Laced With Grace

“Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist.” ~ John 13:1-4 (ESV – emphasis mine)

Is it just me or does this happen to you too? I mean we have read or heard certain Bible passages so often, and one day you go “wow, that is so amazing”…

I am making my way through Kathy Howard’s “A 31 Day Encounter with Jesus” reading plan (you should try it – it is awesome). When I read the above passage the other morning it struck me how much Jesus really loved when He walked this side of heaven; He love them to the end.

Jesus knew what was ahead of Him; grueling hours before the council (Luke 22:66-71), mocking by Roman soldiers (Matthew 27:27-31), stretched out on the cross (John 19:16-27). Knowing that the next days would be very painful, physically and emotionally, Jesus took the time washing His disciples feet. To me, that is so beautiful and humbling at the same time. What great love indeed.

In three weeks my favorite season starts, Lent. During the 46-day journey I like to really dig through the Gospels to learn more about my Lord and Savior. Will you join me this year? Do you have a special devotional that you will be using? Please do share.

“Lord of Heaven and Earth. Every time I read about Your love, I stand in awe. Lord, help me to never forget about Your great love and sacrifice. May I love others as You have loved Your disciples and us. More of You and less of me… In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.”

Whenever I read Isaiah 6:1-8 I am deeply moved.

I’m there, it’s me, it’s not Isaiah. I can see the train of His robe filling the temple. It flows on for what looks like forever for the temple is large in size. I see the angels attending to Him. I can hear voices crying out, “Holy! Holy! Holy! I can hear the rush of the angel’s wings as he flies swiftly towards me carrying the hot coal. I can feel the floor trembling beneath me and I’m in fear being in His very presence. I can feel the heat coming off the burning coal as it is placed upon my lips. My heart is overwhelmed by the pronouncement that my iniquities have been taken away and my sins are forgiven.

And then the unthinkable happens. The Lord God Almighty Himself speaks. Looking directly into my eyes with blazing light emanating from His eyes into mine, He asks “Whom shall I send, and who will go for US?” Without hesitation I reply, “Here am I. Send me!”

His power transfers into me, fills my very being and I’m forever filled with His passion for the world He has created. He sends me out, filled with His Spirit. I’m merely His willing vessel to accomplish His will.

He desires to send more workers out to share His passion.  Are you willing to R.S.V.P. to His Holy Calling?

Responsibility ~ Are you willing to take ownership and act on what you know to be right? Are you willing to confess your sin and live a righteous life before the Lord so He can use you?

Sacrifice ~ Giving up what you love for something you love even more. Do you love Him more than anything or anyone else? What are you willing to sacrifice?

Vision ~ Are you communicating with passion what you see, feel, and hear? Are you focused? Do you see the vision He has set before you? He has called you, therefore He has given you a vision, a mission.

Partner ~ You can’t always go yourself, but you can partner with those of us who are there on the front lines every day. You can pray. We need your prayers. It’s the protection and the under girding we desperately need. You can give. Even the smallest of gifts is powerful when it is given out of obedience and in Jesus name. Choose a missionary and stand in the gap with/for them.  It’s your choice.

How will you R.S.V.P. to God?

Father, I am undone, a woman of unclean lips. Please cleanse me and make me a worthy messenger. I desire to answer your call.  Yes, Lord!  Here am I, send me!

Marsha’s Musings

Today’s devotion is a guest devotion by Laurie Ann Pearce. You can visit Laurie Ann at her personal blog “A Magnolia’s Heart Beats”

Traveling long God’s straight path…there’s a wonderful vision of hope. Do you envision God’s path like I do? I’d like to see it as a straight shot, clean and shiny, no clutter, no pot holes, no speed bumps, no S curves. The fact is that my path is not always like that, and I suspect yours may not be either. The path we travel in life has construction zones everywhere. Obstacles are on that road, slowing us down as we try to press on.

