There are many stories about bad relationships between mother in law and daughter in law.
I’m very grateful, I had a very very good relationship with my mother in law.
She is the best mother in law in the whole earth for me.
We were able to share everything in our life. She was really treated me more than her own daughters…. I think.
I was closer to her than my own mom.
I love her.
Whenever she traveled in the country or abroad she took me along. We traveled many parts of the world.
She always very generous to me. Whenever she is going for groceries she called me, Olive what do you need? I gave her the lists, she bought every single thing.
She bought me expensive stuff too.
If she was going with her relatives or friends she always brought home food or snacks that I like.
She has a bakery, I can take everything I need it from the shop, such as eggs, sugar, spices, vegetables, garlic, etc etc…..
I cake take every kind of bread, cookies etc…everything in the bakery for free.
Every afternoon she will make a list what to buy the next day for the bakery. And she will ask what do I need from the market.
She had operations many times because of her spines. Her daughter and other daughter in law will take turn to care for her. I wasn’t in that trip, the operation was in another country.
Before she left, she called me to come the day after the operation, she payed for my flight, whatever airline I chose.
When her daughter knew the flight that I booked she was furious because I took a good airline. 😊
The next day after the operation, I was the first person she saw in the ICU. She was able to sit, I feed her. Taking care of her.
There were times when we traveled because of her age, she was pee on the floor and shit on the floor. I cleaned all like she is my own mother.
I love her.
Many times in the evening before the bakery closed I came to the shop and helped her, talked to her, usually around those times not many employees anymore.
But in daily basis whenever I was free I came to help in the shop as well.
One time she brought me to her bank, introduced me to the person in charge there. Told me what to do if she passed away.
She showed where she was keeping all her valuable things.
Honestly it wasn’t necessary because she has three daughters and three other daughters in law.
I know deep in my heart she loves me.
I love her.
Suddenly things were changing.
When my ex husband ( we still married that time ) divorced me his way after I found out what he has been doing for so many years. When the witnesses came forward.
His way meant, he divorced me but no one can know about it.
Our children, people who we worked with, both sides of our family.
He wanted me to pretend as his wife.
Because I didn’t want the divorce I played along.
Two years after that he came to see my mom and called my two brothers. He told them he divorced me his way and didn’t want me for the rest of his life.
I told him since he talked to my family I also want to talk to my mother in law and my in laws. He said, I can’t see and talk to them. They are his family he will talk to them.
I was so fearful of him those years of marriage so I didn’t have courage to see my mother in law.
I never seen her again…so sad.
That time after he divorced me his way, he moved me to her sister old house.
I never came to the shop anymore.
One day I heard from my aunt, she is my mother sister in law.
She said my ex husband told my mother in law, from today onward do not buy anything for Olive again.
She also been told not to see me or contact me.
One day an employee of the shop came to my place brought some of my favorite snacks.
She said this is from my mother in law. I told her how she did this if my ex find out, he will scold her.
The employee said that she bought snacks to all the employees so no one will notice that she also gave to me.
I was in tears.
She still remembered me, I taught I have been forgotten.
The other time when Rose my daughter came from over sea to see me. She brought some cakes from the bakery. She said this is from grandma.
Ooooo it touched my heart so deeply, I was in tears.
For me she will always be my best mother in law.
I love her.
I left the old house and lived on my own.
Many times over the years I cried. I sobbed so desperately missing her so much, I wanna hold her hands, I want to hear her story, how is she know? Is she well?
I wanna ate together, laughing and joking till night.
I love her.
Sometimes the feeling of missing her so deep, I cried like a little kid at home.
Since I was told not to contact her anymore.
But every year on her birthday, Christmas, New Year I always sent message to her. Until today.
She did reply the same: thank you Olive.
She never wrote more than that.
But I’m very happy, she read it, replied and wrote my name.
I love her.
Years gone by.
The pandemic came.
During the pandemic I joined a Bible class from overseas.
I didn’t know the pastor.
I finished the school.
The pastor and some his students became close, we ministered together to many countries by zoom.
Praise the Lord the pandemic was over.
One day this pastor, his name is Matt. He texted me if I know pastor Simeon from my country. Pastor Matt never been to my country.
I said yes of course I know pastor Simeon, long time ago when I was teenager I was at his church, I know his wife and family as well.
Then pastor Matt explained, that pastor Simeon’s son contacted him through messenger, invite him to teach and preach at his church.
Pastor Matt check with me, because he was afraid it was a scam.
They didn’t know pastor Matt as well, they came across his book and interested to invite him over.
Pastor Matt accepted the invitation after I assured him this wasn’t a scam.
He came to my country with his team. I took them to minister at people who live by the side of train tracks.
On Sunday he has scheduled to preach twice in.
I came to the church. Pastor Simeon’s wife greeted me, she was very happy to see me. I met the pastor and his children and their family as well.
What happens is, this church is my mother in law church. She is very close to pastor Simeon and his wife and the whole family. They always have meal together. She was baptized in this church.
Whenever she traveled she bought gifts for them.
She respects him and his wife.
Pastor Emma, pastor Simeon’s wife told me that my mother in law will come at the second service, with my uncle and his wife ( my mother in law brother).
