Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Apostle Tom <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Wed, 9 Jan 2008 16:11:40 -0600
To: <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Morning Manna (Jan. 10); BP: Lk. 10:38-42; RBTTY: Mt. 8:1-17; Gen.
January 10 "On Choosing His Best"
"But Martha was cumbered about much serving and came to Him and said, ‘Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Bid her, therefore, that she help me.’ And Jesus answered and said unto her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are careful and troubled about many things. But one thing is needful—and Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her’."
Luke 10:40-42
Communion is always better than commotion and resting is always better than results.
What’s on your "to-do" list today, Pilgrim?
Do you have places to go. . .things to do. . .people to see? Was your mind whirrrrrring when you woke up this morning? Was there a tightness in your chest and an aching in your head as you thought of all you’ve got to do, realizing there’s really not enough time to get them all done?
If so, this Manna’s for you.
So often we forget that fleshly busyness isn’t necessarily the same as "the Father’s business" (Lk. 2:49). Let’s face it: Too often we forget "uptight is not upright" and burn ourselves doing a lot of "good things" while neglecting the most important things.
"Which are?" someone asks with a bit of an accusing tone in his/her voice.
Hmm. . .glad you asked the question.
Jesus’ mild reprimand of Martha was a sort of "wake-up call" for her to step back. . . take a deep breath. . .and look at what she was doing and saying. From the time He’d arrived, she’d been busy in the kitchen, trying to throw a meal together and there was her "no-good, lazy sister sitting there at Jesus’ feet, looking pensively into His eyes" (most likely what she was thinking).
Oh, dear Pilgrim, how easily we fall into the sinful traps of pride and resentment when we’re an "action person" by nature. We’re quick to size up a situation (and others)—and just as quick to let others know what’s on our mind. And, while it’s true if you want anything done you usually go to a busy person, the fact remains that activity can never take precedence over the Spirit’s anointing and our "abiding in Christ" (Jn. 15:1-7).
Now, let’s be honest:
The world and God’s Kingdom work need folks like Martha, who are industrious, hard-working individuals. There are too many who equate slothfulness with spirituality, forgetting King Solomon’s admonition to "Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways and be wise" (Prov. 6:6). He knew (as we know) that laziness and procrastination do not glorify the Lord; but neither do non-stop busyness and burdened hearts that leave us emotionally/mentally frayed and spiritually bankrupt.
"Dear Lord, You know we need balance in our lives. Thank You for your grace that enables us to accomplish the tasks of the day. But, help us this day not to neglect the most important thing, which is time alone with You. Amen and amen."
"But Martha was cumbered about much serving and came to Him and said, ‘Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Bid her, therefore, that she help me.’ And Jesus answered and said unto her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are careful and troubled about many things. But one thing is needful—and Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her’."
Luke 10:40-42
Communion is always better than commotion and resting is always better than results.
What’s on your "to-do" list today, Pilgrim?
Do you have places to go. . .things to do. . .people to see? Was your mind whirrrrrring when you woke up this morning? Was there a tightness in your chest and an aching in your head as you thought of all you’ve got to do, realizing there’s really not enough time to get them all done?
If so, this Manna’s for you.
So often we forget that fleshly busyness isn’t necessarily the same as "the Father’s business" (Lk. 2:49). Let’s face it: Too often we forget "uptight is not upright" and burn ourselves doing a lot of "good things" while neglecting the most important things.
"Which are?" someone asks with a bit of an accusing tone in his/her voice.
Hmm. . .glad you asked the question.
Jesus’ mild reprimand of Martha was a sort of "wake-up call" for her to step back. . . take a deep breath. . .and look at what she was doing and saying. From the time He’d arrived, she’d been busy in the kitchen, trying to throw a meal together and there was her "no-good, lazy sister sitting there at Jesus’ feet, looking pensively into His eyes" (most likely what she was thinking).
Oh, dear Pilgrim, how easily we fall into the sinful traps of pride and resentment when we’re an "action person" by nature. We’re quick to size up a situation (and others)—and just as quick to let others know what’s on our mind. And, while it’s true if you want anything done you usually go to a busy person, the fact remains that activity can never take precedence over the Spirit’s anointing and our "abiding in Christ" (Jn. 15:1-7).
Now, let’s be honest:
The world and God’s Kingdom work need folks like Martha, who are industrious, hard-working individuals. There are too many who equate slothfulness with spirituality, forgetting King Solomon’s admonition to "Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways and be wise" (Prov. 6:6). He knew (as we know) that laziness and procrastination do not glorify the Lord; but neither do non-stop busyness and burdened hearts that leave us emotionally/mentally frayed and spiritually bankrupt.
"Dear Lord, You know we need balance in our lives. Thank You for your grace that enables us to accomplish the tasks of the day. But, help us this day not to neglect the most important thing, which is time alone with You. Amen and amen."
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