The Pursuit

Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV) - Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

Luke 15:11-12 (ESV) - And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them.

Luke 15:13 (ESV) - Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.

Luke 15:14-16 (ESV) - And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

Luke 15:17-19 (ESV) - But when he came to himself, he said, “How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”

Luke 15:20-24 (ESV) - And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

Luke 15:25 (NLT) - Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house.

Luke 15:26-27 (NLT) - And he asked one of the servants what was going on. 27'Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’

Luke 15:28 (NLT) - The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him.

Luke 15:29 (NLT) - But he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends.’

Luke 15:29-30 (NLT) - But he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. 30 Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’

Luke 15:31 (NLT) - His father said to him, "Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours.”

Romans 8:15 (NLT) - So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”

1 Corinthians 13:7 (AMP) - Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening].

Luke 15:20 (NKJV) - 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 15:7 (NKJV) - I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

Luke 15:28 (ESV) - But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him.

Genesis 3:9 (NKJV) - Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?”

Luke 15:31 (NKJV) - And he said to him, "Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.”

Luke 15:32 (NKJV) - It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.