Second Chances

This week's lessons are focusing on how God never gives up on us.

God never gives up on us.

Just think of that. In the amplified version of the Bible, it defines "Selah" as "Pause, and calmly think of that". Isn't that beautiful? I need more "Selah" in my life. The fact that God never gives up on us is something to tuck into our hearts, so we can take it out and calmly think of it when we are in crisis. It's not an excuse to follow our own heart, but something to take courage from as we move forward into God's plan for our life.

I was struggling a bit with the parables in Day 2. I was reading the text, and the scripture, and feeling like I was just not getting what Priscilla wanted us to see in the passages. I turned to my favorite commentator, David Gudzik for some insight.

In the parable of the lost sheep, Gudzik shares that in Jesus day, the Rabbi's believed that God would receive a sinner who came to Him. In this parable Jesus teaches that God actively seeks out the lost. This thought was alien to Jesus listeners. Religious leaders thought that they themselves were more righteous because they diligently sought God, and others had not.

In the parable of the lost coin, Jesus taught that there is joy in the presence of angels over one sinner who repents. In Jesus day people believed that there would be joy in heaven over one sinner who is obliterated before God.

Jesus sure loved to turn people's beliefs on their ear didn't He? We are quick to take Jesus promises for ourselves, but I wonder if I show the same grace to other people who may have acted wrongly when God interrupted their lives.

In fact, when we move on to day 3, and study the story of Naaman I see that he had an arrogance that can parallel my own when it comes to obeying God and what He asks me to do. This includes obeying, forgiving, showing compassion and love, everything!

This so shames me. I don't want to be a woman who disobeys God. I desire to be a woman who hears God, obeys God, and honors Him with my actions, with my words, and even deeper, with my heart!

As I write and talk, that "I" word keeps creeping up. I want, I want, I want. Those are not bad things that I am wanting, but "I" have no possible chance of achieving anything without "God in Me". A stronger measure of the Holy Spirit, a fuller yielding of myself, a humbler follower of Jesus. A John 4:34 type of woman for Jesus.

John 4:34 (Amp.)
Jesus said to them, My food (nourishment) is to do the will (pleasure) of Him Who sent Me and to accomplish and completely finish His work.