Daily Thoughts about God

by Marilyn Ehle

“you are God’s building. Each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or stray, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light.” 1 Corinthians 3:9-13

An engineer inspects a building still standing, but extensively damaged, by the recent earthquake in Haiti. When she scrapes her fingernails over a protruding â€œcementâ€ block, sand and small stones crumble to the ground and she proves her point: this building was made from faulty materials. Another minor quake or even a hurricane of medium force will bring it to the ground.

Spiritual writer and teacher Basil Pennington writes, “my false self is made up of what I have, what I do and what people think of me. It is constructed, therefore, of false attachments.” Anyone who has ever been involved in building a structure knows the value of carefully attaching the superstructure to a firm foundation. Rusty nails will not do. Watery cement will ultimately prove disastrous.

How much of my identity is tied to these three aspects: what I have (this includes more than possessions; it also encompasses my physical appearance, health, strength, etc.); what I do (activities, job/profession); what people think of me (perceptions, impressions). If I were stripped of these three, who would I be?

The goal of “radical Christian spiritual transformation” (as described by David Benner) is to walk on the journey of intimacy with God, increasingly aware that He deeply loves me and is committed to constructing me into a reflection of His own glory. Only the materials He uses are sufficient.

Father, thank you for revealing how much I value wrong or inadequate building materials. Please be faithful in pointing out to me how to consistently keep my eyes on you and build into my life with materials chosen by you.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/03/22/me_faulty/

by Darren Hewer

“But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to [Jesus] and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me.” Luke 10:40

Ever feel like a Martha? Someone who is focused, driven, hardworking “someone who wants to just get things done? Have you ever read Jesus’ interaction with Mary and her sister Martha, and felt sympathy for poor Martha, who is doing her best to be busy and work, only to be reproved by Jesus?

Does Jesus despise working hard? Surely not; Jesus commends hard work and perseverance (Revelation 2:2), and gives many parables to illustrate the value of hard work (such as the Two Sons, Matthew 21:32). What, then, does Jesus object to? Martha was not just working, but was : distracted,” “worried,” and “upset.” Just as “faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:17), the inverse is also true: Actions done with a gladful heart are what God desires.

What is the “better” thing that Mary has chosen? “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” (John 6:29). If Martha were doing her work with the proper focus (on God) and a loving attitude, she would not have complained that her sister was focusing on listening to Jesus, for Jesus told the crowds to “Listen and understand.” (Matthew 15:10).

Even when we have a Martha attitude, we can take comfort in this: “Jesus loved Martha” (John 11:5) Even when we miss the mark, have a bad attitude, or lose patience, God still loves us. Take this opportunity today to examine your servant life, and see if your heart is “distracted,” “worried,” and “upset.” If so, it would be worthwhile to take time to spend some time in peace and quiet with God. Remember, “Jesus loved Martha.”

Question: Is your heart distracted, worried, or upset today? If so, take solace in the fact that God loves you, and try to turn those feelings into something great, by listening to God through His word.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/03/20/dh_loved-martha/

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Faulty Building Materials

Jesus Loved Martha

Daily Thoughts about God Posts

Faulty Building Materials

Jesus Loved Martha