WHO ARE YOU LIKE?
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!†“Martha, Martha,†the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her.†Luke 10:38-42
Who are you like? Are you a Mary or a Martha? This is a simple story about Jesus, Mary and Martha. Lazarus, Mary, and Martha were very close friends to Jesus. Yet, Jesus revealed a very powerful truth to Martha. Mary made a decision when Jesus arrived to put aside everything else and drink in each moment that she had to listen and learn what the Lord was saying and teaching. But Martha was so distracted by all the work that needed to be done, that she could not find time to listen to the Lord. Can you relate?
Are you having trouble finding time to sit at your Lord's feet spending time with the Lord daily? Martha was so overwhelmed by all the work that was to be completed that she even went to Jesus and asked Him to tell Mary to help her finish all the tasks. What did you expect Jesus to say? Was He sympathetic? Why did Jesus not have a couple of people help her to get everything done more quickly? What happened?
Jesus actually scolded her, possibly in front of others, telling Martha that Mary had chosen what was actually better. What had Mary chosen? She had decided she wanted to spend time with her Lord. The most important thing you can do each day is to have quiet time with your Lord. Yes, I know you are busy with commitments and on many days you have a hectic schedule. You may be working two jobs so that you cannot seem to find time to have daily quiet time with the Lord.
You even may be actively involved in your church or busy doing the work of the Lord, attending and performing good deeds that you may rationalize not needing spiritual communion with your Lord daily. I pray that this story will touch your heart and you will repent to the Lord for being so busy that you cannot find time to read your Bible daily and spend time praying with the Lord, asking for His divine guidance and help for your marriage and daily commitments. Also, spend three to five minutes at the end or your prayer time to just sit in the Lord’s Presence and listen for anything He wants to say to you. I pray that you will ask the Lord to help you learn to set your priorities and learn to give the Lord all your worries. Jesus was telling Martha to stop worrying, instead listen to and enjoy her guest as He had much to teach her. Are you opening your ears to hear what the Lord wants to teach you each day?
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.†Matthew 6:33
Who are you like, Mary or Martha? Are you so overwhelmed by all the circumstances in your life and marriage that you do not have time to seek the Lord for His divine wisdom and intervention in helping solve your problems? If you are a single parent right now, you are very busy with a huge responsibility. That is why you need to wake up a little earlier and start talking to the Lord immediately for His blessings on you, your children and for your whole day. When you get dressed for work, you also need to get dressed to be in the Lord's Army.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:10-13
Are you putting the full Armor of God on you, your spouse and your children daily? You may have never been taught in church about the Armor of God, but that is why I am asking you if you are getting dressed spiritually before you go out into the world. Start putting the Armor of God on your family today.
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6:14-18
Paul described the full armor to be similar to what a Roman soldier wore. Paul emphasizes we can only take our stand against the devil’s schemes or tricks by us being protected with the Armor of God. Now put on God’s protection for His children, the Armor of God, daily!
Now back to what Jesus was saying about Mary and Martha. Jesus saw Martha, worried and upset about many things, but only one thing was needed. Time with her Lord. Are you overwhelmed by your circumstances? Stop and spend time with your Lord. He will help solve all your problems. He has all the answers that you need. May you learn to walk in faith, knowing that you can trust the Lord to be your Provider, Defender and Deliverer as He answers your prayers. Every day cast all your problems and fears at the feet of the Lord. If you will give them to Him, you will find a peace that is beyond understanding.
Now let me share the scripture that the Lord gave me many years ago that changed my life with my circumstances, fear and worry, giving me the peace of God.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7
Did you notice the word, Rejoice? Yes, the Lord and Bob named our ministry while he was in the far country. Bob called me one day and said, “I know I am never coming home, but if I ever do, we need to help other people and the name of the ministry is Rejoice!†I was stunned with the telephone call. I tried to have a more serious conversation and Bob said, “No, I don’t want to talk, because I am never coming home!†Yes, Bob was double-minded as he was planning his wedding with the other person at that time.
The Lord had given me a nugget of gold and was showing me that He was working on Bob, even though I could only see circumstances while he was living a life of sin. Never doubt that the Lord is speaking to your husband or wife or child if you are being faithful to the Lord and putting Him first in your life. Never doubt the power of God! He hates divorce like you do!
You have a choice every day if you are going to make time to read God's Word, read a devotional and then pray. The Lord is waiting for you to put Him first. Will you? Try it!
God bless,
Charlyne Steinkamp
Rejoice Marriage Ministries, Inc.
