October 2011
Life Signs: Contemporary without Compromise
When we love those who are undeserving, it is an act of mercy. But loving God is an act
of worship.
MGBC Home Page
The lost sheep is a lost soul…but the lost can be found!
The lost silver is a lost servant…but the lost can be found!
The lost son has lost all his senses, but can come to himself, and come back…and the lost
can be found!
Lost & Found
No, I’m not talking about if you happened to have lost a ring and it is found by a stranger
and you get it back. Well; maybe I am. It came to me that a person needs to be
cognizant (aware) of the fact that something, someone, or maybe themselves is lost in
order to be found. If you do not know that something or someone is lost; it wouldn’t
make sense to go looking for it, now would it? Someone might ask, “What are you
looking for?” Then, what will your answer be? Good question... Okay, now for some
serious talk! Why did God send His Son into the world? “For the Son of Man came to
seek and to save the lost” Luke 19:10.
The Lost Sheep represents those who are out in the world, and are not saved.
Unfortunately, they are not part of the ‘count.’ The ‘count’ is of those who have been
found. Those not in the ‘count’ are in danger, exposed, and helpless. Don’t forget to “Be
alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion
looking for someone to devour” I Peter 5:8. This proves that God’s love is a protecting
and seeking love. Isaiah 53:6 says, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us
has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”
Every individual is precious in His sight. Other religions are of man seeking their idea of
God, but Jesus makes it clear: sheep cannot find their way without guidance. Jesus is the
Good Shepherd who finds us and gives the guidance we need.
The Lost Silver was not lost out in the elements, but lost in a house. This seems to
represent a saved soul but a life that is lost. In this representation; the life is good for
nothing, and then is unfit to be used. When money is misplaced it is not only the price
that is lost, but all the good that money might do is lost. This person may come to
church, but they seem almost invisible because they don’t do anything. They need to
realize that we are not saved to sit back and soak up the preaching, but to serve and be
useful. Remember, going to church doesn’t make you saved anymore than going to or
living close to Fort Knox makes you rich!
The Lost Son represents a backslider. They are saved, but have gotten away from God.
They haven’t lost their relationship with the Father, but they definitely aren’t in
fellowship with Him. The father of the prodigal seeks the Lost Son to restore fellowship
with him. He doesn’t go out to search. He waits and longs for his son to come back
home. The son was aware that he was lost and decided to go back home. This is how
God, the Father calls on us backsliders to return to Him. He promises healing and
restoration. Notice that the father of the prodigal son met him on the road home and
hugged him. Luke 15:20 he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
The Father thought it.
The Son brought it.
The Holy Spirit wrought it.
Glory to God I’ve got it!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Children Learn What They Live
If a child lives with criticism,
He learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility,
He learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule,
He learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame,
He learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance,
He learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement,
He learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise,
He learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness,
He learns justice.
If a child lives with security,
He learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval,
He learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship,
He learns to find love in the world.
Dorothy Law Nolte
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Who we are today is a direct result of our past. We all have scars and wounds from the
words and actions of others and from our own failures and mistakes. But for the Christ-
follower this is not the end of our story.
As the Spirit of God uses the Word of God to remake us into new creations, these scars
from our past become stepping stones to spiritual maturity. Embrace these top ten
principles from God's word and allow Him to rebuild your battered self-esteem:
10 - I am created
For we are God’s handiwork... Ephesians 2:10
9 - I am chosen
For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you...1 Timothy 1:4
8 - I am protected
Protect me as you would the pupil of your eye. Psalm 17:8 (NLT)
7 - I am complete
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge
of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness... 2 Peter 1:3
6 - I am victorious
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans
8:37
5 - I am called
[God] He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have
done but because of his own purpose and grace...2 Timothy 1:9
4 - I am forgiven
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1
3 - I am free
Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. John 8:32
2 - I am loved
I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.
Jeremiah 31:3
1 - I am accepted!
The lost sheep is a lost soul…but the lost can be found!
The lost silver is a lost servant…but the lost can be found!
The lost son has lost all his senses, but can come to himself, and come back…and the lost
can be found!
Lost & Found
No, I’m not talking about if you happened to have lost a ring and it is found by a stranger
and you get it back. Well; maybe I am. It came to me that a person needs to be
cognizant (aware) of the fact that something, someone, or maybe themselves is lost in
order to be found. If you do not know that something or someone is lost; it wouldn’t
make sense to go looking for it, now would it? Someone might ask, “What are you
looking for?” Then, what will your answer be? Good question... Okay, now for some
serious talk! Why did God send His Son into the world? “For the Son of Man came to
seek and to save the lost” Luke 19:10.
The Lost Sheep represents those who are out in the world, and are not saved.
Unfortunately, they are not part of the ‘count.’ The ‘count’ is of those who have been
found. Those not in the ‘count’ are in danger, exposed, and helpless. Don’t forget to “Be
alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion
looking for someone to devour” I Peter 5:8. This proves that God’s love is a protecting
and seeking love. Isaiah 53:6 says, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us
has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”
Every individual is precious in His sight. Other religions are of man seeking their idea of
God, but Jesus makes it clear: sheep cannot find their way without guidance. Jesus is the
Good Shepherd who finds us and gives the guidance we need.
The Lost Silver was not lost out in the elements, but lost in a house. This seems to
represent a saved soul but a life that is lost. In this representation; the life is good for
nothing, and then is unfit to be used. When money is misplaced it is not only the price
that is lost, but all the good that money might do is lost. This person may come to
church, but they seem almost invisible because they don’t do anything. They need to
realize that we are not saved to sit back and soak up the preaching, but to serve and be
useful. Remember, going to church doesn’t make you saved anymore than going to or
living close to Fort Knox makes you rich!
The Lost Son represents a backslider. They are saved, but have gotten away from God.
They haven’t lost their relationship with the Father, but they definitely aren’t in
fellowship with Him. The father of the prodigal seeks the Lost Son to restore fellowship
with him. He doesn’t go out to search. He waits and longs for his son to come back
home. The son was aware that he was lost and decided to go back home. This is how
God, the Father calls on us backsliders to return to Him. He promises healing and
restoration. Notice that the father of the prodigal son met him on the road home and
hugged him. Luke 15:20 he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
The Father thought it.
The Son brought it.
The Holy Spirit wrought it.
Glory to God I’ve got it!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Children Learn What They Live
If a child lives with criticism,
He learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility,
He learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule,
He learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame,
He learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance,
He learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement,
He learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise,
He learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness,
He learns justice.
If a child lives with security,
He learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval,
He learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship,
He learns to find love in the world.
Dorothy Law Nolte
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Who we are today is a direct result of our past. We all have scars and wounds from the
words and actions of others and from our own failures and mistakes. But for the Christ-
follower this is not the end of our story.
As the Spirit of God uses the Word of God to remake us into new creations, these scars
from our past become stepping stones to spiritual maturity. Embrace these top ten
principles from God's word and allow Him to rebuild your battered self-esteem:
10 - I am created
For we are God’s handiwork... Ephesians 2:10
9 - I am chosen
For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you...1 Timothy 1:4
8 - I am protected
Protect me as you would the pupil of your eye. Psalm 17:8 (NLT)
7 - I am complete
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge
of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness... 2 Peter 1:3
6 - I am victorious
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans
8:37
5 - I am called
[God] He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have
done but because of his own purpose and grace...2 Timothy 1:9
4 - I am forgiven
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1
3 - I am free
Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. John 8:32
2 - I am loved
I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.
Jeremiah 31:3
1 - I am accepted!