" L O S T ! "

 

LOST.

LOST.

LOST.

LOST.  To a three-year old, being lost is not being able to see their mother -- even though she is in the next aisle at the grocery store.

LOST.  To the ten-year old, being lost is getting into the woods and not knowing the way out.

LOST.  To the traveler, being lost is making a wrong turn somewhere so that he will never reach his destination unless he gets help.

     Scramble all these pictures and we see ourselves ! All of mankind is lost. We are in the woods and cannot find the way out. But we notice that the signs and sights on the road we are traveling are not the ones we want. The choices we made previously are not bringing us to our goal.

     Simply stated, we can't find our FATHER; we don't know the way home. And the solutions are always the same:

1. Recognize that we are lost.

2. Check the compass, road map or GPS.

3. Listen for the father's call.

4. Ask advice from someone else.

5. Call for help !

     The three-year old finds her mother by calling for her or hearing her call. The ten-year old can find his way home if he has a compass or can see the sun. The traveler checks his maps or GPS or asks for advice - but only after he realizes that he is lost.

     Sad to say, most people today do not know that they are lost. They go merrily on their way to destruction (eternity in a Devil's Hell). But the Bible says, "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way." (Isaiah 53:6)

     Yes, we have gone astray, but the Good News is that the LORD is "not willing that any should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance." (2nd.Peter 3:9b) And so, as a loving FATHER, GOD is calling to you. Right now reading this post is HIS call.

     How can you find your way back ? The Bible is the compass and road map and GPS that shows the way of life. Asking advice from other Christians is also a wise thing to do.

     

     In brief, the Bible tells us that we rebelled against GOD and separated ourselves from HIM. All our efforts of good works and religious rites (water baptism, rosary, church membership, etc.) cannot save us. So GOD sent HIS only SON, JESUS CHRIST, to become a man (and so HE is called the SON of MAN). "For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believes in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16). HE died for us to pay for our sins which is what the Good News of the Gospel is all about. "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, . . .For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that CHRIST died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that HE was buried, and that HE rose again the third day according to the Scriptures:" (1st.Corinthians 15:1-2a,3-4). Faith in JESUS CHRIST brings us back to GOD.

"For the SON of MAN is come to seek and

to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10)

     In Matthew 18 and Luke 15 we read the beautiful story of how JESUS, the GOOD SHEPHERD, looks for one lost sheep. YOU are that lost sheep. When you come to JESUS, HE rejoices and says to others, "REJOICE, with ME; for I have found my sheep which was lost."

"I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be 

in Heaven over one sinner that 

repents." (Luke 15:6,7)

     You are very valuable in GOD's sight. In fact, HE gave HIS life for HIS lost sheep even while they were HIS enemies. "But GOD commends HIS love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us." (Romans 5:8). HE does not want any of them to be lost ! Come to HIM today !

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the LORD JESUS , and shalt believe in thine heart that GOD hath raised HIM from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. . .For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved." (Romans 10:9-10,13).

     If you would be willing to turn to GOD in repentance and faith, and receive CHRIST as your personal SAVIOR, pray this simple prayer or one like it:

LORD, I know that I am a sinner, and I believe YOU died and rose again for me. I am trusting YOU to forgive me, come into my heart and save me. Help me to live for YOU always. In JESUS' name I pray, AMEN.

     Everlasting life begins when we receive CHRIST as our personal SAVIOR. The LORD JESUS said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that hears MY WORD, and believes on HIM that sent ME, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." (John 5:24). YOU are no longer lost !

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie