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Articles by Emily Wickham

Much

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“Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little.”

Luke 7:47, HCSB

 

9711325376_0b003d5867_b-750x500What was she doing there?

Upon invitation, Jesus ate at Simon the Pharisee’s house. A certain someone, known as an immoral woman, heard about Jesus’ visit and decided to crash the party. Bringing a container of valuable perfume, she entered and stood behind the Lord as He stretched out at the table. Weeping, she wiped, kissed, and anointed Jesus’ feet, worshipping Messiah with a full heart.

Everyone–except Jesus–could see her. She didn’t seem to care. She was too overcome.

I wonder why the Pharisee even let her in. I’d think he wouldn’t want such a lowlife to enter his home since he retained a leadership position in the Jewish community. Why didn’t he stop her? Though it appears she worked as a prostitute, he didn’t chase her away. Simon simply watched and thought … and judged.

Maybe this woman had earned money at Simon’s house in the past.

Maybe Simon and this woman knew each other.

Obviously, Simon felt superior.

Yet Jesus saw right through. He read the Pharisee’s thoughts, and though Simon didn’t ask for a response, the Lord answered anyway:

“Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner.’ And Jesus answered and said to him…” Lk. 7:39-40, NASB

Jesus communicated truth through a parable about two people unable to repay debt. Graciously, their moneylender forgave each of them–one for 50 denarii and the other for 500 denarii. The Lord then asked Simon who loved the lender more, and Simon correctly understood. Of course, the person forgiven for the greater debt held a greater love.

Just like that woman. That “sort of person.” That “sinner.”

Though she really had nothing to offer, she humbly gave all she could: her tears mingled with perfume, the tresses flowing from her head, the gentle kiss of her lips … all spent on Jesus’ feet.

I don’t believe she’d ever used those parts of her body in such a holy way.

But unlike Simon, this woman grasped in the core of her being that the living God sat before her. A Savior so exquisite, so loving, so welcoming–so forgiving–Who made her new. She’d followed the Lord Jesus Christ to the Pharisee’s house, publicly displayed her faith, and worshipped Him unashamedly.

She knew what she was, yet she’d come to know who HE IS.

She’d been forgiven for Every. Horrendous. Sin.

In return, she loved MUCH.

May this be true of us as well. 

Emily

Jehovah-Jireh

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“And Abraham called the name of that place, The LORD Will Provide, as it is said to this day, ‘In the mount of the LORD it will be provided.’”

Genesis 22:14, NASB

3407962551_66748ef3de_b-750x567Tossing and turning, I fretted about a financial situation. Sleep eluded me in the wee morning hours as tears wet my cheeks. I wrestled to rest…

God will provide.

Suddenly, quietly, this thought eased into my mind and heart. I’ve no doubt it was the Holy Spirit, gently comforting me with this timeless truth.

Jehovah-Jireh.

How long have I understood this aspect of our marvelous God? Years upon years! Yet I still need reminding every so often because I’m, well, I’m human. Life ratchets up, pressures mount, and despite the faith God has planted in me, sometimes I wonder. I worry. I weep.

All the while, God holds me in His tender hands. He knows everything and wisely cares for me–He provides for every need. My elevated concerns and attempts to control matters don’t prompt Him to action. Rather, God provides for me…

because that is who He is.

God’s provision doesn’t depend on our goodness, our adequacy, our labors, our anything. God provides for His children because that’s His nature. Of course, we need to fulfill our responsibilities and work accordingly, but God doesn’t base all of His actions on ours. Sometimes He tests us, which stretches and grows our faith, yet even our level of trust doesn’t dictate His response.

Abraham used Jehovah-Jireh in reference to the Lord’s provision of a ram. You see, Almighty God had commanded him to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac. So Abraham obediently proceeded to Mount Moriah with Isaac, bound him, and laid him on the altar. Yet through it all he trusted God to provide another sacrifice, and when he held the knife in his hand, an angel stopped him … at the last minute. Abraham released Isaac as his trust in God’s provision became reality.

Dear friend, what need interrupts your sleep or troubles your spirit? God longs for you to trust Him anew, recognizing Him as Jehovah-Jireh. Just as He reminded me of this truth, He’s speaking to you…

Trust Him. He’s got it. The LORD WILL provide.

photo credit: Fulton Ram via photopin (license)

“Fear not … ’’ You’ve Got to Be Kidding!: Fear in Exposure

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God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though ______ …

” Psalm 46:10

How would you fill in the blank for Psalm 46:10 as it appears above? Maybe you’re in a fearful place today. This week let’s talk about some of our fears and discover God’s way to overcome them.

 

Fear in Exposure

“The soldiers therefore … ‘DIVIDED MY OUTER GARMENTS AMONG THEM, AND FOR MY CLOTHING THEY CAST LOTS.’”

John 19:23-24

“Mom! Don’t let Gramma Weeze see me mak-ed!”

fridayAs a small chap, one of my sons uttered this cry. He was horrified at the thought of being seen without any clothes or pajamas covering him. I documented his words because the expression “mak-ed” was so cute and made me smile. But pondering his comment on a deeper level leads me to something people intrinsically possess: fear of complete exposure.

I’m not talking about exposure in the physical sense. I’m contemplating the fear of people seeing who we really are. What’s really inside. Our thoughts … our sins. Because we don’t want to be rejected, this frightful possibility prevents us from being real. And we lose out. Deeper relationships with our Christian brothers and sisters remain out of reach. The closeness we long to enjoy with our family in Christ eludes us like the proverbial carrot dangling from a string.

How can we change?

While Jesus hung on the cross, soldiers claimed parts of his clothing for themselves. Which means He was hanging up there … naked. Maybe He at least retained some sort of undergarment–I don’t know. But the humiliation of what He endured on our behalf surpasses my comprehension. The King of kings and Lord of Lords—stripped and crucified for all to see.

When the Holy Spirit helps us understand the depths Jesus went to secure our freedom from sin … the horror He suffered so we don’t have to … His love that’s ours and can never be taken away … we gain confidence to practice transparency with others. God sees every part of us and forgives us based on our faith in Christ. No matter how others see us, we are “accepted in the beloved” (Eph. 1:6)—truly a freeing thought.

That’s how we change.

Despite past failures or current struggles, “… where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin” (Hebrews 10:18). Jesus’ blood covers us! As we claim our identity in Christ, the Holy Spirit changes us.

We don’t need to live in fear of complete exposure. In Christ and by the Holy Spirit’s power, we are covered and changed.

Emily