What Gift Do You Bring?

Last weekend I sang at Grace UMC here in Conway - I was asked to sing by their music minister, Ryan Fisher, a good friend of ours from Lee University. His pastor was preaching a sermon entitled "What gift do you bring" and was using the story from Matthew 26 about the woman who came to Jesus with an alabaster box filled with expensive perfume. He wanted me to sing the song Alabaster Box by CeCe Winans - I was hesitant at first, but then realized, singing this song was my gift, my praise, and no one else could bring that to Him but me. I sang in all three services and it was wonderful to be part of their worship experience. Today I received a hand knitted baby blanket and hat from the pastor's wife as a thank you. It is beautiful and received with love, just as it was made.

We can learn so much from the woman with the alabaster box and what she was doing and why she was doing it. She recognized who Jesus was to her, and that there were no limits on what she was willing to give to Jesus. She knew that Jesus was the Savior; she also recognized that she had a past that needed to be forgiven. This woman was considered a heathen by the religious, but she didn’t care. She gave what she had; she offered herself to the Lord as an act of worship. The Lord gave honor to this woman, and spoke freedom into her life when he said, “thy sins are forgiven”. He also told her, “thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.” She came into the room bound by a past that needed to be forgiven and healed. She left free, and no longer captive to her past. The Lord forgave her because of her willingness to give herself completely to the Lord. The Lord offers deliverance to each of us. He is waiting for us to call upon Him. May the Lord bless you, keep you, and make His face to shine upon you!