"Search-and-rescue"--exciting when it's a happy ending, excrutiating when it's not--and this week's mission was not! The whole world anxiously watched, stunned and saddened, as search-and-rescue teams worked diligently to find John F. Kennedy Jr.'s missing plane, only to recover the wreckage and bodies of John, Carolyn and Lauren. We grieved for and with a family who had suffered much--our Christian love and prayers were with both the Kennedy and the Bessette families in a great time of loss.
I don't know much about the technicalities of "search and rescue" operations, but I know Someone who's a "search and rescue" specialist. I have a Heavenly Father who, from the beginning of time, has been "seeking and saving that which is lost!" His Son waits for us at the Well. Come with me and let's explore our Father's marvelous mission to a world He loves.
A Helping Word...or
Two!
Searching for some hiding saints! Rescued by God's grace
Adam...Eve--where are you? Someone is in the garden, calling for you--the One you've loved and had fellowship with so many times. Why do you hide? He knows where you are, what you've done and how you feel. He has grace to cover, and pardon to relieve--if you'll accept it. Adam and Eve, where are you?
Are you in hiding too? Don't--God's searchlight focuses on the very sin you try to cover. You cannot hide from God. Surrender to the Searcher--He loves you and is ready to rescue you from guilt, sin and death! You loved Him once--He waits for you to return. There's abundant forgiveness and amazing grace for hiding saints. Remember, He knows where you are, what you've done and how you feel. He has grace to cover, and pardon to relieve--if you'll accept it. Remember, God will never stop calling you--for He loves you, and He is GOOD!
Searching for some faithful shepherds! Rewarded by God's glory
Shepherds, where are you? "Abiding in the fields," of course! That's your job--and a boring one too. Sheep don't listen; sheep get lost; sheep don't learn--yet night after night, you keep watching them. You're faithful; you're committed--but you're tired out! Nothing uplifting EVER happens to a Judean shepherd. You just keep watching and working and growing weary in well-doing.,..and wait a minute! Lift up you head! There is light in the sky...glory all around...your world is suddenly alive with light and music and wonder! God must have been searching for some faithful servants who needed a song--and He FOUND you. Why, He's got angels all around you praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace, good will toward men." Now something like that will make your day, I mean, your night! God is GOOD!
So where are you, shepherd of God? Burdened and burned-out with the routine and sameness of life--and heavy ministry that never quits? Weary and worn at doing God's Will in a hard place? God knows where you are--He sees your faithfulness and does not forget who you are, where you are, and what you do! He knows how to bring life and light, praise and purpose into your life. He loves you and is getting ready to renew your worn-out spirit; to burst into your night with His glory and goodness...are you watching? He is FAITHFUL--it could be today!
Searching for some stressed-out servants! Reminded of God's goodness
Oh, servant of God, where are you? What are you doing under the juniper tree, Elijah? OK, we know...you've had it with being God's servant of the year. Oh yes, you fought the world, the flesh and the devil, and with God's help, you won. You prayed for rain and fire and they came; you raised the dead and she lived...and now you preach God's message and you RUN, scared to death of one wicked woman named Jezebel! Elijah, you are one stressed-out servant. Go to sleep!! But not for long--for you are about to get a visitor! ANGEL to the rescue! You see, Elijah, HE knows where you are, He sees you under that tree, and He's about to save you from yourself! See the angel; enjoy the food; be refreshed and know that SOMEONE cares!
And He sees you, servant of God, under YOUR tree too! He knows the weight of carrying God's message to a rejecting world; He knows the woes and weariness of spirit; He sees the dejection of soul....but He is on His way to rescue you. Somewhere there's a messenger from heaven ready to give you heaven's touch, to lift your heart and calm your fears. You are called by God; you are HIS servant and He will not forsake you. You won't be under the tree for long, for God doesn't work that way. God has a rescue team on the way--God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Get ready--you are about to enjoy a feast--for God is GOOD!
Lord, find me when I run from You!
Lord, carry me when I look to You!
Lord, lift me as I draw from You!
...and that's just a word or two--from my heart to yours!
His Healing Words
Bible Gateway.com - Luke+15:3-7">Parable of the Lost Sheep
--God's ultimate search-and-rescue mission!
"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10 KJV)."
"The Lord will give grace and glory. No GOOD thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11 KJV)."
"Lord, You search for me--and You find me. Some days it's in the garden; sometimes it's in the field, and sometimes it's under the tree! But You love me and You rescue me. Thank You for Your unfailing goodness to me. Search for and find me THIS week--wherever I may be! In Jesus Name, Amen!"
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A Hurting
Word...
