I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, (Luke 15:18).
This is an expression of the prodigal son in the parable of Jesus Christ as the Bible records.
We will go through this verse in three sub - headings.
ARISE ABOVE SIN:
There are 10 Steps a lost sinner must follow:
He must come to himself. He must awake from his Understanding. He must realize his mistakes. He must see sin as real as it is.
He must make a decision to come out from that place. He is the only person that can make that decision. But it takes more than a mire decision.
He must have some will-Power to carry out that decision. God Almighty will not force us to go against our will. He does not compel us to go against our will rather He makes us willing to do it. He persuades us to do His will for our good. He does not compel us.
He must put effort to his decision. You can go down without stress. Anything can go down the stream without stress. The prodigal must make a new plan to start a new home. It takes effort to get the right direction and plan. He must get on the right road and right foundation for effective change.
He must arise above something. He must do more than just arise, shakes himself and lay back down there the mod. That is how many people are today. They are so tired of the pig pen that they find it difficult to step out of the zone.
He must go somewhere. He has gained nothing if he stopped at coming to himself, makes restitutions and lived morally. He must go home, back to his father. He must seek forgiveness from his father. He must go to a saviour. He must be forgiven.
He must go to the right direction. Some people when they are under convinction go to formal dead church where they get only a handshake, singing melodious songs, etc. They mistake conviction for conversion. They only receive enough religion to make them miserable with a long face. They follow some strong doctrines or false cult. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life" (John 14:6).
The prodigal son must overcome the oppositions. If really you are on the right way, you must meet oppositions from Satan. Many people and things must come your way. But have the Determination to overcome all. The world and Satan are not interested in your repentance. Many modern preachers will like you to join their churches and profession. Repentance means to quit from doing sin, and to turn around and follow the rightful way. Don't listen to those who tell you that it is not possible to quit sin. You must leave the pig pen.
He must keep going. Many people are contented and satisfied with the way they are. They are satisfied to stop without meeting their Father's arms. They stop before reaching the full deliverance. The prodigal son must reach home. He is just on his way home. Let him keep going until meets his father. Keep on going until you seat at the table of your celebration with clean dress and a ring.
He must receive rewards. He must win his father's approval. The prodigal son did not stop at any discouragement until he sits with his father at the table where he was celebrated.
CONCLUSION:
The Lord Jesus Christ is waiting for you to come to your senses. He is waiting for decision. He is waiting for your will-Power. Receive Jesus Christ now for a total U-turn of life.
Say this: I will arise and go to Jesus Christ now. He will embrace me with His arms. Oh! in the arms of my savior, there are ten thousand charms.
ARISE ABOVE FAILURES
Have you failed in business or in finance? Broken or bankruptcy? Have reached the bottom of hopelessness? There is hope still.
You need come to yourself: observe thoroughly your condition. Then, learn that poverty is not God's will (3 John) You need to decide a new start. No other person can decide that for you.
You cannot come out from the pig pen of poverty until you are willing to do so. Cultivate a culture of WILL POWER.
Put the effort into action now. To arise requires action. God will not command His Blessings to locate you while you are sleeping. You must do something. God will bless you even through the baseless things of the world. God said He will bless you from the dustbins. It is only when you go to the dustbins, you can see the lost gold of a careless rich one. The gold will be converted to cash when taken to the goldsmith. Your miracle is on the way, not in your bedroom or in the church, prayer houses. When you, go out there and hustle.
Never take in failure. Always say, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"Arise above all discouragements around you. Rise above doubts, fears, oppositions and frustrations. Then you are good to go. You must arise and go. After you have made your plans, set your goals, start going. Take the risk of implementation. Do not let your plans die down in you. Regardless of how you start, low or high, start. Never mind your starting point, just start.
If you go the right direction, keep going, you will finally reach your goal. The right way is to have God Almighty as your partner and guide. Always consult His guidance, and His Word. The right way is the way of honesty and fairness.You may overcome all oppositions. If you lay the right foundation; if you get the right road; if you get the right Partner; if you have the Will power and continue in the right direction you will overcome.
If you have faith in yourself and in God; if you believe that you are what God Almighty says you are, then nothing can stand against you.
Don't stop! Continue to travel. Complete victory is God's will for you.
