LENT—DAY 2
SCRIPTURE
1 John 1:3-10 (NRSV)
The apostolic message of forgiveness
We declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
DEVOTION
In today’s scripture reading the author has some very pointed words for followers of Christ. He writes, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” Oh my! This sounds like terrible news.
I don’t want to lie to myself! I don’t want to deceive myself! And I know I can’t lie to, nor deceive God, Omniscient, Knower-of-All-Things.
On this second day of Lent, we might as well keep it real with ourselves and with God. Lent is all about confessing our sins and seeking God’s forgiveness.
Now you may be thinking, I’m not really a sinner. I don’t murder, steal, or commit adultery. Isn’t it easy to get into the mind set of believing that some sins and people are worse than others?
But, when we pause to think about it, I believe it is safe to say that we must arrive at a very simple conclusion; sin is sin in God’s eyes. God hates sin, but loves the sinner, and wants us to confess our sin so that God can forgive our sin and cleanse us of all unrighteousness.
So, let’s say it out loud! “I am a sinner, saved by grace. Lord, have mercy on me.”
Then insert your sins like this…
God I have sinned against you by not loving you as I should. I have sinned against you by not treating my neighbor right. I have sinned against you by not respecting my spouse the way I ought. I have sinned against you by judging and gossiping with my tongue. I have sinned against you by being impatient with your time table. I have sinned against you by turning my eyes away from injustice and prejudice. I have sinned against you by being jealous of the blessings you have chosen to bestow upon my friends. I have sinned against you by leaving so many things undone such as feeding the hungry, helping to house the homeless, or visiting the sick or imprisoned. I have sinned against you by failing to recognize your holy presence with me day by day.
Oh my! I could go on and on—and so could you. The list of our sins is long indeed! And sometimes we find it hard to make confession because we are carefully taught to cloak our sin in darkness and anonymity. But, today’s scripture reminds us of some wonderful GOOD NEWS! “God is light and in God there is no darkness at all.”
There is no such thing as true darkness my friends. God sees and hears everything that we do. So we might as well confess our wrong-doing, receive God’s forgiveness, and restore a feeling of true fellowship between ourselves and our ever-loving God.
Just think about it, my friends! God loves us so much that God gave Jesus upon the cross all in order to bring us out of darkness and into the marvelous Light! God loves us so much that God was willing to sacrifice ALL, in order to restore friendship and fellowship with us. Jesus was God’s penultimate “passing of the peace.” Isn’t this GOOD NEWS?!
If we fail to take note of our sin and to confess it before God, not only are we lying to ourselves, but we are calling God a liar—right to God’s face! God says, “all have sinned…” God can’t be wrong—RIGHT?
I know that none of us wants to call God a liar, because we know that God is Truth. Truth says we have some things to make right with God and with our neighbors. Go ahead--make things right. Tell the truth on yourself and become aware of God’s forgiveness, love, and grace. I dare you!
And one more thing…Once you are done making confession to God—go out and seek the forgiveness of the people you have wronged as well. Go tell somebody what God has done for you, my friend, I double dare ya, in Jesus Name!
What “secret” sin do you need to bring out of the darkness and into the Light on this day?
Merciful God, have mercy upon me for I have surely sinned and I have tried to hide my sin from you. How silly I have been! Please help me to stop hiding from you; I know that you love me and will help me to make things right. I agree with you today, Lord. I am a sinner in need of your grace. Thank you for forgiving me and restoring to me the joy of your salvation! You are an awesome God and I love you. Help me to share that love with others. In Jesus Name, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Fred Hammond’s “Glory to Glory,” Martha Munizzi’s “Renew Me,” and Donnie McClurkin's "Create in Me" can be purchased by clicking the words Good News Living at the top of the red box to the right. You can find your favorite songs under "Pastor Yolanda’s Favorite Music."
Would you please be kind enough to answer the one question survey to the right?
We now have enough people interested to start the Good News Living Book Club! Yay God! On the first day of every month I will share a book for us to read together. On the last Saturday of every month at 9:00am CST (USA & Canada) we will have a “chat room” book club meeting. I chose 9:00am because this time will allow us to share with our brothers and sisters on the other side of the world! It will be early in the United States but evening in Africa, China, and elsewhere! Please mark your calendars for our very first book club meeting! It will be held Saturday, March 28, 2009.
I have added a new function to the blog that allows EVERYONE to leave comments or questions! These comments are public. To leave a comment, please click “comments” at the bottom of the blog. I would be tickled to receive your feedback; I invite you to respond as you are led!
EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right! Thanks for reading and please come again.
Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
from Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
Showing posts with label love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label love. Show all posts
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
COME LET US HAVE A LITTLE TALK WITH JESUS!
SCRIPTURE
Hebrews 2:1-4 (NRSV)
Do not neglect so great a salvation
Therefore we must pay greater attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. For if the message declared through angels was valid, and every transgression or disobedience received a just penalty, how can we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? It was declared at first through the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him, while God added his testimony by signs and wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, distributed according to his will.
DEVOTION
My Lord and my God, how I love you today!
In today’s scripture reading, the author of Hebrews reminds us that, “we must pay greater attention to what we have heard…” He goes on to explain that our salvation has been declared in the life of Jesus, the words of Jesus’ disciples, and even through signs and wonders sent by God and accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit!
On yesterday, we were reminded that the truth of a matter is always established in the mouths of two or three witnesses. In the case of salvation, all of creation bears witness to the GOOD NEWS that God really, truly loves us and God proved it when Jesus died on the cross.
Here are the facts as I see them. We were sinking deep in sin, but God threw us a rope!
Oh how I love to say, but God! I was lost, but God found me. I was sick, but God healed me. I was hateful, but God taught me to love. I could go on and on, and I’m sure you could share your testimonies as well, but don’t you just love the words…BUT GOD?!
Now listen, here’s my favorite “but God.” The wages of sin are death…BUT GOD offers us salvation, relationship, and eternal life!
In response to such GOOD NEWS how could we neglect to give God praise! From the time we were babies to the present moment the love of God revealed to us in the life of Jesus has been an ever present, though sometimes unseen and/or ignored reality in our lives.
