HAVING A MARY HEART IN A MARTHA WORLD WEEK 6 PART 1 & 2

Week 6 Part 1 Balancing Work and Worship

“Luke’s story of Mary and Martha is found between two famous passages: the story of the Good Samaritan (LUKE 10:30-37) and Christ’s teaching on the Lord’s prayer (LUKE 11:1-4) One deals with our relationship with people, the other deals with our relationship with God. One teaches us how to serve and the other teaches us how to pray. One breaks down the wall that divides cultures, the other breaks down the wall that divides God and humanity”

Maybe our story of Mary, Martha and Jesus is the center point that keeps work and worship balanced.  When we have the fundaments in truth of service and prayer, we can enjoy the rest without being overwhelmed.

We all can admit that we struggle to keep that balance. I certainly have lately. I have to remind myself that I am not perfect when it comes to balancing the different areas of my life.  I can only strive to do better, to be more like Jesus. Jesus was the most balanced individual the world has ever known.  For example, in the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus was asked “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Simple question and a good one for one who want to go to heaven. But the one asking the question was trying to set Jesus up. Jesus simple asked back “What is written in the Law”. See the one asking was well educated in the Law of the Old Testament.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and Love your neighbor as yourself” responded the man “you have answered correctly, Do this and you will live.”

God wants us to not only love HIM but our neighbors too. That is the answer to a perfect balanced life. God wants us to REALLY love Him and He wants us to love each other. REALLY love each other. That is how we KNOW we belong to God, if we have love one for another. SEE John 13:35

Love for God + love for others = worship and service. The love of God has to be first but it cannot be separated from the love of others. One flows from the other and back again. That’s what it means to live a balanced life, a Christ like life.

It is easy to love the people we know, our family and friends but that is not the extent of it. We are to love those we don’t know, those that may have hurt us in some way, those that are for whatever reason are looked down upon by our society.

It’s easy to love God, to worship Him. BUT there is MORE-more to this balanced Christian walk than ONLY worship. There are people who find it so easy to love people. Love serving them and helping them in whatever way they can. BUT there is MORE to this balance Christian walk than ONLY serving.  You may have heard people say, “She is such a good person. Always volunteering to help. Give of her time and money to helping other. She would give the shirt off her back for someone”. BUT are they only serving?

You see we need to spend time BOTH in the “living room” and the “kitchen”, worshiping and serving, loving God and loving people.

CHECK AND BALANCE

Because we were created for balance, we feel the difference in our souls when our lives tilt too far in one direction or another. The imbalance will show in our attitudes and our energy level and in the way we interact with other people.

SIGNS THAT YOU MAY NEED MORE TIME IN THE KITCHEN

            Slight depression. You feel a vague unhappiness, a sense of being down

            Resentment of intrusion: Rather than welcoming people in your life, you find yourself wishing they’d go away

            Frustrations over direction of life: You feel a sense of purposelessness and sometimes wonder, “Is this all there is ?”

            Increased self-indulgence. You feel an itch to treat yourself with a favorite food or shopping

            Apathetic attitude. You find that very little moves you. You know your compassion level is low, but part of you just doesn’t care.

            Low energy level. Like the Dead Sea, you may have many inlets, but no outlets- and therefore you’re growing stagnant.

SIGNS THAT YOU MAY NEED MORE TIME IN THE LIVING ROOM

            Irritability and frustration. You find yourself snapping at people, wound so tight you’re about to “snap” yourself and especially short-tempered with those you perceive as lazy or uncooperative.

            Uncomfortable with quiet. Silence makes you nervous, so you’re qick to turn on the TV or the radio.

            Low joy threshold. It’s been a long time since you’ve sensed that undercurrent of joy and abundance running through your heart.

            A sense of isolation. You feel alone, as if no one is there for you and no one understands.

