019

God the Father - Bro. T. Stephen

My Dear Brothers and Sisters, I greet and bless everyone in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.  The blessed word that God has given for you today is from the book of Joel 2:12“ “Now therefore says, the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart,  with fasting,  with weeping, and with mourning.”

My Dear Brothers and Sisters, In John 1:12, we read that to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. God the Father wants us to be His children. He says, I have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings. Just as a Father has compassion on     His children so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. This is the nature of a Father.

When the prodigal son returned to his father,  we see the graciousness of the Father overshadowing the sinfulness of the son; as it is the memory of the Father’s goodness that brings the prodigal son back home. There are some who for their own selfish reason backslide and draw themselves away from the presence of God. When they go away from God, devil tries to attack them. They might be well educated Medical students or Engineers. But suddenly such students get caught up in depression. This happens when one goes away from the Lord. Then the devil takes possession of such people. You should never give such an opportunity for the devil to take possession of you. This is the moment you fall into sinful things and lose the glory of God.

Back sliding can cause disastrous consequences. The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways. He may simply fall back through neglect by not praying, reading  the Bible, and not keeping his focus on living for God, It can bring dishonour to the one who laid down His life for us (Jesus Christ).

 But the Lord to such people gives an invitation saying, Return to Me with all your heart. In order to revive, the spirit of the lowly,  And to revive the heart of the contrite. “Return backsliding Israel, says the Lord. And I will not cause My anger to fall on you. For I am merciful” says, the Lord.

My Dear Brothers and Sisters, God’s merciful purpose to His people is to revive and to restore. God calls us back to himself. God demonstrated His love for us through the death of His son. Even today check your life. Have you gone away from the Lord. Repent today and return back to Him.  For God is merciful with the merciful, and with a blameless man He will show Himself blameless. Accept Jesus as your saviour. Don’t neglect or postpone this opportunity.

God bless you.

Prayer:

Our loving heavenly Father, we thank You for this blessed day.  Dear Lord if anyone has backslidden  I pray You to be merciful to them. Forgive them of their sinful nature and cause them to reconcile with  You.  Help them  to cherish your goodness rather than  submit themselves to worldly pleasures.   May they experience the glory of God in their lives.  In Jesus name we pray.

Amen.