Weekend Music links on iTunes: Your Grace is Enough by Chris Tomlin; Sing to the King by Passion Band; Your Love Never Fails by Jesus Culture; How He Loves by David Crowder.

Read: Job 2:7, Genesis 3:1, Matthew4: 5, 8, 2 Corinthians 11:2-4, Revelation 3:15-17, Ephesians 6:10-18 

Think: How easy it is to become the prodigal? The prodigal son story that Pastor Ben talked about this weekend made me think, “Wow, that guy was an idiot”, he walked with the Father, he was provided for by the Father, he was protected by the Father, he had a precious inheritance from the Father why did he run away? 

Then I thought about all the people I know (me being one) who have run from that wonderful place. The big assignment of the enemy of our soul (Satan) is to tempt us to do just that. Run away and stay away. Satan may come to us as he did to Job (Job 2:7), our world is shaken and our trust and faith are challenged. Or he may appeal to our pride as he did with Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1) and Jesus (Matthew 4:5 and 8) or bring us “another Jesus” (2 Corinthians 11:2-4). The riskiest place to becoming the prodigal is being lukewarm in our faith (Revelation 3:15-17).

It’s pretty easy to become the prodigal. 

Do: Pray everyday and put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) 

Pray: Father, I want to be strong in You and in the power of Your might. Satan and this world work so hard to tempt me to follow other ways than Your’s. You have provided powerful tools to keep me safe, help me Lord, to wield them every day.

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Your Grace is Enough by Chris Tomlin; Sing to the King by Passion Band; Your Love Never Fails by Jesus Culture; How He Loves by David Crowder.

Read: 1 Corinthians 2:9, Deuteronomy 27:5, Exodus 15 

Think:  Coming home, how sweet it is. I’ve been a prodigal in my life. Maybe not exactly like the guy Pastor Ben told us about this week but I’ve walked away from God’s goodness and thought I knew better. When I came to the end of my vast knowledge (in short order usually) and rushed back, it was such a sweet reunion. 

The Bible talks about what God has prepared for us (1 Corinthians 2:9) and so much of that is prepared and available to us now. We sometimes think of the things God has prepared for us as heaven, the sweet by and by, but the peace that passes all understanding when we come to Him either the first time or subsequent times is one of those things He has prepared for us here and now. 

I walk away because I don’t place a high enough value on His peace, joy, strength, communion, wisdom, grace, mercy and forgiveness. The prodigal son parable talks about a party. There is a party in God, a banqueting table. It is so sweet to be set free of guilt and shame, to be restored to relationship. 

When I start to value other things higher, I am walking on a slippery slope. I need to make an altar of stones like the Jews were told (Deuteronomy 27:5) or write songs like Moses (Exodus 15) to commemorate those times God prepared for me a sweet reunion and remember those times and walk off those slopes. 

Do: Watch what we value. Do we crave the Lord’s presence? Do we love His peace, His joy, His strength? Write a remembrance of that time He met you with open arms and keep it close. 

Pray: Father, you have prepared so much for me, help me stay on the path that leads me to them.

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org