Before the second service started, pastor Emma told me my mother in law has arrived.
I was ….. I don’t know how to describe my heart and feeling.
I will see her face again after many years.
How will be her reaction? Will she reject me?
I was walking inside the sanctuary, my aunty saw me first, she walked toward me, hugged me and cried….asking me how am I. I also cried. I miss her too.
We talked then she pointed to my mother in law and my uncle.
They sat at the last row.
I walked toward them. I called mom and hugged her, held my tears not flood my face. She hugged me back, called my name. She didn’t reject me. I also hug my uncle.
My mother in law look older but still very pretty.
I told my mother in law, do not sit at the back. Pastor Matt will do an altar call.
If you sit at the back it will be a long walk to the front.
Then she said, “Later you walk me to the front during altar call.”
“Let’s move to the front sit now.” I said.
She stood up, walking with her stick, she walked slowly now. One hand hold my hand, the other hand holding her stick.
She can’t even carried her own hand bag, someone has to carry it for her.
She sat at the fourth row, she didn’t want to close to the front.
We talked a bit, she didn’t ask anything to me such as how are you? Where are you living now?
Nothing at all.
When the service started I sat with pastor Matt team.
When he made an altar called. I walked over to my mother in law and she stood up, I hold her hand.
While we are waking, she spoke to me, “Mom now is sick, my neck is in pain, my knees are pain….”. And many other things she told me, I felt like old days when she poured out her heart to me. I said I pray for you every day.
She stood at the front, my hand was holding her and put on her shoulder as well.
It was a blessed moment for me.
After the service she called me to her sit and said, ask pastor Matt if he and the team wanna have lunch with her, I said before the service we had lunch provided by the church.
How about take him for coffee and cakes. She is agree. She also wants me to join.
She even asked if the pastor had a transportation. I said pastor Simeon sure provide for him.
But I don’t have transportation, I said. My auntie told me I can take their car with my mother in law.
But the coffee time didn’t come through. Pastor Matt already had another appointment.
When my mother in law walking out of the sanctuary I quickly ran to her to say goodbye.
Then she told me, ask pastor Matt if she can have his number.
She often goes to that country, she has a house there. If she come she will invite him for a meal. Sure I said.
Then she left.
It was such a wonderful day.
God has answered my heart desires. I always want to see her.
I love her.
Pastor Matt said no problem to give his number. I texted her.
That day I went home ….. my heart full of gratitude and thankfulness to God, my Abba Father.
Really nothing is coincidental in Him.
I was joined Bible school with a pastor I didn’t know in other country during pandemic.
After the pandemic, someone from my country read a book of pastor Matt and invited him to come to teach.
He didn’t know anyone in the country except me.
He contacted me.
And what a chance, the pastor that invited pastor Matt was my pastor when I was a teenager.
And after I got married I knew that this pastor Simeon is my mother in law pastor.
Again what is the best place for me to meet my mother in law after so many years.
If we meet at the mall or ….. would be awkward or I might hide myself from her, because I don’t know how she would react towards me.
For my mother in law she won’t go to any other church.
Pastor Simeon’s church is her home church.
What a chance that God use all that incidence to answer my prayer.
What was the best place to meet her except in the House of God.
My mother in law church.
That’s was the best place for us both.
In His sanctuary, in His presence.
Really God has arranged a superb beautiful way.
One month later, suddenly my mother in law texted me.
She is going to the country and wanna invite him and the team for dinner.
I texted pastor Matt. He asked where and what time?
I texted the questions to her.
And she called me instead of texting. This was the first call since eight years.
She only talked about the meeting not asking anything about me.
But I was happy enough to hear her voice.
Honestly she can contact him directly, I had given her his number.
That wasn’t their only dinner. After that every time she visited the country she texted me to make arrangement.
Some time she called me for the arrangements.
She still not asking anything about me. Not even how are you?
A year after the first visit, pastor Matt came again.
My mother in law call me to make arrangement for lunch with him.
Actually by this time after they know each other and having meal together she can contact him personally. But she called me.
I was happy.
I didn’t invited for the lunch but I’m very happy to hear her voice and hear she called my name, Olive.
With this story I wanna tell you.
God is working behind the scene on the behalf of each one of you for your goodness and His glory.
Even though since we met, I never met her again and she only called me regarding pastor Matt.
It’s fine for now.
I am very sure more to come of our together again, laughing and praying together.
Do not stop praying.
God hears.
God is working.
Be patient please.
He makes things superb beautiful for you.
So don’t be impatient for the Lord to act; keep moving forward steadily in his ways, and he will exalt you to possess the land. You’ll watch with your own eyes and see the wicked lose everything.
🍎🍏
SIT UNDER THE APPLE TREE
Song of Songs is a love story between the bride and bridegroom.
And full of metaphors and symbols.
Song of Songs 2:3 tpt
The Shulamite
My beloved is to me the most fragrant apple tree
he stands above the sons of men. ( or the trees of the forest )
SITTING UNDER HIS GRACE SHADOW,
I blossom in his shade,
enjoying the sweet taste of his pleasant, delicious fruit,
resting with delight where his glory never fades.
