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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 15:3'4 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: FAAD group members (Fight Against Anxiety & Depression) today is"Feel Good Friday!". This event is about lifting up each other up! We all have times when we are weak, but together, we can get through it! We invite you to share anything that may have prompted a good feeling in your heart today. Even if you're having a bad day, perhaps look to encouraging scriptures, prayers or thoughts, and testimonies of God's work. Whether you are suffering from anxiety or depression or just want to help, all are welcome to join!: FAAD Group:

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