Posts Tagged ‘Mary Heart in a Martha World’
I read having a Mary Heart in a Martha World – Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life by Joanna Weaver over the summer. A book I now highly recommend for all women, young and old to read. I have been actually sharing my findings as I journey through the accompanying Bible Study Mrs. Weaver placed at the end of the book on my blogs. Here is the latest question I studied out and gave commentary on.
Questions for Discussion or Reflection – Day Fourteen
1) Martha wanted Jesus to tell Mary to help out in the kitchen, but instead of giving her what she wanted, Dr. Jesus made a diagnosis: “Martha, Martha… you are worried and upset about many things.” If you had been Martha, how would Jesus’ words have made you feel?
I have been Martha, in the past and sometimes do even have relapses. However, to answer the above question directly and honestly, I would have felt at first taken aback and quite possibly a bit offended by Jesus’ comment. The reason since that this man would have been undressing my mind, with his response to my request of help, from Mary my sister. Culturally yes the women were to ready the house for guests. However, nowhere in this encounter with Jesus do we see Martha being asked to do anything by Jesus or anyone else for that matter. She made the conscious decision to busy herself. I can imagine being Martha saying to myself while being very aggravated “I wish I could sit at the Master’s feet and act as if I have no cares in the world like my sister Mary! However, I must do what duty dictates.”
Duty at times can be a blessing. It leads to the maintaining of order. However, it cannot be our excuse for not making positive changes in our lives. Mary outside of the two sisters was the most bold in this story. She went against traditions to sit herself in a room filled with men, at the feet of a man that was not her husband. In this she showed Jesus that she valued what he had to offer, his presence.
Instead of trying to show him through works begat from busyness, she [Mary] showed him in her immediate corresponding action of faith by sitting at his feet. Martha on the other hand, showed her busyness to be more important than to hear a word from Jesus.
To be continued… I welcome your comments!
The previous article can be found here.
Lela Jefferson – http://www.memoirsofablackgirl.com
I read having a Mary Heart in a Martha World – Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life by Joanna Weaver over the summer. A book I now highly recommend for all women, young and old to read. I have been actually sharing my findings as I journey through the accompanying Bible Study Mrs. Weaver placed at the end of the book on my blogs. Here is the latest question I studied out and gave commentary on.
Questions for Going Deeper – Day Thirteen
7) Write Jesus a letter beginning with “Lord, I know you love me because…,” and list the ways he has shown his great love for you.
Lord, I know you love me because you gave your life as a living sacrifice for me. You taught through your example to others that even though it is over two thousand years later I am still gleaning from your wisdom! You left me the greatest comforter, the Holy Spirit to be my daily guide. Even though you have been redeemed and have returned to sit at the father’s side you STILL intercede on my behalf ceaselessly. With the simple calling of your name and my belief in your word, your only answer to me is always YES!
There is SO much that I can list about how you have shown your great love to me, but the greatest is that you called me yours before I even knew how to utter your name. Each day I fall more and more in love with you as we grow more intimate with each other. All I want to do is serve you and your people. I know through my willing servitude and swift obedience to your voice, I show you my love, trust and respect in return.
To be continued… I welcome your comments!
The previous article can be found here.
Lela Jefferson – http://www.memoirsofablackgirl.com
I read having a Mary Heart in a Martha World – Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life by Joanna Weaver over the summer. A book I now highly recommend for all women, young and old to read. I have been actually sharing my findings as I journey through the accompanying Bible Study Mrs. Weaver placed at the end of the book on my blogs. Here is the latest question I studied out and gave commentary on.
Questions for Going Deeper – Day Twelve
6) Read Psalm 103. List at least five of the many ways God shows his love for us. (If you are struggling to know the Father’s love, consider memorizing this chapter so you won’t forget “all his benefits.”)
The benefits that stand out for me are as follows, the complete chapter follows my highlights:
- God forgives us of ALL our generational sins (iniquities) and he heals us of ALL our diseases (things that don’t put us at ease.)
- God redeems our lives from evil and makes them beautiful, dignified with his loving-kindness for his sake with tender mercy.
- Through our confessions he renews our youth like that of an eagle.
- God does not hold grudges.
- He removes transgressions from our lives.
Psalm 103 (Amplified Bible)
Psalm 103
[A Psalm] of David.
1BLESS (AFFECTIONATELY, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul; and all that is [deepest] within me, bless His holy name!
2Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul, and forget not [one of] all His benefits–
3Who forgives [every one of] all your iniquities, Who heals [each one of] all your diseases,
4Who redeems your life from the pit and corruption, Who beautifies, dignifies, and crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercy;
5Who satisfies your mouth [your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation] with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle’s [strong, overcoming, soaring]!(A)
6The Lord executes righteousness and justice [not for me only, but] for all who are oppressed.
7He made known His ways [of righteousness and justice] to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.
8The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy and loving-kindness.(B)
9He will not always chide or be contending, neither will He keep His anger forever or hold a grudge.
10He has not dealt with us after our sins nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great are His mercy and loving-kindness toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him.
12As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13As a father loves and pities his children, so the Lord loves and pities those who fear Him [with reverence, worship, and awe].
14For He knows our frame, He [earnestly] remembers and imprints [on His heart] that we are dust.
15As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
16For the wind passes over it and it is gone, and its place shall know it no more.
17But the mercy and loving-kindness of the Lord are from everlasting to everlasting upon those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him, and His righteousness is to children’s children–(C)
18To such as keep His covenant [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it] and to those who [earnestly] remember His commandments to do them [imprinting them on their hearts].
19The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all.
20Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, you His angels, you mighty ones who do His commandments, hearkening to the voice of His word.
21Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, all you His hosts, you His ministers who do His pleasure.
22Bless the Lord, all His works in all places of His dominion; bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul!
Cross references:
Amplified Bible (AMP)
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
To be continued… I welcome your comments!
The previous article can be found here.
Lela Jefferson – http://www.memoirsofablackgirl.com
I read having a Mary Heart in a Martha World – Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life by Joanna Weaver over the summer. A book I now highly recommend for all women, young and old to read. I have been actually sharing my findings as I journey through the accompanying Bible Study Mrs. Weaver placed at the end of the book on my blogs. Here is the latest question I studied out and gave commentary on.
Questions for Going Deeper – Day Eleven
5) In Mark 4:34-41 the disciples echoed Martha’s question: “Don’t you care?” What does this portion of Scripture teach us about the difficult times in our lives? (Consider Isaiah 43:1-2.)
What these two passages of scriptures teach us is that even when it looks the most difficult; God has already said in HIS word (referencing Isaiah 43:1-2) that he would be with us. We need to stop having stock, believing in what we see with our natural eyes and begin to have faith in what he has promised us in his word. Jesus who was the word made flesh was in the boat with the disciples (referencing Mark 4:34-41), yet and still they had fear that they would perish. They were still in a state of disbelief. For even after he had calmed the waters and the winds; they could not comprehend the matter of man Jesus was. They still did not understand the authority or blessing they had amongst them. Praise God for our sake they eventually did!
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.
Questions for Going Deeper – Day Ten
1) In this passage how did God minister to Elijah in the midst of his discouragement (1 Kings 19: 1-8)? How has God ministered to you when you felt alone and were hurting?
In this passage of scripture Elijah is ministered to by God with the answering of his prayers. He told the Lord that he felt he was not strong enough to continue on to fight Jezebel and her maneuvers; that he was no better than his fathers before him. God being true to his form; gave Elijah what he asked for. He released him from his assignment, but at the same feed and protected him.
When I have felt alone and hurting. God has presented me with others to minister to, to keep my mind off myself. To show me that what I think may be bad only pales in comparison to what someone else maybe going through. Other times he has even humbled me; by allowing me to hear the testimonies others that endured and were able to praise God in the end.
Nothing that the world can toss me I cannot overcome, with God and through my faith in him!
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.
Questions for Going Deeper – Day Nine
1) All of us have felt alone-even great heroes of the faith felt this way. Read 1 Kings 19:1-18. How did the “Deadly Ds” of distraction, discouragement, and doubt attack Elijah after the great victory over the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18? I’ve completed the first one as a example:
DISTRACTION: Jezbel’s anger made him run for his life.
DISCOURAGEMENT: He showed his discouragement by hiding away and taking offense with Israel on the Lord’s behalf. He internalized worries and concerns that were the Lord’s not his own. He forgot his lane or role in their relationship; him and God. He was the servant not the master.
DOUBT: Elijah showed his doubt when he lost his confidence in himself and his relationship with God. He allowed fear to make him believe God could no longer protect him; he lost faith. When this happened all that God could do was instruct him to appoint those that would succeed him and kings of Israel and Judah.
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.
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
ABOUT
The Writings and Experiences of Lela Jefferson.
RECENT POSTS
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| « Aug | ||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | ||