DAILY HOPE DEVOTIONAL: JULY 7 LESSONS FROM PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON (7) SCRIPTURE: Luke 15: 18 – 20
In the running of our devotional series on positive steps the prodigal son took to renewing his destiny, we have touched two ways or steps so far. Today’s devotional is opening up three more positive steps he took towards renewing his destiny. The devotional is hopeful that readers who have had wasted years and regretting will learn how to recover and renew their destiny by applying the steps taken by the prodigal son. Fellow brethren, let it be known today that anything seems to have been lost can be recovered when positive resolution is taken. This is same with a supposed lost destiny. The prodigal son adopted three more positive steps which cancelled the negative steps taken which would have ruined his destiny for life. These steps are genuine repentance, embarking on return journey and subscribing to reconciliation.
He acted on genuine repentance:
The devotional is looking at repentance from the angle of the process of feeling bad and taking decision to change into doing what is good. Free Web Dictionary has many definitions for repentance. Among these, one says: “repentance is to change the mind, or the course of conduct, on account of regret or dissatisfaction.” The prodigal son therefore, acted on change of mind after he had reviewed his sorrow, pains, sufferings etc. caused his father and self; and turned a new leaf genuinely. He saw the true evil picture of his actions as “…sin against heaven and earth before his father” (Luke 15: 18). He decided to go to his father with a change of mind, not to see himself as a son any more but one of the father’s slaves. He at this junction would not see self as one entitled to his father’s wealth as his rights (Luke 15: 19).
By Greek word that repentance is taken from, it means “having a feeling of guilt with a mind of reformation.” In destiny renewal, act of repentance is very important. We must have a reformed mind towards what we used to be that resulted to shame and damnation. The prodigal son felt the guilt concerning his show of insubordination towards his father and the reckless spending of all he was given. If destiny is lost through reckless living style or failure to give serious attention to what to do so as to be accomplished, one can renew the given destiny by relinquishing all former conducts, attitudes or practices which necessitated such failure and work out reforming of one’s lifestyles. If the lost destiny is attached to failed business or career, the reform attitude is to arise and go to the business or the career again with new good mind set. The prodigal son said: “I will arise and go to my father” (Luke 15: 20). He indeed arose and journeyed home to meet his father.
PRAYER:
BLESSED FATHER JEHOVAH, give me boldness today to reform my inconsistencies that made me lost out of my God-given destiny. I need the support of the Holy Spirit here in Jesus name.
bishopubaudenyi@hopealivechurch