            Increased drivenness. You’re haunted by a sense that you must do more and more. You keep volunteering for more projects and more committees (more work shifts…that’s my addition), even though you know your plate is full

            Sense of dryness and emptiness. No wonder! You have many outlets and demands, but no inlets or source of strength.

WEEK 6 PART 2 HAVING A MARY HEART IN A MARTHA WORLD

Is it really possible to live a balanced life of Living Room Intimacy and Kitchen Service?  Yes, but will we ever have that perfect balance? I don’t think so, but we have to keep pressing on like Paul said. “Press hold of that for which Christ Jesus too hold of me” Philippians 3:12.

When we feel overwhelmed at being in the “Martha “ world, say this prayer. “O Lord, I am yours. Take my struggles and use them for your glory. But whatever you do, please don’t leave me the same. Change me. Give me a Mary heart in my Martha world.”  If you are being “outweighed in your Mary world, say the prayer this way. “O Lord I am yours. Take my struggles and use them for your glory. But whatever you do, please don’t leave me the same. Change me. Give me a Martha heart in my Mary world”.

When we have trials, struggles and pains. Keep reminding yourself that you are a work in process. God will use different methods to refine us to be more like his son, Jesus. We may not always understand his methods, but he can and will use it for His glory.  We need to just surrender and let Chrsit work in us.  Our transformation is a process of perseverance, keeping on keeping on. Do what we can and let God do the rest.

It is perseverance that allows God to take our messes and turn them into miracles. ( That reminds me of a song I have sung called ‘He makes beautiful mistakes’)  God delights in transforming us to what He wants us to be. If any of you do some sort of craft, don’t you get excited about the process and when the finished project is done, you are proud of your creation. That is what God does too. I am sure. 

I have made some crochet afghans that were painful at time. Miss a stitch, miscounted, the tension was not the same and had to take it out and start over. Sometime the process of our transformation can be painful, but the finish product is awesome. I guess you can say it’s like childbirth.

There is a Japanese version of the 23^rd Psalm that goes like this:

The Lord is my pace setter… I shall not rush.

He makes me stop for quiet intervals

He provides me with images of stillness which restore my serenity.

He leads me in the way of efficiency though calmness of mind and his guidance is peace

Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day,

I will not fret, for his presence is here

His timelessness, his all importance will keep me in balance

He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity by anointing my mind with his oils of tranquility.

My cup of joyous energy overflows.

Truly harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruits of my hours for I shall walk in the pace of my Lord and dwell in his house forever.

James tells us to, “ Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4

Then End.

Enjoy the song "Beautiful Mistakes"

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World Week 5 Part 2

MARY’S EXTRAVAGANT LOVE

 

Read John 12:1-8

What do you think took place in Mary’s heart when she met Jesus that day? Mary seemed to be the only one that understand what was about to take place, for she seemed moved to take the appropriate action.

Jesus apparently had a special relationship with this family. Mary, Martha and Lazarus loved him deeply. They had given him a home. A family and a place to lay his head when he returned from his travels. 

In Matthew 26:2, Jesus told the disciples what was awaiting him.. “The Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified”. He didn’t keep any secrets about it, but yet his closest followers didn’t comprehend fully what was happening. They knew Jesus was a wanted man, that fact had been well publicized.

When Jesus was before the Sanhedrin, Caiaphas actually prophesized when he said “You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish” .

Let’s go back to Mary. When she anointed Jesus, she was gave all that she had, the best that she had. In fact, the she poured the perfume on his feet. Out of her alabaster jar was probably all of her hopes and dreams she ever had.

Back in those days, to be married ranked high on every Jewish maiden’s wish list. Their culture made marriage and childbirth the highest form of honor. To be barren was a disgrace, BUT to be unmarried….was a shame. (It is sad that many today still think this way or think something is wrong with you).

At the “ripe” (I use this word loosely) age of 12, most Jewish women had been promised in marriage. The fathers generally arranged these unions but the girls did have a say. Several factors were involved in this process. One was the pride price, the compensation paid to the bride’s father by the groom. But the bride was often expected to bring something of value to this union as well.

