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?

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?

Confidence To Come Near to God

This morning I was drawn to think of my boys. They, as younger and to some degree even now, found it difficult to come to me when there was/is something they need to discuss. There is somehow a fear that I would not understand or not be supportive of them. I can understand to some degree as I am the patriarch of the family and as such am here to drive things, not take direction.

In the last few verses of chapter four, the writer of Hebrews identifies Jesus as the “Great High Priest”. As He is such, I can certainly see and feel the apprehension of coming to Him with my needs and wants, much like my boys.

“¹⁵For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” – Hebrews 4:15-16 (ESV)

But even so, Jesus knows all that I struggle with and opens His arms to me. I have to remember that He has nothing but the best intentions and desires for me with Him. He will guide and direct me to greatness. He comforts me in time of need. He educates me in those things that are of consequence. I have to come to Him with confidence knowing all of this. He is my father and I should look to Him as the one to give me all.

This time in the mornings is my time to come to Him. I devote my time to His Word and to learning and applying to my life. I then take time here to write my thoughts on my learning to share so that others might have the chance to learn and apply themselves. I know that these are not my words, but the words of the LORD through me. I come to the LORD with confidence that He will share with me that which I am to learn and share with others.

Remember, I am not a scholar of the LORD’s Word. I am only His child, seeking His face and wisdom to get along in this world. I come to Him knowing that whatever I ask will be provided when it comes from my heart and is for His glory. I am confident in my relationship with Him and know that He will always guide and comfort me with His love.

What is your approach to coming to the LORD? Are you apprehensive at what He might think or provide? What if you were to come to Him with the confidence of knowing He is on your side and will guide and comfort you always?

The LORD is Fixed on the Righteous

It is again not surprising, but amazing that the LORD leads me to passages again and again to learn. Where this morning I was brought to 1 Peter and a passage I have studied a number of times, the LORD has a different learning for me today. Even the verse I was lead to is a citation from Psalm that I have studied before with my exploring of the word “righteous”.

“¹²For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

and his ears are open to their prayer.

But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

— 1 Peter 3:12 (ESV)

This morning I was struck, not by the eyes or ears of the LORD being on the righteous and their prayer, but by the intense focus He has in doing so. The LORD is fixed on the righteous. He is fully devoted to His people. His eyes and ears are fully engaged with all that we are doing and saying. He is so fixed on us that all others He has turned away from. Those who do evil are not in His sight or earshot. The LORD is with us always looking and listening for our needs and work completion for Him.

I know, this seems pretty ominous for those who are evil. How is it they will be found by the LORD if/when His eyes and ears are not focused on them. This is where the world gets the wrong idea of the LORD. The world seems to think that if the LORD does not bless everyone, then the LORD is not good. How could this loving god (lower case “g” intentional) not be loving to everyone and keep all from evil?

Well here is my visualization of it all. Imagine that the righteous are seen under a spotlight and that spotlight allows for audio (like the optical audio cable for your media). The LORD sees and hears that which is in the spotlight. All that is outside the spotlight is there yes, but not seen or heard by God. It is the work of those in the spotlight to bring others in through evangelism and love and the carrying of the gospel to them. Once those outside the spotlight step in, they are now seen and heard by the LORD.

This may be a bit of a simplification of what I read and study this morning. It is not that the LORD is not loving to those who are evil, it is that they are not the focus of His attention. It is those who are focused on and devoted to Him who get His immediate attention. To get the LORD’s immediate attention and be the focus of His eyes and ears, one has to turn to Him and devote to Him and the carry of His Word forward to the rest of the world.

As I write and study this morning, the world is in darkness. There is evil throughout. Yet, there are those who are in the light and that is where the LORD is fixed. He is looking to and listening for the righteous to bless them and guide them. The LORD is looking for the righteous to carry His Word and Grace forward to the world to bring more into the light. You see, the LORD loves all and wants all to experience salvation, and He will fix on all once they have turned to Him. Until then, He will remain fixed on the righteous and lead them to their reward in heaven.

What is your view of where God should be focused? Are you one that believes that God should give all the same regardless of standing with Him? What if you realized that the LORD loves all, and is fixed on the righteous and waiting for you to join them in the light?

Have Righteous Conduct

Again, I remind that we cannot declare ourselves righteous, that is left solely up to God. I can only take actions that are righteous and in line with the example that Christ has provided for me. In taking those actions, I have to also remember to conduct myself as Jesus would have during His time in this world.

“¹⁰You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. ¹¹For you know how, like a father with his children, ¹²we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:10 – 12 (ESV)

Paul and his team were not just representatives of Christ as they worked with the church at Thessalonica, they did so in such a way as to be full examples of Christ. They were righteous and blameless in their actions and conduct. They were respectful and caring and encouraging along the way.

How often have we seen when there is help being provided that the attitude of the helpers is one of authority and matter of fact, and less about just being helpful. Paul was sure to not take on that approach here. He was gracious and did not expect some sort of return from the people. He was only there to lend a hand and guide them in their faith. Yes, there were likely challenging conversations and correcting, yet they were done in love and always in the name and manner of the LORD. As such, Paul and those with him were “holy and righteous and blameless” in their conduct.

