Life Gained When Given Up

I know, another one of those sayings that seem to not make a lot of sense, we gain life by giving up life. But that is exactly what Jesus offers to us all.

“³⁵For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.” – Mark 8:35 (ESV)

I am here to work for and please the LORD. I am not here for myself. Therefor I should be giving all to the LORD and the work He has for me. But it is more than just giving of my talents, I am to give my life for Him. I am to offer myself as an offering to Him and not just my works. What good is it to hold onto my life when I have given all of my works and talent to the LORD? I have to give everything to get everything.

“³⁶For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? ³⁷For what can a man give in return for his soul?” – Mark 8:36-37 (ESV)

And yes, these two verses are questions and yet they are full of answers. There is no gain from the world for the price of my soul. Remember that we cannot take things with us when we leave this world. All that is gained in this world is lost when we leave.

But, when we give ourselves fully, including our soul to the LORD, our reward is just getting started. Think of it like a financial investment. I make a deposit on day one and again on day two and so on. There does not seem like much in the beginning, but over time, that small investment grows and before you know it there is more to it than you thought possible. With Christ, the gain in the beginning of the relationship will be hard and small. Yet, over time the relationship grows and before you know it, there is so much gain that we look forward to moving on to heaven when the time comes.

Gain from the LORD is not the physical that we come to expect here in this world. It is of the heavenly, which is more precious as we get to take it with us and experience it for eternity. It all starts with the acceptance of salvation and grace and we then make those little deposits daily which become easier and easier as time progresses and before we know it, we are giving all we have to Him as the joy and love abound through us. When the time comes, we will rejoice at the heavenly gains we have acquired through our obedience and giving to the LORD.

What gain are you hoping for? Are you looking for the gains in this world? What if you sought the gains that you can take with you through the giving of yourself to the LORD fully?

Nothing Gained in this World

This morning I was reminded of how all that we do in this world gains us very little as it all has already been realized at some point. I am reading in Ecclesiastes this morning and the passage is titled “All is Vanity”. As I read, I see that everything is or has been done already. What we find as “new” is not really new at all. Everything has been done and experienced before.

“⁴A generation goes, and a generation comes,

but the earth remains forever.

⁵The sun rises, and the sun goes down,

and hastens to the place where it rises.

⁶The wind blows to the south

and goes around to the north;

around and around goes the wind,

and on its circuits the wind returns.

⁷All streams run to the sea,

but the sea is not full;

to the place where the streams flow,

there they flow again.”

— Ecclesiastes 1:4-7 (ESV)

All is only “new” in the moment or to the one. Lori and I are taking a vacation to California and will likely take a quick ride to the Pacific coastline and gaze out and dip our toes into the sea. We will enjoy the moment, yet the there is really nothing new to these actions other than being an area we have not been to before. Once we leave, the new has worn off and the next time we go, it will not have the same impact.

“²Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher,

vanity of vanities! All is vanity.

³What does man gain by all the toil

at which he toils under the sun?”

— Ecclesiastes 1:2-3 (ESV)

When nothing is “new” in this world, there is nothing gained by seeking it out. I will be spinning my wheels and waste away as I look to this world to give me something it cannot give.

And that is where the LORD comes in. He is NEW every day. He gives life to it all. He provides for us all. He blesses us all. Think about that same trip to the Pacific coastline that Lori and I are taking. Where it is not “new”, we can look to the beauty of it and know that was created by God. We can praise Him for it all. We can anticipate the additional great things that we will witness, knowing that He made them all. We will gain from Him and not the things of this world. Gain is in the LORD. It is in the things that He has made and not in the things themselves as they are not “new”. Seeking out the things of this world are an exercise in vanity as we look to be marveled by the things when we should be seeking out the LORD and be marveled by what He provides for us to experience. That is our gain.

What are you seeking out? Are you looking for things to gain from? What if you sought the LORD and gained from Him and all that He provides for you?

Gain in the LORD

I just finished a study on the word “lost” and have now begun to study “gain”. I have in just one short passage been reminded that it is not my own gain that I am to be seeking out, it is the gain in the LORD.

“³⁶Incline my heart to your testimonies,

and not to selfish gain!

³⁷Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;

and give me life in your ways.”

— Psalm 119:36-37 (ESV)

When I look at the above passage, I see the middle two lines related to selfish and worthless things in this world. I believe that we, as a society at large, seek things for ourselves. We are looking for those things that will be at least on the surface, acceptance in this world. By having those things of this world, others will see us as somehow worthy of praise.

