Sunday, October 25, 2009

Today's Sermon Notes

Greetings and Holykisses,


I wrote earlier that I'd share our message from church today.
I've read these verses before, but never heard the message given from this perspective. It was exactly what I needed to hear. Maybe one of you does as well!

Mark 14:3-9 "And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. And Jesus said, "Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good but me ye have not always. She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her."


The message today was that sometimes doing something positive isn't always easy.
How many times have I read these verses and not heard what I did today?

This woman, ... made the most of her opportunity.
This woman went to Jesus even though it wasn't customary for women to
walk into a roomful of men like that.
She did. She sought Jesus.
When she poured the precious oil on Jesus she was criticized by others.
Does the word say that she even answered those who were critical?
No.
Her eyes were focused on Jesus.
Not man.

Six little words leaped out at me:
SHE HATH DONE WHAT SHE COULD.

If I want my life to count for the kingdom, am I doing what I can?
Am I making the most of my opportunities?
These are questions I'm asking myself.

Our pastor brought up "time."
We need to live for "today," and make the most of our opportunities.

I guess no one really knows for sure who this woman was? The Pastor's speculation is that it may have been Mary, Martha's sister. If it was... she's the one who sat at Jesus' feet. She loved Him so much and knew what/who was most important. She wasn't a people pleaser. She cared more about her Jesus than her reputation, or other people's opinions. I wanted to dance thee isles when I read this today! :)

Have you ever been criticized for sharing the Lord?
Have you had someone put you down when you've tried to do good?
Some people seem to enjoy criticizing others.
I love that this woman didn't even give them an answer.
She never defended herself, but Jesus did.
She kept her focus.
If we lose sight of God; we also lose sight of our purpose.
Thankfully, Jesus knows our hearts--
This woman's motives were questioned,
but our Lord knew her heart as well.
He also remembers our acts of Love.
And one day we will be rewarded for them.
Even if we gave a cup of water. ;)

I hope this encourages someone out there as it did me today.









6 comments:

Denise said...

Thanks for encouraging me sweetie, love you.

Joyfulsister said...

Amen Sis,
It has encouraged me as well as I read your post!! Very though provoking and I have often wondered who she was. How are you doing??? Hope you had a blessed weekend and praying you have a an even greater week ahead!

Muwahhhh

Territory Mom said...

Thank you for sharing. This is just wanted I needed. Love to you.

Tracy said...

What a GREAT message and what an encouragement and challenge to me...Am I doing what I can? Making the most of what God gives to me? Chewing on this one. Thanks sweetie. Love ya!

Debra said...

I needed it very much. Thank you!
Love, Debra

Angela said...

YES YES YES..it did encourage me...I NEEDED this...many changes are happening right now, doors are opening up and well let's say this message spoke directly to my heart..((hugs))