Tabernacle of Praise

The place to be… even God shows up!

Title: Don’t Be Left Holding the Bag

Key Scriptures: I Samuel 17:49; John 12:1-6

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Summary: It was a sacred moment. Our world, as a whole, has lost the reverence, the beauty and the love of such sacred moments. Mary humbled herself and with a heart of love, respect and thanksgiving began to worship Jesus. She began to think about all that He had done for her and where He brought her from. Nothing else mattered to her at this moment. This is the finest worship – when nothing matters except Jesus.

As Mary poured out her heart and the costly ointment in worship; Judas held onto the bag and its contents. Instead of opening his heart and joining in the sacred moment of worship – Judas held the bag. Judas was born to praise God, but he never opened up. He had worship, hope and victory right at his fingertips, but he was left holding the bag. He loved what was in the bag more than he loved Jesus. He lost his soul because of it. You and I were born to worship and serve God. We have life and miracles at our fingertips. Don’t be left holding the bag!

David stood with the intimidating giant in front of him and scared Israelites hiding in the tents behind him. David would not be left holding the bag because of fear, insecurity, youth or inexperience. He reached into it and took out a stone and defeated the enemy. God is at your fingertips. Victory is within reach. Don’t be left holding the bag.

-- Christians will go to Bethlehem and celebrate Christmas – the birth of Christ.

-- Christians will go to Calvary and recognize the sacrifice and victory of the cross.

-- Christians will go the Empty Tomb and celebrate Easter – the risen Savior!

-- Christians will go to Bethany and witness the ascension of Jesus into heaven.

Isn’t it time for all Christians to go to Jerusalem and be filled with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking with other tongues and get baptized in the name of Jesus? (Acts 2:1-4, 38) Also see Acts 10:44-48 and Acts 19:1-6.

Jesus said, “Ye shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is upon you.” Acts 1:8

Come on Christian – don’t miss out. Don’t be left holding the bag. Two dates and a dash will mark our tombstone. We have no control over the date of birth and often no control over the date of death. What happens in the dash is our life. We have control over that part. What are you doing about the dash?

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning...to the end.
He noted that first came her date of birth and spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.  (1934-2004)
For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth...
And now only those who loved her Know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own; the cars.... the house...the cash,
What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard... are there things you'd like to change?

For you never know how much time is left, that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real,
And always try to understand the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect, and more often wear a smile.
Remembering that this special dash May last only a little while.
So, when your eulogy's being read with your life's actions to rehash...
Would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:26

You do not long for the ordinary, you long for the extraordinary. You do not long for the natural, you long for the supernatural. Don’t be left holding the bag.

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