Let’s look more deeper about this verse:
1 God in this verse symbolize as an apple tree, the most fragrant.
Very interesting symbol. ( very rare in the Old Testament mentions about apple, some verses yes.
But mostly we heard fig, raisin, grapes, watermelon, pomegranate, persimmon).
There is a saying about apple: eat an apple a day keep you away from a doctor.
It’s mean apple is a very healthy fruit, bring every nutrition that our body need.
There are some interesting knowledge about apple tree:
🍎Apple tree produce apples every year, and they produce a lot, it can produce more than 100 kg per year.
🍏 Apples grow just about anywhere. Every area have their own kind of apples. Fuji apples from Japan and China. Red delicious apples from America, apples Rockit and pink lady from New Zealand.
🍎 Low maintenance, taking care of apple tree is super easy.
Psalmist said God is easy to please.
🍏 Produce at an early age, two years.
🍎 Pollination is simple. Need another apple tree for the process of pollination. Only need two apple tree to be fruitful.
And fragrant…..so God has a specific fragrant, like in Psalm 23:5 tpt anoint me with the fragrance of the Holy Spirit.
God has a specific smell or fragrance.
If you wanna go out, you spray perfume right? If the next day you wanna go out again you will spray perfume again. You won’t say; ah yesterday I already did it. So I don’t need to spray again, you want to save the perfume.
The perfume we use yesterday, might still smell a bit today but it won’t as good as the first time you just spray it. ( There are kind of perfume: eau do perfume, eau do toilette, eau do cologne)
You need to spray every time you go out, so you always smell good.
Not depending on yesterday perfume.
BUT
God is always fragrance, always.
But we need fresh fragrance every day….take His fragrance every day, it’s free and overflowing.
It’s bring courage, life and confidence like when you spray your perfume.
If you lack of confidence, take His fragrance.
2 The most fragrant apple tree. Means there are many fragrant apple tree out there. This is talking about the Shulamite relationship with her beloved.
So, must be many men outside that the appearance like an apple tree and could be fragrant too but fake one .
This is symbolic meaning, so is not talking about men as male but our focus, our attention, our goal in like, things that we depending on.
Mention very clear he stands above the sons of men or in other translation the trees of the forest. So it’s clear this is not about a
3 Sitting under his grace shadow.
The Shulamite is sitting under the shadow of the apple tree.
To be sited under the shadow of a tree or any shadow, we have to be near the tree right? If the tree is here and you sit far away or sit at the wrong side of the shadow you can’t be under the shadow.
How far we can sit under the apple tree? As close as possible, so it’s written under the apple tree…very close. We can only sit as far as the shadow is.
If it’s too far maybe we could be in different shadow.
Stay close under the apple tree is the most safe place for our soul.
The shadow is moving depending on the sun.
But God’s shadow never moved. We don’t need to chase after God, I mean where is God today? Where is His presence now? He is always there, He is with you and in you and upon you.
James 1:17 NASB
Every good thing and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
4 The Shulamite wanna say that we need to sit near God, at the right place where the shadow is.
It’s not just a shadow it’s GRACE shadow.
Grace is we get what we don’t deserve.
We have to sit under the apple tree, under the shadow because His grace is there. We are sheltered by His grace.
In Psalm said under the shadow of the valley of death means you are have to walk through it and moved to grace shadow, under the apple tree.
Still God’s grace is there with you, you just keep moving.
5 Next we blossom in his shade.
We are fruitful, our destiny or purpose of life being fulfilled, like bud of flower the main purpose is to be blossom.
Maybe we are timid, shy, no skill/talent, don’t know the calling, the gift.
We will blossom in Him.
6 if we are sitting under the apple tree. We are not only sheltered and blossom but enjoying the fruit, the goodness of God. Taste His goodness and kindness.
7 And we can rest in Him. Resting with delight, happy, joy.
Under the apple tree is where his glory always and never fade.
People say I want to be in his glory then sit under the apple tree.
8 Fragrant, if we in the room long enough where fragrant is when we came out we will smell like the fragrant.
Example: if you’re in the smoking room, first when you go in you will smell the smoke very strong but after you’re in there quiet a while you won’t smell it again. But you go out every one can smell in your clothe and skin the cigarette smell.
I put sample of perfume in my purse so all my money will smell fragrant.
Song of Songs 2:4 tpt
Suddenly, he transported me into his house of wine
he looked upon me with his unrelenting love divine.
I take this as drunk with love, drunk in the spirit, drunk of his love.
New revelations keep coming. He open up new things to us, His secrets.
His love is divine divine not lust.
Song of Songs 2:5 tpt
Revive me with your raisin cakes.
Refresh me again with your apples.
Help me and hold me, for I am lovesick!
I am longing for more
Yet how could I take more?
If you asking those questions. I’m longing for more. Yet how could I take more? How I can be refresh?
Sit under the apple tree and eat the delicious fruit.
Raisin cake, raisin made from grape right?
New anointing, new revelation will revive our soul again and again.
If we live a Christian life and never get any revelation what a dull and boring life.
Song of Songs 8:5 tpt
The bridegroom King
Who is this one? Look at her now!
She arises out of her desert, clinging to her beloved.
When I awakened you under the apple tree,
as you were feasting upon me,
I awakened your innermost being with the travail of birth
as you long for more of me.
