"There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be take away from her."
Luke 10:42
Luke 10:42
What had Mary discovered? According to the scripture, Mary had discovered "it." What was "it?" Mary, unlike Martha had learned what to be concerned about. She learned she should only be concerned about listening to what was being taught.
Wow...this hits home to me today. I shared awhile back that I was struggling with some things. Lately, the Lord keeps asking me to let go and I am not obeying Him. There is too much at stake here, I argue. I struggle to relax and trust His plan for this situation. Control. Fixin' it. This is my trouble! I need to apply Mary's lesson to my own life.
All this struggling has consumed me to the point that I don't sleep well or eat enough. But most of all I have forgotten "it." The thing that I am to be most concerned about: listening to what is being taught. Why is that we forget and have to start all over again and again? I don't know the answer to that question but I sure glad we can start over. Grace. Grace. God's grace. Grace that is greater than all my sin.
I got more personal today than ever, I don't usually do that. The Lord was leading me to confession and real transparency, neither of which are comfortable on the front page of your blog which is read by 100s of people each day. Thanks for listening. Maybe you can relate- do you have something at stake that is consuming you?
Oh Lord, hear.
Oh Lord, forgive.
Oh Lord, listen and act.
Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, "You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
John 8:32
John 8:32
7 Comments:
Remember, God will bless you for being obedient!
Wendy, thank you for your honesty and vulnerability today. It is a struggle to let go. Just last night during family devotions we read about "trying to let go". That statement works against itself. Trying implies effort. Letting go is relinquishing. It is hard to surrender, but remember the One to whom you surrender. His plans for you are good...plans to prosper you and not to harm you...plans to give you a hope and a future. Praying for you my friend. I have so been there and know the worry, confusion and struggle that steals sleep and apetite. Hugs.
In the account of Mary and Martha, Martha opened her home (discipleship driven by doing), and Mary opened her heart (discipleship driven by being). I think so often, guilt consumes us when we take time to sit. We see so much that we feel needs to be accomplished around us to validate our usefulness and our time, but the Lord says to us as He did to Mary, you have chosen the better thing.
The verse I wrote about today was John 8:36, "So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free." The Message says, if the Son sets you free you are free "through and through".
Wondering...if we claim to know Him, why do we so often live 'mostly' free? Author Ann Mainse writes that "Jesus doesn't give us freedom in doses". Our freedom is complete.
I've been thinking about how often I've told people about the passing of my friend who took her own life a few years ago. I keep telling everyone she was 'so close' to accepting the Lord. 'Close' doesn't count. There is no such thing as being 'almost saved'. If someone hasn't made a decision to follow the Lord they are no closer then the one who has never heard. If they die tomorrow their knowledge without personal acceptance doesn't put them 'close' to heaven - their destination remains hell.
Jesus is the Light. St. Augustine said, "It is of no advantage to be near the light...if the eyes are closed." Satan blinds the minds of those who are perishing (2 Cor.4:3-4). Only God can create the sense of need for Himself in a person and as Oswald Chambers says, "The only thing that can possibly satisfy the need is what created the need." God alone creates and satisfies.
I need to remove words like 'close', 'almost', and 'mostly' from my vocabulary when it comes to talking about salvation issues. We either are perishing or are saved, and we can live completely free.
Free indeed,
Joy
Wendy - Remember, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not rely on your understanding..." These words have gotten me through things I never thought I could get through!
Good morning, friends! I haven't been able to post this week, but I've checked in daily, and God has used your words to minister to me. I have my cancer surgery tomorrow so I will be out a few days - and we don't have internet access at home :(
How appropriate that today would be an affirmation that I am doing the right thing by sitting at Jesus' feet being filled up and prayed up for what lies ahead.
Content to just be,
Susan
Wendy,
My sweet friend, I am sending Big Cyber Hugs this morning. Thank you for being so vulnerable, that is what keeps this blog so real!
Earlier in the week Zoe Elmore asked what we wanted to talk about. I would encourage you to check it out. http://www.zoeelmore.blogspot.com/
I presented almost this exact topic. This is what I wrote
"acceptance and acting on change."When you know with every fiber of your soul that you must accept something and move on. But there are things that prevent you from accepting, let alone acting on the change. Does anyone else get stuck? How do you get unstuck? I stand still and wait on the Lord's timing. I need scripture to lean on.
Oh my the response for the ladies all had the same fiber running through it, FAITH and yes GRACE.
Listening to what I am saying about my situation is what keeps being brought to my attention. Mary listened, I am not listening to the Lord as He is speaking through my heart. I am waiting for others to Tell me what is the right thing to do. No one can do that, only God knows and my true self. It is when I stand still and get quite before Him that I will be able to hear.
Praying you will be able to stand quietly with Him and listen.
Love you much,
Diane
Susan, will be remembering you in prayer tomorrow for your surgery and after that for your recovery. It's scary to have the the Dr. say. "Cancer". I remember. I have the music for a song that has really blessed me. It is,
He Giveth More Grace, by Hubert Mitchell. I especially like the 2nd verse.
"When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed, ere the day is half done (who can relate to that!)
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father's full giving is only begun.
His love has no limit;
His grace has no measure;
His power has no boundary known unto men,
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!"
Oh, my, I have been blessed just typing this for you.
Wendy, (((hugs))) I think we have all been in your situation...we can all say, "just do it", but I know that doing "it" (obedience) isn't always the easiest thing to do. Prayers for you, too.
Jan TN
Wendy
Sorry it took so long for me to see this post. Playing catch up again.
Thank you for your honesty Love you and praying for you.
Lynn
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