WATCHWORD:
Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
39b Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” 41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:39b-42
Meditation:
A Simply Amazing Morning – A Parable
One Wednesday, some time ago, the man awoke after eight hours sleep. Eight hours, in itself, was amazing, because he usually got less. He felt rested and relaxed as he sat with his devotionals and his coffee. He always looked forward to this time with the Lord, reading devotionals, thinking about what he read and praying. So, what was amazing, certainly not just the good night’s sleep. Keep reading, this is a parable.
His time with the Lord may not look any different from your own, it began with a simple prayer of gratitude for the night and for what the Lord has prepared for him. Then he read and considered Verse-A-Day, scripture with a commentary; followed by Our Daily Bread with scripture, a meditation, brief prayer and insights from others. The man then opened My Utmost for His Highest and thought about what Oswald Chambers had written, followed by what Jesus Calling would say to him. He finishes with a prayer of gratitude and blessings on family, friends and what the Lord has prepared for this day.
Each time he spends with the Lord usually has variety, something different to think about, but this amazing morning was different. The readings/meditations were knit together to form one powerful message from God. This is what the Lord spoke to him:
Verse-A-Day – 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12. Know the living God, focus on Him. Do not let the distractions of the world take you away from the conviction that Jesus is everything you need. Yes, everything we need to follow His will.
Our Daily Bread – Luke 10:38-42. We are reminded of the Mary/Martha dichotomy. Choose the better and it will not be taken from you. Too often the distractions, the to-do list of tasks, problems and even service to others, which contributes to feeling of being overwhelmed, and we take our eyes away from the Lord. We pray, Father, help me to remove those distractions and draw me closer to You. Amen.
My Utmost for His Highest – Luke 18:31, 34. God’s purpose is never the same as man’s. Sometimes God’s call to each of us, runs counter to the demands of family, society, etc., and we find ourselves in the cross-hairs of distractions that pull us way from what the Lord would have us be. A follower of Christ is someone who trusts in the knowledge and the wisdom of God, and leans not on our own understanding. When you focus on Him, He will help you overcome distractions. So be it.
Jesus Calling – Psalm 37:7. “Sit quietly in My presence while I bless you. Rest in My sufficiency as you consider the day before you.”
Then the time of being “still and knowing”, a time the man often found peaceful and joy-filled, a time of silent conversation with God, even to the point of jotting down the murmurings of the Holy Spirit.
That was not the conclusion of the man’s time with the Lord, no, it was just the beginning. These were the ‘marching orders’ for the man; keeping Jesus in mind, and communicating with Him throughout the day. It had the effect of nudging the man to be a Mary and to step away from the distractions of being Martha.
That was one man’s amazing morning. From your experience and mine, occasionally one or two devotionals will fit together. It is rare when all four point us in the same direction. Keep focused on Jesus, defeat distractions, choose the better part and trust Him, that is the formula. Makes no difference what this day may contain, We know we have Jesus, He is mine, He is yours, and He is the Way and the Truth and the Life. Isn’t it amazing to be a child of God? Hallelujah!
— Stan
Morning Prayer:
Precious Jesus, Lord and Savior, I hold Your hand and walked joyously with You through this day. I know that together we will experience the pleasures and endure the difficulties the day may bring. We will be prepared for everything: the stunning scenery, the winds of adventure, cozy little nooks for rest when I am weary, and much more. You are my Guide as well as my companion. You know every step of the journey ahead of me. I don’t have to choose between staying close to You and staying on course since you are the Way. Staying close to You is staying on course. I will concentrate on enjoying the presence of You in my life and the knowledge that You will never leave me. You have assured me that I can do all things: meet every challenge, every celebration, every bump on the road through You who gives me all the strength I need. It’s with gratitude that I surrender it all in Jesus name. Amen.
