HAVING A MARY IN A MARTHA WORLD WEEK 1 PART 2

“ While God created us to enjoy a deep and intimate relationship with Himself and while works of service are important, they must never eclipse the fellowship, God wants to experience with each of us” –Charles Stanley, pastor

What was wrong with Martha’s hospitality?

Nothing was wrong wither her hospitality, however her priorities were out of order. She was so concerned with the task of serving that she missed the greater importance of taking time to sit at Jesus’ feet. Life’s greatest priority should be to take in and reflect on our relationship with Jesus.

Watch this short video.

You may be asking yourself if we all adored Jesus as Mary did, who would do the work?  Mary did more than just sit at the feet of Jesus, She undoubtedly took her turn to serve. The tension was not caused by Mary’s unwillingness to help, but Martha’s excessive preparations.

Jesus said such extraordinary efforts were unnecessary in fact, few things are needed, or indeed only one.

Our adoration and relationship with Jesus will naturally lead to service.

WEEK 1 PART 2

Mary and Marth are like day and night. Mary appears to be laid-back and Martha appears high-strung. Which one is right and which one is wrong?

Neither are wrong.  We are all made different, that is the way God designed us. We have different gifts, personalities, strengths and weaknesses.

Both Mary and Martha had the same choice to work or to worship. Mary chose the “better part”. BUT both are needed.

Mary is captivated by this man Jesus. He speaks like no other man. Mary didn’t care about tradition or custom. She didn’t care about what others would think. She had one goal in mind.

In our everyday life, we deal with tension of what is urgent and what is important. The problem is that the important tasks, rarely must be done that day (today) or even within the week. However urgent tasks calls for our immediate attention. Urgent task aren’t always important either.

When Jesus rebukes Martha, she learned that while there is time for work, there is also time for worship. This same Martha will be different later in the Gospels. She is full of faith and trust. No longer frantic and resentful. That changes comes from “sitting at Jesus’ feet”.

Mary changes too. When sorrow comes, she has doubt, not faith. But then later on she returns to the worship she learned and did it beautifully and sacrificially.

Is it impossible to be in the presences of Jesus and NOT be changed?

What about us?

Martha may have opened her home to Jesus but that doesn’t mean she opened her heart. In her eagerness to SERVE Jesus. She almost missed the opportunity to KNOW Jesus. We get trapped feeling like we must prove our love for God by doing great things for Him. Ministries of helping the poor, supporting mission work and trips, helping the children and youth, teaching Bible Studies or Sunday school. We by-pass the “intimacy” time with Jesus, but we fail to “know” Him.

Matthew 7:22-23 says “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?...

God wants companionship. The world wants applauds and achievements. When we put work before worship. Both are important, but it needs to be in the right order to work effectively.

Are you getting it in the right order? Maybe you have known the Lord for some time and yet you haven’t found the peace and fulfillment you’ve longed for. You decide to do more “service”. You will merit more love. But that doesn’t work or perhaps you have withdrawn from service. When you go to church, you are going through the motions of worship. When you leave and get home, you are feeling the same. Then you wonder what the sermon was about.

We should thank the Lord that salvation isn’t about what we do, it’s about what Jesus did on the cross for you and me.

Jesus wants to tell us the same thing that he told Martha. Insert your name in the blank. “___________, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.”

The one thing is not found in doing more service. It is found sitting at Jesus’ feet. 

Jesus wants the same gift from you that Mary gave. AVAILABILITY.

LORD, DON’T YOU CARE ?

Have you ever said those words? Life is hard. Life is unfair. Even when we work diligently and do what is expected of us, there are often few rewards here on earth.

Martha just needed a little help. That’s all she wanted. She wanted her sister to help her. When we feel overwhelmed, we want others to carry their part of the load. Right? It’s only fair.

Here are some signs that you might recognize when you are having a “Martha Overload”. These are 5 unrealistic expectations that can contribute to a servant’s “burnout”.

·       There should not be any limits to what I can do

·       I have the capacity to help everyone

·       I am the only person available to help

·       I must never make a mistake

·       I have the ability to change another person

We have always “weighed”, compared others to us since childhood. “He’s got more than me” “It’s my turn”. Some of us still have these tendencies in adulthood. Fair nor fair. Equal or unequal. Just or unjust. We weigh it all.

