Beautiful Feet!
Journey Girls,
We are officially beginning our last week of this journey together. I just want you to know that I love each one of you so very much and you will never know how you have blessed my life! Thank you for reading and sharing your hearts. Thank you for your obedience to God's Word! You are beautiful women of God and I am absolutely crazy about you!
I continue to fast and pray for God's direction and blessing upon your lives. I must say, I am not looking forward to the 40 day journey being over. I am, however, ecstatic about having a Large Diet Coke and something sweet next Sunday! :) I signed up for my husband and I up to help out with Angel Food Ministries the last Saturday of this month. It is an organization that feeds the homeless and those struggling financially in this area. I continue to look forward to going to Atlanta and spending some volunteer time at Celebrate Life International. I am super excited about taking a road trip next weekend with my husband. We are going to the Nashville area to a Beth Moore book signing! I can't wait!! Oh, how I hope and pray that I get the opportunity to meet her and speak to her in person. It is a dream that I have had for quite some time and I can't think of a better way to end my 40 day journey! Please be praying about this opportunity with me!
My heart and mind has been racing with all the thoughts and things that I deeply desire to say to you with only a week left on the journey. I am just going to continue to pray for God to lay upon my heart what He would have me to share with you this week. Let's put our hand to the plow and continue on full speed ahead! Stay in God's Word and pray fervently this week! Continue to listen as He speaks to you and remember to look for the GOD stops along the way.
Easter is probably my favorite time of year. I love the springtime. I love the flowers, birds chirping and green grass. I love the sunshine! I love seeing children dressed in their Easter clothes. I love remembering what Christ did on the cross. I love celebrating a risen Savior!
One of my favorite services is foot washing and communion. Our church practices the ordinance of foot washing and it is something that I have come to cherish. This has always been so dear to my heart every since I was a little girl. We celebrate this time each year on Maundy Thursday before Easter Sunday. When we served at our church in Ashland, KY, this was a service that I had the privilege to plan. Oh, what sweet memories I have from my time with these precious women. I will never forget them as long as I live.
John 13:1-17 is the portion of scripture where Jesus washed His Disciples' feet. "It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father." (vs.1) Jesus wanted to show them the full extent of His love.
Can you imagine being at that dinner? Let's just imagine dining with our Savior for the next few moments. Pull up to the table and allow the Bread of Life and Living Water to fill you. (John 6:35, John 7:28). As the disciples were eating, Jesus got up from the meal took off His outer clothing and wrapped a towel around His waist. He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him.
Foot washing was normally a task that was performed by a servant. Jesus was giving a lesson in humility. He was setting forth the principle of selfless service that was soon to be exemplified in the cross. Jesus life of service would culminate at this crucial point on the cross, changing our lives forever. Read what Jesus told them in verse 7. "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." I can sure relate to that statement! How many times have I not understood what Christ was doing, but later could look back and see how He was working in my life.
The Lord told them, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." (vs. 10). He was referring to Judas, who would betray Him. I'm sure the disciples' feet were dirty, calloused and worn. They had followed Christ. They had witnessed miracles. They had left their families and homes to walk in His footsteps. They had led many to follow Him. They had been many places with the Lord. Their feet had now brought them to what would be their Last Supper with their Savior. Romans 10:15b says, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Beloved, the most beautiful feet are those whose journey reflects Christ. The feet that have been through the valleys, they have been on the mountaintops and they continue to walk with Jesus Christ.
Jesus told them, "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." (vs. 14-15). Jesus set the ultimate example of being a faithful servant. He was humble in spirit and was obedient to the Father. He was perfect, without sin. He was about to show the ultimate sacrifice by death on a cross for our sins. Jesus humbled himself and washed His disciples' feet that day and told us to do the same.
I love what verse 17 says. "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." That word blessed in greek is "makarios." It means blessed and happy. When we are obedient to Christ, we will be happy and blessed!
Philippians 2:1-11 is a wonderful passage describing Christ's nature. "But made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross." (vs. 7-8). Our Lord and Savior, our Creator, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords took on the very nature of a servant. His love is made complete when in us when we are obedient to God. We are to walk as Jesus did and follow His example. (1 John 2:5-6) Oh, how beautiful are the nail scarred feet of our Savior!
