Have you found the road to true happiness? This story of how a
young man found true happiness could help you find it much quicker
than he did.
Maybe you would think he set out on the right road when he wanted
friendship, riches and freedom away from the influence of his father!
The young man didn't want to wait until after his father's death so
he said, "Father, give me my share of the estate." Then he "got
together all he had, set off for a distant country and there
squandered his wealth in wild living." 1*.
Even as he reached for his happiness, just like reaching out to
catch a beautiful bubble, it was about to burst! His riches
were fast running out on him, and his friends were about to! "He
began to be in need"! 2*.
You see, to seek your friendship,
riches and freedom down the
road of the "pleasures of sin" leads to a cul-de-sac! There you
will be surrounded by emptiness, sorrows and regrets! 3*. Although those sinful
pleasures don't bring any lasting satisfaction they do prove to be
very addictive! They produce a great thirst within you and a hope
that eventually they will lead to satisfaction! 4*.
Beware of making the same mistake! God the Father has given
you your life and health and brains. 5*. Have you taken these "riches" and gone
off to live a self-centred life instead of turning to
love and please the God who has shown you such kindness?
6*.
Friendship and riches failed for this young man and then his
freedom went too! In his effort to keep alive he found himself the
slave to a cruel and uncaring master. He was sent into the fields
to feed pigs. "He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the
pigs were eating, but no-one gave him anything." 7*.
It wasn't his father's fault he was in such a mess; it was because
he had chosen the road that took him away from his loving
father.
"When he came to his senses, he said, `..I will set out and go back
to my father..'
"While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was
filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms
around him and kissed him. The son said to him, `Father, I have
sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be
called your son.'" 8*.
The wretched slave boy discovered the true friendship
of a father who was ready and willing to forgive him and
accept him into his family. He also enjoyed the riches of
his father's provisions for him. And to work for his
father was freedom compared to the awful slavery he had
been in.
The secret of happiness for you is only to be found when
you repent and come to accept GOD'S friendship riches and freedom. God the Father has already paid in
full for all you sins through Jesus Christ 9*. and is ready to forgive you and receive
you into His family if you will trust in what Jesus has done for
you! 10*.
Come to Him in faith just now, as this prodigal did to his father
in Luke chapter 15, verses 11-24.
Bye for now,
John Nixon, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
For the next reading from Luke's Gospel go to NEXT
In order to browse further "Good News Compage" prompts and
commentary for Luke's Gospel check out the review index.
---------------oOo---------------
Bible quotations from N.I.V.
1 Luke 15:12.
2 Luke 15:14.
3 Hebrews 11:25. Job
20:5.
4 Jeremiah 2:13. Proverbs
23:29-35.
5 James 1:17.
6 Romans 2:4.
7 Luke 15:15-16.
8 Luke 15:17-19.
9 1st John 1:5 - 2:2.
10 John
1:12-13.
Check out the
for "Good News Compage" messages on specific subjects.
FREE
* * Bible Study Series * *
the following sets of studies
are free to download and are suitable
for personal or group Bible Study.
Each individual study comprises 10 helpful questions.
13 individual studies helping you to view
the King and His Kingdom through the multi-facets of the Metaphors
Jesus used.
Together the two parts open up each of
the 28 chapters, each part providing 14 individual studies chapter
by chapter.
Seeking out lessons from/for the Church.
14 individual studies to to warn,
challenge, instruct, assure and quicken Believers
today.
For the complete list of Free Bible Studies currently avaiable
go to
