Heathens get Miracles Too!

Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly. (Matthew 15:28 ESV)

I love the story in Mark 7:24-30 & Matthew 15:21-28 about the Greek (Gentile woman) who fell at Jesus' feet for Him to heal her daughter. To give you some background: at this time, Gentiles were 'unclean heathens' according to Jewish ceremonial laws and beliefs - and women were considered property, so she is considered by the Jewish people to be an 'unclean heathen non-person'.

More background, in Mark 7:1-21, Jesus had just left the Pharisees and was trying to secretly get away and find some quiet when this woman approached him. Jesus had just been questioned by the Pharisees about why His disciples didn't follow the ceremonial cleaning and washing of hands before eating. Jesus told them that Isaiah had prophesied about them (Pharisees) when he said:

"These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules." (Isaiah 29:13 NIV)

Jesus continued to explain to the disciples that the outside doesn't cause the unclean heart, it's from the inside that causes one to be unclean. These Pharisees were empty of God, but full of religious rituals that meant nothing because they were without an honest, thoughtful heartfelt praise to God.

In the Book of Matthew, the disciples just received this lesson from Jesus, but when this 'unclean' woman is crying out for help, the disciples still don't understand.

"And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon." But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him saying, "Send her away for she is crying out after us." (Matthew 15:22-23 ESV)

It's easy to be confused by Jesus' response, I believe He was testing this woman's faith and perhaps He knew His disciples still needed some lesson reinforcement.  Or maybe this would serve as an example after Jesus had ascended, for the disciples to recall that Salvation wasn't just for the Jew but for the Gentiles as well (Romans 11:17).

Here this 'unclean' woman is begging Jesus to heal her daughter, Jesus tells her that he has come for the Jews - at this moment, Jesus is basically putting her in 'her place' (testing her faith, is she really willing to give her heart for her daughter?).  This doesn't stop her - she's not ashamed, she continues to beg for mercy for her daughter. As a parent, I can relate to this, there is nothing we wouldn't do for our children, we would risk humiliation and pride to do whatever is needed for our children.

He (Jesus) replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to the dogs." "Yes it is, Lord," she said. "Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table" Then Jesus said to her, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed at that moment. (Matthew 15:26-28 NIV)

Jesus doesn't hold out on a miracle for a woman who wasn't accepted, a woman considered an unclean heathen - no Jesus saw her heart, Jesus saw the truth inside of her that the world could not see, Jesus accepted her and her faith. God wants everyone to know His love, to experience His mercy and grace, and to know that His salvation is freely given to all, it's a gift that only needs to be received, your faith is the key that opens the door.

"Look! I have been standing at the door, and I am constantly knocking.  If anyone hears me calling him and opens the door,  I will come in and fellowship with him and he with Me." (Revelation 3:20 LIVING)

My Chains are Gone

With all that's going in the world lately, I shouldn't be surprised by the distractions happening around me. This Christian walk is not an easy one, we have an ever present enemy that hates us with a passion, he will attack again and again and with more ferocity every time. We must be able to encourage ourselves, focus on God and always be prepared! Paul wrote how essential it was to always wear our armor, by following his instructions we will not be weakened by the enemies attacks - instead we will be stronger because of them!(Ephesians 6:10-18 NLT ) 

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 Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. (1 Peter 5:8-9 NLT)

I've been side tracked with some difficult things, so I've been trying to not lose sight of what really matters - GOD. It doesn't matter how miserable we get and  how fixed upon our worries and woes we are - we have to shift (and keep) our focus on God. 

When we keep looking to God, it doesn't mean the burden is gone, it simply means we can carry the burden. When the anxiety builds up, when the fear has settled in and when the tears start to flow - we have to give it over to God. I'm always amazed at how God sees me at my breaking point and brings me small miracles to encourage me to continue on, they are like little love notes to my heart to remind me that He's still here, He's never left me and He's with me until the end. 

In the middle of my tears, a text was sent to me out of the blue - a text that I knew was sent by the urging of the Holy Spirit - and I'm so happy she listened to His leading. I smiled through my tears, knowing all too well the timing was perfect and must be a God thing. I decided to turn on some Praise and Worship music, as my heart began to lift from the heavy sadness and soak in the beautiful power of singing praises to our Lord and Savior - I had an idea!

I needed to write down on an index card - my prayer request on one side, then on the other side - the burdens and sins I had been carrying - then I wrote on top of the burdens 'John 3:16,17 & 18' and now over that in the color red I wrote 'Blood of Jesus' - which completely covered up everything I had written. Then I took the card and held it over an open flame and burned it until there was nothing left but wispy smoke and ash.  This process slowly set in and as I soaked in the message of this lesson - my sins covered by the blood of Jesus - forgiven - these burdens I tried to continue to carry even after being given to God are lifted from me, I'm unable to take them back from the ashes - Jesus' words echoed in my heart, "Come to me, all of you are who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29 NLT) The enemy will do his best to remind us of our mistakes, but we must remember that "He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west." (Psalm 103:12 NLT). 

When we are going through a season of storms, it's hard to build ourselves up, we feel like we've been going under for so long, that we'll never make it out of the storm we're in. The strength we need to continue isn't our own strength - "He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless (Isaiah 40:29 NLT). We have to be able to stir ourselves up, encourage ourselves when no one else can - even David had to encourage himself, "Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again - my Savior and my God!" (Psalm 42:5 NLT). So when the disappointment has settled in and you want to give in, remember that you are never alone, that God is with you, He loves you and calls you His child, He sent His son to die for you and no matter your failures or doubts, He has a purpose for you and will always forgive you, because you are His masterpiece!

That Stinkin' Pit

Don’t tear your clothing in your grief,

    but tear your hearts instead.”

Return to the Lord your God,

    for he is merciful and compassionate,

slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.

    He is eager to relent and not punish. (Joel 2:13 NLT)

When we’ve done wrong, we often make the mistake of torturing ourselves by thinking we can’t be forgiven.  We think that we need to pay for this error, so we try to cling to what was done instead of seeking forgiveness. We just can’t forgive ourselves and choose to carry the burden on our own. In doing so we allow the enemy to replay this in our minds over and over again - not able to get past the guilt. 

Often it’s a pride issue; we think we can fix this on our own - after all, we made the mistake in the first place, so we should take care of the mess ourselves. 

Other times we are just too ashamed, we’ve been down this road before, we’ve begged for forgiveness and God has shown His mercy time and time again - but yet we’re stuck in the mire and mud filled pit again, not wanting to ask for help - again - not feeling worthy of redemption, again.

I heard a great message Sunday, that helped me with this pit I’m in - I was reminded that just because we’re in a pit, doesn’t mean God can’t use that pit (yes - even if it’s the same pit we find ourselves in repeatedly) to get us shaped into the person God had created for us to be. Maybe we need to work on discipline or maybe we need to stop trying to fix everything ourselves but no matter the reason or circumstance - if we've done wrong, we need to admit our sin and ask for forgiveness, have a true change of heart and once that burden is laid down - leave it and don't pick it back up.

This doesn’t mean God gave us the burden, no God doesn’t punish His children with abuse - He’s our perfect Heavenly Father - you wouldn’t expect a loving earthly father to abuse their child to teach them! So why do people think of God as some cruel, unloving God casting sickness, hatred, evil and death to His children - those are the works of the devil and of man - NOT God!

Yet this hurt that we go through, can be used to serve a purpose! God can take anything and make it good, He brings light into darkness, He brings life where there was death, He brings healing where there was sickness! So don’t think that He can’t use that pit for teaching, growing, molding and changing us into the children of God that we were meant to be. 

Day 12 of 40 Days of Prayer

2 Jesus said, “This is how you should pray:

“Father, may your name be kept holy.

    May your Kingdom come soon.

3 Give us each day the food we need,

4 and forgive us our sins,

    as we forgive those who sin against us.

And don’t let us yield to temptation.”

9“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. (Luke 11:2-4, 9-10 NLT)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for teaching your children how to pray, thank you for always guiding us, thank you for giving us your wisdom and discernment. We thank you for all that you have done for your children and our nation and we thank you for your Word that prepares us for things to come. We pray Lord that your name would be honored and lifted high, that you would be exalted and given the praise and glory you so richly deserve.  We pray for the day when in a twinkling of an eye, we will all be called home. We pray that every need be met, that every heart be satisfied and every soul filled by you. We ask for forgiveness of our sins, sins against you, our nation and each other – we ask that if there is any un-confessed sin among us, that it would be brought to our remembrance, so we could ask forgiveness and repent from that sin.  We pray dear Lord, for strength to resist any temptation and that we would encourage ourselves and each other with your Word. We pray that our leaders would hear your Word, turn from their wicked ways, and turn to you.  We pray for every heart to seek you, for every knee to bow and every tongue confess that you are Lord. We thank you that we can boldy come to your throne of grace and offer our praise and prayers.  We know that if we ask - we will receive, if we seek - we will find, and when we knock - the door will be opened; so thank you for answering our prayers, thank you for the lives that will be saved and that our nation will return to you. We give you all the honor and praise, we love you and we want to thank you for your mercy and grace, for your Holy Spirit’s comfort and guidance, for your Son, Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross – for his redeeming blood that made us righteous, for the new creation we have become in Christ when we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, thank you God, thank you! In Jesus’ name we pray ~ AMEN!

Day 7 of 40 Days of Prayer

Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion;

    they will not be defeated but will endure forever.

 Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem,

    so the Lord surrounds his people, both now and forever.