If we expect life to always be fair, we inevitably set ourselves up for a big disappointment. If we have these feelings, Satan will jump on the band wagon and ride. He loves to steal our joy and he does it very easy.

How does he do it you ask? He uses distraction, discouragement and doubt. Deadly D’s.

Martha took her “deadly D’s” to Jesus. Just as we should do.

READ Matthew 7:7. We can bring our needs to Jesus anytime and anywhere. READ 1 Peter 5:7. Jesus cares about what concerns us. So when we think or ask “Lord, don’t you care, then answer we already should know. YES HE DOES. And if He needs to rebuke or discipline us, it is what we need. READ Revelations 3:19. Just as Jesus understood Martha’s pain, that didn’t stop him from telling her what she needed to hear.

Jesus loves us too much to give us what we want. Instead he gives us what we need. Just as he did for Martha when he invited her to draw close to him.

Sitting at Jesus’ Feet

1.     Read 1 Kings 1-18. How did the “Deadly D’s” attack Elijah after the great victory over the prophets of Baal? Distraction? Discouragement? Doubt?

2.  In the above passage, how did God minister to Elijah in the midst of his discouragement? How has God ministered to you when you felt alone and were hurting?

3.   In Mark 4:35-41, the disciples echoed Martha’s question; “Don’t you care?” What does this portion of Scripture teach us about the difficult time in our lives. (Consider reading Isaiah 43:1-2)

4.  Read Psalm 103. List at list five of the many ways God shows his love for us.

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World- WEEK ONE PART 1

Are you a Martha or a Mary?

Are you trying to do it all?

Most of us are especially around the holidays. Think for a second, if Jesus stood before you right now, what would you do?

Would you sit at his feet as Mary did and listen to what he had to say? Or would you be distracted by how your home looked or all the things that you need to get don (e, like Martha?

I believe many women are struggling with a Martha’s heart but desire to be more like Mary.  Mary is the perfectionist, the people-pleaser, the woman who puts others above herself and attends to their needs and comfort. (Oh I am seeing myself already). She becomes so busy with her duties, she misses intimacy with Christ.

Mary is the woman who is so captivated by just the presence of her Savior. She sits at His feet and neglects her responsibilities. NEITHER is RIGHT and NEITHER is WRONG.

This Bible study, “Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, will help us discover where and how to find “intimacy with God even in the busyness of our lives”.

We will be finding a balance between “kitchen duties” and “living room intimacy” with Christ.  Think about how it is in your own life when you are in the kitchen. Busy as a bee, cooking and cleaning. But when you sit down in the living room you can relax and enjoy what is taking place there.

I pray that after this study you will have found more intimacy with Jesus and a better understand of the things that distract you from your time with your Savior.

I debated with myself how long to do this study. In researching I have found in done in 6 weeks, 11 week and 12 weeks. I was initially going to go with the 12 weeks thought that you might get bored or tired of the study. So I decided to do the 6 weeks.  I will have each week in two parts however. Part 1 will be posted on Wednesdays and Part 2 will be posted on Fridays. There is a lot of “good stuff” in the book and I don’t want those without a book to miss out. So I am trying to post highlights of the chapters.

As always, study and join the discussion at our own pace.  I acknowledge the spiritual warfare that will be in great force as you begin this study, you make get behind, never finish or just stop. It is Satan’s work. We are here to support each other and if you need prayer with this study, or any other study or other need, please let me know. I want to stand in the gap for you.

Let’s get started

WEEK 1 PART 1

Although this story is ONLY a few verse long, it has a lot of power to change our lives. So go ahead and read our story : LUKE 10:38-42

MEMORY VERSE “ Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” MATTHEW 11:28

The Tale of Two Sisters

This story we can see the conflict we feel as women. Even as men but not in the kitchen, but maybe hunting and fishing or fixing things around the house. We all at times struggle with wanting to worship like Mary but the Martha in us keeps reminding us that we have other things to do. I am experiencing this right now. Between caring for my mother and finding the “quiet” time to study for my Sunday school lesson plan and this Bible study is almost impossible. My time is usually after mother goes to sleep (whatever time that is) then I can relax and open my books. But unfortunately by then I am so exhausted I fall asleep with book and pen in hand.

