You Don't Get To Be Martha

Encouraging prayer God offers an open invitation for his people to talk with him at any time about anything urgent prayer. Dr. James Banks fall through the best-selling and many other books on prayer provides weekly biblical insight help you learn to love and now they have encouraging have a follow-up to last about Mary and Martha and the importance of being a Jesus is the James you were telling me before we went on the air that over the years when you've talked about that passage you've often received particular response. Let's talk about that whenever you have an in-depth conversation with someone about this story regarding Mary and Martha from the 10th chapter of Luke. You invariably hear the same thing. Someone will say well I'm not married I'm a Martha in the church of the world need markets because it's the market to get things done after that. Tears let me ask you how you feel about that. Response to honestly, I feel it's overly dismissive of what Jesus is saying to just think about it.

In Luke 1042 Jesus says to Mark that there is only one thing worth being concerned about Mary has discovered it and it will not be taken away from her. Or as another translation put it only one thing is needed. Mary has discovered what is better, and it will not be taken from her now. If you differ with that again. Think about this carefully.

Your different Jesus, you're basically saying. Honestly, Laura.I know more about this kind of thing that Mary has not chosen what is better. Martha really knows what she's doing, how our checks have not been receiving that way. But you're right him and you can even say that the person is joining with Martha in scolding Jesus right right immediate coming from there. Although it's it's never intended that way, we need to state it strongly so that the terms are really clear.

Let me put it another way, I just got back from a trip to Disney World with her family and was so much fun we were getting on a ride with her four-year-old grandson when where you are assigned a particular character for your seat and I don't remember which one it was. It's all a blur. But let's say it was goofy and he wanted to be someone else, Mickey and at that point he sent his uncle Jeffrey turns to him in and tells him bluntly, you don't get to be Mickey you have to be goofy.

Please listen carefully what you often hear people say in response to the stories basically all this about Mary choosing what is better as well and good, but I'm not American. I'm a Martha I'm a doer and the Lord made me that way. And certainly he understands, but here's the point. You don't get to be Martha you have to be Mary if you want to follow Jesus. If you want to be close to him.

Jesus said one thing is needed. His words not mine. He realized his quick breaks in and gone the metal in there I know.

But again, look at Jesus words. Mary has chosen what is better that we want something less. She's chosen what is better, it will not be taken away from her. Do you really want to say thank you Jesus. But I'll settle for less. The very thing that is talking about here is being with him. So we have to choose every day.

The decision to do what Mary did must be made every day and it needs to be made first thing in the morning even before we get out of bed. I will let Jesus and I will listen to him I will love him, I will go to him first. More than anything else. I agree that's what you say that the person is says but you just don't understand. I have so much to do what I would ask them gently what will all be doing.

Be without Jesus. First, what will it lead to there's nothing wrong with doing as long as the priority of being is established first and Jesus would have us be with him before anything else. I think that's really what seeking his kingdom first is about so you're saying that when you make the decision to be married first Joe actually be more effective absolutely because otherwise you're moving in your own strength instead of his and and and what we need is his inspiration.

His creative genius, his wisdom to inspire us and and and motivate us and help us step-by-step as we go through the day and a gorgeous running in our own strength. We don't have that in a way that we could and will also have this piece.

I'm so glad you mentioned that because it reminds me of something else that happened on our trip and all reps of that on unmolested. Disney went to the animal kingdom to a place called Dino landed off in the corner and marketed to the under six ground and and let me tell you they were all there is sort of set up like a carnival. It was loud, but it was a photo op with the Donald Dr. our grandson got his picture taken and there is a lie the kids to know but this little girl. She was probably no older than three and in which she went to meet Donald Duck crouched down to meet her and she gave him a hug but then she did this thing.

She put her head on his lap, just lay there and she just stayed there only for a few seconds, you must forget the bed like thanks Donald I'm done with that, but this little girl. She just stayed there and in the person the cost of just letter I got very quiet. A minute passed maybe more in a minute. Disney is a long time for the people in line began to notice her mother got self-conscious step but the photographer just smiled and whispered it's okay, no one roster and for a moment.

It was is is all of the hurry and noise melted away in the reason why we were all there could be seen in the simple, heartfelt affection of the child, and it seemed to me that God was tapping me on the shoulder and that moment at least, it made me wonder in Odessa heaven do the same thing every day.

The Angels see men and women rush through their days on this earth scarcely taken notice of why they're really here, or of the one who blessed them with life today. Every once in a while someone comes along and puts her head on Jesus in their heart as well and I think Kevin stands up and takes notice.

And every time someone chooses what is better.

I think it's very quiet and makes the Angels whisper look, there's one that in that moment will not be taken from her never. Not now, not for eternity. Class I mean thanks for that reminder James and let let's pray that we can all do this family.

Jesus, thank you for this little girl reminder of how precious it is that we actually can in prayer say there in your presence and just enjoy the peace of being with you. You let us know when and what we need to do if we just simply will come when I pray that you would give us this reminder. Not just today but as we have our life in enjoy it more and we ask this in Jesus name, amen, amen.

Hear more from Pastor James by visiting the website James Banks.org or by visiting these church in Durham, North Carolina. May God bless you and encourage you as you pray