You may also want to read the Scripture from which the drama was adapted in John 12:1-11 NIV.
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.”6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.

We have seen in each part of this series the depth of love that these women of Bethany had for Jesus and how His love for them defined their lives and faith journeys. If you are just joining the series you may want listen to the dramas in parts one and two to gain a deeper understanding before moving into the last devotional blog in this series. You can find them by scrolling down to the blogs dated January 13 and February 4, 2019.

Remember in part one of this series, we learned that Bethany was...a place of love, feasting, welcome, service, listening and transformation. In part two we discovered that Bethany was also a place of waiting, hope, friendship, suffering, death, resurrection, and freedom. In this last part of the series, again we are at another feast with Jesus in Bethany and find more beautiful faith lessons for our own lives.
​
Bethany was...

A place of friendship 
Mary cherished her friendship with Jesus. She had taken time to hear His heart and her life was a beautiful display of her love, friendship and devotion to the Savior.

One of my favorite quotes is from Phillips Brooks. He writes…
“The great danger facing all of us...is not that we shall make an absolute failure of life, nor that we shall fall into outright viciousness, nor that we shall be terribly unhappy, nor that we shall feel that life has no meaning at all...The danger is that we may fail to perceive life’s greatest meaning, fall short of its highest good, miss its deepest and most abiding happiness, be unable to render the most needed service, be unconscious of life ablaze with the light of the Presence of God—and be content to have it so—that is the danger. That someday we may wake up and find that always we have been busy with the husks and trappings of life–and have really missed life itself. That is what one prays one’s friends may be spared—satisfaction with a life that falls short of the best, that has in it no tingle and thrill which comes from a friendship with the Father.”
​
Mary had befriended her Lord and taken the posture of listening at His feet as a disciple. She had the courage to take the radical position in that time of a woman sitting at His feet. She was not content to stand outside the door. She had found that place in her heart of authentic relationship with Jesus. Mary had an  intimate, life changing friendship with the Savior.  And because of that she received the incredible blessing of His words, “ I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

A place of Anointing
Our chief priority is to sit at His feet, listen and respond, not counting the cost.
When Mary enters the room to anoint Jesus, she understands what the others seem to have missed, although He had clearly told them He was going to die and how. Spikenard is made from the root of the nard plant found in the northern Himalayan mountains of India. This alabaster jar was Mary’s security. We don’t know how she obtained it. Perhaps it was her dowry. They were obviously a fairly wealthy family since their home was large enough to lodge Jesus and his disciples. The perfume was worth approximately 300 denarii, a years wages. The equivalent today would be about forty to fifty thousand dollars!.

Her devotion to Christ transformed that home into a temple with the fragrance of her devotion and worship.
​ John 12:3 - Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

Jesus’ defense of Mary in her extravagant offering transformed her anointing into an immortal act of worship and an example for us all. Two thousand years later we are still talking about it! 
 
When Judas and the other disciples rebuked her “waste” as they called it, she brought no words of defense. Mary could have chosen to be offended by the disciples. Surely Mary loved her Lord deeply and was unfairly criticized for that display of love. But there is no indication in Scripture that she took offense. 

Mary chose to leave her defense in the hands of Christ. Christ was her defense. We would do well to remember her choices when we are unfairly criticized.

Mary is consumed by her love for the Savior. Her love is bold, intimate, costly. Jesus is her life. She will give everything she has for Him. I believe that expression of her love went with Jesus to the cross because this event happened so close to his death.

In the beatings, the trials, when the crown of thorns was crushed on his head, when it seemed all had deserted him...
       the scent of the perfume still must have lingered on Jesus body.

When he walked the Via Dolorosa and was stripped naked, beaten and nailed to a wooden cross...
      Jesus could smell the perfume.

And when the chief priest and thieves and those present at the crucifixion mocked and taunted Jesus and His body writhed in agony as He gasped for his last breaths....
     the scent of the perfume still must have lingered on Jesus body and perhaps Jesus thought of Mary,
​     and remembered the woman who gave all she had for the love of her Teacher and Savior.

Jesus is looking for disciples who will give everything they have for him. He is looking for extravagant love and extravagant worship. This is what we are called to and when we give this love, it will be our greatest joy.
The beauty and fragrance of her act of worship has had spiritual effect and blessing throughout the world through the centuries. Never underestimate what one adoring response in worship can do. 
 
Centuries later you and I also have the privilege of pouring out our love on Jesus. One of the ways we do that is by spending time listening, studying, meditating on the Scriptures and spending time in devotion to Jesus.
​ 
There at His feet, in humility, in HIs presence, the Holy Spirit of God will form you into who He envisions you to be. Each of us has a unique precious fragrance that only we can give to be “wasted” on our Savior.

What is the fragrance that lingers in my home today? In yours? 
 Is it the fragrance of Christ? Is it the outpouring of love for Him? 

Consumed by His Love,
Kathy

Below are two songs to encourage you in your worship response to this devotional blog.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOSrSVghKDY - My Heart Your Home, Watermark
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6amm1XoZN4E - All I Have is Christ, Getty, Kauflin

Resources: Sermons and writings by Charles Spurgeon, Ann Graham Lotz, Frank Viola, Ken Gire, Pinterest photo

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Bethany was…
A place of love
Throughout this series we see that Bethany first and foremost is a place where Jesus is loved and loves His own. All of the faith lessons and interactions that Jesus has with this family are rooted in His deep love for them. We will learn that even in the difficult lessons and hard seasons it all comes back to love.

