Returned

The thieves (see Theft) are in jail. The latest update was in our weekly newspaper (updated very quickly online): “Since Dec. 13, nine churches in Wise County and three more in Parker County have been burglarized.” Four men, named but ages not given, were apprehended at a church burglary in progress and arrested. One locally, the three others from Fort Worth, are facing charges that – as I said before – will change their lives forever.

We’ve heard that the suspects confessed and named the pawnshops that received their stolen good. There is a chance that the church will regain the sound system laptop, and get back the empty lock box. We could then rejoice as did the woman with silver:

And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. (Luke 15:9 KJV)

Of greater concern are the four men who sit in a county jail. We prayed that they would be caught, but we also prayed that they would be found, and would find the savior they need. We want them to come to know:

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10 KJV)

We want them to realize that all men have sinned and come short, they are not alone. They are to the Lord as the prodigal whose father rejoiced at his return:

For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. (Luke 15:24 KJV)

When these men do come to understand that Christ died for them, too, and they have faith to accept the grace of God in His gift of salvation, angels will rejoice:

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. (Luke 15:7 KJV)

Will we? Or will we be as the older brother – the son who stayed home, followed instructions, lived within his father’s plans – who was not forgiving.

And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. (Luke 15:28 KJV)

Moreover, will we go to these men and witness to them? That doesn’t mean we should set aside society’s requirement for legal retribution, but it does mean that we should forgive and aid in their understanding of God’s plan.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9 KJV)

So, we pray that these four men should come to repentance so they might not perish. Please join us in this prayer.