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Check yourself before you wreck yourself

  Luke 15:25-32 "Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitues comes home, you'll kill the fattened calf for him!' 'My son,' the father said,' you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'"
  So here is Jessica Nicole Lair, yet again, being basic. "Really Jessica, the prodigal son story?" Yes the prodigal son story! Are you kidding me? This story is great. But really, this story was a slap to my face but not because of the son who ran away, but because of the son who stayed. I can think back to moments in my life, moments even occurring now, where I am jealous of the celebration over the "prodigal" child. I can be thrilled for them returning home but something about the celebration gets to me. "I've worked so hard." "I've been serving in the church for much longer." "They haven't known Christ as long as I have."  "How dare they thrive in their faith?!" How awful that these thoughts, or ones similar, have come to mind. 
  It is time to look at the real issue; the pride in one's heart. To think that we are so full of ourselves that we can't allow another Christian to thrive and rise in their gifts and talents without growing bitter in our heart is quite sad. 
  The same grace that was extended to you while you were in your prodigal son era, is the same grace that is extended to them. You had and have your moments of grace and have worked in areas that you can shine in, why can't they? What makes them lesser than you to where they can not experience Christ and all He has for them, like you did? It is time to take a look at your heart.
  Mark 7:20-23 "He went on: 'What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person's heart, that evil thoughts come-sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person."
  Y'all better check yourself before you wreck yourself. Celebrate the prodigal son, not only coming home, but experiencing Christ in such a beautiful way! Rejoice and build them up. Encourage them in their walk and push them to continue to do what Christ is calling them to do, just as someone did for you.

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