Thursday, September 26, 2013




P31 OBS FB Gap Study Week 2 Blog Hop
Topic #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!