Sitting under the apple tree changes us from inside out.
Totally change us.
Even the bridegroom King said, who is this one? Look at her now! Drastic change has happened to her.
What change will bring us: arise out of her desert, arise from her downfall, arise from the dryness of her soul, spirit, financial, out of her struggle etc.
The most important things arise not with our own strength but clinging to her beloved = God.
God awaken us again from inside out with travail birth.
Yes Jesus died on the cross for us, He suffered for us as us to make us born again.
Long for him more.
He will awaken you again and again. In this life are many challenges. Every time we long for Him, He always faithful to awaken us again and again.
Proverbs 24:16 tpt
For the lovers of God may suffer adversity and stumble seven times, but they will continue to rise over and over again.
Song of Songs 7:8 NKJV
The beloved
….The fragrance of your breath like apples
From our mouth fragrance comes out. Words of love, encouragement, edifying, exhortations, comfort, support, forgiveness etc.
Song of Songs 7:13 tpt
The Shulamite bride
The love apples are in bloom, sending forth their fragrance of spring.
The rarest fruits are found at our door
the new as well as the old.
I have stored them for you, my lover friend!
In here we read many plurals.
Apples, our, them.
For me is like persuading each of us to sit under the apple tree. Because the love are in bloom. Sending forth their fragrance of spring, flower season. Sound like; common this love and glory and sweet taste of God not for our self. But sending forth= spread the good news of His love.
The rarest fruit.
The word of God said at the end time love of many is growing cold. So love is rarest fruit but is near our door. Door speaking of heart.
Love of God is in our hear. Our heart is the door means ready to go out.
Old love can speak about what God’s has done in our life, testimonies.
New love that’s what we experience now at the present moment.
Both old and new is for our friends or others.
So no excuse, we can’t say I have nothing to share about God’s love .
Once I heard from a movie: Someone took me. Anything is possible as long as someone watch my back.
Yes, He took us as His children and He always watch our back.
Proverbs 25:11 NKJV
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in setting of silver.
In tpt translation:
Winsome words spoken at just the right time are appealing as apples gilded in gold and surrounded with silver. ( speak wisdom, words of encouragement at the right time to bless others ).
Joel 1:12 NKJV
The vine has dried up, ( oil-anointing, new wine, no revelation, no joy )
And the fig tree has withered: (nutritious, joy – the fig fruit is shape like heart)
The palm tree also, ( oil-anointing, shelter, oasis, resting place, joy )
And the apple tree ( wisdom of God, love, joy )
All the trees of the field are withered;
Surely joy has withered away from the sons of men.
( Sit under the apple tree bring JOY)
Psalm 91:1 tpt
When you sit enthroned under the shadow of Shaddai, when you are hidden in the strength of God most High.
V2 He’s the hope that holds me and the Stronghold to shelter me, the only God for me and my great confidence.
V9 When we live our lives within the shadow of God most High, our secret hiding place, we will be always shielded from harm.
How then could evil prevail against us or disease infect us?
His grace shadow=shadow of Shaddai.
Ruth2:12 tpt
May Yahwe reward you for your sacrifices, and because of what you’ve done, may you have a full and rich reward from Yahwe, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to find shelter!
John 14:27 tpt
I leave the gift of peace with you—my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the word, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts —instead, be courageous!
Proverbs 7:2 NKJV
Keep my commands and live, and my law as the apple of your eye.
Psalm 17:8 NKJV
Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
Hide me under the shadow of Your wings
Deutronomy 32: 10 NKJV The song of Moses
He found him in a desert land
And in the wasteland, a howling wilderness;
He encircled him. He instructed him.
He kept him as the apple of His eye.
( protection, we are important, we are loved )
Zechariah 2:8 NKJV
For thus say the Lord of hosts: “He sent me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.
( protection, we are important, we are loved ).
REST
Philippians 3:13 I don’t depend on my own strength to accomplish this; however I do have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead.
Be a good branches, just eat and drink, abide ( rest ) and you will bear fruit.
How can my life is not fruitful?
A tree has limited amount of resources and energy to give to each branches.
If there are too many branches, to many things we want to do, to many goals, to many kind of ministries, to many ambitions then the amount of resources, energy you have must be divided between those and it’s tiring. And seems you not see any progress, fruit and make you stress, disappoint or even blame yourself, o I have no talent, I’m not good enough even can blame God for not bless you, prosperous or make you successful.
To many things can make you unfruitful. It will drain you.
God, Abba Father is the gardener. He will prune the unnecessary things, He will lift up above the ground the important things, so you become fruitful.
The pruning process takes on the appearance of loss. So in this life we will experience what appears to be loss. Something taken in your life, they will appear as losses for you.
But they not. The purpose of pruning is not to harm you but the opposite. It’s make you bear fruit.
If you experience losses, they will not be for your harm, Every loss will be redeemed.
From the beginning we are created to bring forth fruit.
F
Have you ever done something that you ashamed of? If we remember those time could make us laugh…..how could I made such embarrassing things.
Or if we remembered it now we still feel ashamed and we do not want to remember it at all. If there is a time machine we want to go in and turn back on that time and change we did things.
