All posts by vanessadonnan

Flag on the Field

dave-adamson--nATH0CrkMU-unsplashA few years ago I was at a football game when a streaker came out of nowhere and went running across the field. The officers guarding the sidelines, watching for this sort of thing, went running to apprehend the fearless flasher. The play had to stop to accommodate the interruption while the guards worked quickly because every second counts – especially on live television. The game is delayed until the suspect is detained.

Our minds play out a similar scenario several times a day. We take on our day ten yards at time, and then an intrusive thought flashes through your mind. It’s intent on  distracting you, derailing you, and if it can run far enough, it will completely dismantle you. We go from being productive and making plays to a flag on the field. Everything else stops while the mind spirals. Sometimes these intruders start out as entertaining, even day dreaming, but quickly become all consuming.

2 Corinthians 10:5 says ” We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.” We have to be quick to recognize which thoughts are intruders and even quicker to arrest them – because what starts as a scene in your mind becomes a seed in your heart. And we all know what seeds do, they grow. We have to be swift to capture the intruder in our head so it doesn’t get into our heart. We must be aware that there is a very real enemy intent on stealing our time, killing our integrity, and ultimately destroying our lives. One reckless thought at a time. The longer these things play in our minds, the more time it takes away from the game. And that’s it’s goal – to keep you from reaching yours. 

We can’t change the first thought but we can take charge of the next one. We have to put rebellious thoughts in their place, which is out of our heads. Tackle your rebellious thoughts as fast as guards tackle streakers. We have to be quick to discern the source and intention of our thoughts and where they’re taking us – towards a penalty or towards the goal post. The play can’t continue until you pivot.

Philippians 4:8 calls us to “fix our thoughts on what is true, honourable, right, pure, and admirable.” Having to fix something implies that it’s broken – and though you may not have been the one to break it, it is your responsibility to fix it. The next verse goes on to say that once we’ve put this level of excellence into practise, then the God of peace will be with us.

What intruders have you allowed to run free in your mind?

What seeds do you need to pull out by the root?

If you don’t direct your thoughts, they will direct you.

Your enemy won’t be able to drag you into the wrong end zone if your eyes are firmly fixed on the one who sits on the throne.

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by vanessadonnan on June 22, 2020  •  Permalink
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Posted by vanessadonnan on June 22, 2020