A place of waiting and hope
In our suffering we want explanations, answers, deliverance, but Jesus wants to give us a revelation of Himself. To Mary,  Martha and Lazarus it seemed that Jesus had waited until it was too late. They believed that Jesus should have come and healed. They didn’t understand His view and greater purpose of a resurrection and a building of faith that many would come to believe in Christ as a result of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. 

Jesus did ultimately meet the need. He just did it on His Father's time clock in a way no one expected. He chose a way that would develop the character and faith of all in Bethany that day and bring the most glory to God.

Death is hopeless and four days after death is beyond hopeless. The family had sent word that Lazarus was sick asking Jesus to come and he didn’t come. Jewish belief in that day was that on the fourth day the soul leaves the body permanently. Sometimes God allows us to experience situations that are beyond human aid so that He can be a display of resurrection life within us and for others to see. 

Often, we simply must wait… in the suffering… in the pain until His time of resurrecting power.
His goal is to bring freedom and victory. The power of His resurrection follows the fellowship of His sufferings.
That is our hope!

Waiting can be a difficult lesson to learn. I have found that basing my faith on God’s performance is a profound mistake.
His promises are true. His ways are perfect. The only solid foundation for a faith that doesn’t waver despite our circumstances is to believe that God is. Our faith must be rooted in the belief and knowledge of His character and confidence that He does “all things well,”  no matter what takes place.

What is the waiting in your own life?
​What is  the performance you are expecting of God that He hasn’t met in the way you thought He would?

In Bethany the mystery and the majesty of God collide. We can never understand or fully comprehend His ways. 
“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” 
 Romans 11:33 

We must simply surrender to His ways in the waiting and rest in the hope of who Christ is.

 I would imagine that his voice must have been choking with emotion when he said, “Where have you laid him?” 

When those around him replied gently, “Come and see Lord”…. Jesus wept.  John 11:34 -35

We see Jesus weeping three times in the New Testament

• He weeps tears of sympathy and compassion in Bethany
• Tears of sorrow over Jerusalem
• Tears of suffering in the garden of Gethsemane

The words describing His tears indicate that He wept aloud over the holy city of Jerusalem. He sobbed silently at the tomb of his beloved friend, Lazarus.



​

We can take comfort in our own pain and suffering that Jesus knows and feels our pain
for He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8

A place of resurrection and freedom
In this place Jesus proclaims who He is: “I am the resurrection and the life!” 

Martha runs to find Jesus and says in John 11:21-22, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.  But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
​
In the Scriptures we see Jesus patiently persisted in developing Martha‘s faith until it was focused on Him and Him alone.

He replied with words that have resonated throughout the centuries giving hope at the graveside of thousands of believers of every generation.

“John 11:25 - 26”  I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? “

​His eyes must have seemed to penetrate past her doubting mind and into her broken heart to the very depths of her being when Jesus asked Martha,  “Do you believe this?”

Anne Graham Lotz writes in her wonderful book “Just give me Jesus,” “Do you believe that when there is no hope, when there is no recourse, when there is no answer, when there is no way, when there is no remedy, when there is no solution, when there is nobody, there is hope if you have Jesus. Do you believe Jesus can make a way when there is no way? Gradually the light pierced through the depths of Martha‘s grief and despair and she affirmed with a beautiful confession of faith. “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ the Son of God who was come into the world.” John 11: 27.

Martha recognized and acknowledged that apart from Jesus she was totally helpless and totally hopeless. Jesus has shifted Martha’s  focus from her own suffering and grief and pain and problems and despair and hopelessness and helplessness to Himself.”

A beautiful song by Keith and Kristyn Getty to encourage you, I Will Wait for You.
​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aWdSRrrW_4

If you are reading this blog through social media we would suggest that you sign up to recieve the blog each week in your email inbox. It will come directly to you to read at your leisure. 

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We are excited to start back with our Monday Musings Blog after the holiday break. The New Year hits us all in different ways. Some of us are exhausted from the holidays, fighting sickness and just trying to get through till spring comes. Others of us face the New Year excited about the opportunities and challenges ahead. Personally, I love cold weather, but the days of little sunshine tend to close in on me and I often struggle with my health this time of year. I’m a planner, so I ordered my pretty new planner and got it all organized, made my list of all the things I want to accomplish during the year and find I’m already behind, and January isn't even over yet!

Regardless of our personalities, circumstances and check list of things to accomplish, there is one thing that will help us focus and make this a year that has purpose and significance for our personal spiritual lives and those with whom we engage in relationships and community.

Choosing to spend time in the Word, studying and meditating on the beautiful stories and lessons in Scripture will give your days purpose and guide you as you make decisions for your life. Our desire at Restore Ministries is to give you some devotional blogs this year that go a little deeper than the typical blog. You will need to devote more than a minute or two to take in the truths, but our prayer is that they will encourage and challenge you in your journey of faith. 
​
Today, we continue in the Feast for Your Soul Bible Study teachings with a three part series entitled “The Women of Bethany.” We are learning so much this year as we travel through the gospels to study some of the Scriptures where Jesus feasted with the people and taught us so many wonderful faith lessons. As part of this blog series, I encourage you to listen to the audio below of the drama Sherry and I wrote.  It is a live recording, so please pardon the background noise. Our hope is that listening to the drama will help you enter into the Scripture and better understand the hearts of the women who lived in Bethany. In the drama we give our interpretation of lives and encounters these women had with Jesus.

If your days are really busy you could choose to listen one day and then read each part of this series over several days. These Scriptures hold rich truths to guide our lives if we will simply give them some time for study, reflection, and prayer. My experience has been that it takes more than a few minutes to soak in truth in a way that brings transformation in my life and it's always worth the time and effort! We will present the audio of this drama in three parts in the weeks ahead.

