Well the weekend is here and time to go to church. With me being a preacher's daughter I was raised in the church. So I've seen how so many people get their praise and worship on. As a child I snickered and made fun but as I grew older, went through my own stuff, and our Father bringing me out, I understand. But the thing is, now I was afraid to get my praise and worship on. Especially since now I go to a church that's more reserved. However this all changed when a sister asked me to head Women's Prayer Group one day and I didn't know what to talk about. Well Daddy gave me something through a book called "Women of Courage 31 Daily Devotionals By Jennifer Carter" and in her book she picks out different women in the Bible and how we can relate to them today. Well while doing this, reading this I was able to apply one story to my own life when it comes to how I praise and worship and that is the story of Mary and when she used oil to anoint the Messiah.
“Luke 7:36. And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. 37. And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that [Jesus] sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38. And stood at his feet behind [him] weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe [them] with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed [them] with the ointment. 39. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw [it], he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman [this is] that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. 40. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. 41. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? 43. Simon answered and said, I suppose that [he], to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. 44. And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped [them] with the hairs of her head. 45. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, [the same] loveth little. 48. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.”
When I read this I was like wow. This women faced ridicule, lies, bad remarks and even death to praise and worship the Messiah, and get him ready for his death and burial in the only way she knew how and was able to do for him. The Messiah saved her from being stoned because she was accused of being caught in adultery and he asked those who wanted to stone her if any of them was without sin to cast the first stone. And guess what no stone was cast, John 8:11. And that was so profound, it hit me like a ton bricks. So when I shared this when it was my time they were like hey we didn't even think to look at that scripture that way. And man was I tested that weekend at church. The pastor started to sing "I Give Myself Away by William McDowell" and man that song just touches me and moves me every time. And I was timid man, that fear and queasiness in my stomach was going on and then I remembered the our Prayer Group that Tuesday before and my son, because he was with me and I was holding, and in my head I was thinking I was just talking about this and I don't want my son to be afraid to praise and worship, but most importantly I didn't want to scared to be scared anymore. I didn't want to be too afraid to praise and give thanks for everything the Lord has done for me and brought me through. So I got up with tears falling down my eyes, singing, with thanksgiving in my heart and got my praise on. And what was so cool about it, was that even my son got his praise and worship on too and it was so cool.
So to all and even to myself I believe that we should be encouraged to praise and worship whenever and wherever we can when it is moved and put upon our hearts. Because nobody knows what we've been through truly whether mentally, emotionally, physically, financially, and spiritually, only our Father in Heaven knows and only He knows how much the life and blood of His son, His mercy, forgiveness, grace, second chance, and love that was shown and give to us through His son has touched and changed our lives, transformed us, and that is always something to be thankful for, to give praise, and worship the Lord for.
