A Time For Beauty

We all face different situations and experiences while on our life’s journey.  Sometimes, we pray intensely that our difficulties will go away but God does not remove them. Some difficulties cannot be prayed away.

Sometimes God give us a promise. Then a long time passes and the promise is not fulfilled. In our impatience, we rush ahead and try to help God fulfill His promise.  Sometimes we must wait in order for things to work the way God has intended, 

God has not revealed to us every detail of what our tomorrows will be like.   You can be assured that He will create something beautiful out of the brokenness of our lives.  God can make things beautiful when appropriate to do so. He has eternity to work with.

For She Loved Much

Luke 7:45-47

⁴⁵ You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. ⁴⁶ You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. ⁴⁷ Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”

 

In these verses we are introduced to a broken, sinful woman who shows us how to love GOD. 

 

It’s a broken, sinful woman — not an educated, upstanding religious man — who shows us how to love God.

 

The scene opened when a Pharisee invited Jesus to dinner. Luke used the dinner setting to introduce the sinful woman who broke a few social taboos. First, the woman dared to arrive at a dinner gathering of males. The ancient world was based on a gender-segregated, male-dominated society. No proper woman would cross this boundary. This woman did.

 

The woman is a sinner but not necessarily a prostitute, who hers that Jesus is at the Pharisee's house and comes seeking forgiveness.  She cries and her tears wet Jesus' feet, which she dries with her hair!  Jesus sees her heartfelt repentance and forgives her sins.   

 

The point was clear. Jesus compared the woman’s sincerity with the host’s shallow (or non-existent) show. In doing so, he rejected the Pharisees’ fellowship and accepted that of the woman. She would be allowed into the Kingdom, because her sins were forgiven. Why? Because she demonstrated the type of love that was the hallmark of the Kingdom. She willingly washed the feet of the Master to show she was his servant. She kissed them as a sign of her fellowship with him. She anointed them as a preparation for his death and resurrection. Such actions would cause scandal, but they would show her faith and her salvation.

 

It is difficult for us to understand a GOD who forgives without merit, who loves us regardless of our sins, who keeps calling us home to the fullness of life that only GOD can give.  Take the chance to risk great love, instead of standing aloof in judgment so that you may know the great love to which you are invited.  . 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foolish Moments Of Contending With GOD

Dear Lord, forgive me please for daring to contend with you. You are God, I am not. You are the Boss, I am your servant. You call the shots, I humbly desire to obey. Please create in me a pure heart, one that is pleasing to you. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Solomon wisely reminds us that the irreverent contending with God is a foolish and dangerous endeavor, one that brings about no blessings or victories. 

Yet why is it that we as humans continue to question and contend with GOD?  He is infinite in His being and perfection, while we are finite and imperfect.  Yet if the truth be told we have all had our foolish moments when we dare to contend with GOD.  

We contend that GOD has ignored our prayers for healing and the righting of perceived wrongs in our lives.  Perhaps we feel that GOD doesn't care  because he has not answered our appeals to HIS goodness. 

We tell ourselves that GOD hasn't come through for us before so why should he now?  We wonder why allow things to happen if he cares so much us.  However, if you examine your circumstances in faith, you will see that GOD is working for your good despite how things appear.  

God doesn't owe you anything but he's gracefully given a sinful world EVERYTHING in Jesus.  In those moments that you are struggling tell GOD that you know He is always right and asking Him to show you his will.  Assure Him that you will do whatever He wants you to do, and will endure any suffering with His grace and power.  Then, GOD can bless your life abundantly.  

Marker Moments

Psalm 89:1  I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.

Singing praises to God can do God’s work when other avenues have failed.  Music is a precious gift from God, planted in the depths of our souls, then set free from our lips to reach God in Heaven, to bring glory to His Name.

Think about the importance of music in your own life? Music softens our hearts and allows God to speak to us. We receive solace, encouragement, and renewed strength rom the truths of God set to music.

When was the last time you sang "to the LORD" in unashamedly corporate worship? Did you worry about what the person next to you, or in front of you, or behind you in church thought of you worship?  Go ahead and sing. Go ahead and cry. There’s nothing wrong with that.

Even if we don’t have a pretty voice, we need to be a people who love to sing… because we have a reason to sing.

 

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for Your priceless gift of salvation to me.  Thank You for patiently waiting for me to accept this gift.  The price You paid is more than this world could ever equal.  I thank You for opening my heart to Your goodness, Your kindness and the love You have for me.  Help me to help others see the priceless gift You hold out in Your Precious Hands.  When I doubt, help me to be strong, when I am scared and worried, send me Your Holy Spirit to lift me up.  When I am weak, restore to me vigilance in the uncertain times of this life.  I will hold on and never turn away from Your goodness for I know You will carry me through to victory one day. I pray this through Your name, Jesus Christ