Putting your worries aside to sit with Jesus. - Lisa Dailey

Scripture

" 'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, 'you are worried and upset about many things, but only one this is needed. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her.'
Luke 10:41-42

Observation

Martha was upset with Mary because Mary was sitting at Jesus' feet while Martha was busy preparing for his company. Martha was so upset that Mary was not helping that she asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her. 

Application

For the last 8 days I have worried myself with chores, schoolwork, and having a cold so much that I have not taken any time to sit with Jesus, read His word, and pray. This scripture is an excellent reminder to me to make time for Jesus my #1 priority and to realize that no matter how crazy busy my life gets, I need to stop and sit with Jesus everyday. 

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for this reminder of just how important it is to spend time with you. Please help me to not be so worried about unnecessary chores and schoolwork - these can wait until I have made time to be with you. Thank you, Jesus. -Amen

We Ain't in Charge - Pastor Isaac

10 So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'
Luke 17:10

26 "Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.28 "It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. 29 But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 "It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed."
Luke 17:26-30

Observation
Jesus is known around the world for his compassion and love. He is known as the great teacher of love. However, often this is presented through the lens of permissive, post-modern, hippy love that is unable to make any claims to truth, but adhering only to the whim of the moment, the pleasure of one's senses. We are unworthy servants. Jesus is strongly communicating man's place before God. It is not we who created him, but it is He who created us. In the age of equality we have lost that sense. Even in the current popular Christian novel, The Shack, it has been presented as if God doesn't exist within hierarchy. I have no doubt of the fact that God does not require a delineated system of government complete with checks and balances. Therefore there is no need within Him to express to us what that order may or may not look like. However, one thing is clear – we are beneath him. In a similar fashion, we rule over the beasts of the earth. As noble, valuable or created they may be, God has still given dominion to man. There is little doubt that man has abused this privilege, but a poor farmer should not be replaced by a dumb animal.

I digress.

The point is, the Christian should always find its identity as a servant. That is where we are to live, breathe and find life. Man will constantly be tempted to work to be on the same level as God – creating truth, but we are to accept truth.

It is appropriate that Jesus also addresses the end of the age in this section. His disciples were asking and wondering about the end of time. I hear the tone of Jesus to be similar to parents being asked by a child about the family finances. While the teen might be able to comprehend some of the fiscal issues, it is not their place to be included in decision making – the are out of place. Their one job is to remain in an attitude of trust.

Application
How often I don't trust! How often I get twisted up in my inside trying to control, understand or plan for the unknown will of God. I must stay within the known will of God and accept his other plans. Jesus simply communicates that we need to be ready. We need to be anticipating.

Prayer
God, you alone are God. I am not. If I get into the habit of trying to be God, I will let myself, my family and my flock down. I pray you would help me to trust in you.

Obedience when its tough - Pastor Isaac

Scripture

50 Laban and Bethuel answered, "This is from the LORD; we can say nothing to you one way or the other. 51 Here is Rebekah; take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master's son, as the LORD has directed."

Genesis 23:50-51

3 He told them: "Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. 

Luke 9:3

Observation

Faith is obedience.  

The child who is told what to do does not understand why they must follow through.  They should do what they are told.  It is later in life – after the fact of the moment – when they can understand the need for order, for follow through.  

Rebekah's family had to obey without knowing the whole story.  They positioned themselves in a way of surrender to God and his will.  And they trusted.

Jesus continues this theme of faith (radical faith) by stretching his disciples willingness to trust God.  Take nothing for the journey.  Perhaps he wanted to challenge them to get out of their comfort zone.  They all would have known how to prepare for a journey – take more money, take extra clothes and prepare for the worst.  Jesus, however, asks them to only trust in God.

Jesus knew the struggles that they would face after his ascension.  He knew that they would have to be stretched and pushed way beyond themselves in the face of persecution.  In light of this he gave them the opportunity to have their faith stretched before the major trials.

Application

I see the same happening in my own life.  I have been caused to walk through a preparatory fire.  I don't understand all of the reasons now, but I know that God is preparing me for greater battles – for greater faith journeys.

Prayer

Jesus, I pray I would be able to walk by faith.  I pray that I would be able to say “yes” to you even when it doesn't make sense.  I pray that today I would remember the example of Rebekah's family – who, in spite of personal pain, moved according to your will.