09/28/2026
Hello, North Nixa!
I hope you're having a great week!
Sunday we continued our Campfire Stories series with one of Jesus' most familiar stories: the story we often call the Prodigal Son.
But as we talked about Sunday, this story is really about the Father.
It's about a father whose love never ran out, even when his son ran away.
The younger son wanted his father's blessings without wanting his father. He left for the “distant country,” wasted everything, and eventually found himself broken and alone.
Then he came to his senses.
He decided to go home.
And what happened next is one of the most beautiful pictures of God's grace in Scripture.
The father was watching for him.
When he saw his son coming down the road, he didn't wait for an apology. He didn't wait for his son to clean himself up. He ran to him.
That's the heart of our Father.
Maybe you're in the distant country right now. Maybe you've been running from God, trying to live life your own way. You can come home.
Maybe you're more like the older brother. You've stayed, served, and done the right things, but somewhere along the way your heart has become hard. The Father invites you to come inside and celebrate grace.
Or maybe you're sitting beside an empty chair, waiting and praying for someone you love to come home.
You can't force someone to come home.
But you can pray.
You can love.
You can refuse to become bitter.
You can keep looking down the road.
And you can trust the God who specializes in bringing lost people home.
Ultimately, Jesus wasn't just telling us a story about a rebellious son.
He was showing us what God is like.
Romans 5:8 reminds us that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Jesus came for us, took our sin and shame, died on the cross, and rose again so that people who were lost could be found and people who were far away could be brought near.
So wherever you find yourself today:
Come home.
The door is open.
The Father is watching and waiting.
Key Scripture Passages
Luke 15:20
“While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son.”
Luke 15:24
“For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”
Romans 5:8
“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Questions to Consider
Am I in the “distant country” right now? Is there an area of my life where I've been running from God or trying to live life my own way?
Have I allowed my heart to become like the older brother? Am I keeping score instead of celebrating God's grace toward others?
Is there someone represented by an “empty chair” in my life? How can I pray for them, love them, and leave the door open without allowing bitterness to take over?
What does coming home to God look like for me this week?
This Week I Will...
Come home.
Whether that means returning to God, softening my heart toward someone else, or continuing to pray for someone I love, I will trust the Father whose love never runs out.
Prayer Focus
Lord, help me come home.
If I've been running from You, give me the courage to turn around and take the first step toward You.
Lord, soften my heart.
Help me celebrate Your grace even when You give it to someone I don't think deserves it.
Lord, help me trust You with my empty chair.
Give me patience to pray, love, and wait without allowing disappointment or bitterness to take over my heart.
North Nixa, wherever you find yourself in the story this week, remember this:
The Father hasn't stopped watching the road.
If you're far away, come home.
If you've been running, come home.
If your heart has grown hard, come home.
The door is open.
Come HOME.
Have a great week, church. I'm praying for you!
Pastor Travis