With the LORD, it is the things that are inside us that are of value to Him. It is not what we have but who we have in Him. I have to remember that I am to take on the example of Christ in my life and live according to His plan. I have to look for the glory in Him and not look for acceptance, as I have already been accepted into the Family of God with my receipt of the gift of salvation.

I look at acceptance and see that it is the commonality between me and others where that acceptance is found. Not in the tangible things others see that I have and may want. When one finds commonality they are accepted. If someone has a passion for sports they are accepted with others with the similar passion. If someone has a love for music, there is commonality and acceptance with others who love music. Art aficionados are accepted with others in the art world. It is this commonality that brings the acceptance and gain that is sustaining.

I gain more in the LORD than anyone can imagine. I have a fellowship of believers that are my instant family. I love the LORD, they love the LORD and together we have the commonality and acceptance of one another. My gain is in the LORD and the commonality I have with my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Where are you looking for gain? Are you looking for acceptance in the world to somehow gain? What if you looked to Jesus and found others with the commonality of looking to Jesus as your place of acceptance and gain in the LORD?

Not Lost with Jesus

I am wrapping up my study of the word “lost” this morning. I have been reminded that I am not lost when it comes to my relationship with the LORD as He cares deeply for me, ensuring that I am found and join Him in heaven when the time comes. The other point is that once found, I will not be lost as Jesus notes on the night in which he was betrayed.

“⁷So he asked them again, ‘Whom do you seek?’ And they said, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ ⁸Jesus answered, ‘I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.’ ⁹This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: ‘Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.’” – John 18:7-9 (ESV)

I see this morning that Jesus comes to the rescue, not only to find me when I was lost, but to protect me from being lost in the first place. Here, Jesus identifies Himself as the one the men are looking for and that since that is the case, Those who are with Him should go free. He could have denied who He was to save His own life in the moment, yet He chose to fully embrace who He was not only for the spiritual lives of all as He was here in the world to do, but the physical lives of those in His care as well.

I know that it is easy to talk a big game, but it is a challenge to get in the game and do the work that is needed. Jesus did not just talk, He took action and that action of protecting His people in the face of danger so they would not be lost is what makes Him so much different than others. He did not just talk the talk, Jesus walked the walk and protected/protects His people in all aspects of protection. From the spiritual to the emotional to the physical, Jesus does the work to ensure that we are not lost to the world as one of His brothers.

I need protection daily. I am a sinner who does not deserve the love, care, and salvation offered by Jesus. Yet, He loves me anyway and will take all action to make sure that I am not lost, whether that is to find me when I am lost, or protect me from being lost. With Jesus, I am NOT lost.

What is your status with Jesus? Are you lost or in danger of being lost? What if you looked to Jesus knowing that if you are in either situation, He will find and protect you from being lost?

Seeking the Lost

“¹⁰For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” – Luke 19:10 (ESV)

And there you have it. I will just leave this here.

You see, Jesus did not come seeking to save “a” single lost one, He came seeking “the” lost ones. That means all who would accept him is who He is looking for. It does not matter where you are, where you come from, or what you have done, when your heart is open and you accept Him, He gives you love and salvation.

Who are you? Are you one of the lost ones? What if accept that you are, open your heart and accept Christ as He has been seeking you?

Lost and Found

This morning I was brought to the parable of the prodigal son. Now I am confident that most have heard the parable and even have an understanding of meaning. I know that I have had my eyes opened to meaning that I had not looked at before in that there are three men that are in the story and looking at all three gave me more insight. I want to look at the idea of “lost” as this is where my study is now.

“²⁴’For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.” “³²’It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’” – Luke 15:24 & 32 (ESV)

The prodigal son came back, yes. He returned to the home he once knew. He was greeted with open arms. His return was well worth the celebration. I know that I have not seen my youngest son Aarron in a couple of months as he is off serving in the Navy and when I do see him again, we will certainly celebrate. But Aarron being gone is not the same as that of this prodigal son.

I see this morning the attitude of the father and the other son. I will start with the father. He was missing his son. I believe that as the loving father he was, he graciously gave to the son all that was to be his. He loved him and was likely, to some degree, glad that the son had chosen his own path. I am sure that the father was somewhat disappointed in that the son did not chose the family business, as well as how the son would be using the inheritance he was receiving. But the son was loved none the less. And the father was sad that the son had gone yet resolute in the fact that he may not ever return.

The other son to was resolute in the idea that the brother would not return, although his attitude was likely of anger due to his staying behind and working the family farm alone. He was not happy that the prodigal son had taken from the family, even if it was his to take. The other son was, in his resolution, glad now that the prodigal son was gone and he was now THE son of the father.

