Lost and Found

This article was written by an English teacher. It was not written or produced by any particular religious group or denomination. It is provided free of charge as an expression of God’s love for mankind.

Have you ever lost something? Maybe you misplaced your cell phone, a wallet, or a set of keys? Did you ever get lost on the way to your destination because of making a wrong turn or missing an important street sign? Perhaps you lost an important file on your computer. There are many things in life that are easily lost. Small items roll underneath furniture, items fall between the sofa cushions, and important papers become lost in the shuffle of incoming mail. Children often find themselves lost in a large crowd of people. Hopefully someone comes along who can help them find their parents or guardians, alleviating the panic and distress caused by the unexpected separation of parent and child. Without doubt, inexplicable joy ensues when the lost is found!

Even the Bible tells stories of people losing things. Take the shepherd who loses his sheep, for example. He leaves ninety-nine sheep behind just to find one lost little lamb. What about the women who lost one of her silver coins? After finding it, she calls her friends and neighbors over for a celebration. One son spends all of his money on prostitutes and wild living. He gets to the point where he even craves a meal of pig’s food, due to lack of food during famine. Finally, he returns home. He asks his dad to make him a servant because he is no longer worthy to be called his son. Instead of showing anger, his dad says, “Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.  For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found” (Luke 15:23-24).

In the same way that the shepherd, the woman, and the father rejoice at finding what was lost, the angels in Heaven rejoice when an individual gives his or her life to Christ. The Bible says, “There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent” (Luke 15:7). When someone makes the decision to serve the Lord with all of their heart, they become a child of God. Unlike the child who may find themselves lost in a sea of strangers, as Christians, we are never lost. We are never out of the embrace of the Lord’s loving arms. Amid so much separation in this world, nothing can separate us from the unconditional love of Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:38-39 says, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” What an amazing promise. No matter what we encounter in life, we will always have the love of God. Whether storms, wars, or other calamities surround us, we can rest assured that we are inseparable from the vast power and love of Jesus Christ.

Through every circumstance life throws our way, Jesus will send His angels to encamp around us, protecting us from harm. Why? Because that is how much He loves us. First John 3:16 says, “This is how we know what love is: Christ gave His life for us.” Love is more than a word. It is an action. Christ did not die on the cross to gain notoriety nor to prove a point. Jesus Christ died to cleanse our sins, to redeem us, and to give us life everlasting in Heaven with Him. If you had been the only person on earth, Jesus Christ would still have given His life for you.

No matter where you are today, you are not out of the reach of the love of Jesus Christ. You may be in a prison, a hospital, or even a war-torn village. Wherever you are, no matter what you have done, Jesus Christ loves you. Call on the name of Jesus Christ and you will find redemption through Him. Salvation comes only through the one true living God. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

Do not wait until tomorrow, for it may be too late. Ask Jesus Christ to come into your heart. Begin a new life in Christ. It is the most important decision you will ever make. Stop living your life, feeling as if you are lost in a sea of despair. There is eternal hope found in Jesus Christ alone. Through Jesus, the lost is found and sorrow turns to joy!

Just like the little child who goes astray and is reunited their parents, today you can be united with your Heavenly Father. A personal relationship with Jesus Christ is the most priceless gift you could ever receive. This gift of eternal life is freely given to every man, woman, boy, and girl. It is a gift that you cannot misplace and no one can take it away from you! Nothing can ever separate you from the infinite love of Jesus Christ!


The Gift of Eternal Life

Put your trust in Jesus Christ. Jesus will cleanse your sins and fill you with peace that passes all understanding. Today is the day of salvation (2 Cor. 6:2). Romans 10:9 says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Jesus loves you unconditionally. First John 3:16 tells us, “This is how we know what love is: Christ gave His life for us.” Jesus died to save you. He rose again and wants to give you eternal life. If you are looking for everlasting hope, a constant friend and help in times of trouble, pray these words:

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for loving me unconditionally. I believe you died on the cross and rose again. Please forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart and make me a new creation. I want to live for you. Help me share your love with others.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, I encourage you to read the Bible, find a church family who can encourage you in your new walk with Christ, and most importantly, pray for God to help you.

May God bless you always,

Jennifer Campbell

jennifer@christwillreturn.org

www.jennifercampbell.net


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©2015 Jennifer Campbell – Permission is hereby granted to print copies of this article in complete unedited form for free distribution.

All scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

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