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Do It Again

AkEtm3h6RfaVhyrRvDZH%A_thumb_3d5bLuke 5:4-11
A Strong Resolve
In the summer of 87 my grandfather decided to add to our farm. He spent months building a small stable and fencing in a corral. One summer night he brought home a beautiful horse named Annie and decided she should start training right away. Since I lived next door, I was the lucky contestant. His first equine trainee. He knew very little about training a horse and I knew even less about riding one. But I had all the faith in the world in my Grandpa so I skipped down the hill in my plastic flip flops; perfectly practical footwear for the occasion. I remember being quite leary of a horse fresh off the trailer but surely a rookie equestrian trainer knew what he was doing, right? With one swift boost I was in the saddle and Annie was out of her comfort zone. We slowly started out around the front stretch of the corral and Grandpa slowly put a little more slack in her rope. Too soon if you ask me, but I was 7 so what did I know? As we approached turn one, Annie decided our relationship wasn’t working out for her so she stood on her hind legs and dumped me into the fence. My grandmother came rushing to my aid, checking me over for bruises and broken bones, lovingly wiping the tears from my dusty face. Just as the feeling of safety once again returned, I heard the voice of my grandfather saying “She’s alright”. I was hoping he meant Annie. Wrong. He meant me. With one swift boost I was back in the saddle. He looked us both square in the eyes and said “do it again”. Once again we were slowly on our way into turn two. As we approached the back stretch, Annie made it clear she was only into short term relationships, as she once again left me crying in the dirt. “Surely we’ll call it a day”, I thought. “We can try again tomorrow when Annie is more comfortable and I’m more confident.” Wrong. With a strong resolve I heard his voice over and over say “do it again”. And that I did. By the end of the summer I had learned to ride and Annie had overcome her fear of commitment. We rode over and over again until we had the skills to leave the corral and roam the open fields on warm summer nights.
Fast forward a few years later, my childhood best friend Liana and I went off to summer camp together. One of the optional activities was horseback riding. There was a barrel racing competition (yes, it’s a real sport). Naturally I wanted to know who the fastest horse in the stable was; because the only way for me to win anything involving speed would be with the advantage of a horse with much faster legs than mine. Our camp counselor pointed to the horse at the end of the stable. “That one, but he rides western”. A riding style that steers the horse with both reigns in one hand. Well low and behold, that was the only way I knew how to ride because that’s the way my grandfather, the rookie horse trainer, had taught me. He said that’s how real cowboys ride. Real cowboys – like John Wayne and Clint Eastwood. With one swift boost I was in the saddle and we went flying around a few barrels. In my mind I could hear his voice saying “do it again”. When they handed me that red ribbon at the end, I hoisted it in the air like Earnhardt Sr. hoisting the Winston Cup. The real lesson my granddaddy taught me in the summer of ’87 wasn’t how to ride, it was that quitting wasn’t an option. Do it again.
A Solid Command
In Luke chapter 5 Jesus commands Simon to go out and let his net down again. See, when Jesus first ran into Simon, he was packing up his discouragement into his tackle box and tying his boat to the dock of defeat. It hadn’t been a fruitful day on the water – no fish in sight. Simon’s response was filled with exhaustion and hesitation. “How many times do I have to try here?” It seemed repetitive and fruitless. But Jesus’ command came with a strong resolve, “Again. You have to do it again.” This time, when he let down his net, it was filled with an abundance of fish. Not just what he needed, more than he could contain. Jesus wasn’t teaching Simon how to fish, He was teaching him how to have faith. When Simon realizes the magnitude of the moment he fell to his knees. He recognized his inadequacy was no match for God’s abundance.  Later in verse 11 Jesus says “from now on you’ll fish for people.” The thing with people is that they will reject the truth again and again. He was looking for a fisherman who would trust again and again. He wasn’t looking for a man of skill, but one of obedience. Simon’s struggle was part of God’s strategy. Quitting is not an option in the Kingdom.
Jesus took it from fishing to forgiveness in Matthew 18 when Peter asked Jesus a legitimate question, one many of us have asked many times; “Lord, how many times do I have to forgive? Seven?” After all, the rule is shame on you if you fool me once, but shame on me if you fool me twice. Right? But Jesus’ response came with strong resolve, “no, not seven, seventy times seven.” (Insert shocked emoji here). If you’ve come to the conclusion that you’re off the hook after forgiving someone 490 times, you’ve missed the point entirely. It wasn’t about solving an equation it was about setting a standard. Forget about the number, Peter, do it as many times as it takes. Just do it again. You don’t want to start counting how many offences you have to forgive unless you’re prepared to hear how many Christ forgave you for. (Bring back the surprised face emoji). Jesus used Peter to set a standard for forgiving the pain and persecution that was to come, because people are messy and quitting isn’t an option.
“But you don’t know what that person has done to me.” You’re right. But I do know what Christ has done for you. 
God’s commands are intended to deepen your faith, not your fears – where do you need to trust?

An abundant harvest comes on the heels of consistent obedience – where do you need to obey?

Our struggle is part of God’s strategy – where do you need to do it again?

Dust yourself off. Get back in the saddle. Do it again.

© Vanessa Donnan and Walk by Faith, 2019. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Vanessa Donnan and Walk by Faith with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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by vanessadonnan on December 1, 2019  •  Permalink
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Posted by vanessadonnan on December 1, 2019

https://vanessadonnan.wordpress.com/2019/12/01/do-it-again/

The Donkey Mentality

1 donkeyScripture: Matthew 20:17-19, Matthew 21:1-5

Lesson: Drawing Battle Lines

The streets were buzzing with the sounds of party preparations and the air was filled with the scent of unleavened bread. The dust laid heavy over the city like a cloud. Something was different about this festival – something that made the tension thick and the swords sharp.

The annual “Most Wanted” list had been posted and Jesus’ face had made the cover. A plot had been formed and the battle lines were clearly drawn. Judas wanted Him to rally the crowds, storm the gates and take His rightful place, “Come on man, you’re Jesus – the Saviour of the world!”

That’s what you’re supposed to do when being heavily scrutinized and wrongfully accused…fight back.

This is the part where Jesus is supposed to fly in on His cape and demand His crown, but He wasn’t following the script. Instead He asks for a donkey. So His disciples set off into town, to see a man…about a donkey. “Wait, did He just say He wanted a donkey?” Surely He meant horse. A horse is the official mode of transportation when approaching the enemy. A horse – strong and swift, regal and proud. Yet He insists on a donkey.