​We hope that you enjoy the audio version of The Women of Bethany, Part 1, a drama based on the familiar story of Mary and Martha found in Luke 10:38-42. It is the first time we meet these intriguing women of the Word who loved Jesus and welcomed them into their home. We had so much fun writing and trying to imagine what it might have been like to be Mary and Martha in the small village of Bethany in the home that Jesus loved to visit.
The role of Martha is played by Sherry Barron and the role of Mary is played by Kathy Drake.
Here is the link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSXq0TYjzZ8&feature=youtu.be​

A place of service
We will learn some valuable lessons throughout the encounters in Bethany about what a servant heart should look like through the life of Martha and Mary. The most glaring lesson is that there is a time to serve and a time to sit at the feet of Jesus, and we must be careful to discern the difference.

Martha thought that her worth before the Lord lay in her good motives, her gifts, her hospitality. She wanted to prove her value to the Lord. She was so grateful for what the Lord had done for her and her family and wanted to give him something in return. But for Jesus, inviting Him in means focusing on who Jesus is, not what we want or who we are, even when it is a good thing that is an expression of our love. 

Our service should flow from communion with Jesus.

When it doesn’t, it’s easy to become bothered, anxious and worried about many things like Martha.
The word for distracted in Luke 10:40 in the Greek means to be preoccupied, pulled in different directions, mentally driven about.
 Have you ever felt that way? I know I can totally relate!

When we are distracted our nerves get frayed and we lose our tempers in ways we wish we could take back. Her distraction leads her to blame Jesus for not caring. But Jesus is kind in his response to Martha. He doesn’t belittle her, but calls her name twice in tenderness and directs her to the most important thing, the One thing, Christ himself.

I’ve definitely been a Martha. It is a dangerous thing to be so busy for the Lord, even in ministry, that you don’t make time to seek His face or wait on His direction. Most Mary’s have been a Martha at one time in their lives.
 
I can remember a time in my ministry years ago as a young wife and mother when I became so exhausted from doing the Lord’s work that I came to a place where all I had left was to cry out to God. I was experiencing a season of loss in the death of my father, trying to care for my mother, my children, trying to be a loving wife and work a full time job in ministry. In the demands of the “job,” I lost sight of the priceless value of simply sitting at the feet of Jesus, hearing His voice and seeking His truth to guide my life, my choices, and my ministry. My heart was to serve and give Him the best of my gifts and life, but the temptation to do it on my own strength in the mad rush of my life and “to do” lists had crept in. It was all so subtle that I hadn’t noticed until that day when there was simply nothing left to give. The tyranny of the urgent needs and demands of people had taken over my life. In the middle of the night I fell on my face on my living room floor and cried out to God, “If this is all there is, it’s not enough.” That night before the Lord was the turning point for my life and ministry.  He had been waiting for me to come to the end of myself. The Lord spoke into my heart that He was more the enough to carry me through if I would be faithful to give Him the best of my day and sit at His feet. Of course, I knew this truth in my mind. But I had to come to a place of complete surrender in my heart. The power of the Holy Spirit took over and my life has never been the same. Unfortunately, at times I have let the pressing demands take over again, but He is faithful, always there waiting for me to choose the “One thing” I need for my life. At His feet, I have learned to find my rest in Him.

I wonder if you’ve been there too. 

It is communion with Christ, listening to His words of truth that transforms you into a Mary.

Both women served as women did in that culture. Women still do today. The difference is found in the heart.
​Jesus needed and wanted a different kind of service. He wanted disciples who pursued the One thing.
 
Jesus is seeking an intimate moment, not an elaborate meal.

Charles Spurgeon says, “Martha was preparing a feast for Jesus, Mary was feasting on His words. Both are good, but only one is indispensable.” 

Psalm 27:4 and Philippians 3:7- 8 are wonderful verses to memorize and cling to:

Please join us in two weeks for Part 2 of the Women of Bethany Series. This is our way of giving you the opportunity to journey with us in our Feast for Your Soul Bible Study. You can receive them directly in your inbox and we never share your email address. See instructions in purple below.

In this New Year let's celebrate Jesus as the Feast! When we choose to rest in Him and seek His truth and presence in our lives we will discover that He will nourish and strengthen us for all our days.

Seeking the One Thing,
Kathy

When we presented this drama at our "Feast Study" we sang the beautiful song Captivate Us by Watermark.
The lyrics and beautiful melody capture the heart of this Scripture. Below is the youtube link if you would like to listen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oO6uyJcBclw

I have also created a Feast for Your Soul Playlist on Spotify if you are interested in other songs of worship that will encourage you in the themes we are studying in our "Feast" series.
Simply go to marykathryndrake on Spotify and follow Feast for Your Soul Study to enjoy several hours of beautiful vocal and instrumental songs of worship. It's free.

Resources: Sermons and writings by Charles Spurgeon, Ann Graham Lotz, Frank Viola, Ken Gire, Images Pinterest

We'd like to take a moment to wish you and yours a blessed Christmas season and the happiest New Year!
Please take a moment to view our Christmas Video Card.  You may view it below or click on the link:
 
https://youtu.be/66L11g9Pbgs

​We are so grateful for how the Lord has blessed us this year in ministering to hundreds of women through our retreats, Women's Night of Worship, blogs, and home feasts and Bible study!  We also thank you for your prayers for us and the ministry, and the love gifts that you so generously give. It truly helps sustain the administrative costs of this ministry and supports women in attending many of our retreats, studies, and events.  If you are seeking to make a year end tax deductible contribution, we pray that you will consider Restore Ministries.  Click on the button below for more information on the ways you may contribute.  We are grateful for you and are looking forward to the upcoming new year.  Please continue to pray with us as we seek out creative ways that the Father would have us minister to the needs of you and the many other women who benefit from Restore Ministries.  