Now for me. I have to remember that I am not all knowing, that is left to God. I have to remember to be righteous in my actions which should go without saying. But, I also have to be righteous in my conduct. Like Paul, I have to be respectful and caring and encouraging as I am taking righteous actions. I cannot be the authoritarian with the idea that I am somehow more holy than anyone else. The reality is that I too am a sinner and in need of caring and encouragement. I have to remember the why behind my actions, to bring the gospel to all I encounter and provide love to them in the process. Action without the proper attitude is not helpful. It is important that I am coming from the example of Christ and provide the conduct befitting of Him.

What is your approach to spreading the gospel? Are you the authoritarian bringing the boom to the sinners? What if you approached your actions as Christ, “holy and righteous and blameless” in your conduct as you are caring and encouraging with your actions?

Honor Everyone

How divided we are and for what reasons, we don’t “like” everyone? Well, we have to get over it. We have to get back to the place where we find that there is disagreement, yet those disagreements do not mean that one side is deserving of evil treatment. Even in disagreement, there is good in most, if not all people. This is where there is the opportunity to come together for the common and agree that the people should be viewed as just that, people and are deserving of love.

“¹³Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, ¹⁴or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. ¹⁵For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. ¹⁶Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. ¹⁷Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” – 1 Peter 2:13-17 (ESV)

In the above verses, Peter is speaking to the people about their relationship with authority. I see this as another extension into our relationship with others. I see that we are in the act of vilification of others, just because they do not think or do things like we do. And this is from all sides of everything. We find ourselves interacting with others that are on the other side of whatever and immediately take the position of opposition and the belief that they are wrong and should be taken down for being so.

Well, this opposition thinking is such a short-sighted approach. I have to remember that those who I interact with are indeed my brothers and sisters. Maybe not in Christ, but in this world that we live in and that brings them to deserving of love and, as Peter mentions above, honor.

Verse 17 is where I was led this morning as I was studying God’s Word. What I found is that honor is to be provided to everyone, regardless of their station in this world. They may be the “emperor” or just someone in the “brotherhood”, everyone is deserving, even those with which we may not agree.

Recently I was presented a situation where I was not being given the information needed in order to understand the situation. We, Lori and I, had been dealing with something over the course of about 11 hours and along the way, felt like we were being set up for resolution, only to be continually in the dark on the plan. I became very stern and matter-of-fact with someone who did not understand my position and procured someone else to speak with me/us. On the surface, it may have seemed that I was being mean and lacking understanding or compassion with the other person. However, what was missing was the understanding from their side. The other person started making excuses as to why the information may not have been shared as opposed to apologizing and just working to get the information. To the outside observer, it may have been thought I did not respect the person, when in fact, I did and that is the reason I was asking for information from them and not someone else. I did not let their position lord over me although I am sure that the reason for stepping away was that the person could not truly understand my frustration.

Even in the situation above, the honor was not missing for the other individual. The person was deserving of honor, it was the lack of information that was being questioned, not the person. Regardless of someone’s position, the person is deserving of honor even when the situation may be a bit contentious.

I have to remember that not all situations will be to my liking and that there will be opposition I have to work through. In those situations as with all, the person is due honor and not to be the opposition. I have the duty to love all people and provide for them that which they deserve.

What do your interactions look like? Are you finding yourself in contention with others and possibly looking at the person as the opposition? What if you were to provide for the person the honor they deserve, understanding the position they hold and working to resolve the situation?

Don’t Despise Your Mother

This morning, as with all mornings, I prayed for God to give me wisdom that I might read and be able to apply His Word. As I continue to study the word “mother” I was brought to another passage in Proverbs that does not seem that much different from the last, only this one focuses on me a little more.

“²⁰A wise son makes a glad father,

but a foolish man despises his mother.”

— Proverbs 15:20 (ESV)

I know, the last passage I studied was about the foolish son being a sorrow to his mother, so yes, it did involve me. But, here I see that it is my thoughts and feelings that are the focus. I have a mother that I love and she loves me. It is difficult for me to feel any other way, or at least think of feeling any other way.

There are those out there that may not have the same relationship with their mothers and I do not expect that everyone would. I know those who have a very close relationship with their mothers whereas mine is not one where we talk every week. My oldest son in fact is one that speaks to Lori at least once if not multiple times each week, and that is great for them. The thing is that the relationship is there as is the love.

We do not have to have relationships like everyone else with our mothers. But, we do have to be wise enough to love them. It is the action of love that I am talking about, not the emotion of love. We show them that we love them as opposed to telling them. Words are that, just words. Remember the saying of old, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”. Well, words won’t hurt us, and they may not make us feel better, either. And sticks and stones, they may break bones, but they will also demonstrate healing.

Show mothers that we love them, if not for their sake, but for our own. Do not despise mothers, love them through our actions so that they can “see” them and will attribute those actions to the love we have for them.

What love do you have for your mother? Are you working through words and hoping that will do the trick? What if you showed love through action to demonstrate your love for them to see?