An Open Gate for a Drifting Hand
Written by Cowboy Evangelist Rev. Joseph Holmes
Produced by H C Cowboy Ministries
Scripture Focus: Luke 15:20 (KJV) — "And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him."
Good Morning Family, lets give thanks to the Lord for another day and may the Lord bless you in all that you do today. Im sorry I didn’t get my devotion out yesterday we have been so busy with the horses and the Ranch that I have not had a chance to get it out. But this morning I want to talk about something that happens on almost every working ranch at some point. Sometimes, you have a really good ranch hand who just gets restless. He decides he is tired of the early mornings, tired of the rules, and tired of riding for the brand. So, he packs up his bedroll, demands his wages, and rides off to see what the world has to offer.
But the world does not care about you the way Jesus does. Out there in the world, that drifting hand eventually spends all his money, burns all his bridges, and finds himself sitting in the dirt, completely broken. How many of us reading this have been that ranch hand at some point in our lives? But when the hunger and the shame finally set in, he thinks about heading back to the home ranch. But the dang ol devil immediately steps in and whispers a lie: "The Boss will never take you back after the way you left. You are washed up. You are disqualified."
I think we all know exactly what it feels like to believe that lie. We thought we was entirely useless to God. But the Lord does not run His outfit like the rest of the world.
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells the story of the Prodigal Son—a boy who took his inheritance, ran away, and ruined his life. But when that broken boy finally turned around and headed for home, his father did not cross his arms and lock the gate. The Bible says that while the boy was still a long way off, the father saw him, had compassion, and ran to meet him.
The Trail Boss is standing at the gate today, looking down the road, just waiting for you to come home. He does not care how muddy your boots are, how bad you messed up, or how long you have been gone. The blood of Jesus Christ has already paid your debts.
Now I want to talk some of you right now who has backslidden. You used to walk with the Lord, but you drifted away. You got caught up in the world, you fell back into old addictions, or you just let your faith turn cold. You are sitting there thinking that you have done too much wrong to ever be welcomed back into the flock. I invite you today to stop listening to the lies of the enemy. The gate is wide open. Surrender your pride, give your heart back to Jesus Christ right now, and come on home. There is a place for you at the supper table already set for you all you have to do is show up.
Lets Pray,
Father, we come to You thanking You for Your relentless grace and mercy. Lord, I lift up the man or woman reading this right now who feels like they have drifted too far away from You. Break the chains of shame and guilt that are holding them back. Give them the courage to stand up, turn around, and come back to Your open arms. Wash them clean and restore their joy today. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Let me ask everyone something this morning. What lie from the enemy is keeping you from walking back through the Master's open gate today?
Every time the Devil lies to you I want you all to remember this. "The Master's gate is always unlatched for a hand who is ready to ride for the brand again. Come on home."
Amen, preacher !