Read: Luke 15:11-31; John 8:7

Think: As a parent it is so easy for us to see sin our children’s lives, as a spouse it is so easy to see the sin in our spouse’s life, what is challenging is to take that magnifying glass to our own life.

I often think of John 8:7 where Jesus say s to a crowd gathered around a woman caught in adultery, stones in hand ready to dish out the punishment the Law dictates… yet Jesus states, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” So in listening to Pastor Ben this weekend, it really hit home when he talked about confessing sins to others. It can be embarrassing, humbling and very difficult thing to do. Asking forgiveness of the Lord is much easier than having to confess to another family member, friend, or co-worker.

It makes me think of the “prodigal son” parable in the bible. In Luke 15 Jesus tells us a story about a son who doesn’t want to wait for his father to die to receive his inheritance. Seems incredibly selfish of the son, but the father without blinking an eye gives the son his portion of the inheritance. The son goes out and wastes all the money and finds himself penniless. Then, humbling himself, he comes back to his father’s house, he confesses and asks for his father’s forgiveness and his father then forgives him and welcomes him back into the family.

We Ben talked about confess/repent/restitution, I can’t think of a better example of how a father should lead his children and I can’t think of a better example as a child to win back the heart of your father.

Do: If you’ve sinned, with the focus being on humbling yourself, ask God for forgiveness. Then ask for the strength to go to anyone you’ve hurt due to your sin and ask for their forgiveness. Don’t make excuses and don’t stop until you’ve taken seen it through.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I ask for you to strengthen me in times where I need to break free of my sin or secrets. I know that with your power and guidance, you can soften others hearts and minds for when I deliver that request of forgiveness. Give me the opportunity today to open that door, clear that closet and get back on track with you Lord. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

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