          She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means "God is with us."  Matthew 1:23

Blessings of Hope for a Blessed Christmas and a Wondrously Happy New Year! ​
Rejoice!  Immanuel has come...Immanuel is here!
Immanuel [God] is with YOU!  

Love,
​Kathy and Sherry

If you are just joining us or missed the pass two postings, you may view the retelling of the story on our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/9oa439_ctgw  To catch up or review the last two posts, you may find Part 1 HERE  and Part 2 may be read by clicking HERE.

Feeding of the 5000 – Mark 6:31-44; Luke 9:10-17; Matt. 14:13-21; John 9:12-17

34“When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.  41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all.42 And they all ate and were satisfied.” Mark 6: 34,41,42
There are 3 points that I believe the Lord has spoken to me to share with you concerning this Biblical account:

• His Invitation
• His Compassion
• His Provision 

I don't know about you, but during these holiday seasons I find myself more tender-hearted.  Just eating in a restaurant can sometimes cause me to tear up!  I think about what the life of the waiter may be like and how they need to leave their family to work and provide.  I wonder about the lives of the other patrons who are eating and what causes them to be away from family...or if they even have one!  I'm talking about the people that carry a certain look.  Surely you've seen them, too!  You can see in their eyes, a loneliness, pain, frustration, or burden.  They move and carry their body distinctively with expressions that are rather hollow and distant.  I try to sink my watery eyes deep into the menu and swallow back my own emotion.  Since childhood, I occasionally experience these sudden, out of the blue, tender-hearted moments...I guess I'm weird that way.  One would probably call it compassion, but compassion is something that moves us to action.  And that is exactly what Jesus does!  Compassion is far greater than sympathy or empathy.  Compassion produces action – it’s a type of love fuel that moves us to acts of kindness and mercy when confronted by those who are suffering or vulnerable.

There are many other scriptures that tells us of the compassion Jesus had for others. I encourage you to do a personal search about this topic.  It is quite uplifting to learn of His compassion for us.  Here are just a few examples:
When Jesus saw the people, with lavish compassion he….

• Jesus stretched out His hand and touched…Matthew 8:3
• He carries the lambs in His bosom…Is. 40:11
• In all their affliction He was afflicted….He lifted them and carried them Is. 63:9
• He makes known His presence…and encourages….It is I, be not afraid.  

The Latin, compati means “to suffer with.” But, compassion means putting other’s needs before your own.

God is moved with Compassion when He Looks at you! 
Likewise, Jesus is our example of offering Compassion toward others.

• Ps. 86:15 “But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”
• Lamentations 3:22,23 His compassions NEVER fail. They are new every morning!
• Ps. 103:13 "As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him"
  Phil 2:1-5“Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from His love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” 

In my own life, I have noticed that I have selective compassion. Some times prejudices or presuppositions sink in.  Oh, to have a heart like God’s.  Does our heart break for what breaks the heart of God?
​1st John 3:17, “But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”

When we take on the challenge of demonstrating authentic compassion, we will be transformed!

​Even when Jesus, needed rest and a time to grieve, holding nothing back, He moved ahead of his own physical need and moved toward others with a gaze of compassion…not just for their physical need, but for their spiritual need as well.  
 
I love this paragraph from one of D.L. Moody’s sermons:
“Did you ever hear of one coming to Christ that he did not accept? He doesn’t care what position in life you hold. No matter how low down you are; no matter what your disposition has been. You may be low in your thoughts, words and actions; you may be selfish; your heart may be overflowing with corruption and wickedness; yet Jesus will have compassion upon you. He will speak comforting words to you, not treat you coldly or spurn you, as perhaps those of earth would, but will speak tender words, and words of love and affection and kindness.“ 

​Even in the midst of the storm, Jesus saw His disciples struggling against the torrential waves. With lavish love and a heart of compassion, He walked out to them.  He offered words of encouragement, and once He entered in with them, their hearts were calmed.  Do you recognize when He climbs into your storm tossed boat?  Do you recognize it as a heart of compassion for your life? 

Pause now and thank Him for His tender compassion toward you.  You may wish to make a list or write in a journal.  I encourage you to think about the emotions that are linked with compassion and remember that healing fell hand in hand with His compassion for others.  Let Him heal your hurt, frustration, or physical need right now by wrapping yourself in His Word, through prayer, and believing that He desires to be with you.

​PROVISION
The feeding of the 5K story doesn't end when the disciples picked up the left-overs! Be sure to read through Mark 6:45-56 as Jesus walks on the water and calms the storm.

List the ways you saw Jesus providing for the people throughout this full Biblical account Mark 6:30 - 56.
Here are just a few that I came away with:

1. A "Get Away" for rest and time with together with co-laborors.
2. Healing for the sick
3. Faith lesson – for His disciples  - Start with what you have, Give what you have to Christ, Obey what He commands, Conserve so that nothing is wasted.
4. Soft grassy slope with Jesus teaching words of hope and truth
5. Spiritual food and physical food
6. Safety from the storm
7. Peace in a terrifying situation
8. He provided His presence and provision

It seems that our Lord is always providing!  From the beginning of the world in the garden of Eden, He provided food and fellowship with Him.  He has also provided manna from Heaven, not only for the Hebrew children of Moses' time, but Christ, our manna from heaven, who takes away the sin of the world so we can fellowship with the most Holy.  He is Jehovah Jireh, The Lord who provides!

