Monday, August 24, 2009

Pour It at His Feet

John 12:3-8 (AMP)

3Mary took a pound of ointment of pure liquid nard [a rare perfume] that was very expensive, and she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped them with her hair. And the whole house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
4But Judas Iscariot, the one of His disciples who was about to betray Him, said,
5Why was this perfume not sold for 300 denarii [a year's wages for an ordinary workman] and that [money] given to the poor (the destitute)?
6Now he did not say this because he cared for the poor but because he was a thief; and having the bag (the money box, the purse of the Twelve), he took for himself what was put into it [pilfering the collections].
7But Jesus said, Let her alone. It was [intended] that she should keep it for the time of My preparation for burial. [She has kept it that she might have it for the time of My embalming.]
8You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.


What are you holding onto? What are you saving up for? In the Body of Christ, so many of us are sitting on our treasures. For some, it’s money, but for most, it’s time, gifts, talents and even faith.

Due to “church hurt”, we are often reluctant to pour out of ourselves, but God is calling for that sacrifice in this season. We are not being asked to pour out unto men, but unto the Father. Just as Mary poured expensive oil on the feet of Jesus, He is waiting for our sacrifices to be laid at His feet.

We have grown so accustomed to “working on ministry” that for many of us, even that is not yielded to God. There are more churches who preach the gospel of “I” and “My” than that of Jesus Christ. Yes, even our ministries must be laid at the feet of Jesus Christ. That means that we must yield some things to Him. Most importantly, we must TRUST HIM. This is not the season to do it all yourself. This is not the time to depend on you, your plans, your paycheck, your gifts or even your abilities. God is looking for those who will once again yield to Him and give all for His glory.

In 2 Samuel 24:24, David declares that he will not sacrifice anything unto God that doesn’t cost Him something. Our thinking, it seems, is that we won’t give up anything that has cost us something. We work so hard on great edifices, TV and radio broadcasts, grand conferences and banquets, but we pull them further and further away from God. We want to operate in a spirit of control, but God wants the throne in the tabernacle.

Is all our hard work really for God and His glory? If it were, we would allow Him to move. We would allow His people to operate in their gifts and callings. We would not operate in a spirit of control. We would obey the voice of God and move by the Spirit, rather than learned behavior. We would live by faith – not by habit. Just because it’s related to church doesn’t mean it’s building the Church. Just because it references God doesn’t mean it brings Him glory.

We know that entertainment draws the crowd, and the crowd pays the bills, but God wants that church poured at HIS feet. We know that lying from the pulpit brings the faithful contributions, but God wants to provide the increase. He wants the doctrine laid at HIS feet. We know that organized, traditional religion promises church growth and recognition, but God wants you to lay the tradition and the education at HIS feet. That thing that you have caused to flourish in the flesh, will you exchange it for the supernatural in this season? The center of your pride and joy – that great accomplishment that carries your name – will you allow God to undo it as He sees fit? That which has costs you so much – will you give it up for the glory of God?

No flesh shall get the glory. Humble yourselves in the sight of God, and He will lift you up. Selah.

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