What Jesus Did! 'Life Away from God' — Luke 15:13-16

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

[Continuing the tale of the two sons, Jesus said,] "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. About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything."
— Luke 15:13-16 NLT

Key Thought

Life without God is a lonely, desolate, and disgraceful place without comfort and without genuine friends. While you may have companions who hang around when you have something to offer them, they are usually gone when hard times hit, and you are often left alone. Those conditions are such a contrast with every picture we see of the joy and love in the Father's house!

Today's Prayer

Righteous God, my Heavenly Father, please help me keep my mind clear about my blessings of being in your family. Help me to see the comfort, love, and joy that are mine in your family. If I stray, please, dear Lord, humble me gently and bring me back home. My heart will find its true joy only in your presence. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Colossians 1:19-23
  • Ephesians 2:11-13
  • 1 Peter 1:9

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, September 13, 2023

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Focused on Jesus' (He. 3:1-6)
"Dear Father, Keep my eyes focused on Jesus. Help me carefully consider him. Let me see his faithfulness. Let me see his worthiness to be honored. Let..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'You Squander It!' (Ac. 7:51-53)
"[In his defense before the Sanhedrin, Stephen said,] "And you continue, so bullheaded! Calluses on your hearts, flaps on your ears! Deliberately ignoring the..."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Psalm 103:8
"The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by David Edwards:
"The truth is, living in agreement with God will bring His conviction when we are disobedient. Conviction may feel like a negative thing, but it's just as much a..."

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 15:13-16 NLT — "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."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!