Mary and Martha - Summer Rerun with a boost!

Summertime brings with it a more relaxed attitude and atmosphere. Unfortunately - it can also summons a spiritually lax demeanor.

How can you infuse your quiet time and Bible study with a fresh spiritual jolt? One way I can think of is to re-familiarize yourself with two very well known sisters: Mary and Martha. 

Two very different women who adored and reverenced the Lord Jesus are the center of our study. Here is some general background information regarding these famous siblings.

Six days prior to the Passover Jesus visited a family to which He had an endearing fondness. As He made his way to Jerusalem He was keenly aware of the fact that He would most likely not see them again.  His trek to their home was a welcomed diversion from the constant travel, and a reminder of the close familial ties that drew Him back.

Jesus and His disciples had been in the remote city of Ephraim, near the wilderness area surrounding the nearby countryside. They made their way to Bethany, home of Lazarus – the one whom Jesus raised from the dead.  Sisters Mary and Martha were always a familiar and comforting sight to our Lord as evidenced by His joyful arrival.

For an in-depth look at these famous sisters you can read my two previous blog posts here:    A Tale of Two Sisters Part 1  and  A Tale of Two Sisters Part 2  They will give you a greater insight into their relationship with Jesus and their unique personalities.  

We all exhibit glimpses of the two natures of Mary and Martha. Our Lord Jesus identified the more excellent part for which we should seek after. My reason for reintroducing these two blog posts is to stir our hearts and minds as to why the Lord commended Mary and affectionately chastised Martha.  Let this not be an occasion to malign or criticize Martha – but rather let us examine our own motives and reasons for why we either come to her defense or rally around Jesus' gentle rebuke.

In my book Mission Possible  -  Chapter 5 - Timing is Everything!  -  I feature an application from John 11. Martha had a powerful dialog with Jesus about her brother's death that left her wrestling with His Deity and His powerful declaration regarding death and the resurrection.

I have personally gone through "dry periods" - times when I had a desire to be more like Mary, and yet fell so short of my own expectations. 

When satan whispers my failures in my ear, I generally respond with a stern dismissal and press into God all the more. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. (James 4:8)

Rededicate yourself to the things of God and let each day bring fresh possibilities. New mercies abound freely, but condemnation is straight from the enemy of your soul.

Purpose to reconnect with God in a powerful, new way. Embrace your "Mary" and appreciate your "Martha" - for in both you are a well balanced and productive disciple and Christ follower.

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. 

Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

If you have been encouraged by this post - please take time to share it with others.

Mary and Martha - Summer Rerun with a boost!

The Meadow Is Looking Mighty Good Right Now...

"God is my shepherd! I don't need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows; you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I'm not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feel secure.  You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. you revive my drooping head; my cut brims with blessings. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I'm back home in the house of God for the rest of my life."   Psalm 23:1-6 (The Message) 

When a ruddy little shepherd boy named David needed rest - he talked to his Heavenly Father in a way that related to his experiences out in the fields and the lush grassy hills surrounding Jerusalem.  

God has a way of "pulling us away" to a place of rest and restoration.  Sometimes it is by invitation, or by His divine appointment.  Other times it is through His grace and coercion. When the weight of the world is pressing down and a sense of heaviness invades your soul, steal away time to refresh yourself.  


Rest:  freedom from activity or labor; a state of inactivity; peace of mind or spirit.


Jesus often spoke to the crowds that were pressing in around Him and comforted them with these words, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). 

Oswald Chambers had this to say regarding Matthew 11:28 ~
   "God means us to live a fully orbed life in Christ Jesus, but there are times when that life is attacked from the outside, and we tumble into a way of introspection which we thought had gone. Self-consciousness is the first thing that will upset the completeness of the life in God, and self-consciousness continually produces wrestling... Anything that disturbs rest in Him must be cured at once, and it is not cured by being ignored, but by coming to Jesus Christ... The great solution is the simple one - "Come unto Me."

Sheep have a natural propensity to stay near their shepherd. They watch his every move and look to him for their mobility and safety.  They follow him along craggy stone paths, and meander near him in the thick meadow as they graze.  Their shepherd's presence frees them up to rest and refresh without anxiety or panic.

Our Shepherd is a good shepherd and gives His life for His sheep (John 10:11).  Our Shepherd knows His sheep and they know Him (John 10:14).

Isaiah 40:11 tells us, "He [God] will feed His flock like a shepherd; and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young."  

When you are overwhelmed with life's demands and pressures, start looking for a meadow.

Your meadow might be a walk in your neighborhood or park.  It might be stealing a half hour for yourself while the kids are playing, or listening to uplifting music in your car. Take in nature's wonders and reflect on your heavenly Father's love and care for you.  Use that time to read His Word and delve into the Psalms.  One of my favorites is Psalm 55:6, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove!  For then I would fly away and be at rest." 

I wrote this poem in the Spring of 2003. May it minister to your very soul  ~

Enter My Rest...

