OneThingIsNeedful | Kristi's Morning Devotional

March 4, 2025March 4, 2025

Wanting More

Yesterday’s question, if you had only one prayer request – what would it be, should have caused us all to ponder on what the most important thing in our lives is.

As we mature in our relationship with the Lord, we notice that our desires change. We can relax in knowing that we don’t need to strive to be in control; we can let Him lead, directing our path, setting our course.

“You, Lord, are all I want! You are my choice, and you keep me safe. ⁶You make my life pleasant, and my future is bright.” Psalm 16:5 ERV

“The Lord is my shepherd. I will always have everything I need.” Psalm 23:1 ERV

These are the words of King David. A man the Bible tells us had a heart for God. He wasn’t perfect. His failures are recorded in Scripture but so is his faith and trust in His God. The Lord promoted him, he became king of Israel. He was known throughout the world. However, his greatest desire was to live in the presence of God, that’s where he had all he desired and needed.

The Apostle Paul had a similar experience.

He had been one of the religious elite. He was a man of means. A well-educated man, on the chief religious counsel. A Roman citizen and highly respected by his peers.

” I was circumcised when I was eight days old, and I am from the nation of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. I am a true Hebrew. As a Pharisee, I strictly obeyed the Law of Moses. ⁶ And I was so eager I even made trouble for the church. I did everything the Law demands in order to please God.

⁷But Christ has shown me that what I once thought was valuable is worthless. ⁸Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and count it all as garbage. All I want is Christ ⁹and to know that I belong to him. I could not make myself acceptable to God by obeying the Law of Moses. God accepted me simply because of my faith in Christ. ¹⁰All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him to life. I want to suffer and die as he did, ¹¹so that somehow I also may be raised to life.” Philippians 3:5-11 CEV

There are many situations where wanting more is considered greed or discontentment but it’s completely opposite when it comes to our relationship with Christ. Knowing Him is a true act of humility. Wanting more of Him, is desiring less of ourselves.

Jesus said this:

“The Lord answered, ‘Martha, Martha! You are worried and upset about so many things, ⁴²but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen what is best, and it will not be taken away from her.’” Luke 10:41-42 CEV

Knowing Christ, wanting more of Him is what God desires for everyone of us!

September 5, 2024September 5, 2024

Come & Sit

Do you know what I love about my mornings? It’s the quiet.

The only sounds I hear are the quiet hum of the air conditioning and the tick of the coffee maker. Other than that, it’s completely silent.

The first thing I do each morning is write my heart’s impressions in my journal, only a couple of sentences of gratitude and love. Then I say a short prayer for guidance before I open my Bible and begin to read. Many days during that writing and that prayer the Holy Spirit prompts me with what I should share with you, sometimes that comes once I begin reading.

This morning as I was writing, these four words were what I penned on the page. “Come sit with Me”. Oh, how I love that – time just sitting here, coffee cup in hand, when it’s just the Father and I. He bringing Scriptures to mind and flooding me with His presence.

Those of you who have read my writings for any length of time know that one of my most favorite old hymns is “In the Garden”.

I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses,
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.
- Refrain:
  And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
  And He tells me I am His own;
  And the joy we share as we tarry there,
  None other has ever known.
He speaks, and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.

I know exactly what the writer of this hymn experienced.

“You will show me the way of life. Being with You is to be full of joy. In Your right hand there is happiness forever.” Psalm 16:11 NLV

Come, sit with me.

“Martha had a sister named Mary. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to all He said. ⁴⁰Martha was working hard getting the supper ready…⁴²Only a few things are important, even just one. Mary has chosen the good thing. It will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:39-42 NLV

“Jesus told the people to sit on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and gave thanks to God. He broke the bread into pieces and gave them to his followers. He told them to give the bread to the people, and they did as he said. ⁷The followers also had a few small fish. Jesus gave thanks for the fish and told them to give the fish to the people.” Mark 8:6-7 ERV

Sitting with the Lord is a good thing!

Something to be chosen above all else. It’s a place of learning, of resting and refreshing. It’s a place of miracles.

Listen with your heart. When you hear the Lord say “Come sit with me”, take time to stop and enjoy His presence. It will fill you with joy!

August 8, 2024August 8, 2024

Just One Thing

The other day someone said to me, “You are so good at multi-tasking, I wish I were more like you”. Those words stopped me in my tracks. For years I was wife and mother, home-school teacher, homemaker, ministry administrator and Bible Study teacher.

I would make breakfast, get the kids ready for school, draw up a teaching lesson, design fliers, put in a load or two of laundry, get dinner in the crock pot and all of this was before lunch.

Multi-tasking became a swear word to me. I wanted to find my “one thing”.

Jesus told Martha that she got too busy with the things of “life” that she forgot too truly live. One thing is needful Jesus told her; her sister Mary had found it in listening to Jesus words instead of being busy with all the responsibilities of running a home.

“The Lord answered, ‘Martha, Martha! You are worried and upset about so many things, ⁴²but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen what is best, and it will not be taken away from her.’” Luke 10:41-42 CEV

The Apostle Paul said he found that “one thing”.

“I don’t mean that I am exactly what God wants me to be. I have not yet reached that goal. But I continue trying to reach it and make it mine. That’s what Christ Jesus wants me to do. It is the reason he made me his. 13 Brothers and sisters, I know that I still have a long way to go. But there is one thing I do: I forget what is in the past and try as hard as I can to reach the goal before me. 14 I keep running hard toward the finish line to get the prize that is mine because God has called me through Christ Jesus to life up there in heaven.” Philippians 3:12-14 ERV

King David found that “one thing”.

“Even if an army surrounds me, I will not be afraid. Even if people attack me in war, I will trust in the Lord. 4 I ask only one thing from the LORD. This is what I want most: Let me live in the LORD’S house all my life, enjoying the LORD’S beauty and spending time in his palace. 5 He will protect me when I am in danger. He will hide me in his tent. He will take me up to his place of safety.” Psalm 37:3-5

Finding our “one thing” is what gives our life meaning and purpose and we will truly be blessed.

“What you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what he wants you to do. Then he will give you all these other things you need.” Matthew 6:33 ERV

Father, thank You for being our one thing. We rest and trust in You. You deserve to be our primary focus. You are the One who gives us everything we need and more. AMEN!