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Thursday, February 12, 2026

CAREFUL AND TROUBLED

 

Thursday, February 12, 2026

 

CAREFUL AND TROUBLED

 

Luke 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 

Luke 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. 

 

          If I were to begin a sermon with these words, the congregation would likely be ready to praise Mary and think ill of Martha, but I hasten to explain that “acts of service” is one of the love languages. Martha was a servant. It was how she expressed love. Mary spoke “quality time.” Both were expressing love.

 

          The difference is expressed by Jesus in two words. Martha was “careful,” merimnao which means to be anxious. Earlier, in verse 40, Jesus used the word “cumbered” or perispao which literally means to drag all around or to be distracted. Careful and troubled. —The one word indicates inward anxiety, the other outward bustle. Mary on the other hand, chose “the good part.”

 

          Martha’s manner of expressing love was not wrong but her spirit was not right, and who could blame her for she had an additional 13 guests for dinner! Her focus was on the work and not the worship.

 

          Two old hymns stand facing each other proclaiming what seems to be opposing ideas. The one is “Work, for the night is coming,” and the other is “Take time to be holy.”

 

Lord, as we work, let our work spring from a heart of worship. AMEN

 

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

LOVE IS IN THE AIR!

 

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

 

LOVE IS IN THE AIR!

 

Gen 26:6-9

6 And Isaac dwelt in Gerar:

7 And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look upon.

8 And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was sporting with Rebekah his wife.

9 And Abimelech called Isaac, and said, Behold, of a surety she is thy wife: and how saidst thou, She is my sister? And Isaac said unto him, Because I said, Lest I die for her.

 

          Valentine’s Day is nearing and love is in the air! Burly men are in a virtual panic trying to think of some gift that would show their love. Perhaps a new set of tools or a gun cleaning kit might be just the thing! It’s not easy for guys. Nevertheless, as our Bible portion suggests, you can’t hide love!

 

          Rebekah was a pretty thing! She was fair to look upon, and Isaac was afraid that the foreigners among whom he lived might kill him to take her. He claimed that she was his sister. This denial of relationship caused the king to take notice of one so fair. Considering the trouble that David got himself into, I think it is a bad idea for kings to look out of windows! This time, however, King Abimelech saw the love that Isaac had for Rebekah, and it was not a sibling kind of love!

 

          The word “sporting” means “to make merry; to laugh outright.” The manner of their play indicated a prior and ongoing intimacy that was hard to hide. You can’t hide love.

 

Dear Lord, thank you for the marvelous gift of my wife. Let me never hurt her but love her even as Christ loved the church. AMEN

 

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

LONGING FOR JESUS

 

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

 

LONGING FOR JESUS

 

Psalm 42:1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. 

Psalm 42:2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? 

 

          I rise early so that I may be alone with my thoughts, and lately with my aches. This morning, I felt a strong melancholy longing for a closer connection with my God. Believers, if you experience this longing, pursue it in prayer for you have just tapped into the longing that God has for you.

 

As the hunted hart instinctively seeks after the river to lave its smoking flanks and to escape the dogs, even so my weary, persecuted soul pants after the Lord my God. Debarred from public worship, David was heartsick. Ease he did not seek, honor he did not covet, but the enjoyment of communion with God was an urgent need of his soul. [Treasury of David]

 

          Years ago, I used to join my church in singing a short chorus that helped to soothe this spiritual thirst. Sing it a few times. Let your spirit visualize your Savior. Enjoy the close communion with God.

 

Longing, longing for Jesus,

I have a longing in my heart for Him;

Just to be near Him,

To feel His presence,

I have a longing in my heart for Him.

 

Dear Lord, satisfy every weary soul that thirsts for Thee. AMEN