Kingdom Incarnate Part 14 Devotionals
Day 1: The Value of the Lost
Devotional Have you ever lost something precious? The panic, the desperate search, the relief when it’s found – these emotions reveal how much we value what’s lost. In God’s eyes, every lost person holds immense value. He doesn’t write off those who’ve wandered away or dismiss them as hopeless cases. Instead, He actively seeks them out, pursuing them with relentless love. This truth transforms how we should view both ourselves and others. When we feel lost or see others who have strayed, we must remember that being lost doesn’t diminish our worth in God’s eyes. In fact, it intensifies His pursuit of us.
Bible Verse
“Then Jesus told them this parable: ‘Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?'” – Luke 15:3-4
Reflection Question
When you feel lost or distant from God, how does it change your perspective to know that He values you enough to actively seek you out?
Quote Lost things have value. Lost things are worth searching for.
Prayer
Father, thank You for valuing us even when we feel lost. Help us to see ourselves and others through Your eyes of love and grace. Give us the courage to trust in Your pursuit of us, knowing that we are precious to You. Amen.
Day 2: The Father’s Watchful Eye
Devotional Picture a parent waiting by the window, scanning the horizon for their child to return home. This image captures God’s heart for His children. He’s not passive in His waiting, but actively watching and longing for our return. When we wander away, He doesn’t turn His back or give up hope. Instead, He maintains His vigilant watch, ready to run toward us at the first sign of our return. This persistent love demonstrates the depth of His commitment to restoration and reconciliation.
Bible Verse
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” – Luke 15:20
Reflection Question
How does knowing that God is actively watching and waiting for you impact your approach to returning to Him after drifting away?
Quote While he was still a long way off, his father saw him. It means he was looking for him. See, that’s the thing about how amazing the grace and the love of God is.
Prayer
Loving Father, thank You for Your constant vigilance and readiness to welcome us back. Help us to remember that You’re always watching, always waiting, always ready to embrace us. May this truth draw us closer to Your heart. Amen.
Day 3: Coming to Our Senses
Devotional Sometimes we need to hit rock bottom before we realize we’ve wandered too far. Like the prodigal son among the pig pens, our moments of clarity often come in our lowest points. But here’s the beautiful truth: God isn’t concerned with how eloquent our repentance is or how many promises we make. He simply wants us to turn back toward home. The journey of return begins with a simple recognition of our need for Him and a decision to walk back into His arms.
Bible Verse
“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!'” – Luke 15:17
Reflection Question
What does ‘coming to your senses’ look like in your own life, and how can you respond when you recognize you’ve wandered from God?
Quote The main point in that whole exchange was when he came to his senses and started heading back. It wasn’t about how good his ‘I’m sorry’ was. God knows he gets it.
Prayer
God, give us the clarity to recognize when we’ve wandered and the courage to turn back to You. Thank You that You care more about our return than our perfect words. Help us to trust in Your welcoming embrace. Amen.
Day 4: Grace Over Rules
Devotional It’s easy to slip into thinking our relationship with God is about following rules perfectly. We often forget that rules were never meant to be our pathway to God – they were meant to show us our need for grace. When we understand that grace is the foundation of our relationship with God, everything changes. Our obedience becomes a response to love rather than an attempt to earn it. This shift transforms our spiritual journey from a burden of performance to a celebration of freedom.
Bible Verse
“‘This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,’ declares the Lord. ‘I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.'” – Jeremiah 31:33
Reflection Question
How might your relationship with God change if you focused more on His grace than on following rules perfectly?
Quote: Instead of us trying to observe our way into the kingdom, instead of rule following into the kingdom, we need to understand that it’s grace that we get there, and then things start happening.
Prayer
Father, help us to embrace Your grace and let it transform our hearts. Free us from the burden of perfectionism and help us to live in the joy of Your unconditional love. May our obedience flow from gratitude rather than obligation. Amen.
Day 5: The Celebration of Grace
Devotional God’s response to our return is always celebration. When we come back to Him, He doesn’t greet us with a lecture or a list of our failures. Instead, He throws a party! This divine celebration reveals God’s heart – He genuinely delights in our restoration. Every time someone returns to Him, heaven rejoices. This truth should shape how we respond to others who are finding their way back to God. We’re called to join in the celebration, to embrace the joy of restoration, and to welcome others with the same grace we’ve received.
Bible Verse
“In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” – Luke 15:10
Reflection Question
How can you better reflect God’s celebrating heart when you see others returning to Him?
Quote The theme of the party that we’re in, the celebration is grace.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for celebrating our return to You. Help us to embrace Your joy and extend that same celebrating spirit to others who are finding their way back to You. May we never lose the wonder of Your grace. Amen.
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