Posts Tagged ‘Martha’
I recently finished reading having a Mary Heart in a Martha World – Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life by Joanna Weaver. A book I now highly recommend for all women, young and old to read. For the next 12 weeks, I plan to share my findings as I journey through the accompanying Bible Study Mrs. Weaver placed at the end of the book.
Questions for Discussion or Reflection – Day Eight
1) The story of Mary and Martha stirs up memories of sibling rivalry for many of us. What battles with your siblings do you remember the most? What did you do to get your parents to notice you?
I didn’t grow up really with my older siblings, due to a 15+ year gap between most of them and myself. I was raised as an only child until my niece moved in with us when I was 10 years old. She is just a year younger than me. I remember the first night she officially to moved in. She ran to hug me and in the process she knocked me down. I landed on my ankle, sprained it and ended up also with scratches on my arm. This was only round one, of our ongoing battle royale in the end we came to a truce… love 
I didn’t try to get noticed by my parents, I actually wanted to make sure that I DIDN’T draw any unneeded attention. I was what they call goodie two shoes; good grades and good behavior.
2) Read Luke 10:38-42. Have you ever asked Martha’s question, “Lord, don’t you care?” What was the situation? How did God answer your question?
The only real time I can remember ever asking the Lord, if he cared… I was young only barely of age (when I didn’t know any better) and faced with the possibility of all I had worked so hard for in life coming down like stones at my feet. There were no funds available for me continue my schooling / college. That was 12 years ago and God is still answering the question. He is developing me for his glory!
To be continued… I welcome your comments!
The previous article can be found here.
Lela Jefferson – http://www.memoirsofablackgirl.com
I recently finished reading having a Mary Heart in a Martha World – Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life by Joanna Weaver. A book I now highly recommend for all women, young and old to read. For the next 12 weeks, I plan to share my findings as I journey through the accompanying Bible Study Mrs. Weaver placed at the end of the book.
Going Deeper – Day Seven
8 ) What spoke most to you in this, chapter.
The morning my mother the beloved Thelma B. Jefferson went home to be with the Lord in the spring of 2006; I was very audibly awakened by the Holy Spirit. It was the first time I had ever been awakened in such a way and at the time in the morning. It was just before 4:00 AM. Being obedient I got up and began to pray in my heavenly language / tongues. The night before I had been told I was being recommended for a position to work full-time in ministry and was not completely sure about taking up the offer because it was not in one my strengths area. I knew it was my destiny to work in ministry, however I was not sure if it was the right season or timing for it.
So, as I began to pray my heart at first was heavy. As I was led deeper into the spirit and began praising God I felt a peace. At the end of the hour or so, I lifted my hands up and said ‘Lord, whatever people places or things you must remove out of my life in order for me to walk in your perfect will. I promise I will not become angry with you.’ As I stated above that was the morning my mother went home to be with the Lord…
Additional life changing events began to unfold shortly thereafter…relationship testing. I accepted the position and was released and brought back. Learned my boyfriend/fiancé of 6 years was cheating on me. My finances were hit, the list goes on. However through it all I kept my promise of not getting angry with God.
Yet, our relationship became one of duty bound because I was trying to shield myself from being hurt again, versus one of release and restoration. Reading this chapter and doing the Bible Study showed me that. Real power comes from learning how to release your cares wants and desires back to God. He has a specific purpose for each of us and if we are bogged down, with burdens he did not want us to carry, we can miss the mark. Then what most of us do is look towards God and asking him why? When, we were the cause of it all; for we had stepped out of the protection that is found in being intimate with him.
To be continued…
The previous article can be found here.
Lela Jefferson – http://www.memoirsofablackgirl.com
I recently finished reading having a Mary Heart in a Martha World – Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life by Joanna Weaver. A book I now highly recommend for all women, young and old to read. For the next 12 weeks, I plan to share my findings as I journey through the accompanying Bible Study Mrs. Weaver placed at the end of the book.
Going Deeper – Day Six
7) Read Matthew 11:28-30. Circle key words and mediate on these verses-really think about Jesus is saying. Then memorize this passage phrase by phrase. Write it on an index card, and refer to it frequently, repeating it until it becomes a part of you.
Mark 11:28-30 (King James Version)
28And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?
29And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
30The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me.
Mark 11:28-30 (Amplified Bible)
28And they kept saying to Him, By what [sort of] authority are You doing these things, or who gave You this authority to do them?
29Jesus told them, I will ask you a question. Answer Me, and then I will tell you by what [sort of] authority I do these things.
30Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men? Answer Me
What I received from this passage is this. Before you question someone else’s motives for doing something, evaluate your own. Jesus was baptized in the natural by John the Baptist as it was preordained in the scriptures. However, he was given heavenly authority to do what he did on Earth by God. He was heavenly appointed. The voice of God was heard audibly that day; it was manifested and could not be mistaken. If you read the verses before this passage and after, you will see it was the chief priests and scribes of the temple of Jerusalem that asked him this question. However, because he knew who he was and who had sent he was able to BOLDLY ask the same question they had asked him. Their reply was “We cannot tell.” Why? Could not these men of God answer him confidently? Simply, because they were more concerned on what the people would say or do. Their reverence was misplaced.
To be continued…
The previous article can be found here.
Lela Jefferson – http://www.memoirsofablackgirl.com
I recently finished reading having a Mary Heart in a Martha World – Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life by Joanna Weaver. A book I now highly recommend for all women, young and old to read. For the next 12 weeks, I plan to share my findings as I journey through the accompanying Bible Study Mrs. Weaver placed at the end of the book.
Going Deeper – Day Five
6) Have you seen God’s work for transformation in your own life or some else’s? How did you know it was a “holy makeover” and not a just a temporary “facelift”?
I have definitely seen God’s transforming love work in my own life as of late. As I strive to get more intimate with him, he shows me time and time again how much he really loves me. My relationship with Abba Father truly is a daughter-father one. I am learning each day how much he wants the best for me as well. How by accepting him as my Abba Father that there is a set of standards of my own behavior, how I look and act, the people that I fellowship with, where I fellowship and the words I allow to precede out my mouth, my attitude EVERYTHING has to line up with his WORD and his instructions for me. If I even THINK of deviating, I now get roadblocks and warning signs clear as a bell from people, places, things and more times lately than ever prophetically from the pulpit at church! It like he is saying…”I am warning you. Giving you a fair amount of time to make the right decision, so if something happens you have no reason to be upset with me. You will know, clearly know where the fault lays and what you need to do in the future to prevent that blessing blocker from even appearing.” In return, my answer now is ‘Yes, sir and amen!”
Temporary facelift!?!?! Ha, definitely not. Once you are in covenant with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, it is for life even if YOU think is conditional. In relation to the World’s thinking it is like the mafia. God is all inclusive; he doesn’t do anything half stepped. To be quite honest I would rather submit and be protected by his shadow (reference Psalm 91); then disobey and be heavenly corrected. I have already experienced a few heavenly corrections in my lifetime, and though I felt his presence embracing me and loving me all the while. The sting is still there to remind me and the process to get back on my original course could have been avoided if I had just listened, submitted and obeyed in the first place.
To be continued…
The previous article can be found here.
Lela Jefferson – http://www.memoirsofablackgirl.com
I recently finished reading having a Mary Heart in a Martha World – Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life by Joanna Weaver. A book I now highly recommend for all women, young and old to read. For the next 12 weeks, I plan to share my findings as I journey through the accompanying Bible Study Mrs. Weaver placed at the end of the book.
Going Deeper – Day Four
5) What does the Bible say in the following verses about our potential for change?
Ezekiel 36:26-27 (King James Version)
26A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
27And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (King James Version)
17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Philippians 1:6 (King James Version)
6Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
By accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior we gain the benefit of receiving a new heart and spirit the Master’s own. Through this exchange we are also made anew, our old ways are casted away. This is the essence of being changed, renewed. All we have to do in order to maintain these benefits is remain confident in the fact a good work has been created in us and be obedient to the God’s words and ways.
To be continued…
The previous article can be found here.
Lela Jefferson – http://www.memoirsofablackgirl.com
I recently finished reading having a Mary Heart in a Martha World – Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life by Joanna Weaver. A book I now highly recommend for all women, young and old to read. For the next 12 weeks, I plan to share my findings as I journey through the accompanying Bible Study Mrs. Weaver placed at the end of the book.
Going Deeper – Day Three
3) A woman told me, “I guess I’m a Martha and that I’ll always be a Martha.” Is it possible for our basic character to change or are we destined to live our lives stuck in a predetermined nature? Explain your answer.
When we are little we tend to be more like Mary. Our parents and/or guardians give us the first flesh and blood examples of teachers. Because we know nothing other than to tend to their words; like Mary we listen and obey in an essence at their feet. As we grow older and gain more independence and experiences of our own we can develop character traits that can be more like Martha or remain like Mary’s. The choice is ours if we want to have a balance of the two or remain either or.
I choose to strive to be an evolved version of both sisters. The sisters we see displayed in the story of Lazarus their brother; purposeful, bold, working in concert yet at the same time having a peaceful understanding that the Master’s (Jesus’) will be done.
