Light for my path

I’m thankful to get the chance to share my favorite scripture with you this week.  Psalm 119:105 is a scripture I have clung to over the past four years. 

Your word is a lamp for my feet,
    a light on my path.

Serving God is not easy.  Working and serving in the church has it’s struggles.  Following God’s call to, go where He leads does not ensure a smooth journey.  I have been challenged to rely on God’s word like never before. 

When I’ve wondered where God was I’m reminded, in his word, that he is near.  When the battle gets hard, I read that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual powers in the dark realm.

If we mess up and spend too much time satisfying our own selfish desires, we’re reassured that nothing can separate us from his love.  God’s word is filled with everything we need to direct us as we journey through life. It is shining for us, giving us just enough light to take the next step.

Luke 7:36-50

Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman

She learned of Him.

She brought an alabaster jar of perfume.

She stood behind Him at his feet.

She wet His feet with her tears.

She wiped them with her hair.

She kissed them and poured perfume on them.

She was a sinful woman.

He sat at the table of Simon a Pharisee.

He spoke as the woman wept.

He said “I have something to tell you Simon.”

He narrated the story of a money lender.

He explained the connection between the parable and the woman.

He told her “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Luke 7:47: Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven-for she loved much.  But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”

If he who has been forgiven little loves little

Then he who has been forgiven much loves much

So what was the heart of Jesus teaching them, and us?

Increased forgiveness results in greater love. In turn the outcome of love is forgiveness.

Think about that. 

Read/Listen to Luke 7:36-50

Happy Feet, John 13:1-17

Take a look at your feet. Go ahead, take a good look. What do they look like? Are they long and narrow or short and wide? Do you have flat feet or high arches? Feet are the primary mode of transportation for a lot of us. We have put many miles on our feet.

Many of us are embarrassed of our feet. They are not as soft as when we were young, so we hide them in shoes and slide them in slippers. We don’t want anyone to touch them let alone notice them.

John 13:1-17 is the story of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet. How would you react if the savior wanted to wash your feet? Would you feel embarrassed, ashamed at how rough they are? Would you resist as Peter did, not wanting Jesus to lower himself to such a position?

It’s ok to acknowledge that Jesus is better than that. It is not wrong to say, “You should not be washing my feet, but I should be washing yours.” It is when we see how undeserving we are of God’s touch, and yet acknowledge it’s the only way to be clean, that we will understand what he is doing. Jesus washing feet, pointed to the cross where he washed us clean of our sins.

While on the cross; seeing every rough road we have traveled, every dirty thought and deed, each and every mess we created and then stepped in, Jesus chose to die washing us white as snow. All he asks is that we treat the world as he treated us, so that they may know him too.

Read the entire passage on Biblegateway John 13:1-17