Daily Devotional – September 11-17
September 11 – Meditating on God’s Word
This devotional series offers less content but more opportunity for you to reflect, contemplate, and pray through the short Scriptures we offer. It is an opportunity to help us slow down and enjoy time in the presence of God. It is an exercise in listening with the intent of hearing from God through His Word and by His Spirit. Here is the passage for the week:
Luke 10:38-42, As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Prayer: “Jesus, may I open my home and heart to You. May I take time to sit at Your feet in listening to every word You speak. May I take it all in. It’s so easy to become distracted with the tyranny of the urgent. There are so many things to do, and they seem to scream the loudest for my attention. May I discover what’s most important in life by learning to enjoy unhurried quality time so that I know just how loved I am by You. Amen.”
September 12 – Meditating on God’s Word
Luke 10:38, As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.
Write out the Scripture. (As it is or in your own words.)
“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.”
Observe what it is saying. (Answer the who, what, when, where, why, and how questions)
Martha demonstrated generous hospitality as she welcomed Jesus and the disciples into her home. In that culture, hospitality was a high value. God expected His people to be generous in doing so. Hebrews 13:2, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Martha showed hospitality to more than an angel. She welcomed the Son of God into her home. God sat in her living room!
Relate it to your life. (Connect how this Scripture speaks into your life today.)
May I have a Martha spirit and generously welcome others in, but more than anything, may I be known for welcoming Jesus into my life and home.
Do something. (Pray it. Live it. Act on it.)
“Jesus, I welcome You in today. Please forgive me if I have not made You feel at home or if I’m too busy doing my own thing and have neglected You. I want You in my life. I want You in my home. Please enter in, and make me Your home today. Amen.”
September 13 – Meditating on God’s Word
Luke 10:39, She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.
Write out the Scripture.
“She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.”
Observe what it is saying.
Mary positioned herself among the disciples to learn from Him. This was a rather daring act for that culture since women weren’t allowed to be disciples. She must’ve felt Jesus’ warm welcome to step out of her traditional role to listen in. Jesus was revealing that the kingdom of God equally valued women with men. All were welcome to pick up their cross and follow Him.
Relate it to your life.
As a true disciple of Jesus, I will make it a practice to sit at Jesus’ feet listening and learning.
Do something.
“Jesus, thank You that we all have an opportunity to sit at Your feet. I will take my seat, listen to Your transforming message, and follow after You with all I have. Amen.”
September 14 – Meditating on God’s Word
Luke 10:40, But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
Write out the Scripture.
“Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help!”
Observe what it is saying.
Most of us get Martha’s frustration. She was overwhelmed with her heavy work load. She was surprised with Jesus who didn’t seem to care that Mary sat with the disciples instead of being where she belonged, in that cultural context- in the kitchen. Martha was crying, it’s unfair!
Relate it to your life.
Do I cry out in frustration and blame Jesus when life is overwhelming and seemingly unfair?
Do something.
“Jesus, life is unfair at times. Please forgive me when I blame you. Instead, I ask for grace and strength to help me endure such times with patience and peace. Amen.”
September 15 – Meditating on God’s Word
Luke 10:41, “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,
Write out the Scripture.
“’Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things,’”
Observe what it is saying.
Again, we sympathize with Martha. Martha was doing a good thing- preparing a meal for the Lord and his disciples. However, she lost focus of the main purpose of why she was doing it. Jesus lovingly called out her worry and fretting. That’s what love does to help us move on.
Relate it to your life.
Some of us have trouble setting boundaries, and we become overwhelmed with all that needs to be done. Even when we’re doing good things, we can lose focus and need Jesus to call us out.
Do something.
“Jesus, it’s a continual battle to overcome worry and stress with life’s many responsibilities and challenges. I need you to call me out and remind me that you are right there with me. Amen.”
September 16 – Meditating on God’s Word
Luke 10:42, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Write out the Scripture.
“but few things are needed-or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it won’t be taken away from her.”
Observe what it is saying.
Instead of being worried and upset as Martha was, Mary was content. Martha was doing a good act preparing the meal, but she wasn’t doing so with an attitude of love and joy. Even though Jesus appreciated the food being prepared, He knew we don’t live on bread alone, but on the very words of God. Mary joyfully sat as she was fed the words of life. That was better.
Relate it to your life.
I choose what is better when I enjoy unhurried quality time in the presence of Jesus.
Do something.
“Jesus, help me to see the eternal value of being in Your presence being fed the words of life. In all things, may I choose an attitude of joy so that I can be free from anxiety and stress. Amen.”