| "What the enemy has in his possession he scars because his only agenda is to steal, kill and destroy. But when possession change hands to the Master Potter, Jesus Christ gives a total make over. He knows how to use scarred people. When He gives a make over people will say, "Wow! What happened to you? Who did this to you?"_ Heard Pastor Jentezen Franklin say this on TV. God's Word says in 2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" When a sinner turns to Jesus with a heart of repentance He does a total makeover. He is like clay in the Master Potter's hands. He knows to use those scarred by addiction, abuse, rejection, rebellion etc. Father always picks up a son who repents and looks at him in compassion and not condemnation. Romans 8:1"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.." He doesn't shake his finger or cast him out. But lifts him up and says "I love you. I forgive you. Sin no more. It doesn't matter what people say, but I am able by the Blood of my Son Jesus Christ, to wash your sins away." Jesus Christ our Lord takes away the garment of hurt, fear, past failures, guilt, rebellion, depression and clothes them with the garment of righteousness, joy, praise, grace, new mercies. In the parable of the prodigal son, when the son returned home he said to the father, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you." But the father said to his servants, Praise God heaven rejoices when the lost are found and when the prodigal returns. This is because God looks past the past sins and failures at the repentant heart. But there is something very important we need to remember, God expects we "sin no more". John 5:14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” Then again we read about a prostitute by law, she should have been stoned to death. But in silence Jesus started to write on the sand one by one her accusers left. Jesus forgave her, told her, "Sin no more" In the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, our accuser is silenced. Satan is the the accuser of our brethren (Revelation 12:10). God will one day cast him down. So, let's walk in obedience to God's word and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). When the prodigal returned the elder brother was not very happy. We read in Luke: 28-32, "older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' "'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'Today when Prodigals return home in repentance, some fellow brothers may look with suspicion and may refuse to accept them. But cheer up there's hope in our Redeemer, He accepts a repentant sinner, a backslidden child whole heartily. If the Son set us free we are free indeed! Let us live as the King's children. He made us more than conquerors. He helps us overcome the sin and temptation that come our way.Time to walk Holy before our God who graciously saved us from the pit of sin. Be blessed Julia "Prodigals know their way back home, just keep praying"~Pastor Jentezen Franklin |
