Abundantly Pardoned

Isaiah 61:10 (NLT) says, “I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For He has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness.” Do you hear that, ladies? Our Lord God Almighty dresses us with clothes of salvation, and He drapes us in robes of righteousness! Who needs a clearance sale at the Dress Barn when you’ve got that kind of clothing from God? Many of the ladies at my church wear dainty little sandals, and they paint their toenails in delicious shades of pink and red. Childhood ballet ruined some of my toes, and I had to have surgery in my adult years. If people see my toes they say, “Ewwwww! What happened to your toes?” What’s why I don’t wear dainty little sandals and lacquered toenails. It used to bother me that I couldn’t bedeck my feet in the same manner, but who needs sandals and toenail polish when you’re wearing clothing of salvation and robes of righteousness? Who needs clearance rack sales and high-heeled shoes? Besides, I think my sneakers and flats are quite breath-taking with my wonderful outfit of salvation and righteousness that God has given me—and His Son Jesus paid a high price for those garments! Thank You, Jesus! I love You!!!

Acts 3:19 (NIV) tells us, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”  “Times of refreshing.”  I don’t know about you, but I need times of refreshing every day. Quiet times in which we draw near to the Lord, confessing our sins, discussing things with Him and just listening to Him. I’m lost without my quiet time with the Lord God Almighty. “Refresh my heart in Christ.” (Philemon 20 NIV)  I feel like I’m running on empty without replenishment from the Holy Spirit. And one or two women’s retreats per year doesn’t do it for me. If I had my way, there would be some kind of women’s retreat no less than once a month—but it seems like women are too busy to have a retreat very often. Imagine if all local denominations of women joined for a retreat! Women from each denomination speaking, reading scripture, singing, and praising God. Oh, we could learn so much from each other! Why do different denominations segregate, placing an invisible wall between each other? Why do we never worship together or go on retreats together? Someday we will all be together in heaven, and there won’t be denominations. Ladies, we’ll all be sitting together at the feet of our Lord Jesus, oh glorious day! Won’t that be wonderful? And nobody will be too busy to sit at the Master’s feet. No Day Planners, no organizers, no cell phones, no beepers, no emails. No beginning of days and no end of days. No beginning of nights and no end of nights. Just worship and praise and joy.  An eternal retreat for all people. Oh, what a time of refreshing that will be!