When He enters Jerusalem on His chosen beast, He’s greeted with criticism on every corner, looking to discredit Him. The opposition is unbearable and the accusations are unfounded.

All the while He knew His 2 best friends would fail Him. Peter denied knowing Him and Judas betrayed Him for 30 pieces of silver – the cost of a slave (Exodus 21:32). Adversity always reveals your true friends, but He was aware that when the dust settled over that day, He wouldn’t have a single one (Matt 26:56). And yet He chose the donkey – a symbol of peace and humility.

How fitting that the man who was destined to carry the weight of the world on His shoulders chose a creature known for bearing heavy burdens, to carry Him on its back.When the clouds grew dark and the sky caved in, Jesus didn’t take the ‘high road’, He took the lowest place (Philippians 2:7). He approached persecution peacefully, carried His cross with humility, and triumphed over the grave victoriously.

Application: Lower Your Sword

Emotions are running high but patience seems to be at an all time low. Tension gets thick and tongues get sharp. Your boss throws a tantrum, your friend throws you under the bus, or sometimes it’s just the chaos of life that throws you into a tailspin.

The caution flag is out and you take your pace lap – you’re planning your defense and compiling your arguments. You begin to think you should’ve been a lawyer, after all, you’re just so good at it. As you stand to plead your case, you remember how Jesus ditched the horse in favour of a donkey. An animal noted for its flexible feet to maneuver over rough terrain.

It’s no coincidence that it’s referred to as the “Beast of Burden”, and that as believers we’re called to bear one another’s burdens in love (Gal 6:2). The work of a donkey was so valuable that it was once considered a measure of wealth.

This donkey idea is starting to make sense, because what good is it really if you can only show love to those who deserve it? That doesn’t set us apart, even fools can do that (Luke 6:32). We don’t have an impact on the lives of others by regurgitating all of their wrongs, our influence is found in exemplifying a life that’s been made right.

Conflict reveals character and humility precedes honour. Sometimes we just have to lower the sword and realize the battle has already been won. Those insults have actually fallen on our Saviour (Romans 15:3). He has the last word.

What have you labeled as discord that needs to be downgraded to a mere distraction?

What enemies are you allowing to occupy land in your mind?

The next time you’re faced with opposition and criticism, remember the donkey. Drop your brief case and dismount your horse.

Jesus confronted His enemies with humility to teach us to conduct our lives with honour. He approached the sting of persecution with peace so that we could approach the throne of grace with promise.

“It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you.” 1 Peter 2:15

~Vanessa

 

© Vanessa Donnan and Walk by Faith, 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Vanessa Donnan and Walk by Faith with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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by vanessadonnan on November 22, 2014  •  Permalink
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Posted by vanessadonnan on November 22, 2014

https://vanessadonnan.wordpress.com/2014/11/22/the-donkey-mentality/

Shipwrecked Faith

Scripture:     Mark 4:35-41shipwreck

Lesson:    All Aboard

There’s a private meeting on the shore of a public beach – “Hey guys, hop in the boat, we’re going to the other side.” Seems pretty simple. Almost routine. It’s interesting though how Jesus just tells the disciples where they’re going, He doesn’t tell them what they will encounter on the way. He promised them a destination but was not obligated to warn them of the detours.

Maybe if He had told them that the waves were going to be so fierce, water was going to pour into their boat and their Captain was going to take a nap while they were tossed around like rag dolls, they would’ve abandoned the ship before they even set sail. They would have sat on the shore for fear of the mayhem and missed out on their very own miracle.

They’d witnessed Him heal strangers that were sick and open the eyes of the blind, but they still didn’t fully see that Jesus was the  Messiah. Witnessing His power seems like a prerequisite for a disciple called to preach the good news; if they’d never faced that storm, they’d have no credibility to testify that Jesus truly saves. What they thought instead was that He didn’t care; He was too tired from healing everyone else so He was just going let them drown in their hour of need.

Jesus said “why are you so afraid, do you still have no faith?” It’s borderline offensive. How do you travel with the Healer and still have room for doubt?  They had seen His wonder working power, but they hadn’t experienced it. “Check this guy out”, they said, “even the wind and the waves obey Him!” As if Jesus’ miraculous power had just made the 6:00 news. It’s possible to be amazed at what Jesus can do, and still not believe who Jesus is.

