But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you--for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith.

For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.

For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?

1 Thessalonians 3:6-10

We Live If You Stand in Faith: 1 Thessalonians 3:6–10, Part 1 | Desiring God
https://www.desiringgod.org/labs/we-live-if-you-stand-in-faith

Inexpressible Joy Is the Essence of Paul’s Life: 1 Thessalonians 3:6–10, Part 2 | Desiring God
https://www.desiringgod.org/labs/inexpressible-joy-is-the-essence-of-pauls-life

Prayer Is Not One and Done: 1 Thessalonians 3:6–10, Part 3 | Desiring God
https://www.desiringgod.org/labs/prayer-is-not-one-and-done

The Parable of the Prodigal Son

And He said, "There was a man who had two sons.

And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.' And he divided his property between them.

Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.

And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.

So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.

And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

"But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!

I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.

I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants."'

And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

But the father said to his servants,'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.

And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.

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

"Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.

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

And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.'

But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, 'Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.

But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!'

And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.

It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"

Luke 15:11-32

MAYBE YOU REALLY NEED THIS TODAY. A FREE GIFT.

Journey with me for a few moments. This picture sits above my desk and daily reminds me of the life in God. Meditate upon the words of scripture in Luke 15:12-32 and reflect on the 17th Century Rembrandt painting of “The Return of the Prodigal.”

1. Ask God to guide your thoughts as you look at the picture and meditate on scripture. Linger a while. What do you notice? What do you feel? What part of the scripture or painting are you drawn to?

2. As you look at the picture, ask God, “Which person am I in the painting?” Each person had their own reaction to the Prodigal Father.

a. Are you the Rule Keeping/Dutiful Pharisee/Elder Brother type on the right in the foreground? Notice his frown of condemnation directed toward the father and brother.

b. Might you be the tax collector seated near the center. He beats his breast in humble confession of his need for the father’s mercy.

c. Are you the one looking on from behind? There is some interest and curiosity.

d. Are you the shadowy figure on the top left? He seems far removed, not entering the experience personally.

e. Are you the prodigal?

Ask God, “Where am I in this story?”

3. Now look at the father. His face is soft, and his eyes are focused on his younger son. He’s leaning down and extending his arms to embrace his boy. He is Abba …Abba meaning papa, daddy.

Some have noticed the difference in his hands. The father’s right hand is slender and soft and his left hand is large and rough. Our Father God is strong and tender, holy and gracious - these are the two sides of his love. He leads with his kind hand and that draws us to repent. Notice, in contrast, the Pharisee’s right hand is dark and large, and it covers his left hand which is soft-indicating condemning and lacking compassion.

How do you feel about your relationship to the Father? Do you feel connected to Abba? Experience the embrace of Abba. Do you ever take time to bask in his love?

4. Now look at the prodigal. Humble yourself before the Father and receive his grace and forgiveness. You can! Confess your sins and receive the life he offers. Put your head on his chest…feel his loving hands holding you close…listen to his heartbeat.

I have asked thousands of people this question, “Are you living as a hired servant or as a most beloved son or daughter of the Most High God?” Many people settle for being the bunk hand living in the bunk house. Second class status. Living in fear in crummy, cramped quarters. The Father invites you to live in his house and find the joy of his company.

Do you realize Luke 15:10 says there is joy among the Father and angels in heaven when one sinner repents? Do you realize the day you trusted Christ there was a banner over the heavenly banquet table with your name on it? Imagine yourself with a robe, a ring, shoes and all heaven rejoicing over you. Grace is available and GRACE IS ALWAYS AMAZING.

~Michael William Sprague

Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace/Down To The River To Pray
Gaelynn Lea

Evening

"Made perfect."
Hebrews 12:23

Recollect that there are two kinds of perfection which the Christian needs--the perfection of justification in the person of Jesus, and the perfection of sanctification wrought in him by the Holy Spirit. At present, corruption yet remains even in the breasts of the regenerate--experience soon teaches us this. Within us are still lusts and evil imaginations. But I rejoice to know that the day is coming when God shall finish the work which he has begun; and he shall present my soul, not only perfect in Christ, but perfect through the Spirit, without spot or blemish, or any such thing. Can it be true that this poor sinful heart of mine is to become holy even as God is holy? Can it be that this spirit, which often cries, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this sin and death?" shall get rid of sin and death--that I shall have no evil things to vex my ears, and no unholy thoughts to disturb my peace? Oh, happy hour! may it be hastened! When I cross the Jordan, the work of sanctification will be finished; but not till that moment shall I even claim perfection in myself. Then my spirit shall have its last baptism in the Holy Spirit's fire. Methinks I long to die to receive that last and final purification which shall usher me into heaven. Not an angel more pure than I shall be, for I shall be able to say, in a double sense, "I am clean," through Jesus' blood, and through the Spirit's work. Oh, how should we extol the power of the Holy Ghost in thus making us fit to stand before our Father in heaven! Yet let not the hope of perfection hereafter make us content with imperfection now. If it does this, our hope cannot be genuine; for a good hope is a purifying thing, even now. The work of grace must be abiding in us now or it cannot be perfected then. Let us pray to "be filled with the Spirit," that we may bring forth increasingly the fruits of righteousness.

Raise A Hallelujah

Eben Brusco - Come Holy Spirit

They went each to his own house, but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

Early in the morning He came again to the temple. All the people came to Him, and He sat down and taught them.

The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery.

Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?"

This they said to test Him, that they might have some charge to bring against Him. Jesus bent down and wrote with His finger on the ground.

And as they continued to ask Him, He stood up and said to them, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her."

And once more He bent down and wrote on the ground.

But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before Him.

Jesus stood up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"

She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more."

John 8:1-11

Neither Do I Condemn You | Desiring God
https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/neither-do-i-condemn-you--3

Jesus, the Friend of Sinners
https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/1281/jesus-the-friend-of-sinners