We can glean alot out of the following story and even, if you know it well, take the time to let God show it to you from his perspective, today, afresh and anew. We are quick to say, "I know, I know! I know that story already!", instead of remaining teachable at the Master's feet. Invite Him to join you, now, as you read this passage, and ask Him to give you new insight into the treasures hidden in it; to show you how it applies to you TODAY!
Luke 10:38-41 says,
"As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what He said. But Martha was DISTRACTED by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work myself? Tell her to help me!"
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only ONE thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
I think all of us can relate to Martha, we learn that she had opened her home to the Lord and His disciples, when they entered her village, so we can conclude she was, willingly, hospitable.
We learn that Martha's focus was on the preparations that needed to be made; she seems to be striving to be a good host. She's focused on the meal; ministering, (a good thing) but, apparently, she hadn't chosen the MOST IMPORTANT thing, according to Jesus. Martha, had missed it! Martha was "distracted", "worried and upset about many things" and we know she was filled with resentment that her sister, Mary, wasn't helping her. Martha was so resentful that she resorts to, actually, playing the "tattle tail"! "Lord don't you care? Tell her to help me!" (Lord straighten her out!) Our first impression can be that Mary is lazy or insensitive, but is that really true?
I get the idea that Martha thought she was in the right and Mary was wrong, don't you? Jesus' response gives Martha a different perspective to think about. "Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." What was Mary doing? It says, "she sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said" ~ Mary was putting her Lord first! All else had to wait!
Take a look at Matthew 6: 19-21:
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Any idea where Mary's treasure was? Jesus not only says what Mary has chosen was better, but that it would not be taken away from her. Mary was laying up treasures in heaven; that which couldn't be taken from her. Where was Mary's heart? (It was listening at Jesus' feet!) It was focused on Him!
Matthew 6:31-33 says,
"Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
This is saying to put Christ first! To walk in righteousness and in His truths, to make that the most important thing!
Matthew 6:24 says, "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."
What do you think would happen, if you decided you could do without a little sleep and you would rise before dawn; before the business of the day steals your thoughts and you were to sit at Christ's feet and study His truths, hide them in your heart? What do you think would happen if you, actually, put Christ first?
I can tell you, He will simplify your day! He won't give you more than you can do! (We do that to ourselves.) He will give you the insight to peel away the things that seem so urgent and to give you the wisdom to see the important! He will show you the things to say "no" to and will show you favor in all you do. You will find that He will organize your day and reschedule things to cause your life to be doable. Don't believe me? Try it! Give it a full month!
Get up an hour early, get down on your knees and really talk to God; ask Him for insight, get into His Word and listen. Adjust your schedule, as He leads, and be open to His voice, be flexible to changes that will come into your day. Let Him funnel and direct you! Let go, and let God be God, Lord of your life! Is your life too busy to spend time with God or in His Word? Do you find you just don't have time? Mine is too busy to go without Him! I challenge you to one month! Take the challenge with expectant hope and watch what God can do with a life that puts Him first!
I've learned, I can go without a little sleep, but I CAN NOT do my day without God! We can always go to bed a little sooner. Put God first and watch Him bless your life! Take the challenge! One month!
Take a look at Matthew 6: 19-21:
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Any idea where Mary's treasure was? Jesus not only says what Mary has chosen was better, but that it would not be taken away from her. Mary was laying up treasures in heaven; that which couldn't be taken from her. Where was Mary's heart? (It was listening at Jesus' feet!) It was focused on Him!
Matthew 6:31-33 says,
"Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
This is saying to put Christ first! To walk in righteousness and in His truths, to make that the most important thing!
Matthew 6:24 says, "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."
What do you think would happen, if you decided you could do without a little sleep and you would rise before dawn; before the business of the day steals your thoughts and you were to sit at Christ's feet and study His truths, hide them in your heart? What do you think would happen if you, actually, put Christ first?
I can tell you, He will simplify your day! He won't give you more than you can do! (We do that to ourselves.) He will give you the insight to peel away the things that seem so urgent and to give you the wisdom to see the important! He will show you the things to say "no" to and will show you favor in all you do. You will find that He will organize your day and reschedule things to cause your life to be doable. Don't believe me? Try it! Give it a full month!
Get up an hour early, get down on your knees and really talk to God; ask Him for insight, get into His Word and listen. Adjust your schedule, as He leads, and be open to His voice, be flexible to changes that will come into your day. Let Him funnel and direct you! Let go, and let God be God, Lord of your life! Is your life too busy to spend time with God or in His Word? Do you find you just don't have time? Mine is too busy to go without Him! I challenge you to one month! Take the challenge with expectant hope and watch what God can do with a life that puts Him first!
I've learned, I can go without a little sleep, but I CAN NOT do my day without God! We can always go to bed a little sooner. Put God first and watch Him bless your life! Take the challenge! One month!
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