 The wicked will not rule the land of the godly,

    for then the godly might be tempted to do wrong.

O Lord, do good to those who are good,

    whose hearts are in tune with you.

But banish those who turn to crooked ways, O Lord.

    Take them away with those who do evil.

May Israel have peace!  (Psalm 125:1-5 NLT)

Dear Heavenly Father,  we thank you for your never ending love and your Word that guides us and teaches us. We thank you that you offer your wisdom to those who seek after you and that your Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. Lord, we ask for forgiveness of our sins, sins against you and each other. We know we fall short so very often, so thank you for the mercy and grace you freely give us anyways.  We thank you for the protection and blessings you have poured out on your nation, there is a new hope stirring among your children and we know that to you, all the glory is due! We pray for our leaders, for their hearts to be changed, and that your will would be done in their lives. We pray for all the people of our nation, the people who don’t know you as the one and only living God, the people who have abandoned you as their Lord and the people who don't even realize they've left you; we pray that they would seek you out and make you the Lord of their lives again or for the first time. We pray for our nation to awaken from their slumber and arise as a true child of God – humbly seeking your face, repenting of their sins and running to you. We pray that all the people would be stirred by your Holy Spirit, desiring to be in your presence, to share your love and compassion with others. We thank you Lord, we praise you Lord, we want our hearts to be pure before you, we want to honor you and do your will and not our own. Thank you for sending your Son to save us, thank you for the new creations in Christ we have become, we love you God, in Jesus’ name we pray ~ AMEN

Day 5 of 40 Days of Prayer

Finally, dear brothers and sisters,  we ask you to pray for us. Pray that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes, just as when it came to you.  Pray, too, that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not everyone is a believer.  But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one .  And we are confident in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we commanded you.  May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ. (2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 NLT)

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for all you have done for our country and for your hand and favor upon our nation all these years. We ask for forgiveness of the sins of our country, sins against you and each other.  Lord your Word tells us to put you in remembrance, so we ask that you remember Nineveh and how they repented of their evil ways, and turned back to you.  God, we pray for a full activation of all the Believers in our country; that hearts would be changed, lives would be renewed and people would return to you and your ways. We pray dear Lord for your guidance, your direction, and your will in our lives, our families, our cities, our lands and our nation. We pray that each person would answer the call that is made to them, that the Holy Spirit would be heard and not drowned out by the noise of the world. Strengthen your children dear God, give us courage and boldness to speak the truth and protect us from the enemy. We thank you God because we know you hear our prayers, we know you care, we know you love us and we know you want our nation restored. We give you all the glory, honor and praise dear God and pray in your Son Jesus’ sweet name ~ AMEN

Freedom

Sometimes my heart feels such an overabundance of love and a freedom that I could never explain; that I know it can only come from GOD. He is so good to His children; His Word tells us that when we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us.

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. (James 4:8 NLT)

So many times I allow myself to be pulled away by this life and to get caught up in this world. It’s that bondage that pulls us away from God, the only time we feel free from those chains is when we can turn it all over to God. He doesn’t want us burdened or beat down, He wants us free, and free from the chains we’ve built link by link - finances, relationships, and the things of this world. GOD loved us so much that He sent His Son to save us from this world and from the burdens we choose to carry.

So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. (John 8:36 NLT)

Jesus broke the chains that had held us captive; His blood was a sacrifice for us, and through Him we gained His righteousness, that we could never earn, but only by believing in Him.  

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.  God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son…” (John 3:16-18 NLT)

So bring your burdens, bring your worry, your anxiety, your fears, your pain, your hurt, your sickness to the Cross, lay them at Jesus’ feet and leave them there – never to pick them back up again.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." (Matthew 11:28-30 MSG)

Jesus sacrifice wasn’t about religion, isn’t about rules or condemnation; it’s about love and a relationship. He doesn’t want our guilt, He wants our love and our service, and He wants us to show others the Love of His Father. When we reach out to others and show them the Love of GOD, GOD can use us to bless, comfort and encourage others that need the Father’s love; and right there is where we find our own freedom, blessings, mercy and grace.

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). (John 10:10 AMP)

I heard a saying recently, it said, “Live your life that you need never tell anyone you’re a Christian, because the way you live your life says it louder than your words could ever shout!” That’s the life I want to live, a life that brings GOD all the honor and glory HE deserves, a life that is about my GOD and not just about me.

For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen. (Romans 11:36 NLT)

Let Go and Let GOD

Not worthy, that’s how I feel when I haven’t been spending time in God’s Word or time in prayer with Him. When I try to go about my Christian life and try to do everything on my own merit, it’s like treading water and barely staying above the surface. We’re not meant to do this on our own, that’s what makes this life such a struggle, being so full of pride and our own selves that we don’t give it to God.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." (Matthew 11:28-30 MSG)

So many times I get burdened with all that’s going on in my life and I let myself get further from God, when HE’s the ONE I need to be clinging to. I’ll get pre-occupied with all the ‘things’ that aren’t important and push HIM to the back, and that’s when stress, anxiety and worry come in.  But the contrast is, if you notice the closer you are to GOD, the more peace, comfort and strength you have. The world pulls at you, drains you and saps the energy you have; while GOD is the still quiet voice offering refreshing rest from the chaos surrounding you.

