Pure--After What I've Done>

Pure—After What I’ve Done?

“Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”

Isaiah 1:18

“My body was every man’s meat market. I was only tossed aside once their animal cravings were satisfied. And I wondered, are all men like this? Does true love wait for me? But who would want—me?

Then I learned about a people, the Israelites, who belonged to a miracle working God. Their God split the Great Sea and gave His people bread from heaven. Kings were toppled who appeared invincible.  Everyone was jittery, terrified. This horde of Israelites was headed our way.  Surely we were doomed!

I heard a knock on my door. Who could it be? No one ever knocked; they just strutted in and put the money in my hand.

Slowly opening the door, I looked into the faces of men of a different breed. I didn’t see the hungry look of lust in their eyes. I saw men who were polite and kind. I was in the presence of something wonderful yet I had no name for such purity.

 Instantly I knew…their God was the One true God. I was smitten on the spot. How I longed to belong to a God who loved me and cared for me!

My name is Rahab. I was a prostitute who lived in Jericho, the city whose walls fell down. But I believed in the One true God and He made me His child and washed me whiter than snow. I even found true love when I married Salmon, a noble warrior but oh, so sweet to me!

I am honored in the Bible and you’ll even see my name in the genealogy of Jesus Christ! Wow!

Oh yes, The Almighty has made me great and called me pure. The blood of Jesus Christ who died on a lonely hill washed me clean when I said, Lord, come into my heart.

 Don’t hang back. You have a Savior who is waiting for you—a Savior who wants to make you great. Just come…as you are. He’s knocking on your door!”

Dear Lord Jesus,

There’s room in my heart for you. Make me pure and I’ll be great for You!

Humble but Great That's Excellence?

                      

  Humble but Great—That’s Excellence?

 

“Most men will proclaim each his own goodness,

 But who can find a faithful man?”

Proverbs 20:6 (NKJV)

       

She was a quiet girl, soft spoken and certainly not proud. She never was showy or bossy. She didn’t spout off all her accomplishments. She was a faithful girl, a girl who could be trusted. And she didn’t miss a step. Her name was Helen.

Once a year my school held an awards banquet. And so on this night I was one of many attending. All present were hoping that their name would be heard over the loud speaker. Different categories were being addressed but the one I remember was excellence in volunteer work for campus activities.

And the winner is—Helen!

Wow—Helen! Who would have thought? She's so unassuming…so reserved. 

And as I looked for her to come to the podium, I was shocked. Helen wasn’t there!  She was at the theater helping prepare for the school’s next theatrical performance. No, she wasn’t the heroine. She wasn’t in the bright lights. She was back stage—helping!

I finally ran into Helen. “Congratulations, but why weren’t you at the banquet?”

“Well, I had a job to do. I was the only one who could do it. I had to do my part. I had to be there.”

I replied rather limply, “Oh.”

I was immature and clueless. I didn’t understand how someone could pass up the glory of an awards banquet. But I never forgot this girl who laid down the accolades of men to honor a commitment and honor God.

·         She was excellent.

·         She was humble.

·          She was diligent.
 And yes, she was great!

·         She was a girl after God’s own heart!

And God rewarded her!

Dear Lord,

I humble myself before You. Please teach me to honor you in all I do and do it with humility. Thank you!

Margie's Teen Blog: Excellence in Kindness - All the Time

Margie's Teen Blog: Excellence in Kindness - All the Time:                 I love you in the morning and in the afternoon; I love you in the evening and underneath the moon Excellence ... Greatness is not what you think it is. Read the guidelines of your Maker the One who loves you and counted you worth  the cost!

Excellence in Kindness - All the Time

               

I love you in the morning
and in the afternoon;
I love you in the evening
and underneath the moon

Excellence in Kindness—All the Time

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

Proverbs 17:17

I was not on her cool list but once a year she flashed me a smile and called me by name. “Hi, Margie!”

And with that I was supposed—to vote for her. And with such recognition I should be honored by her condescension to my low estate—and vote for her.

What’s your verdict? Do you think I voted for her and valued her brief moment of kindness? What would be your response to such a one? Could you truly label her—excellent? Perhaps you know someone like this. Now he may be cool on the campus but heaven has a different story.

“Child, my value system is not like the things you see in the winners’ circle. My standard of coolness and excellence is not found in popularity contests or Peoples Magazine. My eyes don’t focus on the number of your twitter followers, (I had twelve! Once I had a ton more but they all defriended Me.)  I look on the heart.”

“Well, Lord, what pleases you?”

 “So glad you asked! Here’s some on my list:

·         A friend who loves—all the time

·         One who is friendly with others—all the time

·         One who is humble and loves what is right—all the time

·         One who loves Me—all the time—and all the time—turns to Me when he makes a mistake.

That is excellence and greatness. That’s how I call it and I’m not changing. Remember, I don’t change… I’m always the same!

P.S. I love you—all the time!”

Dear Lord,

Please show me how much you love me—all the time. Please Show me how to be a friend—all the time. Thank you. And, Lord, I love you too!

       

Ex