From a Harlot to a Hero

Rahab the Harlot... She has been on my mind all day... and how God's plans are rarely ever the ones we would choose. We studied in Sunday school this morning about Joshua and the battle of Jericho, and how Rahab's life was spared because she believed God and hid the spies. But, there's SO much more than that! God rewarded her faith and she and her family dwelled with the Israelites, God's chosen people. Rahab was Boaz' mother... In the direct genealogy lineage of Jesus. So often, we get so full of pride and think our righteousness in some way comes from our own works, or we try to fit the mold of what WE think God looks for in a person He will use into our own small ill-conceived "box". The religious people of Jesus' day did the same... They certainly didn't expect a Harlot to be listed as a great person of faith, nor did they expect the King of kings and Lord of lords to enter the world as a baby, born to an unwed teenager, laid in a lowly manger, to be first visited my shepherds (a rough bunch of outcasts). But, oh... I am ever thankful God's ways are not our own!! The two godliest men I know (my husband Peewee and my former Pastor Kevin Hurt) have very similar grace-filled testimonies of the power of God to redeem and restore a past full of sin! The miracle and gift of their salvation is no different than the "good girl" who didn't have a colorful past, but needed to be saved from sin just the same! So many times I've been guilty of only looking at an outward display of self- righteousness, instead of focusing on the inward transformation of holiness and humility that comes from surrender to God's word and only by His Spirit. When God so lovingly reminds me of the depths of grace He has poured out in my own life, I cannot help but be awestruck at the wonder of it all! Knowing ALL my sin, He still chose to save me! I'm living proof God loves the misfit, the messed up, and the misinformed! My only regret was that I didn't surrender every stronghold and prideful attitude to Him sooner! I'm SO grateful He is faithful to complete the work He began in me! So, tonight... I encourage you to think of that person you know who seems beyond hope or too far gone, that family member, friend, or even enemy, that just infuriates you with their lifestyle, bad choices, and sinful behaviors... Then stop and take some time to pray for their soul. Ask God to do whatever it takes to bring them to the end of themselves, pray nothing hinders the Holy Spirit from convincing and convicting them of sin, then pray the kindness and mercy of God brings them to repentance and faith. Take time to praise The Lord for saving you from your sin as well... And if you're reading this and have questions about salvation and where you will spend eternity, please message me -- I'd be thrilled to share Christ with you!