To be continued…
The previous article can be found here.
Lela Jefferson – http://www.memoirsofablackgirl.com
I recently finished reading having a Mary Heart in a Martha World – Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life by Joanna Weaver. A book I now highly recommend for all women, young and old to read. For the next 12 weeks, I plan to share my findings as I journey through the accompanying Bible Study Mrs. Weaver placed at the end of the book.
Going Deeper – Day Two
3) Read Luke 10:38-42. List two things you learn about Martha in this passage and at least two things you learn about Mary. How would you sum up Martha in one word? How would you sum up Mary?
Luke 10:38-42 (King James Version)
38Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
39And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
40But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me.
41And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
42But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
The two things I learned about Martha in this passage is that one she had the wisdom to welcome Jesus into her home and to treat him as an honored guest. The second is that she really did not seem to enjoy life, she had many concerns. However, they did not seem to be anything of substance. I have to add a third she seemed to operate on automatic. Martha, did not wait for instruction before busying herself. Nowhere in this passage of scripture do we see her asking Jesus what he would prefer instead it seems as if she chastised / questioned him for encouraging Mary not to help her.
Now Mary, on the other hand, is shown to have the good sense one not to open her mouth to speak before listening. Secondly she had the wisdom to sit herself at the feet of Jesus to hear his instruction.
If I was to use one word to describe Martha it would be “Driven”.
If I was to use one word to describe Mary it would be “Purposeful”.
To be continued…
The previous article can be found here.
Lela Jefferson – http://www.memoirsofablackgirl.com
I recently finished reading having a Mary Heart in a Martha World – Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life by Joanna Weaver. A book I now highly recommend for all women, young and old to read. For the next 12 weeks, I plan to share my findings as I journey through the accompanying Bible Study Mrs. Weaver placed at the end of the book.
Questions for Discussion or Reflection – Day One
1) What preconceived ideas did you have about Mary and Martha before reading this book? Which woman do you relate to most – Mary or Martha? Explain your answer.
Before reading the book, when thinking of the two sisters I pictured Martha being the ultimate workaholic and people pleaser. Always staying busy, not satisfied till the work was done, very efficient and by far the best hostess. As for Mary, I saw her as a true free spirit and worshiper with the innocence of a child. Unafraid, possessing a quiet boldness that gave her courage to sit at the Master’s / Lord’s feet and not worry about the consequences of her actions may accrue.
Of the two sisters, I could always relate more to Martha. All my life I have been in constant preparation mode. Always working to help others to bring their dreams to the foreground while out of fear from disappointment, (what I used to think) watching my own dreams fall to the waste side. See I had let past hurts allow me to cast away my confidence in my own God given dreams. It got so bad at one point that I began to sow out of a sense of duty versus that of purpose.
Yes, I found joy in helping others. However, still I had the frustration of never truly feeling understood for me. I had for so long worked to mask who I was my heart’s desires that it became hard for me to express to others the real me. Those days are gone with praise God for mind renewal!
Anyway, that is how I saw and related to Martha. Duty bound, do to circumstances; not able to live the life she wanted. Always seeming to be the one to pick up the slack or responsibilities others were not willing to. Like caring for siblings, keeping a home or making a living; basically forced to grow up before she was ready to.
In my own life, I learned at a young age how to be self-reliant; not to be an extra burden. Staying overly active in school and getting above average grades. Looking for approval through my works; this created ultimately a bondage to people. See, my father had left our home when I was about six because of infidelities. He cheated on my mother.
Don’t get me wrong my father was never far away and was one of my greatest teachers, yet he had his own demons to fight. I am truly blessed to have been his daughter and share with him his journey the last 22 of the 63 years of his life. To have heard him say to me that he was glad I never gave up on him and that he could call me his friend. I will always treasure that.
Growing up though, financially it was rough when I was younger. It got to the point that my mother shortly after her separation from my father that she had to get public assistance collect benefits and recycle bottles and cans to make money for us. She later despite her being legally blind in both eyes became a daycare provider; my bedroom doubling as a classroom during the day. The one thing I can say through those lean years is we always had a roof, food, love and an understanding knowledge of God in our household.
2) One woman told me, “My life is like a blender – and it’s stuck on frappe!” What inanimate object best describes how your life currently feels?
The inanimate object that best describes my life is a boat on a river floating peacefully towards an unknown destination. Sure there are turns and twists; however I have an anchor (the word of God) and a set of oars (good relations) to prevent me from top siding.
To be continued…
Lela Jefferson – http://www.memoirsofablackgirl.com
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