Just a look at the Prodigal son!

something we have always heard about the prodigal son is the fact his brother was not exactly thrilled by the way he was welcomed back.

This story can be summed up into seven parts::
1) departure and sins
2) misery and chastisement
3) conviction and resolve - Luke15:17: "And when he came to himself"
4) return and welcome
5) confession & repentance - Luke 15:21 is the prodigal son's confession and repentance it says "and the son said >unto him, father, i have sinner against heaven, and in they sight, and am no worthy >to be called thy son"
6) reconciliation-rejoicing
7) jealousy and anger of the elder brother

This story also points out something, you do NOT feed people when they are in the "pig pen" per-se , if they stay comfortable in their condition God can not work with them and you prolong them in their place of despair and ultimately make it harder for them to come out of.

verse 21 is an interesting verse, the son admitted to sin again heaven (God) and against his father (man). When we sin lots of time there are TWO things to apologize for, however it's not to everyone and their brother, its to that specific people and not those on the side lines. Verse 21 shows true repentance!

Verse 25-32 shows how most church people react when some one reverse their backsliding, i have seen it plenty of times, they do not want to celebrate the return of their brother but they despise the killing of the fatted calf for his brother. V31 is interesting, he acknowledged while the prodigal son does not have an inheritance they should still be glad that their son has went from dead to life, from lost to found.

One that that bothers me is when some one returns to Christ with a true heart of repentance, we play the role that the brother played and demand they come back as a servant and stay there, not to become a saint like they were called. Its true they may never be where they were (in this example have the great inheritance) but at the same time, they are still a family! celebrate when one is lost and found, even if they have been found again!

mini post

My bible says Matt 7:22 & 23 there are TWO reasons while he casts people into the fire

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

1) Workers of iniquity
2) God never knowing them.


Iniquity is continual unrepentant sin, its great than a sin or transgression
The other one is God not knowing you, which is interesting though because many people have accepted Christ and claim him, however if He does NOT accept YOU then you are still lost.

The only way for him to know you, and for sin to be completely out of your life is a continual personal relationship with Jesus based between you and him, Following a man will get you nowhere, he can not save you and he did not die on a cross for you! The bible tells us to work out our own salvation with fear & trembling because its a very serious matter. NO ONE can have your relation with Jesus except you, invest in your relationship with Jesus above others, for when you seek first The King of God then everything else will be added!!

Matthew 6:33
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Easter 2012: a look back to the first post

This is a link to my first post - FOUR years ago! I know this blog isn't updated regularly but i always try to post interesting stuff on here when i do post.

http://wcooley.blogspot.com/2008/03/easter-2008-jesus-name.html

May the future be more brighter than the past,
-Bill

Bible Nugget: The Tabernacle

The tabernacle is an interesting study, i do not plan on going into it much (its a nugget after all, not a full course meal!)

Three materials were used with the furniture

• Brass - symbolized fire and judgement
• Gold - symbolized kingship or deity
• Silver - symbolized the blood (temple coin was silver, remember Judas used a silver coin!)

Tabernacle was 75 feet wide and 150 long and surrounded by a 7-1/2 ft white linen fence

seven pieces of furniture & how it relates to salvation:

• altar of fire - repentance
• brass laver - water baptism
• hold's 3,000 baths (about 3,000 gallons) which is interesting that 3,000 were saved on the day of Pentecost
• candlestick - receiving the holy Ghost (getting the light)
• table of shew bread - eat of the bread - the hidden manna 
• Jesus said "i am the bread that come down from heaven" 
• altar of incense - shows prayers of the saints
• the veil - revelation of his deity
• ark of the covenant - into his presence

The furniture layout was a cross also!!

Bible Nugget:: First 10 Generations from Adam to Noah: The Meaning

This is fascinating when you get you understand this concept. The bible is full of amazing insight and bible gold-nuggets (small details that have great worth). This is one such nugget. This names are all found in Genesis 5. I hope to do more nugget posts, this is the first one.

To Sum this up:: Man (is) Appointed Mortal Sorrow; (the) Blessed God Shall Come Down Teaching His Death Brings (the) Despairing Rest!!