A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope,
encouragement and exhortation.
A
vista view of Pennsylvania's "Grand Canyon" from
Colton Point State Park on the western rim, with
the bike and wagon trail to the left of Pine
Creek.
(Click
to enlarge)
"Martha,
Martha"
Listen
to our
message on your audio player.
Message
summary: "What
is better" is sitting at the feet of Jesus
listening to what He has to say. It's focusing
on the deeper spiritual, less visible but most
essential realm.
Listen
to our
message on your audio player."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 only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:38-42).
Yesterday
during our chaplain visit we greeted a friend
named Martha (photo on left). She told us about a
time when she was young and dating her boyfriend.
He saw she was quite distressed about a matter and
carefully approached her with these words, “Martha,
Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many
things” quoting directly from Luke 10:42.
She told us his thoughtful and personal use of
Scripture brought her needed perspective on her
troubles then and many times since. Perhaps his
thoughtful ways contributed to the reason she
married him over 30 years ago.
In our Scripture text today Martha had opened her home to Jesus for hospitality. We don't know for sure what it is that had Martha so anxious apart from the phrase in the text, "Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made". Other versions state, "Martha was preoccupied with getting everything ready for their meal" or "busy with all the work to be done". For those who arrange such gatherings and carry out the many duties involved, including the meal, it's not hard to imagine how overwhelming the details can be.
She told Jesus, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?" We always need to be careful about making any judgments of others, including Bible characters, since we usually don't have the full picture. On the one hand Martha seems to have a point. Who wants to do all the work by themselves, but based upon the Lord's gentle rebuke there was more to the story.
Today let us consider the Lord's words to Martha, "Martha, Martha, You are worried and upset about many things." Of course this declaration was initially directed to Martha but being worried and upset about many things is a practically universal condition we all have from time to time.
In our Scripture text today Martha had opened her home to Jesus for hospitality. We don't know for sure what it is that had Martha so anxious apart from the phrase in the text, "Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made". Other versions state, "Martha was preoccupied with getting everything ready for their meal" or "busy with all the work to be done". For those who arrange such gatherings and carry out the many duties involved, including the meal, it's not hard to imagine how overwhelming the details can be.
She told Jesus, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?" We always need to be careful about making any judgments of others, including Bible characters, since we usually don't have the full picture. On the one hand Martha seems to have a point. Who wants to do all the work by themselves, but based upon the Lord's gentle rebuke there was more to the story.
Today let us consider the Lord's words to Martha, "Martha, Martha, You are worried and upset about many things." Of course this declaration was initially directed to Martha but being worried and upset about many things is a practically universal condition we all have from time to time.
1) What are the many things
that worry and upset us? Some of you are
worried and upset about matters I can hardly
imagine and vice versa. Many of the sources of our
worry and upset are a result of all that we have.
2) Why are we worried and upset many things? This question gets to the heart of the matter if we quiet ourselves enough to consider it.
2) Why are we worried and upset many things? This question gets to the heart of the matter if we quiet ourselves enough to consider it.
Both Mary and Martha had important duties in welcoming the Lord Jesus to their home. Martha was tending to physical needs (the preparations that had to be made) while Mary was tending to spiritual needs (sitting at the feet of Jesus). Both were important and it's interesting that Jesus did not devalue Martha's role. But Martha's complaining whimper forced Jesus to address the attitude of her heart.
The latter part of the text has a message for Martha and for all of us: "But only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Mary made a willful, purposeful choice to sit at the Lord's feet, listening intently to His counsel, His teaching, and delighting in His friendship.
In the midst of all that may bring on anxiety or upset us let us remember the words of Christ. Ultimately only one thing is needed and choosing the better part is what the Lord wants us to consider such as Mary who chose to shut her mind to the daily routine and open her heart to the rare moments that she could personally spend in Jesus' presence. Perhaps she was completely lost in his presence and simply forgot that Martha had need of her help. Both sisters learned the balance between a soul at rest and a body in motion, as they worked hard for Christ and worshiped at His feet.
But, in full disclosure, we both confess the "kitchen" continually beckons and distractions abound.
"The Heart of Worship" is a song that reminds us of where our focus needs to be, although we realistically accept that distractions will continually beckon. Aren't you thankful for God's patience and grace! He has time and again called us back to the heart of worship and He constantly reminds us that our time on earth is really all about embracing Him spiritually during our earthly sojourn!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer:
Father, You know the very intention of
all that I say and do. As I invite You to
examine my heart, I lay before You the people
and pursuits that drive me further away from a
heart of worship. You have not removed me bodily
from this world, but You have raised me up
spiritually to abide in Your presence even as I
carry out my daily duties. As Your presence
overshadows me it is there that Your love and
faithfulness sustain me and give me a true heart
of worship. Even as a vehicle needs fuel to
properly function, I need prayer to uphold and
equip me for the day that lies ahead. Amen.There are seven times in Scripture when God addresses a person by repeating their name twice (this is known as "Epizeuxis" which is the repetition of a word or phrase in immediate succession, for vehemence or emphasis.
* "Abraham, Abraham"
Genesis 22:11
* "Jacob, Jacob" Genesis 46:2
* "Moses, Moses" Exodus 3:4
* "Samuel, Samuel" 1 Samuel 3:10
* "Martha, Martha" Luke 10:41
* "Simon, Simon" Luke 22:31
* "Saul, Saul" Acts 9:4
* "Jacob, Jacob" Genesis 46:2
* "Moses, Moses" Exodus 3:4
* "Samuel, Samuel" 1 Samuel 3:10
* "Martha, Martha" Luke 10:41
* "Simon, Simon" Luke 22:31
* "Saul, Saul" Acts 9:4
Photos
from the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania is a deep gorge in Tioga County with Pine Creek running through it we visited Sunday afternoon following a church service.
The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania is a deep gorge in Tioga County with Pine Creek running through it we visited Sunday afternoon following a church service.
A
gentle ride on the Pine Creek rail trail
Kayaker
in Pine Creek.
This
group is enjoying a waterfall alongside the
rail trail.
They
asked me to take their photo so we asked
them to also take ours. Stephen was pleased
that although he still has the breathing
problem (shortness of breath) we mentioned
two weeks ago he made the long hike up the
Watkins Glen gorge on Saturday (with many
stops along the way) and then a ten mile
bike ride Sunday afternoon!
Today's
Suggested
Music and Supplemental Resources
"The
Heart of Worship" Video Matt Redman
"Put It into God's Hands" Video The Browders
"Mercy Walked In" Video Gordon Mote
"Put It into God's Hands" Video The Browders
"Mercy Walked In" Video Gordon Mote
Finally today:
This
is not a good photo but has a story. Harry, a
retired park ranger, who still wore his ranger
badge and uniform, was waiting along the trail
along with his very high-powered scope on a
tripod. He excitedly pointed out to all who
came along a bald eagle high in a tree along
the bike path. It was nice to see someone
older, perhaps in his eighties, being excited
about the outdoors and nature seeking to
get others excited about wildlife! We want to
keep our zeal for life
and the Lord till we are called home.
Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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