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Slopping The Hogs

  • The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe, and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat, and celebrate; for this, my son, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.' Luke 15:21 WEB

    Jesus told a story of a young man who could not wait to get his inheritance from his father. When he finally received it, he left home and ran through it immediately by spending the entire inheritance on riotous living and prostitutes. That was certainly not his father's perfect will for him. Then when everything was gone and he became hungry, he tried to find a job but could not. Finally as a last act of desperation, he got a job feeding pigs.

    I grew up on a farm and slopping the hogs was a daily chore. I can tell you that it is a messy place to be and that the aromas from the pig pen are memorable. The son in the story was Jewish, so they detest swine and consider them unclean. I can say from experience, that hogs are not clean animals, but also can be very tasty.

    Anyway, this son had now hit rock bottom. For a Jew to be a pig feeder was as low as you could go. After a while of doing this, scripture tells us that he came to his senses. He realized that he was now broke, hungry, and living by slopping the hogs, but this was a choice that he had made.

    He remembered that the servants in his Father's house always had plenty to eat, so he decided to return home and become a servant. He put together a long speech about how he was no longer worthy to be called a son. Before he could give the speech, the father in the story was throwing a celebration and making him the guest of honor at it. The Father's heart said: 'You will always be my son.' The son only had to return home for the Father's door was wide open and he was welcome.

    Sometimes we ask God for things and then when we get it, we completely blow it. One of those 'Oh my, that was stupid' moments that we wake up from. God understands and He wants us to return to Him. His door is always open. No matter what you have done, you are welcome at His house. This story was included in the Bible for people like us. When you come to your senses, return home to the Father. It is ok, He understands. You don't have to stay out there with the pigs.

    Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for always having an open door. I choose You today and ask that You help me find my place in Your kingdom. Put me where You want me to be Lord. Open the next door and I will walk through it, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

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20 comments
  • 2
Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer

Yes Lord please,  and thank you Jesus,  amen. 

November 9, 2016
  • 2
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

Yes, thank you, Lord!

November 9, 2016
  • 2
Mike OBryan
Mike OBryan

Hum daily I realize this! Amazing! Amen thanks Pastor!!!!!!!!!!!

November 9, 2016
  • 2
Penelope Rhome
Penelope Rhome

thankk you  lord  for  giving  me   hallelujah   amen

 

November 9, 2016
  • 2
Yvette York
Yvette York

Amen 

November 9, 2016
  • 2
Kay Collinsworth
Kay Collinsworth

Thank you God for forgiving me and putting me in the right direction. Amen

November 9, 2016
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

Amen, Kay <3!

November 9, 2016
  • 2
Michelle  Muff
Michelle Muff

Thank you father God for always keeping the light on and welcoming me Home.  

November 9, 2016
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

Amen, Michelle, I think most of us have been the prodigal from time to time! God loves you and so do we! (((HUGS)))

November 9, 2016
  • 2
Carol Pady
Carol Pady

Amen! He is faithful to forgive us, we only need to truly repent!

November 9, 2016
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

Amen, sister! We've been counseling with a person for a few years who seems to want to think that forgiveness just automatically happens without any sort of repentance or change, despite our counsel and the fruit in his life. God is patient though, to keep presenting the same lessons until we learn them <3

November 9, 2016
  • 3
Debbie Schwartz
Debbie Schwartz

Spot on again, amazing.  I have to share my story of hope.  Moved to new area, built house , 3 years later marriage ended, thyroid issues with my daughter at the age of 16, single mom, then fired from my job, all within 1 year in 2009.  I tried selling this house past 5 years but recession hit.  Surrendered all to God, my daughter will graduate from college Dec. 17th, the house has an accepted offer on it as of last week.  I'm going home, close to my family!  My ex husband and I thought we could live a better life and everything fell apart.  God restores!  

November 9, 2016
  • 1
Deng Tembreza
Deng Tembreza

'GOD LOVES YOU VERY MUCH' and will always forever.

November 9, 2016
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

Amen, Debbie, He does indeed! Thank you so much for sharing some of your journey <3!

November 9, 2016
  • 2
Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus

Amen

November 9, 2016
  • 2
Janet Marsh-Lord
Janet Marsh-Lord

I pray your prayer Pastor Dion. Thank you Lord. Amen.

November 9, 2016
  • 2
Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler

I like..you don't need a story the Father already knows.  Thank you, Lord!!

November 9, 2016
  • 1
Diane Symborski✝
Diane Symborski✝edited: November 10, 2016

Amen! Thank you Pastor Dion for your devotion.  My one friend breeds small pigs and sells them as pets I guess they might be clean pigs, People let them in their home as house pets. Many people have love for different animals. God bless them and may all people learn to respect and be kind to one another. Amen <3 

 

She tired to give my daughter and I one for a house pet. I told jer thanks but bo thanks. I saw what they did to your furniture I would like to keep what I have. Amen :-

 Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for always having an open door. I choose You today and ask that You help me find my place in Your kingdom. Put me where You want me to be Lord. Open the next door and I will walk through it, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen <3

November 10, 2016
  • 1
Ticardo Williams
Ticardo Williams

Amen.  Praise God!  Thanks Pastor Todd!  Heavenly Father, I thank You for always having an open door. I choose You today and ask that You help me find my place in Your kingdom. Put me where You want me to be Lord. Open the next door and I will walk through it, in the Name of Jesus Christ I pray.  

November 10, 2016
  • 1
Elena Vasquez
Elena Vasquez

 Amen

November 13, 2016