As far as we know, Mary never ahd the opportunity to marry. Because she and Lazarus lived with Martha, it appears that their parents must have died years before.. So the alabaster jar of perfume may have been a part of not all of Mary’s dowry. This perfume was worth more than three hundred denarii which was nearly a year’s wages., 30,000 a bottle.

NARD, was rare. Made from the aromatic oil extracted from the root of a plant grown in mainly India, so it had to be imported. There is no perfume today that can even compare to it…

This treasure that Mary poured out that day was more than an expensive perfume. She was pouring out her very life in LOVE and SACRIFICAL SERVICE. But not everyone saw Mary’s heart.

There were those that thought it could have been sold to help the poor. It was a waste to use the whole bottle when a little would have been just as good. And what was she doing caressing Jesus’ feet, crying and what was she doing with her hair. She could have used her clothing.

What would have gone through YOUR mind if you saw such a display?

Some even came bold enough to speak up about it. But Jesus “nipped it in the bud”. “Leave her alone. It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial”.. After Jesus said this, his disciples STILL didn’t get a clue..

Sometime in our life, we don’t understand why things haven’t taken place in our lives that generally is common practice and events but God sometimes has other plans. When we get down and discouraged Jesus comes to me us, just where we are. No matter how dark the corner is in our lives, if we are willing, he will shine that area with a sweet spotlight from heaven, his Holy Spirit. When that happens, we can give ourselves in worship just as Mary did.

There is a time to work and a time to worship. In our lives we are to merge these into one. Loving the Lord our God with all our hearts, soul and mind and our neighbor as ourself. Then worship will become a generous lifestyle rather than a weekly bless-me event. So that our work will become holy because, no matter what we do, we work as if working for the Lord and NOT men.

MEMORY VERSE

Phillippians 1:6 “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus”

SITTING AT JESUS’S FEET

1)    READ Luke 11:1-4. Based on this template of prayer Jesus gave His disciples, what elements should we include in our prayers?

2)  READ the following verses. Describe the process God uses and the purpose He intends:

Deuteronomy 8:22      Romans 8:28-29

2 Corinthians 4:17      

3)  Find a quiet place and sit or kneel at the feet of Jesus. Let you heart soak in His love as you thank Him for His presence in your life.

REMEMBER, Jesus wants to give you all the strength, wisdom and grace you need to face every single day. BUT it’s only found as you spend time at His feet.

Music Worship

            BROKEN AND SPILLED OUT

MY ALABASTER BOX

HAVING A MARY HEART IN A MARTHA WORLD WEEK 5 PART 1

A Teachable Heart

Excerpt from the book. “ No previous experience required. We will train you” the advertisement said. It read like a help-wanted ad for the night shift at McDonald’s. Except this ad appeared on the pages of one of Americans leading business journals.

After decades of dog-eat-dog capitalism, it seems, Fortune 500 companies are beginning to look for a new breed of workers. While degrees remain important, many businesses are looking for more personal qualities in their personnel. “How do you interact with others?”, they ask. “Are you a team player or a maverick?”

BOTTOM LINE: ARE YOU TEACHABLE?

Companies are ignoring glowing resumes, bypassing corporate headhunters and going straight to college campuses to recruit their workforce. Why? “We spend more time and money ‘untraining’ people than we would training them in the first place.” Said one executive on a talk show. “We don’t need know-it-alls; we need people who are willing to learn.”

Excerpt finished.

I can understand that. I am sure that you do too. Haven’t you come across that “co-worker” who has done everything and knows everything? I have come across quite a few in my professional life. And did they know everything….NO!

There is something to picking someone who don’t know everything. They are teachable!

Look at Jesus, He wasn’t interested in finding capable people as he was in finding available people. He was looking for a teachable heart. Reminds me of the saying that Jesus don’t call the qualified, he qualifies the called.

