When Your Heart Needs a Father

"OUR FATHER who is in heaven …" With these words Jesus escorts us into the Great House of God.  
 Shall we follow him? There is so much to see. Every room reveals his heart, every stop will soothe  
 your soul. And no room is as essential as this one we enter first. Walk behind him as he leads us into  
 God’s living room.

Sit in the chair that was made for you and warm your hands by the fire which never fades. Take  
 time to look at the framed photos and find yours. Be sure to pick up the scrapbook and find the story  
 of your life. But please, before any of that, stand at the mantle and study the painting which hangs  
 above it.

Your Father treasures the portrait. He has hung it where all can see.

Stand before it a thousand times and each gaze is as fresh as the first. Let a million look at the  
 canvas and each one will see himself. And each will be right.

Captured in the portrait is a tender scene of a father and a son. Behind them is a great house on  
 a hill. Beneath their feet is a narrow path. Down from the house the father has run. Up the trail  
 the son has trudged. The two have met, here, at the gate.

We can’t see the face of the son; it’s buried in the chest of his father. No, we can’t see his face,  
 but we can see his tattered robe and stringy hair. We can see the mud on the back of his legs,  
 the filth on his shoulders and the empty purse on the ground. At one time the purse was full  
 of money. At one time the boy was full of pride. But that was a dozen taverns ago. Now both  
 the purse and the pride are depleted. The prodigal offers no gift or explanation. All he offers  
 is the smell of pigs and a rehearsed apology: "Father, I have sinned against God and done  
 wrong to you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son" (Luke 15:21).

He feels unworthy of his birthright. "Demote me. Punish me. Take my name off the mailbox and  
 my initials off the family tree. I am willing to give up my place at your table." The boy is content  
 to be a hired hand. There is only one problem. Though the boy is willing to stop being a son,  
 the father is not willing to stop being a father.

Though we can’t see the boy’s face in the painting, we can’t miss the father’s. Look at the  
 tears glistening on the leathered cheeks, the smile shining through the silver beard. One  
 arm holds the boy up so he won’t fall, the other holds the boy close so he won’t doubt.

"Hurry!" he shouts. "Bring the best clothes and put them on him. Also, put a ring on his  
 finger and sandals on his feet. And get our fat calf and kill it so we can have a feast  
 and celebrate. My son was dead, but now he is alive again! He was lost but now he  
 is found!" (Luke 15:22–24).

How these words must have stunned the young man, "My son was dead …" He thought  
 he’d lost his place in the home. After all, didn’t he abandon his father? Didn’t he waste  
 his inheritance? The boy assumed he had forfeited his privilege to sonship. The father,  
 however, doesn’t give up that easily. In his mind, his son is still a son. The child may  
 have been out of the house, but he was never out of his father’s heart. He may have  
 left the table, but he never left the family. Don’t miss the message here. You may be  
 willing to stop being God’s child. But God is not willing to stop being your Father. 
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                      *** THIS WEEKS MEETINGS CALENDAR ***    
***
Tonight!!! Tue, Jan 20th!! Two Home Group Fellowship Meetings!! 
 - Enfield @ Corriero's (277-6574) - 22 Black Oak Rd.
 - Ovid @ Slusarczyk's (869-4889) - 7327 County Rd. 131!!
Come on out and attend the nearest home group to you!!  It's sure to be a good time!
***
Thur, Jan 21st - "Fanning the Flame" Prayer, 6pm 
     -  Beech Tree Outreach, 7pm - Please pray for this!  
***
Sat., Jan 23rd - Ladies of Agape are invited to join us for a time of Food, Fun, 
Fellowship and ministry at our "ECHOs Woman's Brunch"  - 10am - 12pm!   
Come on out ladies and please bring a friend!!! 
***
Mon, Jan 25th - Men's Bible Study at Lovelaces - 6:30pm!!!
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MEMBERSHIP......
We encourage newcomers to consider taking a step toward Church membership
at Agape. This is an expression of commitment and acknowledgement that this
fellowship is where the Lord has led you to be. Please let Pastor Mike or Chip 
know if you are interested in joining!!!   
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Looking Ahead....   
***
Fri, Jan 29th - Gym Night, T-Burg Middle School, 7pm!
***
Sun, Jan 31st - ONE JOINT 10AM SERVICE!
 -- Agape Annual Business Meeting - 11:30am!
(We will shorten our One Joint 10am Service to accommodate this) 
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Agape Family News:
Hester's room at Lakeside is Room 130  - She would love a visit anytime from anyone!
Please keep in prayer for her recovery! Thanks
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AGAPE BIBLE CHURCH * 264 S.APPLEGATE RD * ITHACA, NY 14850 *
* Phone 607-273-7419 * Fax 607-256-0896 * WEB SITE www.agape-ithaca.org *
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GOD BLESS YOU TODAY & ALWAYS !  SEEK HIM FIRST!!!