09/20/21 Praying With JESUS: 40 Days Toward Church Revitalization — Day 02

Luke 10:38-42 (ESV)
38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.
40 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.”
41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,
42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

PRECONCEIVED IDEAS

HOW ABOUT YOU? It seems each generation has their own ideas about what the church should do, how it should behave, what songs to sing, and what church buildings should look like, to name just a few areas of strong opinion. Are you willing to surrender your own ideas in order to see your church flourish once again in gospel growth, community impact, and Kingdom advance? Or are you worried and bothered about the potential that things as you have always known them might change if you embrace REVITALIZATION?

Martha loved Jesus and eagerly welcomed Him into their home, but she wasn’t too happy with her sister Mary. Mary was sitting at the Lord’s feet while Martha was distracted with all the household responsibilities. She demanded that Jesus do something about it, but Jesus’ response tells us a lot about the things that cause us to be worried and bothered. Unfortunately, those things are usually the wrong priority. JESUS IS THE PRIORITY; MAKING MUCH OF HIM IS THE OBJECTIVE OF VIBRANT CHURCHES.

PRAY… Lord Jesus, I confess that I am often worried and bothered about nonessential things instead of keeping my attention fixed on You. Build a new perspective in my heart and mind that longs for spiritual life in our church regardless of what songs we sing, the type of chairs we sit in, or the kind of building we have. Please do whatever it takes to breathe life into us again for the glory of Your Name alone. I ask it in Your strong Name, Amen.