Let’s see what happened in Jesus life, some that we might have thought those were embarrassing or ashamed.
Luke 3:23-38
Jesus, assumed to be Joseph’s son, was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. Here are the names of Mary’s ancestors, from her father traced all the way back to Adam:
Eli, Matthat, Levi, Melki, Janmai, Joseph, Mattahias……..Judah, ……..David, Jesse, Obed, Boaz, Salmon, Nashon…….
Do not be ashamed with your background, who were/are your parents, what they are occupation, what was your education, your job, what has happened in your life.
In the genealogy of Jesus from Mary to Adam they weren’t perfect, not each one of them were perfect and flawless.
Still God didn’t fix those and changed Jesus should born through a perfect line.
There was Judah who slept with his daughter in law that he taught was a prostitute by the road side and they both had a son.
You could say it, it’s kind of incest.
Also there was Boaz the son of Salmon and Rahab the prostitute who hid Israelite spies at Jericho.
And Obed the son of Boaz and Ruth the Moabite widow, daughter in law of Naomi.
Jesus healed not only physically but also healed your shame.
Luke 5:27-32
Afterward, Jesus went out and looked for a man named Matthew. He found him sitting at his tax booth, for he was a tax collector. Jesus said to him, “Be my disciple and follow me.” That very moment, Matthew got up, left everything behind, and followed him. Matthew wanted to throw a banquet to honor Jesus. So he invited Jesus to his home for dinner, along with many of Levi’s fellow tax collectors and other guests. But the Jewish religious leaders and experts of the law complained to Jesus’ disciples, “Why would you defile yourself by eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners ? Doesn’t Jesus know it’s wrong to do that?” Jesus overheard their complaining and said, “ Who goes to the doctor for a cure? Those who are well or those who are sick? I have not come to call the ‘righteous,’ but to call those who know they are sinners and bring them to repentance.”
Luke 15:1-2
Many dishonest tax collectors and others notorious sinners often gathered around to listen as Jesus taught the people. This raised concerns among the Jewish religious leaders and experts of the law. Indignant, they grumbled and complained, saying, “Look at how this man associates with all these notorious sinners and welcomes them all to come to him!”
Luke 19:1-10
On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus had to pass through Jericho. There lived a very wealthy man named Zacchaeus, who supervised all the tax collectors. He was very eager to see Jesus and kept trying to get a look at him trough the massive crowd. Since Zacchaeus was a short man and couldn’t see over the heads of the people, he ran on ahead of everyone and climbed up a blossoming fig tree to get a glimpse of Jesus as he passed by. When Jesus got to that place, he looked up into the tree and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry on down, for I must stay at your house today!” So he scurried down the tree and found himself face-to-face with Jesus. As Jesus left to go with Zacchaeus, many in the crowd complained, “Look at this! Of all people to have dinner with, he’s going to eat in the house of a crook.” Zacchaeus was amazed over his gracious visit to his home and joyously welcomed Jesus. Zacchaeus stood in front of the Lord and said, “Half of all that I own I will give to the poor. And Lord, if I have cheated anyone, I promise to pay them back four times as much as I stole.” Jesus said to him, “Your repentance shows that today life has come to you and your household, and that you are a true son of Abraham. The Son of Man has come to seek out and to give life to those who are lost.”
On the tree scriptures above, Jesus made friends with tax collectors, sinners that people hated.
They were questioning, grumbling why Jesus came to these people home, had dinner with them, hang out with them. For this so called righteous people Jesus actioned was shameful, very embarrassing.
I like the scripture wrote; Jesus went out and looked for a man named Matthew.
On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus had to pass through Jericho. Jesus stopped at the tree and he looked up into the tree where Zacchaeus was.
That’s amazing….Jesus purposely looking for these sinners.
Jesus didn’t ashamed to be around these people.
Do not be ashamed hanging out with people that others said sinners, law breaker, people who had been in the prison.
You are the light. Where there is light, darkness no more.
Jesus healed not only physically but also healed your shame.
John 4:4
Jesus had to pass through Samaritan territory.
The Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. Avoiding the crowd, she has been married five times and the man with her now not even her husband.
In that time, in their culture, no woman/ wife can divorce their husband. So she must been divorced by her husband again and again and the last man not even want to marry her. She must be felt with shame and rejection, unworthy.
No one wanted to be her friend, she was by herself at the well.
But Jesus not ashamed associated with a divorce person. He had to pass through Samaritan territory.
Maybe you’re divorced, whatever the reason was.
Jesus not ashamed with you. He will come to love you, healed you and give you back your identity and dignity.
This Samaritan woman has no name. Tradition said her name was Photini. She then became the first woman evangelist, she went beyond Samaria to bring good news and died as a martyr.
Jesus healed not only physically but also healed your shame.
