Lost but now found!
What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? (Luke 15:4)
…what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? (Luke 15:8)
We’ve all lost things that are important to us and searched to find them. Finding them is both a relief and a joy.
A funny thing happened to me a few years back in an airport. I had a very early flight so I rushed to arrive on time. I checked in showing my driver’s license and obtained my boarding pass. I then joined many others in a very long line for the security check. When I got to the security scan, I hurriedly put my belongings on the belt (not an easy task, I travel with two computers, a credit card machine…and all the usual stuff!).
Finally, after getting through security, I relaxed as I gathered my stuff, put my shoes and jacket back on, and regrouped. Then I realized I was missing my driver’s license. I went through my clothing, my bags etc. multiple times. No drivers license. I went back to security and asked if anyone had turned in a drivers license, but no such luck.
I was heading home that day, but I had another flight scheduled early the next morning. I knew I’d need a license to board my next flight and get the rental car at the next place, so I called my wife, Masami. She said she’d call the DMV see what she couldn’t get worked out. I got on my flight and prayed that it was all under control.
When I arrived in Cincinnati, Masami picked me up from the airport and as we were driving home she told me that DMV had given her another license with no problem. What a relief!
You’ll never guess what happened next. When I arrived home and took off my shoes…there in the bottom of my shoe was my driver’s license. In my rush to place things on the security belt, the license had fallen into my shoe, and when I put my shoes on, I hadn’t even felt it.
Lost but now found!
Let’s go back to Luke 15 and read both the parables that our Lord spoke:
And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, 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 repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. ( Luke 15:3-7)
Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. ( Luke 15:8-10)
Think about the lost people all around you. Too often we don’t even notice them. Too often we aren’t moved to say anything to them. If I had felt something in my shoe that day at the airport, I would have stopped and checked it. If we feel compassion and love for the lost…then we need to take the time to stop and start a conversation. Share your love for the Lord and tell them how they too can come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Remember what Jesus told us in these two parables. He was talking about the lost, sinners who did not know Him, and He said:
Rejoice with me; for I have found [that] which was lost. I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
Be bold and share your faith with someone today. Testify for Christ and then let the Holy Spirit do His work…but also remember to rejoice. Whether or not you ever know if the person repents and trusts in Christ, you can be assured that you have done what you are called to do….preach the gospel.
As encouraged as I was to find my driver’s license, it pales in comparison when someone finds the Lord! I’ve got to replace my license on a regular basis, even if I don’t lose it. Praise God that when someone believes on the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, they have eternal life.
…what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? (Luke 15:8)
We’ve all lost things that are important to us and searched to find them. Finding them is both a relief and a joy.
A funny thing happened to me a few years back in an airport. I had a very early flight so I rushed to arrive on time. I checked in showing my driver’s license and obtained my boarding pass. I then joined many others in a very long line for the security check. When I got to the security scan, I hurriedly put my belongings on the belt (not an easy task, I travel with two computers, a credit card machine…and all the usual stuff!).
Finally, after getting through security, I relaxed as I gathered my stuff, put my shoes and jacket back on, and regrouped. Then I realized I was missing my driver’s license. I went through my clothing, my bags etc. multiple times. No drivers license. I went back to security and asked if anyone had turned in a drivers license, but no such luck.
I was heading home that day, but I had another flight scheduled early the next morning. I knew I’d need a license to board my next flight and get the rental car at the next place, so I called my wife, Masami. She said she’d call the DMV see what she couldn’t get worked out. I got on my flight and prayed that it was all under control.
When I arrived in Cincinnati, Masami picked me up from the airport and as we were driving home she told me that DMV had given her another license with no problem. What a relief!
You’ll never guess what happened next. When I arrived home and took off my shoes…there in the bottom of my shoe was my driver’s license. In my rush to place things on the security belt, the license had fallen into my shoe, and when I put my shoes on, I hadn’t even felt it.
Lost but now found!
Let’s go back to Luke 15 and read both the parables that our Lord spoke:
And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, 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 repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. ( Luke 15:3-7)
Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. ( Luke 15:8-10)
Think about the lost people all around you. Too often we don’t even notice them. Too often we aren’t moved to say anything to them. If I had felt something in my shoe that day at the airport, I would have stopped and checked it. If we feel compassion and love for the lost…then we need to take the time to stop and start a conversation. Share your love for the Lord and tell them how they too can come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Remember what Jesus told us in these two parables. He was talking about the lost, sinners who did not know Him, and He said:
Rejoice with me; for I have found [that] which was lost. I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
Be bold and share your faith with someone today. Testify for Christ and then let the Holy Spirit do His work…but also remember to rejoice. Whether or not you ever know if the person repents and trusts in Christ, you can be assured that you have done what you are called to do….preach the gospel.
As encouraged as I was to find my driver’s license, it pales in comparison when someone finds the Lord! I’ve got to replace my license on a regular basis, even if I don’t lose it. Praise God that when someone believes on the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, they have eternal life.
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