The Yes That Would Change the World

 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:38, NKJV)

Picture this sceen with me. A young teenaged girl going about her life, and all of a sudden, here comes an angel. This angel brings her the news that she will have a child. How in the world will this happen, she wonders? She's never been with a man in that way. It's not possible. But, we know that what man deems imposible, God says is possible. Mary said yes to the task God had given her. We've just come out of the Christmas season. Really, it's the only time of year when we hear Mary's story. Like Mary, will we begin our year with a resounding "yes" to God? Will we let Him use us in whatever way He sees fit? To others, it may look crazy, but to Him...it's just the thing we need. After all, He uses the most unlikely people to get done what needs to be accomplished. Will we be part of that Master plan as Mary was all those years ago?

Dear Lord, I pray for each of us. Give us the boldness of Mary to answer Your call on our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.  

There's Just Something About That Name!

And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins. (Mathew 1:21, New King James Version)

Jesus!

There's just something about that sweet name!

One day, very soon, we will be saying that name for all eternity! Are you facing something today that you feel is overwhelming you? Just call on that name! It's the name that can calm the storm, heal the broken, and restore lives. It's that precious name of Jesus. When the angel came to Mary to tell her that she would be the one to conceive that child, wow! To think, you will be carrying the most precious gift - the gift of Jesus! That thrills my heart! So, let me encourage you, during this very hectic time of year, call on that name...the name above any other...Jesus!

Father, we worship you! Let us remember to call out that precious name... the sweetest name on earth. Lord we love You and we praise You.

Broken and Spilled Out

And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. (Mark 14:3, New King James Version)

My mind goes in some strange places at times. But, sometimes the strange places are the beautiful places. Just as Mary poured this very expenseve perfume on her Savior, I have another picture. Picture this in your mind with me. Picture a much more dramatic seen taking place. I picture the cross, and I can see Him hanging there. Just as Mary poured the perfume, I can see the blood pouring-spilling from His body. I think it wasn't coming out in little drops like we dab on ourselves, I think it was probably gushing. That blood was gushing out for you and for me. Do you have goosebumps yet? I know I do. Why did Mary pour out the perfume? She did it to show her love for her Savior. Why did Jesus go to that cross and that blood flowed out of Him? He did it to show His love for us. He did it as a payment that we all should've paid, but He knew we couldn't pay the price. We'll never be able to pay the price. As we come to Easter, let's take time to not only remember the sacrifice He made, but let's take the time to say "thank You Lord" for what He did so willingly. I want to end this week with the words to a song.

"I will remember,
I will remember,
I will remember the works of Your hands,
I will stop, and give You praise,
I will rememberYour faithfullness."

Father, thank You so much for going to the cross so willingly. Thank You for paying the debt that we should've paid but You knew we couldn't pay it. May we never forget or take for granted what you did for us. In Jesus Name, Amen.


*****I have a prize to give away this week! For those that leave a comment beneith this post, (emails don't count) you will be entered into a drawing to win an autographed copy of my friend Edie Melson's new Book, "Fighting Fear: Winning the War At Home When Your Soldier Leaves for Battle." This is a great devotional for the families of our military who have gone to serve our country. The deadline to enter is Saturday, March 31. The winner will be announced next Monday!

Are You in Need of a New Perspective?

Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:38-42, New King James Version)

Ok, to say that Martha needed a new perspective was putting it mildly. When she couldn't get her sister to help her in the kitchen, she commenced to do what children do whenanother child does something to agravate them.   She tattled! There was an aspect here though that she wasn't seeing. With Mary ignoring her not-so-suttle hints to help her prepare the meal, she was missing the more important thing. She was missing the worship. She was missing the worship of the Savior. Mary knew what was important. Nothing, not even her sister's atempts for her assistance compelled in comparrison to the thing that the Lord seeks. He seeks worshipers, not busy little machines. I love what Jesus says in a later verse, "Martha, Martha, you are troubled and worried about many things. But Mary has done the right thing and it will not be taken away from her." I believe that Martha got a new perspective that day. Ladies, the next time you have a guest in your home, think of it as Jesus entering your home. Would you be more interested in preparing just the right meal, or would you bow on your knees in worship? Jesus would've been happy if Martha would've given him a hotdog on a bun, just as long as he could've had her worship. Let me encourage you, worship the Lord instead of making sure every little detail is perfect. He's not interested in a perfectionest,He's interested in a worshiper. So, let's worship before we work.

 Lord, help us to realize the importance of worship and not busyness. Help us get back to the worship of You. In Jesus Name Amen.