Are you a Martha? Or is there a Martha in your life? The perfect hostess with the mostess. ( I know that’s not a word) She will prepare a meal fit for a king. Everything has to be just right.

This would probably describe Martha. We don’t know if she knew that Jesus was coming ahead of time. He was already their friend and by this time well known for his teaching and many people followed him. They would be uninvited guest. If Martha knew ahead of Jesus’ arrival she wasn’t expecting his followers.

When they showed up, Mary must have thought, “ Oh no, not extra guest” . She had so much to do and while doing it, she was looking around for Mary. Then she spots her. Thinking to herself “There’s my lazy sister” sitting at Jesus’ feet. Oh by the way, this “dinner party” that Martha was having was for men only, because that was tradition. Now Mary has crashed the party. What was she thinking?

Mary was so taken with what Jesus had to say, that she didn’t notice that she was the only woman there, nor did she notice Martha “running around like a chicken with her head cut off”. Have you ever been into something you were doing so much that you weren’t aware of what was going on around you?

Finally, Martha had had enough. She was going to speak up. But she didn’t go to Mary she went to Jesus. Don’t you find that odd? It is like when your co-worker isn’t “pulling her/his share of the work and instead of saying something to them directly about it you go to your boss. 

Martha expected Jesus to tell Mary to return to “her duties” in the kitchen, because in those days that is where the women were expected to be. But that is now what Jesus did.

Jesus response reminded me of when I had my palm hit with a ruler in grammar school for taking too much. Imagine that, me talking too much. Anyway, a little reprimand is the way I read the verse, even as gently as Jesus said the words.

“Mary has chosen the better part”. Better part? What like the better part of fried chicken is the “pully-bone”?

So if we are being a Martha we have not chosen the better part. We must have the thigh piece of the fried chicken. 

But Martha was doing more for the Lord and Mary was doing less. So doing more is NOT better than doing less? Sometimes God requires “less” of us than “more” of us.

God made us all different. We have different gifts and different personalities. But in this story there was a choice. The “better part” was available to both Mary and Martha, just as it is available for each one of us. We have to MAKE that choice.

When we live in constant tension of the “things we have to do” , those that are urgent and the important, there is rarely anything that has to be done today. We don’t mind putting off extra time for prayer and study, but the urgent task calls for instant action even when they can wait.  I remember taking a time management course years ago.  It divide things in four categories. The “Today” batch. It wasn’t always had to be today, but is was the things that needed to be done first. Like STAT in the medical field. The second batch was important. It included those that needed to be taken care of in a couple of weeks. The third was those things that had a deadline of more than 2 weeks and then the last one. The “whenever” batch is what I would call it. Or the “’roundtoit” batch. Those things to do when you get around to it.

When we have busy lives, not only is it hard to find the time to “sit at Jesus’s feet” but we don’t have the energy to serve him either. Jesus us our elite example. He was never in a hurry. He was not influenced to the world’s demands or needs. Jesus said “ I only do what the Father tells me to do”

How great would it be if we were to in tuned with God that nothing we did was wasted. No action. No word.

FINAL THOUGHTS.

Just as Jesus welcomed Mary to sit at His feet, just as He invited Martha to leave the kitchen for a while to share the “BETTER PART”, Jesus bids to us to come and do the same.

Salvation isn’t about what we do, it’s about what Jesus did. We worry and get upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. The “one thing” is not found in doing more. It is found by sitting at His feet. Jesus invites us to come and rest, to spend time with him in His “living room”.

SITTING AT JESUS’S FEET

1.       Read Luke 10:38-42 again. List at least two things you learned about Martha in this passage and at least two things you learned about Mary.

2.     Is it possible for our basic character to change from a Martha to a Mary, or are we destined to live our lives stuck in a predetermined nature? Explain.

3.     What does the Bible say in the following verses about our potential for change:   Ezekiel 36:26-27 ; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Philippians 1:6

4.     Read Matthew 11:28-30, circle key words and meditate on these verses-really thing about what Jesus is saying. Then memorize this passage phrase by phrase. Write it on an index card, refer to it frequently, repeating it until it becomes a part of you.

