01-11
Luke 15:4–5 & Matthew 5:16 (NIV)
"Praying for the Lost"
A word from The General
There are people in my life whom I love dearly.
Some are family. Some are neighbors. Some have been lifelong friends.
The Major and I are blessed to have people in our lives whom we don't simply call friends—we call them family.
They are kind, generous, and caring people. If you needed help, they would likely be among the first to lend a hand.
Yet there are times when I quietly wonder whether they truly know Jesus.
That thought weighs heavily on my heart.
Some believe that living a good life is enough. Others have little interest in talking about faith. A few simply do not want to hear about Jesus at all.
That can be very difficult when you love them.
I have prayed for them. I have looked for opportunities to speak about Jesus. Sometimes those conversations are welcomed. Sometimes they are not.
Jesus once told His disciples that if a town rejected the message they carried, they were to shake the dust from their feet and move on. I understand why He said that. The Gospel must continue to be shared.
But it is much harder to "move on" when the people are not strangers.
They are your family.
Your neighbors.
Your lifelong friends.
Over the years, I have come to realize that I cannot change another person's heart.
Only God can do that.
What I can do is pray for them, love them, look for opportunities to share the hope I have
found in Jesus, and strive to live a life that reflects Him.
Perhaps my life will be the first glimpse of Jesus they ever truly see.
So, I continue to plant the seed.
And I trust God for the harvest.
-The General
-In God We Trust-
Scripture
"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home."
- Luke 15:4–5 (NIV)
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
- Matthew 5:16 (NIV)
Background – Historical Setting
Jesus often taught using parables because they allowed people to see spiritual truths through everyday life. In Luke 15, He was speaking to a mixed audience. Tax collectors and sinners had gathered to hear Him, while the Pharisees and teachers of the law criticized Him for welcoming those they considered unworthy.
Rather than arguing with His critics, Jesus told three parables: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. Each one reveals the heart of God toward those who are spiritually lost.
The shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to search for the one that has wandered away. This does not mean the ninety-nine are forgotten. Instead, it demonstrates the immeasurable value God places on every individual.
Jesus also taught His followers:
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
- Matthew 5:16 (NIV)
Later, during His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus explained that the lives of His followers should reflect God's character. Their kindness, integrity, compassion, forgiveness, and love were never meant to draw attention to themselves. They were meant to point people toward their Father in heaven.
Together, these two passages paint a beautiful picture. Jesus lovingly seeks those who are lost, and He invites His followers to become lights that help point others toward Him.
Meaning
If you've read this far, someone has probably already come to mind.
Perhaps it is your husband or wife.
Maybe it is a son or daughter, a parent, a lifelong friend, or a neighbor.
Whoever that person may be, you know the burden. You love them deeply, and your greatest desire is that they come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior.
The wonderful news is that Jesus loves them even more than you do.
Long before you ever prayed for them, He knew them.
Long before you ever shared your faith with them, He gave His life for them.
Their salvation has always mattered to Him.
As believers, we cannot change another person's heart. That is the work of the Holy Spirit.
What we can do is faithfully reflect Christ through the way we live. A life marked by kindness, humility, forgiveness, integrity, and genuine love often speaks before a single word is ever spoken.
Our light does not save anyone.
It simply points people to the One who does.
Encouragement for Today
Perhaps today you are carrying someone on your heart.
You have prayed for them for years.
You have wondered if anything is changing.
You may even have questioned whether your prayers are making any difference.
Do not lose heart.
God often works in ways we cannot see.
A seed planted in love may remain beneath the surface for a long time before God brings it
to life.
Continue praying.
Continue loving.
Continue living a life that reflects Jesus Christ.
When God opens the door, be ready to speak with gentleness, humility, and truth.
When the door seems to remain closed, trust that the Good Shepherd is still seeking the
one you love.
Never underestimate what God can do with a single faithful life lived for His glory.
Keep shining the light of Christ.
Keep planting the seed.
And trust God for the harvest.
Be encouraged today.
-In God We Trust-
More to Come
