THE QUESTION: Is God sympathetic to those who are lost?
WE BELIEVE: God wants sinful humans to come back to Him.

A STORY: Years ago, in the deserts of Arabia, there was a guide who never lost his way. His secret was that he carried a homing pigeon to whose leg he had attached a very fine cord. When in doubt as to the path he should follow, he tossed the bird into the air. The pigeon quickly strained in the direction of home and thereby showed the guide his way. Because of this unique practice he was known as "the dove man." So, too, the Holy Spirit, through the Bible, is willing and able to direct us in the path that leads to Jesus, His Father and eternal life.

ANSWER THIS: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .How do you decide whether you are on the right path?



GOD SPEAKS: Every religion of the world recognizes that there is a god. Most religions believe that their god is angry with sinners. Every belief, except that of Christianity, says that if a condemned sinner wishes to get back to god, he will have to work very hard. These religions leave us unsure that we have ever done enough.
Just like the Arabian guide in our story who became geographically lost, Christianity tells us that humankind is spiritually lost. In the last section of our lesson we heard how Jesus gave His life to buy us back. Even though Jesus has given us a great gift, the devil still uses our sins to keep us from God. (1 Corinthians 2:14) Seeing our helplessness, God sends His Holy Spirit, to lead us to His heavenly path. Like the dove in our story showed the guide the way home, in a similar manner:
The Holy Spirit points people to faith in the Savior, Jesus. (2 Thessalonians 2:14)
The Holy Spirit enables a person to recognize Jesus as Savior. (1 Corinthians 12:3)
The Holy Spirit gives us the gift of faith to trust our caring God. This gift comes to us undeserved, and not because of anything we can do. (Ephesians 2:8,9)
The Holy Spirit gives us hope, and peace, for the living of each day. (Romans. 15:13)
The Holy Spirit keeps us in faith so that we may always belong to God. (Isaiah 43:1)

What we are saying may be new. It possibly is different than that which you have been taught throughout your life. You may be confused about having faith in Jesus. That is not unusual. Christians know that if you ask the Lord for help, He will give it. God's help is there as He calls you from confusion to faith in Jesus as Savior.
It is possible that you may feel you are being pulled a number of different ways. That is not surprising either. The Arabian guide in our story had questions when he sent his homing pigeon into the air. The pigeon might point one way, while his own sense of direction said, "Go this way." When logic no longer worked, the guide needed to have put aside his wisdom and have trust. Our Savior is pointing the way for you. He is saying, through the Bible, "I will give you the power to come to My path and you will not be lost." The journey we are taking, like the guide in the above story, is to go back home. Our home though is with our Creator and Savior who loves us.

How is our life like a journey where we need a guide?



Be sure, the Lord wants you to be safe and secure on your journey. With faith, continue with your lesson.