Oh how I wish I could be sitting with my Journey Girls today. If I could be with you physically, I would pour some water into a basin, wrap a towel around my waist and kneel before each one of you and wash your feet. I would give you a big hug and tell you how much Jesus loves you and how much I love you. Journey girls, I am so humbled and blessed to have been able to serve you these past few weeks. I am so blessed to have you in my life. Thank you for your sweet servant's heart! Continue to serve Jesus and serve others through His love. Share the good news of Christ to all you come in contact with. Sweet ones, you have beautiful feet!
Walking with Jesus,
Elisabeth
We are officially beginning our last week of this journey together. I just want you to know that I love each one of you so very much and you will never know how you have blessed my life! Thank you for reading and sharing your hearts. Thank you for your obedience to God's Word! You are beautiful women of God and I am absolutely crazy about you!
I continue to fast and pray for God's direction and blessing upon your lives. I must say, I am not looking forward to the 40 day journey being over. I am, however, ecstatic about having a Large Diet Coke and something sweet next Sunday! :) I signed up for my husband and I up to help out with Angel Food Ministries the last Saturday of this month. It is an organization that feeds the homeless and those struggling financially in this area. I continue to look forward to going to Atlanta and spending some volunteer time at Celebrate Life International. I am super excited about taking a road trip next weekend with my husband. We are going to the Nashville area to a Beth Moore book signing! I can't wait!! Oh, how I hope and pray that I get the opportunity to meet her and speak to her in person. It is a dream that I have had for quite some time and I can't think of a better way to end my 40 day journey! Please be praying about this opportunity with me!
My heart and mind has been racing with all the thoughts and things that I deeply desire to say to you with only a week left on the journey. I am just going to continue to pray for God to lay upon my heart what He would have me to share with you this week. Let's put our hand to the plow and continue on full speed ahead! Stay in God's Word and pray fervently this week! Continue to listen as He speaks to you and remember to look for the GOD stops along the way.
Easter is probably my favorite time of year. I love the springtime. I love the flowers, birds chirping and green grass. I love the sunshine! I love seeing children dressed in their Easter clothes. I love remembering what Christ did on the cross. I love celebrating a risen Savior!
One of my favorite services is foot washing and communion. Our church practices the ordinance of foot washing and it is something that I have come to cherish. This has always been so dear to my heart every since I was a little girl. We celebrate this time each year on Maundy Thursday before Easter Sunday. When we served at our church in Ashland, KY, this was a service that I had the privilege to plan. Oh, what sweet memories I have from my time with these precious women. I will never forget them as long as I live.
John 13:1-17 is the portion of scripture where Jesus washed His Disciples' feet. "It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father." (vs.1) Jesus wanted to show them the full extent of His love.
Can you imagine being at that dinner? Let's just imagine dining with our Savior for the next few moments. Pull up to the table and allow the Bread of Life and Living Water to fill you. (John 6:35, John 7:28). As the disciples were eating, Jesus got up from the meal took off His outer clothing and wrapped a towel around His waist. He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him.
Foot washing was normally a task that was performed by a servant. Jesus was giving a lesson in humility. He was setting forth the principle of selfless service that was soon to be exemplified in the cross. Jesus life of service would culminate at this crucial point on the cross, changing our lives forever. Read what Jesus told them in verse 7. "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." I can sure relate to that statement! How many times have I not understood what Christ was doing, but later could look back and see how He was working in my life.
The Lord told them, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." (vs. 10). He was referring to Judas, who would betray Him. I'm sure the disciples' feet were dirty, calloused and worn. They had followed Christ. They had witnessed miracles. They had left their families and homes to walk in His footsteps. They had led many to follow Him. They had been many places with the Lord. Their feet had now brought them to what would be their Last Supper with their Savior. Romans 10:15b says, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Beloved, the most beautiful feet are those whose journey reflects Christ. The feet that have been through the valleys, they have been on the mountaintops and they continue to walk with Jesus Christ.
Jesus told them, "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." (vs. 14-15). Jesus set the ultimate example of being a faithful servant. He was humble in spirit and was obedient to the Father. He was perfect, without sin. He was about to show the ultimate sacrifice by death on a cross for our sins. Jesus humbled himself and washed His disciples' feet that day and told us to do the same.