When Jesus received the boy's lunch, He did 3 things that I believe are important to examine.

Looked into Heaven, Blessed, & Broke
 
Communication with God does not require a certain physical position, but postures do give expression to the attitudes of our hearts.

I have thought about the way I often pray.  Mostly, my head is bowed…in reverence and my eyes closed. Looking toward heaven in prayer seems to display a more boldness in coming to the throne.  I should do that more often!
Looking a person in the face indicates confidence and honesty. It is indicative of an open, trusting relationship. The Gospels record many instances when Jesus prayed, looking up into heaven.  

Like a small child looks to his/her parents for help, this position of prayer reflects purity of heart and expresses the following attitudes:

• It demonstrates where our help comes from. 
  Looking up to God in prayer serves as a testimony that we are putting our hope in Him and waiting on Him for help. “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth”(Psalm 121:1–2, ESV).
• It displays confident faith. 
  At the tomb of Lazarus, Jesus prayed with faith and thanksgiving before He raised Lazarus from the dead: “. . . And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou has sent me” (John 11:41–42).
• It indicates intimate fellowship with God. 
  Jesus never sinned. He enjoyed perfect fellowship with His heavenly Father. When He prayed on the night before His crucifixion, “these words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: as thou has given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him” (John 17:1–2.)

​My come away with this phrase is two-fold:
 
First, I can look Abba Father into the face with my hands raised, showing my dependency on Him.
I thank Him for all things – the good, the bad, and the ugly – In faith, I offer Him what I have – He breaks me so that I know it is He that does the amazing and astonishing work with which to declare His glory, apart from any actions of my own. His faithful hand of mercy touches and miraculously takes what is broken and multiplies it for good  – and His Kingdom purposes.
 
The second is this, the story of the Feeding of the 5K is a foreshadowing of things to come for him.
He is the Bread of Life, He was wounded and broken for our transgressions and bore the iniquity of us all. Jesus is our Bread, He is the feast…He distributes Himself and gives freely for all.  He that eats is satisfied and hungers & thirst nevermore.

Let me leave you with this thought as I close out this 3 part mini series:
 
Evening approached (the end of daylight) – In your life, you may feel like you are moving into a time of darkness.  Storms are on the brink.  You fill out of control.  You cannot find your way.
You sense Jesus calling you to come away…be still…Come to a remote place – This remote place represents your witts end.  It is barren and desolate, but you know that God has you in this place for a purpose. You long to feel His tender arms carry you on.  You, like the crowds are searching for answers, wisdom, healing…you are hungry & fatigued.

Do you hear Jesus inviting you to sit on the soft green grass?  His eyes and heart of compassion are heavy for you.  He desires to satisfy your longing soul.  He invites you to eat and be fully satisfied.  And Your hungry soul - He will fill with good things, if you but feast on the abundance of all of His provisions.  He will calm the storm and carry you safely to shore.  Trust His heart for you and your need!  With a compassionate heart, He will provide!

Finding His Compassion and Provisions new every morning,
​Sherry
​Resources: Sermons- John McArthur (gty.org) & Dr. R.C. Sproul (Ligonier Ministries), Desiring God -John Piper, Articles/Blogs from Faithgateway.com,
​Sally Clarkson, Commentaries: Matthew Henry, Oliver B. Greene. Logos Software, Lexicon, Strong’s Concordance

There are 3 points that I believe the Lord has spoken to me to share with you concerning this Biblical account:

• His Invitation
• His Compassion
• His Provision 

Today's blog will focus on His Invitation.  It's His invitation to "Come!"

At the heart of Restore Ministries, our message has always been that of what Jesus so purposefully beckons of us.  
​To Come Away!
We believe that the Lord wants to restore and redeem the brokenness, the wounds,
and the weariness of our souls, as we find our wholeness in Him.

The value of rest should never be underestimated. It is essential for fruitful labor. A quiet secluded place is necessary to recharge the mind, heart and body. Rest was just what Jesus had in mind for His weary friends, the disciples.  They had spent much time "doing ministry" when Jesus sent them out two by two.  On this particular day, they reconvened to report all that they had done in Jesus' name. When Jesus saw them, I believe he saw a weariness, a heaviness, and tired bodies.  They had just heard the news about the beheading of John the Baptist, their friend, and there was also an emotional drain.  Not only were their spirits depleted, but scripture tells us that they didn't even have time to eat!  So their physical bodies were also depleted.  They seemed to be in such a hustle and with constant hurry.  Jesus' invitation to them was to come away to a secluded place and rest a while.

Can you relate?  Do you find yourself hustling...and with good cause?  How long has it been since you took some time to restore, replenish, and rest?  

Pulling away to be refilled is crucial to the many acts of kindness, love, and the out-pouring of our heart.  Ministry is often draining.  There is not only a physical exhaustion that takes place with much doing, but a spiritual exhaustion as you pour out and into the lives of others. We must remember that we can only pour out what has been placed within.  

Unrest leaves us in a state of chaos and confusion. Our soul cries out for peace. 
The Bible says, “The wicked are like the troubled sea, When it cannot rest, Whose waters cast up mire and dirt” (Isaiah 57:20). “In the morning you shall say, ‘Oh, that it were evening!’ And at evening you shall say, ‘Oh, that it were morning!'” (Deuteronomy 28:67).
 
