LOST IN THE HOUSE

This morning, our Pastor mentioned the Parable of the Lost Coin in Luke 15.  What strikes me in this parable is that the coin wasn’t spent foolishly or dropped on the way to an exciting adventure; no, the coin was lost inside the house.  Perhaps it had gotten buried under a stack of paper or had been carelessly swept off the table.  How long did it take before the owner realized it was missing?  The passage didn’t say but we do know that as soon as she realized it had fallen by the wayside, she made every effort to find it and lovingly restore it to its place beside the other coins.

Every Sunday Morning, we enter the church to worship with our brothers and sisters.  How many Sundays pass before we notice that one of the shining “coins” are missing?  Oh they may be sitting right beside you, they may go through the familiar motions and say all the right words at the appropriate times but if you look closely, you will notice, the “coin” is lost inside the house.

Perhaps they became “lost” under a “stack of life” or perhaps a careless word or action swept them away.  Whatever the reason, the “coins” are too valuable to shrug your shoulders or just replace with another shiny coin.  We have to learn to look behind the façade of manufactured smiles and perfect words and see the lonely soul that has become lost in the house.  Once we realize a coin is missing, I pray that the Body of Christ will, as the woman in Luke 15, light a lamp and sweep the house, searching with care until the “lost coin” is found and restored to its rightful place.

The Parable doesn’t end once the coin is found, however, Luke 15:9, And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!  As the church body begins to discover the “Coins” that have been lost in the house, we will begin to hear the sounds of rejoicing from earth and Heaven reach a resounding crescendo.  Luke 15:19, Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

It is time to light a lamp, get out our brooms and start sweeping.  There are precious coins that have been “LOST IN THE HOUSE” for too long.  Let the Sound of Rejoicing begin.

A COMRADE HAS FALLEN

This blog was written and posted at the beginning of 2013.  As I reread and prepare to repost it, I am saddened by thoughts of those who have fallen since the original posting.  We are in a fight for souls and we cannot passively sit by or we will lose ground. The Church is not just DEFENDING territory we are marching forth to CONQUER and POSSESS territory.  THIS IS WAR!!!

Our country has been fighting the war against terror on foreign soil for over 10 years.  During that time we have sustained many casualties. Men and women have come home wounded and some have lost their life, defending our desire to live in a land free from terrorist attacks.  When a comrade has fallen, our elite military forces live by the motto, “Leave No Man Behind!”   The unit will do everything possible to rescue the injured or recover the body of their fellow soldier.  As one of these brave men stated, “American soldiers do not abandon their dead and wounded on the battlefield.”

WHAT ABOUT OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN THE LORD’S ARMY?  I enlisted in this army 47 years ago.  During that time I have been involved in many battles.  Every battle has not been successful but as I look back at the territory we’ve gained, I can say we are WINNING THE WAR!!!  I ask the next question with sadness and tears falling down my face, “What about our comrades that have fallen?”  So many have fallen, been wounded and left to die on the battlefield.  What have I done?  Have I watched them fall as I fought on; mourned their passing as I nursed my own wounds?  Have I callously just called them a “casualty of war,” judging that they should have been stronger, better equipped, or fought just a little harder?  How many could have been saved if I had risked all, in the heat of the battle, to reach down, take them by the hand and pull that brother or sister back to safety?  I think of the many times in my life, when a fellow soldier has wrapped their arms around me, given me a shoulder to lean on or an encouraging word in the middle of my heaviest battle; can I do any less?

We are led by a General who shed His precious blood; gave His life, that we might win the war. The Church must be brave, we must fight valiantly, but we cannot leave our own on the enemy’s battlefield.   There are brothers and sisters who have fallen, some have grown weary in the battle, others are wounded and dying; will you; will I risk my own comfort, position, even reputation to bring them home?   Our motto must be, “God’s soldiers do not abandon their dead and wounded on the battlefield.”