CPM

4-GIVEN
There’s a woman in the Bible. The Bible says she was a ‘lady of the night’, a sinful and immoral woman, a pr******te. However, she had an encounter that changed her life forever. After having her heart arrested by Jesus, she is never the same and she becomes known for eternity for her extravagant worship of Jesus.
She was noticed by men, but she was seen by Jesus. She was used by men, but saved by Jesus. And because of her extravagant worship, she was forgiven much. In fact, Jesus tells a parable in answer to the complaint from Simeon, the owner of the home in which Jesus was a dinner guest. (Simeon did not like that Jesus would allow this immoral woman to enter into the dinner party and anoint Him with her tears and her expensive parfum.)
Jesus then shares a lesson, asking Simeon who would likely be more grateful for grace: someone whose larger debt is let go or someone with a lesser debt. Simeon responds with his opinion, ‘Why, I imagine the person who is forgiven a greater debt would be more thankful than one who has been forgiven a smaller debt.’ (Luke 7)
My worship of Jesus to some may seem excessive; my need for Him to some may seem extreme. Let me be clear: I cannot breathe apart from Him. My heart beats for Him; every broken piece within me, I safely entrust to Him. Today, my dependence on Jesus is endless. He is my utmost desire. I am outrageously in love with Him because He has proven Himself time and again, faithful and extraordinary to this child. His extravagant love for me motivates me to be a better person; His grace for me persuades me to pursue Him at all costs; His faithfulness causes my bar for myself to be placed higher. See, for whom is forgiven much, much is required. He has forgiven me for so much that I too, another sinful woman, cannot help myself but to worship Him with abandon and extravagance. And I believe wholeheartedly that it is impossible to truly encounter Jesus and not be completely changed and transformed.
Luke 12:48b, ‘From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required.’

Doing life right on the outside😊

How about a WORD from Dick Gott
A Race Well Run!

RUNNING OUR RACE SUCCESSFULLY!
FCF DEVOTION FOR SEPTEMBER 5, 2021

Since we have just finished watching the OLYMPICS from Tokyo, let us consider our own race we are in according to Hebrews 12: 1-2 AMP: 'Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (who have born testimony to the truth), let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance and that sin which so readily clings to and entangles us, and let us run with great endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us. Looking away (from all that will distract) to JESUS WHO is the Leader and the Source of our Faith and is also its Finisher. HE, for the joy (of gaining the prize) that was set before HIM, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of GOD'. This scripture speaks to me in a very special way, especially as I start to get closer to my finish line. And according to the writer of Hebrews, JESUS is our example in everything we do. FATHER GOD was JESUS's example in everything HE did while in HIS life on earth, and HE is our example when it comes to our spiritual life! Our living example. We are in a spiritual race, and will be until the end of our life on earth, and we can run this race with great endurance, or barely make it to our finish; it is our decision. But here is our example. We are surrounded! By those who followed the Truth while living here. And they are encouraging us, to remain faithful to our calling as they were faithful. Their message to us, is to strip away, and lay aside everything that would entangle us and slow us down, even that nagging sin that so easily entangles and binds us from following the Truth. That was our snare before meeting JESUS, and we are commanded to throw off those old sins that were a snare before meeting JESUS. This is so we can run our race without any encumbrances, as we are running a marathon, not a 50 yard dash! Our race will continue the rest of our lives, and I know that JESUS CHRIST is standing at the finish of my race, encouraging me to keep running with the endurance only HE can provide!

Why do I say this? Because Verse 2 is our strategy. We keep our eyes fixed on JESUS, Who not only started our life of Faith, but will be at the finish line awaiting there! We are to keep our eyes and our focus on JESUS, because HE and only HE was successful in running HIS Own race. HE ran his ugly race with joy and delight. Not because HIS race was so easy, but because HE was looking away to HIS finish line where victory was near. HE could have gone around, under, over HIS cross, but instead HE went through its agony to receive HIS crown and victory forever more. The cross was not a deterrent for HIM, but a 'must do', because HE knew each one of our salvations depended on HIM completing HIS race. And HE won HIS prize! And Brothers, HE is there encouraging us to also win our own prize, as we are faithful to HIM WHO is our example. I do not want to disappoint HIM WHO has done so much for me, as well as for you. HE ran HIS race spotlessly and without blemish while here on earth, and HE will give you and me the strength, and discipline to do the same if we Trust HIM with our very lives. HE alone has the power for our performance if we will trust HIM in this way. And these two Verses give us the instructions on how to run our races. Like the Olympians we have been watching perform flawlessly in their routines, it shows us what happens when we practice, practice, practice!
Following JESUS, and trusting and relying on HIM to always be right by our sides, to encourage us onward, and upward, in our quest for HIM. When we stumble, HE is there to pick us up! I trust HE means this much to allow HIM to direct your steps in all that you do in your Faith walk with HIM. Remember Psalm 119:105, HE and HIS Word is a lamp unto your feet, and a light unto your path! Wherever you go and wherever HE takes you go in HIS strength and in HIS courage. AMEN! We send our love to you! Dick Gott