Friday, June 28, 2013 "The Lost Sheep"

…3And he spoke this parable to them, saying, 4What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, does not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. …Luke 15:3-5

Why do so many people accept Jesus in to their hearts then back slide later?  People debate salvation all the time, were they ever really saved? How could one turn away from Jesus once they experience His love and power?  Was it a false conversion?  No one could ever know for sure for only the Lord knows each and every person's heart and their intent. I can only speak for myself when I say that I strayed away from my Lord for almost 18 months early on in my walk and although I was sinning and not living my life right, I knew my sins were separating me from God. He never left me, I left Him. But I never denied His commands nor denied Him.  For I knew every sin I committed was against my living God.  "I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands". (Psalm 119:176) I can reflect back and see how many times He tried to sway me back on the right path and I denied Him each time. But He never gave up trying. I was truly saved by the power of the Lord's blood because the condemnation was palpable. The separation from God was truly felt and I was so depressed, I lacked any peace, I lost friends, I lost relationships. "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear". (Isaiah 59:2) I avoided people of God because their presence reminded me of my own sin. Their reflection made me see my own. The guilt was so great I tried to mask it with drugs. I was involved in a very unhealthy unholy relationship that caused so much pain, it nearly ended my life. I share this very personal time in my life because the Lord was so merciful and so loving and refused to let His wayward sheep go that He came for me and returned me back to His flock. For after time, I began to long for my Lord and His righteousness. I saw my path of destruction was leading me down a very bad place and I reached out for God and He heard my cry. He took my hand and restored my life. I rededicated my life on New Year's Day 1996 and am so blessed to say He has been the center of my being and my life. He is my Shield, my Comforter, My Father, my Everything. It is never too late to turn back to Him and reach our your hand. He is right there waiting. It does not have to be any huge production other than confessing your sins to your Father and asking Him to forgive you and rededicate your life to Him. I pray that this be the day you make that precious step back to Him.

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