CIAM Radio

Our daughter is all grown up now, but she'll never forget that very scary moment when she was four years old. My wife was shopping in a supermarket with our son riding in the grocery cart and our daughter walking with her - well, actually running ahead of her. Karen had warned her to stay in the same aisle she was in, but we're talking a firstborn here - so she had to run ahead to other aisles to explore, of course. Until suddenly she noticed how high those shelves were and how long those aisles were, and the fact that she didn't see anything familiar. And suddenly she felt that awful feeling that she still describes today as "scary" - she was lost. Not too long ago, she told me how it felt. As a grown woman, she said, "Suddenly my security wasn't there." Thankfully, her mother came looking for her. Our daughter got lost, but someone who loved her found her.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft, and I want to have A Word With You today about "I Once Was Lost...."

Lost isn't just a feeling that little kids know. No, a lot of us who are all grown up know it all too well. The dictionary says that "lost" means "bewildered as to direction; missed the way." You ever felt that way? Now, maybe? It could be that, like our daughter said, suddenly your security isn't there. There's been a breakup, a divorce, changes at work or in your family, a painful loss, a financial setback, some major change.

Interestingly enough, our Creator describes us as lost. We're bewildered about the meaning, the direction of our life because we've, Well, like the dictionary says, "missed the way." You and I have missed what we were made for - a life run by God - and we've wandered off into a life run by us. Like our daughter separated from her mom, you suddenly realize the person you need most isn't there - the God who made you.

You're away from your Father, your Heavenly Father. And, again, like a lost child, there's no way you can find your way back to Him. Your only hope is that He's come looking for you and that's what Jesus is all about. He's God come looking for you. In our word for today from the Word of God - Luke 19:10 - Jesus says, "The Son of Man (that's Him) came to seek and to save what was lost." Jesus literally gave His life to bring you home; He absorbed your death penalty for all your sin when He died on the cross.

And now He's coming seeking you to save you - right now through this visit He may be doing that. It's really Jesus, who knows your need, coming where you are, through this program, to bring you home. Here's a letter that I received from a man who experienced that. He tells about commuting to work one winter morning.

He says, "This hour and one half ride is really getting to be a drag - too much time to think. Thinking about one divorce and a second marriage, never enough money, can't afford a new car and this one may not even make it home." Then again, what if he doesn't make it home? Is this what life is about? Drive-work-sleep, then drink myself into oblivion to numb the monotony? He is painfully aware of a growing emptiness - something's missing - actually everything is missing!

He tells how he started surfing the radio and he landed on this program and he says, "You directed me to the One who would give my life meaning. Without that, it was quite possible I would not be here now." See, Jesus found this man through a radio. And this man finally found everything he'd been missing.

For someone listening right now, that's what Jesus wants to do for you this very day, this very hour.

Would you open up to this man who gave His life for you? You can trust Him with the rest of your days. Would you say, "Jesus, You died for me. You love me. You're alive! You walked out of Your grave. Come into my life. I'm yours." Our website will tell you how to be sure you've begun that relationship. You can go

Before he was martyred for his steadfast faith in Jesus, an African minister whose name has not been preserved penned “A Martyr’s Prayer.” This profound message from another era has become known as “The Fellowship of the Unashamed.”

This pastor’s words present a challenge to all believers in Jesus—a challenge that echoes the words of the apostle Paul, who wrote in his letter to his young friend Timothy: “Do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord” (2 Timothy 1:8) because the Holy Spirit gives us “power, love and self-discipline” (v. 7).

Here, in part, is what that faithful African pastor wrote: “I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of [Jesus] and I won’t back up, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. . . . I live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by the Holy Spirit’s power.”

Both Timothy and that pastor faced difficulties we may never experience, but their words challenge us to stand strong when our faith is tested. We can remain unashamed because God “is able to guard what [we] have entrusted to him” (v. 12)—our lives and our future.

