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Choose Only the Best
But one thing is needful and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:42)
Martha, rushing back and forth preparing to serve a meal for at least twenty, glanced to where her sister Mary sat, and murmured to herself, “What is she doing? Does she not realize her responsibilities? She is wasting her time!”
Life can be extremely hectic and stressful with barely a solitary moment. That is how life is many times, but in all this, am I allotting God only a moment of my time? Have I confined Him to the devotional room yet not invited Him into the kitchen? Have I greeted Him at the door in the morning then left Him behind as I labor “for Him”? Have I heard His sweet invitation to learn of Him yet neglected to come, be still at His feet when He would speak to me?
As His child and disciple, I must carefully guard my time. The devil would use genuine responsibilities and jobs that have to be done to prevent me from having any quality time with Jesus. If I do not spend quality time learning of Jesus through His Word and prayer daily than I have failed to honor Him with my time and cut myself off from my spiritual food. My one-on-one time with Jesus is the most crucial part of the day. If it fails to take place, whatever prevented it from happening is now driving a wedge between me and God.
My responsibilities are an important part of my service to God; however, in Christ’s eyes one thing must be my first priority: Listening coupled with obeying His voice. (Erika Fenstermaker)
“Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.” — Jesus (Matthew 6:33)
This devotional is the Wednesday, May 25, 2016 entry of Opening the Word
Teaching is Challenging
The Message paraphrases James 3:1, "Don’t be in any rush to become a teacher, my friends. Teaching is highly responsible work. Teachers are held to the strictest standards. And none of us is perfectly qualified." Teaching is rewarding work, even as it is draining physically, mentally, and spiritually. Teaching can have powerful impact on lives, even while we may feel a failure.
Considering the importance of teaching, the various methods one should employ, the purpose of life change, etc. could cause us to give up due to intimidation. But we must not cower to fear; God has called you to a great ministry. Therefore, as Apostle Paul challenges us in Romans 12:6-8, let's be faithful to perform it to the best of our ability. We will never be perfect, but God will use even our imperfections to His glory.
Thank you, teachers, for your labor of love and faithfulness in service!
What Will YOU Do With Jesus?
Lesson 13 - May 29, 2016
Focus Text: Mark 15:1-15
Central Truth: We bear the responsibility for choosing who Christ will be to us.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should have each one decided personally to make Christ the Lord of his life.
Lesson Outline:
- The Leaders Consult (Mark 15:1-5)
- The People Choose (Mark 15:6-11)
- The Savior Is Condemned (Mark 15:12-15)
Prayer – Lesson 12, The Supreme Authority
Heavenly Father,
We recognize Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords. We believe this is true and we acknowledge His authority in our lives. Yet our world does not recognize Christ's authority. Indeed, many actively oppose His authority on their lives. And… this fleshly mindset has also affected many Christians, who believe Jesus is their Savior, but not their Lord. As we study this lesson today, may we be convinced of the absolute necessity of submitting every aspect of our lives to the authority of Christ.
In Jesus' name.
How do you see Jesus' authority being questioned today?
In "Doctrinal Discussion" Randy Bland writes:
Paul wrote his letter to the Colossians to refute some heretical teachings that had seeped into the Church. One of these heresies was that Jesus was not divine; He was just a good man who taught valuable lessons to follow. The heretics were trying to convince the Church that they still needed rules and secret knowledge to ensure that they would be saved. This heresy can still be found in some churches today, so Paul's majestic hymn to the supremacy of Christ is as important now as it was then.
Discussion: How do you see Jesus' authority being questioned today, even, at times, in the church?
Source: Jesus, Son of God: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 75.
What exactly was the injustice Jesus found at the Temple?
In "Biblical Perspective" Randall McElwain writes:
The moneychangers and them that sold doves operated in the Court of the Gentiles, a large court that was open to Gentile visitors. Because the annual half-shekel Temple tax had to be paid in a standard Temple coin, moneychangers were able to charge exorbitant rates for changing the Roman currency into Temple money. In addition, the priests controlled the sale of doves and sacrificial animals, which were greatly overpriced. These transactions were necessary; foreign money had to be changed to Temple coin, and it was more convenient to purchase animals for sacrifice at the Temple than bringing them long distances. However, Jesus objected to the unjust exchange rates and inflated prices, as well as to the spirit which turned a “house of prayer” into a bazaar.
Discussion: What exactly was the injustice Jesus found at the Temple? Was it that animals were being sold and that money was being exchanged? Or was it something else?
Source: Jesus, Son of God: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 72.