And He Said

“And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.” Luke‬ ‭15:11-13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

I was a prodigal! Several times!

Many times I turned around and each time my life changed, however, I never came face to face with my sin! I knew I didn't like where I was, I knew I had to do better! I knew I had to stop "the bar-room" sins, and I did, for a time, but when the tests came I had no staying power on my own! After, so many trips down to the altar failed, I finally got to the point of the "whatever it takes God" prayer! True repentance!

“And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.” Luke‬ ‭15:17-19‬ ‭KJV‬‬

I came to myself! I got low enough that at that point I threw up my hands and surrendered all! I had done what the church said, and had said the words, but had (up to that point) never gotten so low there was no other place to go but to God! 

THAT is where you find Him!

You recognize your nothingness! You know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you have tried everything and failed and are willing to truly humble yourself before your Creator and verbally give up - everything! 

You lay down your pride!

You come to the realization that in you there is nothing good, that you have nothing to offer Him, except your will; the very thing He requires; the very thing the devil refused to give and doesn't want you to do! Your choice at that very point who you will follow!  

“And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭15:21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The prodigal laid down his rights, his expectations of grandiose living in his father's mansion, and was begging just let me serve! His was a "whatever it takes" father, just let me come home prayer! I am willing!

There was no "help me Lord to do Your will!" His was "I will do Your will!"  No argument over punishment; no - "that's not fair"; no - "well how about?", JUST - "anything you require, Lord, I will happily do!"

I'm sure the prodigal's father had also prayed "whatever it takes" Lord to bring my son to his senses, too! 

"Whatever it takes" is where the rubber meets the road! It's the hardest prayer anyone will pray and it's the most effective! It's desperation in action! It is blurted out! It is wailed! It is sobbed! It is powerful!  It is what God is waiting for, from all of us! 

Are you a prodigal? Are you a parent with a prodigal? Are you just ready for a deeper relationship with God? Pray: "whatever it takes!"

Then trust God! 

He is worthy of your trust! 

It will get worse and you will be tempted to try and reconsider that prayer, but trust God! 

Keep your hands off of what you have given to Him, to "keep"; you; your spouse; your children!

Let Him have His perfect way, in perfecting you and yours!

You just "keep" your eyes on Jesus, and trust! 

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”  Isaiah‬ ‭26:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Don't look at the situation; look at Jesus! 

 

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 9/18/14