Unconventional

Happy Sunday!

Dr. Pam Ross preached the 8 am service at All Nations Worship Assembly Chicago today, and I was able to enjoy it before heading out to my church to serve in Children's Church, then off to work.

Matthew 26:6-13 says, "Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper.  While he was there, a woman came to him. She had an alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. She poured the perfume on Jesus’ head while he was eating. The followers saw the woman do this and were upset at her. They said, “Why waste that perfume? It could be sold for a lot of money, and the money could be given to those who are poor.” But Jesus knew what happened. He said, “Why are you bothering this woman? She did a very good thing for me. You will always have the poor with you. But you will not always have me. This woman poured perfume on my body. She did this to prepare me for burial after I die. The Good News will be told to people all over the world. And I can assure you that everywhere the Good News is told, the story of what this woman did will also be told, and people will remember her.”(Easy-to-Read Version).  

What the woman did was Unconventional!  She did the unexpected.
Dr. Ross said, "People will keep you where they meet you!"  Don't miss this! 
But you may have already experienced it in life.  It's easier for others to categorized you, and see how you can fit you into their world.  She broke tradition by entering this male dominated gathering.  She wasn't serving the table.  Her main purpose was to lavish this valuable oil on the one person that had changed her life.  

She was innovative, cutting edge, and avant garde.  What a wonderful example for us today.  Dr. Ross said, "Ideas are the highest currency on the planet."  This woman's actions affected everyone!  Jesus was anointed for burial, the fragrance filled the room for everyone to enjoy, the disciples true motives were revealed, we are taught a lesson about priorities and the poor, and the woman will be remembered forever.  Proverbs 29:25 says, "The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe."(KJV).  The woman did not let the fear of man, or the fear of their opinions stop her from her mission. Jesus affirmed her actions, and that's what really matters anyway.

Dr. Ross said, "The normal live, and die every day!"   Do you want to stand out?  Do you want to be remembered for being Unconventional?  Dr. Ross gave us 3 steps, or assignments for this Unconventional lifestyle...

Philippians 2:13 says, "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."(KJV).  God makes you want it, and God will help you get it.  Pray, "Lord, help me to want what you want me to want."

Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."(KJV).  A delicacy is a choice or expensive food.
Love Jesus like you love that special treat.  Matthew 6:33 says, "What you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what he wants you to do. Then he will give you all these other things you need."(Easy-to-Read Version).

Matthew 22:37 says, "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind."(KJV).  Pray this, "Lord, help me love you with my desires, and with my whole heart."

Don't be ordinary!  Be Unconventional!

Love and prayers, Cynthia