Monday Inspiration: Pure Worship

I crept quietly through the empty courtyard.  My hands trembled.  The ornate box of extravagant fragrance, shifted uneasily.  I tried to calm my racing heart.  I saw Simon at the head of the table.  I prayed silently that I would not be seen and sent away.  Looking through the columns I saw the room crowded with Pharisees, disciples and other men. Some were seated on lavish cushions around the large table, others stood listening.  Where was Jesus? Someone on the street told me He was here. Ah...there He was, in the middle of the room, next to Simon.

I was beyond caring what people thought. I didn't care what the men had to say. I had to get to Jesus. I needed to worship. I knew Jesus was HIM! The Messiah. The Almighty. The King of Glory robed in flesh.

I ran as fast as I could and knelt behind Him at His feet. My face was wet with tears.  I couldn't stop crying.  In His presence I realized my brokenness. I knew that I, a sinner, didn't deserve to be in the presence of the HOLY ONE, but yet I was. It was at that moment I shattered my treasured perfume box. The room was filled with sweet incense, and silence. Jesus' feet were now wet with my tears.  I anointed His clay caked feet with the precious contents of my box. Tears fell with the worship and adoration of my heart.  I could feel the glares of the men in the room.  I didn't care. I was desperately longing to worship. Aching for forgiveness.  Seeking earnestly for Jesus' touch of mercy. 

No one spoke for several minutes. The whispers, like daggers, pierced the silence  as the men gawked at me. It was obvious they were appalled and embarrassed at my display of affection. Jesus turned and gazed on me with compassion, not caring what the men said or thought. He didn't send me away.  I cleared my mind when I heard Simon snidely make a remark about Jesus not knowing what kind of woman I was. Yet somehow I knew Jesus knew everything about me.  He accepted my feeble attempt of honor. It was as if He already knew I would be there.

I kissed His feet. Wiped them with my hair.
Me. A sinner. Accepted.
Worshipper of God. Unworthy, I knew, yet completely loved.

How could these men sit here? How could their knees refuse to bend? How could their eyes not weep?  Why would their hands not serve? Why was their perfume still in their jars?  How could they not Worship...HIM?  As for me, I could not stop...     

               --Jennifer Jones




Like oil upon your feet,
Like wine for you to drink,
Like water from my heart, I pour my love on YOU, (Jesus)
With praises like perfume, I lavish mine on You,
Till every drop is gone, I pour my Love on YOU.---song writer unknown

Letting Go...Letting God

Dearest Friend,

Just checking in on this Monday morning.

I have had difficulty in my life, so many times, with letting go of  different things. Some of my struggles include letting go of  hurt, mistakes or offense. It may be something I am worried about. It may be a prayer that I leave at the altar, but then pick it back up. Many times the scenario will play over and over in my mind. 

My husband gently reminds me, "Babe, you've got to let it go. You can't change it...let-it-go."

But deep inside, I don't want to. It's scary to trust someone with our messes, fears, and worries.

God recently gave me a word about "letting go..."
Imagine walking into a post office. In your hand you hold a very important letter. It's addressed, stamped and ready to be sent.  You get closer to the postal worker who will assist you. You grip the letter tighter.  If you let it go, you won't have it in your hands anymore. You feel your heart beat faster, panic rises in your chest...slowly...you hand the letter over to the outstretched hands of the person behind the desk. They take it from your hands. The letter is officially mailed. You managed to let it go.

This is a very simple illustration but many times in our lives this is what we need to do.  The situations, hurt, frustrations and unanswered prayers, go unresolved because we don't completely "let them go".  Open your hands. Let God take your burden you're holding onto. Let God give you peace. Let Him heal your hurts. Ask Him to help you.  Let God have your life's letters--let go.

"The Lord is thy keeper... The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil,... He shall preserve thy soul" Psalm 121:5,7.

"I know Him whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day" 2 Timothy 1:12.

Have a blessed week.

Jen

Why We Need a Shepherd...

Sheep.
Simple.
Defenseless.
Alone.
Helpless.
Desperately needing a Shepherd.

Shepherd.

Protector.

Way Maker.

Guide.

Helper.

Rescuer.

Sheep. 
Needy.
Hungry.
Lost.
Burdened.
Desperately drawn to the Shepherd.

Shepherd.

Defender.

Green Pasture Giver.

Comforter.

Healer.

Friend.

Monday Inspiration: A New Version of "Footprints" Author Unknown

 

 

Footprints

 

Imagine one night you have a dream.  In this vision you are on a dusty, narrow path. You and Jesus are walking together.  You notice footprints in the dirt as you walk.  The Lord's footprints are steady, constant, unvarying. Your footprints...disorganized steps with starts, abrupt stops, zigzags, many circles, some departures and returns.

 

As you look down the path, for much of the way, it goes like this. Then you notice, your footprints are more in line with Jesus' steps. You and Jesus are walking side by side, like true friends.

 

As you contemplate this perfection of walking together, you suddenly see that your foot prints become synchronized with Jesus. You and Jesus are becoming one.  Inside His larger footprints are your smaller ones.  This continues for many miles...then you notice another change.

 

The footprints inside the large footprints seem to grow larger, then disappear completely..

There is only one set of footprints. They have become one. Suddenly the second set of footprints is back. This time the prints are all over the place. Gashes in the sand, zigzag footprints everywhere. Stops. Starts. A mess of footprints.

 

You are perplexed. Your dream ends. Now you pray:

 

"Lord, I understand the first scene, with the steps that were out of control. I was a new Christian. I was learning. I know that was when I was going through a storm. You were beside me helping me."

 

"That is correct." The Lord replies.

 

"And when the smaller footprints were inside Yours, I was actually learning to walk in Your steps, and following you very closely."

 

"Very good...You understand everything so far," Jesus says.

 

"When the smaller footprints grew and filled in Yours, I suppose that I was becoming like You in every way?"

 

"Precisely," He tells you.

 

"So, Lord, was there a regression or something? The footprints separated, and this time it was worse then the beginning!"

 

There is a pause as the Lord answers, with a smile in His voice. "You didn't know? It was then that we danced!"

 

 

Ecclesiastes 3:1,4

"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven:  A time to weep, a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to DANCE."

 

Weeping may endure for the night---Joy comes in the Morning!

 

It's not WHAT you have in your life, but WHOM you have in your life that counts...something to think about.