Luke 15:11-32
Then Jesus said, “Once there was a father with two sons. The younger son came to his father and said, ‘Father, don’t you think it’s time to give me my share of your estate?’ So the father went ahead and distributed between the two sons their inheritance. Shortly afterward, the younger son packed up all his belongings and traveled off to see the world. He journeyed to a far-off land where he soon wasted all he was given in a binge extravagant and reckless living. “With everything spent and nothing left, he grew hungry, because there was a severe famine in that land. So he begged a farmer in that country to hire him. The farmer hired him and sent him out to feed the pigs. The son was so famished, he was willing even to eat the slop given to the pigs, because no one would feed him a thing. “ Humiliated, the son finally realized what was he was doing, and he thought, ‘There are many workers at my father’s house who have all the food they want with plenty to spare. They lack nothing. Why am I here dying of hunger, feeding these pigs and eating their slop? I want to go back home to my father’s house, and I’ll say to him, “Father, I was wrong. I have sinned against you. I’ll never again be worthy to be called your son. Please, Father, just treat me like one of your employees.” “So the young son set off for home. From a long distance away, his father saw him coming, dressed as a beggar, and great compassion swelled up his heart for his son who was returning home. The father raced out to meet him, swept him up in his arms, hugged him dearly, and kissed him over and over with tender love. “Then the son said, Father, I was wrong. I have sinned against you. I could never deserve to be called your son. Just let me be—‘ “The father interrupted and said, ‘Son, you’re home now!” “Turning to his servants, the father said, ‘Quick, bring me the best robe, my very own robe, and I will place it on his shoulders. Bring the ring, the seal of sonship, and I will put it on his finger. And bring out the best shoes you can find for my son. Let’s prepare a great feast and celebrate. For my beloved son was once dead, but now he’s alive! Once he was lost, but now he is found! And everyone celebrated with overflowing joy.
“Now the older son was out working in the field when his brother returned, and as he approached the house, he heard the music of celebration and dancing. He called over one of the servants and asked, ‘What’s going on? “The servant replied, ‘It’s your younger brother. He’s returned home and your father is throwing a party to celebrate his homecoming.’ “The older son became angry and refused to go in and celebrate. So his father came out and pleaded with him, ‘Come and enjoy the feast with us!’ “The son said, Father, listen! How many years have I worked like a slave for you, performing every duty you’ve asked as a faithful son? And I’ve never once disobeyed you. But you’ve never thrown a party for me because of my faithfulness. Never once have you even given a goat that I could feast on and celebrate with my friends as this son of yours is doing now. Look at him! He comes back after wasting your wealth on prostitute and reckless living, and here you are throwing a great feast to celebrate—for him! “The father said, ‘My son, you are always with me by my side. Everything I have is yours to enjoy. It’s only right to rejoice and celebrate like this, because your brother was once dead and gone, but now he is alive and back with us again. He was lost, but now he is found!”
In this scripture mentioned that the younger son wasted the inheritance with extravagant and reckless living.
The older son said that his brother wasted the father’s wealth on prostitute and reckless living.
The word reckless written twice. The younger son lived as he wished, he did whatever he wanted, used the money as his heart desires.
Maybe you ever did the same thing in your life. Live recklessly, don’t care about what people think or said. You just did everything to satisfy yourself, craving of self. So you feeling ashamed now.
Maybe you’re ashamed that in the past in away to survive you prostitute yourself. You did all kind of crazy and not appropriate things so you can have food on your table. And you ashamed.
The younger son also ashamed of what he did BUT when he realized and regretted it. He made his way back home to his father.
His father didn’t even ashamed, no sign he was ashamed of his son. He hugged and kissed him over and over again.
No question asked only acceptance.
‘Quick, bring me the best robe, my very own robe, and I will place it on his shoulders. Bring the ring, the seal of sonship, and I will put it on his finger. And bring out the best shoes you can find for my son. Let’s prepare a great feast and celebrate. For my beloved son was once dead, but now he’s alive! Once he was lost, but now he is found! And everyone celebrated with overflowing joy.
Actually everyone should celebrate with overflowing joy when we returned to our Heavenly Father BUT the reality not all, some even curse, mock, despise…..hugh…..see look at him. They make us more ashamed.
Jesus healed not only physically but also healed your shame.
Luke 9:57-62
On their way, someone came up to Jesus and said, “I want to follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Yes, but remember this: even animals in the field have holes in the ground to sleep in, and birds have their nests, but the Son of Man no place to lay down his head.” Jesus then turned to another and said, “Come be my disciple.” He replied, “Someday I will, Lord, but allow me first to fulfill my duty as a good son and wait until my father passes away.” Jesus told him, “Don’t wait for your father’s burial. Let those who already dead wait for death. As for you, go and proclaim everywhere that God’s kingdom has arrived.” Still another said to him, “Lord, I want to follow you too. But first let me go home and say goodbye to my entire family.” Jesus responded, “WHY DO YOU KEEP LOOKING BACK TO YOUR PAST AND HAVE SECOND THOUGHTS ABOUT FOLLOWING ME? If you turn back you are not fit for God’s kingdom.”
Look forward…..the Red Sea is in front of you. Move forward…..the Red Sea is going to split, your miracle is going to happen. Cross it.
Your mockers is drowning in the same sea.
There are women in the book of General of God.
Kathryn Kulhman, Aimee E Semple McPherson, Maria B Woodworth Etter.
They were a great evangelist and preacher. Many wonder, miracles, healings that happened through their ministry. The presence of God so real, tangible.
The three of them gone through divorced in their marriage.
Not easy but they move forward despite of their challenges and what people at their times have negative opinions.
