Soul Tattoo

"Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord." 

Leviticus 19:28

This scripture shows much controversy in the beliefs of believers today. I also know that some may not agree with this blog but this is just what I believe and what I feel is how things are these days. One thing I learned in college is that the Bible is interpreted many different ways. People pick and choose scriptures they want to adhere to or not. Another thing I learned is that the Bible was written in a specific culture.

Not saying that it cannot be interpreted and apply to our culture today but the culture it was written for and in is not the culture we live in right now. In today's culture tattoo's have a different meaning. To some, a tattoo is made in remembrance of someone or something. To some a tattoo is a mark of who they are and claim to be. I know many strong believers who have tattoo's that make a statement of faith. A couple friends of mine have scriptures on their feet, or a cross on their back or shoulder. I asked one of my close friends Jenna who is basically my sister why she got the tattoo's she has. She said, 

"I think it's easy for anyone to just go and get a tat because they find something that looks 'cute' ... I mean, how many stars and hearts do you see everywhere? I'm very thoughtful in what I choose because of their permanency... They serve as reminders of who I am, where I've been and where I'm going. I have a NOTW (Not Of This World) tat on the back of my leg.... And is a subtle way to witness- and also keeps me accountable!"

I myself want to get a tattoo on my foot with the words 'Walk by Faith' which comes from my life verse 2 Corinthians 5:7 which claims "For we walk by faith and not by sight." My question is, how could that not be or show glory to God for bringing me through my journey with Him through faith? 

Our culture today is all about repping or representing what we love or what we are passionate about. Tattoos have become an expression of who we are. There are some who just get tattoos to get them. But for most, it's an expression of love, hope, faith and their personal walk and journey. These words like love, hope and faith are attributes God asks us to share and show to others. We as believers have a message of hope. 

Much like my girl Jenna who uses her tats as a subtle way to witness to those, who may see it and ask her about it. As believers our tattoos proclaim that message of hope and our faith. It's a message to the world of who we are and the victories God himself brought us through. It is our soul tattoo and mark. The Bible says in Matthew that God has called us to make disciples of all people and nations. It is really difficult to just walk up to someone and ask them if they wanna know Jesus. But the tattoo's of victory on the body of Believers is that key to opening the door. Just like Jesus opens the door for us. 

Acts 13:47 ESV
"For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

 Revelation 3:20 ESV
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me."

Never doubt the marks that God has made on your life. Proclaim it trite and true and use it for God's glory. God has brought everyone through their own journey. If you choose to leave an outward permanent mark of that journey as a tool to bring others to Christ, do it. Be proud of it. Stand tall in faith and make disciples through your testimony of faith. Wear your soul tattoo proudly, just like Jesus bore the holes that were nailed into him and the blood he shed for us all out of love. 

Here is a site of other Believer's story and the soul tattoo and mark they share with others. Some stories are amazing. If you want to take a look here's the link. 

http://heckyeahchristiantattoos.tumblr.com/ 

Rhoda: Quirky and Overjoyed

"Peter knocked at the outer entrance and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. When she recognized Peter's voice she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed 'Peter is at the door!' 'You're out of your mind' they told her.When she kept insisting that it was so, they said 'It must be his angel'. But Peter kept knocking and when they opened the door and saw him they were astonished." - Acts 12:13-16

Here we find a brief story about a woman named Rhoda. She was a servant of Mary (Mother of John-Mark). She was obviously a believer herself and was a part of the Prayer Meeting that was going on in Mary's house. Peter was captured by Herod and awaiting his trial when an angel of the Lord appeared to Peter and led him out of the prison, freeing him. Peter knew they were praying at Mary's house so he went there, where he meets a quirky joyful Rhoda. 

When Peter knocked and Rhoda hear his voice she was overjoyed! So happy that she left him outside! I laugh at this because this is probably something I myself would do! Sometimes you just can't help but get excited! Some would think of her as a ditz because she left Peter outside. He had no idea if the guards realized he was gone and were searching for him. The situation was dire and she left him outside! What was worse was that nobody believed her. They thought she was mad or crazy. 

I can just imagine what Peter was thinking at that moment. Here he is knocking at the door trying to get covered, hidden and save and everyone inside is arguing over the validity of what Rhoda was claiming. It cracks me up. Finally they hear Peter continuing to knock and they let him in being astonished in the process. If I were Rhoda I would have had no problem saying "I told you so" with a big grin on my face. I think the situation called for it.

