All Is Not Lost

All Is Not Lost

Revelation 5: I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who sits on the throne; it was covered with writing on both sides and was sealed with seven seals. ² And I saw a mighty angel, who announced in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” ³ But there was no one in heaven or on earth or in the world below who could open the scroll and look inside it. ⁴ I cried bitterly because no one could be found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside it. ⁵ Then one of the elders said to me, “Don't cry. Look! The Lion from Judah's tribe, the great descendant of David, has won the victory, and he can break the seven seals and open the scroll.”

 

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“My life is ruined” I thought to myself. I was told by the dean that I was no longer in school. I didn’t have a plan “B” so I felt I did not know what to do. Someone said, “Ask to get back in.” “What? You can do that?” I asked and they let me back in.

 

• I thought all was lost.
• I did not know there was a way, so I fell in despair.
• I was told there was a way and I felt relieved.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, sees the result of something not revealed to humans. A scroll of judgment was sealed by seven holy seals. He was not told why a sinless human was needed to open the scroll, but all he knew was no one was worthy. He wept bitterly. But then he was told that JESUS won the victory!

 

My Observations:

• Satan thought that he could become GOD by introducing sin into the first humans.
• No human was worthy to open the scroll because all were born into sin.
• JESUS had to become a human through a miraculous birth, live a sinless life, die in faith and be raised from the dead so HE could open the scroll that judged Satan and saved humans.

 

We do not understand the complexities of what JESUS did. We are not privy to the declaration that says Satan can have everything if the scroll could not be open. All we know is JESUS “did” open the scroll because HE is worthy! All is not lost! Hope is restored!

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer weep bitterly?
• Have you ever felt that all was lost?
• Will you see that JESUS has won the victory, not only for eternal life but over your circumstance and all your situations you will ever, ever face?

Lost and Found

John 1: ⁴³ The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, ‘Follow me.’

⁴⁴ Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. ⁴⁵ Philip found Nathanael and told him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote – Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’

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“Have you seen my mitten?” I inquired to the teacher. “Have you tried the lost and found?” she replied. “What’s that?” I asked. “Go to the office and ask for what you lost” she directed. They showed me the lost and found room. It was a treasure of hats, gloves, shoes, combs and my mitten. “There it is!” I said with excitement.

• It is exciting to find something that I lost.
• It is a relief to find something I lost.
• I can’t rest unless I find something that is lost.

JESUS found Philip and told him to become HIS follower. Philip’s immediate response was “Yes!” Now that Philip was found by JESUS, Philip went to find his brother, probably looking in his usual places. When he found Nathaniel he said “We have found the ONE Moses and the prophets wrote about!”

• JESUS was looking for me when I found HIM.
• JESUS was waiting for my return from being lost.
• JESUS was searching for me, even when I wasn’t looking for HIM.

“You will fill your life with something” someone told me. I tried friends, sin and fun, but none of those quite filled the hole that was in my heart. When I found JESUS, who had been looking for me, my heart was finally filled. I was finally content. I am grateful GOD wants me as much as I need HIM.

• Are you searching for something?
• Are you looking for something to fill the void in your heart, but nothing is working?
• Will you stop drowning out the voice of GOD that is calling you to serve HIM with all your heart today?

But we had hoped

Luke 24: ¹⁹ ‘What things?’ he asked.

‘About Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied. ‘He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. ²⁰ The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; ²¹ but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. ²² In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning ²³ but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. ²⁴ Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.’

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Longing for better working conditions, I welcomed the new boss. Anything would be better than the last regime, I thought to myself. Unfortunately the announcement was modified and the new person was not going to take over our area. I felt lost again.

• There have been times when I hoped for something and it did not happen as I thought.
• There have been times when I wished something would happen but it did not happen the way I wanted.
• There have been times when I longed for something better to happen, but I got more of the same.

JESUS asked “What was going on?” to the men HE walked with. They explained that their hopes had been crushed because their Messiah had been sentenced to death by the ones who preached that the Messiah would come someday. They also explained that something strange was going on and the body of JESUS was missing and they heard JESUS was alive!

• GOD wants me to know that HIS plans are far better than what I could ever think of.
• GOD wants me to have patience with the current situation because it may not be as it appears.
• GOD wants me to see that in spite of the current circumstances, HE has the situation under control.

Back to the story of the change in plans to get a new boss. I was saddened that things would not change and they asked me what I would do differently. I explained and they asked me to step into a higher role, leading an area I was not familiar with. I was amazed just as the people were who heard the news that JESUS was alive.

GOD does not always reveal to me what is going on during the dark times, but HE does give me hope that HE is in control of every situation. I am grateful of HIS plan for me.