They had to encounter the wind and the waves if they were going to proclaim that Jesus truly saves.

The disciples reached the other shore, with a faith they didn’t have before.

Application:     Don’t Abandon The Ship

It’s hard to be still and know that our God Reigns when the weather man keeps forecasting days that are cloudy with a chance of tears – but God is not obligated to tell us if a storm is coming when He has already promised us a safe landing.

Maybe God gave you a dream or promised you a destination. Maybe He said “hop in the boat, we’re going somewhere special.” But there was no warning you might lose your job along the way, your relationship would crumble or that you’d wade knee deep in your own tears. You thought you’d boarded a ship bound for greatness, then a storm swept in out of nowhere. It threw you off course, someone knocked the wind out of your sails and your captain appears to be asleep on the job; or perhaps He’s waiting for you to obey what the storm came to teach you, before He makes the storm obey Him. We cannot testify that Jesus saves until we’ve been in His boat through the wind and the waves.

Getting in the boat is free – getting to the other side is costly.

I have to wonder though, when the Father held a meeting in heaven and decided that Jesus would leave His throne to be the Saviour of the world, did He tell His son how much it would hurt to become flesh and dwell among rebels?  Or did he just say “You’re the only way for my people to get to the other side”, (John 14:6).

What if Jesus looked down and said “the cost is too high for me to bring many sons to glory – it’ll be too painful, their burden is too heavy for me to carry”? Jesus got on the cross so that we could get to the other side.

Don’t stay on the shore for fear of the mayhem, and miss out on your very own miracle – He perfects our salvation through our sufferings (Hebrews 2:10). When you sit in wonder of Gods awesome power, you can stand as a witness to His sufficient grace, (2 Corinthians 12:9).

You’ll never know how mighty the hand of God is to save, if you don’t encounter the wind and the waves.

Don’t abandon the ship – cling to the Shepherd.

~Vanessa

Prayer – Dear Lord I come with boldness to lay my burdens at the foot of your cross. Your word says that I can cast my cares upon you because you care for me. You promised that those who sew in tears shall reap in joy. Open my eyes to see and my ears to hear what you are teaching me through this trial. Stand with me Lord, and give me strength to face the storm, believing that it’s for my good and your glory. Amen

© Vanessa Donnan and Walk by Faith, 2013. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Vanessa Donnan and Walk by Faith with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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by vanessadonnan on December 27, 2013  •  Permalink
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Posted by vanessadonnan on December 27, 2013

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The Lost Boys

lost boys 5Scripture: Luke 15:11-24

Lesson: I Once Was Lost…

Have you ever been so excited for someone’s arrival that you stood on the front step waiting for them to pull in the driveway? I do it all the time. I run out to hug a visitor before they even unbuckle their seatbelt. But have you ever stood on your front step waiting on someone without any indication that they were actually coming? Not only that, but you hadn’t spoken to them for months or possibly years?

Every time I read this passage that’s how I imagine this father’s love for his wayward son looks. Just standing there, waiting, on nothing more than some boards nailed together forming the front porch of hope: the hope that kept him looking toward the horizon where the dusty laneway meets the sky, believing that one day he’ll see the silhouette of his boy returning home.

In the beginning of this passage we see that one son remains in his father’s house of faith while the other decides he needs to taste all the world has to offer and ride every ride in the amusement park of life. He packed his inheritance in his suitcase, along with his finest ‘go-to’ shirts and Friday night dancing shoes; he loaded up his donkey and hit the dirt road in search of his own way, (this was a couple thousand years B.H.F. –Before Henry Ford– invented the automobile). His father stood on the front porch with silent tears streaming down his face, watching his son turn his back and walk away.

On this road, he chases thrill after thrill hoping each new high would fill the void he felt on the inside. It says there’s a famine in the land and he needs to go back to his father’s house where he knows there is food and shelter. But the greater famine is on the inside where he sees the truth much clearer now – in his father’s house isn’t just food on the table, but food for his soul.

He packs his bags again and laces up his worn out Nikes. Although his inheritance is gone, his suitcase is much heavier than before – carrying the weight of his sin and shame. He’s afraid his father won’t take him back so he writes a repentance speech to explain his filthy condition. Meanwhile back at the ranch, his father had been fattening up the calf for the celebratory steak dinner and had kept his sons redemption robe hanging in the hall closet; because faith is the substance of things hoped for but not yet seen (Hebrews 11:1)

The day finally comes when the father sees his son walking down the laneway, he looks filthy on the outside and battle scarred on the inside. He runs to his son with arms wide open. He didn’t even want to hear what his son had to say, he was so overjoyed that his boy had found his way.

