Happiness Masterpiece

Today's post is inspired in part by and  in part by the final chapters of George Mueller of Bristol(what a testimony his life was/is to the faithfulness of God) Sometimes we, in our human natured bent want the result/rewardwithout paying the price of the prize!we want a fit physique without the workout and exercise.We want the blessing of obedience without the obedienceThe answer to prayer without the praying/waiting/trustingWe want wisdom without the learning/earningWe want harvest without the planting-pruning-growing... We live in a society where we have easy access to SO much,to provide instant gratification!We no longer need to wait and hope we hear our favorite songwe can binge-listen-watch-read-eat-drink, you name it!It's really quite alarming!And instead of satisfying the 'beast'it seems to have the opposite effect! For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit… Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. Sometimes we, in our human bent forget Sometimes we become discontent when circumstance provokes the planOh Lord, our gracious God, You care, when faith is overcome with sight When we are tempted to despair, Lord, pierce the darkness with your Light Sometimes we do not find becauseBecause we do not wholly yield to He who WAS, IS, and WILL BEThe lowliness and holiness of Jesus Christ, is plain to seeUpon a cross He sacrificed Himself to set doomed sinners free Sometimes when we don't understand, response does not befit the saintInstead of keeping love's/God's command we wallow in thankless complaint Oh Lord, our gracious God, forgive our often very erring waysWhen evidence by how we live does not reflect believer's praise Sometimes we, in our human bent fall prey to carnal attitudeInstead of worship we lament; grumbling replaces gratitudeOh Lord, our gracious God, you see our hearts and love us, nonetheless Each morning You hold out the key to true and perfect happiness The spirit is willing; the flesh is prone to want and reason blurredInstead of earnest prayer we mesh with logic not found in Your WordOh Lord, our gracious God increase sorrow until Your joy completeMakes happiness a masterpiece © Janet Martin Luke 7:36-50 A Sinful Woman Forgiven 36 Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. 37 And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, 38 and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.”So he said, “Teacher, say it.” 41 “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” 44 Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. 45 You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. 46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. 47 Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” 48 Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”