Lost and Found ~ Never to be Lost Again!

“No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand” John 10:28-29.

Have you ever lost something valuable? Something irreplaceable? And search as you will, you cannot find it?

Well, that has happened to me; I lost my wedding ring and search as much as I can, I cannot find it.

You see, I pulled my work gloves off and pitched them aside. A few minutes later, I noticed that my wedding band was missing. Apparently it slipped off my finger when I jerked my gloves off. Of course, I immediately started looking, searching and combing through grass and gravel, places when I thought it could have dropped. I searched and looked for hours. Others joined the search, but all to no avail. Next move, bring in a metal detector.

It came to mind while searching that even as valuable as that ring is, there is something in my possession that is more valuable and that is, my eternal soul (“For what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:26).

There was a time when I was lost. But Jesus in His compassion sought for me and by His loving grace He found me and saved me and by His power He will keep me, never to lose me again.

My desperate hope is that I will find my ring. And if I do, I will treasure it and hope never to lose it again. But, there is no guarantee, that once found, it will never be lost again.

But not so with my eternal soul. For once found by the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, I shall never be lost again. I have the guarantee and promise of His word and the keeping power of my strong omnipotent Father–“And I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand” John 10:28-29.

Author: Mel Hooten

Pastor Mel Hooten has 45 years’ experience in Christian ministry. Since retiring from serving as a traditional church pastor in 2008, God has led him back to his roots to carry the gospel of Jesus Christ into the world of ranchers, rodeo riders, cowboys and cowgirls who often do not feel comfortable in traditional church. Folks who love western heritage, county music, working with livestock, or cowboys at heart who prefer a simple down-to-earth approach to life; these are those to whom Mel seeks out. Pastor Mel has served as a church planter for the Western Heritage division of Texas Baptists to start the Cowboy Church of Tarrant County near Fort Worth, Texas. Currently Mel wants to continue to bring good news to those who seek the truth and make available his Bible messages, devotionals, and lessons for those who preach and teach. Mel brings a simple gospel message with a western flair. In addition, God uses him to teach practical ways to ride the range with Jesus every day. The trails of life will bring us to rivers that must be crossed and steep hills we can’t climb alone. With Jesus, we can weather the storms and ride through the valleys. He will give guidance and provisions when we get bucked off. Indeed, there is a trail that leads home. Mel’s mission is to help every person he encounters to find it. Mel and his wife, Karen, currently live in Aubrey, Texas. They like to travel in their RV and enjoy the great outdoors with their grandchildren. They are available for ministry wherever God leads them.