Sometimes the Lost Find Us

“Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.

Matthew 18:10-11

As Christians, we talk about the "lost" fairly often.

However, the very "lost" that Jesus came to save, often show up in our lives

in unique and challenging ways.

It may be that they show up in our daughter's new "in-rehab" 16 year-old

boyfriend; in family members that we just cannot get along with;

or in the face in the mirror that has begun to realize

they understand less today than they did the day before.

The "lost" may not be who we were expecting, they may

interrupt our plans and try our patience, and they

may look more familiar than we would like to admit.

But...the "lost" are all children of God with a "heart" need.

The need for a place their heart can call home.

Father God,

Help us not to forget the "lost" this season...all the ones in need of His saving grace.

Glory be to the Shepherd that leaves the others, to search for the one that "lost" their way.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Lyrics and video below...

Hello my friend
I remember when you were
So alive with your wide eyes
Then the light that you had in your heart was stolen
Now you say that it ain't worth stayin'
You wanna run but you're hesitatin'
I'm talkin' to me

Don't let your lights go down
Don't let your fire burn out
somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe
Why don't you rise up now?
Don't be afraid to stand out
That's how the lost get found
The lost get found

So when you get the chance
Are you gonna take it?
There's a really big world at your fingertips
And you know you have the chance to change it
There's a girl on the streets, she's cryin'
There's a man whose faith is dyin'
Love is calling you

Don't let your lights go down
Don't let your fire burn out
somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe
Why don't you rise up now?
Don't be afraid to stand out
That's how the lost get found
The lost get found

Why do we go with the flow
Or take an easier road?
Why are we playin' it safe?
Love came to show us the way
Love is a chance we should take
I'm movin' out of the way

Don't let your lights go down
Don't let your fire burn out
somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe
(Stand out)
Don't let your lights go down
Don't let your fire burn out
(Stand out)
somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe
Why don't you rise up now?
Don't be afraid to stand out
That's how the lost get found
The lost get found

So when you get the chance
Are you gonna take it?
There's a really big world at your fingertips
And you know you have the chance to change it.

"Come Let Us Adore Him"

"Tis the Season" to celebrate God's gift to the world, given to us in Jesus Christ.

For we have been given a gift of incomprehensible value....the gift of salvation,

forgiveness and new life.

The best gifts will always involve sacrifice in order that someone else might receive His very best.

As we consider what gift we will give our Savior and the body of Christ this Christmas and into the new year...wouldn't it be just like "radical love" if it was the gift of adoration in the beautiful form of grace?

"Adore" is an action verb meaning to love and respect (someone) deeply.

As we so willingly adore our Savior, shouldn't we so willingly adore one another in order that the sacrifice not be taken in vain? Shouldn't our adoration and grace for others overflow and pour out as freely and abundantly into their lives as God so freely poured out His son Jesus into ours?

When we think of how adoration is expressed in the bible through Mary and the anointing of Jesus, or the widow that gave out of her lack, we are reminded that the deepest form of adoration comes through what we are willing to surrender, offer, give up and give extravagantly.

Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

John 12:3 NASB

All these others made offerings that they'll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn't afford—she gave her all!

Luke 21:4 The MSG

We tend to take what's truly a beautiful form of adoration in gift giving and strip it of it's more significant meaning because we have learned to give "at the least cost to ourselves" and to "get" value rather than "give" value.

David said, "I will not offer to the LORD, that which costs me nothing." 2 Samuel 24:24

When is the last time we offered something to the LORD, that cost us something?

Wouldn't it be like radical love if we gave up our own rights in order to give someone else the blessing of grace?

Wouldn't it be like radical love if we were to give up our need to have a voice, our need to be justified, our need to be vindicated, or in control, that someone else might experience the "unmerited favor of God," through us?

Wouldn't we be radically changed on the inside through what we had to sacrifice to love?

Might not those experiencing God's heart for us all now feel loved instead of judged, forgiven instead of condemned, encouraged instead of discouraged?

