Bible Chapter: Luke 15

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    What is the worth of one soul?  How does God look at the eternal beings He created?  He loves them with an amazing love and His deepest desire is that they will recognize their need of forgiveness and turn to Him.  Here Jesus used three stories to teach the lesson of God’s perspective of the value of a soul.
    When the lost is found there is great rejoicing.  The word lost has some powerful implications when applied to a child missing from home.  Large groups of strangers will volunteer their time to look for the lost one.  Then, when the child is found safe and sound, they celebrate.  It seems the church doesn’t use the word lost any more regarding people who don’t know Jesus, but, they really are lost in their journey through life.  Terms are important.  People without Jesus are lost.
    In the parable of the lost son, commonly known as the Prodigal Son, we see part of the deception of sin.  He took his resources and went away.  Sin gives the deceptive idea that the best, most fun is always somewhere else.  And, that the most fun always includes the things the Bible calls sin.  “Real living” shows no restraint or care for God’s law.  We can see a truth when we observe that the lost son lost all his wealth.  Sin often leads to squandering what we have.  Sin always costs more than we think it will, then there is nothing left.
    God’s love is overwhelming.  We see it in the father welcoming home the lost son.  Yes, he wasted much, but he had come home.  Jesus is anxious for us all to come home.  He already bought the ticket.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    What is God’s attitude towards people lost in sin?  He wants them to return.  That needs to be my attitude, as well.  God rejoices when one person repents. I need to rejoice as well.  I need to find ways to spread the message of the love and joy found in Jesus.

3.  How can I help someone?
    Spread the message for all.
Romans 10:9-10 NKJV
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  
10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:13 NKJV
13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”