The Path of Wisdom

Using the wisdom God gives us will keep us on a straight path. The Hebrew word for wisdom here is chokmah. It means:

1) wisdom
a) skill (in war)
b) wisdom (in administration)
c) shrewdness, wisdom
d) wisdom, prudence (in religious affairs)
e) wisdom (ethical and religious)

God has given us wisdom in every aspect of life we face. Sometimes we lose sight of it or don’t even realize it’s there. During those times we are told to ask for wisdom.

He Guides Us

Putting our hope in God will make the path more manageable and easier to travel. Warning signs of obstacles ahead will become more visible the more we follow His guidance.

The Hebrew word for guide is darak. This verb means:

1) to tread, bend, lead, march
a) (Qal)
1) to tread, march, march forth
2) to tread on, tread upon
3) to tread (a press)
4) to tread (bend) a bow
5) archer, bow-benders (participle)
b) (Hiphil)
1) to tread, tread down
2) to tread (bend with the foot) a bow
3) to cause to go, lead, march, tread

Because He guides us with wisdom, we can see the speed bumps before we hit them, and with God’s leading, more often than not, what we perceive to be hairpin curves straighten out in front of us. In fact, the word guide implies that He bends them down before us.

The Straight Path

The Hebrew word for straight is yosher. It means:
1) straightness, uprightness
a) straightness, evenness (moral implications)
b) rightness, uprightness
c) what is right, what is due

The Hebrew word for path is ma`gal. It means:

1) entrenchment, track
a) circumvallation, entrenchment
b) track

This straight track He leads us on is one of high calling. We must choose to stay on this path, never straying, though temptations may come. Often our paths are entrenchments, and I love to perceive the walls of the trench as protective. An entrenchment offers protection from enemy fire, after all. And circumvallation means (a) The act of surrounding with a wall or rampart. (b) A line of field works made around a besieged place and the besieging army, to protect the camp of the besiegers against the attack of an enemy from without. (source: http://www.dictionary.com/)

God promises to honor us and give us wisdom to make our paths straight. What are some ways we can honor Him in staying on the path He has set before us?

Making Prayer a Priority

Try to let it be the first thing you do in the morning and as often in the day as you can. I’m not talking about spending four hours in prayer with God the minute your feet hit the floor each morning or scheduling prayers for certain times, although if you feel so called you should do that. I think it’s important to breathe a prayer and a promise to God frequently throughout the day, letting him know your hope is in Him and to keep you mindful of what He wants you to accomplish.

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” ~ Colossians 4:2 (NIV)

Spend Time in His Word

As soon as you can, get in some time with His Word. It’s refreshing, it’s recharging and it will give you the fuel and light you need to travel the path He has for you.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” ~ Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

Change Your View

View obstacles in your path as opportunities. Don’t let them throw you track. Remember to ask God for guidance. He’ll let you know how to tackle it. Assess the opportunity, then use the wisdom God has given you to follow His prompting.

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” ~ Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)

Praise Him

Praise Him. Thank Him. Honor Him throughout the day and at the end of the day for leading you down the path you traveled today. Thank Him for being your hope and for promising to honor you for staying hopeful in Him. Praise Him for the things you saw and the lives you touched along the path you walked.

“O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.” ~ Psalm 25:1 (NIV)

Wrapping It Up

Questions for Reflection: Do you ever find yourself rushing ahead of God’s guidance and find the path not so straight? What is one thing you do to get back on the straight path of wisdom?

Verse of the Day: “I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.” ~ Proverbs 4:11 (NIV)

Prayer: Father, as we travel along the path You have set before us, may we continuously seek Your wisdom. May we use the wisdom You have given us in the thoughts we think, the words we say and write, and the thing that we do. Thank You for the protection Your path affords us. Open our eyes to see the way You have set before us. Help us to remember to view the obstacles in our paths as opportunities to honor and glorify You. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

P – Pray daily to stay on the path God has prepared before you. “I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer.” ~ Psalm 17:6 (NIV)

A – Abide close to Christ, who will never lead you astray. “When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” ~ John 10:4-5 (NIV)

T – Take others onto the path with you. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” ~ Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)

H – Hide God’s Word in your heart daily so that you do not stray from His path. “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” ~ Psalm 119:11 (NIV)