There Is Only One Thing

Have you ever thought about how it would have been back in Jesus' day to sit and talk with Him face to face? Many people had the privilege of being able to do that. The story that comes to my mind tonight is the one about Martha and Mary...

Martha, being distracted by everything she felt she had to do, didn't have time to sit and listen to Jesus. But Mary only had one thing on her mind...to sit at Jesus feet and take in everything He had to say. She was a friend of Jesus so she felt comfortable being close to Him and learning from Him. And Jesus...He was good with it. He knew how important it was for Mary to sit and listen. In fact, Jesus said that what Mary was doing was the one thing she should be concerned with.

Luke 10:38-42

³⁸ As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. ³⁹ Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

⁴¹ But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! ⁴² There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

I believe that Jesus has been saying to me...just like He said to Martha..."There is only one thing worth being concerned about." My relationship with Him...

Lately, I have been thinking about my relationship with Jesus a lot. The one way I have found to improve it is by taking time out, everyday, to just be in His presence. Sit at the feet of Jesus and wait. Read his word...worship Him...praise Him...and be still before Him. I believe if I do my part...He will do His.

How about you? How is your relationship with Jesus? It's something we all need to think about. 

still learning...



  

 

Keep Holding To His Hand

On the way to work this morning I heard a song called...I'm Not Giving Up.
Here is the chorus...

Well, I’m not giving up. No, I’m not turning 'round

By the grace of God, I’ll win a shining crown someday

I’ll keep holding on to that nail-scarred hand

I’m not giving up. No, I’ll keep going on

There is much more to the song but this was what I needed to hear. It reminded me how Jesus reached down one day...grabbed me...and pulled me out of the dark place where I was. Jesus reached down with that nail scarred hand...got a hold of me...and hasn't let go since! Not only does Jesus have me but He has everything in my life under His control. He's got me...my cares and concerns...He's got it all! So...just like the song says...I'll keep holding on!

If I have learned one thing it's this...

The Lord is my strength and refuge. Without Him I'm nothing...I don't have a chance. With Him...I'm everything! I have all that I need. Yesterday...and again this morning I read my calendar that sits on my desk. This is what it said...

Even though you may have things come against you, remember that I...GOD...am for you. When you come to me in prayer I will open the gates of heaven and provide you with everything you need.

WOW...isn't that cool! That's like an open invitation waiting for us to accept.

When life happens...and the devil tries to knock us out...we need to remember that all we need to do is call on The Lord. Don't let those things get a "way down deep" hold on you. Break free and reach up for His nail scarred hand...He's always reaching down to you. Jesus is what we need in those times. With Him we can be strong because we know...He's got us!

Deuteronomy 31:6

⁶ So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Hebrews 10:23

²³ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

I believe that everything I go through has a purpose and a lesson for me...from God. He might not cause the things but He teaches me, and helps me, to come out of it on the other side closer to Him because of it.

What I can say to you is this...

Keep holding on to the Lord. Stay close to Him because when you start to drift things look a whole lot worse.

Here is a little story about this post...

This morning before I left I received an e-mail. I read it a couple of times and then left for work. I quickly jotted down what the Lord impressed on me to write today and then thought...Wow, that reminds me of the e-mail. So...I reread my e-mail. To me the song I heard...and what the Lord has put in me to write today...is confirmation that what I was told is from the Lord. The e-mail also contained a song...

I believe the answer's on the way, I believe the LORD has heard me pray: "Cast not away your confidence" saith the LORD our GOD.  Now by faith in HIM alone I stand, firmly held by HIS almighty hand, fully trusting in HIS promise, Praise the LORD.

I don't believe in coincidence. I do believe that God is awesome! Whatever the answer is God is in control.

Still learning...





 

Be Still Before Him

Psalm 46:10a

Be still and know that I am God. 

When it feels like everything in your life is in total chaos what's the best thing you can do? Sit and be still in His presence. If you will do this, His peace will come and overtake all the turmoil you are feeling inside. I find that it usually doesn't happen right away. There has to be a little effort put forth on my part. Sometimes I read my bible...other times I turn on some quiet worship music...turn out the lights...and quietly wait. Whatever works for you...Do it. God.Is.Faithful and will meet you where ever you are! We might think that He has forgotten about us...or doesn't care that we are going through hard or hurtful things. He does care. The Lord cares about everything...big or small...that we are going through. He loves us.

Isaiah 49:16a

See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;

This verse doesn't just say He is holding us in His hands...No...it says engraved!

When people in your life make you feel like you don't matter...

When sickness hits you...

When life just simply seems unfair...

God is still there just like He was before. You will always matter to Him and He will always love you!

I encourage you to just simply...

Be still before Him.