To be a woman preacher itself wasn’t easy those times and plus divorced women.
God didn’t ashamed of their divorced. Abba Father looked inside their heart and called them, anointed them, used them to carry His presence and Glory through signs and wonders.
Jesus healed not only physically but also healed your shame.
Jesus died on the cross not only for us but as us.
Isaiah 53:1-9
Who has truly believed our revelation?
To whom will Yahweh reveal his mighty arm?
He sprouted up like a tender plant before the Lord,
like a root in parched soil.
He possessed no distinguishing beauty
or outward splendor to catch our attention—
nothing special in his appearance to make us desire him.
( If you’re think you’re not beautiful or handsome, you don’t like what you see on the mirror. You’re ashamed of your face. Jesus took that shame on the cross. )
He was despised and rejected by men,
( If you’re despised and rejected by men, Jesus died as you and took that on the cross. )
a man of deep sorrows
who was no stranger to suffering and grief.
( All your deep sorrows, suffering and grief Jesus took on the cross too. )
We hid our faces from him in disgust
and considered him nobody, not worthy of respect.
( If people don’t look at you, you’re not important for them. If you walk into a room, no one notice, you’re nobody. Maybe your family told you you’re not worthy. Your husband, your wife, your children not respecting you. Jesus also already took those on the cross when He hang and died there. )
Yet he was the one who carried our sickness
( Our pain, sickness and infirmities Jesus bored all on the cross. )
and endured the torment of our sufferings.
( If you’re tormented by demonic forces, if you’re tormented by your way of thinking and the world. Jesus redeemed that also. They gave him crown of thorns which He bleed to set you free. )
We viewed him as one who was being punished
for something he himself had done,
( If life is unfair for you. If you get treated or punished of something you don’t deserve. Jesus gone through that too. )
as one who struck down by God and brought low.
( If you’re in your lowest moment, Jesus were there too. )
But it was because of our rebellious deeds that he was pierced
and because of our sins that he was crushed.
( Our rebellious deeds, each of our sins Jesus took it all without choosing. )
He endured the punishment that made us completely whole,
and in his wounding we found our healing.
( Jesus healed not only physically but also healed your mental, emotionally. )
Like wayward sheep, we have all wandered astray.
Each of us has turned from God’s path and chosen our own way,
even so, Yahweh laid the guilt of our every sin upon him.
( Yeah, one time in our life we just do whatever we want to do, whenever we like it. Our reckless life. Jesus carried all on the cross. )
He was oppressed and harshly mistreated;
still he humbly submitted, refusing to defend himself.
He was brought like a gentle lamb to be slaughtered.
Like a silent sheep before his shearers,
he didn’t even open his mouth.
( If you’re harshly mistreated and not able to defend yourself. Jesus already carried that on the cross for you. )
By coercion and with perversion of justice
he was taken away.
( Injustice in your life, Jesus gone through that too. )
And who could have imagined his future?
He was cut down in the prime of life,
for the rebellion of his own people,
he was struck down in their place.
{ A different translation written: For he was cut off from the land of the living. }
( If you given up hope, future is dark and blurry. If you feel die is a better choice. Jesus was there on the cross for you. )
They gave him a grave among criminals,
but he ended up instead in a rich man’s tomb,
although he had done no violence nor spoken deceitfully.
( if you were once a criminal, Jesus died for your crime as well and give you a great future. If you are being charged wrongly. You are honest. Jesus died for that too my friend. )
There is one more thing that Jesus took on the cross.
John 19: 23-24
Now when the soldiers crucified Jesus, they divided up his clothes into four shares, one for each of them. But his tunic was seamless, woven from the top to the bottom as a single garment. So the soldiers said to each other, “Don’t tear it—let’s throw dice to see who’s gets it!” The soldiers did all of this not knowing they fulfilled the Scripture that says, “They divided my garments among them and gambled for my clothing.”
Usually in the modern way to depict the crucifixion of Jesus. Jesus is wearing a loin cloth. This is for our sake, for our benefit as modern people.
But historically, crucifixion victims weren’t wearing anything at all. They totally nude, naked. So was Jesus. He was hang there stripped completely naked.
In the Hebrew culture they’re modest people ( in our modern culture, it’s more common to see nudity in social media and internet) but they weren’t.
Therefore, can you imagine, how this more humiliating for Jesus.
Jesus carried all shameful things had happened in your life on the cross.
I divorced and this was ashamed.
Golgotha was probably a busy intersection chosen to hang criminals on the cross. So people won’t do similar crimes when they looked at them.
Maybe in modern day it’s like hang on the cross in the middle of CBD or at the main square or in the prominent place in the city.
Everyone who passes by from every direction will surely see.
It’s so humiliating.
Me too, people heard and knew, people talked about it.
They were two criminals being crucified next to Jesus, one insulted him
( Matthew 27:44 ).
Luke 23:35 writes, The religious leaders sneered at Jesus and mocked him saying, “Look at this man! What kind of chosen Messiah is this? He pretended to save others, but he can’t even save himself.”
Me experienced the same, people look down on me, they don’t believe me. How could a Christian divorced?
Matthew 26:56 records that; At that point all of his disciples ran away and abandoned him.
