November 7, 2014
“When the son was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. The son started his speech … but the Father wasn’t listening.” Luke 15:20-22 The Message
He didn’t wait. Social protocols were in place. A demanding wanderer was returning defeated from all fronts in his life. But the Father wasn’t waiting. His prayer life is right in front of us. He was always looking a long way off for the the FATHER to lead his son home. Jesus has no choice. He was facing a verbal assault about the kinds of people he was sitting and eating with. It didn’t matter. How would he describe God? A God who finds the one lost .. in the wilderness .. inside the walls .. away from his heart. Jesus made it clear that His Father is always the first step with the farthest reach. And if you do … you’ll find God’s arms fully extended to you. Your Heavenly Father has the green light from he his risen Son to clear the way to your life. As you father your children … is you heart beating for them? The Father was up on his feet, ready to go at any moment. He heard your story .. your confession .. and to wrap his arms around you … time eat! Whatever it is .. He won’t let go… a Cross has covered it … You can run for any distance and He’ll still meet you.
“Count yourselves lucky, how happy you must be- you get a freash start, your slates wiped clean. Count yourself lucky– God holds nothing against you and you’re holding nothing back from him. When I kept it all inside, my bones turned to powder, my words became daylong groans. The pressures never let up; all the juices of my life dried up. Then I let it all out; I said, “I’ll make a clean breast of my failures with God.” Psalm 32:1-5 The Message
Ken Chester: The Grip is sent M-F to Father chased Christ followers. kchesterp1@gmail.com
