The Apostolic Couple

The Art on an Ugly Canvas
John 8:1-5

The woman caught in the act of adultery was condemned by people. These people, the Phariesees, wanted to throw stones at her for being sinful. Then Jesus asked them, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." Nobody threw stones at her, and they left one by one.

There are times where we find ourselves like the Pharisees who condemns people who did something wrong. We see them as dirty and unworthy, yet fails to look at ourselves first. We refuse to see our own unworthiness and quick to judge others. There are also times where we find ourselves like the woman who sinned and in need of forgiveness. When we sin, there will be consequences and punishment. But having sinned does not mean God's abandonment. We are loved by Him. Having sinned doesn't erase the fact the we are God's children. In the punishment and consequences, God goes into this place and adds His beauty and grace. God does not stop our punishment but he steps into it and make something beautiful out of it. It's like painting a beautiful art on an ugly canvas.

Turn to Him; no matter how much it hurts, no matter how guilty we feel. Jesus do not condemn us, but we are invited to sin no more.

In our service to the Lord, we will experience difficulties for which we might struggle to understand the purpose. However, let us keep in mind that the Lord's promise is to give us eternal life rather than to cause us suffering. Sometimes all the Lord asks of us is to acknowledge our mistakes, be humble, and accept that our current circumstances are the results of our refusal to come to Him and submit to His will.

God has not intended any of the sufferings and adversities we endure to destroy us, but rather to shape, form, and evolve us. God will use our suffering to strengthen our faith if we will come to Him. Though the world may criticize us for our pain and suffering, God finds great strength in it. He uses our suffering to transform us into better people and to promise us a brighter future with Jesus Christ. Thus, continue to serve God in spite of that pain. We may not see it yet but our pain today will be our testimony tomorrow.

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." John 14:16:18

This promise of the Lord is not only for selected people but for all His children who trust and believe in Him. No matter where in the world we live, no matter what language we speak, no matter what religion we belong to, and whether we are Israelites or not— let us hold on to this promise. Whatever problems and trials come our way, the spirit of the Lord is there to lighten the heaviness of our hearts and give us joy that no one or anything else can give. He is there to heal us from any illness, to free us from any addiction, and to completely change and transform us to be the person God designed us to be. But we must do one thing — OBEY ACTS 2:38.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts 2:38

God called us to be part of a ministry. We are called to do what God wants us to be. As Christians, we are part of the body of Christ. But sometimes, we have so many excuses to God.

Abimelech, the son of Gideon, killed all his brothers to rule over the people. Abimelech is a paid king, as they gave him silver from the temple of Baal-Berith, and he used it to hire someone to slew his brothers. However, Jotham, the youngest son of Gideon, escaped by hiding. He then told the people of Shechem about the trees who went out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, "Be our king," but the tree did not want to give up his oil. They next asked the fig tree to be their king; however, the tree did not want to give up his fruits. Then, they asked the vine tree, but the tree also did not want to give up his wine. Finally, all the trees came and asked the bramble to be their king, and the bramble agreed. But the bramble is a "good-for-nothing" tree. It is of no use, and people just burn it.

When God calls us, answer it. Don't let someone get the blessing that God designed for you. Sometimes, the blessing is just there. But because of our excuses—the brambles in front of us, they hinder us from giving our all to God.

There is a reason why God called us. Don't be the type of Christian who will come to church without doing anything for Him. Be available for God. When the people are looking for a king, they did not choose someone who will be good to them; they did not choose someone who will be a great king, instead, they chose a bramble type of king. They chose someone who slew his brothers. And that became the reason why the land of Shechem, together with the trees, is now dead.

Brethren, don't say no to the calling of God. Don't let the bramble take over what's yours. If you refute the calling of God, there is a consequence. Don't let the bramble ruin your family, your finances, your ministry, and your relationship to God.

“O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." Jeremiah 10:23

God has to be the one guiding our actions. Our lives should only be trusted to Him. Not to any beliefs, not to any good fortune, not to any individuals or groups, not even to ourselves—just in Him. But many of us are stubborn. Many of us have a high opinion of ourselves and think that all decisions and actions are right and good for ourselves. Many of us prefer to keep problems to ourselves because we think we can all solve them.

Church, it's okay to ask for help if we know we can't do it anymore. It's not bad to trust yourself if this trust comes from the Lord. We are nothing without Him in our lives. When we don't know the next step, or if we don't know if we can take it anymore, let's come to the Lord. Let us surrender our lives to His care. Let us entrust our future into His hands willingly. Let us not be separated from the Lord's presence but rely on Him in everything, trust in Him in every way, and believe in His Word at all times. Because His plan is not to despise us but to give us eternal life with Him. We just need to learn to pray, repent, obey, and approach Him in all aspects of our lives.

Elisha had been following and learning under Elijah for some time. When Elijah was about to be taken away by God, he offered to do anything for Elisha. The one thing that Elisha wanted was a double portion of his spirit. Elijah said in verse 10, "Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so."

Elijah tested the devotion of his disciple by seeing if he would persistently stay with him through these last remarkable hours. If the devotion of Elisha remained strong through the testing, his request to be the successor of the first prophet would be fulfilled. And it happened because he stayed.

Church, when faced with adversity, you must remain in God's presence. Do not let sorrow, hurt, sadness, or anxiety pull you away from the victory of your sacrifices and the Lord's promises. Instead, continue to pray, rebuild your broken altar, offer a sacrifice even in the midst of your problem, and keep dedicating your mind, soul, and heart to the Lord. There is no such thing as a wasted prayer or tears in the sight of God. Everything is in accordance with His plans and purposes. Be encouraged. Allow God to be your source of strength, comfort, and protection. Our pain is a beautiful pain in the eyes of God.