I love what verse 17 says. "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." That word blessed in greek is "makarios." It means blessed and happy. When we are obedient to Christ, we will be happy and blessed!
Philippians 2:1-11 is a wonderful passage describing Christ's nature. "But made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross." (vs. 7-8). Our Lord and Savior, our Creator, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords took on the very nature of a servant. His love is made complete when in us when we are obedient to God. We are to walk as Jesus did and follow His example. (1 John 2:5-6) Oh, how beautiful are the nail scarred feet of our Savior!
Oh how I wish I could be sitting with my Journey Girls today. If I could be with you physically, I would pour some water into a basin, wrap a towel around my waist and kneel before each one of you and wash your feet. I would give you a big hug and tell you how much Jesus loves you and how much I love you. Journey girls, I am so humbled and blessed to have been able to serve you these past few weeks. I am so blessed to have you in my life. Thank you for your sweet servant's heart! Continue to serve Jesus and serve others through His love. Share the good news of Christ to all you come in contact with. Sweet ones, you have beautiful feet!
Walking with Jesus,
Elisabeth
4 Response to Beautiful Feet!
Ahhhh Yes I remember that foot washing service. Brings a smile to my heart and a tear to my eye. What a humbling experience it was. Also I had the opportunity to play a woman who washed Jesus feet with her hair. Remember that, Elisabeth. Melissa sang Alabaster Box,(Just opened it the other day to read my scriptures inside)Ohhh how she must have felt to kneel down before the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Pastor Steve brought this to my mind just the other Sunday. I find it absolutely amazing that God brought it to yours too. "GOD STOP" moment for me.
Brings to mind a beautiful song by Nicole C. Mullins "One Touch". If I could just touch, the hem of his garment, I know I'd be made whole, If I could just press my way through this madness, his love would heal my soul. If only one touch. My favorite part of this song is when Jesus, though in a large crowd realized that one person touched his garment and why is that? Because she believed he could heal her. "Be of good cheer, daughter, your faith has made you well." Matthew 9:22 When times start getting tough I remember the Faith of that woman. No one else could heal her, but MY Jesus could, No one else would even help her, but MY Jesus would. No one else had compassion for her, but MY Jesus did. OUR Jesus, the one who died on the cross, bearing our sin, Loving us that much.
Reaching and Believing,
Vivian
Yes, Elisabeth, I too remember those blessed footwashing services. You began a beautiful legacy for the woman of our church. Those services still continue and each year they attempt to maintain the intimacy and reverence that you so beautifully created in those services. I am eternally grateful for the legacy you left with us. Thank you for serving us then and thank you for serving us again through this journey. Personally, I would never have had the appreciation or understanding of what footwashing was all about if it had not been for yours and Tom's teachings. Though you guys may not know it, there is so many parts of you that will always be in Ashland and I am eternally grateful for that. I love you and praise God for allowing me and my family to have served with you and your family!!! The words to one of my favorite songs says it best,
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life who was changed
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am do glad you gave
One by one they came
Far as the eye could see
Each life somehow touched
By your generosity
Little things that you had done
Sacrifices you made
They were unnoticed on the earth
In heaven now proclaimed
And I know that up in heaven
You're not supposed to cry
But I am almost sure
There were tears in your eyes
As Jesus took your hand
And you stood before the Lord
He said, my child look around you
For great is your reward
Vivian,
I remember that footwashing service like it was yesterday. What a blessing!! I love you so much and appreciate your faithfulness to the LORD! Thank you for your encouragement, support and prayers. I still have my Alabaster Box too! :)It brings back such precious memories. You were wonderful that night and blessed my heart more than you can imagine! I am praying for you!!
Rhonda,
Thank you so much for your love and encouragement! I am so humbled by your sweet words. I will be forever grateful for the times we were able to be in those footwashing services together. I love and appreciate you so much. We have some wonderful memories of Monday night prayer times, fasting together, Bible study together, worshiping together, cooking out together, painting together and growing in Christ together! I appreciate you so much! Thank you for those words. I truly needed to hear them. I love you more than you can imagine. Thank you for allowing the Pelt family to be a part of your life! I (we) are the ones who are eternally grateful!! Thank you for your faithfulness to the LORD!
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