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| Photo by CHUTTLESNAP on UNSPLASH |
What do people do with broken things? Throw them away! Set aside to fix one day! Or find another purpose for it!Do you ever feel like that? Thrown away, tossed aside and just waiting for somebody to fix what's broken inside you? If so, I know Someone Who can!
The three pictures shown below represent three women in the bible that Jesus Repaired, Renewed, or Repurposed for His glory. He can do the same for you...if you let Him!
REPAIRED
Photo by Ashim d'Silva on UNSPLASH
💔 The Bleeding Woman Luke 8:43-50 [click to read scripture]Commonly known as the
Woman with the issue of blood, this sister roamed the countryside for 12 years looking for a fix no soothsayer, prophet or seer could give. She spent all her money, endured incredible shame and frustration until one day she met Jesus, the One who answered all her prayers.
A woman during her time of mentruation was considered unclean in this culture! We do not know how old she was or her ethnicity but if she was a Hebrew she was a walking pariah. She could not participate in religious services. Anything she touched or sat on was defiled. She was not permitted to do certain house chores especially ones in the kitchen. If she was a young woman, no man would marry her. If she was married her husband wouldn't have sex with her. And you can imagine the dirty looks she got when passing other women on the street!
Some women today might relate to this bleeding woman. They may have trouble getting pregnant because of endometriosis or some other medical condition. Lupus or MS is robbing her of the energy and funds she needs to do all her heart desires. Maybe it's not a physical impairment but something just as personal and debilitating. A past reputation that just won't die. Painful relationships that hinder her confidence and causes her to self sabotage new ones! Don't lose hope dear friend! God STILL has a plan for your life!
Read the scripture. Christ answered the silent cries of this woman. His compassion for her brokenness surpassed the pain she endured. He can do the same for you! You're already as low as you can get, so why not muster enough strength to touch the hem of His garment. Be filled with His miraculous power! Receive even as this bleeding woman did these words:
"Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. "Go in peace."
RENEWED
Photo by Noah Buscher on UNSPLASH
The gospel of Luke gives us one of three references for unnamed women who anointed Jesus. This scenario takes place at the home of Simon the Pharisee. Only God could have given this woman the courage to disrupt a gathering of men in the home of someone who despised her! But it is this kind of boldness God honors because it brings Him glory! What her particular sin was we're not told. It didn't matter to Christ. But to Simon the Pharisee it was highly offensive.
Again consider the status of women at this time. Second class citizens who were denied formal religious education. Silenced in public by men unless addressed. Her word meant nothing, not even as a witness to a crime. Simon a member of the religious upper echelon would not have allowed her entrance let alone access to a guest! But this anointing (more like anointed) sinner set aside her shame. Her love and appreciation was all that mattered. She did not care what her devotion to Christ would cost her!
It is estimated that the value of the alabaster jar of perfume she used would be upward of $5,000 but the cost was nothing compared to the forgiveness she received. The sacrifice this anointed sinner made lets me know that she embraced the meaning of Romans 12:1-2, years before it was written. She offered her body (possibly to be beaten) and her savings as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God. She wasn't concerned with cultural norms (conformities) but was transformed and renewed in her mind proving that God's will was more important than her pride. His will is that all mankind be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:3-4) The truth of who you are in Christ!
REPURPOSED
Photo by Vitamina Poleznova on UNSPLASH
I always look for an opportunity to set the record straight about Mary Magdalene. Many Christian books and articles say that she was a prostitute but this is not biblically correct. She was a woman who was demon possessed! Jesus delivered her from seven demons as a matter of fact. However, this did not keep her from becoming one of His most faithful disciples. She was not one of The Twelve, but she was present during pivotal times in Jesus' ministry. Along with other women she supported Christ's ministry financially and was the first witness at His resurrection.
Mary's life must have been horrific as she fought the effects of demon possession. No doubt it affected her mentally and physically. This is not unlike conditions that manifest in similar ways today. Those who suffer are not called demon possessed, but feel just as miserable. They too feel marginalized from society and often take medications with unpleasant side effects to help them get through the day. Can God use them in His Kingdom? Most certainly!
Elijah, the prophet suffered from depression, Jonah had anger problems. Samson exhibited chronic behavior disorders and Isaac may have had some intellectual weaknesses. Jacob had a bad hip and was crippled!
Here's the Bottom line: Man's Inability is no match for God's Capabilities. He takes the old and makes new again!
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ He is a new creation. The old has passed away;
behold the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
"Brokenness is God's Requirement
for Maximum Usefulness!"
-DR. CHARLES STANLEY
UNTIL NEXT TIME
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