Let’s look at the return. The father was the first mentioned to welcome the son home. He did not receive him with animosity or anger or other more negative attitudes. On the contrary. He received him as thought he had been lost for years and was now found. He was celebrated to be alive and well. He was loved and accepted for he was still son of the father and deserved it.

The other son, on the other hand received the brother much differently. His anger was rekindled. After all, in his mind the prodigal son had taken the inheritance given, squandered it and then came back looking for more. He was not happy to see the brother return and was quick to make it known.

What a difference in the attitude toward the prodigal son here. There is love and anger. There is acceptance and deflection. Both of the men who got to again see the one who returned did so in their own ways.

The prodigal son was lost. Whether it was lost due to being misplaced or lost due to own carelessness, he was lost none the less. And no matter how he returned, he should be counted as found. The father saw the finding as that of something precious that was back and the other son saw the finding as something that had been moved on from and should have been continued to be lost.

I have to remember that being lost is just that, being lost. There is no room for giving up on the lost. Yes, I have to move on from total focus on the lost once I have resolved that I may not have much more influence on getting back, but never giving up is still giving it over to God to continue. And now, once the lost has returned I am to celebrate that return as the finding of something precious. Being found brings joy that was not there prior to the return and that deserves to be celebrated.

What is your attitude toward the lost? Have you moved on and if/when it returns you are indifferent or angry at the return? What if you were to see the lost and just celebrate the return as the precious that has been found?

Joy for the One Found

This morning I am going to take the other side of a belief that I have. You see, I am concerned with this idea that the small percentage of a group should be of more concern than the larger percentage of the same group. The fringe groups of society are pushing to be recognized at the expense of the mainstream of society. This morning I am going to speak on behalf of a small percentage of a group, the followers of Christ.

“⁷Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” – Luke 15:7 (ESV)

Jesus shows us here that the one lost who is found and repents creates more joy than ninety-nine others who have already repented. The one percent is recognized more so than the ninety-nine percent. I have to see that the one is certainly greater than the ninety-nine in this instance.

How did we get to this realization, well Jesus tells us the parable of the lost sheep. When a shepherd loses just one sheep, he will leave the flock to find the one. Where as to some the one seems of little value, to the shepherd, that one sheep is part of the family, not to mention of monetary value to the shepherd as well. There is great rejoicing when the sheep is found and returned to the flock.

“⁴What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? ⁵And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. ⁶And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’” – Luke 15:4-6 (ESV)

Just as the sheep are of value to the shepherd, I am of value to the LORD. I am part of the family and when I am lost, He will drop everything to find me and bring me home. When I am found, there will be great rejoicing in the flock that I have been returned.

In this situation, the one is fully recognized, not at the expense of the greater group, but as a member of the group in need of rescue.

What is your approach to the one lost? Are you looking to them as though they are of little value alone? What if you were to take the approach of Jesus and the shepherd and drop everything to help the one be found and bring great joy to the flock?

Lost with Faith

It is one thing to be lost. Having a sense that all is gone and that you have been left out on your own to figure things out with little prospect of being “rescued”. I am sure that at some point all of us have felt that way and face it, panicked a little. I know that I have on a number of occasions. And then there is the times when you are lost, yet have faith and know that you are simply just turned around or that “rescue” is just around the corner.

My study this morning is about these very cases as I read in Matthew 15. Jesus is making His way along the road and a woman comes to Him seeking His help with her daughter. She was at a loss of what to do and how to proceed and was vigilant in her actions that Jesus could indeed help. The disciples, who were with Jesus were acting to protect Him and asked Jesus to send the woman away.

“²⁴He answered, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’” – Matthew 15:24 (ESV)

This woman then came to Jesus, and pleaded with Him for help. And Jesus began a dialogue with the woman.

“²⁵But she came and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, help me.’ ²⁶And he answered, ‘It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.’ ²⁷She said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.’” – Matthew 15:25-27 (ESV)

This woman knew that she was not worthy of being in the presence of the LORD asking for His help. Yet, as with the woman who touched the robe of Jesus, she knew that He could help and this was her chance.

“²⁸Then Jesus answered her, ‘O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.’ And her daughter was healed instantly.” – Matthew 15:28 (ESV)

And just with the woman who touched His robe, Jesus recognized her faith and took action based on that faith.

Jesus will find us when we have faith that He will. He is always looking for me as one of His flock. I may get lost from time to time, yet, that is likely of my own doing. I have to remain in the LORD and have the faith that I will be “rescued”.

