Luke 10:38-42 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

I’ve read so many messages and devotionals about Mary and Martha, many of which were excellent! Here we have two sisters who must have been very close to one another because they were living together, along with their brother, Lazarus. They were dear friends of Jesus.

But in my readings today, I noticed something different about Mary and Martha. Notice in verse 39 – “Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.” Mary ALSO sat at Jesus’ feet tells me that Martha sat at Christ’s feet as well. What made that day any different?

Luke 10:40 answers my question. Martha was “cumbered about much serving.” Martha allowed those everyday things to interfere with her time at Jesus’ feet. She chose to let these earthly cares take precedence over her spiritual life. Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines cumber as:

To perplex or embarrass; to distract or trouble.

Martha was distracted and troubled about the work she was doing. She probably allowed her labor of love to turn into a burden.When I’m baking something special for my husband, I do it with much love. I’m so anxious for him to come home from work to taste what I’ve worked hard to do just for him. Martha’s thoughts were consumed by the work itself and she forgot for whom she was doing the work. (I Corinthians 10:31)

I also found something else interesting about Luke 10:40. I don’t know about you, but I am more comfortable saying what is on my mind to my brother or sister than with anyone else I know. I am more apt to speak freely with them. Then why in the world would Martha not go to her sister to complain about being alone in the kitchen? If it were me, I would have gone to my sister and said, “Hey, come one now, I’m doing all the work! Come in the kitchen and help me so I can sit down as well!” Wouldn’t you?

So why would Martha chose to go to the Lord and ask Him to tell Mary to help her? Don’t you find that strange, as well? Could it be that Martha wanted Jesus to see all that she was doing so she could get the credit for all her work? Do you think she wanted Jesus to notice all that she had done? Jesus saw right through that, I believe. His response was that of great love for a friend, yet He cut to the heart of Martha’s problem. He said, “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:” Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines “careful” in this manner:

Full of care; anxious; solicitous.

He also defines “solicitous” as:

Careful; anxious; very desirous, as to obtain something. Men are often more solicitous to obtain the favor of their king or of the people, than of their Maker.

Wow, that opens up the picture I was trying to paint here, in my opinion. Martha wanted recognition for her work – not unlike the Pharisees when they stood in the market place praying for all to see. But the Lord was kind. He knew her heart and He did not treat her as He did the Pharisees. Notice He did not call her a viper as He did them? He loved her and He wanted to help her and teach her.

What did Christ teach Martha? He pointed out her sin and then showed her what to do by explaining to her that the needful thing for her was to choose the better thing, which was to sit and learn at His feet. Yes, you and I have a lot of work to do in our homes. In fact, it’s never ending But am I like Martha? Do I do the work with ulterior motives in mind? Do I want recognition for all that I do? I should do all things for His glory, including my housework!

Another lesson learned for me is that I start my day at the feet of the Lord Jesus. I need my daily spiritual bread to strengthen my arms to make me ready for my day! I must chose what is needful and that good part which will never be taken away from me.

I will be on “stay-cation” through August 8th. So during that time, I’ll be “re-running” some more popular devotionals from the past. Hope you enjoy them !

~Proverbs 15:1-2 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. (1) The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. (2)

I think we have all been through one of those arguments with our dear husbands where we know that he is wrong but he doesn’t know that he is wrong! Yes, we can chuckle at this statement but what do we do as submissive wives during times like these?

Today’s verses tell us what to do. I have used these verses and applied them to my relationship with my beloved. After I remained quiet and didn’t try to prove my point, I discovered that God had the opportunity to work in the situation.How many times do we step in and have things work out horribly?!

If I had “fought back,” God would not have been able to show His glory. More times than not, when I apply Proverbs 15:1-2 in my conversations/arguments with my beloved, the Lord works it out and works in my husband’s heart. When I jump the gun, I don’t give the Lord the opportunity to work in the situation and I make it worse.

I hope that makes sense to ya’ll Try to apply these two verses today with your beloved. God honors His Word!

The unsaved world is trying to find much needed rest through religion, drugs, alcohol, sex and anything else that will provide a distraction from their heavy burdens.

