Allow God to Change You

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2 Devotion 26 Allow God to Change You And while He was in Bethany.a woman came with an alabaster jar of ointment (perfume) of pure nard, very costly and precious; and she broke the jar and poured (the perfume) over His head. Mark 14:3 Often in my time of mediation and study I find an article or Scripture that really hits home. I find myself constantly focusing on what the author or writer is saying. It is in these times that I know I need to share this with others. So as you read today I pray that you will allow these words to resonate in your heart as I have in mine. "So often people are afraid of brokenness. But if your outer man is broken, the powerful things inside you can pour forth. The perfume of the Holy Spirit is within you, but the alabaster box, which represents the flesh, has to be broken for that sweet fragrance to be released. The flesh is naturally prideful and stubborn. To fully release the power of the Holy Spirit within you, you must allow God to do with you as He wills, knowing that everything in life changes. If you are to have stability in your life, you must remember life is a continual process in which everything including you is constantly changing. You must hope in God, the only one who 'is the same yesterday, today, and forever' (Hebrews 13:8)." In this Season of Lent I challenge each of us to allow our alabaster jar to be broken. For in our brokenness, we will be able to obtain the right relationship with Jesus Christ. Just as the ointment in this alabaster jar was costly and precious, so are our lives. However, we must remember the life of Jesus truly is worth more than yours or mine could ever be. Allow God to Change You! The world is waiting on people who are willing to make a difference. Prayer: Dear God, today and everyday I come to you as an empty vessel waiting to be filled. Fill me Master with the Holy Spirit so that I can be changed for your glory. Amen Submitted By: Rev. Anice N. Moses, Ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church

3 Devotion 27 Obedience Leads to Victory Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land. Isaiah 1:19 As a young adult and mother, many times I found myself confused. I was told that Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins; then I read the passage in Philippians where I was told that I had to, " Work out my own salvation." I knew there was nothing I could do to gain a place in heaven. So it was with fear and trembling that I approached this concept. In Bible Study or Sunday School the question would always pop in my mind "How do I work out my salvation?" Somehow I never built up enough nerves to ask. Then one day as I sat very quietly in my family room reading my Bible, the pages fell open to Isaiah 1:9. Then my heart skipped a few beats. I started praying and my answer was revealed. Be kind to others, show acts of love, encourage others, follow the example of Christ and pray without ceasingthis is a life of obedience. The kind of obedience that leads to victory. It was at this point in my life that I took on a new attitude. I understood at this point that just reading the Bible was not enough; we must study and apply it to our lives and everyday living. This obedience is not just for Sunday morning, or activities at the church. We must be willing to exemplify it on our jobs, in the shopping mall, the grocery store or even among friends at their special events. We are called to a life of Obedience. As we continue in the Season of Lent, it is important to read, study, and exemplify the attributes of Christ. Someone is always watching to see how the Children of God live out their lives. So give a simile even when you may not have anything to smile about, demonstrate acts of kindness to those who may have misused you, give a helping hand to the homeless person on the street, and allow the light of Christ to shine in your life. Prayer: True God, Living God, Everlasting King, I come before you asking for direction. Teach us to be obedient in every area of life, so that we may serve you. Amen Submitted By: Rev. Anice N. Moses-Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother

4 Devotion 28 God Doesn't Need Our Help Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, and He who formed you from the womb: "I am the Lord, who makes all things, who stretches out the heavens all alone, who spreads abroad the earth by Myself." Isaiah 44:24 Have you been around anyone who seems to think that God needs their help or have you ever felt that God needs your help? Well, the bad news for some and the good news for others is God does not need our help. Moreover, the benefit in all this for us is that God will use us to bring forth the plans that have already been set into motion. Since God is a Spirit and we worship God in spirit and truth, it is without doubt God needs some hands of flesh, eyes, ears, and feet to move around this earth to carry out God's business. As I live out my life here on earth and continue on my Christian journey, there are times when I must be very careful not to over step my limits. We sometimes forget we belong to God. The very air that we breathe is His, the money we make on our jobs is His, the car we drive, clothes we wear, and the house we live in all belong to Him so why in the world would God need our help? The challenge for us is to listen as the Holy Spirit directs us. Let's not be found guilty of leading any of God's children astray. The Bible plainly states, "Anyone causing one of my little ones to stumble may as well tie a milestone around their neck and be cast into the sea." If by some chance you felt in the past God needed your help, this passage should bring clarity for all. God made us all, we are His handiwork, so let's trust God to be our Guide. Prayer: God teach us how to keep our hands off things that do not glorify you. Help us discern your will for our lives. In Jesus name I pray. Amen Submitted By: Rev. Anice N. Moses, Servant of the Most High God

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