Lessons from the Prodigal Son (Part 4)!

INSPIRE Devotionals With Emmanuel Afiawari Sunday, April 6, 2025 Topic: LESSONS FROM THE PRODIGAL SON (Part 4)! Memory Verse: ‭‭"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" - Romans 14:12 KJV Bible Text:  ‭‭‭‭‭ Luke 15:13 KJV 13. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. INSPIRATION: A local proverb says, "When a child has only 20 tubers of yam, he may think his 20 tubers of yam will last him for 20yrs! Many of us have made very costly but regrettable assumptions about life, just like the Prodigal Son only to have a reality check that shatters all our assumptions or wrong philosophies. He gathered all he had received as inheritance and left. Don't invest all your energies or resources into what you haven't tested or proven to be truly sustainable. Many of us have literarily gathered all and walked into a 'far country' in business, love relationships, career, friendship, etc, not minding Jesus' counsel to first count the cost (Luke 14: 28), and we're still counting our losses and regrets till date. Doing due diligence on matters of long-term investment may save you a lifetime of painful regrets. It may look promising and rosy, but do your homework first before you commit; it may promise a high returns, but don't get swayed on the surface only to get slain at the depth. Deep realities sink and stare us in the face each time the euphoria is over. Think, research, recheck! Sometimes, it is not only money you lose for making a bad decision. If it were only money the Prodigal Son, he would've been cool. But he also lost his identity, dignity and essence in life. One silly thoughtless decision made him forget who he was. A rich kid soon identified with commoners, employed to feed pigs and now feeding himself from the pig's food. You see how low life can spiral out of control for making a wrong turn in life? But good counsel and mentorship could've saved him from this terrible fall. TODAY'S TAKE HOME: Be inspired by the daring stories of others who, like the Prodigal Son, took the bold steps to try out life on their own terms. You've waited for far too long to act (Deut. 1: 6; 2: 3)! PRAYER: Dear Lord, please deliver me from making the wrong turn in life, whether in business, career, investments, relationship or ministry. Deliver me from the arrogance of improper planning before execution of any project and help me not to lose my true identity in pursuit of vainglory, in Jesus name.