The good portion...

"But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” - Luke 10:41-42

According to the Mayo Clinic staff, "stress symptoms may be affecting your health, even though you might not realize it. You may think illness is to blame for that nagging headache, your frequent insomnia or your decreased productivity at work. But stress may actually be the culprit. Indeed, stress symptoms can affect your body, your thoughts and feelings, and your behavior." Being "anxious and troubled about many things" is an age-old problem.

We have been told that our stress could be reduced if we would "stop and smell and the roses". This is good counsel to a point, but roses can only go so far in soothing the troubled soul. The bottom line is this: the greatest stress relief is found when we "spend a little time with Jesus". When we sit at His feet and listen to His teaching everything comes into perspective.

Having a "quiet time" every day is not just a commendable religious exercise. Just as the phrase suggests, it should be a "quiet time" at the feet of Jesus. How is your "quiet time" these days my friend? Do you regularly leave your anxiety and troubles with the Lord and take in His soothing and uplifting Words for each day? Take a lesson from Mary and choose "the good portion".

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." 

~ Matthew 11:28   

Planning for the unplanned...

"When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing." - Luke 9:10-11

Plans, plans, plans! Day by day we plan the hours to the minute. We live by tight schedules that will be the most productive and get the job done. Plans keep us focused, plans keep us busy, and plans bring us success. Sadly, too often plans become the goal, an end in and of themselves. The question is... "Do our plans allow room for the unplanned?"

Jesus planned to debrief the disciples and further mentor them alone, in a restful place. But the crowds came and he "welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God".  Most often, the unplanned turns out to be people. Jesus always made time for the unplanned and welcomed the providential occasion with open arms. Because he loved people, "His plans allowed room for the unplanned".

What's your plan for today? Will you get it all done the way you want? Are you focused with the intensity of an Olympic athlete? Or are you prepared for the unexpected intrusion of people who need the Lord? Are you willing to make time for those who didn't make an appointment? The question is... "Do your plans allow room for the unplanned?"   

Can't make it...

"O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am faint; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are in agony. My soul is in anguish. How long, O LORD, how long? Turn, O LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love." - Psalm 6:1-4

Why do we answer the question "How are you" with a perpetual "I'm fine"? Especially when we're not "fine"? Maybe because we don't like complainers, so we don't complain. Or maybe because we don't think other people really want to know how we really are. Then again, we may just be working on the blue ribbon for martyrdom with the determination of... "I can make it on my own".

Transparency may not be the best approach with some people in your life, but it's definitely the best in your relationship with God. What made David a man after God's own heart? One reason is found in the fact that he was an open book in his prayer life. He never held back his fears, pains, weakness or anguish. He even brought his complaints to the Lord with an honest confession... "I can't make it on my own."

Even though the Lord already knows how you are, he still wants you to tell him all about it. He looks for us to be wide open about our needs and feelings. He wants us to lean on him for the healing, strength and courage for every moment of the day. Will you choose to be a "Macho, Macho Man" (or woman) today? Or will you be honest with yourself and the Lord by asking for help with that really hard confession... "I can't make it on my own"  

He worked for you...

"Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left. The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him." - Luke 8:37-39

You will often see an ad that highlights an average person who gives testimony for some new medicinal treatment. They will talk about their physical problem and they may mention many others who suffer in the same way. Then you are given the amazing details of how this new product can help you, because in the words of an average person like you, they say..."It worked for me".

Sometimes we resist the actual source of help. We may be intimidated or just filled with doubt. We need to know someone like us who has been helped. The day Jesus cured a demon possessed man was one of those occasions. Jesus was asked to leave because the locals were "overcome with fear". Jesus left in a boat, but not in his heart. He sent the cured man, an average person like them, back to say "Jesus can help you" because... "He worked for me".

Has the Lord done great things for you? Has he changed your life and set you free from sin, guilt and fear? There are those in your world who resist the preacher and church. But they know you; work with you, live next door to you. You're an average person just like them and you've been helped by Jesus. Take time today to tell someone you know, how much Jesus can do for them, because... "He worked for you". 

Respect?

"So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed." - Luke 7:6-7

In November of 2009 Michaele and Tareq Salahi casually slipped into the White House state dinner without a formal invitation and had a great time. Their attorney said, "They just went to party". People today are so flippant toward position and authority that they have no qualms about "crashing" a presidential dinner. Respect has left the building.

The man was a rough and powerful Roman Centurion. He was revered and obeyed at many levels. But, when it came to Jesus, he considered himself undeserving of the Lord's presence. How interesting that a man of worldly authority approached the Lord with humility and honor and yet, so many of God's people come before the Lord of All Creation "just to party". Respect has left the building.

When you walk into the morning worship service this week how will you approach? While you have every reason to celebrate and rejoice, will you do so with a humble and worshipful attitude? Others may attend "just to party", but you choose how you will come before the Lord. If you will remember that we are all "undeserving" of standing before the Lord of Glory... Respect will return to the building.

Getting and giving...

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ lend to ‘sinners,’ expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back..." - Luke 6:32-35

Christmas cards! People send them out every year. They have a list of friends and family, but that list often gets smaller as the years pass. One reason a name might be deleted is failure to respond in like manner. If a certain friend fails to send a Christmas card this year, they won't get one next year. The simple fact is... if you don't get, you WON'T give.

I don't work for a greeting card company, nor am I endorsing the perpetual sending of Christmas cards. But, we often find ourselves dealing with others in the same way as we do with our card list. Jesus cuts to the heart when he says "Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them". You see, it's all about motive. If you love in the Name of Jesus and for sake of his love, you will do it forever and expect absolutely nothing in return. Nothing... no love, no gifts, no gratitude, no kindness... but you will still love. The simple fact is... if you don't get, you WILL give.

Take inventory today my friend. Who have you cut out of your circle of love and kindness because you just didn't GET what you thought you should? Even "sinners" give when they get something in return. But you and I are different, because we are children of a merciful Savior who, "While we were STILL sinners... died for us". (Romans 5:8) The simple fact is... if you don't get, you STILL give.

Jesus knows better...

"When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let downb the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break." - Luke 5:4-6

Some years ago there was a young man in our church that couldn't seem to hold a job for long. Shortly after beginning a new job, he would tell his boss ways to improve his business. For some unknown reason, his employers didn't appreciate his ideas very much. We rarely take advice from those who are inexperienced in our field of expertise. We certainly know better...

The day Jesus told Peter how to fish was one of those moments for the experienced fisherman. How could Jesus know anything about fishing since he had been a carpenter and now a teacher? Peter agreed, out of respect, but with a slightly disagreeable attitude. To his surprise and wonder, the catch was overwhelming. Jesus certainly knew better!

How many times has the Lord prodded you to do something other than what you planned? How often have you resisted, believing that you knew better? Were there moments when you tried and failed too many times, and you were completely void of any faith? Make a note for yourself... Jesus always knows what will work and what he asks of you is always right. Jesus certainly knows better!