Dear friends, let me invite you to take the time to get still and listen to the quiet voice of God whispering to your heart. God whispers to all of us. God continually affirms in millions of ways that we are loved. Today, I invite you to “have a little talk with Jesus.”
Take yourself, your Bible, a journal and a pen to a quiet spot and make time to be in relationship with God. Read your bible, sing a song, or just sit quietly in the presence of God….
I know that life is not easy. It wasn’t easy for Jesus whilst he was on the Earth and it isn’t easy for us either. But, let me tell you the truth. Jesus is rightly called—Immanuel—God with us. No matter what we are going through God will never leave us, nor forsake us. God will stay right by our side!
Please, no matter what happens today, don’t take your eyes off of Jesus. Don’t neglect your salvation. Don’t give up on your relationship with God because you are suffering in your body, mind, or spirit and definitely don’t forget about Jesus because you are too busy!
God is with you and God loves you more than you could ever hope, dream, or imagine! Be steadfast in your faith my friends and continue to share your GOOD NEWS testimonies with others. As you share, you will encourage your friends and encourage yourself too!
Have you been neglecting the free gift of salvation? How can you attend to your relationship with Christ today?
Holy God, I know you love me. I love you too. Please help me not to leave your gift up on the shelf of my heart collecting dust. Today, I want to recommit myself to being your friend and to sharing our friendship with others! Please forgive me for not investing my time, talent, and treasure in our relationship. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Hebrews 2:1-4 (NRSV)
Do not neglect so great a salvation
Therefore we must pay greater attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. For if the message declared through angels was valid, and every transgression or disobedience received a just penalty, how can we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? It was declared at first through the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him, while God added his testimony by signs and wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, distributed according to his will.
DEVOTION
My Lord and my God, how I love you today!
In today’s scripture reading, the author of Hebrews reminds us that, “we must pay greater attention to what we have heard…” He goes on to explain that our salvation has been declared in the life of Jesus, the words of Jesus’ disciples, and even through signs and wonders sent by God and accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit!
On yesterday, we were reminded that the truth of a matter is always established in the mouths of two or three witnesses. In the case of salvation, all of creation bears witness to the GOOD NEWS that God really, truly loves us and God proved it when Jesus died on the cross.
Here are the facts as I see them. We were sinking deep in sin, but God threw us a rope!
Oh how I love to say, but God! I was lost, but God found me. I was sick, but God healed me. I was hateful, but God taught me to love. I could go on and on, and I’m sure you could share your testimonies as well, but don’t you just love the words…BUT GOD?!
Now listen, here’s my favorite “but God.” The wages of sin are death…BUT GOD offers us salvation, relationship, and eternal life!
In response to such GOOD NEWS how could we neglect to give God praise! From the time we were babies to the present moment the love of God revealed to us in the life of Jesus has been an ever present, though sometimes unseen and/or ignored reality in our lives.
Dear friends, let me invite you to take the time to get still and listen to the quiet voice of God whispering to your heart. God whispers to all of us. God continually affirms in millions of ways that we are loved. Today, I invite you to “have a little talk with Jesus.”
Take yourself, your Bible, a journal and a pen to a quiet spot and make time to be in relationship with God. Read your bible, sing a song, or just sit quietly in the presence of God….
I know that life is not easy. It wasn’t easy for Jesus whilst he was on the Earth and it isn’t easy for us either. But, let me tell you the truth. Jesus is rightly called—Immanuel—God with us. No matter what we are going through God will never leave us, nor forsake us. God will stay right by our side!
Please, no matter what happens today, don’t take your eyes off of Jesus. Don’t neglect your salvation. Don’t give up on your relationship with God because you are suffering in your body, mind, or spirit and definitely don’t forget about Jesus because you are too busy!
God is with you and God loves you more than you could ever hope, dream, or imagine! Be steadfast in your faith my friends and continue to share your GOOD NEWS testimonies with others. As you share, you will encourage your friends and encourage yourself too!
Have you been neglecting the free gift of salvation? How can you attend to your relationship with Christ today?
Holy God, I know you love me. I love you too. Please help me not to leave your gift up on the shelf of my heart collecting dust. Today, I want to recommit myself to being your friend and to sharing our friendship with others! Please forgive me for not investing my time, talent, and treasure in our relationship. In Jesus Name, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Would you please be kind enough to answer the one question survey to the right?
I have added a new function to the blog that allows EVERYONE to leave comments or questions! These comments are public. To leave a comment, please click “comments” at the bottom of the blog. I would be tickled to receive your feedback; I invite you to respond as you are led!
EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right! Thanks for reading and please come again.
Pastor Yolanda says, "Hello to all of the Sisters Standing in the Gap!
Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
From Pastor Yolanda's blog, http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/Friday, February 20, 2009
"THAT'S AGAINST THE LAW!"
1 Kings 14:1-18 (NRSV)
Ahijah receives Jereboam's wife
Oh my goodness! Today’s scripture reading is just down-right depressing to me. It makes me so sad to read about those times when God’s anger burns against a person, family, or people group. It makes me feel terrible to bear witness to the sinfulness of humanity as evidenced by our inability to love God with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
In this case, Jeroboam angered God by bowing down to false Gods and by forsaking his relationship with God-Almighty. As a consequence, God allows Jeroboam’s son to die and takes the stewardship of Israel away from his family.
In my faith tradition these types of scriptures are referred to as Law. Law means that we have sinned. Law means there are consequences for sin. Law means that the penalty for sin is death. What bad news! For we know that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)!
But, Law is never left to stand alone this side of the cross.
Law is always paired with Gospel or GOOD NEWS! God knows that by ourselves we are not capable of living up to the requirements of the Law. God knows that our sin-full nature will rise up and be greedy, adulterous, and unfaithful. So God sent GOOD NEWS from Heaven.
Jesus is our GOOD NEWS! No longer are we bound only to the Law. We are now also bound to Him who is GOOD NEWS. Jesus’ death upon the cross was the once and for all sacrifice, or atonement for our sin. God has made things right. God has restored our broken relationship with God. God proved once and for all how much God loves us! Isn’t that wonderful?!
