Manna for Your Morning

She had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord’s feet and was continually listening to His teaching. — Luke 10:39 (AMP) The Passion Translation says, Mary sat down attentively before the Master, absorbing every revelation he shared. May we consistently seat ourselves at the Lord’s feet (a posture of humility) and listen attentively to His teaching, absorbing His Words into our hearts. In John 16:33 (TPT) Jesus said: “And everything I’ve taught you is so that the peace which is in me will be in you and will give you great confidence as you rest in me. For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world!” Instead of being worried and bothered and anxious about so many things, frantically running around trying to accomplish things in your own strength, be still and know that He is God. Cast all your cares and concerns upon Him for He cares for you. Our mighty God is over all things. He will lead yo...

Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”  — John 11:40 (NKJV) When Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. (John 11:6). Mary and Martha may have thought Jesus forgot about them or that He didn’t care, but it was all for the glory of God. What seems to us like a delay, may be a prelude for the glory of God to be shown. Don’t get down in the dumps during the delays. Instead keep believing and watching with expectation for a mighty move of God! Instead of another healing, John 11:43-44 records Jesus calling a man who had been dead for four days out of the grave. That relationship or situation that appears lifeless in your eyes, can be resurrected and given new life, all for the glory of God. As a result of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, many of the Jews who saw what Jesus did, believed in Him. (John 11:45) As God’s glory is revealed in your life, many will see and belie...

The Lord answered her, “Martha, my beloved Martha. Why are you upset and troubled, pulled away by all these many distractions? Are they really that important? Mary has discovered the one thing most important by choosing to sit at my feet. She is undistracted, and I won’t take this privilege from her.” — Luke 10:41-42 (TPT) Luke 10:38 tells us that Martha welcomed Jesus into her home. She had good intentions by inviting Him in, but then she became totally distracted. Can you imagine how it would feel if you went to visit a friend and they had no time for conversation because they were too busy in the kitchen? May we always keep the main thing, the main thing: our relationship with Jesus. Choose to spend time with Him. Meditate in the Word day and night (Joshua 1:8). Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God (Hebrews 13:15). And in everything give thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Instead of being pulled away by the concerns of this w...

She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” — Luke 10:39-42 (NASB) Psalm 46:10a (NASB) says, “Cease striving and know that I am God…” All of our striving and busyness is a distraction and a ploy of the enemy to disconnect us from our heavenly Father. Choose to stay close and intimately connected to our great, compassionate God. Keep your heart open to listen to Him, and receive His wisdom and truth. When we stop thinking it’s all about us, and acknowledge, it’s all about Him, the rest of Psalm 46:10 unfolds in our lives: “I will be exalt...

And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” — Luke 1:28 (NKJV) The angel Gabriel spoke these words to Mary, but we can rejoice also because the Lord is with us too. She carried Jesus for nine months, but He abides in us forever. We are indeed blessed and highly favored! And with God nothing will be impossible. (Luke 1:37) His Holy Spirit dwelling in us, enables us and empowers us to do all that He has called us to do. In His strength we can crush an army; with our God we can scale any wall. (Psalm 18:29) Rejoice! He has already gained the victory for us.

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. — Luke 2:7 (NKJV) Have you ever had to call around attempting to make a reservation only to find out everything is full, totally booked? I imagine it was like that for Joseph and Mary as they sought a place to stay in Bethlehem. Well, everyday Jesus stands and knocks on the door of our hearts, desiring for us to open the door and let Him enter. Do you let Him in, or do you hold the door closed because you don’t want Him to see how messy your house is? Or is your heart so cluttered with affections for things of this world, that there is no room for Jesus? Decide everyday, to make room for Jesus in your heart, —His home. He wants to dine with you. Let Him in and partake of the bread of life and be filled with the living water.

She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. — Luke 10:39-40 (MSG) Jesus told Martha she was anxious and troubled about many things; (Luke 10:41 AMP), but Mary chose that good part. Be careful not to let the cares of this world distract you and pull you away from daily sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening to His teachings. He has the words of eternal life (John 6:68). And His word has given us life (Psalm 119:50). Hang on to every word.

And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. — Matthew 2:11 (NKJV) When the wise men found Jesus, they went into the house and worshiped Him. Don’t be an outsider, looking in. Eliminate the barriers and draw near to Jesus. Our heavenly Father adopted us and brought us into His family as His beloved children. Come in and worship the King of kings, and Lord of lords!

And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” — Luke 10:41-42 (NKJV) Instead of being worried and troubled, let us be like Mary. She sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word (Luke 10:39). The Message Bible says, she sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. May we sit in the presence of the Son and soak in the rays of His marvelous, life-giving light. The one thing we need is His Presence. Instead of trying to figure out every detail of your life, let His Word be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path (Psalm 119:105).

Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. — Matthew 1:19 (NIV) After Joseph considered divorcing Mary secretly, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:20). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife (Matthew 1:24). As a faithful man, Joseph was willing to allow his love to be a covering for Mary. He did not want to publicly shame or disgrace her. And even though he did not necessarily understand the situation, he obeyed God. Will you be a faithful man or woman of God and totally trust Him enough to just obey Him, when you situations in your life just don’t make sense? Will you keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins? (1 Peter 4:...

“Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” — Luke 1:45 (NKJV)  When the angel Gabriel told Mary she would conceive and bring forth a Son, the Holy One who is to be called the Son of God, Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word,” (Luke 1:38). Believe that the Lord will fulfill every promise He has spoken to you. It will be as the Israelites experienced in Joshua 21:45, not a word failed of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass. Only believe!

Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” — John 2:4-5 (NKJV) Many times, I have wished that I listened to my mother. Sometimes it's the mom's who speak the simple truths. The words Mary, the mother of Jesus, spoke to the servants are words that transcend the ages. They are timeless words of wisdom. If we just do whatever Jesus tells us to do, we can be assured that we will have favor and good success in our lives. No more excuses, it is a call to action. DO whatever He says to you. Then you will be able to speak the words of John 17:4, “I have glorified You down here on the earth by completing the work that You gave Me to do.”

And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. — Luke 10:39 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her. — Luke 10:42 (NKJV) While Mary chose to hang out with Jesus, Martha was distracted with much serving (Luke 10:40). Most of us can relate to Mary or Martha. However, at any given moment we can ignore the distractions and CHOOSE to sit at Jesus feet, and meditate on the Word. Instead of being like Martha, worried and troubled about many things, we can cast all our cares on the Lord (Psalm 55:22). We can choose not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together with other believers (Hebrews 10:25). You choose!

Martha was upset about all the work she had to do. So she asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work all by myself? Tell her to help me.” The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha! You worry and fuss about a lot of things. There’s only one thing you need. Mary has made the right choice, and that one thing will not be taken away from her.”  — Luke 10:40-42 (GW) Mary sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what He said, while Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. Don't get distracted with the things of this world. Stay focused on the main thing. Jesus said there is only one essential thing and Mary made the right choice. Choose Jesus, the Living Word!