THE FATHER'S HOUSE

LUKE 15:15-20 NKJ 
15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. 
17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’ 
20 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 

 This passage is from one of the most well-known of Jesus' parables, the prodigal son.   

The younger son asked for his inheritance early.  Then he cashes it in and leaves for a far country where he parties it all away.  The son winds up feeding pigs and is practically starving when he decides it's better in his father's house.  He then repents and returns where his father receives him joyfully and restores him to the position of a son.   

There is so much here we could discuss, but the one thing I want us to see is how much better it is to stay in fellowship with our Father God.  Our aim is to stay out of the situations of life that leave us hurting and hungry with nothing good coming our way.  Now, I am speaking from a spiritual perspective.  When we are out of our fellowship with God, though we are still saved, we can live so far below the plans God has for us.   

APPLICATION 

If you find yourself in a tough situation, have the wisdom of this younger son.  Acknowledge you have sinned, turn away from that spiritually toxic behavior, and ask for God's forgiveness.  God is faithful to forgive you and cleanse you from all that is not right.  He wants you living close to Him. That is where the grace is.  That is where peace is the prevailing force. That is where there is abundance and where your cup overflows.  It's just so much better in the Father's house living close to Him.  I have been far from His house, and I have lived close.  Close is better!  

PRAYER 

Dear Father, help me live in such a way that I stay close to you.  Living outside of Your fellowship may seem ok for a little while, but it never turns out well.  I was made to live close as a son of Your house.