Might not our relationships improve, our ministries flourish, our churches experience favor and blessing...all because we gave up our rights as individuals that random acts of kindness, radical love and bounteous grace could be present throughout the entire body?

And wouldn't it be radical love kind of living, if we lived lives in which we continued to walk out our faith in adoration; giving back to God through our gifts to one another by the very same means that He expressed His gift to us in Jesus Christ...grace poured out in radical love.

"... but the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13

Heavenly Father,

Give us Your eyes to see. Help us to behold beauty as you see it.

For you see not as the world sees and you do not hold dear what we esteem. You see beyond and through it all ...to every heart. You know what we are made of. You know how every outward symptom is a product of an inward condition. You know how every time we don't take the time to see with Your vision, hearts stay broken.

Forgive us for not being "healers" in every situation... for You came to heal the broken-hearted.

Forgive us for giving the world inaccurate pictures of you. You are love. You didn't come to condemn the world but to save it and you did it by and through who You are...love.

May in our adoration for You...we "be the gift" You so want that world to know...love.

In Your Son's Precious Name We Pray,

Amen

Entertaining Strangers

Do not forget to entertain strangers for by so doing, some have entertained angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2

At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. Matthew 11:25

As I walked to my car, I was "unsure" of what awaited me on the hour-long drive home. I say I was "unsure" because I had a passenger. A young man whom I'd heard spoken of before, but had never met. He was in need of a ride and I was going his way.

I didn't know if we'd have an hour of silence or if I'd just sound to him like one of those adults trying to talk to a kid who wasn't interested. "Gosh LORD," I prayed, "Help, please...cause, here we go!"

Well, little did I know the surprise that awaited me.

It turns out I didn't even have to even think about what to ask, because before I knew it, he was talking and I was listening.

He talked in an easy going, mild-mannered sort of way that reminded me of a cowboy. One that might've grown up on a ranch and learned politeness, patience and the value of conversation from experience and plenty of time to think about them all.

With sincerity and wisdom, a surprising acceptance and lack of bitterness, he talked about the troubles he had, had and how he felt about them all. We talked about God; what is true and how things aren't always how they should be, and he understood in a knowing sort of way.

He went on to share the stories of his life and the people who frequented it. He shared how he enjoyed the praise and worship at his friend's church and how there were people that went around praying over you and how some people would just go and kneel at the front, "they were so touched by the Spirit." He described liking how certain people could preach and make the Word come alive; about having a friend that he looks up to like a brother and how he is a really good influence on him; about how his parents have worked hard to have a better life and how he loves to go hunting with his father on a beautiful ranch where you can watch the sun come up over the horizon and see the beauty of the land run for miles.

Funny thing, how this hour ride left me rather speechless until now.

But it is a story so beautiful, it begs to be told.

You see, I met Jesus that night in the heart of a 14-year-old boy.

Graced by His presence, I'm still in awe of the moment and I can't help but wonder how often He visits us in the hopes that we'll see Him...in the hopes that we'll see Him...in them.

A Season of Remembrance

As we approach the Christmas season, it hurts to remember and we'd rather not think about the overwhelming sadness of the losses and tragedies of the past year, within our own community. What can we say or do that would ever be enough to comfort and ease the pain of those who are grieving and suffering? They will feel a heightened awareness of their loss and pain during this season. Nothing could ever be enough except the healing and peace from the One who has each of our names inscribed in the palm of His hand, but let us do what we are able.

Our community of saints can give offerings of heartfelt blessings, love, kindness and intercessory prayers to help comfort them through the winter and long-haul of their grief. We all have something to offer… Let us bless them in ways we feel led to. We all can reach out to the hurting and hopefully, we will. Let us show them the love of Jesus.

Heavenly and merciful Father, Impress upon our hearts to love our neighbors and not look away. Help us remember not to forget them; not only in this season of celebrating the birth of our Savior, but always. Let us do it for Your glory. In the tender and mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Isaiah 61:1-3 (NIV)

¹ The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,

² to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,

³ and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

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