In today’s text, I noticed there are six things that religion provides to its congregation:

1. Labor – Religion teaches people that they must work for salvation: Ephesians 2:8-9
2. Heavy burdens – Religion adds to salvation, which in turn places burdens of responsibility that does not belong to the individual: Matthew 23:15
3. No rest – Religion provides no assurance for eternal life: John 5:39, 1 John 5:13
4. Yoke – Religion guides people in the wrong direction: Matthew 7:3
5. No Scriptural teachings – Religion adds tradition and misinterpretation to their teachings: Matthew 15:3
6. and Pride – Religion does not want to submit to God because their money and power will be affected: John 11:47-48

But notice what the “true” born-again Christian is promised: spiritual rest, Christ’s teaching through His Word, meekness, no eternal security burdens. The cost is great when one chooses to neglect so great a salvation (Hebrews 2:3). It’s not just the fact that they will spend eternity in Hell, although that is a horrible price to pay. But their whole quality of life is filled with negatives! 

Praise the Lord that Christ paid the price for the penalty of sin which rightfully belonged to each of us! \o/ That fact alone is enough to rejoice! But look at all the benefit we have because we know Him as our personal Saviour and Lord! 

~Colossians 4:6 Let your speech [be] alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

I’m one of those that absolutely loves salt! I have to be careful not to overdo it though  Salt has such a wonderful Scriptural application in the Christian’s life. It seasons foods that are bland, it enhances sweetness, and it is also a preservative.

At times I find myself in a position where I need to provide comfort to a member of my family or a friend. I’m sure you have your share of these experiences as well. So what/how do we go about comforting someone? How do I go about sharing the Gospel to those the Lord puts in my path? We can use the salt analogy quite well here 

• Are my words seasoned? Do they cause the hearer to want to hear more? Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken [is like] apples of gold in pictures of silver. Knowing when to speak and what to say are valuable traits in a person. Knowing what to say when someone has just lost a loved one is an art! People don’t necessarily have to hear Scriptures. Sometimes they just appreciate hearing that you’re so sorry for their loss! Crying with someone when they are hurting – laughing with them when they are happy! Not every situation needs Scripture – but every situation needs a seasoned word When witnessing to a lost soul or comforting a hurting heart, it’s so important to listen to the Holy Spirit. He has just what that person needs!
• Do my words bring encouragement? Psalm 40:10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation. Sometimes a person is so involved in their issues that they can’t see the “good” in life. That’s where we come in with encouraging words. When we share God’s goodness, the blessings of His salvation, His truths and His lovingkindness, that person can’t help but get encouraged. We actually throw them a life preserver and lift them out of the drowning waters! Praising the Lord and sharing His goodness with folks who are “down” can be life saving – not just to the lost soul but to the dear saint that just needs help to refocus!!
• Do my words lead a lost person to a life preserved in Christ Jesus? John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand. There is nothing better in this world than to lead a lost soul to Christ! The salt of my words lead them to salvation and eternal life! They are preserved in Christ – what a beautiful depiction of salt’s ability to preserve!

This everyday flavoring and food enhancer holds so much meaning!    What a blessing!

~James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

Worry … trials … hurdles … problems … burdens! The Christian is not promised to be problem-free just because he has accepted Christ as his Saviour. Life would be easy, if that were the case. Instead, the Bible teaches us that the Christian is allowed these trials so he can learn to trust God through it all. The word temptation here means “trial,” not an actual “tempting.” James continues to say in the next verse:

~James 1:3 Knowing [this], that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

Looking at trials in a scriptural light encourages the weary soul. James tells us that these trials “try” our faith. When we are young in Christ, we fret at the first sign of trouble. As we see the Lord working, it builds our faith in Him. Then, as we grow in Him, we turn to Him at the first sign of trouble rather than as a last resort. That is the part that “worketh patience.” We know that we can set aside any worry and rely on the Lord to take care of it all. As a result of this peaceful reaction, we become a testimony to a lost and dying world when they see the power of God in our lives!

I was reading about Thomas Edison’s experience when his house and lab went up in smoke. He lost everything, including everything relating to his inventions. But his response to all this was:

“There is great value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God we can start anew.”

Praise the Lord for Mr. Edison’s testimony through it all! So, am I that way? What effect do I have on those around me when the walls come caving in? How does my reaction appear to those closest to me? If I “lose it” they will think, “Where’s her God?” But if I “count it all joy” then the world sees victory! The joy that comes from that peace during a storm is priceless!

I love this quote by Corrie Ten Boom:

“If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. If you look at God you’ll be at rest.”

Amen! Glory!