And let me tell you, this GOOD NEWS is free! We can’t do anything to earn it and it’s available to all. But, in response to such love, given so extravagantly, our hearts can do nothing less than love and serve God in return.
Look, today’s scripture shows us exactly what life would be like if we were still bound only to Law. Jeroboam’s whole house was cut off and his entire people group was scattered! This is the consequence of sin my friends! But, thanks be to God that we now pair Law with Gospel in Jesus Christ.
We do our best to live holy and righteous lives following the commandments of God, but when we fall down and then confess our sin, Jesus picks us up again, dusts us off, kisses us on the head, wraps us up tight in arms of love and sends us on our way with the admonishment to, “Do better next time!”
We don’t have to be afraid of the God who made us, loves us, and died for us. We have been set free in Christ to love God and neighbor with great joy and great passion! Now, ain’ta that good news?!
In what ways do you need to become more aware of GOSPEL—GOOD NEWS—in your life?
Loving and Forgiving God, how I praise your name! I confess that I have tried to live a “lawful” life all by myself and I have failed. Thank you so much for the GOSPEL—GOOD NEWS—that fills my heart up with joy! I am loved! I am forgiven! I am saved! This is something I cannot keep to myself...Help me to share GOOD NEWS with others today. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
NO OTHER WAY...THAN TO TRUST AND OBEY!
*If you would like to read this blog in another language, please use the "Google Translate" button to the right!
1 Kings 11:26-40 (NRSV)
Ahijah prophesies to Jereboam
Oh my goodness! Today’s scripture doesn’t sound like GOOD NEWS does it? King Solomon has angered God by worshiping other gods. In response, God decides to reclaim ten twelfths of his Kingdom and give it to a more faithful servant named Jeroboam.
This sounds like bad news…But what is the bad news? Is it that Solomon was not be able to pass his entire kingdom down to his descendants, or that he sinned against God? I hope that you chose the latter.
Whenever we sin against God it is bad news! Whenever we bow down to false idols, it hurts the feelings of God and makes God angry.
But, I can just hear some of you saying, “But, we don’t worship idols now-a-days!” I beg to differ, my friends. Every time we bow down to the gods named, “Love-of-Money, Pride-in-Self-Only, Never-Ending-Greed, Gossip-and-Slander, Adultery-and-Lust, Jealousy-Anger-and Quarrels and the like, we bow down before false gods. Whenever we take our eyes off of God and fix them steadfastly on ourselves and the concerns of this world, we begin to bow our knees to a God of our own making. This is surely bad news!
But, here is the GOOD NEWS! God is merciful and God loves us. God knows that we sin and fall short of the mark and that is why God sent Jesus as atonement for our sin. Just as God extended mercy to Solomon by allowing him to retain a blessing, God extends mercy to us as well! All that we have to do to access that mercy is to lift up our eyes to God and confess that we have sinned. As soon as we do so, God’s faithfulness and justice washes over us, restoring our souls to health.
I love the words that God spoke to Jeroboam. God said, “If you will listen to all that I command you, walk in my ways, and do what is right in my sight by keeping my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did, I will be with you, and will build you an enduring house…”
Isn’t this GOOD NEWS?! God has promised us an enduring house if we will but listen, trust and obey! You may be asking, “What is it that God requires of me?” The answer is simple my friends! We are commanded to “love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:29-31).”
As we love God and neighbor we will be--and share--GOOD NEWS everywhere we go! We will extend the blessings of love, joy, and peace with everyone we meet. We will walk in the joy of our salvation day-by-day. And ultimately, we will experience the unending joy of an eternal home in glory with our best friend!
Today, let us remember to worship God alone and to hear and heed God’s commands…
What sin do you need to confess to your merciful God today?
Loving God, I confess that I have bowed down to the false idol of ____________. Please have mercy upon me. I return my eyes and my heart to you. I know that you forgive me and that you love me more than I can ever know! Help me to share your love with others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
*Pastor Yolanda thanks you for all of the birthday wishes and prayers shared yesterday!
*The entire scripture reading for today can be found by clicking the ELCA Daily Bible Reading Tab to the right.
*from Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/
*EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right! Thanks for reading and please come again.
*Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
1 Kings 11:26-40 (NRSV)
Ahijah prophesies to Jereboam
Oh my goodness! Today’s scripture doesn’t sound like GOOD NEWS does it? King Solomon has angered God by worshiping other gods. In response, God decides to reclaim ten twelfths of his Kingdom and give it to a more faithful servant named Jeroboam.
This sounds like bad news…But what is the bad news? Is it that Solomon was not be able to pass his entire kingdom down to his descendants, or that he sinned against God? I hope that you chose the latter.
Whenever we sin against God it is bad news! Whenever we bow down to false idols, it hurts the feelings of God and makes God angry.
But, I can just hear some of you saying, “But, we don’t worship idols now-a-days!” I beg to differ, my friends. Every time we bow down to the gods named, “Love-of-Money, Pride-in-Self-Only, Never-Ending-Greed, Gossip-and-Slander, Adultery-and-Lust, Jealousy-Anger-and Quarrels and the like, we bow down before false gods. Whenever we take our eyes off of God and fix them steadfastly on ourselves and the concerns of this world, we begin to bow our knees to a God of our own making. This is surely bad news!
But, here is the GOOD NEWS! God is merciful and God loves us. God knows that we sin and fall short of the mark and that is why God sent Jesus as atonement for our sin. Just as God extended mercy to Solomon by allowing him to retain a blessing, God extends mercy to us as well! All that we have to do to access that mercy is to lift up our eyes to God and confess that we have sinned. As soon as we do so, God’s faithfulness and justice washes over us, restoring our souls to health.
I love the words that God spoke to Jeroboam. God said, “If you will listen to all that I command you, walk in my ways, and do what is right in my sight by keeping my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did, I will be with you, and will build you an enduring house…”
Isn’t this GOOD NEWS?! God has promised us an enduring house if we will but listen, trust and obey! You may be asking, “What is it that God requires of me?” The answer is simple my friends! We are commanded to “love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:29-31).”
