The Lost Sheep
Posted by Dion Todd June 23rd, 2024 1,369 Views 25 Comments
He told them this parable: "Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep and lost one of them, wouldn't leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that was lost, until he found it? When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing. When he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance. Luke 15:3β4 WEB.
I was a working musician when I first got serious about knowing the Lord Jesus Christ. I could be found playing music somewhere nearly every night. We played gigs everywhere, including festivals, weddings, rodeos, parties, bars, races, and monster truck rallies. I filled in for other bass players when they couldn't make a show with their group, and I played bass guitar in the praise team at church. I was playing a lot of music.
I had enrolled in bible college, and playing music helped me pay for it. But my southern religious side was ashamed to be seen in some places we played, like bars. So I prayed about leaving music but always felt: "No" or "Not yet."
I was conflicted about it and wasn't sure I had heard Him right. So I wrote, "Should I leave the band?" on a small piece of paper and went to my pastor. I had him pray over it without opening it. He liked these kinds of questions because they did not complicate things. He prayed over the paper and told me, "No. Not yet." So I reluctantly stayed where I was, though I didn't understand why.
One night while performing in a bar at around 2 A.M, I suddenly felt the unmistakable presence of the Holy Spirit descend on me like a warm blanket. I remember asking Him (the Holy Spirit), "What are You doing here?" because I was astonished by His tangible presence showing up in the smoky nightclub.
Suddenly scriptures started coming to my mind, and the guitar player across the stage caught my attention. It was as if a light shined on him, and I knew those scriptures were meant for him. But I had learned not to pursue people with scripture unless the Lord directed me to because you can push them farther away. So I told the Lord, "Break time is coming up, and I am going out to sit in my car. If you want me to read these scriptures to him, then send him out to me."
When the band went on break and everyone headed to the bar for a drink, I headed out to my car. I opened my Bible to the scripture that had come to me and sat there reading it. Soon there was a tap on the window, it was the guitar player. He knew I was attending seminary and began asking me questions about God. I was already on the right page in my Bible, so I began sharing the scripture the Holy Spirit had given me.
This man came under such conviction that he started trembling all over. He was still shaking and in tears when I saw him Wednesday night at practice. He said he had been unable to stop shaking since Saturday night. Then he said, "I want what you have!" So we knelt together by the drumset, and I led him through a simple prayer of repentance. He came back up with the biggest smile that I had ever seen on his face. My friend wouldn't come to church, so God went after him where he was. Soon after this, the Lord released me from the band.
I learned that sometimes we are so religious that God can't even use us. God had snuck me into the band to reach those in it, while I was more concerned that it was against His will for me even to be there. Since then, there have been quite a few times in my life when God has placed me in the center of a group of lost sheep and then changed the people around me. We are His hands and feet on this earth, and all He needs is a willing soul.
God will use you wherever you are if there is a lost sheep nearby. Where is God today? He is looking for the lost sheep. What is vital to God today? Finding the lost sheep. You may be where you are because He chose you to reach someone there. After all, it is not all about us. And if you are a lost sheep, He is looking for you.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help me see those who need You through Your eyes. Fill me with Your wisdom, speak to me, and through me. Please help me be in the right place at the right time. Help me bring in the lost. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Note: Happy Sunday! For those who would like to join us, today we will be hosting our RHM Live Online church service. This is a special time of worship, prayer, fellowship and an inspiring message. All are welcome! The service starts at 10am EDT. Here is the link to join: RHM Live
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Cherrie Kerwell commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Lost Sheep
2 months ago
I have been dealing with someone close to me who is very lost. I have been trying to give up as a result. I have prayed asking why I have to endure so much illness, recent loss of independence due to things other than my illnesses, loss of a secure/safe home, and my marriage slipping away. I have been focused on me, why me for so long I couldnβt see that the person close to me needs saving. This is my answer and I feel at peace with it. Thank you!! God bless you!!
Sherry Mccosh commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Lost Sheep
2 months ago
Heavenly Father, please help me see those who need You through Your eyes. Fill me with Your wisdom, speak to me, and through me. Please help me be in the right place at the right time. Help me bring in the lost. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Liesel aka lisa Wardle commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Lost Sheep
2 months ago
Amen and Amen!!! Your will be done, Lord, Amen π
Mari Kaufmann commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Lost Sheep
2 months ago
God please help me God my heart is so sad my soul is so down. Iβm trying to bolster my Grandson Chris meanwhile Iβm so hurt.
Shara Abel commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Lost Sheep
2 months ago
Thank you for following the Lord's lead!
Sylvia Todd commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Lost Sheep
2 months ago
Good morning, everyone, thank you all for being part of our church family π!
Dan Remley commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Lost Sheep
2 months ago
Lord give me the knowledge and wisdom to help others that are down on their luck. Help me see these opportunities through your eyes Father'. In Jesus name I pray Amen β€οΈ
Lynn Brown commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Lost Sheep
2 months ago
Heavenly Father, please help me see those who need You through Your eyes. Fill me with Your wisdom, speak to me, and through me. Please help me be in the right place at the right time. Help me bring in the lost. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Celeste Strenn commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Lost Sheep
2 months ago
Amen dear Lord Jesus please help me help the lostβ£οΈ
David Krull commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Lost Sheep
2 months ago
Amen. Yes Lordβ¦speak to me and through me. Help me be a light unto Your Living Word to those I encounter. Here I am. In Jesus Name.
Debi Burton commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Lost Sheep
2 months ago
Heavenly Father, please help me see those who need You through Your eyes. Fill me with Your wisdom, speak to me, and through me. Please help me be in the right place at the right time. Help me bring in the lost. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen! β€οΈπ€π»
Yvette York commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Lost Sheep
2 months ago
AMEN Good Morning Everyone Have A Bless Sunday π
Wanda Pennington commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Lost Sheep
2 months ago
Heavenly Father, please help me see those who need You through Your eyes. Fill me with Your wisdom, speak to me, and through me. Please help me be in the right place at the right time. Help me bring in the lost. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Deborah Blackshear commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Lost Sheep
2 months ago
Lord I am available to You.
Kim Gordon commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Lost Sheep
2 months ago
Thank you for the message today. I usually do not comment but today's message sung a little bit to me. God bless you!
Harry Adams commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Lost Sheep
2 months ago
Praise God and good morning, I struggle everyday also I pray everyday not for really things but for knowledge wisdom and understanding so I can understand the higher power desire for my understanding so I could be at peace and those around me could be at peace so I can leave by example and leave the right thing not the wrong thing but also not be a hypocrite as well so that's what I work on God bless you and have a good day peace
Liesel aka lisa Wardle
2 months ago
Dear Cherrie, joining in prayer lifting up that special someone and asking the Lord most high to touch and draw this person by the power of the Hl. Spirit to the saving truth, and I'm asking the Lord for you to give you strength, to send you comfort and meet all of your needs according to His goodness, in the name of Jesus, AMENππ€
Dion Todd
2 months ago
I pray the Lord draws their heart to Him and sends the Comforter to you ππ
Dan Remley
2 months ago
I pray the Lord brings your friend peace,and comfort
Sylvia Todd
2 months ago
Praying for you and your friend, Cherrie ππ!