He qualifies by teaching us that is if we are teachable.

Look at who Jesus called to be His disciples. He didn’t pick any educated scribes or Pharisee. If he had, he would have to reprogram their thinking to God’s way of thinking, if fact they heard His teachings and never changed. So Jesus chose men without formal educations, without resumes, no previous “preaching” work experience.

To others they may have looked unimpressive, unclean, uneducated and maybe at times uncouth. But Jesus saw in them exactly what he needed…FOLLOWERS with the potential for transformation. Transformation requires CHANGE and change often is painful, therefore people choose not to be transformed. God is more concerned about our CHARACTER than our comfort. 

Look at Martha. She thought that if she was being productive that she would have value.  But Jesus wanted her to learn, not just know, that she had value simply because she belong to Him.

SO, ARE YOU TEACHABLE?

TO LEARN OR NOT TO LEARN, that is the question. When we have teachable moments in our lives, like when we are being corrected, rebuked or chastened, we have the choice to learn or not learn. We can receive it or we can refuse it. Most of us are quick to admit we are not perfect, as long as we don’t have to go into specifics. But when someone points out a flaw in our lives, we get our “feathers ruffled”.

However Martha received the rebuke of Jesus humbly and learned from it. She had a teachable heart that would explain the transformation into the Martha of John Chapters 11 and 12. In these chapters we see a completely different woman than the one read about in Luke.  There is a tenderness there, that wasn’t before. A new faith. A new intimacy with Jesus.

A woman who is used to being obsessed about entertaining left her home filled with company. The hostess with the moistest, left the party. Martha abandoned her obligations and ran to meet her Master, Jesus. Her renewed faith she said. “  But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”.

Faith. That’s what was different. Martha proclaimed her belief that Jesus could do whatever was needed.  Gone was the Martha that ordered Jesus to “tell” Mary to come help her. This same person is the one that Jesus will reveal himself in all his glory. READ John 11:25-26

Scholars call this declaration one of the most incredible statement of faith in Scripture. “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into this world.”  Can you proclaim that as well with firm belief?

Martha’s eyes had been open. She knew who Jesus was, not just a good man, a prophet or fascinating teacher, but the very Son of God.  Then Martha went to her sister, the one she had previously had an issue with, and told her that Jesus was asking for her.

We too can get a new heart like Martha by being teachable. And to be teachable we have to 1) be willing to listen, 2) act on what we hear, 3) respond to discipline.

1)    Which of the following best describes the kind of student you were in school? Intellectual, Absent though present, Teacher’s pet, Procrastinator, Party Animal, High Achiever.. What did you like most about school? What did you like least? How have you carried these likes and dislikes into adulthood.

2) Thin of someone you consider teachable, what character qualities make you view him or her that way?

3) Fill out the “Are you Teachable Questionnaire”. (See below)

"If you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. John 8:31-32

ARE YOU TEACHABLE

Consider the following statements to give you an idea of your teach ability. Answer “U” for Usually, “S” for Sometimes, and “R” for Rarely. Then give yourself 3 points for each “U” answered; 2 points for each “S” answered and 0 for each “R” you answered.  Add them up.  If your score is 24-30 points, you are well on your way to a teachable heart. If your score 15-23, keep at it. If your score is 0-14, you may need to make your teach ability a matter of prayer, because you will find a teachable heart is one of life’s greatest treasures.

1)         I feel comfortable asking for advise

2)      I easily admit when I am wrong

3)      I enjoy reading for information rather than   escape

4)I’m able to receive criticism without being hurt

5)            I enjoy listening to other people’s thoughts and opinions without feeling the need to express my own.

6)     When I am reading something in the Bible, I automatically think of ways to apply it.

7)     I enjoy church and Bible classes and usually take notes

8)    I’m able to disagree with someone without feeling like I have to debate the issue.

9)      I’m willing to look at all sides of a situation before I from an opinion.

10)            I’d rather be righteous than always have to be “right