Happy Sunday!
It's been a great week! Excited to start a new week of Thanksgiving! So thankful for this beautiful life in Christ. I was talking to my daughter, Crystal. We were talking about how our lives have changed in so many ways. On the outside, others may not see the changes but they are, as she said, "small but epic"! Simple things, like how we handle stress, offenses, and trials. Being able to walk in love in the mean world is a must! Being able to identify the enemy at work through people to get you off track, and winning battles by not falling for the "okie doke". The Word says, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"(Mark 8:36, KJV). The Message Translation is always so poignant! It says, "Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?"(Mark 8:36, Message).
During the Increase Message, Dr. Bill Winston reminded us of the Wedding at Cana! Do you realize the first miracle Jesus performed was a to multiply wine? Not feed the hungry children on TV late at night, but multiply something that was not a necessity! God is the God of overflow! He wants us to have more than enough of everything. The Scripture proves it! 1 Timothy 6:17(b) says, "fix your hope on God, the One who richly provides everything for our Enjoyment.”(Voice). Don't over spiritualize this! Even Proverbs 5:18 says, "BE HAPPY, yes, rejoice in the wife of your youth." God is not mad! He loves you and he pours out his love and mercy on us daily! Ok, back to the wedding! We love weddings! Crystal and I watched, "Say Yes to the Dress" Saturday! Too much drama, but we enjoy the preparation for the big day! Weddings in Bible times could go on for weeks! Yes, this American one day tradition falls short! LOL!
So after days of celebrating, Jesus and the disciples arrive on the scene. It may have been a relatives wedding, because his mother came to him about the lack of wine! Some of my African friends have explained that in their culture the family is responsible to provide almost everything for the invited guests. I even have a Native American friend, when his family member passed away he had to kill one of his cows to ensure there was enough meat for the repass. It's the opposite of our African American culture during the death of a loved one, the family is not required to do the work. The community, the church, the friends, and even the motorcycle club come together to show their love and support. But let's get back to the wedding! John Chapter 2 tells the story. Mary tells Jesus they have run out of wine, which would be very embarrassing for the family. Jesus says, "Mom, why are bothering me with this? It's not my time for miracles." Mary, like any good mother, ignores his statement and turns to the servants and says, "Whatever he tells you to do, do it!" The Easy-to-Read Version says, "There were six large stone waterpots there that were used by the Jews in their washing ceremonies. Each one held about 20 or 30 gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the waterpots with water.” So they filled them to the top. Then he said to them, “Now dip out some water and take it to the man in charge of the feast.”(John 2:6-8). WOW, what faith on the part of the servants! Just do what Jesus tells you! Of course, you know the rest of the story. The Master of Ceremonies was so amazed by the quality and taste of this wine that he said, "“Everybody I know begins with their finest wines and after the guests have had their fill brings in the cheap stuff. But you’ve saved the best till now!”(John 2:9-10, Message).
What does this have to do with you? So glad you asked! God is the God of Abundance! Stop limiting God to your small thinking, and your paycheck! The pots each held 20 to 30 gallons of water. There are 4 quarts in a gallon. So each pot contained at least 120 quarts of wine. A bottle of wine contains a little less than a quart. One bottle of Chateau Margaux from 1875 costs $225,000, we can rest assured the Jesus brand was more valuable. Let's do the math: 120 quarts times 6 waterpots equals 720 quarts. 720 quarts times $225,000 equals $162,000,000. Even if my math is off, you should get the point. God is not against enjoyment, and prosperity...he's against selfishness and greed. When your heart is toward God, he never has to worry about you heaping it up for yourself. He wants to use you to bless others! He wants to get it through you, more than just getting it to you!
Love and prayers, Cynthia
No comments:
Post a Comment