Becky Crenshaw

…but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part [that which is to her advantage], which will not be taken away from her. Luke 10:42 AMP

Remember weeks ago, when our Advent series began, I told you about my silent retreat? Yes, one late October Saturday, the Lord and I sat together, uninterrupted for seven hours. It was there He led me through Luke 10 the ENTIRE time. Mary. Martha. And Me. Verse by verse. Word by word.

And this verse, Luke 10:42, took me out of my chair. In a moment, I saw the enemy’s plan of attack so clearly.

And honestly – we’ve been had.

Oh friends, let’s all be on the same page here. We do NOT at war against flesh and blood. No, we have an adversary and he is seeking to devour us. Read Peter’s warning….

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. 1 Peter 5:8

Our great enemy, the devil. He is hungry and fierce and his appetite is for your joy. Your happiness. Your honor. Your peace. Your sanity. Your clarity. Your health. You’re wholeness. Your sound mind.

He is starving for the ONE THING that gives you the most life.

But listen to me. We are on to him. And apparently, so is Mary of Bethany. Look.

Mary has chosen the good part [that which is to her advantage]. v. 42 AMP

Our culture is all about the upper hand. Webster’s Dictionary defines “advantage” as having superiority of position, a factor or circumstance of benefit to its possessor. Benefit. Gain.

So, what Jesus is saying is this:

Choosing the good part…. Sitting with Jesus and hearing His voice, is to OUR ADVANTAGE. The enemy is hungry yes, but for what exactly? The “Good Portion.” Do you see this parallel?

There is Martha, scuttling around her kitchen, most likely preparing several dishes for all these visitors. But Mary sat feasting on the main course…the one portion that could not be taken from her. The Bread of Life. And we all know, that “man does not live by bread alone, but … by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.” Dueteromony 8:3

THIS IS A FOOD ANALOGY BECAUSE WE FACE A HUNGRY LION. (I wish I could make this sentence blink, flash or neon!)

If you see yourself in a war, which I think you should, then be of good courage – YOU HAVE THE ADVANTAGE.

Sitting at Jesus feet gives you the upper hand. The good portion on which you feast is a meal that will forever satisfy and sustain you and according to Jesus, it can not be taken away.

And who is trying to take it? Your feircely hungry adversary.

Now, all that to say, we surely can give it away. If I am not choosing the good portion, I hand out my peace, joy, happiness, sanity, clarity, wholeness, etc like I am the sample girl at Chick-fil-a. Bite by bite, I feed the enemy until I have nothing left but discouragement, discontent and division in my heart. I do believe this is why Peter is reminding us to STAY ALERT.

Martha is just our reminder. We can prepare every dish in life imaginable and never be satisfied.

The BREAD OF LIFE is the good portion, friends.

EAT ALL YOU WANT. This is fuel is to your advantage.

Mary’s posture at Jesus feet looks serene and simple. But don’t be fooled. Mary is a solider. And her post at Jesus Feet is a position of Power.

So fuel up, friends. You are in a race. You are in a war. And we have the upper hand.

The sound that came from the manger in Bethlehem was our battle cry. The victory is won. The crown is ours and this, my friend, will not be taken away.

Choosing What Is Better:

• Where in your life do you sense, your great enemy, the devil, prowling around like a roaring lion, looking to devour you? Write these out.

• Be mindful for a moment. What might you be “giving away” to him unknowingly? Ex. Your peace, joy, sanity, clarity, wholeness, health, etc.

• Now that we are aware, let us “Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.” How? Grab your journal and take back what is rightfully yours! For example, if you wrote that you are giving your “joy” to the enemy then reclaim it with Truth. Search on line or in your Bible concordance for the word “joy” and find a scripture to reclaim, Ex. Psalm 16:11 says, In God’s presence is the fullness of joy. If you need help with this, please let me know! I would love to help you!

• Now take your position of power at Jesus’ Feet. Pray and ask Him to keep you alert to the enemy’s schemes and thank Him that in Christ, “we have the advantage.”