OUTHSIDESCOOP
FRESH DEW
RestorativePower BySis.RickiFuller
In the Fifteenth Chapter of the Book of Luke, we can see a prime example of what restoration looks like. In verses 11-24, Luke details a set of events that occurred between a father and his reckless son. By the end of this story which Jesus told, that son ‘came to his senses and returned home’ penitent-and- recommitted.
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OrlanderR.Thomas
SeniorMinister
WilliamA.Stephens
MinisterEmeritus
WileyShearin,Jr.
ElderEmeritus
RickiFuller
Women’sCounselor
CandiceP.Blount
ChurchAdministrator
QuentellaWilliams
ExecutiveAssistant
Deacons
JohnAlcox
AnthnoyGreen,Sr.
ArthurHackney
JohnMathis
ChesterMayfield,Jr.
RogerMcDougal
JoeWilliams
KeithWright
“When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son...”’ So, he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So, the party began.” (Luke 15:17-24 NLT)
What an amazing and inspiring story of repentance, recommitment, and restoration. As we peer into these verses, we may surmise that the dad had been expecting his (prodigal) son to return to him. And, as we think about it, we can conclude that, in like manner, our Father-GOD patiently waits for us to genuinely return/reframe/repent/recommit.
Imagine that young man practicing what he would say to his dad as he was travailing his way back home. He was preparing himself to be treated as a hired hand instead of a beloved son But, look at the dad’s reaction: Even though his son was quite a distance away, something empathic happened as evidenced by the father’s response. That expectant dad sensed his son’s presence from a distance and was overtaken by love/pity/tenderness. Therefore, he immediately ran to his son ‘hugging and kissing him’ resulting in a fully restored relationship between father and son.
You know, even now on a daily basis, somehow kindred spirits meet regardless of time and space as guided by the Holy Spirit in our lives. Case-in-point, have you ever been thinking of someone, and the next thing you know that person (or persons) call or text you, or show up in your presence? We can, surely, agree such is GOD’s non-condemning Love beaming in/through us (I John 4:7,10-11,6;2:5; Ephesians2:4-5)
In gleeful conclusion, we see that the restored father-son relationship reveals to us how GOD embraces us today when we seek Him (Jeremiah 29:13; Proverbs 8:17) through prayer, study, worship, fellowship, and counsel. Thank YOU, Father-GOD, for assuring and not condemning us (Romans 8:1)! POWERFUL!
EDITION 33 17 SEPTEMBER 2023
PRAYER
