Short & Sweet: She Understood

Short and Sweet Nourishment for the Soul

Now there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel, and the man was very rich. He had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. And he was shearing his sheep in Carmel. 3 The name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail. And she was a woman of good understanding and beautiful appearance; but the man was harsh and evil in his doings. He was of the house of Caleb.

1 Samuel 25:2-3

Once upon a time, in a land far away, lived a beautiful woman and her evil husband. Now, the husband was a fool, but Abigail understood.

The account of Nabal and Abigail rivals any fairy tale of long ago, complete with a beautiful woman, a wicked husband, a valiant king upon a steed and an intriguing plot.

To summarize, David and his men protect Nabal’s flocks from raiders and predators until the time of shearing. When payday arrives, instead of wages, David’s men receive insults. Justly so, David orders his men to saddle-up and ride for Nabal’s house. Enter our hero, actually a she-ro … Abigail.

She understood.

She understood whom? … she understood what?

She understood her husband’s harsh evil ways.

She understood her God’s righteous holy ways.

Abigail learns of her husband’s foolish behavior from one of her servants. Without a moment to spare, she quickly orders a gift for David, loads the donkeys, and saves the day (and her husband’s neck). Why did Abigail chooses to act on behalf of her cruel harsh husband? She could have easily been rid of him that day … let him reap the consequences for his actions. Who would have blamed her? Instead, she acts on his behalf. Why? Because she understood.

Abigail understood …

… she must trust God’s Word over her own feelings.

… she must do the right thing no matter the cost.

… she must protect others from themselves.

… she must do right for those who do her wrong.

Because she understood, Abigail saves the lives of her husband and the male servants of her house. Her quick thinking also protects David’s reputation and his relationship with God. She does the right thing, the hard thing, the wise thing, and leaves her life (and husband) in the hands of God. And because she understood, God has a wonderful happily ever after for Abigail (and a not so happily ever after for Nabal). You can read the rest of the story in 1 Samuel 25.

And the beautiful woman received a message, “David sent us to you, to ask you to become his wife … and she followed the messengers of David, and became his wife.” So the beautiful woman and the king lived happily ever after.

Action Points

Wisdom does not depend in IQ, but on the Word of God; the more Word we have, the wiser we become. How can you get more of God’s Word in your heart? (Hint: Joyce Meyer Ministries oneplace.com, Living Proof Ministries)
Think of a current situation are you facing. What do you feel like doing about it? What does God’s Word say you should do about it?
What parts of your situation need you to take godly action? What parts do you need to leave in the hands of God?

Life is sweet.

Short & Sweet: She Sinned

Short and Sweet Nourishment for the Soul

2 … all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. 3 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, 4 they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” 6 This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.

7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” … 9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst … “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

She sinned.

She was caught in the very act. Given the nature of her sin, she did not sin alone, yet she stood alone before the crowd in the temple. Was her lover in the crowd? The scribes and Pharisees were using her as a sacrificial lamb to trap the Lamb of God. With rocks in hand, the Pharisees interrogate Jesus about the law. Ironic isn’t it … questioning The Word about the Word.

Why did scribes and Pharisees think Jesus would give another answer rather than stone her? Perhaps the fact He ate dinner with tax collectors and prostitutes got around town. At any rate, the Pharisees were willing to sacrifice the woman in order to get to Jesus. After all, she sinned.

Jesus’ answer is brilliant.

“Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”

Silence.

Memories. Regret.

A single stone hits the ground.

Rocks drop one by one. Fists unclench. A hailstorm of rocks fall to the dust.

Stones … stone tablets of commandments broken … the stone rolls away from the tomb … the Rock of Ages, the Stone which the builders rejected offers grace. The One who was without sin, the only One who could throw a rock, throws her a lifeline. She is left standing, boldly before the throne of grace. She sinned.

Her story starts with a man and ends with a Man; one a sinner, one a Savior. Grace comes and crushes her guilt, sin, and shame. And she is free. She sinned no more.

Action Points:

Take your sin to Jesus. Tell Him what you have done and accept His grace. Tell Him now.
Talk to Jesus. Like the woman caught in adultery, leave your accusers to Jesus. Notice the only person the woman talked to was Jesus. She did not fight, argue, or defend herself to the crowds. What do you need to do to spend more time with Jesus?
Turn and sin no more. Whatever it takes … new friends … new job … new habits … sin no more. Change requires change. What will you change today to change your life?

Life is sweet.

Short & Sweet: She Gave

Short and Sweet Nourishment for the Soul

41 Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. 42 Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. 43 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. 44 For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.

Mark 12:41-44

She gave everything.

Many would say the widow’s story is one of generosity. Undoubtedly, the nameless widow was generous. But I think more than generosity, the widow’s story is about faith; not faith in the church or faith in neighbors, but faith in the Savior. Her faith was big, so her gift was big. Even when giving something meant giving everything, she gave. Her bank account was small, but her faith beyond measure.

Widow, by the Greek definition, refers to elderly “widows” whom the synagogue supports. Note to reader: the poor widow had two mites (3/8 of a cent) to live on. Makes one wonder about synagogue support. However, the widow gave everything to a synagogue who gave her, by all appearances, nothing. Ironically, Jesus praises her gift, but lets slide the gifts of the rich. She gave … they made contributions. There’s a difference. Giving: gut level stuff – blood, sweat and tears. Contributions: skin deep – neat, tidy, and easy.