You will notice that I have put quotations around the word rescue throughout. I am simply indicating that the need and act of being helped is not always as grave as we would make it out to be. My being lost is not always going to be to the detriment of my ability to move forward. Sometimes I am just seeing myself as lost when in reality I am right where the LORD would have me be in that moment. I have to remember that when following God, the plan He has for me may not be the plan that I have or can sense in the moment. I have to continue with the faith that I will come out the other side just where He would have me. And that is the idea of being lost with faith. I will be lost on my own, yet with the LORD and faith in Him, I will always be found.

When you are lost, what is your reaction? Are you thinking “woe is me”? What if you were to lean on your faith in the LORD and know that you will found, and that where you are may be right where you are supposed to be?

Lost Saltiness

Losing some things are natural and not much if anything can be done about it. Athleticism for instance, we all get older and our bodies are not as performative as they once were. But there are things that are lost because we have allowed them to be lost and the loss is grave. Knowledge seeking is one. When we lose our thirst for knowledge, we will seemingly go backward as opposed to advancing.

“¹³You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.” – Matthew 5:13 (ESV)

Jesus warns us against losing our saltiness, lest we are now useless in the world for what we were created. I have to remember that I was created to bring the gospel to the world and serve the LORD. In order for me to be successful in those, I have to remember to stay vigilant in my work and learning. I have to continue doing the work and learning more about the work. As soon as I stop, I am no longer doing that which I was created. I am no longer adding value and have been reduced to being under the foot of the world as opposed to bringing flavor to it.

You see, saltiness is the flavor that we bring in the name of Christ. In our food, salt gives flavor to the bland and brings life to it for enjoyment. But salt that does nothing for the food is only good to be tossed out on the steps to be used to walk on. Now, yes, there is value to being able to walk on the icy step thanks to the salt, but that is not what it was meant for. Once on the ground, there is little thought as to it even being there. Yet in my food, salt is very evident in what it brings to the enhancement of my meal.

I have to remember to remain salty and bring life to those around me. I have to keep working and learning the Word of God to ensure that when the opportunities are presented I am ready to provide to those in need. The LORD has tasked me with work and it is my duty to remain capable of the work by staying on top of my learning. I have to remain salty to ensure that I am bringing the flavor to the world on behalf of the LORD.

What is your approach to saltiness? Have you lost your saltiness and are just fit for lining the walk? What if you remained in the Word of God to keep learning and doing the work of the LORD to bring flavor on His behalf?

Lost, You Will be Found

“¹⁶I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.” – Ezekiel 34:16 (ESV)

Here I find the LORD declaring that He will seek out His lost sheep (us). And, as I look a little closer I see something that may have been missed before. Notice the group of sheep He is looking for, it starts with the lost ones and then it is those who have strayed off, and then those who are injured, and those who are weak. The LORD will seek out those who are in need of Him. He is seeking to bring them back into the flock safely and securely.

Where I have to be careful as I look at God’s Word is thinking that all of the strong will be destroyed. It is not so. I read further that it is those who have no regard for others that will be destroyed, not those who are simply strong. It is okay to be strong, yet that strength should be used for the glory of God. It is when it is not the LORD will take action against.

“¹⁸Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the rest of your pasture; and to drink of clear water, that you must muddy the rest of the water with your feet? ¹⁹And must my sheep eat what you have trodden with your feet, and drink what you have muddied with your feet? ‘²⁰Therefore, thus says the Lord God to them: Behold, I, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep.’” – Ezekiel 34:18-20 (ESV)

It is the fattened ones who will have action taken against. They are only there for themselves. The lean will be working to take care of the weak, and injured, and those who stray off course. I have to remember to be strong and serving. It is the strong that shall look out for the weak. The LORD is caring for all, and in doing so has tasked us all with work and it is the work of the strong to care for the weak. When I am strong it is my work to ensure that those experience weakness are cared for in the name of the LORD.

So yes, the LORD is seeking the lost, straying, weak, and injured. He may be doing so through the strong. I have to keep my eyes and ears on Him to be aware of just what He needs me to do. It may seem like work that is less than rewarding at the time but it is work for the LORD and His kingdom to come. I care for my family and that means my brothers and sisters in Christ as well as the family here in this world. I will seek to find those in need and provide where I am directed by the LORD.

When I am lost, I have to know that the LORD is seeking me. He is out there looking for me. I may not know where I am, yet I know that He will find me. He will not allow for me to be lost forever. He will find me and bring me back to His flock and the comfort of family to continue living for Him.

How are you reacting when lost or to the lost? Are you worrying only of yourself? What if you concern yourself with the work of the LORD and know that you may be the strong working for the LORD or that you may be the weak being sought for safe return?