As we love God and neighbor we will be--and share--GOOD NEWS everywhere we go! We will extend the blessings of love, joy, and peace with everyone we meet. We will walk in the joy of our salvation day-by-day. And ultimately, we will experience the unending joy of an eternal home in glory with our best friend!
Today, let us remember to worship God alone and to hear and heed God’s commands…
What sin do you need to confess to your merciful God today?
Loving God, I confess that I have bowed down to the false idol of ____________. Please have mercy upon me. I return my eyes and my heart to you. I know that you forgive me and that you love me more than I can ever know! Help me to share your love with others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
*Pastor Yolanda thanks you for all of the birthday wishes and prayers shared yesterday!
*The entire scripture reading for today can be found by clicking the ELCA Daily Bible Reading Tab to the right.
*from Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/
*EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right! Thanks for reading and please come again.
*Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
God's an on-time God! Yes God Is!
*If you would like to read this blog in another language, please use the "Google Translate" button to the right!
Psalm 6 (NRSV)
Prayer for healing
Today is my birthday! As such, it is a day of great reflection and remembrance. On this day, I look back at how very far the Lord has brought me in just a few short decades…
As I read today’s prayer for healing, I can think of many-a-times I have prayed like that. Have you ever prayed until your bones felt like jello, your moans bounced off of the ceiling, and the tears streamed down your face in rivers?
If you haven’t, you really should try it! It is truly cathartic. (smile)
When we pour out our very hearts before God, we can be assured that God hears us and extends to us arms of love and a heart of compassion.
See, when we are in pain, sorrow, or grief it can seem like nobody understands us. Sometimes, even people who love us very much do not know what to say or how to help us. It is at times like these that we need to shut ourselves up in our “prayer closets” and pray out of the depths of our hearts to the God who made us, and thus knows every fiber of our being.
Now, the Bible says that the “prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16) Isn’t this GOOD NEWS?! When we exercise our faith in Christ, we are made righteous by the blood of the Lamb. This means that when we pray we can be assured that our prayers are both powerful and effective!
Does this mean that God will always do what we ask God to do? By no means! God usually says, “yes, no, or wait.” What good parent gives their children everything that they ask for? My child sometimes asks for three servings of chocolate cake for breakfast! She wants it, but it is not good for her. It is the same for us.
But, let me tell you something. In the African American church tradition we have an expression. We say, “God may not come when you want Him, but He’s always right on time!” God is an on- time-God my friends! And God has promised that God has a good plan for our lives, not to harm us, but to give us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). Furthermore, we are also assured that, “all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to God’s purpose (Romans 8:28)!
Wow! GOOD NEWS abounds! Like David we can say as we get off of our knees after prayer, “The Lord has heard the sound of my weeping. The Lord has heard my supplication; the Lord accepts my prayer.” This ought to give us a blessed assurance that allows us to live in confidence, with our heads held high, no matter what the day may bring! God loves us and is blessing us—RIGHT NOW!
What sorrow or grief do you need to share with God in prayer today?
God who sees my tears and wipes them from my face, I turn to you in my despair. Help and heal me today. I know that you are a loving and compassionate God. I know that you are helping me even as I pray. I look forward to sharing my testimony with others when I come through this trial. Every day, is a GOOD NEWS day because of Jesus! I trust you and I love you too. Amen.
*Pastor Yolanda would be honored if you would share today’s blog with a friend in honor of her birthday!
*The entire scripture reading for today can be found by clicking the ELCA Daily Bible Reading Tab to the right.
*from Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/
*EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right! Thanks for reading and please come again.
*Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
I COULD...BUT I WON'T
*If you would like to read this blog in another language, please use the "Google Translate" button to the right!
1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1 (NRSV)
Do all to God's glory
My favorite line from today’s Bible passage is, “Do not seek your own advantage, but that of the other.” This is so entirely countercultural that it excites me! See, in contemporary society, most of us are taught to look out for Number 1. We are taught that we should do all for our own benefit or the benefit of our family and friends. We seek to make our name great—to become rich and famous! We carefully do everything we can to advance our agendas, goals, and dreams sometimes even at the expense of others.
But the GOOD NEWS is that Christians are taught to do exactly the opposite by Paul! Paul says in effect, “Do what will benefit, help, and build up somebody else.” He seems particularly concerned about being cognizant of the needs of non-Christians in this regard.
We know that we are free in Christ Jesus to do anything that does not eschew the Law of Love. But, Paul says, “just because something is lawful, doesn’t mean that it is beneficial.” What is the benefit that Christians should be concerned about? It is simple. We seek to share GOOD NEWS-- and be GOOD NEWS--in the lives of people who need it.
For example, many of the people that I have tried to win to Christ are alcoholics. It is lawful for me to drink alcohol in moderation. There is nothing in my understanding of Scripture, nor in denominational doctrine that would prohibit it. But, I choose not to drink alcohol around these friends. Why? It would be a stumbling block for them. They may think, “Alcohol is bad. If she loves Jesus, why is she drinking?” Or they may erroneously think, “She’s a strong Christian, if she can do it so can I.” Or they may just think, “I can’t hang around with her, she’ll cause me to mess up my program.” In my church, we even go so far as to provide grape juice during the Lord’s Supper for these friends! We understand that grape juice is “fruit of the vine” and so permissible and we also understand that our new friends cannot imbibe the wine because it may cause them to be led astray in their desires.
This is just one example of how we can accommodate new friends for the sake of the Gospel, but I know there are many more. The bottom line is this, we must do all that we can to share the GOOD NEWS with those who have not heard, have forgotten, or have rejected the God who loves them. Sometimes this means taking into consideration the feelings and conscious of the new friends we seek to share GOOD NEWS with.
God loved all of us so much that Jesus was willing to die on the cross to forgive our sins and to make us friends with God. God radically accommodated us by taking on a body of flesh, becoming human, and dying a dreadful death on the cross! Isn’t that Amazing Grace? In response to this great love, we share some of that same grace with others by forfeiting our advantage in order to bring glory to God, for the sake of the cross.
