Very good post RR. I really enjoy these types of post.
I was thinking while reading that the cusotm of the day was to wash the feet of the guest as they came into their homes. IF that is true, then it was probably even more confusing for them to have Jesus wash their feet, if it had already been done according to custom.
Good thoughts!
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Happy moments, PRAISE GOD.
Difficult moments, SEEK GOD.
Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD.
Painful moments, TRUST GOD.
Every moment, THANK GOD.
Very good post RR. I really enjoy these types of post.
I was thinking while reading that the cusotm of the day was to wash the feet of the guest as they came into their homes. IF that is true, then it was probably even more confusing for them to have Jesus wash their feet, if it had already been done according to custom.
Good thoughts!
It appears as though their feet had gone unwashed, unitl Jesus put on the servants garment, took the towel and water and wash them.
What humility to even wash the feet of the one that would betray you!
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Psa 119:165 (KJV) 165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
"Do not believe everthing you read on the internet" - Abe Lincoln
I've mentioned this before, but worth saying again.
Before my daughter was married, one of her pastors that was counseling them had them over to their house for dinner. When they arrived the table was set for two, candlelight and all. The pastor served them, salad, then steak, then dessert. He brought everything to them, then would leave them alone to enjoy.
They felt a little funny, but since it was their last night of counseling, they didn't think too much of it. After they had completed the meal he asked them if they would be comfortable if he washed their feet. As he begin washing their feet, he read the passage from John 13 - there were tears from all of them.
He then brought that into their becoming one - that they were to serve one another as Jesus did. It was powerful and both my daughter and SIL said life changing for them.
I thought that was a beautiful thing to do!
I hope they never forget the towel.
This brought tears to my eyes. What a wonderful man of God their pastor is.
I agree with all, it is something we all should remember.
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If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
I believe there were times in their later ministry that the disciples remembered the towel. Days when they were weary and wondered if it was really worth it all, that they remembered the towel. On those days when it seemed everything they did was anointed and healings were happening, devils were being cast out, the church was growing, I think they were brought back to humility when they remembered the towel.
Ministers, in the years to come, when some of you are in the heat of the battle and you are wondering if the struggle is really worth it; I pray that you will think about the towel and remember you were called to be a servant and sometimes being a servant is exhausting, thankless work.
When it seems like no one is responding and results are non-existent, when it seems like you are overwhelmed and under prepared, would you simply pick up this towel and remind yourself you were called to serve; He’ll take care of the results. And in those seasons that no doubt all of you will have, when the anointing is rich and the results are plentiful; those days when it seems like everything in your ministry is perfect and you can do no wrong; those days when you are tempted to think you have arrived and you deserve all of the blessings that are coming your way, would you make me a promise to keep the memory of the towel nearby? Would you promise to pick it up and allow God to take you back to the Upper Room and remind you that you are only a servant?
Hey Bro, this is so good, and so real. I can't adequately express how much this meant to me today.
Never stop writing, friend. You have a very special gift.
__________________ The world has lost the power to blush over its vice; the Church has lost her power to weep over it.
1 Peter 5:1-6 from the NKJV
1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. 5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for
“ God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.”
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
Verse 5 says to be "clothed with humility." Peter was probably remembering that night in the upper room when Jesus girded Himself with a towel and washed their feet.
Other versions read as follows:
Clothe (apron) yourselves, all of you, with humility [as the garb of a servant, Amplified
wear the "overall" of humility in serving each other J.B. Phillips
Hey Bro, this is so good, and so real. I can't adequately express how much this meant to me today.
Never stop writing, friend. You have a very special gift.
I appreciate your kind words. Over the last year or so I have struggled with the idea of doing a true bound book. Finally decided I would and will try to fill it with similar types of chapters. Glad this was a blessing to you in some way.
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People who are always looking for fault,can find it easily all they have to do,is look into their mirror.
There they can find plenty of fault.