We are being slammed on every side!  Everyone wants a piece of us.  Deadlines quickly arise and we find ourselves grasping for every single minute.  I don’t need to tell you what it’s like. You are very much aware.  We hunger for just a moment to breathe!
​
It’s sad that I have to remind myself to BREATHE! And I’ll admit my fault, I’m the queen of unrest, but I do know it’s value.  I am an example of “a work in progress” as I seek quiet times for restoration.

There is also something to be said about stillness and solitude.  

• Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God…”
• Psalm 23 “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing, He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.”
• Psalm 91:1 “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

I believe REST is something that everyone seeks.  We hunger for it!  "Unrest" seems to lie at the core of a hungry heart!

As I move about my days and decisions I face, there are times I find myself being hijacked.  What is it that is being taken?  My peace.  My rest.  My ability to keep my mind focused on Kingdom purposes and opportunities to display God's glory. Even my joy is often stolen.  And I ask myself, how is this possible?  Most often, it's because my battle plan is weak.  I have not taken to heart the seriousness of resting...and resting IN HIM! 

​Rest also comes with being still…when we quieten our body, mind, and spirit, it is then that we experience great communion with God.  He commands us to Be still and know that He is God.  We need to remember to GO INTO OUR CLOSET and SHUT THE DOOR!  Communion with the Father provides rest for our hungry soul.  He fills it with good things as is stated in the Psalm 107:9 verse.  

Passover celebrated one of Israel’s key stories, the moment that God took a bunch of Hebrew slaves, liberated them from oppression and started to build them into a nation. Suddenly a whole narrative starts playing into this miracle – after all, didn’t God feed his people when they were in the wilderness? And, when they were in the wilderness, weren’t the people arranged in administrative units of hundreds and fifties, just like Jesus commands in verse Mark 6:40? 
 
Jesus notes in verse 34 that the people were “Like sheep without a shepherd”, and again this is linking to a whole other narrative, the Old Testament idea that leaders – kings, priests – had a duty as the shepherds of their people, and yet many of them had completely failed in this. Again, we can go back to the birth of Israel to see where this idea comes from – In Numbers 27:15-17, Moses asks God to appoint his successor so that Israel won’t be, you’ve guessed it, sheep without a shepherd. This idea recurs throughout the Bible – Ezekiel 34 is an extended attack on the bad ‘shepherds’ and points out that God himself will act as a good shepherd, which is also a very famous description of Jesus.
 
And you know it from what scripture?  God mentions green grass, shepherding, and provision? Psalm 23!  

• Psalm 23 “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing, He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.”

 
Suddenly the feeding of the five thousand is linked with one of the greatest expressions of God’s love and support ever committed to paper. This miracle is about God supporting his people, protecting them, looking after them, loving them. And it’s tied into a bigger story, that of God’s rescue plan for humanity that culminates in Christ’s death and resurrection. And even this story is a foreshadowing of yet another account in scripture when Jesus serves His disciples in the upper room. 

​Even in Ezekiel 34:15 The Lord declares that He will have them lie down!
 
God has a way of making you lie down if you don’t take time for yourself!  When you find yourself in a "Holy reclining position," God’s compassion runs warm like a blanket tucked in. Then, you are ready to receive His wondrous provisions!

So listen to God's invitation to you today.  Come...find rest!  I promise you won't be sorry, but encouraged as you find in Him ALL that your hungry and longing soul seeks!  Strengthen your battle plan.  Call together an army of close friends that will pray for you and remind you look toward the Good Shepherd who will restore, revive, invite you to rest, and will lead in you paths of righteousness...for His name sake.

In our next blog, I'll share a little insight about His Compassion and His Provision as we finish up the short series of The Feeding of the 5K.  

​It is our prayer that you will accept His Invitation to “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while” and allow the Lord to restore and redeem the brokenness, the wounds, and the weariness of your soul, as you find your wholeness in Him.

Sharing in His Feast,
​Sherry

Greetings!  Thank you for joining us today.  To receive the best benefit of this blog, we always encourage you to click the title and view it from your browser.  This blog contains video that will not display on some devices.  We are continuing our study of A Feast for Your Soul ~ Celebrating God's Abundance in Community by sharing with you our teachings of the Bible Study that we are writing and hosting each month.  This is not your typical blog!  It has been written in a way that will supplement your quiet time with the Lord.  It is not a quick sip or nibble of heavenly nourishment for your soul.  It is intended for you to take a little more time to sit, rest, chew and reflect on His goodness and faithfulness in our lives. So pour a cup of tea, a mug of coffee, and sit in your soft chair.  Enjoy today's Monday Musing!

Hunger is one thing that moves us to action!  When we are physically hungry, we begin our hunt to quench the craving.  We look for something to satisfy.  Something good!  When we are hungry for peace and quiet, we seek it out in various places.  I typically find my "happy place" on my front porch, until the neighbors yardman comes to tidy up the grass!

Everyone finds themselves hungry!  I'm sure you are visiting this blog because deep within, you are hungry too!  You hunger with curiosity, you hunger for more of God's word, you hunger for fellowship or even to identify/associate with Restore Ministries as a part of this blog following.  

Perhaps there is a real need in your life right now and you are just grabbing at anything that will help pull you out of the mire - or mundane.  You hunger for peace in the midst of a storm that you are passing through.  You need strength.  Words of wisdom...or just something to give you a taste of Hope...or direction in your life.

You need to know that satisfying a hunger in your soul costs something!  It will cost your time and effort.  But let me tell you right now, it is ONLY JESUS that can satisfy the longing of your soul - and to fill it with good things.  And yes, even that cost.  It cost Jesus His life!  He gave it because of His great love and compassion for each of you reading this!