The father didn’t ask his boy what he’d done out there on the road – he just gave him clean clothes and welcomed him home.

Application: But Now I’m Found…

Maybe you can relate to this son because you’ve been in his shoes, pulling your heavy suitcase behind you – tossing the love of God aside in favour of your own road. Until the day you wake up to a famine in your soul and realize that you are in fact in need of a Saviour; yet you wonder if your Heavenly Father will take you back. Maybe as you read this you’re thinking “you don’t know the things I’ve done or the places I’ve been.” How does a perfect God love a filthy sinner like me? Simple – It’s called Grace. The garment He clothes all of his children in.

We all have our stories and our scars – our self-justified reasons for turning our back on God. But today is a new day, and yesterdays excuses don’t hold up. The Father gave up His one and only Son (John 3:16), so that you and I always had a place to call home. He saved a seat at His table for you, and every time He looks over at your empty chair He longs for you to come back, so He can take your filthy rags from a sinful life and clothe you in His mercy and grace.

This passage paints a beautiful picture of an eternally loving Father that watched you walk away, saw every failure and mistake, yet stands with His arms swung wide open waiting for you to run into His flawless love. There’s nothing you can do to earn it, and absolutely nothing that you’ve done will make Him deny you of it.

It doesn’t matter what you’ve done – it only matters that you’ve come.

The Father won’t ask you what you did on the road – He’ll just give you clean clothes and welcome you home.

~Vanessa

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by vanessadonnan on June 11, 2013  •  Permalink
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Posted by vanessadonnan on June 11, 2013

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Promotions & Power Trips

shoe shine

 

Scripture:            Mark 10:35-45

Lesson:                 Publicity Stunts

Jesus had just warned His disciples of His coming death and resurrection; He’d been preparing them to go on living out the gospel in His absence. James and John (sons of a local fisherman), were two of Jesus’ disciples, who had left their father and their fishing boat on the shore (Matt 4:21) to become a follower of Christ. They approached the Master with a request, “When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honour next to you.” In other words, promote us to a place of notable honour in your kingdom. Make us famous.

Do they even understand what they’re asking? One to sit at the right hand, the other at the left of not only Jesus, but God himself. And why? For their own glory; to be acknowledged over the other disciples. Their own public ‘pat on the back’ for the sacrifices they’d made to follow the Saviour.

When the other disciples heard this, they were indignant and outraged. What made James and John think their sacrifices were any greater than the others? They had all left everything behind to serve Christ. Jesus asks them if they were able to drink from His cup of suffering; meaning, were they able to shoulder the sin of the world and endure death on a cross? They thought so. But that wasn’t their cross to bear.

Jesus goes on to say that some rulers flaunt their authority; take a power trip – but if they wanted to be first, they had to be last. If they wanted the title of master, they must first be the servant. For even the Master Himself came not to be served, but to serve, and sacrifice His life to shoulder the sin of the world.

Application:        Do you want to be famous or faithful?

So what was it that made James’ and John’s sacrifice any more remarkable than anyone else? Absolutely nothing. They had all made sacrifices to be in the inner circle of the Messiah, and sit at His table. Not one could make a sacrifice as great as the one that Jesus would suffer for us all.

Maybe you’ve been on both sides of this coin; both the servant and the master. You paid your dues and made your way to the top; or you sweat and made your sacrifices, only to watch someone else walk away with something that you were sure belonged to you.

However, we are each called to run our own race without looking over at the person running next to us, who maybe didn’t ‘play fair’. We are called to run with honour and integrity – and with the heart of a faithful servant. Our sacrifices will never make us any more worthy than anyone else. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). The true heart of a servant desires to make HIS name famous, not their own.

We will never know how much it cost, to have our sins nailed to His cross. Jesus paid a price we could never afford, to cover the sins He didn’t commit. His sacrifice bridged the gap between us and God.

Our sin will always separate us – His sacrifice will always save us.

We serve Him by serving others.  

