“Real love, born out of gratitude of a changed life, doesn’t count the cost.” Pastor John Soper, Missions 119
Luke 7: 36 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. 37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.
In my personal Bible study this week, Pastor Soper of Mission 119 talked about Jesus’ ministry on Earth, and the disciples he hand picked to follow Him. They were not the religious leaders, nor people of statue. They were sinners and broken people, like you and me, and He used them to change the world.
Think about that.
I’ve sometimes thought I could never measure up to what “Christians” believe is the standard… but Christ himself, called the broken sinners to be His friend and follower. I’m not perfect. I’m not even good sometimes. But I love Jesus with all my and am willing to pour into others what He has poured out into me.
I am so crazy blessed right now with blessings that it’s truly hard to put into words my gratitude for the Savior of the World, who loves me enough to answer prayers
Changed lives. I’m watching reborn lives of some very special people right now, each who have, by God’s Grace, been given new life…. physically, Spiritually, emotionally.
For one, it is literally an answer to a thirty-three year old prayer; a prayer I had actually given up on… but God didn’t. Thirty three years. Some of you aren’t even that old!
The other represented much more intense suffering over a much shorter period of time, though it felt like an eternity (at least for me), but forced me to complete surrender because there was literally nothing more I could do for the situation…. and then God showed up.
Both are the culmination of God’s question. “Will you trust me when it gets really tough?” the inaudible yet unmistakable voice of God asked. With my faith tested but not shattered, I trusted God, but could have never imagined the answer He had waiting. He truly is bringing all things together for good (Romans 8:28).
A couple of years ago, one of my mentees was complaining about Matthew 28, where Jesus commands his people to “go and make disciples.” “Why is it MY responsibility”, she said, “to tell others about Jesus??” In as loving a way as possible, I replied, “it’s because you haven’t had a real encounter with Jesus yet. When you do, and you see the power of God first hand… when God answers prayer for you in such a way that you KNOW if could only have been Him… you will WANT to tell everyone about it.”
I’m so in love with the God of the Universe and I really want everyone to know! I literally feel like shouting from rooftops, “hey world! Can’t you see what God has done here??? He’s changed lives!!!”
May you be blessed today, my friends.
SB
Journey-For-Life 