WEEK 1 PART 2

WOMEN OF CHRISTMAS WEEK 4 BIBLE STUDY

 

At 84, Anna was near the end of her life. In those days 50 was concerned a ripe old age. Anna’s husband had died more than 60 years earlier, not long after they were married. There were no children to care for and on one to care for her.

For some reason, contrary to what was commonly expected of her, she never remarried. Her culture didn’t allow a woman to pursue a career. So what was she to do with all that time?

Anna refused to accept the traditional widow role or be someone’s depended relative. She didn’t feel sorry for herself. She didn’t succumb to loneliness. Instead she devoted herself to God.

She devoted herself, loving Him, worshipping Him, spending time in His presence. In that day, women weren’t taught to read or write, let alone study the Scriptures. They were supposed to marry and have children and manage the affairs of their household. The ministry of priesthood was not open to women.

These barriers that society had built didn’t keep Anna from hungering, thirsting after righteousness. They didn’t keep her from seeking after the things of God with her whole heart.

She never meant to be single, but she learned to make the most of the freedom and opportunity that gave her.

After many years passed, Anna’s faithfulness and devotion earned her the respect of the community. She was recognized as a woman of wisdom and understanding.

She had a ministry of prayer and intercession, crying out to God on behalf of her friends, family, the community and nation.

Let’s see now how she fits in the Christmas story.

READ CHAPTERS  7 & 8 IN THE BOOK

CHAPTER 7 BLOG  http://www.lizcurtishiggs.com/the-12-gifts-of-christmas/

CHAPTER 8 BLOG  http://www.lizcurtishiggs.com/the-women-of-christmas-and-our-eyes-at-last-shall-see-him/

http://www.lizcurtishiggs.com/the-women-of-christmas-joy-of-every-longing-heart/

WOMEN OF CHRISTMAS WEEK 3 BIBLE STUDY

After Elizabeth’s seclusion, her kinfolk arrived for an unexpected visit, Mary. Before May could explain, Elizabeth knew. She was attuned to God’s Spirit. At that moment, God shared a secret with Elizabeth. He revealed to her something only one other human being knew.

It was then that Elizabeth became the first person to speak a prophetic word in the New Testament era.

Elizabeth was overcome with awe and wonder, overwhelmed by God’s mercy and grace. She caught a glimpse of the marvelous plan that was even now unfolding from the mind of God. The glorious truth that the long awaited Messiah, the Anointed One, and the Deliverer had come.

She realized that the child she was carrying could not have come any sooner. The timing was critical. He had a part in this divine plan.

Her son, John was destined to be the greatest prophet the world had ever known. He would be the one to prepare the way for the Messiah.

Elizabeth was a perfect role model for Mary because she had a hearing heart. As she listened to the Holy Spirit, she became a woman of wisdom and maturity and depth.

Now let us experience the joy of the birth of these miracle babies.

READ CHAPTER 5 & 6 IN BOOK

Chapter 5 Blog: http://www.lizcurtishiggs.com/the-women-of-christmas-with-heart-and-soul-and-voice/

Chapter 6 Blog: http://www.lizcurtishiggs.com/the-women-of-christmas-the-wondrous-gift-is-given/

Women of Christmas Week 2

What was so special about a girl from Nazareth, called Mary?

Why did God choose her- above all the other women on earth to be the mother of His only begotten Son?

From the end of the Old Testament to the New Testament represents about 400 years. Four hundred years of silence when God said nothing. For centuries people eagerly awaited the fulfillment of God’s promise – the Messiah and theses 400 years, there were no visions, no prophecies, no miracles, nothing, “nada”.

Some grew tired of waiting. They gave up and bitterly concluded that God had forsaken them since nothing has happened in four generations. It was hard for them to believe the supernatural stories of the Old Testament, like many today.

However there was a remnant that remained faithful.

Mary was a young woman, well actually a teenager, engaged to be married. She was full of hopes and dreams for her upcoming future with a man called Joseph. Ever since God made the promise, women through the ages wondered if perhaps they might be the one that would give birth to the Messiah.