The table is already spread for you. Continue until you reach the venue of celebration. It is God's will that we are in the position where we will lend money to others. In the position where you can help others to stand (Deut. 15:5). God Almighty grants us the ministry of giving (i.e. distribution of Blessings). This is part of the spiritual gifts in Romans 12:8.
"I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as your soul prisoereth" (3 John 2).
ARISE ABOVE DISEASES
Before you ever arise above the mire of sicknesses and diseases you must come to yourself and learn that it is the will of God Almighty for you to be well in body. For you certainly want to be in God's perfect will. You must realize that you are in bondage when you are sick. You are taken captive by Satan if you are sick. Jesus Christ came set free those who are bound. Jesus Christ came to open the prison and set the sick free.
The hospitals can help, but they don't treat and cure sicknesses and diseases. Most doctors will say, "we care, but God heals". The only healer is Jesus Christ.
"For by His strips we are made whole".
If you want to treat Satan fine, always go on telling people about how you are suffering from one sickness to another. Satan is always pleased at such testimonies. You must cry like Blind Barthimaeus,
"Jesus! Have mercy on me"
Since the prison doors are opened, make decision to step out of the prison. It is up to a prisoner to believe and accept pardon and freedom. So, God Almighty leaves the decision on you in every case.
The Syrophenician woman made decision when the odds were against her. She made her start. She would not have started if she didn't make decision to start.
Everyone has will-power. Use it, don't break it down. God respects that will-power of yours. Choose today who will be your master: Satan or God Almighty. Do not let Satan master over your body with diseases and sicknesses. You should actually choose between sicknesses and health. If you believe that sickness is God's will for you, go for it. It takes will-power to decide to lift yourself above the power of Satan. Decide now to leave the pig pen of afflictions.
It seems strange indeed that some are actually not willing to leave the pig pen of sicknesses. That is the case. Jesus Christ asked a man,
"what wilt thou that I do unto thee?"
To the man at the pool He asked,
"wilt thou be made whole?"
You must be willing first. Jesus Christ will not work or give you something against your will.
Why are some people not willing to be brought to health? Some are discouraged. Some are tired of life. Others do not want to be well again, for fear that they will not have people to sympathize with them. They are afraid that people will no longer pity them to the extent of given them free donations. Those who have been taught that sickness is a blessing will not like to loose their blessings. Some were taught that sickness is a thorn in the flesh. No wonder many people do not make the decision to step out of the pig pen of sicknesses.
After you make the decision to be well, start for it. Act on it. Many people do not read instructions. Read the Bible, that's God's word. Allow the Word of God Almighty to quicken your spirit. The Word of God Almighty will not help us unless it quickened the spirit. Many did not see it fit to hide out for prayer and to seek God's will. They don't prepare their hearts to seek God's will.
Jesus Christ said, "take up your bed and walk". Supposed, he didn't try? He would have received nothing. Too many people have a Naman's nature. They are not willing to dip. A stubborn spirit will not allow healing.
You must arise above something. Job didn't stay in the ash-pile complaining in discouragement and despair. He used his will-power. He made a decision. He was determined. He looked above ash-heap even before he started. With such will-power he made it to victory.
To Arise is not enough. Unless you start to travel, you will fall back. You must go the right direction. Go towards victory. Realize that Jesus Christ has already borne our sicknesses and diseases by His strips. He is offering it to you. Put your feet under the table and eat. Take what He had already given you. The woman with an issue of blood did something more than arise. She arose, went straight to Jesus Christ. She took that which belong to her, "the children's bread.
You can overcome oppositions. Get past Job's comforters. Press past those who said that healing is an old fashion. Raise the roof of prejudice and get to the place where God's power is present to heal. Why do you want to sit down there until death? Get a revival of deliverance immediately.
Do not stop short of complete obedience. Ignore all symptoms. Believe that you can recover after hands are laid on you. You are headed the right direction. You are nearer to your healing.
You are going upgrade. Do not stop and fall back. Anyone can go downgrade. The father is longing, waiting for your arrival. The table is spread, robes of healing are waiting for you. Ring of permanent healing is yours.
Sit down at the table and eat! You are His child, healing is the children's bread. Regardless of the envy of the elder brother, come on! Sit at the table and eat.
"But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall" (Malachi 4:2).