Matthew 26:15 Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty silver coins.
Luke 22:54-60 Peter denied Christ three times in a row.
In verse 61 Jesus was there when Peter denied him. Jesus turned around and gazed at Peter.
Many of us have experienced rejection or betrayal from our family and friends. Very painful experience. Jesus too experienced this abandonment at the moment when He needed support, comfort and companionship the most.
Me too, some so called good friends left, ministry been cut off, it’s not worthy, not appropriate, not acceptable a divorce woman stand behind the pulpit.
A shame of divorce cause me to hide from people. The first time I went to my church now, I sat in the place people won’t notice me. After the service I left fast. Why? I didn’t want meet people who might know me. I didn’t want to answer their questions and curiosity. I bow my head to hid my face.
The on the second Sunday, suddenly my head held high. It must be God.
I felt peace, no fear if people know me.
Everyday at home I’m declaring:
Leviticus 26:13 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high.
Psalms 3:3 But in the depths of my heart I truly know that you, Yahwe have become my shield. You take me and surround me with yourself. Your glory covers me continually. YOU LIFT HIGH MY HEAD WHEN I BOW LOW IN SHAME. I have cried out to you, Yahwe from your holy presence, YOU SEND ME A FATHER’S HELP.
If you divorced, single parent/ mom/dad. And whatever shameful things you did. Yes it was a shame thing but Jesus took/carried our shameful act no matter what. Shame make you to hide from family, community, church…you want isolated yourself ( like Adam and Eve). The cross is the finished work. You are now is not you were then ( years ago ).
Kathryn Kulhman said after repentance….is people asking are you a divorce woman. She said oooo no that’s not me. That Kathryn died with Jesus on the cross. You are divorced once….not the rest of your life or now. It had happened and now no more. The same of your past life, it was before not now.
Whatever things need to be settled before God, settled it and repent. People maybe not forgive BUT God forgave you not today BUT when He died on the cross 2000 years ago. Yes give time to grief, after sometimes move forward run to you Abba Father. He will hugs and kiss you, give you back your identity, dignity. Then walk forward in your life hand in hand with Jesus.
Move forward because of His love for you. Embrace Jesus, live for Him.
Create a new history with Jesus. You are His beloved daughter.
Me, my daughter Rose and my son El Prince we went to a mall for lunch. We went early, we went to the boy section. At that time El Prince was 5 years old. He got so excited to see many toys and started playing with it.
I said to him, please stay in here do not go anywhere, mommy will be back soon, I will be in this floor nearby. He said ok.
Rose was with me, we look around then less than 5 minutes we heard an announcement. The lady spoke through loudspeaker. Mention my name and El Prince is waiting for me at the counter.
We both were very shocked, we ran…..in my heart what’s is happening to him. Honestly I was a bit panic and anxious.
Within second we were at the counter. I saw El Prince face very happy and smiling.
He said, “Mom come with me, I wanna show you something !” He hold my hand brought me to the toys section and showed us the toys. Rose was asking him did he purposefully made that announcement to call us?
“Yes!” His face was shining and I can see that he thought he was smart by doing that.
I said to him softly, “Please do not do this thing again. It make us worry.”
“But it’s easier and faster if you come to me instead I’m looking for you mom.”
Actually indeed it was a smart idea. Lol
Me, El Prince and my relative we went to Disneyland.
He was 7 years old that time.
El Prince went to the toilet with his grandpa. The rest of us we’re sitting down, waiting.
Grandpa was back alone. I asked where is El Prince? He was shocked, he forgot he was with my son.
I quickly running to the toilet and calling his name. There wasn’t any answer from him. Grandpa checked the toilet, El Prince no where to be found.
I was very panicked. Where should I find him. They were thousands of people in here.
I quickly prayed. “Lord Jesus please shows me where is my son.”
I walked around nearby the toilet.
I went in to a souvenir shop and there he was beside the cashier counter.
I saw tears in his eyes and his face looks worried.
I was so happy to find him so quickly. Thank you Jesus.
In a moment El Prince face changed to joy when he saw me.
He did the right thing by went to a nearby shop and stood by the cashier.
He said he knew I will find him and find him soon.
From the stories of my son I have learned four things.
First: God is always near us, by our side, never far.
Psalm 23:4 TPT
I’ll never be lonely, for You are near.
Second: Because He is near, He will help us in no time, quickly.
Psalm 121:3 TPT
God is my keeper, He will never forget nor ignore us.
Third: God is the one who come to us. He is the good shepherd.
Like El Prince said it’s faster if I come to him instead he looks for me.
Matthew 18:11-14 TPT
“The Son of Man has come to give life to all who are lost. Think of it this way: If a man owns a hundred sheep and one lamb wanders away and is lost, won’t he leave the ninety-nine grazing the hillside and thoroughly search for the one lost lamb? And if he finds his lost lamb, he rejoices over it, more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. Now you should understand that it is never the desire of your heavenly Father that a single one of these little ones should be lost.”
Four: Stay where you are and call His name, do not run away from God.
Psalm 62:5 TPT
I am standing in absolute stillness, silent before the one I love, waiting as long as it takes for him to rescue me. Only God is my Savior, and he will not fail me.
From my heart 2 ur heart 