REMEMBERED AS A LIFE DEVOTED TO CHRIST!

A Woman Anoints Jesus with Perfume

MATTHEW 26:6-13 (NLT)
Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had leprosy. During supper, a woman came in with a beautiful jar of expensive perfume, and poured it over his head. The disciples were indignant when they saw this. "What a waste of money," they said. "She could have sold it for a fortune and given the money to the poor."
But Jesus replied, "Why berate her for doing such a good thing to me? You will always have the poor among you, but I will not be here with you much longer. She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. I assure you, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman's deed will be talked about in her memory."
 Mary of Bethany demonstrated her understanding of what was about to take place with Jesus. She probably understood this better than the disciples themselves at that moment, after all they were offended by this wasteful act. In reality she was giving to him her most precious earthy valuable as her gift fit only for a King! In those days expensive perfume would cost approximately one years earnings. Jesus excepted her gift, her gift was set apart from others, distinguished, and done out of honor and love. Our good works towards others do not go unnoticed by Christ. In fact the good works we do through the love of Christ should set us apart in a way that exemplifies Christ like character and glorifies Him. Just as Jesus assuredly wanted this woman remembered for her good deed, so will we also be remembered for our deeds or works and the love and compassion we've shown to those around us! Titus 3:8-11 "This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profetable to men. But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. 
Titus 2:11-14

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

THE HOUSE I'VE BUILT THROUGH HIM!

The home should provide more than a safe haven for the ones who reside with in it. It should provide living examples of true Christianity. The dwellers within our home are not perfect but we are blessed and striving daily to be more and more like Christ! It is a parents responsibility and honor to raise their children up in the will of the Lord! "Train a child up in the way he should go; and even when he is old he shall not depart from it."(Proverbs 22:6) Teaching them from an early age to talk to God about everything. One example of this I have incorporated into our daily routine, my older daughters are now driving and before either of them leave home we hold hands and pray God keeps them safe by placing a hedge of protection over them and gives them the strength to do His will in all they do. One of the difficulties of parenting is the reality that you can't protect your children from every harmful circumstance they may encounter. We have to put our trust in the one who controls all and know that He is our Provider and Protector, and He desires for us to put our trust in Him. He has never failed us nor forgotten us, scripture reminds us of this in Joshua 1:5 "There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." It's important that we teach children to rely on Christ and to put their trust in Him.  The most effective way for them to grasp the true importance and meaning of this is to lead by example. Praying and reading the word together as a family is very beneficial because it strengthens the family and creates a supernatural bond given by the Lord! 
Psalm 127:1 "Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." 
 For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.”(Genesis 18:19)
"Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”(Matthew 18:19-20)
As a wife and mother, over the years I have worked fervently, taking on the holy task to build a house that would honor the Lord.  Laying a foundation that I have built within my children based on the solid truth of God's word. So my children will also become builders of their own homes, sowing seeds for generations to come!  God bless!

THE DIFFERENCE IN ME!

Just what privelages have we inherited as children of the most high, the king of kings, our Christ in majesty and ruler over our universe?  The Bible teaches that the wisdom of the Lord is far better than fine rubies or all the riches of this earth.  We have a uniqueness in Him, for we are called to be a peculiar people.  I want others to see and know the difference the Lord has made in me!
  "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;" (1 Peter 2:9). 
We must embrace the difference Jesus has made in each of our lives, because of this difference we are changed and made new.  Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."  I want to tell the world all that the Lord has done for me, His mercy and goodness is greater than anything I could ever hope for or imagine for myself.  I am not worthy but am eternally grateful for the Lord, He has given me attributes that represent Him, and I desire more than anything to spend my life pleasing and representing Him well.  "And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean;" (Leviticus 10:10).  This difference was in no way intended to give us a haughty attitude but a difference in spirit that shows characteristics and likeness of God.  Sharing God's love to everyone in hope that they too will find the same truth and mercy in Him that we have found.  "And of some have compassion, making a difference: (Jude 1:22).  "But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth." Psalm 86:15  Forever be blessed and remember the One who is the provider of such blessings!  To Him we give all our praise and we worship Him with our whole heart all the days of our lives!  Psalm 30:12 "To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever."

KEEPING THE FAITH TO FINISH THE RACE!

"I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all." Ecclesiastes 9:11
  Ok....I have to admit when I seen this picture all I could think was "racers start you engines"!  It reminded me of how energized and driven with excitement we all are when we first become saved.  Don't you remember the excitement you felt when you first were baptised in His name, or the first time you received the holy ghost?  It's an overwhelming feeling of joy and peace that only comes from the Lord, and once you've received His spirit you want nothing more than to share it with the world.  Where once doubt and confusion layed you are filled with new hope, certainty and enlightened with a new planned path! You feel as though the only way to exclaim such fulfillment would be to shout it from a mountain top! It is imparative to our spiritual walk that we keep that momentum and drive along with a steady pace as the Lord directs us along our path!
  Well as I layed in bed tonight my mind kept pondering how and when the Lord inspired me to create "Women of Praise", and the many topics and devotions that we've endeavored over the past year.  At first I had created a blog where I could journal life with my kids and share photos with all my family and friends, great idea right!  Well the Lord spoke to me after creating this family photo blog, and told me I was to use my blog for Him!  My first response was there had to be a mistake, "me Lord"??? Surely I misinterpreted what the Lord had asked of me, who would want to read anything I wrote? Quickly the Lord reminded me this was not my blog but His, and my place in this was to be a willing and obedient vessel! "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3  The success has been completely dependant on the Lord, I have prayed much through this year for His guidance and annointing. He has faithfully revealed to me in scripture and in spirit what was to be written in this blog, and I am thankful to be used by Him. I had planned to blog again on the 27th of this month which will mark the one year anniversary of "Women of Praise", but the Lord lovingly impressed me to get out of bed and write tonight!  Over the course of a year we have induldged in a list of topics such as: grace, faith, hope, unfailing love, unmeasurable mercy, godly character and spiritual warfare to name a few.  This spiritual race is not ending but continuing on until we reach that finish line that lies ahead! I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 2 Timothy 4:7  It is so important that we finish the race the Lord has set before us, this race against time. This is not a time to give up, this is a time to encourage and be encouraged!  "So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you." Revelations 3:3  God never promised us our time here on earth would be easy, but He did promise an escape from our troubles through Him. "Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present your faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy" (Jude v 24). "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" (I Corinthians 15:3,4).  He will always deliver, and His promises are never broken. He has promised a life of eternity and blessings for His people, so hold on, be strong and keep the faith until we finish this race!  "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand"(Revelation 1:3).