To the faithful, it was a sacred dream, a cherished hope, a coveted honor. To Mary it seemed impossible, but the angle told her that God had chosen her. From now on, all generations would call her blessed. What an awesome privilege! What an incredible responsibility!

We are ALL chosen by God. He has plans for us and things for us to do. But most of the time, we need a messenger from God to us “Do not be afraid, you have found favor with God and He has chosen you”.

When Mary hear all that the angel said, she didn’t demand a sign, (the angel would be enough of a sign for me). She voiced NO COMPLAINTS at the disruption that would be to her life (Can we say the same when God calls us to do something?). She knew things would not turn out the way she had planned. But in her heart there was NO RESISTANCE, NO REBELLION. Just sweet simple submission-complete surrender to the will of God.

She told the angel that God could use her in any way He chose. (Do we?) Because she was a willing vessel, fully available to Him. (Are we?)

She knew it would not be easy. She would be faced with many questions and doubts by her family and friends, not to mention her future husband. Her reputation ruined. But nothing more difficult that the agony she would endure to see her son die for the sins of the world.

READ CHAPTERS 3 & 4 AND THE FOLLOWING BLOG ENTRIES.

 Chapter 3 Blog :  http://www.lizcurtishiggs.com/the-women-of-christmas-the-virgin-mother-kind/

Chapter 4 Blog:  http://www.lizcurtishiggs.com/the-women-of-christmas-o-tidings-of-comfort-and-joy/

Women of Christmas Week 1 Bible Study

Long time ago God reached down from heaven with the best gift we will EVER receive. The gift of love and hope through the birth of Jesus Christ.

Three women played a vital role in his birth: Elizabeth, Mary and Anna. If you are like me I was thinking “Anna who”? We all have heard the stories about Elizabeth and Mary, but I don’t ever recall hearing anything about Anna.

Each life was different than the other. Elizabeth was married. Mary was young and engaged, and Anna was an elderly widow.

These women will teach us to wait upon the Lord, to trust him with everything that matters and to pray until our prayers our answered.

Christmas is much more than a holiday, more than the commercialism that starts Oct 31, more than cooking and eating, more than decorations and wrapping presents.

It’s a season for reflection, for preparation and for renewal.

As we begin our study we will start with Elizabeth.  She was a relative of Mary. She came from a distinguished family and had a rich heritage. She also “married well” but that was not enough.

She was barren. Barren in a culture in which a woman’s worth was measured by the number of children she produced. A time when inability to bear children was seen as a sign of God’s judgement- a curse. However her barrenness was not her fault nor her husband's. They had done nothing to deserve this shame and disgrace. Not only was she barren, but her childbearing years had passed.

I am sure the devil tried his best to make Elizabeth become bitter and angry because God had not answered her prayers……yet. Satan knows WHERE we are most vulnerable. When he plays in our life, he is unfair, unjust and unkind.

ASSIGNMENT:

READ LIZ CURTIS HIGGS BLOG ALONG WITH CHAPTERS 1 AND 2 IN THE BOOK

CHAPTER 1 http://www.lizcurtishiggs.com/category/the-women-of-christmas/page/3/

CHAPTER 2 http://www.lizcurtishiggs.com/the-women-of-christmas-let-all-mortal-flesh-keep-silence/

THE WOMEN OF CHRISTMAS STUDY OUTLINE

STARTING DECEMBER 02, 2015

Reading Schedule for Liz Curtis-Higg's The Women of Christmas Online Bible Study- Book is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for this study!

• Launch Week- December 2, read chapters 1 and 2 (introduction)
• Week 1- December 9, read chapters 3 and 4 (discuss 1 and 2 )
• Week 2- December 16, read chapters 5 and 6 (discuss 3 and 4 )
• Week 3- December 23, read chapters 7 and 8 (discuss 5 and 6 )
• Week 4- December 30, finish book (discuss 7 and 8 )

   

              Believing is what Christmas is all about.

               Believing Jesus is the Son of God.

                 Believing he was born of a virgin.

          Believing he came to earth to rescue us

              from our doubts and save us from our sins.