Pastor Stephen Dedman

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.’”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭22‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
Are you living like you’re barely forgiven or like you’re fully restored?

Context
Jesus tells the parable of the prodigal son. A young man demands his inheritance, leaves home, wastes everything, and ends up feeding pigs. He’s broken, ashamed, and ready to return home as a hired servant. But when he arrived home, his father didn’t negotiate. He didn’t lecture. He restored him and celebrated him

What the Robe, Ring, and Sandals Mean
The robe covered the smell of the pigpen and the shame of rebellion. It symbolizes the righteousness that only the Father can provide. As Christians, we are clothed with the righteousness of Christ.

The ring in that culture represented family belonging. The father was saying, “You are still my son.” We are God’s children.

The sandals signify sonship. Servants often went barefoot. Sons wore sandals. This was restoration to sonship.

Application
Many people come back to God expecting to be tolerated. But the Father restores identity, not just relationship. You may feel like you’ve wasted time, opportunity, or spiritual ground. But heaven’s response to repentance is restoration.

Truth For The Day
God does not partially restore those who return. He restores completely.

Pray
Lord, thank You that when I return to You, You do not shame me, instead, You restore me. Help me walk in the identity You’ve already given me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭20‬ ‭NKJV‬

Question
Are you still standing “a great way off,” or will you arise and come to the Father?

Context
Through this parable, Jesus reveals the heart of the Father toward those who wander far from Him. The younger son had demanded his inheritance, wasted it in rebellion, and found himself broken and empty. When he “came to himself,” he decided to return home, not expecting restoration, but hoping only to work as a servant. But the father had bigger plans.

Something unexpected happened, the father ran. In that culture, dignified men did not run. But love overrode dignity. Compassion overrode protocol. Before the son could finish his rehearsed apology, the father embraced him. This is the heart of God.

Application
Sometimes we think we have to clean ourselves up before coming back to God. We rehearse our apologies. We prepare to beg for mercy. But God is not waiting with crossed arms, His arms are wide open ready to embrace us.

No matter how far someone has wandered, grace runs farther. God loves you! God’s grace restores what sin tries to destroy.

Truth For The Day
God’s love meets you before your explanation does.

Pray
Lord, thank You for being the God who watches and waits with compassion. Thank You for running toward me when I turned back to You. Help me never forget the depth of Your mercy, and give me that same heart toward others who are finding their way home. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.”
‭‭Malachi‬ ‭3‬:‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
Where have you been allowing circumstances to shake your trust in an unchanging God?

Context
Malachi was speaking to a spiritually careless nation. Israel had grown distant in worship, casual with obedience, and skeptical of God’s love. Yet in the middle of their backsliding, God makes a powerful declaration: “I do not change.” It wasn’t a threat; it was mercy. The only reason they were not “consumed” was because God’s covenant love remained steady even when their devotion wavered.

Application
Everything around us shifts, culture, emotions, finances, health, relationships. Even we change. But God does not. His character is constant. His promises are reliable. His mercy does not fluctuate with our performance.

If God changed with our moods or failures, none of us would stand. But because He is consistent in holiness, faithful in covenant, and steady in love, we are preserved.

When life feels unstable, anchor yourself in God’s unchanging character. Your confidence is not in your consistency, it is in His.

Truth For The Day
God’s unchanging nature is our security.

Pray
Lord, thank You that You do not change. When everything around me feels uncertain, You remain steady. Forgive me for doubting Your consistency when my circumstances shift. Help me anchor my heart in who You are. In Jesus’ name, amen.