More Mary, Less Martha

Luke 10:38-42
"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 by myself? Tell her to help me!”
 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”


         Today's blog is about the busyness of our lives.  Shared above are the verses on how the bible directs us in one story about our choice of priorities.  Mary and Martha, who are sisters, open their home to Jesus as he travels with his disciples. As Martha hurries to ensure the preparations, Mary simply sits at the feet of Jesus and listens to the wisdom of Christ.  Now, it wasn't wrong of Martha to serve and make sure Jesus and his disciples were invited in, taken care of with food and other arrangements in their home.  But, Mary knew the value of time with Jesus and took advantage of the opportunity to be with Him, learn and gain wisdom, and make him her first priority.

Mary and Martha represent two kinds of people in our world today:[worshipinspiritandtruth.net]

MARY represents those who have a true Christian faith. Those who give their full attention to Christ Jesus and are not distracted by worldly things. This group of people, represented by Mary, study God's Word every day and listen to His Word. But they are not hearers of the Word only, they are doers also. This group of Christians represented by Mary are spiritually sat at Jesus' feet, worshipping God in spirit and truth. They come to their knees everyday to pray to their God and Saviour. They give more of their time to Jesus than anything else in their lives, and they long to be with their Lord and Saviour. Now do these Christians represented by Mary do works? Yes, because a true and right relationship with Christ Jesus will automatically PRODUCE good works in that person. As James said, "you show me your faith without your works, and I'll show you my faith by my works." This group of Christians represented by Mary knows the true meaning of putting God first in their lives, and they love the Lord with ALL their heart, ALL their mind, ALL their soul and ALL their strength. They have truly taken hold of the Kingdom of Heaven.

MARTHA represents those professing Christians who "believe" in Jesus, but are too caught up in worldly things to give their time in building a personal relationship with Him. Sure, they serve in their church, but don't realize that their serving will get them nowhere without a proper relationship with their Lord. The group of professing Christians represented by Martha are those who are busy with the world. They are too caught up in their jobs/careers. They are too concerned with their houses and cars and money. They are focused on building up treasure on earth, rather than treasure in heaven. They spend more time watching TV than they do with Jesus. They read more novels than they do the life giving Word of God. They spend little time in prayer, and they put their family and friends before Jesus. These professing Christians maybe think that their "belief" alone will save them. Well, the devils also believe (James 2:19). Are they saved?

      "We are overworked, overstressed, and spiritually undernourished. Our culture promotes “bigger and better” and subtly challenges us to keep up. Whew! Who made these rules anyway? Satan loves to keep us running in circles trying to beat the clock. If he can distract us, he can minimize our usefulness for the Kingdom of God. Satan may be the Prince of Darkness, but he is also the Duke of Distraction.  As Christians, we cannot allow ourselves to be swept away in the undercurrent of the cultural stopwatch. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” [gotquestions.org]

      "We must be intentional about making time to rest in Jesus. The Bible places high value on rest and peaceful living. During Jesus’ earthly ministry, He Himself escaped the busyness of the crowds occasionally to renew His strength. Mark 6:31 says, “Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to [His disciples], ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’" [gotquestions.org]

        As for myself, I have learned and seen the benefits in my own life of being intentional with my time, energy and ability.  As it said in the movie, "The Upside", "There's not much left in my life that I have control over, except for who and when I spend my time with."  I completely relate to that.  Jesus, family, and friends are my choices and priorities, in that order.

Takeaways:

1]Martha had a heart for serving, but she lost sight of the reason for serving amid the task at hand.

2]We can get so caught up in the busyness of life that we neglect to spend time at Jesus’ feet.

3] Instead of berating Martha, He gently and lovingly points out her error. He knew Martha loved Him and despite her wrong attitude, gave her a lot of grace.

4] Let's serve with a heart like Martha, but have our priorities straight like Mary.

Where Is Your Refuge?

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
 though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.[c]

 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
 God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

 Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.
 He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields[d] with fire.
 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

         Where do you find your refuge?  Refuge can mean a place or person of protection or shelter, but also a source of help, relief and comfort in times of trouble.  Refuge can be 'anything to which one has recourse for aid or escape.'  We all need a refuge at times to get away from the world, our own world around us, problems and time to ourselves.

