Lost
Monday— Luke 8:5-15 … Jesus told them this parable: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, where it was trampled, and the birds of the air devoured it. Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the seedlings withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the seedlings. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it sprang up and produced a crop—a hundredfold…
“Now this is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. The seeds along the path are those who hear, but the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. The seeds on rocky ground are those who hear the word and receive it with joy, but they have no root. They believe for a season, but in the time of testing, they fall away. The seeds that fell among the thorns are those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life, and their fruit does not mature. But the seeds on good soil are those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, cling to it, and by persevering produce a crop.”
Jesus was honest with us so that we can be honest with ourselves. He warned there are four levels of spirituality that received revelation from God, but only the last let it transform them. Only they produced the kind of fruit that validated their claims to know God. Spirituality is not defined by feeling or opinion; it’s revealed by the fruit of our lives. That fruit is only possible when we’re no longer boss of our own souls, Jesus is. Unless we “bear fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matt. 3:8), we may be lost.
Challenge: Which category best describes the soil of your heart? Be honest.
Prayer: Jesus, which soil group am I? What does the fruit of my life indicate? I want to be in that last group, to truly experience the joy of knowing your smile on my life. I’m ready to bear fruit that proves my claims. Help me get there. In Your name, amen.
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Tuesday— Salvation is found in none other, for there is no other name under heaven…by which we are saved.” Acts 4:12
“I’m spiritual but not religious.” “All paths lead to God.” “Good people go to heaven; bad people, the other place.” Those common opinions about God, salvation, and spirituality are often accepted as though they’re valid. But when those touting them are questioned, they can become defensive. Why? Because they are opinions without substance. Sometimes behind those claims is a rejection of the truth they do know. God’s way didn’t fit their preferences, so they invented their own ideas of what He is like. That might feel good for a while, but the end result is tragedy. It’s possible to be very spiritual, but lost.
Jesus called us “lost” when He described our standing with God. To be lost is to be without an accurate compass. A lost hiker may walk with confidence, but he might be going in the wrong direction. Home base won’t change because he’d rather go north than south. Likewise, when we create a path to God that He did not authorize, we’re going in the wrong direction. Jesus said He came to earth to seek lost lambs and bring them home (Luke 19:10). And He was clear that there is only one way to God. Sincerity doesn’t matter. Feelings don’t matter. Public opinion doesn’t matter. Unless we follow the compass calibrated to God’s word, we stay lost. But when we follow Him, we’re no longer lost. We’re found, and our Guide will lead us home.
Challenge: A LOST person is anyone who is trusting in anything besides Jesus to lead them to God.
Prayer: Lord, you are loving and generous, but you’ve provided only one way that any of us can be forgiven and expect heaven someday. That way is through surrender to your Son, Jesus. Thank you for finding me. In His name, amen.
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Wednesday— For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? Mark 8:36
He was a pillar of the community. Wealthy, influential, he owned half the town and was a generous benefactor. His villa in Spain hosted celebrities and his non-profits were legendary. He didn’t neglect religion either and helped at All Souls church when he was in town. Anyone would have said he was one of God’s favorites, and most envied him. But unknown to him, he was in deep trouble. Because his money and reputation bought him whatever he wanted, he assumed the Lord worked that way too. Surely God would overlook his flaws and let him slide on Judgement Day. He was a good man—but he was lost.
How can that be? Doesn’t being a good person count? Yes, it counts for everything. The problem is that none of us is good enough. Because of that, we’re all lost (Eph. 2:1-3). Imagine being at the top of Mt. Everest while the rest of the world stands at the bottom. The command is to make it to the top in a single leap. The 7-foot Olympic sprinter will leap higher than the cripple in the wheelchair, but from the top of the mountain, does it matter? Their efforts are useless. That’s how God sees our attempts to be “good people.” From His perspective, we fall far short. That’s why without Jesus’ perfection credited to our accounts, none of us meets Heaven’s standards. Regardless of reputation or moral effort, we’re lost without Him.
Challenge: We’re all standing at the foot of Mt. Everest. God is at the top. Only Jesus can make that kind of a leap.
Prayer: Lord God, have I been trying to leap to the top of your mountain by my own efforts? I can never be good enough. Thank you for making a way that I can be made right with you. It’s because of your Son, Jesus. In His name, amen.
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Thursday— Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:13-14
The six-lane highway was smooth and lined with rose bushes. Warm air and clear skies made the journey pleasant for the thousands of people who strolled happily along, singing, “I Did It My Way.” Many carried a Bible under one arm and an Osteen book under the other. They pressed eagerly toward their destination: a golden city sparkling in the distance. Angelic creatures flitted about with harps in their hands and a giant rainbow invited any and all to come on in. Jutting sharply to the right was a rocky path that snaked up a steep embankment, then disappeared around a bend. At the path’s entrance, an arrow pointed to the hill with the words: “Eternal Life This Way.” Each traveler stopped to consider the sign, but most frowned and continued on their way. “Can’t be right,” they said to each other. “God wants me to be happy, and that won’t make me happy.”
What they didn’t know was that their glittery destination was nothing but a mural stretched across the highway, painted by their enemy. Behind it, a dark cavern yawned. As unsuspecting victims hurtled to their deaths, the enemy cackled with glee. He’d stopped trying to destroy the sign with the arrow because this scheme was far more effective. Few left the highway to follow it anyway. But those who did found a surprise around the bend. Jesus waited there to escort them the rest of the way.
Challenge: Following Jesus isn’t always the easy way, but it’s the only way that leads to life.
Prayer: Father, thank you for calling me to leave the broad highway leading to death and join you on the narrow road that leads to life. No matter the rocks and thorns I have to endure, only you can take me where I want to go. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Friday— “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?” Luke 15:4
Moshed sighed as he neared the end of his count. “Ninety-eight, ninety-nine…” He caught his breath. One lamb was missing. A quick scan told him which one. Tilly, a stubborn ewe with an eye to wander. With a glance at the darkening sky, he grabbed his duffle. “Don’t wait up!” he called to the other shepherds. “Missing lamb. I’ll be back.” This was happening too often. He knew he’d have to break her leg and then carry her on his shoulders until it healed. After that, she would stay close to him and follow His voice. Unless she learned to obey him, she’d be wolf meat. He shouldered his gear and headed into the night.
That’s the picture Jesus paints for us. He’s the Good Shepherd and He knows who are His. He promised, “All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away” (John 6:37). So He searches classrooms, jail cells, crack houses, and churches, calling their names. Even the pain is designed to drive us to Him because He’s not willing to lose a single lamb. He won’t force anyone to follow, but it is the highest honor to be pursued by the King of the universe. He knows us by name and loves us completely. But the choice is ours: we will either rest safely in His arms or become wolf meat.
Challenge: No valley is too dark for the Good Shepherd to find you. No one has to stay lost
Prayer: Jesus, it’s hard to believe that out of the zillions of people who have ever lived, you know my name. You sought me when I wasn’t worth finding. I don’t want to be wolf meat. Teach me to obey and follow your voice. Amen.