~Vanessa

© Vanessa Donnan and Walk by Faith, 2013. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Vanessa Donnan and Walk by Faith with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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by vanessadonnan on April 3, 2013  •  Permalink
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Posted by vanessadonnan on April 3, 2013

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The Door

13440498857432114_7mrTkogo_cScripture: Genesis 6:9 – 8:19

Lesson: Sinking in Sin

Noah spent 120 years building the ark. 120 years of ridicule and persecution. Noah wasn’t considered to be socially acceptable, because he didn’t believe in a God he could see; he believed in a God he could hear.

Noah turned down the volume of his mockers, so he could hear the voice of his God. A voice that gave him careful instructions and provision – a voice that gave him hope and a future.

When all of creation turned their backs on God, Noah turned his face toward Him.
Noah stood firm on his pillars of faithfulness and obedience; and when all others forgot about God – God remembered Noah (Gen 6:8, Gen 8:1), and protected him from His vengeance.

For 40 days and 40 nights, the world sank in its sin, but Noah and his family stayed afloat on their faith. There was only one door into the ark, by which Noah and his family were saved; and on His day of reckoning, God shut the door.

Application: From the Flood to the Blood

It’s interesting how the names of the scornful weren’t recorded in the pages of history, but the story of Noah’s obedience hangs as artwork today, on the walls of countless nurseries, and in the hearts of faithful people.

Look around; we too, live in a society that has forgotten about God. The question is, do you persevere in obedience to God’s word in spite of the mocking voices; knowing that God remembers faithfulness?

If we entertain the scornful voices of a sinful world, we won’t hear the gentle voice of a loving Father, who has already made a way for us. There was only one door into the ark by which Noah and his family were saved from destruction; and there is only one door by which you and I are saved through forgiveness in Christ Jesus (John 14:6).

After the flood, the sin that tarnished the earth had been washed away and everything had been made new – and so it is the same with our life in Christ, every sin is washed away, and we’re given the grace to start again (2 Corinthians 5:17).

On the Lord’s final day of judgment, when his son will return, God will shut the door of eternity. Will you be safe under the ark of salvation – or will you be sinking in sin…

It was by faith that Noah was saved from the flood.

It is by faith that we are saved by Christ’s blood.

~ Vanessa

© Vanessa Donnan and Walk by Faith, 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Vanessa Donnan and Walk by Faith with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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by vanessadonnan on February 13, 2013  •  Permalink
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Posted by vanessadonnan on February 13, 2013

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Compassion is in Fashion

Reading: Matthew 9:35-38
MH900401566
Lesson: Purpose Driven Pit Stops

As Jesus travels through villages, teaching in Synagogues, preaching the gospel of truth, He made “pit stops”, to heal every sickness and disease as He encountered them. Really – it was just another ordinary day for the Son of God. Along their path, Jesus and His disciples came across a multitude of stragglers. Jesus was moved with compassion for them. This doesn’t mean that He merely felt sympathetic toward them; He was physically moved into action out of the overflow of His Mercy. This too, was not out of the ordinary for our Saviour – but something made this group more notable.

Something about this group, made Him stop in His tracks.

Why? They were weary and scattered. He equated them to sheep without a shepherd. They were the lost, the dirty, the homeless, the friendless, and the fatherless.
Their weariness didn’t just stem from their circumstance – it was deeply rooted on the inside. They were the outcasts and throwaways. Those who seemingly didn’t “belong”. The black sheep.

As Jesus surveyed the depth of this, He says, “the harvest is truly plentiful, but the labourers are few”. Meaning, there are so many lost and hurting souls, but no one is willing to reach out and touch them. Nobody is willing to get their hands dirty to help someone in need – someone who didn’t matter to anyone else.

Everyone seemed to have enough love, grace, and compassion, for those within their own flocks, but not one seemed to be willing to go outside of the sheep in the valleys, to love the outcasts in the trenches.

Application: Scattering Seeds of Hope

Each of us encounter scattered sheep every day, in some form another; the outcasts and throwaways. Those who seemingly don’t belong. Some are more obvious than others; a homeless man pushing a shopping cart containing all of his earthly possessions, a prostitute with a vacant stare on a street corner, or a displaced child being passed from house to house, but never truly finding a home.

Some however, are less obvious – the angry, bitter co-worker that seems to need a hug, or a swift kick in the pants. The rude waitress at the diner, or the obnoxious trouble maker at school who is desperate for attention.

We all encounter someone unlovable, everyday – more importantly, they encounter you.