        As for myself, I used to drive off in my vehicle with my dog to some empty parking lot and just cry, pray, and decompress from whatever was on my mind.  Other times, I would just drive until I felt better.  My refuge isn't found in my vehicle, but in time spent with the Lord.  He is my Comfort, Counselor, Advocate, Healer, Friend and Guide.  As with all believers, the Holy Spirit dwells within me and leads me towards the right path.  Sometimes, we need to get away from our noise to hear Him better. 
        Now that I no longer drive, my laptop is my escape mechanism towards alone time with God.  I can do bible studies on whatever subject is on my heart, talk with godly friends for direction, just read the Word, or do research and blog about what God leads me to.  We all need to find a way to be alone and escape with God to hear Him better.

       Matthew Henry says, "Psalm 46 encourages us to hope and trust in God, and his power, and providence, and gracious presence with his church in the worst of times, and directs us to give him the glory of what he has done for us and what he will do.
  Psalm 46 Teaches Us:
      1] To take comfort in God when things look very black and threatening
      2] To mention, to his praise, the great things he had wrought for his church against its enemies
      3] To assure ourselves that God who has glorified his own name will glorify it yet again, and to comfort ourselves with that, 
      4] To apply it either to our spiritual enemies, and be more than conquerors over them, or to the public enemies of Christ’s kingdom in the world and their threatening insults, endeavouring to preserve a holy security and serenity of mind when they seem most formidable."

        "In the hardships of this life, we find safety and rest in God. The world is unstable, but “the city of God”—His habitation—is established and secure. No matter what happens in this world, God will be exalted, and those who are His will ultimately be safe. We can “be still and know” that He is God.  God surrounds us and protects us in our difficulties. Note that the psalmist doesn’t state that God will remove us from the difficulty; rather, God will protect us and glorify Himself in the midst of the difficulty.  He is our refuge. God provides safety. We take shelter in our relationship with Him.  He is our strength. God gives us the power we need to endure hardship as we serve Him, fight spiritual battles, resist temptation, and bear up under persecution. We are weak, but He is strong.  He is an ever-present help in trouble.  [gotquestions.org]

Applications: [gotquestions.org]

1] True peace will not come until we are with the Lord in “the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells”.  For those who belong to God, even the bad stuff has a good end! We are eternally safe.
2] The ultimate goal is to exalt and glorify God. This is the purpose of your life
3] If we would experience God’s protection, we must belong to Him through faith in Jesus Christ.

Sure-ender To Suffering

"Always Lord Almighty"  by Jim Elliff Copyright © 1989 Jim Elliff

O God, my ever present help
In floods of pain and trouble,
You are my refuge and my strength,
Though earth's foundations crumble.

O God, in You I cannot fear,
Though mountains fall around me,
Though waters of adversity
That roar and foam surround me.

O God, while kingdoms rage,
My secret doubts may overtake me.
But You are here; I will not fall;
At break of day You'll save me.

O God, You make my wars to cease,
One word brings desolation.
Be still, my soul, and know He's God;
In Him find consolation.

Always present, Always helping,
Always Lord Almighty!
—-

Genesis 50:19-21  "“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.”
Romans 8:28  "“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

         Today's blog is about suffering and our right response towards it.  How would you define suffering?  Unwanted physical and/or mental pain or discomfort.  Wikipedia defines suffering as an experience of unpleasantness and aversion associated with the perception of harm or threat of harm in an individual.   Elisabeth Elliott defines suffering as in 'having what you don't want or wanting what you don't have.'   While suffering can be a result of sin, all creation, even the righteous, will groan under the weight of sin and suffering. [christianity.com]  All Christians suffer. Either you have, you are, or you will — “through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God”.  Romans 8:20-21  " For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God."  "Suffering is a tool God uses to get our attention and to accomplish His purposes in our lives. It is designed to build our trust in the Almighty, but suffering requires the right response if it is to be successful in accomplishing God’s purposes. Suffering forces us to turn from trust in our own resources to living by faith in God’s resources." [bible.org]  "In the end, we learn that we may never know the specific reason for our suffering, but we must trust in our sovereign God. That is the real answer to suffering." [gotquestions.org]
          With so much suffering in the world, past and present, is there anyone who can understand fully what we are going through?  Someone might say to you, you don't understand how I feel because you've never experienced it.  While that may or may not be true, you can respond by saying, "Yes, but I know The One who does."
        'The cross of Christ can be regarded as the ultimate manifestation of God’s justice. When asked how much God cares about the problem of evil and suffering, the Christian God can point to the cross and say, “That much.” Christ experienced physical pain as well as feelings of rejection and abandonment. He experienced the same suffering as many people today who know the bitterness of isolation, pain, and anguish." [gotquestions.org]
          I just finished reading a book by Elisabeth Elliott called "Suffering Is Never For Nothing."  I want to share some of her thoughts with you, they aren't direct quotes, from it and share my own thoughts as it relates to hers.