If you've never made the wonderful discovery of having Jesus in your life, the true Bread of Life, the One who loves your soul and delights in filling you with the abundance of His treasure and ALL that He is, then please contact us directly.  We would love to share with you how to have an incredible love relationship with Jesus Christ, because, once again...it is ONLY He that can satisfy your soul, and quench the hunger and thirst within.

There are 37 miracles recorded in the Holy Scriptures and the story of the feeding of the 5000 is the only miracle, before the Resurrection, that is reported in all 4 of the Gospels!  That in itself should call its importance for us as there are many spiritual lessons, truths, and information that lead us to the closing of Jesus' earthly ministry.

The story of the Feeding of the 5K is also a story of "hungry" people! This story bears the marks of seeking solace & respite, pressing demands, and a table of abundance. 

I see 3 groups of individuals who are all hungry for something!  And as I have studies this story, over and over, each time God reveals more to me, and my own face is mirrored in many of the characters.  It is my prayer that as we journey through this story, that you too will recognize yourself.

So with those things in mind, let me tell the story...

Below, is a link to the YouTube that I have created to enhance the retelling of this story.  It is just under 14 minutes.
I encourage you to invest time and watch it on your television if you have the technology to do so.
This is Part 1 of this short blog series of "Hungry Soul? Feeding of 5K Reveals Solutions!"  It is my prayer that you will be blessed as you hear the story of this great miracle.
 (I have included the link incase the YouTube is not displayed on your device. Click below)

This blog has been designed to set the stage!  It is a precursor or introduction to the 3 points that I believe the Lord has spoken to me to share with you concerning:

• His Invitation
• His Compassion
• His Provision

So please continue to join me as we break them apart over the course of this short series.

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Sharing in His Feast,
​Sherry

There are different kinds of hosts in our world and in this story. There are those who invite someone into their lives and homes out of duty and those who invite someone in out of delight.

Jesus was causing quite a stir in the area. There was a growing uneasiness among those in power, the Pharisees. Simon was probably curious himself. 

Could this man really be a prophet? He didn’t look any different from all the rest of the strangers you might pass on the street. What was it about him that drew so many into HIs teaching?  He was performing miracles and Simon was skeptical. And so Simon invited Jesus into his home. It was his duty after all. This Jesus needed to be investigated. It’s likely that Simon was chosen from among the Pharisees for this task and pride probably also crept in. He could be trusted to check Jesus out on this fact finding mission.

And so the table is set.

Jesus arrives, but isn’t given a place of honor at the table at the inner area of the courtyard and instead is seated around the perimeter.  Simon makes a place for him, but can’t bothered with giving him water to wash his feet or having a servant wash the dust from his feet of travels. Jesus head isn't annointed with oil. Their eyes meet, but he certainly isn’t greeted with a kiss. These were all common courtesies defined by the community and time in which they lived.

Then the sinful woman enters the feast.
This woman has invited Jesus into her life and has invited herself to the feast. 

​She becomes a host for Jesus and is filled with delight in contrast to the hosting that Simon offered out of religious duty.  

Jesus calls the woman the more gracious host. She attends to the needs of the guest in the way that Simon should have offered. 

I think verse 44 is so interesting - Jesus turns his gaze toward the woman, but speaks to Simon.
Simon saw only a prostitute, a sinful intruder into his home. He didn’t see her as a person, and He certainly didn’t recognize her extravagant acts as offerings of worship to the Savior.

But Jesus saw her, really saw deep into her soul. For once, a man, a man named Jesus, looked into the depths of her soul and saw her need, not what he could get from her for a price - but what He could give her for a price that He was willing to pay. He saw beyond her sordid past and into her glorious future. And in humility and love, she comes to this feast to honor Him in her present state of forgiveness.
 
It’s important to note that this woman enters the scene already forgiven. John McArthur explains in his commentary on this passage - “Notice that little statement, "I say to you, her sins which are many have been forgiven." That's perfect tense.  It didn't happen right there then.  That's past.  Perfect tense, something happened in the past with continuing effect.  She had already been forgiven.  She had been forgiven some other place, some other day, some other time.  She came there already forgiven, in a state of forgiveness, to find Jesus to thank Him. “ 

Jesus has transformed her life.
We don’t know the details of how, but we see the evidence of it in her lavish display of love and gratitude, her deep humility.  

She is silent at the rebuke in the room. Imagine how she felt while people whispered about her reputation in the room.
But divine grace has moved her to love and love has given her courage to serve Jesus. What she gave cost her in finances and in public rebuke. She pours out all of her costly perfume on His feet. She has brought it as a gift of her love to the One who has forgiven her.

​I love the word that describes the tears that fell from her eyes. The Greek word for her tears that wet His feet is “brecho” which means rain. She literally rains tears on His feet. Luther describes her weeping as “heart water” like an emotional damn that has broken into pieces. She had no water, but heart water and that was sufficient to wash the feet of her Savior.

In contrast, Simon was a religious leader. He had done his best to live a respectable life. His sins were tucked away, maybe he didn’t even recognize them himself.

​ But he had given himself permission to judge and size up others, putting a wall around his world and his heart. His life was all so orderly, so under the law that he couldn’t see the unpredictable power of grace.

​The Scripture says Simon thought - “If this man were a prophet he would know what kind of woman she is. She is a sinner. I love how Jesus reads Simon’s mind and answers him with the parable in verse 41- 43.
​
This Master teacher is trying to get Simon to understand grace through His parable.
Simon and the woman both owed a debt that neither of them could pay.

Jesus has seen the sinful woman in Luke 7 with the gaze of the soul and the name He gives her is forgiven. 
At last, she can experience peace. For so long she has searched for someone to fill the deep hunger and thirst in her soul and that search has led her down a dark and broken life of sin. 
Perhaps you also have experienced the same brokenness that a life of sin can bring.

