+ When we realize we are wasting God's resources and will be held accountable, it gives us a chance to think, act decisively, and make a fresh start.
+ We can make a fresh start today by investing God's resources in people who will become our eternal friends.
+ Resenting his father's gracious welcome to the prodigal younger brother, the older son refused to join the celebration.
+ Because we all are accepted on the basis of grace, celebration and joy can be our only response to humble repentance. Joy is the only option.
+ God our Father allows us to experience the painful consequences of sin when we walk away from Him and live for ourselves.
+ God our Father joyfully welcomes back all repentant sinners—even those who seem irretrievably lost.
+ The first recorded meal--when the first human couple eats forbidden food with a stranger; their eyes are opened and they are expelled from God's presence.
+ The meat in the new creation--the meal with the resurrected Jesus, tells us that paradise, God's presence, is once again open to us.
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+ The disciples' disappointment and crushed hopes about Jesus were caused by their failure to trust what they read in God's word about Him.
+ Jesus interpreted the contents of the Old Testament to be about Himself opened their eyes and put an end to their despair.
In response to the complaining of the religious leadership over His association with sinners, Jesus tells two stories — aimed at their uncaring, sinful attitudes.
+ God, portrayed as a man who searches the countryside for just one lost sheep until he finds it invites all of heaven to celebrate with Him over one sinner who has a change of heart.
+ God, portrayed as a woman who searches for her one lost coin until she finds it, calls for joyful celebration in front of the angels over just one sinner who has a change of heart.