Time to Party

Daily Bread

Time to Party

The Philippine Star
July 23, 2026 | 1:00am

Let’s have a feast and celebrate. Luke 15:23

Our former church in Virginia held baptisms in the Rivanna River where often the sunshine is warm, but the water is frigid. After our Sunday service, we’d load into our cars and caravan to a city park where neighbors tossed Frisbees and kids mobbed the playground. We were quite a spectacle, traipsing to the river’s edge. Standing in the icy water, I would offer Scripture and immerse those being baptized into this tangible expression of God’s love. As they emerged, soaked to the bone, cheers and clapping erupted. Climbing up the bank, friends and family enveloped the newly baptized in hugs—everyone getting drenched. We had cake, drinks, and snacks. The neighbors watching didn’t always understand what was happening, but they knew it was a celebration.

In Luke 15, Jesus’ story of the prodigal son (vv. 11-32) reveals that it’s cause for celebration whenever someone returns home to God. Anytime someone says yes to God’s invitation, it’s time to party. When the son who’d abandoned his father returned, the father immediately insisted on showering him with a designer robe, a shiny ring, and new shoes. “Bring the fattened calf,” he said. “Let’s have a feast and celebrate” (v. 23). A massive, exuberant party including whoever would join the revelry was a fitting way “to celebrate” (v. 24). Winn Collier

Where have you seen transformation and healing happen? What could celebration in these moments look like?

Dear God, I have much to celebrate, and this joy flows from You and Your work in my life

‘;
// if (!sparti.hasClass(“badge-sponsored”)){
// $(insBadg).insertAfter( sparti );
// }
// }

function facebook_philstar_embed(href){
spfa = sparwr.find(‘.facebook-philstar-embed’);
w = $(window).width() >= 500 ? 500 : 320;
if ( spfa.length > 0 ){
spfa.html(”);
}
}

/*
* Iframe that don’t treat as videos
*/
//start edit here
var thirdPartySites = [
‘livecenter.norkon.net’,
‘live.amcharts.com’,
‘scribd.com’,
‘web.facebook.com’,
‘nclivecenterwest.azurewebsites.net’,
‘media.philstar.com’
];
//end edit here
notVideoIframe(thirdPartySites);

/*
* Display facebook widget by Publisher name
*/

})(jQuery);

GOD

BrandSpace Articles

The cost of leaving: What every future OFW carries before the flight

Max Collector: Collectors Con Year 4 is back at SM North Edsa

Cebu Pacific, Vietnam Airlines sign wet lease deal

Coffee N’ Chill at SM: Enjoy these 7 exclusive discounts from your fave cafés

Sun Life Philippines wins 2 awards at Insurance Asia Awards 2026

Mortabond drives construction innovation with expanded solutions for changing industry

Wovoka Philippines, GCash GForest partner to plant 1 million trees in Oriental Mindoro and Camarines Norte

Pebsteel factory gains LEED Gold for sustainable operations

Want to visit something new in Taiwan? Here are hidden gems we found with ‘stopover’ tours

CBC bundles credit, insurance to ease car ownership costs

<
>

• Latest

Latest
Latest

abtest

2 days ago

The Winning Goal

2 days ago
A great number of people were brought to the Lord. — Acts 11:24

Lotto results for July 20, 2026

2 days ago
EZ2/LVM – 31 8

SUERTRES – 4 4 8

4D LOTTO – 3 7 0 8

6/45 Mega Lotto – 11 38 8 5 19 42

P15,000,000.00

Grand Lotto – 29 20 23 3 14 40

P85,413,885.00
next

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.