Finder's Keepers, Loser's Weepers

Have you ever lost anything of great value? Have you ever misplaced an item and you try to retrace your steps but you cannot recall where the thing is? You might start to feel nervous or panic. You start asking others if they have seen it, describe it, and even request they help you look for the missing article. I know I have! Some of the things I seem to lose track of is my glasses, my cell phone, and on occasion my keys. Those are inconvenient to lose and with the exception of my glasses, life can pretty much continue as usual for me if I don't have them, but what about the really important things that are not as easy to replace? Important papers, a specific document, money, and the list could truly go on and on, differing with each individual.

When I have lost something of particular importance to me, I will start searching! The first thing I do is acknowledge that I am missing the item. I recognize that it is gone and that I need it. I go over to the light switch and turn it on so I can see well. I then start picking stuff up and putting it away. Maybe I had just overlooked the pile of mail on the coffee table. Those two or three pairs of shoes at the door really didn't look out of place but why not put them up? I have been known to move furniture and start sweeping behind things in hopes that I will discover my missing item! I start picking things up, looking everywhere I can think of. The search is on and I will leave no stone unturned! Have you ever been like that?

Well when I finally find the item I am overjoyed! I am smiling from ear to ear! I have joy! I have a burst of energy! I feel so victorious and so good! It's just incredible when I have searched and prayed and asked God to please help me find what I have been missing. I look around and even my house is in better shape than it was before I lost the item!

To me, this reminds me of when a sinner acknowledges they need a savior. They realize that they are not on the right path. Perhaps a minister has just preached a compelling message of the cross and they are convicted in their hearts and that prompts them to seek out a savior. Maybe someone has been going astray, making compromises here and there, and they are not on the right road towards home, then a friend or neighbor witnesses to them of what God has been doing in their lives and that person has a quickening in their spirit to seek out that same God. When that person gives their heart to Jesus they are cleaned up! They become a new creature! The old is gone and there is now a transformation that others can notice! Like the house, the person's soul is in much better shape than it was before! That's the power of God at work in their life. Friends, the Bible says it best. This is Jesus talking; let's read it together!

Luke 15:8-10

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.

There was a celebration when you and I got saved. The angels had that joyous feeling when something had been lost but now it's been found! Reminds me of the tune "Amazing Grace" where it says I was once was lost but now I'm found! Praise the LORD for those who have been found!

Jesus puts His light inside of each one of us. We turn to the Light because He is the Light. John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them saying, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." We all need Jesus. No matter who you are, how famous, or how important you may think you are, you need to be saved by Jesus. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. We cannot clean up ourselves or else we would have done it already and we wouldn't have needed Jesus to die for our sins. Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. And it doesn't matter how bad you have messed up, or how far you have ran from God, it just takes a humble heart and He will free you from your sins. I John 1:7-10 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us.

If you are reading this today and you recognize that you need saving, please ask Jesus into your heart today! There will be a party in heaven with the angels rejoicing that Jesus has done it again! He has brought another one into the fold! Maybe you are reading this and you are saved, but you see that you are not as close as you once were. Maybe you would really like to draw closer to God. He is waiting! He wants you to come closer! James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. He is waiting. James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.

I hope you have been encouraged today! Seek God while He may be found and you will never regret it! Each day His mercy is new and fresh. This could be your day! God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens