What does it mean to be found? Well, it depends on what you are looking for. If each of us are honest, we look for a lot of things in this world. We all look for love, reassurance, security, financial stability, and so much more. The reality of finding these things is that they can all be lost in a matter of seconds. The only thing worth more than this life has to offer is to be found by Jesus.

     To be found faithful is a characteristic of a true disciple. Paul uses faithfulness as one of the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. You and I should be found faithful as we live according to the word of God.

     To be found obedient is a lifestyle and not an act performed on Sunday mornings. James 1:22-26 reminds us, “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.”

     The shouting part of this thought is to be found in Jesus. For the believer, this is the prize! No fame, no money, no titles, and nothing that this world has to offer can be more valuable than being found in Jesus. Paul so eloquently described what it means to be found in Jesus in Philippians 3:8-14. He said, “Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

     Yes, to be found is an encouragement and a reminder to each of us that we are greatly loved and valued by Christ. Let’s be thankful that we were once lost and in darkness, but now we have been found by the only one who could redeem us, and that man is Jesus!!!!!

For the Non-Believer:

1. How can I be found by Jesus? Acknowledge that you are a sinner, believe in your heart that Jesus is the Son of God and that He was sent to Earth to die for your sins, and then confess your sins to Him.
2. What is next? Pray that the Holy Spirit will lead you to people and a church family that will help you on your Christian journey.

“To Be Found…” Praise Report:

Thank you, Lord, that when I was lost and dead in my sins you found me. When I needed a savior, you searched me out. When I was broken and without hope, you healed me. When I was in danger, you rescued me. Lord, thank you! Give me wisdom and strength to live a life that is pleasing and honoring to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.