ARE YOU A TURKEY OR AN EAGLE?

Here's what i learnt from yesterday's sermon from Pastor D ...

LUKE 10:42 - "but few things are needed—or indeed only one.^[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Every one knows the story of Martha and Mary so i will not dwell on it (Please read it if you haven't read it!). Martha accuses her own sister before Jesus for not helping her in the work of serving Him and the guests. Mary chooses to sit beside Jesus and listen.Two attitudes, two sisters. Who was a better Christian? Martha was working hard to serve Jesus and the others. Is it bad to serve God? To Martha, Mary appears lazy and insensitive! By bringing it to the notice of Jesus, she is also bringing Jesus' attention to appreciate her hard work but how does Jesus respond?

Jesus says that Mary has chosen the 'good part' and it will not be taken away from her! Surely, Jesus must have surprised Martha with that answer.

The most important thing is not how hard you are working but how much love you have for Him. He wants our hearts - All of our hearts All the time!

But wasn't Martha proving her love for Jesus by working hard?

The clue is in the scripture itself! It is clearly written that Martha was 'distracted' - lost her focus from what Jesus was saying at that meeting - life-giving words! Martha was only focusing on herself and her work!

Sometimes we too get caught up in our own talents and our abilities that we too get 'distracted' from what God wants us to do! Martha wanted to show how much she was working just like people in ministry - whether it is the pastor, elders, deacons or even the cook! Everyone may be 'distracted' from the 'main thing' - God!

Mary was so madly in love with Jesus that all she wanted to do was to be as close to Jesus as possible and hear every word He said.

So what is Christianity? It is living your life focusing on only one thing - Being Christlike with every passing breath!

So what do you mean - No space for any other love in your life?

Obviously not! All our other 'loves' must flow from this 'controlling love' for Jesus! For example, if you are a Christian you cannot be in love with another's wife.

Husband and wife will have the richest love when they themselves are in love with Jesus. And you express your love for Jesus through your relationship with your wife. Your love for Jesus must be Overriding, compelling, complete....nothing should become an idol ... eg. job, car, wife, home etc...even ministry! Even the Pharisees were embroiled in too much law, religion and self righteousness. God did not figure on their list of priorities at all!

So how do you communicate with Him if you are not even in His presence?
How can you achieve this? Through the Holy Spirit of course! Our first prayer in the morning should be 'Holy Spirit come into me and help me remain in the presence of Jesus today whilst i go through my day.'

Christianity is a relationship!

All great men of God knew this...Abraham wanted to spend all his time in the presence of God!
Smith Wigglesworth the great miracle worker of our century also spent all day in the presence of God. Want to work miracles? be in the presence of God! It's all about Him! It's a relationship!

Isaiah 40:31 -   ³¹ But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

... SO, CHOOSE TO BE AN EAGLE NOT A GOBBLING TURKEY!