| Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month: “The end of anxiety and despair” Our Bible verse for today: “Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!” Luke 15:6 (CSB) Our thought for today: “Are you willing to be found by God?” In Luke chapter 15 we find three parables from Jesus about lost things being found – the parable of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son.” All three are intended to teach an important lesson about how God feels when one of His own strays from Him and ends up “lost”. (It’s not that God doesn’t know where you are, it’s that you don’t know where God is. You have strayed from Him and are therefore lost). In each parable the owner of what is lost is grieved and wants the lost thing back (the sheep, the coin, and the son). And in each case, there’s great rejoicing when the lost thing or person is back where they belong. This trio of parables are often misunderstood and thought to be about lost sinners who don’t know Jesus and who need to be saved. But that’s not right. In each case the lost thing belonged to the owner and was at one time in its proper place with the owner, but then strayed away and was for a time, lost. Folks, that’s you and me. This is about Christians who aren’t where they’re supposed to be in their relationship with God and who are therefore wandering, confused, and lost. These parables show us the heart of God for those who are His but who have strayed. He wants you back. And when you are back with Him, His heart bursts with relief and joy. I encourage you to take a moment and read these three parables in Luke chapter 15 right now. See yourself as that lost sheep, the lost coin, the lost son. Hear the heart of God hurting for you, wanting so much to have you back with Him, safe and secure. Experience the joy of God as He embraces you and welcomes you back. The problem sometimes is that the “lost” Christian isn’t willing to be found by God. Instead, they have intentionally moved away from Him. Anxiety, despair, troubles, and worries, should always move us closer to God, not further from Him. If you’re struggling with life right now and you have shut God and other Christians out, you are the precious lost thing that is grieving the heart of God. The way to move back to God is by more prayer, more Bible reading, more Christian music, more time with Christian friends, and more time in church. Your peace and contentment, your sense of security and well-being, your hope and renewal, is all rooted in the overwhelming love God has for you. If you have moved away from Him, He wants you back. The question is, are you willing to be found by Him? God bless, Pastor Jim |
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