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NLT)

We have to remember, although we are new creations in Christ, we are still sinners. We have a battle within us, a worldly flesh that fights against our inner man (our spirit) that wants to follow Christ. Sometimes we’re harder on ourselves when we make mistakes, so we have to forgive ourselves and not condemn ourselves.

Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]. (Hebrews 4:16 AMP)

The enemy can and will use those mistakes against us, but GOD will not. Once we’ve asked for forgiveness, those sins are forgotten. The enemy will tell us that we’re not good enough and that we must not be Christians if we’re making these kind of mistakes – that’s why the devil is the father of lies.

…When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44c NLT)

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. (John 10:10a AMP)

The devil brings only bad, wrong, and evil to this world. Whereas everything that is good, just and beautiful is given from God.

I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). (John 10:10b AMP)

For I will be merciful and gracious toward their sins and I will remember their deeds of unrighteousness no more. (Hebrews 8:12 AMP)

He has removed our sins as far from us, as the east is from the west. (Psalm 103:12 NLT)

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 NLT)

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.  God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17 NLT)

When you start to give into those whispers of the devil and believe that you are not worthy, tell GOD you are sorry for your mistakes and remind the devil your sins are forgiven, your GOD is a loving and gracious Heavenly Father and that HIS Word says, “ The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. “ (Proverbs 24:16 NLT)

Pray Without Ceasing

The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. (James 5:16b NLT)

Sometimes answered prayers can take you by surprise, not that they came to be, but that they came so fast! In my joy and excitement of winning one of the faith fights that have been occurring my life, I wanted to share what I’ve learned during this ‘Battle’ I’m in.

If you haven’t had a breakthrough in your prayer, do a self evaluation and make sure you haven’t missed something. I recently learned that taking offense was a sin and that I cannot expect GOD to answer my prayers when I haven’t forgiven someone else of an offense they’ve done to me.   An offense is a stumbling block, it’s a trap and a snare of the devil, don’t let that grudge keep you from receiving what GOD has for you; seek forgiveness and be blessed!

 “I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” (Mark 11:24-25 NLT)

After you’ve done your evaluation, ask a friend to pray with you and stand in agreement for your request, Jesus told us that…

I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. (Matthew 18:19 NLT)

GOD will answer our prayers, it might not be the answer we expect, but HE does answer them in three ways 1) with a ‘Yes’, (2)  ‘Yes, but you need to grow your patience’, (3) ‘No, I’ve got something MUCH better planned for you’. I wonder how people go about their lives without GOD, I can get totally bogged down with stress and feel like I’m dying from all the physical symptoms and yet, I have GOD with me, I know HE will not allow any harm to come to me….

No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord. (Isaiah 54:17 )

No weapon means any worldly force, you see the devil can only use what’s available to him on the earth, he doesn’t have the ability to use anything supernatural. BUT remember we have the Armor of GOD, we have the Authority of Christ, we are adopted children of GOD, we are the brothers and sisters of Christ, we are the Body of Christ –we have a supernatural GOD that can ‘make’ anything happen.  The phrase ‘shall prosper’ means that for a time, things might happen to us, we might go through more ‘fights’ in our battle, but remember the VICTORY is already ours, Jesus already won.

Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. (2 Chronicles 20:15 NKJV)

So why do we worry, why do we let fear sneak in and gain a foothold, that foothold can become a stronghold and then we can end up hanging on to the lies of the enemy instead of the promises of GOD. It doesn’t come about overnight, no, the whispers begin as soon as we get bad news or if something happens that disrupts our plans, then if we dwell on that news and then start speaking out the negative from those whispers; well our spring shower can turn into a Tsunami.  We have to learn to block those thoughts when they enter our mind, and speak out GOD’s Word and promises, before those whispers become something bigger than the lie the devil is deceiving us with. That’s why it’s so important to get into GOD’s Word, HIS Word is full of HIS promises for HIS children, GOD wants to bless us. We need to change our focus, tell the devil to shut up and remember that GOD sent HIS Son to die on a cross that we might live and live abundantly, free from sickness, burdens, and depression. GOD never changes and HIS Word is always the same.  So don’t stop praying, keep believing and you will receive your blessing!

Rejoice always;  pray without ceasing;  in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NASB)

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10 NIV)

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8 NKJV)

For I am the Lord, I do not change. (Malachi 3:6a NKJV)

The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the Word of God stands forever. (Isaiah 40:8 NLT)