This morning, we continue our series on “The Parables of Jesus.” We will seek to glean “Pearls from the Parables.”
Before we get to the parable, let’s look at a scripture we have been looking at all year. This is something I believe the Lord wants us to meditate on.
(Psalm 126:4 TPT)
Now, Lord, do it again! Restore us to our former glory! May streams of your refreshing flow over us until our dry hearts are drenched again.
This is a season of refreshing and restoring for us.
(Luke 7:36-43 ERV)
36 One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him. Jesus went into the Pharisee’s house and took a place at the table.
37 There was a sinful woman in that town. She knew that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house. So the woman brought some expensive perfume in an alabaster jar.
38 She stood at Jesus’ feet, crying. Then she began to wash his feet with her tears. She dried his feet with her hair. She kissed his feet many times and rubbed them with the perfume.
39 When the Pharisee who asked Jesus to come to his house saw this, he thought to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know that the woman who is touching him is a sinner!”
40 In response, Jesus said to the Pharisee, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” Simon said, “Let me hear it, Teacher.”
41 Jesus said, “There were two men. Both men owed money to the same banker. One man owed him 500 silver coins. The other man owed him 50 silver coins.
42 The men had no money, so they could not pay their debt. But the banker told the men that they did not have to pay him. Which one of those two men will love him more?”
43 Simon answered, “I think it would be the one who owed him the most money.”
In today’s message, titled “The Distance Traveled Matters,” we delve into the profound truth that our level of gratitude towards God is often proportional to the recognition of how far He has brought us. Isabella and I know that God has brought us a mighty long way! We will explore how an awareness of God’s immense work in our lives fuels a heart of continuous praise and thanksgiving.
So, what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. Recognizing the Magnitude of God’s Deliverance.
— To walk with God effectively, it is necessary to acknowledge the depth of your past. You should look back from time to time to be thankful for where God has lifted you from.
— We must realize that our journey from darkness to light is a testament to God’s mercy and power.
— Many times, I reflect on what God has done for Isabella and me, and as a result, all I can do is give God praise!
— The greater the struggle we’ve overcome, the greater our appreciation for God’s intervention and deliverance.
— Every step of progress reminds us of where we were and where God has brought us.
— Our past trials are not a badge of shame but a banner of God’s grace.
— The journey from our ‘Egypt’ to our ‘Promised Land’ is filled with moments of divine rescue and guidance.
— Simon the Pharisee did not understand this. He had Jesus in his house, and he was acting like it was not a big deal, and he was criticizing the woman at Jesus’ feet. Why? Because he had not been through what she had been through. He did not know the cost of the oil in her alabaster box!
— When you know the distance you have traveled with God, you can’t do anything but give Him praise!
2. Living a Life of Continuous Praise.
— When you consider what God has done for you, and you appreciate that you would be nothing without Him, you develop a lifestyle of gratitude, recognizing every blessing as a gift from God.
— You should make praise a daily practice, not just a response to miraculous interventions.
— Praise is a weapon, a declaration of faith in God’s ongoing work in our lives.
— As you meditate on God’s goodness, you will be teaching your heart to find reasons to praise God in every situation.
— Pre-performance praise reflects your trust in God’s plan, regardless of current circumstances.
— Praise is not just about singing songs; it’s about living a life that honors God’s investment in us.
3. The Impact of a Thankful Heart.
— The woman with the alabaster box was humble. Simon the Pharisee was full of pride. She was worshipping and praising Jesus. He was criticizing Jesus. Which one do you want to be?
— A thankful heart keeps us grounded in humility, recognizing God as the source of all blessings.
— Thankfulness is a key to unlocking peace and joy in our Christian walk.
— Gratitude is not just for what God has done but for who He is and His unchanging nature.
— Gratitude opens the door to more blessings, creating a cycle of thankfulness and favor. This woman’s sins were forgiven. Simon did not get anything from Jesus, even though Jesus was in his own house. Please learn from this situation.
4. The Testimony of a Transformed Life.
— Our lives are a living epistle, read by everyone we encounter.
— The transformation God has worked in us is a powerful tool for evangelism and encouragement.
— Since Isabella and I have come a mighty long way, by the grace of God, we are not ashamed of our past, and we are quick to give our testimony. Your life should testify to God’s goodness.
— Sharing our journey from ‘much forgiven’ to ‘much grateful’ can inspire faith in others.
— Our transformation is evidence of God’s love and power, making Him relatable to those who are still on their journey.
— Please don’t think I am talking about material things. I changed life speaks louder than words!
— Our lives should reflect the joy and peace that come from a deep relationship with God.
— In sharing our story, we give glory to God and hope to others who are still finding their way.
5. Honoring God’s Investment in Us.
— When you appreciate all God has done for you, you can’t help but attempt to live a life worthy of your calling as a response to God’s grace.
— Every decision, action, and word should be an expression of gratitude for God’s investment in us.
— Honoring God by how we treat others, understanding that we are all recipients of His grace.
— Being stewards of the grace we have received, extending forgiveness and love as we have been forgiven and loved.
— Our commitment to God is reflected in our commitment to His purposes and His people.
— Even when you know you have not arrived at what God has called you to do yet, honoring God’s investment means being faithful in the small things, knowing they lead to greater responsibilities.
— Our lives are not our own; they are a testament to God’s grace, and we live to bring Him glory.
— The reason why Isabella and I do what we do (even though many think we should be chilling or doing less), is because we believe we are called to do it, we have the grace for it, and we are so thankful for what God has done that we are willing to do whatever He tells us to do!
In closing, remember the distance traveled truly matters. If God has brought you a mighty long way, TELL IT! Tell your story, and do not be ashamed of your past. It testifies to the goodness of God, and it will draw others to Him! Even when you amare misunderstood, just remember the woman in the text and think of her saying, “You don’t know the cost of the oil in my alabaster box!” I don’t look like what I’ve been through!
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I acknowledge the magnitude of Your deliverance in my life. You have brought me from darkness into Your marvelous light, and for this, I am eternally grateful.
I declare that I live a life of continuous praise. I recognize every blessing as a gift from You, and I choose to praise You daily, not just for the miraculous but for Your constant
presence in my life.
I thank You, Father, for giving me a thankful heart. This heart keeps me humble and constantly aware of Your grace and mercy. It reminds me of how far I have come and how much You have done for me.
I commit to being a beacon of hope and encouragement to others, sharing the story of Your goodness in my life. My journey is a testament to Your faithfulness, and I will use it to inspire faith in others.
Father, I embrace the responsibility of living a life that reflects Your love and grace. I am committed to being an example of what it means to walk in gratitude, honoring Your investment in me every day.
I am not ashamed of my past. I know where You brought me from, and I am willing to TELL MY STORY, reflecting Your goodness, everywhere I go!
Living with this mindset, I know GREATER IS COMING FOR ME! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
