TREAT WOMEN LIKE JESUS DID!

The twelve were with Him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna, the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. - Luke 8:1-3

READ LUKE 8:1-3 TODAY

     THIS ONE'S ONLY FOR THE GUYS!

     I often wonder, "When Jesus saw a female, what went through his mind?"  I wonder what he thought about them.  Did He think about how pretty they were?  Did He think about how they might help the Kingdom of God?  Did He think about their role in society?  Did He just kind of pass them by because in His day they weren't very important?

     Well, today we get a little glimpse.  Today we see that Jesus, at least in some part, thought of them as disciples.  It struck me, that it wasn't just the twelve who were hanging out with Him - but some women.  It also struck me that it was only the twelve - only the disciples and a bunch of women.

      We never get that picture do we?  We never think about Jesus and his disciples.....and women.  We don't hear too many sermons or read too many books about these women who were with Jesus.  We don't see them in the paintings.

      And maybe that's part of the reason, us, as guys, get a warped view of women.  Maybe we've let society and the media show us how to think about women instead of thinking about them how Jesus did.  Maybe we could learn from Jesus, and have the first thing that pops into our head when we see a woman pass by on the street be - DISCIPLE!

      Just a thought!

DON'T BE AFRAID!

I came into your house.  You did not gie me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.  You did not gie me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet.  You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. - Luke 7:44-46

READ LUKE 7:18-50 TODAY

    You ever wanted to give someone a huge hug, but didn't think it was the right place or too many people around?  You were afraid of what they might think.  You ever wanted to write some mushy, gushy note of encouragement, but were afraid of how the person receiving the note might respond?  You ever wanted to just heap praise after praise on a person but were a little timid to do that with someone you didn't know very well? 

     Have you ever been afraid to do something for someone that you knew would honor them?

     It seems like we have two people in our Bible story today - one who has forgotten how to make people feel special and one who realizes they are in the presence of greatness.  One doesn't even welcome his guest much less do the little things like wash their feet or greet them with a kiss.  The other wipes his feet with her hair pours perfume all over them.  One, it seems, has just taken for granted the awesomeness of people.  The other realizes, as the song goes, how great is our God!

     Think about this - what if every person you met was Jesus?  What if every person who came into your house was Jesus?  How would you treat them?  I think we all would say we'd love to do the stuff that this woman did.  BUT WE GET AFRAID OF WHAT OTHER PEOPLE MIGHT THINK.

     Here's my advice to you (and myself) - If we feel like God really wants us to do something, just do it.  Don't be afraid! 

     That's it!  Now go back to enjoying the Free Agency Frenzy!