Martha welcomed Jesus and his disciples into her house. But then she became distracted by doing the little things. Whereas her sister, Mary, 'sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said' (Luke 10:39 NIV). Jesus was in Martha's house; her focus at that time really needed to be on him.

But let's not be too hard on Martha because, if we're honest, we all get focused on things that aren't the main thing. Martha, quite understandably, got angry that Mary wasn't helping and went to Jesus for backup: '"Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed - or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her"' (Luke 10:40-42 NIV).

Martha's heart was in the right place, but Mary knew where to put her heart and her focus. When God's speaking to us, or we feel he wants to guide us somewhere, let's not get anxious about the logistics. Let's go to his feet first, and the rest will take care of itself.

So what now? Write down things you do on a regular basis, and note the role they play in your relationship with Jesus. If something is drawing your focus away from him, pray about whether you should drop it or not.

'Apart from me you can do nothing,' said Jesus, letting us know that the only way to live life right is through knowing him. This can seem confusing and maybe a little irritating sometimes! But when we get to know who Jesus is, it starts to make sense. Preacher SM Lockridge's once gave a six-and-a-half minute description of Jesus. Here's a summary of what he said (search on YouTube for the whole thing. It's worth it!):

'He's...King of Kings...Lord of Lords...the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world...he's the centrepiece of civilisation...the only one qualified to be an all-sufficient Saviour...he strengthens and sustains...he guards and he guides...he heals the sick...he forgives sinners...he blesses the young...he's the key to knowledge...his life is matchless...his goodness is limitless...his love never changes...his word is enough...his grace is sufficient...he's indescribable...incomprehensible... invincible...irresistible...You can't out live him and you can't live without him...Death couldn't handle him and the grave couldn't hold him...Do you know him?'

The more we get to know Jesus, the more incredible he becomes. The more we know we need him, the more thankful we become in knowing that 'without Jesus [we] can do nothing' (see John 15:5).

So what now? Whether you've known Jesus for two minutes or two decades, make it your mission to know him better. You can never stop discovering more of him. Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV says, 'He has... set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.'

The Bible is full of stories with unexpected twists. Case study from the book of Exodus. All the Israelites witnessed a serious case of God defeating Pharaoh in Exodus 14 and yet here they are in Exodus 32 giving thanks and praise to a golden cow! If the Israelites had a brain between them at this point, it would probably fit comfortably into a matchbox. How does a chunk of metal with udders compare to the almighty Creator of the universe? Wow, those old-time Israelites sure had it all wrong... not like us wonderfully wise Christians today. Hmm... wonder what those way-back-when Israelites would make of the little rectangles of precious plastic we feed into holes in the wall or swipe to get what we want.

We're talking about money, of course. It's one of human beings' main rivals to God. We can make such a big deal about earning, spending and saving that we may as well be giving it our full worship. We can see money as the key to comfort, the ticket to happiness and the voucher to security. But happiness isn't found in the 'ker-ching' of a cash till, to use the analogy of an old way of paying for things.

Let's remember: 'Don't love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, "I will never fail you. I will never abandon you"' (Hebrews 13:5 NLT).

So what now? When it comes to you and money, whether it's wanting more or wondering how to spend it, have a talk to Jesus about resetting your priorities and helping you manage your money.

Time for a refresher... read the story of the 'prodigal son' in Luke 15:11-32. The father in the story would do anything to have his son back with him, but he doesn't send a search party to kidnap him back. No, the choice has to be the son's. God doesn't force his agenda on us, as if we're his prisoners of war or helpless subjects of a dictatorship; he empowers us to make our own choice. The son realised living in a pigpen was no life at all. He came to his own realisation.

The son should never have been in the pigpen in the first place. His choices landed him there. Dad seemed too boring, home seemed like a bunch of rules, all work and no play. Surely, he thought, there's a better life on the outside, far away from dad's estate. That's what had driven our prodigal 1,000 kilometres from being able to borrow dad's car or celebrating in style on his birthday.

What about us? We too were born for a palace, not a pigpen. Have we realised our favoured position yet? Have we realised that abundant life is not elsewhere, but with choosing Jesus?

So what now? Does it feel like you're lost, 1,000 kilometres from where you should be right now? The reality is you're just a prayer away from God's outstretched arms, and he is waiting and watching for you. Why don't you turn to page 61 of this booklet and pray the prayer right now? Choose to be found.

Here are five 'don't' lessons for life:

(1) Don't worry, just do the best. God accepts no less, but he demands no more. 'Trust in the Lord, and do good... and he shall give you the desires of your heart' (Psalm 37:3-4 NKJV); (2) Don't rush, do it right. 'Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty' (Proverbs 21:5 NLT);

(3) Don't believe something is impossible without trying it. When we're in God's will, doing things God's way, sensitive to his timing and willing to stick at it, our problems are a platform for him to work on our behalf. 'We must wait patiently and confidently' (Romans 8:25 NLT); (4) Don't waste time. Let's put first things first and ask, 'What is it that only I can do, or do best?' Then we will know what we should do. (5) Don't just talk about it...do it. We all have good intentions, but intentions have to become actions. Let's get specific about our diet and our devotions, our finances and our family. Let's say these words regularly: 'If it's to be, it's up to me.' In God's word it says: 'Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead' (James 2:17 NKJV).

So what now? Display these five lessons in a prominent place for you: Don't worry, just do the best; Don't rush, do it right; Don't believe something is impossible without trying it. Don't waste time; Don't just talk about it... do it. See what a difference doing these don'ts makes in your life.

Sometimes our real motives can hide themselves well. Like when we're praying for someone and suddenly realise that our prayer's gone full-blast sermon. Or when we offer to help on the church roster just when it overlaps with someone who has something beneficial for us. 'The human mind is the most deceitful of all things,' says Jeremiah 17:9 GWT. Jeremiah was probably on to something.

Motives like wanting to be needed or respected can compete with the motive of love for Jesus. But when we decide in our hearts that love for Jesus is our main drive in life, then we're getting rid of any competing motive. In our relationships, in our life plans, in the choice of what we spend that spare $20 in our pocket on, we make space for a simpler way to live.

When joy in God is a first-thing-in-the-day matter, it filters naturally into all that we do. Proverbs 17:22 GWT

says, 'A cheerful heart does good like medicine.' This doesn't mean our motives will always be 100% genuine or that life's situations will get simpler. But it does mean that we're happier and more able to trust ourselves in everyday decisions.

So what now? Look back at your free-writing from yesterday. Reflect on it, then answer this question: What did you learn about yourself and your motives? (Top tip: free-writing then reflecting on your writing after a day's break is a great way to journal.)