These believers were praying for a miracle and little did they know it landed directly on their doorstep which amazed them. We need to remember to have faith that God answers our prayers and truly seek Him and His will. When they Lord comes knocking, bringing our answers, we should not be surprised but be like Rhoda who was overjoyed and thankful. 

"If the Lord wants to surprise His people, He has only at once to give them an answer. No sooner do they receive an answer than they say, "Who would have thought." - Charles Spurgeon. 

Doras: A Woman of Pleasant Fragrance

"In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which when translated is Dorcas) who was always doing good and helping the poor." Acts 9:36

In the midst of the story of Saul's/Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus there is mentioned a little bit of this amazing woman who was a disciple. I felt the desire to research this woman.

Dorcas was a woman who dedicated herself to the needs of many. There is no evidence that she was ever married, although the implication of her name is that she was a beautiful and graceful woman. The Hebrew name of this woman is Tabitha, which translated into Greek is Dorcas, but in English it means 'gazelle'. A gazelle is distinguished for it's slender and beautiful form, it's graceful movements and soft brilliant eyes. This is where the implication of her beauty and grace come from.

Further on in this story we find that Dorcas got sick and died. She was taken to an upper room, in which people heard that Peter was close by and sent for him. Widows were weeping at the loss of this dear woman. There you can see the impact of Dorcas' life. Her good works weren't cause to shake the ground. She wasn't a powerful evangelist or preacher, but she used her gifts to make garments, and minister to the poor and those less fortunate.

The story continues to which Peter called everyone out of the room...

"Peter sent them all out of the room; then got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman he said 'Tabitha get up!' She opened her eyes and seeing Peter she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers and especially the widows (the ones who were especially touched by Dorcas personally) and presented her alive." - Acts 9:40-41

Dorcas was a woman who ministered to others. She displayed love to all. Her faith shown through the works she did and her ministry. James 2:26 says "Faith without works is dead." Luke 6:44 says 'a tree is recognized by its fruit'. We as believers are recognized by our fruit. We bear good fruit in the producing of our good works and ministries.

Herbert Lockyer the author of 'All the Woman of the Bible' said, "The practical, unselfish service of this Christian philanthropist (Dorcas), has filled the world with fragrance, for there flowed out of that little city of Joppa a multitude of benevolent and charitable organizations in which women have been prominent."

As God fearing, believing woman I pray that we will leave such a fragrance that will flow out of our ministries. There are so many woman in the Bible that left a pleasant fragrance in people's lives. Use the gifts God has given you and choose to leave a mark or special fragrance in the lives you touch. We can learn so much from the amazing woman in the Bible. I am thankful for their example in my life. 

Obedient Evangelism

"the eunuch said, 'Look here is water. Why should I be be baptized? And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Phillip and the eunuch went down into the water and Phillip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Phillip away and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing." 

- Acts 8:36-39

I absolutely love this story. In the beginning it says 'the Spirit told Phillip "go to that chariot and stay near it'". (V. 29) This is a classic case of obedient evangelism. If Phillip wouldn't have listened to the Lord and the Spirit's urging, this man probably wouldn't have been saved. But Phillip listened and found the eunuch could not understand the scriptures he was reading.

In our culture we tend to be too busy to sit and make time for people. We are too focused on attendance and filling seats, and not enough on the spiritual growth and transformation of people. One thing I learned in college is that it's not about numbers it's about souls. Numbers dwindle and fluctuate, but if you're focused on the heart and growth of those you are called to minister and disciple; that's where it's at.

Teaching and explaining what is confusing. Phillip took the time to explain and teach the eunuch and from that Phillip was able to baptize him and change his life. THAT is what it's all about. Listening to the Lord, allowing the Spirit to guide you and lead you to change the lives of people. Never been afraid to be obedient to listen to the Lord's urging. You could have the opportunity to change a life. 

"Let us not be satisfied till we get faith, as the Ethiopian did, by diligent study of the Holy Scriptures, and the teaching of the Spirit of God; let us not be satisfied till we get it fixed as a principle in our hearts. As soon as he was baptized, the Spirit of God took Philip from him, so that he saw him no more; but this tended to confirm his faith. When the inquirer after salvation becomes acquainted with Jesus and his gospel, he will go on his way rejoicing, and will fill up his station in society, and discharge his duties, from other motives, and in another manner than heretofore." - Matthew Henry Commentary 

1 Corinthians 15:58