• Do you feel lost, anxious or scared?
• Has something extreme happened to you?
• Will you take a moment to understand that GOD is in control of your situation and HE loves you dearly in spite of what you can see?

Heart of All

Matthew 18: ¹⁰ “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. ¹¹ For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.

¹² “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? ¹³ And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. ¹⁴ Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

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Looking around I could see no familiar faces. I panicked and began crying as I had no way to get myself “found.” People came over to me and led me to an office, but this provided no comfort. I was noticed, but not “found.”

• It is scary being lost.
• It is terrifying being in an unknown place where it seems to be no way out.
• It is horrifying to be lost with no means to be found.

Humanity can be the same way. Many situations can seem so overwhelming to me that I feel “lost” with no way out. BUT GOD has an answer for that.

• GOD sees me when I am in need and answers prayer before I even ask.
• GOD knows my every fear and guides me out of the darkness.
• GOD understands when I am lost and seeks me before I seek him.

I should never pretend that I am not lost when it comes to GOD. Admitting I have no idea how to be found is a start, but doesn’t do anything if no one is looking for me. GOD decided to search for me in my “lost” state. HE tapped on my heart to show me the way. It was up to me to follow HIM back to a place where it was safe. I rejoice over GOD’s search for me!

• Are you lost?
• Do you think you know your own way?
• Can you let go and allow GOD to lead you back to HIM?

Instructions for Today

Amos 5: ¹⁴ Seek good, not evil,
    that you may live.
Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you,
    just as you say he is.
¹⁵ Hate evil, love good;
    maintain justice in the courts.
Perhaps the Lord God Almighty will have mercy
    on the remnant of Joseph.

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GOD enabled me to be forgiven through HIS SON, JESUS who is the CHRIST. HE volunteered to become a human so HE would, knowingly, be murdered because of sins I committed. HE was raised from the dead to everlasting life and HE was placed above everything in HIS rightful position.

• GOD knows I will sin and has forgiven me for future sins.
• GOD understands I have a sin nature, but wants me to seek good, not evil.
• GOD sees my sinful heart but wants me to hate evil, love good and maintain justice in the courts.

“Perhaps” the LORD GOD will have mercy on me means HE may or may not, it’s HIS choice. BUT GOD HAS chosen to forgive me, so I am extremely excited to accept HIS instructions for me this day. HE doesn’t expect me to be perfect, not is HE pulling my past sins into today.

GOD simply wants me to acknowledge my need for HIM today. HE desires that my knee bow to HIM and my tongue confess that HE is LORD today.

• Are you lost?
• Do you think you have nowhere to turn?
• Can you turn your face to GOD who is strong enough to forgive you of ALL your sins daily?

Praying for Foolishness

Jeremiah 37: ² Neither he nor his attendants nor the people of the land paid any attention to the words the Lord had spoken through Jeremiah the prophet.

³ King Zedekiah, however, sent Jehukal son of Shelemiah with the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah to Jeremiah the prophet with this message: “Please pray to the Lord our God for us.”

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“Why would anyone go to this church?” I said to myself. As I complained about the same folks who would stand and holler and the same folks who would shout amen at just the right time as if on cue, something happened. Someone broke into my car, meanwhile some crazy misdirected bill came from nowhere and I had pains in my chest. I wonder if the people at church would pray for me.

• There have been times when I have not followed GOD but needed prayer.
• There have been times when I thought GOD and HIS church were made for me.
• There have been times when I thought I could selectively listen to the Bible or preachers.

Looking back I can see my immaturity in my relationship with GOD. I wanted to go to a church that said what I wanted to hear, meet when I wanted to meet and sing what I wanted to hear. I did not want to serve rather be served and did not want to be bored with lists of names and words of repentance. I only wanted blessing without changing my ways. BUT GOD wanted more from me.

• GOD wants a spiritual relationship with me, that is why HE sent the HOLY SPIRIT to live inside me upon believing in HIS death and resurrection.
• GOD wants a truthful relationship with me, that is why I should confess when I sin so I can acknowledge my need for HIM.
• GOD wants a real relationship with me, that is why I have to get to know HIM.

Prayer is only as powerful as my faith. Faith is only as powerful as my belief. Belief is only as powerful as my trust. If I do not trust GOD then my belief, faith and prayer fall to the wayside. I want a real relationship with GOD which means I need to get to know HIS heart. Why does HE feel the way HE feels about me?  I should find out “What does HE want” instead of always asking HIM for my way. GOD wants me to have a relationship with HIM through JESUS, and then my prayers will be heard.

• Do you feel your prayers are not heard?
• Are you still living in your own way?
• Will you ask GOD what does HE want from you today?
• Will you turn to HIM and trust the path HE has you on?