Who's praise are you picking on?

While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked. "This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor." Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. (Matthew 26:6-11)



Why is it that people that are doing nothing for the Lord have so much to say about the way others live for Him, worship Him and praise Him? How much could the disciples have been doing for the Lord that they had time to “pick on Mary’s praise”? You never know what the person praising has been through or what God has revealed to them. This is why we must all have our own personal relationship with the Lord so that we can recognize and obey the sound of His voice no matter how it may look in the natural.

In ancient days, it was a practice to anoint the body in preparation for the burial with perfume. Unbeknownst to the disciples, Mary was preparing the body of Jesus for his burial. Mary’s mind was set on things eternal and the disciples were concerned with the temporal. When God places something in our hearts to do for Him – we need to do what he tells us to do regardless of what others may say, think or feel. Only what you do for Christ will last.

When we see others focused on their work for the Kingdom, we must learn to be encouraging not discouraging. Mary Magdalene was on assignment for the Lord. The disciples attempted to stop her progress. Mary continued anyhow. The disciples didn’t know why Mary was using the perfume on the Lord so in their eyes it was a waste. But it’s not our job to question the necessity of one’s efforts. Our thoughts and ways are not like God’s. We don’t always understand why He uses the methods or people that He does but it is His will and it will be done anyhow. Are you “picking on anyone’s praise”?

Shanita Waters
By His Stripes We are Healed, Author
www.waterplantgrowth.com

A Dream Come True

I've always had what many people consider to be a "creative mind". I can remember as far back as Elementary School when I would write stories and poems that prompted my teachers to want to learn more about my home life. I would write about what I saw that I liked and what I saw that I thought should be different. I mixed a little of the truth and a lot of my imagination. The pictures I drew and stories I told were wise far beyond my years. Needless to say, this caused great concern.

As an adult, I still have a lot of creativity pent up inside of me waiting to be released. I still look at the world around me and desire to make a positive impact. I used to get excited and talk as long as I had someone to listen. Now I write. By His Stripes We are Healed, my first novel is a result of this pent up creativity and my outlook on life.

I've always dreamed of being a published author and now that dream has come to pass. I thank God for it. It's truly a dream come true.
Labels: dream, first blog, novel, published author draft

Are You Prepared?

Moses said to the LORD, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD ? 12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." But Moses said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it." (Exodus 4:10-12)
How many times have we aborted our assignments because we feel that we are not good enough or that there is someone better equipped? How many times have we disobeyed God in fear of what others may think, feel or say about us? How many times have we forgotten that it is God who appoints us and man’s inability to accept these appointments that become disappointments? If God placed a specific task in your hands for you to do – He will see you through. Not only will God see you through but he will give you the means and the instruction to do it.
As Moses led God’s chosen children through the dessert, they had no change of clothes – yet there were never naked. There were no flowing rivers – yet they were not dehydrated. There were no crops - yet God sent them manna from Heaven. They had no flashlights to see by night but He gave them a pillar of fire to see by night. There was no compass to make their way during the day but He gave them a pillar of could to lead them during the day.
Suppose Moses had not beckoned to God’s call. Imagine how he would have felt watching someone else lead the children to land of Canaan. Do you think he could bear it? No. Well, I ask you are you prepared to watch someone else finish the job He started in you? What will you say then left with your works undone?
We know all this and most of us are familiar with the text – yet we still doubt God and His ability to use us. God brought you to “it” to bring you through “it” so that He may get the glory.

SW