An Example to Follow

In Bethany, while Jesus was reclining at the table, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar containing very expensive perfume. Out of an act of worship, she poured this perfume upon his head. Indignant, the disciples claimed “What a waste! This could have been sold and given to the poor!” Certainly, the disciples had good intentions. I mean, isn’t feeding the poor a good thing? (Matthew 26:6-10) 

As with Martha and Mary, Jesus isn’t interested in His disciples doing the “good thing” but instead He is interested in his disciples doing the best thing! Worshiping our God is the best thing! Out of that worship, feeding the poor will come. Because when we worship our God, He plants His passions, His burdens, His desires and His will in our hearts and empowers us to fulfill them.

This woman was preparing Jesus for the death that would pay for all of mankind’s sins. She was about God’s will in this preparation, which ultimately would save the poor and all people from eternal poverty (a forever life without God). This woman is held in memory of her best deed, because her best deed helped propel the finish of the gospel.

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for a woman like this, who has given us an example to follow. While we are intent on doing good things in this world, give us insight into what the best things are so that we are about Your Will! In this children’s ministry, Your will is relationship. Your will is to build a bridge between the relationships leaders and children develop that ultimately lead to relationship with You. We pray for connection between leaders and children; between children and You. May our service to you be as the expensive perfume that the woman poured upon Your head. My we prepare the hearts of these children with the Gospel of Your saving grace. May we see ourselves as giving of our time as the best thing we can do, never as a waste. Guard us against the good and propel us toward the best. Reward us with seeing the fruit of our labors. In Your holy name, Amen.

Foundations

This morning I began reading 1 Corinthians 3:10-16 and my heart was drawn to pray for the parents of the children in our ministry at River Club. I am so glad that we have the opportunity to teach them on Sunday, but they need more. I sympathize with parents with all the demands parenthood and their workload that weighs heavily upon them. There is much in our culture that distracts and hinders them from building effectively upon the foundation of Jesus Christ in the lives of their children. Our prayers for them will encourage them and give them strength to discard the unimportant and stay focused on the activities that last for all eternity.

By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds.    For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw,  his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work.  If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.  If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.   Dear God, You are our wisdom and our strong foundation. Thank you for giving us Jesus. We pray, Lord, for your strength and your Spirit to infuse courage in parents today; help them to discard that which is temporary and trade it for that which is eternal, especially when it comes to building upon the foundation of your Son in their children's lives. Constantly remind parents in various ways the need for their children to know You through Your word, prayer and worship.  For what is important to parents, becomes important to their children. Help them have the power through Your Spirit to overcome the distractions and hindrances of our culture. Give them discernment to know the difference between what is good and what is Your best. In Jesus Name, Amen.