Luke 15:31-32 - Joy In The Journey

Step 1: Pray. Select.  

I am close to halfway through my 30-day blogging challenge, and friends, let me tell you, each morning, the whispers of the Holy Spirit are getting clearer and clearer along the journey.

Today, as I started my prayer practice, the words, "He came unto himself," came to mind immediately. I looked up a few scriptures, but the one that spoke to my heart the most was in Luke 15:31-32.

Let's begin there.

Step 2: Write. Read. Circle

Luke 15:31-32 - And he said to him, son you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.

After reading the scripture three times, the following words pulled at my heart:

• You Are Always With Me

• Make Merry

• Your Brother

• Is Alive

• And Is Found

Step 3: Re-Write

Adding my name to the front and with a focus on the words that stood out, here is the sentence(s) I came up with for today:

• Jennifer, you were always with me; make merry your brother is alive and is found.

Step 4: Visualize

As I meditate on the sentence, the Holy Spirit reminds me how the spirit of comparison can work in two ways. He warns me of a double-minded nature we may not be aware of. This is a trick of the enemy I have never noticed before, or at least never paid attention to until now.

In this story of Luke, the lost son, or prodigal son, returns home. The son, who has been faithful his entire life, is told by his Father that his disobedient brother has returned home. At this moment, his Father is throwing him a party using all the finest things in the kingdom. The solid, stable, faithful brother is angry because he has never been treated with such extravagance.

How many times have we been faithful and wanted some recognition or have been waiting for a prayer to be answered, and someone comes along after living an entire life of sin and does something good, and right away, they get blessed while you stand on the sidelines continuing to till the land that has not bore any fruit yet. Let's be honest, friends. What does our flesh do?

Most of the time, a seed of bitterness or a small root of jealousy rises up in us and we don't understand why it is not our turn to see a blessing.

But the Father in this passage dares to shift the faithful son's perspective. He gives him something that will make him more prosperous than any item they will burn through at the party. He gives the faithful son wisdom that he knows he is mature enough to receive.

The faithful son has safety, love, and confidence that there is a place in heaven for the good life he has led. Instead of carrying the shame like his brother, who was afraid to come home, and the Father has to dress up to build him back up and make him feel welcome.

If the faithful son focused on what he lacked, he would be at risk of being lost in the wilderness of sin since seeds of bitterness can spoil and overtake the land and his soul. It is essential for the faithful son to rejoice in his brother having a chance to live like he has for the past years and onward in eternity.

The Holy Spirit is warning that while we may have walked with God longer than others, if we are placing our eyes on what they receive in comparison to us, instead of rejoicing that they have finally arrived to join us in receiving the many rewards from the Father, we may trip and fall right into the enemy's trap causing sin to cloud our judgment allowing the spirit of comparison to continue to run rampant when we as a church need to kill it before it kills the church.

Sin can creep in in so many ways, separating you from the inheritance God has for you, and only you.

Also, remember each of our paths is unique. Whatever crops we grow will take as long as they need to sprout up as God intends, baring good fruit. This is not a race, so let us not keep focusing on the finish line to receive a worldly ribbon or trophy. Instead of focusing on how long you have been walking with God, focus on the assurance you will get to the end, and when you do, a reward greater than anything this earth has to offer will be waiting for you.

Which is worse, the person who got lost along the path and found their way back to the finish line? Or the person who ran the race on the path the whole time but stopped short and sat down before crossing the finish line?

You might wonder what might cause someone who was on the path the whole time not to finish. Only one thing comes to mind. They put their head down and lost sight of the end goal when it was right in front of them. Either God wins, or the mind does. You choose.

We are all in this race together, but if we understand it goes into eternity and really isn't a race at all, we will approach every curve and obstacle differently, realizing God was walking with us every step of the way. And that is the greatest reward in itself.

If the faithful son in Luke looked from the perspective that he is running towards the arms of our heavenly Father instead of focusing on the rewards his brother is receieving from his earthly father, he would understand he has already won a million times over in the Kingdom.

Step 5: Ask. Seek

The main question(s) that came to mind were:

• Holy Spirit, what do I do to maintain the perspective that I am winning with God every day and sustain a joyful spirit, knowing that I am winning no matter where I am on the path right now?

Step 6: Hear. Write. Receive

"Tend to your lot beneath your feet. If you keep your head focused on the work God assigns for the day along your path that contains your portion and contribution toward God's greater plans, it is only a matter of time before your crops will begin to spring up and bear fruit. Start your day by praising God for what he has given you, even what you cannot see. End your day with thanksgiving for what you have received and seen. In between, keep joyously working, knowing you are tending to the LORD's kingdom. When you live this way, you will celebrate others as they step back into the race to run into the gates of heaven with you. All other things don't matter, and be thankful they will be there to hold your hand and cross into heavenly places, potentially holding you up when you are tired from running the race since you may have been running longer than they have. You will not be swayed off course if you live this way. Raise them up, and in turn, they will raise you, ensuring you all finish strong and walk into eternity."

Step 7: Pray. Confirm

I will ask my two witnesses to pray over the protection of my perspective and hopefully kill the spirit of comparison once and for all. Help me keep my eyes on you, LORD, and praise you in expectation while thanking you for what I have received daily in gratitude every night.

If you used the scripture of the day and need prayer or someone to pray with you, connect Here. Remember, you are not alone.

Step 8: Share. Testify

If you workshopped any of the verses mentioned above using the 8-Step Prayer Practice, we would love to hear from you in the comments below about what the Holy Spirit showed or spoke to you today.

Don't forget to Spread hope and share HERE if you have a miracle or testimony. We want to see how God is working in your life!

Conclusion:

Today's instruction is clear: to focus on celebrating the fact that if we know the LORD right now and walk with him daily, we are already winning in many ways.

Praise God for the multitude of those who will eventually praise him alongside us, knowing there is power in numbers. At the end of the day, the more the merrier, and I feel much more secure, as more people come to Christ, we will all make it into heaven together one day, lifting each other up and making sure we cross the finish line of a life well lived.

May you all be blessed. If you haven't already accepted Jesus into your heart, know he is waiting for you with open arms, and you will never walk alone again.