The Prodigal Son

Today's Scripture
"The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living." - Luke 15:12-13 NLT

Thoughts for Today
Enabling is anything that stands in the way of or softens the natural consequences of a person's behavior. Enabling behaviors may actually hinder what God is doing in our loved one's life.

In Luke 5:11-32, we learn that the father of the prodigal son understood the dangers of enablement. The prodigal son chose to take his part of the inheritance and leave home. He went to a distant country and wasted his wealth. Finally, out of money and working in a field feeding pigs, he came to his senses and decided to go home and ask his father's forgiveness.

Consider this …
Although it had been painful to see his son leave, the prodigal's father allowed him to be responsible for his own actions … all the while, praying for him and waiting to receive him with open arms when he returned. But in the meantime, the father did not send care packages to the pigpen.

When the son recognized his sin and confessed it, his father welcomed him home and showered him with mercy and love.

It is vital that we don't try to deliver our loved ones from the natural consequences of their actions, but instead allow God to work his perfect plan in their lives.

Prayer
Father, help me not to interfere with your plan for my loved one's life. Help me not "jump to the rescue" when I should stay back and trust you to work in his life. In Jesus' name …

These thoughts were drawn from … 
Understanding the Times and Knowing What to Do by Dr. Jimmy Ray Lee. This book offers biblical strategies for ministry to our family and friends. Contemporary issues and needs faced by society are addressed with biblical principles that are timeless. Ideal for small group leaders and Sunday school teachers who want a better understanding of ministry in an addictive culture.

Saved, Saved
I’ve found a Friend, who is all to me,
His love is ever true;
I love to tell how He lifted me
And what His grace can do for you.

Refrain

   Saved by His power divine,
   Saved to new life sublime!
   Life now is sweet and my joy is complete,
   For I’m saved, saved, saved!

He saves me from every sin and harm,
Secures my soul each day;
I’m leaning strong on His mighty arm;
I know He’ll guide me all the way.

Refrain

   Saved by His power divine,
   Saved to new life sublime!
   Life now is sweet and my joy is complete,
   For I’m saved, saved, saved!

When poor and needy and all alone,
In love He said to me,
“Come unto Me and I’ll lead you home,
To live with Me eternally.”

Refrain

   Saved by His power divine,
   Saved to new life sublime!
   Life now is sweet and my joy is complete,
   For I’m saved, saved, saved!

Islamic Extremists’ Attempted Jailbreak Reportedly Leads to 21 Shootout Deaths in Nigeria

Story by the Associated Press; curated by Dave Urbanski

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — A shootout at Nigeria’s State Security Services headquarters near the presidential villa killed at least 21 people Sunday, a government spokeswoman said of what appears to be an attempted jailbreak by Islamic extremists.

Residents described shooting that went on for more than two hours Sunday morning.

Security services spokeswoman Marilyn Ogar tried to minimize the event, saying it involved one detainee who tried to disarm a guard by hitting him on the back of his head with his handcuffs. Ogar’s statement said the only shots fired were warnings by guards and soldiers who quickly deployed around the perimeter of the compound, fearing collaborators from the outside.

Later Sunday Ogar reported 21 deaths — but did not specify if the fatalities included security agents and soldiers. She said two “service personnel” were seriously injured.

Jailbreaks are common in Nigeria, often aided by corrupt officials. But not from the state security headquarters which holds suspects of special interest, including alleged fighters in the northeastern Islamic uprising that has killed more than 1,000 people this year.

That insurgency is led by the Boko Haram terrorist network that on March 14 staged a daring jailbreak in an attack on Giwa Barracks, the main military barracks in the northeastern city of Maiduguri. Hundreds of detainees held at the barracks were freed. The military said it killed hundreds of them. Hospital workers said they counted 425 corpses at the morgue, the worst fatalities recorded in the 4-year-old uprising.

Residents described a shootout that began at about 7 a.m., when detainees are served breakfast, and continued until after 9 a.m.

“Whatever this is, it appears more serious than an attempted jailbreak claimed by the SSS,” said a tweet posted by Nasir El-Rufai, a former Cabinet minister who lives in the neighborhood. He said there were exchanges of gunfire and a helicopter gunship hovering overhead.

“What I witnessed with my eyes and heard this morning was a full-scale battle,” tweeted another former Cabinet minister, Femi Fani-Kayode. He said he lives 55 yards from the state security headquarters and the presidential villa called Aso Rock.

Agents at the scene said a detainee received a smuggled pistol along with his breakfast, and used it to shoot a guard who had unlocked his handcuffs so he could eat. It was unclear if the guard survived. The agents spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak to reporters.

Have A Blessed Wednesday,
Richard