On the next Faith & Finance Live, Rob West explains that while it can be tempting to think that financial independence is the ultimate goal of life—what is said in the Bible? The answer might surprise you because God’s Word points us toward a far better kind of freedom. We’ll take a deep dive into this topic. Then, it’s on to your calls. That’s Faith & Finance Live—biblical wisdom for your financial journey. That’s weekdays at 4pm Eastern/3pm Central on Moody Radio.

Faith & Finance Live is a listener supported program on Moody Radio.  To join our team of supporters, click here.

To support the ministry of FaithFi, click here.

To learn more about Rob West, click here.

To learn more about Faith & Finance Live, click here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Segment 1

• Todd reflects on God’s kindness in creation, quoting C.S. Lewis on earthly pleasures pointing to greater ones to come.

• Ken Ham is a crook? Todd has thoughts.

• Cornerstone Conference was a major success—filled with encouragement and fellowship.

Segment 2

• Todd and Jimmy compare their conference weekends—Cornerstone and White Harvest.

• Scott Klusendorf praised as the best pro-life apologist; Greg Koukl to guest soon.

• Darrell Harrison warns against theology that never gets applied; Phil Johnson’s return was a blessing.

Segment 3

• Parents who feel “ghosted” by their kids are not alone—this is a growing societal trend.

• The local church is essential—only place to fully practice the “one anothers.”

• Parents can’t play Holy Spirit for their kids—must trust God and His means.

Segment 4

• The danger of cell phones in shaping kids’ views of life and marriage.

• OnlyFans reflects a broken sexual culture; many young men still long for marriage.

• Practical counsel: start acting like a husband/father now, and look for a biblically grounded wife.

___

Thanks for listening!

Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners.

If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/

If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn’t be more thankful for you if we tried!

Lori Gimelshteyn is the Executive Director of the Colorado Parent Advocacy Network (CPAN). She is dedicated to to protecting parental rights in schools and demonstrates how to build bridges with school officials, schoolboards and media while representing Christian values in public education to protect children from harmful ideology.

Get a copy of Navigating Public Schools: Charting a Course to Protect Your Child's Christian Faith for a gift of any amount.

Buy your copy of Jim Daly’s book, ReFOCUS! He shares how believers can engage others in the culture with the love of Christ and reveal the heart of God.

Our goal is to strengthen our schools — not divide them. This information, combined with a biblical worldview, empowers parents and students to navigate the school year with grace and truth. Your role is crucial, Mom and Dad!

Colorado Parents Advocacy Network - Resources for parents everywhere to adapt and use in advocating for your children

Watch this inspiring documentary from Focus on the Family and the Colson Center and participate in the 4-part study on impacting the culture

Opt-Out Template for Parents

Support this Show!

Send Jim a voicemail! Click here.

Send your feedback or questions to Jim in the Contact Form.

Dr. Greg Smalley and Erin Smalley discuss various aspects of marriage preparation, adjustment, and conflict resolution with four young married employees of Focus on the Family. They share their insights and experiences about preparing for marriage, dealing with marital changes, finances, and communication styles. Whether you've been married for a long time or a short while, there's useful advice on understanding conflict as an opportunity for growth, maintaining individual emotional health, and continuing to learn about each other in a relationship.

Ready To Wed

Call our Counseling Line at 1-800-A-FAMILY

Take The Free Marriage Assessment!

Support this Show!

ENGAGE WITH US

If you enjoyed listening to the Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage podcast with Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley, please give us your feedback.

We make choices everyday - from the mundane to the life changing. In every decision, we need wisdom. As Dr. John speaks from Proverbs 6, he explains how practical wisdom can guide the choices we make about our debts, work habits, friendships, and especially our moral walk. Life is not a "flip of the coin." We can choose pathways of blessing by the wisdom God gives.

Wisdom Matters: Is it better to be wealthy, good looking, successful, popular or wise? If any Christian isn't sure of the answer, then Proverbs has something to say! In this 10-message series, Dr. John will point us to wisdom that shapes our living. Proverbs doesn't guarantee us wealth or popularity, but it does promise the blessings of God.