In Luke 10:38-42 we have a very familiar account of Mary and Martha.
38 Now while they were on their way, it occurred that Jesus entered a certain village, and a woman named Martha received and welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord’s feet and was listening to His teaching. 40 But Martha [overly occupied and too busy] was distracted with much serving; and she came up to Him and said, Lord, is it nothing to You that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me [to lend a hand and do her part along with me]! 41 But the Lord replied to her by saying, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; 42 There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the good portion [that which is to her advantage], which shall not be taken away from her.
There are many born again believers today who fall into the same trap of the enemy that Martha did! They make themselves so busy doing things that they THINK are pleasing to God when all that He really wants is for us to come aside from the world and spend time in His presence! Yes, as many have taught, the important thing that Mary was doing was hearing the Word of God, but it is really so much more than that! Mary was NOT simply "listening" to a teaching. She was spending time in the very presence of the Teacher! THAT is the "good portion"! THAT is the "needful thing"! Although "hearing" the Word is important, hearing without meditation will do us no good! Joshua 1:8 tells us that when we meditate on God's Word, we will see, and be able to DO, the Word of God so clearly that we will be able to make our own way prosperous! Check this verse out in the Amplified Bible! Mary was NOT just hearing the Word, she was noticing the expressions of Jesus when He taught. She was able to ask questions. She was aware of the atmosphere and, most importantly, she was sitting under the Anointing! None of those present were able to understand, AT THAT TIME, what Jesus was teaching, but when they were filled with Holy Spirit, HE was able to bring back to them very aspect of that time at the feet of Jesus! THEN they were able to understand what He was telling them.
What I hope that you see today is this: Filling our atmosphere with the Word of God by listening to the Word, or to praise and worship that is based on the Word, is very important, BUT, it is the time spent in one on one fellowship with HIM, being aware of HIS presence within us, that will make the Word come alive! THEN we will be able to become DOERS of the Word and not simply HEARERS (James 1:22)! THEN we will be able to act on that Word and see HIM confirming that Word in our lives! AMEN! So, make sure that YOU are choosing the "good portion" for your life! Don't shortchange yourself! You have the God of all the universe living on the inside of you, just waiting for you to acknowledge, pay attention to, and obey Him, so that HE can carry out His will in your life! GLORY! Here is Hillsong with "For Who You Are":
Shalom in Him!
