I want to be like the Alabaster woman when it comes to my service to the Lord; I will either annoy him or anoint him.
I want my acts of love toward God to demonstrate that my heart was changed when I experienced the grace and forgiveness of God.
Men had abused her. Then she met the God/man, Jesus, who gave her life, dignity, and purpose. Her gift represented her past; a fragrance prostitutes used as a calling card to lure men their way. She wore this perfume as she walked through the crowd in the marketplace. Sinful men would pick up on her scent and know she was the one to follow.
This woman heard about a man named Jesus and how he saved broken people. She poured out her past onto Jesus' feet in front of witnesses. She didn't say a word. Jesus read right into her heart.
Jesus lifted women from degradation and servitude to the joy of fellowship and service. Her story was recorded as an example of a woman who was not invited, but still entered. Her story contrasted Pharisees and the sinners, and her overflowing love was a natural response. God honored her devotion and shut down all intimidation.
Our devotion brings us into God's presence, while the world's intimidation blocks us from His presence.
Patti will challenge your audience to deny the noise of the world and weep before the Lord. Bring their tears of suffering, distress, troubles, and travailing to the feet of Jesus. Their tears will be laced with hope. The bitter tears will be replaced with sweet tears of gratitude. These tears minister to God's heart.
Does your identity come from what people say about you, or does your identity come from what God says about you?