The question is, do you extend your hand of mercy, and smile genuinely from a heart of love; or do you look the other way, as if not noticing them somehow means they don’t exist? Do you hold the door for the little old man with his walker – or were you in such a hurry with your important day, that you didn’t even notice he was there? Too busy to notice anyone other than yourself…

Perhaps all that habitually unpleasant co-worker needs, is a loving smile and a warm handshake, to give him his first sense of acceptance. Maybe all that kid in school needs is for you to step outside of your comfort zone and invite her to eat lunch at your table – because for the first time, she’ll feel like someone cared; someone acknowledged her existence.

We can change the world, one act of compassion at a time.

It’s not what you gather, it’s what you scatter, that represents the life you live.

Are you willing to roll up your sleeves and extend a hand of hope to those who don’t really seem to belong anywhere? The harvest truly is plentiful, but the labourers are few. The throwaways are many, but the compassionate are scarce. A simple act of kindness, may cost you nothing – but to the recipient, it may be priceless.

Start a new trend – Compassion is in fashion.

~ Vanessa ~

© Vanessa Donnan and Walk by Faith, 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Vanessa Donnan and Walk by Faith with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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by vanessadonnan on December 27, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by vanessadonnan on December 27, 2012

https://vanessadonnan.wordpress.com/2012/12/27/compassion-is-in-fashion/

Costly Measures

Reading: John 12:1-8

Lesson: Broken and Spilled Out

The silence of the room was defeaning as she walked through – Her shame kept her eyes looking down towards her feet, but her broken heart kept propelling her forward. If she could block out the stares of her scoffers, she could make it across the room to her Saviour.

The disciples couldn’t understand the foolishness of Mary’s interruption; her willingness to spill out something of such value. Only Mary knew what Jesus had done for her – only Jesus understood the depth of her love for Him. Every love she’d ever known, had an end. But Jesus saw beneath her scars, to a resilience that knew no boundaries, and a love without conditions.

Scornful eyes, silently catalogued each of her sins, as she passed through the room carrying her alabaster box. A box used to preserve and protect the costliest of perfumes; the most precious of possessions. Hers was valued at a years’ worth of wages. It literally cost her all that she had, to tell her Saviour that she loved Him.

Mary possessed a humble understanding, that love is a verb. It requires action.

She knew, that very soon, He’d permanently wear her sin and shame – she’d never have to carry it again. Every chain would be broken, and she could hold her head high. He knew that the depth of her love would be painted on the canvas’ of famed artists, and be preserved in the pages of history.

She poured her costly perfume over His head, saturating His skin, then bathing His feet. Its market value was irrelevant to her; she would have poured herself out if she could have; because soon He’d pour himself out for all mankind. Jesus didn’t feel the oil being poured over Him, as much as He felt the outpour of her gratitude.

Mary knew He wasn’t telling a fable, when He warned His disciples that His time on earth had come to an end. It was the same voice that set her free from the demons that inhabited her; and the same voice that raised her brother Lazarus from the dead.

She knew that voice – She knew the stench of death – She also knew the fragrance of life.

I wonder if Mary thought, that the overwhelming scent of her pungent perfume, could give her beloved Saviour the strength to carry His cross up the hill of Calvary – that maybe her costly love would seep through His pores as He hung His head one last time, giving Him the courage to finally say, “It is finished”.

Maybe if she poured out every last drop, the aroma would even fill His tomb, long after he drew His final breath; leaving behind the fragrance of life – instead of death.

Mary’s love in action, cost her a years’ worth of wages – what must it be like to love Him that much?

Jesus love in action, cost Him His life – what must it be like to love us that much?

Application: Do You Love Him and Leave Him?

The truth is, we all have an alabaster box; a storehouse of our earthly valuables and treasures of the heart, that could be poured out as an expression of love to our Saviour. Many of those boxes are empty, because we’ve lavished the contents on ourselves, leaving barely a drop of gratitude for He who paid the ransom for our sins.

Love costs us all something. Anything worth having, usually requires a sacrifice.

You and I, like Mary, have experienced God’s amazing grace, through redemption. His sacrifice said that you were worth dying for. When He said ‘It is finished’, He made your life worth living.

How much is your love for Him worth to you – A few Sunday mornings in the back pew? A years’ worth of wages? All that you are?

Maybe He’s asked you to sacrifice something that’s holding you back, or that was never yours to begin with – maybe you dig in your heels and silently say “I’m not ready.”