This type of mentality requires discipline and humility. We will often want to do what we want to do. But, the GOOD NEWS constrains us! It calls to us with arms of love wide open to find a way—any loving and moral way—to lead people into a loving relationship with Christ!
Is there some behavior you need to change today in order to share GOOD NEWS with somebody who shares your life?
Holy God, help us to do all that we can to share the GOOD NEWS with others. If there are behaviors that we need to change in order to make the Gospel attractive and palatable to others, help us to do it gladly and with great joy! We want everyone to know and experience your love, just as we have. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
*The entire scripture reading for today can be found by clicking the ELCA Daily Bible Reading Tab to the right.
*from Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/
*EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right! Thanks for reading and please come again.
*Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1 (NRSV)
Do all to God's glory
My favorite line from today’s Bible passage is, “Do not seek your own advantage, but that of the other.” This is so entirely countercultural that it excites me! See, in contemporary society, most of us are taught to look out for Number 1. We are taught that we should do all for our own benefit or the benefit of our family and friends. We seek to make our name great—to become rich and famous! We carefully do everything we can to advance our agendas, goals, and dreams sometimes even at the expense of others.
But the GOOD NEWS is that Christians are taught to do exactly the opposite by Paul! Paul says in effect, “Do what will benefit, help, and build up somebody else.” He seems particularly concerned about being cognizant of the needs of non-Christians in this regard.
We know that we are free in Christ Jesus to do anything that does not eschew the Law of Love. But, Paul says, “just because something is lawful, doesn’t mean that it is beneficial.” What is the benefit that Christians should be concerned about? It is simple. We seek to share GOOD NEWS-- and be GOOD NEWS--in the lives of people who need it.
For example, many of the people that I have tried to win to Christ are alcoholics. It is lawful for me to drink alcohol in moderation. There is nothing in my understanding of Scripture, nor in denominational doctrine that would prohibit it. But, I choose not to drink alcohol around these friends. Why? It would be a stumbling block for them. They may think, “Alcohol is bad. If she loves Jesus, why is she drinking?” Or they may erroneously think, “She’s a strong Christian, if she can do it so can I.” Or they may just think, “I can’t hang around with her, she’ll cause me to mess up my program.” In my church, we even go so far as to provide grape juice during the Lord’s Supper for these friends! We understand that grape juice is “fruit of the vine” and so permissible and we also understand that our new friends cannot imbibe the wine because it may cause them to be led astray in their desires.
This is just one example of how we can accommodate new friends for the sake of the Gospel, but I know there are many more. The bottom line is this, we must do all that we can to share the GOOD NEWS with those who have not heard, have forgotten, or have rejected the God who loves them. Sometimes this means taking into consideration the feelings and conscious of the new friends we seek to share GOOD NEWS with.
God loved all of us so much that Jesus was willing to die on the cross to forgive our sins and to make us friends with God. God radically accommodated us by taking on a body of flesh, becoming human, and dying a dreadful death on the cross! Isn’t that Amazing Grace? In response to this great love, we share some of that same grace with others by forfeiting our advantage in order to bring glory to God, for the sake of the cross.
This type of mentality requires discipline and humility. We will often want to do what we want to do. But, the GOOD NEWS constrains us! It calls to us with arms of love wide open to find a way—any loving and moral way—to lead people into a loving relationship with Christ!
Is there some behavior you need to change today in order to share GOOD NEWS with somebody who shares your life?
Holy God, help us to do all that we can to share the GOOD NEWS with others. If there are behaviors that we need to change in order to make the Gospel attractive and palatable to others, help us to do it gladly and with great joy! We want everyone to know and experience your love, just as we have. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
*The entire scripture reading for today can be found by clicking the ELCA Daily Bible Reading Tab to the right.
*from Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/
*EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right! Thanks for reading and please come again.
*Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
OUTSIDE-IN
*If you would like to read this blog in another language, please use the "Google Translate" button to the right!
2/15/2009
Sixth Sunday After Epiphany
Mark 1:40-45 (NRSV)
SCRIPTURE
The healing of one with leprosy
A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, "If you choose, you can make me clean." Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, "I do choose. Be made clean!" Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, saying to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them." But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter.
SERMON
If you’ve been reading GOOD NEWS all week, you know that we have been talking about leprosy for four days now. The very fact that the Bible spends so much time talking about this debilitating illness makes it clear to me how very important it was to keep it from spreading in the camp and how painful it must have been for people to be diagnosed and ostracized from the religious and social communities to which they belonged.
In today’s GOOD NEWS reading we find that a leper has approached Jesus asking to be healed. This very action is significant for many reasons. First of all, we know that lepers were considered ritually unclean. That meant that they were perpetual outsiders—they lived outside of the camp, they were not welcome in their place of worship, and they were forbidden to approach or touch a “clean” person for fear of contaminating him or her.
So, one of two things must be occurring in this scripture. Number one, perhaps Jesus is outside of the city milling around with the “untouchables.” Or number two, this particular leper decided to defy conventional wisdom and religious tradition and come to Jesus without permission on the slim hope that Jesus would—or could—do something to help him.
Undoubtedly he had heard, like everyone else, of the miracles Jesus had been performing for “outsiders” throughout Galilee. He might have been told that Jesus had healed a man with an “unclean” spirit in the synagogue. He might have been privy to Jesus’ healing work with Simon’s mother-in-law who had once laid ill on a bed of affliction, but later jumped up ready to serve Jesus after he touched her. Finally, he may have heard the whispers and shouts and tears and joy that were in the air all throughout the city and surrounding countryside after Jesus had spent the night healing many people from various illnesses, disease, dis-ease, and disability.
Unfortunately, we will never know how God orchestrated this “Holy Ghost hook-up” between Jesus and the leper, because it is not recorded in scripture. But, what is recorded are the very simple and humble words of the leper once he found Jesus. He said, “IF you choose, you can make me clean.” IF you choose…
My Lord! Isn’t it amazing that so many people approach Jesus with an IF on their lips. They do not know and have not heard or do not believe that GOD really truly does love them more than they can imagine! This man knew what Jesus had done for others, but it is clear that he wasn’t sure Jesus would do the same for him. He knew that Jesus possessed miracle working salvific and healing power, but he wasn’t sure that Jesus would find him worthy of the touch that would save his life. He knew that Jesus had compassion on "the least of these," but he wasn’t sure he even qualified for that lofty title!
