Busy Bee!

Luke 10:38-42

If Jesus came to visit you for a day, what questions would you ask Him (if any)? Would you spend most of your time making His stay pleasant and comfortable, or would you focus all your attention on hearing everything He has to say? This was the situation that took place in Bethany, when Jesus visited His friends Martha and Mary.

The sisters were fond of Jesus, and He in turn thought it necessary to visit them. Martha received Jesus into their home, then made preparations to accommodate His stay, whereas Mary kept her eyes and ears focused on Jesus alone. At some point during the day, Martha had become aggravated at the fact that while she seemed to be doing all the serving, Mary’s lack of help was bothersome. So, Martha approached Jesus and asked, “Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me.” While serving Jesus wasn’t bad at all, hearing what He had to say was more important, in that moment. Jesus was only visiting for a brief time, and it was better to first hear Him speak, then go from there. Not everyone was privileged to be in the presence of Jesus, and Mary knew to take advantage of the opportunity.

Oftentimes we find ourselves being too busy to take time out for God. Many of us work our fingers to the bone, or occupy our time with things that can be delayed, in order to spend a little time in the Word. While Martha did well in serving the Lord, she failed to realize, He came to render service to her household. Never allow yourself to become too busy until God is placed last on your to-do list. Do as Mary did and choose the good part (The Word of God), which is something that can never be taken away from you, then all else will fall into place.

They Should Have Picked Me!

Acts 6:1-7

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to another exciting episode of, “They Should Have Picked Me!” Starring, The Twelve Apostles, and the group of unnamed Disciples! I’m your host, “holyell”, and I’ll be bringing you all the details of tonight’s most fascinating scenes!

(Loud, and disturbing crowd chatter amongst the unsettled church members)

One of the 12: Alright, alright, calm down everyone. What seems to be the reason for all this unusual commotion?

Grecian Disciple: Good sirs, we understand that you are busy doing the Lord’s work; preaching, teaching, and healing, but while you are busy doing all those wonderful things, no one is tending to our widows during the time of daily ministration.

Crowd: YES YES, WE DESERVE TO BE TREATED JUST AS FAIR AS THE HEBREWS.

One of the 12: Hmm… I understand, but we must continue doing as God leads us, and it would be unwise for us to stop teaching, in order to partake of the daily ministration, so to avoid this problem again, we will allow you to select seven men with good reputations, and full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, to manage daily ministrations.

Crowd: Yes, that’s a great idea. Who should we choose?

(The seven that were chosen were Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, Nicolas)

One of the 12: Alright, now that we have that situation under control, we will continue in prayer and ministering the Word to all men. To the seven who were chosen, we lay hands on you, and pray that God use you to do His will, and that you fulfill your duties to the best of your ability.

Crowd: Amen. Amen. Amen.

(Crowd disperses, except one ungrateful disciple)

Ungrateful Disciple: Hey!! Wait!! Why wasn’t I selected to be chosen to serve the people? I’ve been faithful since I gave my heart to God?

One of the 12: Calm down young man. What is your problem?

Ungrateful Disciple: What’s my problem? What’s my problem? Do you know who I am?

One of the 12: Umm… not really, sorry

Ungrateful Disciple: I deserve to be among the seven selected to manage the daily ministration.

One of the 12: And why do you feel this way?

Ungrateful Disciple: Well, because I think I meet all the qualifications. And, I’ve served as a faithful disciple consistently.

One of the 12: Although you may meet the qualifications, shouldn’t you be in support of your fellow brethren who were selected, and continue doing those things pleasing to God from where you currently stand?

Ungrateful Disciple: Yeah, well, I guess you’re right, but I feel like I could do the job.

One of the 12: I understand son, but the fact that you weren’t selected doesn’t mean you can’t do the job. In fact, maybe God has something else He wants you to do in the church. Have you considered that thought?

Ungrateful Disciple: Now that you’ve mentioned it, maybe you’re right. Instead of getting frustrated with the fact that I wasn’t chosen to serve in that area, I should be happy for the men who were, and offer all the support they need to be successful. And, if God selects me to do something else, I’ll want the brethren to have my back as well.

One of the 12: You got it son. Well done. Now, keep that positive attitude, and go serve the Lord.

Ungrateful Disciple: Thank you sir, I most certainly will.

*We won’t always be selected to do special jobs in the kingdom, but we should not faint, nor lose heart when others are chosen, instead of us. God can get the most of us no matter what position we hold in His kingdom. Be grateful wherever God places you, and work diligently to see that His purpose is fulfilled in your life. Never hate on those who God calls to do special assignments, rather support them and keep them encouraged, because the work they do always comes with hard challenges.

“Stay in your lane, and let God bless you from there.” – Ell

Serve And Protect

Genesis 44:27-34

One of the believer’s duties in service to God is, to protect those who also stand in agreement with their faith confession. The Bible teaches in the book of Romans, “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me” (Romans 15:1-3).

Some who follow after righteousness diligently, will at times, become weak in spirit, and will be unable to bear their burdens alone. It’s during these moments when the power of prayer and intercession become of great importance to those who are weak, and those who can help bear the burdens of others. A sure way to identify a real child of God, from those who only use God’s name for selfish purposes is, to monitor how far they go, to ensure that others are properly cared for. There are many who claim the name of Christ, and appear to perform good deeds, but their actions are only done to promote themselves, and gain relevance in the spotlight. True Christians do their alms in secret, intercede in their prayer closets, and desire only to help those in need, without seeking glory for themselves.

After you pledged your allegiance in service to God, and to protect His people, did you do so with the intentions of making your name great, or did you purposely intend to fulfill the Words Jesus spoke when He commanded, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”? (Matt. 22:37-40)

“We live this life for purpose and reason, but not too long, for only a season.” – Ell