The scent of your life, should remind Him of why He died – not how He died.

Even if He still feels the nails, every time we fail, absolutely nothing that you’ve done or will ever do, can separate you from His love. Through the cross, you were given a hope and a purpose. How do you show your Saviour gratitude for what He’s done for you? What have you stored away for yourself, that you need to pour out on Christ?

He was always willing to die for you…

Are you willing to live for Him…

Prayer: Lord, I humbly come before you to relinquish all that I am, and all that I have, at the foot of your cross. Thank you for wearing my shame. Give me the courage to continually lay it all at your feet. Let my hope and worth be found in you alone.

~Vanessa

© Vanessa Donnan and Walk by Faith, 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Vanessa Donnan and Walk by Faith with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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by vanessadonnan on November 13, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by vanessadonnan on November 13, 2012

https://vanessadonnan.wordpress.com/2012/11/13/costly-measures/

Baa Baa Black Sheep

Scripture: Luke 15: 1-7

Lesson: The Angels put out an A.P.B.

Initially, Jesus is being criticised by a group of self-righteous hypocrites for hanging out with filthy crooks and sinners. I mean, shouldn’t He be spending His time giving high fives to those who lived perfectly according to the law and coloured carefully inside the lines?

Not according to Jesus. He came to seek and save the lost. He chose to keep company with those who need Him.

Jesus metaphorically describes himself as the shepherd and us as His sheep.
He warns these critics about speaking against His lost sheep for, “their angels see the face of our Heavenly Father.”

What?? We have Angels??

According to Psalm 91:11, “He gives His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.” Not only do we entertain angels, unaware (Hebrews 13:2), but we host a member of heaven itself.

Invisible, yet watching. Present, yet silent.

It’s not only assigned to be on the lookout, but to give a report to heaven on the location of our salvation. We choose the melody it sings with the status of our soul – either a song of rejoicing or one of regret.

The temptation to graze upon another pasture will always exist; to see for ourselves if the grass is really greener on the other side. We were always meant to be the sheep of His pasture, but have been given the freedom to choose whom or what we will serve.

Jesus Christ is a perfect gentleman, never forcing us to stay on His side of the fence. Our Saviour paints a picture of a love so overwhelming and divine, that He will leave the 99 in the flock to venture out into the wilderness in search of the one soul that’s gone astray.

And oh, to be that Angel: filling out the missing person’s report, alerting all of heaven of the one precious lamb that’s lost its way.

Application: He saved you a seat

Perhaps you too have been condemned by self-righteous hypocrites, because you didn’t stay perfectly inside the lines. Maybe your heart once knew God, and something or someone pushed you away. Your shame and condemnation took you to a place where you felt judgement didn’t exist. Sadly, in many cases, that place isn’t the church.

The truth is, you cannot hold God accountable for the sins of man, nor deny His love for you because of someone else’s failure. All along, your resentment has been misdirected, and your Saviour, misunderstood. Jesus didn’t hurt you – Jesus is looking for you. He left the 99 to go in search of just one. You.

He didn’t come for the perfect and blameless. He came for the lost and the broken. He came for filthy sinners, undeserving of grace – crooked wanderers like you and me.

“He who knew no sin, became sin for us, so that we may be reconciled to God,”
(2 Corinthians 5:21). He was bruised and broken on a cross so that we could live without shame – poured out on Calvary, so that you and I always had a place to call home.

He’s already paid the amount owing on your sin. He reserved a seat at His table for you. He’s been waiting for you. All you have to do is turn around and acknowledge Him.

His arms are open to embrace you. A choir of angels is on standby, waiting to rejoice over your return.

Let your Angel sing over the sheep that found its way – choose to live in His grace today.

Prayer: Lord, I humbly come before you today and acknowledge that I am a sinner, undeserving of grace. I’ve lost my way and am in need of you. I pray that in your infinite mercy, you would forgive me for choosing my own way. Thank you for paying the price for my sins. Cleanse me of all unrighteousness so that I may be reconciled to God. Amen

~Vanessa

© Vanessa Donnan and Walk by Faith, 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Vanessa Donnan and Walk by Faith with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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by vanessadonnan on October 25, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by vanessadonnan on October 25, 2012

https://vanessadonnan.wordpress.com/2012/10/25/baa-baa-black-sheep-3/

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