Jesus reveals Himself to be the Bread of Life and Cup of Salvation in her life, the One...the only One who can finally satisfy her hunger and thirst. 

And so as we look at the stories in Scripture where Jesus ate, drank and taught we must ask some questions about what we can learn for our own faith journeys. For me the greatest lesson in this story is that no matter how sinful, how broken, how deeply entrenched our own lives have become filled with error, or how hidden the sin is in our lives, we have the hope of forgiveness and peace, just like the woman and Simon.

• Ephesians 1:7-8 - In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight
• Romans 5:8 - God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Forgiveness, it is a true and finished work, completed at the cross. 
We may not feel worthy of His forgiveness, but that doesn’t change the fact of it.

• 1 John 2:12  - “Your sins have been forgiven on account of His name.” 

Here are some questions to ponder as we seek to enter into this beautiful “feast” story in Scripture. 

1. How are you hosting Jesus in your life? 
Do you greet Him in the morning with prayer, reading His love letter to you in His Word, anointing Him with praise? 

We can approach Him like Simon, tightly holding on to unspoken questions, treating Him as a question to be answered, a resource to be mined or we can approach Jesus with a heart of gratitude and worship, a Savior to whom we can pour out our love because we know that we are deeply loved and forgiven. We can choose to be like this woman and host Him with the delight of your hearts.

Our love, like hers may not be tidy and orderly. We certainly may not have all the answers. But, if we turn our hearts toward Him, we too will be healed. 

2. Can you think of someone in your life who needs the compassionate eyes of Jesus from you?

3. How can you break open the alabaster jar of your love for Jesus in the days ahead?
​4. What acts of gratitude can you pour out at His feet?

When we choose to believe, forgiveness is etched on the wounds of our hearts. 
​It is written in His boundless grace and sealed by His love.
​
Forgiven and loved, 
Kathy
. 
Resources: Sermon by Charles Spurgeon, Articles and Teaching by John Piper, John Bloom, John McArthur, Moments with the Savior by Ken Gire, Sally Clarkson, Leonard Sweet, Commentary by Matthew Henry,

Restore Monday Musings is excited to be back! We have spent the summer and early fall studying and planning for a wonderful year for the ministry. We hope that you will join in the celebration as we share what the Lord is teaching us through the blog in the months ahead!

Special note ***This blog has lots of pictures and a slide show. Please click the Restore butterfly to take you to the website for viewing.

In Genesis, God commands human beings to “Eat freely...” (Genesis 2:16) and in the final chapter of Scripture He says,  “Drink freely....”  In between these two bookends of the Bible, throughout the Scriptures, God lays out for us a table where He serves us a life-course meal. It is a meal where we have the privilege and opportunity to feast in our hearts on the very Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation: Jesus Christ. 
We must let our hunger take us to the Bread of Life. 
​
Sometimes, don’t you feel like you are just living to check off your to do” list. I know I do. It’s so easy to get caught in that trap of just surviving the days, as if that will satisfy. But Jesus offers so much more...He offers us Himself! 
We are to drink freely of the water of life, Jesus, the living water for our souls for He alone can satisfy.​

Around the table we build community that nurtures our faith within our families and among believers and those who don’t yet know the Savior.

God willing, throughout the year, in our blog we hope to take you along with us in our "Feast" study as we travel with Jesus and his disciples through the pages of God’s pursuing love story.  We’ll use our imaginations and visit places like Galilee, the little village of Bethany, Jericho, and Jerusalem as we enter into stories of feasting in Scripture and explore the amazing truths and lessons the Father has for us. The locations of these meals move from  the homes of Pharisees to followers of Jesus and tax collectors, to hillsides and shores by the sea. Wherever Jesus gathered for a meal with the people, He filled them with the wonder of His transforming truth. In the course of the meal He shares life-giving lessons for us all.
Our prayer is that as you read along with us, you will feel like you have joined with us in the Feast in your hearts even though you may live far away or cannot attend our monthly “Feast” gatherings. It will be a great joy to savor together the nourishing words of Scripture and in the process we will “taste and see that the Lord is good.” Psalm 34:8

​It's just a couple of weeks until our Feast For Your Soul ~ Women's Night of Worship. Women from all over the Baton Rouge area and representing many different churches are registered. It looks like we will have a delightful number of ladies seeking to feast on the Word of Truth, to be transformed by the renewing of their mind, to find rest for their soul, and to bask in the abundance from the house of God, celebrating His goodness with wholehearted worship!  We hope that you will come and join us:

A Feast for Your Soul ~ Women's Night of Worship & Dinner
September 7, 2018 at 6pm

Location:
Community Bible Church
8354 Jefferson Hwy.
Baton Rouge, LA  70809
Online Registration Required.

As we are making final preparations for you, we hope that you have already registered.  If not, there are still places available ONLY for the Women's Night of Worship.  We have reached our maximum capacity for the monthly Home Bible Study, but a waiting list has been set up should someone need to cancel.  We will contact you in the order in which we receive your contact information.  You may click HERE to be placed on our waiting list; and who knows, maybe we will offer it again next fall! 

We thought you'd like to take a look at just a little of the preparations that are taking place! See YouTube Video below:
​https://youtu.be/LyFgztfDtCU 

Please note:  a Donation Basket will be available for you to make a contribution to help cover the cost of the meal. Reservations are Required for the Women's Night of Worship.  Won't you join us?

Looking forward to feasting with you!
​Kathy & Sherry