Does Not Have to Be This Way

Luke 7:36-50

³⁶And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. ³⁷And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, ³⁸And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. ³⁹Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. ⁴⁰And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. ⁴¹There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. ⁴²And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? ⁴³Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. ⁴⁴And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. ⁴⁵Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. ⁴⁶My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. ⁴⁷Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. ⁴⁸And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. ⁴⁹And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? ⁵⁰And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

What in your life would you like to change? Do you believe that your destiny is made or pre-determined? Is the life you are living today the best that it could be? Are you stuck in a dead relationship? Are you feeling trapped in a dead end job? Are you stuck in a dead financial situation? If everything around you seems to be dead maybe you are living a life which is spiritually dead.

Take a spiritual inventory of your life. When was the last time you gave God five minutes in prayer? When was the last time you fasted? When was the last time you went to church truly in the mode of worship? When was the last time you read and studied his word?

God cannot exist in our lives when our lives are lived in a dead and superficial manner. An experience of the Holy Spirit requires that we take time to be fully present with God in everything we do. All day… All the time! Do not let anyone fool you! Prayer is a discipline, Tithing is a discipline, worship and fellowship in church is a discipline. Being a Christian is a discipline! And from time to time we must stop and take an inventory of our spiritual lives.

Imagine what happens when we take the time out to stop and truly pay attention and spiritually inventory our lives and what we and engaged in. When we choose to slow down and experience what the Father intends for the quality of our lives. We will gain an entirely different perspective on what living’s all about. It is not about the new car, bigger home, money or money in the bank. Yes, God desires these things for us. Nevertheless, I pray that we find life is more about connecting with God and building his Kingdom.

Whatever is troubling you this morning, last week, last month, or even last year it is time to let it go and let God handle it. It does not have to be this way! God knows our coming and going. He knows our motives and our puny ways. Allow Him to help us hear the key boards ticking and understand His message. Help us stop the damage that disregarding His word brings to our lives and our loved ones. For the wages of sin is death. it does not have to be this way.

We must let go of the distractions and stressful intensity of our daily life and take our troubles to God in prayer. Come and enter a sweet, sacred communion of silence with Jesus. With Jesus there is life in our otherwise dead existence. With Jesus there is no conflict or confusion, there is no strafe or stress, there is no illness or ignorance, there are no desires unknown. All of our concerns and worries simply melt away in the gentle glow of Holy Spirit. Oh YES! Glory be to God that It does not have to be this way! AMEN!

By: Elder Michael L. Hargett
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