The One Thing You Need

One Thing You Need

Luke 10:38-42 (KJV) ³⁸ Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. ³⁹ And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. ⁴⁰ But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. ⁴¹ And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: ⁴² But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Here nestled in Scripture is the story of Jesus visit to the home of Martha in Bethany.  Bethany is the village on the side of the Mt. of Olives where Lazarus had died, was buried, and brought back to life by Jesus.  The Mount of Olives is the sight of the ascension of Jesus and where He will return. 

Martha, Mary and Lazarus were siblings who lived here in Bethany.  All were disciples of the Lord and at one time or another had "sat as His feet".  This day as Jesus arrived, Martha immediately began to prepare to meet and exceed the needs of her deified guest.  I can only imagine the great lengths we at the Shenenberger home would go to if Jesus were our guest.  Certainly Martha desired the very best for her Lord. 

The unusual thing is not Martha being overwhelmed in preparation for her guest (we all would be), but that her sister Mary would so casually forsake all to simply sit at Jesus feet.  Martha reaction is totally human as all of us would wonder why she was left doing all of the work while her sister simply sat with the other disciples at the feet of Jesus. 

Jesus answer to Martha's question concerning Mary reveals a great truth all would be wise to emulate.  Jesus proclaims that what Mary did was "needful".  It was vital, important, and necessary.  It reveals a grand truth.

WE NEED JESUS!  We need to place as our top priority our relationship with Him.  What Jesus is instructing Martha to do is to slow down, sit down, and listen up. 

My friend, the same admonition given by Jesus to Martha applies in our busied world today.  We need Jesus!  We need time spent at his feet.  We need time in His Word.  We need time in His church.  We need time in conversation with Him. 

How much do you value your relationship with Christ?  Is your relationship with Christ growing, thriving, alive and dynamic?  It can be.  Make it a top priority today.  Make it the One Thing You Need!

A New Identity

   A New Identity!

Our behavior is consistent with our beliefs.  People will not always live what they profess, but they will live what they believe. For many struggling with addictions the problem is not only their addiction, but also their misbeliefs.  They commonly believe what I call a "failure" identity.  They have been told and believe that once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic ( The Big Book (from Alcoholics Anonymous) states that once a person is an alcoholic, they are always an alcoholic, but does not define what is meant by the term "alcoholic") and once an addict, always an addict. Those stuggling with an addiction base their identity on their addiction.  They may believe they can stop using, but they do not believe they can stop being.  Is this true?  Well it can be, but doesn't have to be. You don't have to be an alcoholic, a drug addict, etc.  You can be free!  You can be changed! You do not need to accept a "failure" identity. You can have a new identity. A new identity as a child of God!

John 1:12 ¹² But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Clearly the Word of God states that to those who believe and receive Jesus Christ as Savior, God has made them his child. 
Galatians 3:26 ²⁶ For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

In John chapter 3, Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews came and asked Jesus a question about eternal life.  Here is Jesus answer:
John 3:5-7 ⁵ Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. ⁶ That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷ Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
When one receives Jesus Christ into their lives as Savior, Jesus teaches they are born again.  The term born again is defined as regenerated or regened.  One who has been born of the Spirit is regened with the supernatural nature of God.  Literally, your body becomes the residence of the God's Holy Spirt.
1 Corinthians 3:16 ¹⁶ Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ¹⁹ What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? ²⁰ For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
Please note what the following verse is teaching:
John 14:20 ²⁰ At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

Most Christians understand that Jesus Christ is in them, but do they understand that they are in Christ?  If you are in Christ, and Christ in you, you have everything available to you that you need to live the Christian life.  You do not need to worry about who you are or who others think you are.  What could you possilbly achieve or possess, or what status could you attain, to give you a better identity then being in Christ.  There is no greater worth or identity than being God's child, than being in Christ.

The question remains, What is your identity?  Who are you?    Are you a child of God?  Are you born again?  Is God's Holy Spirit living within you?  Are you in Christ and Christ in you?  You do not need a "failure" identity. You can have a new identity in Christ Jesus!

For more information concerning the First Step to Freedom visit our website:  http://www.reformude.com/first-step.html