Pastor O. Steve Cooper,
Nu-Way Christian Ministries, San Diego:

Found tucked away in the book of Matthew 25 starting at the 13th verse we find Matthew articulating the precious pearls of Jesus, talking about a man traveling into a far country. Jesus left with each person the talents that he felt they could manage at the time. To one he gave five, another two and the last one he gave one.

When he returned he asked each one for an account of them. The one with five talents doubled his, the colleague with two a 100% profit, and finally the one with one earned nothing. Jesus was pleased with the first two, but the last one he called unprofitable and lazy because he gained nothing from God’s initial investment.

So I encourage you to use everything you have, be good stewards and turn a profit with everything that God has given you. Waiting on God is good, however, in most cases, God is waiting on you! Turn it!

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Pastor Charles Yougkin,
Carlsbad Community Church, Carlsbad:

I have been asked to respond to the question: “What is your favorite parable?” Well, what immediately sprang to my mind was the story of the Prodigal Son found in Luke 15. The story is really about the Father-heart of God.

Jesus told this parable in response to the religious leaders of the day who didn’t see “sinners” as lost people. Sinners are lost people, and lost people matter immensely to God.

The most moving part of the story to me is when the wayward son, having left home and broken his father’s heart, returns. The reception of the father is the reception of God toward us. The Father’s love is portrayed for us with touching and vivid minuteness - “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him, and felt compassion for him, and embraced him and kissed him.”

At a distance, that only a broken heart can leap, the father recognizes his son and runs toward him, welcomes him, and throws a party. Here we have a portrait of a searching, feeling, running, embracing and celebrating God. All of heaven breaks out in celebration every time a person turns their heart home toward God. Some of the happiest days in heaven occur when lost people are found.