Present in His Presence

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As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42 NLT

The issue wasn’t with what Mary was doing, it was with what she was leaving undone.

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. 1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT

But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” Luke 10:40 NLT

When we work outside of the presence of God, our bodies grow weary and our hearts grow bitter.

His presence is a gift. You can’t earn it, but you can choose it, and be changed by it!

Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:42 NLT

When we choose to sit in God’s presence, our souls can hear and see the Savior redeeming our stories and directing our steps.

Godly rest produces restoration which leads to renewed passion for His work in our world.

When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. But Mary stayed in the house. John 11:20 NLT

Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.” John 11:21-22 NLT

When we choose God’s presence in difficulty, we find our Savior who gives us hope, help and healing.

Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.” “Yes,” Martha said, “he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day.” Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?” “Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.” John 11:23-27 NLT

Choosing God’s presence will always increase our faith and empower our faithfulness.

When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. “Where have you put him?” he asked them. They told him, “Lord, come and see.” Then Jesus wept. John 11:33-35 NLT

We aren’t meant to miss on God’s presence in either our stillness or our busyness.

Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. “Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them. But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.” John 11:38-39 NLT

Choosing God’s presence over personal comfort is a front row seat to His miraculous work and will.

Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in grave-clothes, his face wrapped in a head-cloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!” John 11:40-44 NLT

It’s through the rhythms of rest and action that we experience the richness of God’s presence.

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