See this man had been told by so many, “You are not worthy. You are not clean. You cannot be a part of us. You are not welcome.” He was told this by society, as well as by leaders in his place of worship. He had been beaten and broken down by so many people he should have been able to trust. He was an outsider, an untouchable, the perpetual alien, the "no-good-don’t-touch-me- now-don’t-touch-me-ever" man who made a home outside of the camp.
My, my…Isn’t that sad? And I wish I could say that this side of the cross human beings have stopped treating people like outsiders or that people have stopped approaching Jesus with the IF, but it’s just not true. Although God has demonstrated God’s great love for ALL OF US by allowing Jesus to die on an old rugged cross to become atonement for our sin and to reconcile us to God and to each other, we still ostracize others and we still approach Jesus with the IF.
IF you really love me you will listen to my prayers. IF you really care you will walk with me through this difficult day. IF you really have compassion, you will see my tears. IF you choose, you can help me through my difficult circumstances.
And do you know what Jesus says to all of us today? Jesus says to us the very same thing that he said to the leper almost two thousand years ago. “I do choose! Be made clean!” And scripture says that immediately the man was restored to perfect health!
Now let me say here that I think that the physical healing was the least of the restoration. By touching the man (and thus ritually defiling himself) Jesus said, in effect, “I reject the lie that you are an outsider. I am angry that you have been treated in this way. You are one of us. You are worthy of love and care and compassion. I bring you inside the circle of my love.” So, whilst the man may have been healed physically, he was also healed mentally, spiritually, and emotionally by the radical welcome and overflowing love of Jesus, his friend.
Isn’t this GOOD NEWS? Since Jesus did this for the leper, he can do this for us too. Unlike the leper we don’t necessarily have a dreaded disease that people can see; but as human beings we are suffering from the affliction of sin-sickness. We now understand that it is not our illness or disease or disability that makes us unclean, it is our sin. Sin makes us dirty and is an offense to our God. That is why Jesus had to die on the cross. Jesus wanted to use his blood to cover up the multitude of our sin. Now, when God looks at us God does not see our sin, God sees the blood of Jesus and when we cry “IF you choose…” Jesus says, “I do choose, be made clean!”
Be made clean from your lying lips. Be made clean from your unfaithful heart. Be made clean from you adulterous ways. Be made clean from your willingness to steal from those who have less than you. Be made clean from your gossiping lips and judgmental tongue. Be made clean from ostracizing others. Be made clean from your erroneous belief that you are better than another human being.
I could go on and on in an effort to include all of us, but only you know what your secret sin is. But, the Bible teaches us that as soon as we confess our sin, God who is faithful and just, forgives us from all of our sin and cleanses us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9)
Wow! Isn’t that GOOD NEWS my friends! JESUS forgives us. JESUS washes us. And Jesus transforms our lives for his glory.
Now, after Jesus did this for the man with leprosy, Jesus told him to go to the temple, show himself to the priest and offer the sacrifices necessary to become “ritually clean” in the eyes of society. He understood that it was important for the man to be reconciled with his family and with his community of faith. But, he also told the man not to tell anybody the source of his healing; rather to just do what was required of him by religious law.
Well, I don’t know what happened to that man on the way to the Temple. But, I can use my Holy Ghost imagination, right? I imagine that he probably started on his way trying really hard to “play it cool” like Jesus had instructed. He probably said, “Thank you.” And turned and walked away. But, as he was walking, he might have begun to examine his skin and to examine the feeling of welcome in his heart. And as he examined himself, he might have begun to skip, then to leap, then to run, then to dance, then to turn in circles…He might have begun to whisper, “I’m healed.” Then to say, “I’m healed.” Then to shout, “I’m healed! I’m HEALED! I’M HEALED!”
Do you know that man got so excited that the Bible says that he began to boldly and freely proclaim GOOD NEWS! “Jesus of Nazareth healed me! Jesus of Nazareth healed me!” This man told so many people, that Jesus became so famous, that he could no longer go into the city. I can only assume that this was because the mobs of "outsiders" seeking his love and welcome was so large that they could only be contained out in the countryside.
Can you imagine? This man determined in his heart to make the name of Jesus famous! He did the easy thing—he told everyone he met what Jesus had done for him. He didn’t tell his mother’s story. He didn’t tell his father’s story. He told his own story. He shared with every man, woman, boy and girl who would listen that Jesus is a compassionate and loving healer who had changed his life.
You know, when we begin to tell our stories, people listen. When we speak with passion about how a relationship with Jesus Christ has changed our lives, people want to learn more. Why? Because it is personal. People love reality TV because we want to be connected to the lives of other people in some way.
By sharing our GOOD NEWS stories, we can lead people to Jesus. We can tell them, “Jesus did it for me; he’ll do it for you. Jesus loves me and Jesus loves you too. Jesus wants me, Jesus wants you too.”
When people get a hold of this truth, it changes their lives. It transforms their thinking. It sets joy bells a-ringing in their hearts!
Who do you need to share GOOD NEWS with this week? How can you make Jesus’ name famous in your own sphere of influence? Where can you make Jesus’ love and compassion real in the lives of people who need it?
Loving and Compassionate God, thank you that you do choose to love us and to heal us from our sin. Help us to share this love with others. Help us to make your name famous everywhere we go. In Jesus Name, Amen.
*The entire scripture reading for today can be found by clicking the ELCA Daily Bible Reading Tab to the right.
*from Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/
*EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right! Thanks for reading and please come again.
*Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
2/15/2009
Sixth Sunday After Epiphany
Mark 1:40-45 (NRSV)
SCRIPTURE
The healing of one with leprosy
A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, "If you choose, you can make me clean." Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, "I do choose. Be made clean!" Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, saying to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them." But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter.
SERMON
If you’ve been reading GOOD NEWS all week, you know that we have been talking about leprosy for four days now. The very fact that the Bible spends so much time talking about this debilitating illness makes it clear to me how very important it was to keep it from spreading in the camp and how painful it must have been for people to be diagnosed and ostracized from the religious and social communities to which they belonged.
In today’s GOOD NEWS reading we find that a leper has approached Jesus asking to be healed. This very action is significant for many reasons. First of all, we know that lepers were considered ritually unclean. That meant that they were perpetual outsiders—they lived outside of the camp, they were not welcome in their place of worship, and they were forbidden to approach or touch a “clean” person for fear of contaminating him or her.
So, one of two things must be occurring in this scripture. Number one, perhaps Jesus is outside of the city milling around with the “untouchables.” Or number two, this particular leper decided to defy conventional wisdom and religious tradition and come to Jesus without permission on the slim hope that Jesus would—or could—do something to help him.
Undoubtedly he had heard, like everyone else, of the miracles Jesus had been performing for “outsiders” throughout Galilee. He might have been told that Jesus had healed a man with an “unclean” spirit in the synagogue. He might have been privy to Jesus’ healing work with Simon’s mother-in-law who had once laid ill on a bed of affliction, but later jumped up ready to serve Jesus after he touched her. Finally, he may have heard the whispers and shouts and tears and joy that were in the air all throughout the city and surrounding countryside after Jesus had spent the night healing many people from various illnesses, disease, dis-ease, and disability.
Unfortunately, we will never know how God orchestrated this “Holy Ghost hook-up” between Jesus and the leper, because it is not recorded in scripture. But, what is recorded are the very simple and humble words of the leper once he found Jesus. He said, “IF you choose, you can make me clean.” IF you choose…
My Lord! Isn’t it amazing that so many people approach Jesus with an IF on their lips. They do not know and have not heard or do not believe that GOD really truly does love them more than they can imagine! This man knew what Jesus had done for others, but it is clear that he wasn’t sure Jesus would do the same for him. He knew that Jesus possessed miracle working salvific and healing power, but he wasn’t sure that Jesus would find him worthy of the touch that would save his life. He knew that Jesus had compassion on "the least of these," but he wasn’t sure he even qualified for that lofty title!
See this man had been told by so many, “You are not worthy. You are not clean. You cannot be a part of us. You are not welcome.” He was told this by society, as well as by leaders in his place of worship. He had been beaten and broken down by so many people he should have been able to trust. He was an outsider, an untouchable, the perpetual alien, the "no-good-don’t-touch-me- now-don’t-touch-me-ever" man who made a home outside of the camp.
My, my…Isn’t that sad? And I wish I could say that this side of the cross human beings have stopped treating people like outsiders or that people have stopped approaching Jesus with the IF, but it’s just not true. Although God has demonstrated God’s great love for ALL OF US by allowing Jesus to die on an old rugged cross to become atonement for our sin and to reconcile us to God and to each other, we still ostracize others and we still approach Jesus with the IF.
IF you really love me you will listen to my prayers. IF you really care you will walk with me through this difficult day. IF you really have compassion, you will see my tears. IF you choose, you can help me through my difficult circumstances.
And do you know what Jesus says to all of us today? Jesus says to us the very same thing that he said to the leper almost two thousand years ago. “I do choose! Be made clean!” And scripture says that immediately the man was restored to perfect health!
Now let me say here that I think that the physical healing was the least of the restoration. By touching the man (and thus ritually defiling himself) Jesus said, in effect, “I reject the lie that you are an outsider. I am angry that you have been treated in this way. You are one of us. You are worthy of love and care and compassion. I bring you inside the circle of my love.” So, whilst the man may have been healed physically, he was also healed mentally, spiritually, and emotionally by the radical welcome and overflowing love of Jesus, his friend.
Isn’t this GOOD NEWS? Since Jesus did this for the leper, he can do this for us too. Unlike the leper we don’t necessarily have a dreaded disease that people can see; but as human beings we are suffering from the affliction of sin-sickness. We now understand that it is not our illness or disease or disability that makes us unclean, it is our sin. Sin makes us dirty and is an offense to our God. That is why Jesus had to die on the cross. Jesus wanted to use his blood to cover up the multitude of our sin. Now, when God looks at us God does not see our sin, God sees the blood of Jesus and when we cry “IF you choose…” Jesus says, “I do choose, be made clean!”
Be made clean from your lying lips. Be made clean from your unfaithful heart. Be made clean from you adulterous ways. Be made clean from your willingness to steal from those who have less than you. Be made clean from your gossiping lips and judgmental tongue. Be made clean from ostracizing others. Be made clean from your erroneous belief that you are better than another human being.
I could go on and on in an effort to include all of us, but only you know what your secret sin is. But, the Bible teaches us that as soon as we confess our sin, God who is faithful and just, forgives us from all of our sin and cleanses us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9)
Wow! Isn’t that GOOD NEWS my friends! JESUS forgives us. JESUS washes us. And Jesus transforms our lives for his glory.
Now, after Jesus did this for the man with leprosy, Jesus told him to go to the temple, show himself to the priest and offer the sacrifices necessary to become “ritually clean” in the eyes of society. He understood that it was important for the man to be reconciled with his family and with his community of faith. But, he also told the man not to tell anybody the source of his healing; rather to just do what was required of him by religious law.
Well, I don’t know what happened to that man on the way to the Temple. But, I can use my Holy Ghost imagination, right? I imagine that he probably started on his way trying really hard to “play it cool” like Jesus had instructed. He probably said, “Thank you.” And turned and walked away. But, as he was walking, he might have begun to examine his skin and to examine the feeling of welcome in his heart. And as he examined himself, he might have begun to skip, then to leap, then to run, then to dance, then to turn in circles…He might have begun to whisper, “I’m healed.” Then to say, “I’m healed.” Then to shout, “I’m healed! I’m HEALED! I’M HEALED!”
Do you know that man got so excited that the Bible says that he began to boldly and freely proclaim GOOD NEWS! “Jesus of Nazareth healed me! Jesus of Nazareth healed me!” This man told so many people, that Jesus became so famous, that he could no longer go into the city. I can only assume that this was because the mobs of "outsiders" seeking his love and welcome was so large that they could only be contained out in the countryside.