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!†“Martha, Martha,†the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her.†Luke 10:38-42
Who are you like? Are you a Mary or a Martha? This is a simple story about Jesus, Mary and Martha. Lazarus, Mary, and Martha were very close friends to Jesus. Yet, Jesus revealed a very powerful truth to Martha. Mary made a decision when Jesus arrived to put aside everything else and drink in each moment that she had to listen and learn what the Lord was saying and teaching. But Martha was so distracted by all the work that needed to be done, that she could not find time to listen to the Lord. Can you relate?
Are you having trouble finding time to sit at your Lord's feet spending time with the Lord daily? Martha was so overwhelmed by all the work that was to be completed that she even went to Jesus and asked Him to tell Mary to help her finish all the tasks. What did you expect Jesus to say? Was He sympathetic? Why did Jesus not have a couple of people help her to get everything done more quickly? What happened?
Jesus actually scolded her, possibly in front of others, telling Martha that Mary had chosen what was actually better. What had Mary chosen? She had decided she wanted to spend time with her Lord. The most important thing you can do each day is to have quiet time with your Lord. Yes, I know you are busy with commitments and on many days you have a hectic schedule. You may be working two jobs so that you cannot seem to find time to have daily quiet time with the Lord.
You even may be actively involved in your church or busy doing the work of the Lord, attending and performing good deeds that you may rationalize not needing spiritual communion with your Lord daily. I pray that this story will touch your heart and you will repent to the Lord for being so busy that you cannot find time to read your Bible daily and spend time praying with the Lord, asking for His divine guidance and help for your marriage and daily commitments. Also, spend three to five minutes at the end or your prayer time to just sit in the Lord’s Presence and listen for anything He wants to say to you. I pray that you will ask the Lord to help you learn to set your priorities and learn to give the Lord all your worries. Jesus was telling Martha to stop worrying, instead listen to and enjoy her guest as He had much to teach her. Are you opening your ears to hear what the Lord wants to teach you each day?
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.†Matthew 6:33
Who are you like, Mary or Martha? Are you so overwhelmed by all the circumstances in your life and marriage that you do not have time to seek the Lord for His divine wisdom and intervention in helping solve your problems? If you are a single parent right now, you are very busy with a huge responsibility. That is why you need to wake up a little earlier and start talking to the Lord immediately for His blessings on you, your children and for your whole day. When you get dressed for work, you also need to get dressed to be in the Lord's Army.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:10-13
Are you putting the full Armor of God on you, your spouse and your children daily? You may have never been taught in church about the Armor of God, but that is why I am asking you if you are getting dressed spiritually before you go out into the world. Start putting the Armor of God on your family today.
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6:14-18
Paul described the full armor to be similar to what a Roman soldier wore. Paul emphasizes we can only take our stand against the devil’s schemes or tricks by us being protected with the Armor of God. Now put on God’s protection for His children, the Armor of God, daily!
Now back to what Jesus was saying about Mary and Martha. Jesus saw Martha, worried and upset about many things, but only one thing was needed. Time with her Lord. Are you overwhelmed by your circumstances? Stop and spend time with your Lord. He will help solve all your problems. He has all the answers that you need. May you learn to walk in faith, knowing that you can trust the Lord to be your Provider, Defender and Deliverer as He answers your prayers. Every day cast all your problems and fears at the feet of the Lord. If you will give them to Him, you will find a peace that is beyond understanding.
Now let me share the scripture that the Lord gave me many years ago that changed my life with my circumstances, fear and worry, giving me the peace of God.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7
Did you notice the word, Rejoice? Yes, the Lord and Bob named our ministry while he was in the far country. Bob called me one day and said, “I know I am never coming home, but if I ever do, we need to help other people and the name of the ministry is Rejoice!†I was stunned with the telephone call. I tried to have a more serious conversation and Bob said, “No, I don’t want to talk, because I am never coming home!†Yes, Bob was double-minded as he was planning his wedding with the other person at that time.
The Lord had given me a nugget of gold and was showing me that He was working on Bob, even though I could only see circumstances while he was living a life of sin. Never doubt that the Lord is speaking to your husband or wife or child if you are being faithful to the Lord and putting Him first in your life. Never doubt the power of God! He hates divorce like you do!
You have a choice every day if you are going to make time to read God's Word, read a devotional and then pray. The Lord is waiting for you to put Him first. Will you? Try it!
God bless,
Charlyne Steinkamp
Rejoice Marriage Ministries, Inc.
