I Failed As A Watchman

by Chuck Ness

An acquaintance whom I worked with on a few jobs around the valley died from COVID complications this past week. He had respiratory problems already, and he was in his late 60s. My heart is broken, because I was a bad watchman. He knew I am a Christian, but I never pushed the issue of his faith to know where he was.

True, only God knows our hearts, and until we get to heaven none of us truly know where another persons heart is. Yet, I never heard him speak of Jesus, and he never joined in a conversation whenever I would bring up my faith or beliefs.

On his fb page he has never mentioned the name of a Jesus, nor even eluded to his faith in any way. I do know he spent much free time fishing and traveling places to fish, and he enjoyed drinking socially but was not one to over indulge.

Lost Now Found

“I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10

by Chuck Ness

Have you ever lost something so precious and valuable that you searched day after day for it. You looked in every conceivable place you possibly could think of just to find that precious item.

After a Month or even a year later, you find yourself still searching for that precious item that is lost.

Well, consider the Lord, he is searching for the lost. Like the shepherd who leaves his flock to find that one lost sheep. Then when HE finds it, He is like the man who's son returned after living a life of sin in a foreign land. He threw a party for His whole household, because that which was lost was found. All of heaven parties the day Christ finds a lost soul.

Smoldering Ruins Of Your Past

(Ruins Of Paradise California After devestating Fire)

by Chuck Ness

Knowledge puffs us up, but love edifies. Some, like myself have at times, come off like we are so puffed up with our knowledge of HIS word that we become arrogant towards the lost. To the lost, we become nothing more than a clanging bell that drives the lost farther from Christ, not nearer to THEE.

Sometimes I get so angry that I lose track of the mission I have been baptized to do. Lately, my heart has become so withered with hurt and anger towards those who wish me and mine harm, that I have nothing but hate packed in my arsenal for battle.