Can you imagine? This man determined in his heart to make the name of Jesus famous! He did the easy thing—he told everyone he met what Jesus had done for him. He didn’t tell his mother’s story. He didn’t tell his father’s story. He told his own story. He shared with every man, woman, boy and girl who would listen that Jesus is a compassionate and loving healer who had changed his life.
You know, when we begin to tell our stories, people listen. When we speak with passion about how a relationship with Jesus Christ has changed our lives, people want to learn more. Why? Because it is personal. People love reality TV because we want to be connected to the lives of other people in some way.
By sharing our GOOD NEWS stories, we can lead people to Jesus. We can tell them, “Jesus did it for me; he’ll do it for you. Jesus loves me and Jesus loves you too. Jesus wants me, Jesus wants you too.”
When people get a hold of this truth, it changes their lives. It transforms their thinking. It sets joy bells a-ringing in their hearts!
Who do you need to share GOOD NEWS with this week? How can you make Jesus’ name famous in your own sphere of influence? Where can you make Jesus’ love and compassion real in the lives of people who need it?
Loving and Compassionate God, thank you that you do choose to love us and to heal us from our sin. Help us to share this love with others. Help us to make your name famous everywhere we go. In Jesus Name, Amen.
*The entire scripture reading for today can be found by clicking the ELCA Daily Bible Reading Tab to the right.
*from Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/
*EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right! Thanks for reading and please come again.
*Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
LOVE POURED OUT (Alabaster Box)
*HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! Today's devotion comes with a song. Please click the link below so you can listen! Blessings!
Today’s Gospel is so chock full of GOOD NEWS I don’t know where to start! I have been meditating on this Word since yesterday and it has been filling my heart with overflowing love! All I can say through my tears of joy is, “How wonderful is my Jesus!”
First of all, after two days of talking about how serious leprosy was to the Jewish community and how ritualized was the process of excluding them from the camp until they were well; how shocking it is to find that the first sentence of today’s Gospel says, “Now, while Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper…” My goodness! Now there are many reasons I—and other theologians—can imagine that Jesus was in that house. We will never know if Simon was healed, or if “leper” was a nickname, or if Jesus was simply once again breaking social custom to love somebody into the arms of God. But, what we can know is that it is extraordinarily important to Jesus that we touch the untouchable, reach the unreachable, and love the unlovable following the example of Christ!
But, once we grasp that GOOD NEWS lesson there is another equally important lesson to be learned from the woman with the alabaster box. This woman had a precious and expensive gift. Rather than hording it to herself, she shared it with Jesus. She gave him the best of what she had. After her sacrifice the disciples murmured and complained saying what they would have done differently with the gift. But, Jesus stopped them and said that she had done a good thing by so extravagantly worshiping him, that her gift would be accepted by him as anointment for his burial, and that for all time her story would be remembered by the saints.
Today, Jesus’ prophecy comes true. You and I--born almost two thousand years later--affirm the woman's sacrifice and her love for Jesus. We seek to emulate her example and the example of Simon. For there are lots of things that Christians can choose to do for Jesus. Simon chose to serve him by offering the radical hospitality of a good meal in his home. The woman chose to worship him by giving her very best to the lover-of-her-soul. On that day the disciples chose to sit around and complain, second guessing the ministries of others.
Oh! Let us not be like the disciples on that day! Let us celebrate and affirm the good works that others do out of devotion to God and let us find our own work to do for Jesus! See, here’s the GOOD NEWS! There is plenty to do. God has given each of us gifts and talents to be used for God’s glory. In response to the glorious free gift of salvation secured on Calvary’s tree, let us all find a way to offer love, care, devotion, worship, hospitality, and service to God and to God’s children! Ultimately the disciples chose to follow the example of Jesus, Simon, and the woman with the alabaster box and today we bare witness that their labors were not in vain!
Is there a “gift” that you have been hoarding that you can offer to Jesus today?
My Jesus, you are the most precious gift in my life. Help me to utilize my GOD given talents to share GOOD NEWS with others! I want to help people to understand that you love them more than they can imagine and that you proved it on Calvary’s cross. Please forgive me for the times I have complained about the way others have chosen to share GOOD NEWS! I know there is more than enough “work” for all of us. I love you and want others to love you too. In Jesus Name, Amen.
¿NO SON BUENAS NOTICIAS?
Resumen en Español, proveido por un lector en Chile--Danilo Isla
AMOR REVELADO (Feliz día de San Valentin!)
Mateo 26:6-13
Jesús visita la casa de una persona leprosa.
El evangelio de hoy está lleno de BUENAS NUEVAS, no sé de donde comenzar! Primero que todo, ¿No es maravilloso que Jesús haya senado con Simón, el leproso? Esta verdad nos recuerda que es extraordinariamente importante para Jesus que toquemos a los "intocables", alcanzar al inalcanzable, y amar al que no es amado siguiendo el ejemplo de Cristo! En segundo lugar, la mujer de la caja de alabastro nos enseña una importante lección. Nos enseña que es vitalmente importante que le demos a Jesús lo mejor de lo que tenemos. Dios nos ha dado a cada uno de nosotros dones y talentos para que sean usados para la Gloria de Dios. En respuesta al glorioso libre don de la seguridad de salvación en el madero del calvario. Todos vamos a encontrar una manera de ofrecer amor, atención, devoción, culto, hospitalidad y servicio a Dios y a los hijos de Dios en el nombre de Jesús!
¿Hay un don que has estado escondiendo que puedes ofrecer a Jesús hoy?
Mi Jesús, eres el más precioso regalo en mi vida. Ayudame a utilizar mis talentos dados por Dios, para comartir las BUENAS NUEVAS con los otros. Quiero ayudarle a la gente a entender que les amas más de lo que ellos imaginan y que lo provaste en la cruz del Calvario. Por favor perdoname por las veces en que me he quejado por la forma en que otros han optado compartir las BUENAS NUEVAS! Sé que hay más que suficiente "trabajo" para todos nosotros. Te amo y quiero que los otros también te amen. En el nombre de Jesús, Amen.
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