Family and workloads, deadlines and tests,

weary and tired, surely hard pressed;

other's demands and schedules left

weighing on shoulders meant for much less.

Daughter of Mine...enter My Rest.

Steep is the path of life's daily trek -

hard is the road that leads to His best.

Often no thanks or kindness is shown,

only a sharp reply they confess.

Daughter of Mine...enter My Rest.

Lay aside weights and all heaviness,

leaving behind the hurt and the pain.

Let me restore what value is left.

Come...pull away - be free and be blessed.

Daughter of Mine...enter My Rest.

DL McCarragher 

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”.  It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.  Visit

http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

The Meadow Is Looking Mighty Good Right Now...

Weary? Take On His Yoke

Are you weary and disillusioned about a promise God made to you?  Are you burdened for a loved one or a situation beyond your control? Often we begin to lose hope, and holding onto your promise can be difficult. Time continues to go by with little or no confirmation of what you were sure of in your spirit.  Those are the days when you cry out to God and ask Him for more grace and more faith.  His Word breathes life back into us as He gently lifts our head. 

If you are tired and worn out, submit to Jesus and get under His Yoke of direction.  Let Him properly place it on you so that you may come along side Him in your life’s journey.  Ready yourself for a new path forward that is free from struggle and missteps.  Have a mindset of being equally yoked.

So, what exactly is a yoke and how does it pertain to us in our relationship with Jesus? 

A yoke, also known as an oxbow, is a bar of wood so constructed as to unite two animals, usually oxen, enabling them to work in the fields together – side by side.  It is often custom fitted for comfort.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul often said he was a bondservant to the Lord Jesus, implying he was yoked to Him in service.  Paul also admonishes believers not to be yoked with unbelievers in marriage– as it is a picture of the spiritual struggle that will ensue.  Two cannot walk as one when they are spiritually mismatched.

A yoke was also used figuratively in the sense of servitude or bondage.  After He reproached the cities in which He was rejected, Jesus extended an invitation to any and all who would respond, saying, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden [weary], and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For, My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

There are four (4) action verbs in Matthew 11:28-30 - come, take, learn, and find. 

Come implies an invitation – a bidding to move away from your previous position.

Take implies a voluntary decision to receive something

Learn implies the beginning of a new mindset or way of doing things.

Find implies the discovery of something unknown or previously unrecognized

The Pharisees had put unnecessary burdens on men that were “impossible” to bear.  The people were looking for relief from the oppression they were under from trying to keep the Law.  A feeling of weariness and exhaustion begins to creep in when you are under pressure to perform.  I John 5:3 says “…His commandments are not burdensome.”  Being yoked to our Lord in submission relieves the burden of having to choose which path to follow.  His yoke is “easy” because He and the Father are One.  He invites us to take up His yoke and join Him in His divine purpose, which in turn relieves our striving and struggle. Learning from the Master prepares us to come along side Him and work in perfect unison.  We no longer stumble under a load that is unbearable.

In the classic book The Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan says this in his first chapter: “So I saw in my dream, that just as Christian came up with the Cross, his burden loosed from off his shoulders, and fell from off his back… Then was Christian glad and lightsome…”  When we let go of our burdens and take up Christ’s yoke, it is easier and not cumbersome. It gives us a sigh of relief and a soulful rest like none other.  Christ’s example of endurance in the face of hostility from a lost world is our hope.  Hebrews 12:3 declares, “For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.”

In his commentary, Matthew Henry states in regards to taking up your yoke: “The rest He promises is a release from the drudgery of sin, not from the service of God. To call those who are weary and heavy laden, to take a yoke upon them, looks like adding affliction to the afflicted; but the pertinence of it lies in the words of Jesus to take up His yoke, which is easy.”

Yoke yourself to Christ and let Him lead you in the paths of righteousness and peaceful submission.  He is gentle and loving and trustworthy.  Our souls will prosper when we are conformed to His perfect will.

The following poem was written by me in April of 1998 during an intense time of prayer and intercession. I believe its prophetic message was given to me as an encouragement during the wait.  Be blessed…     

                                                

  Your Husband - My gift to you

Daughter of Mine, come close

and listen to Me.

I chose you first.

My strength is made perfect in your weakness.

Your husband is my workmanship.

I have ordained this marriage.

It is a divine joining

- a partnership

“till death do you part.”

My grace is sufficient for you.

Do not take offense.

His actions are not governed by My spirit.

He does not yet know Me as you do.

You are the apple of My eye;

it is my good pleasure

to give you the desires of your heart.

That would be your husband - would it not?

Your obedience to Me and your humbleness

in the face of heartbreak are your sacrificial

offering to Me - one in which I treasure.

I am your husband now, for awhile.  Let me comfort and love you.

Daughter, take heart.  You are not forgotten.

Can you see him?  I am creating in him a new man;

in My likeness.  Be patient…  Trust Me…  Wait.

“For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife…”“For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband?” (I Corinthians 7: 14, 16)

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”.  It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. 

http://www.Godmissionpossible.com

Weary? Take On His Yoke