P31 OBS FB Gap Study Week 2 Blog HopTopic #2 Past, Present, & Future- Mary Magdalene is often viewed in light of her past, even as we know she was accepted and loved by Christ. He makes all things new. What does this mean to you? What is He telling you about your present with Him, and more importantly, your future?
Until recently I was not accepting who I was in Christ. I
was walking around with the Love of God and the freedom of forgiveness but not
living it out while I did forgive others for incredible hurts. I was empowered
to stay sober and clean despite physical and emotional pain and trails tempting
me to take the easy way out of reality. But I hated myself. I walked around feeling as though I had MANY
scarlet letters hanging around my neck like a noose. I felt as though my forehead was scrolling all my past sins for all to read and judge. God helped me
realize I was desperate to be punished and couldn’t let go of who I was before
Christ redeemed me. Once I let go of hating myself I could see how desperate
God was for me to love myself like He does. How excited He is to see my living
in victory ready to turn my mess into a message that Glorifies Him! As we
studied Mary this week God nudged me closer to what He has been calling me to.
Mary Magdalene loved Jesus with her whole being, ministered to Him, never left
Him as He was crucified and buried and in the midst of her great grief she
OBEYED God, “The women who had been companions of Jesus from Galilee followed
along. They saw the tomb where Jesus’ body was placed. Then they went back to
prepare burial spices and perfumes. They rested quietly on the Sabbath, as
commanded.” Luke 23:55-56 The Message Translation. God empowers us to obey Him
no matter what the circumstance. He puts us here on this earth to live for Him,
sharing His living word and I am renewed and ready to shine as bright as I can while I am here on this earth for JESUS!
As I was writing this, my first blog post, I had my local Christian radio station playing quietly in the background and the song below came on; I know I have asked similar questions during a devastating time of grief and I could hear Mary Magdalene in her saddest moment calling out to God in the same way!
God empowers us with His word, fellowship, Pastors, accountability partners, prayer and so much more. I have to say a huge thank you to Liz - God placed you in my life in His perfect timing to encourage and motivate me to Say Yes and take this huge step.
"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26 ESV - My life verse!
Melissa, this is beautiful and empowering. I love to see you so obediently walking out your obedience in Christ.
ReplyDeleteHis Story in you, through your vulnerable sharing of your history, will help other women begin their journey.
God spoke to me through your words today and they were perfect! Your courage is the biggest blessing and most honorable message of His grace and mercy!
Thank you!
Liz (OBS Small Group Leader)
Beautiful , Inspiring and Well said... Love and (((hugs)))) Kim Golds
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written Melissa! I am clean and sober too and struggled the same struggles as you. I constantly need to remind my self that ticker tape across my forehead now says "redeemed" "loved" "created in HIS image" these are the truths we get to live today. Thank you for your obedience in writing and your transparency! I am finding in reading blogs and comments on mine that God has given a lot of us women the strength to be clean and sober too :) and He is using each one of us and is Glorified by our testimonies.
ReplyDeleteI am finding so much encouragement reading I am not the only one. I know I am not but sometimes it is hard to see outside of ourselves and there is something about going through this Yes to God journey together being redeemed and ready to truly live out for Jesus! Thanks Nancy!
DeleteBeautiful, beautiful and what an awesome first blog. God was saving your heart for us to read this today. Thanks for sharing and reminding us that those scarlet letters are something we place on ourselves. To God we are wearing scarlet robes and are his princesses.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome picture and reminder - we are his princesses and I need to feel wrapped in the robes of righteousness He has for me, for all of us Yes Girls!
DeleteWow Melissa! I LOVE this! Your light shines so brightly for Jesus, I can't wait to see what he does through you with this new found freedom!
ReplyDeleteThank you Melissa - I am excited to be living in this level of freedom and love that in His perfect timing I am starting this new journey with you awesome ladies in the Gap!
DeleteThank you so much for sharing. I love, love, love, Kari Jobe! How true that God has to steady our heart whenever we step out to say yes. God empowers us to obey... yes! And He holds us steady as we step out,wavering, in obedience.
ReplyDeletePraying for you!
Lauren, P31 OBS Small Group Leader