Rich/poor … wealthy/widows … millions/mites.

Isn’t it wonderful that the widow’s greatest gift came during the season of her greatest need? And her Savior saw. He knew her need and her gift. He was right there, within reach when she gave her gift. Did she know? … did her heart burn inside her as she gave her gift?

Why do we give anything? … or better yet, why don’t we give everything? Because our faith is small. The widow’s gift gives us great hope that we can give out of our poverty and smallness. I have given something, I have given nothing, but I have never given everything. Maybe it is only when we are deeply needy that we truly give.

Action Points:

What is God calling you to give?
What have you already given, but still need to give more … everything?
Pray for God to give you the courage to give your two small coins. Ask Him to multiply them and use them for His kingdom.

Life is sweet.

Short & Sweet: She Believed

Nourishment for the Soul

“And blessed is she who believed that there would be

a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Luke 1:45

Mary was a young Jewish girl who lived in the city of Nazareth. She was just an ordinary girl who lived an everyday life in an obscure town in Israel, but she believed.

One day an angel came to Mary and told her she had been chosen by God to bear the Christ Child. Despite her circumstances, despite her marital status, despite her social standing, Mary did an extraordinary thing: she believed.

Her faith was not based on the conditions or approval of man. Her faith was based on the Word of God. She completely trusted God’s will for her life. She did not waiver or worry. She did not ask questions or ask God to change one facet of His will for her life. She believed. She believed what God said to her.

What are some things God has spoken to you that you need to believe?

… your sins are forgiven, go forth and sin no more …

… white as snow, though your sins are like scarlet, you are white as snow …

… I know the plans I have for your, plans to give you a hope and a future …

… come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy burdened and I will give you rest …

Mary fulfilled her destiny because she believed. You will too. Blessed is she who believes what the Lord has said to her is true. She Believed.

Action Points

What has God said to you that you need to believe?
Name one thing you will do today to show God you believe Him.
Beliefs are not based on feelings but truths. Memorize a Bible verse that speaks to the point 1.

Life is sweet.

by Mary Kane

Short & Sweet: She Follows

Nourishment for the Soul

15 “And she [Naomi] said, “Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” 16 But Ruth said:

“Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you;

For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge;

Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God.

17 Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried.

The LORD do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.”

Ruth 1:15-17

Ruth is a daughter-in-law of Naomi and Elimelech. During a time of famine, Naomi followed her husband from the land of Israel to the land of Moab; a very controversial move. In Moab, Naomi’s two sons married Moabite women; another controversial move.

After the deaths of all three husbands, Naomi decides to follow the stirring of the Holy Spirit and return to Israel; a smart move. However, perhaps fearing racial tensions in Israel, Naomi tells her daughters-in-law to return to Moab. Orpah quickly turns back, but Ruth … she follows.

She follows whom?

At first glance it appears she follows Naomi. When we follow the progression of the verses,

1. Where you go, I go,

2. Where you live, I live,

3. Your people, my people,

4. Your God, my God,

however, we learn she follows Naomi right to the heart of God.

In the eyes of the culture, Ruth has little future in Israel.

1. She’s a woman.

2. She’s a widow.

3. She’s a foreigner.

4. She’s a Moabite.

Despite the strikes against her, Ruth risks everything and she follows. The daughter-in-law of Naomi would rather live as an outcast and follow God in Israel than live in comfort in Moab. Ruth chooses her soul over her flesh.

Thankfully,

God uses anyone who’ll answer His call to follow Him,

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even a foreign widow from a pagan land. In God’s perfect timimg, Ruth marries Boaz, the most eligible man in town and becomes part of the family line of Christ; a scandalous move … the scandalous love of God.

Can we be like Ruth and fly in the face of public opinion and follow God?

She follows.

Action Points:

What steps do you need to take today to follow God?
What do you need to leave behind so you can follow Him?
Are you willing to follow without the approval of others, even the approval of close friends and family members?

Life is sweet.

Short & Sweet: She Sat

Nourishment for the Soul

38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.

39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.

40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”

41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.

42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:38-42

I am a list maker; a task oriented kind of girl.

I like getting things done. But, I also know how to take a break and rest. Mary of Luke 10, is that kind of woman as well. She also had her priorities straight – Jesus.

Mary didn’t always have it together, her past is kind of sketch. Her name literally means “their rebellion.” After meeting Jesus, however, she gained a new reputation: the One Who Sat at Jesus’ Feet. She sat.

She sat.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be so connected to Jesus that in order for people to describe you they’d have to mention, “Oh, that’s Mary-who-sat-at-Jesus’-feet. She sat. What did Mary do while she sat? She heard the Word. She heard the Word from The Word.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God, and the Word was with God.

Can you imagine?

Martha tells on her.

Martha is busy with much serving …on her feet … distracted.

Mary is busy with God … at His feet … filled.

She sat.

“Mary has chosen the good part, and it will not be taken from her.”

We get to choose too.

Action Points

The key to life is spending more time at His feet than on your feet. How can you make time to sit at His feet?
What gets in the way of spending more time at His feet?
What phrase characterizes your life now? _______________ How would people describe you? She/He ____________.

Life is sweet.