Daily Bible Reading: Day 260 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” And he said to them, “When you pray, say:
“Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.” Luke 11:1-4, ESV What a different take on The Lord's Prayer. I am so used to repeating the version of The Lord's Prayer I learned as a child that I am always struck when it varies from the one I have committed to memory. The version we often repeat is found in Matthew 6:9-13. Luke's version feels more like the nuts and bolts of the prayer. In Matthew we read, "and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." I have never liked that part, asking God to forgive me with the measure I have used in forgiving others, though it helps to use the word "debt" instead of sin-it makes it seem more abstract. Luke's version hits me between the eyes. "For we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us." Truth? I am not able to honestly say that in my prayers. And do you want to know the worst of it? It is most likely to involve the people I love the most. Oh, the injuries that I am slow to forgive! There is a lot more laying down of my life that I need to do. Grace, Peace, and Mercy, Deb
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Daily Bible Reading: Day 259Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” -Luke 10:38-42
This is one of my favorite passages...and the inspiration for the name of this blog. In Jesus response to Martha He makes the statement, "but one thing is necessary." One thing. What are you running around trying to accomplish for Jesus today? Martha was distracted with much serving. That may very well be a statement that is applicable to our churches today. We are distracted with much serving and have laid aside the one thing that is necessary-sitting at Jesus feet and listening to His word. People jump when given the opportunity to serve. Service is good, we are servants of the Lord after all. But Martha had let service become a distraction from the "good portion." She was using it to keep from sitting at the feet of Jesus. What is keeping you from doing the same? Grace, Peace, and Mercy, Debra |
AuthorI am a woman with a Mary heart and these are my musings as I read and study God's Word Join me on facebookArchives
October 2014
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