         Suffering's Goal In Life? 

         "Suffering is a mystery but my loving God has a purpose in it for me and through me.  God knows what he's doing and his reasons are unknown but part of a bigger picture.  We learn who God is through suffering.  God answered Job's own questions about his suffering by revealing himself to Job.  God doesn't give explanations but just tells Job to trust Him.  Faith is not a feeling, but a willed obedience."
          As for myself, I have to ask myself is my suffering really that hard?  Compared to Christ on the cross, not in the least.  I do believe that there is purpose in the pain and struggle.  Some of my greatest gifts have come from suffering because you can't truly love and not suffer, or live life fully and not suffer.  My life is not under the fate of chance, but of God's great mercy.

         How Should I Respond To My Sufferings?

         "First, we must recognize our sufferings by crying out to God, pray, and seek refuge in Him.  Then, thank God in advance for being in control over all things at all times.  Acknowledge your need for Jesus, more than an explanation.  Acceptance is a voluntary willed act and your key to peace.  Gratitude follows acceptance and it honors God." 

Isaiah 55:6-7 "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts.  Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon."

         As for myself, I will admit my first response to real physical suffering was to be angry, withdrawn and think of myself.  Suffering has led me closer to the Lord, my cup of salvation, and knowing who God is better.  As a Christian, I have a duty and responsibility to respond to hardship differently than the world says and does.  I give up my right to self that doesn't align with God's will and I go on to doing the next thing God calls me to do.  I may not like the way I have to travel this journey that He designated for me, but I will say 'yes' to it and thank Him with praise that he is in control.  I will also thank him for always having my best interest in his plan. 

          What Should I Offer Back To God?

        "Everything is a gift from God and there are many ways we can make an offering back to God.  We can bless the Lord, regardless of our circumstances.  Obedience should be our first offering, because God wants that more than sacrifice.  Even the way we handle loneliness can be an offering back to God.  The principle of the cross is that life comes from death.  We must change our perspective to include glory for God and less on ourselves.  There are many paradoxes in the Bible; the best fruit comes from the hardest pruning, joy comes from greatest sorrow, the perishable comes from imperishable, and beauty comes from ashes.  Our faith rests on the character of god and not from how we think God should act.

          As for myself, I offer my testimony through this blog to bring glory to God.  I titled this blog as "Sure-render to Suffering" to exemplify that saying 'Sure' to surrendering to my sufferings is the right thing to do and bring glory and honor to Jesus.  I will not be afraid of today or tomorrow, but I will trust Him to be with me all the way and see me through.  I accept and have peace with his will for me.

"Measure your life by loss and not by gain, not by wine drunk but by wine poured forth, for love's strength standeth in love's sacrifice , he that suffered most has the most to give." {H. Massey]

      
5 Truths About Suffering [desiring god.org]

1] Suffering is multifaceted.   “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” 2 Corinthians 4:8–9.

2] Suffering happens in the community.  The church is meant to be a refuge for those suffering. When a member is hurting, the church applies the bandages; when a member is down, the church encourages; when a member is in need, the church comes alongside to help.

3] Suffering equips us for ministry.  "When you’ve passed through your own fiery trials, and found God to be true to what he says, you have real help to offer. You have firsthand experience of both his sustaining grace and his purposeful design. He has kept you through pain; he has reshaped you more into his image. . . . What you are experiencing from God, you can give away in increasing measure to others. You are learning both the tenderness and the clarity necessary to help sanctify another person’s deepest distress. [Suffering and the Sovereignty of God]
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2. 4] Suffering is a battleground.  Wherever there is suffering, there is a battle — a battle for your soul.
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4. 5] Suffering prepares us for more glory and God gets more glory. 
5.   2 Corinthians 4:17–18  “This light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
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8. "The Weaver” by  Grant Colfax Tullar
   
   “My life is but a weaving
   Between my God and me.
   I cannot choose the colors
   He weaveth steadily.
   
   Oft’ times He weaveth sorrow;
   And I in foolish pride
   Forget He sees the upper
   And I the underside.
   
   Not ’til the loom is silent
   And the shuttles cease to fly
   Will God unroll the canvas
   And reveal the reason why.
   
   The dark threads are as needful
   In the weaver’s skillful hand
   As the threads of gold and silver
   In the pattern He has planned
   
   He knows, He loves, He cares;
   Nothing this truth can dim.
   He gives the very best to those
   Who leave the choice to Him.”