The Children’s Bread

“But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” -Matthew 15:26

As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, I have learned that Christians say a lot of things that they have no idea why they are saying it. As a matter of fact, when I was teaching the discipleship class at church, I would often ask people to explain sayings to me like: “saved by grace”, “sanctified”, or “the righteousness of God” to make sure we were all on the same page.

Recently I preached a message that referred to “the children’s bread” and thought it would be a good idea to explain what it means in case you have heard the phrase but have not understood it. The Bible does say that in all of our getting we are to get understanding.

In the above verse Jesus makes the comment that it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs. The background to this verse is that a Gentile woman has come to Him for her daughter’s healing and He makes this statement to her implying that healing belongs to the “children”.

I heard a wonderful story  that illustrates this point: Pastor Bill Winston shared that he went to get some ribs. The lady ahead of him got her order, but as she was leaving she decided to check it to make sure that everything was present. When she looked inside she apparently didn’t see her bread, so she walked back to the counter and asked, “Does bread come with this?”

Now here’s the point that Jesus was making: Healing is a part of the benefit package of salvation. There are numerous scriptures where this truth is mentioned besides in Matthew: Psalm 103:1-3 and Isaiah 53:4-5 are my personal favorites. In other words, if you are a child of God, according John 1:12, then “bread” (your healing) comes with your salvation! It’s in there!!

Years passed before I understood that this was not just a phrase people pulled out of a passage and turned into a cliche, but a profound Bible truth! Healing belongs to those who are born of the Spirit of God, it is their right! It is your right, if you are a child of God! So don’t let the devil tell you differently, no matter whose voice he’s using to do so! Just tell him that Jesus decreed that “bread comes with that” and you want your bread!! Just like the lady in this story went and let it be known that she was expecting bread with her meal and so wanted it,  we have to understand that God is expecting us to be just as bold about getting our healing!

Just as you wouldn’t settle for part of what you pay for at a restaurant or grocery store, don’t settle for part of what Jesus paid for with His blood! Healing comes with your salvation, it’s the children’s bread! So the next time you read this verse or hear this saying, you can say, “I have a clearer understanding of what Jesus was talking about!” I know I do! Wonderful Jesus!!

 

 

 

 

 

Leave the Water Pot

The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” Then they went out of the city and came to Him.-John 4:28-30 

Years ago the Lord gave me this message to share in a women’s fellowship. At that time, I was in school, working, in ministry at my church, with three girls in school. My plate was full!

But also at this time, I had some friends under the attack of the enemy. He was going for the jugular vein, so to speak. They were in crisis mode, and I was exhausted with the must dos of life.

When I was asked to speak the Lord led me to this passage. 

What can easily be overlooked is the background of what is happening. This woman came out to draw water when she knew no one else would be there because she was an adulterous woman. She had already had five husbands and was living with a man. She couldn’t have been very popular with the women. 

Water is very important in our lives, and it had to be in hers. When she came to the well, she just wanted to get her water and return to her life as quickly and quietly as possible. In the natural.

But I believe she was crying out in her heart! Wanting a change, needing a change, and not knowing how to go about that change. Yes, she was a woman with questionable character, but she was also woman who was being abused by the men in her town. Her heart was aching.

Then she met Jesus! Wonderful Savior! He touched her in places her husbands and her lover was incapable of touching. And she, who was an outcast in society, was so blessed by her encounter she had to tell someone. And what did she do?

She left her water pot. The same water pot that she needed to bring water into her home for living, she left! The same water that was so important to her that she went to draw it in the heat of the day. Yes, that water! But she left that water pot and the water at the well and she went to tell the town about Jesus!

The Holy Spirit showed me how the water pot represented the important things in our lives. Just like she needed that water, we need to feed and clothe our families, we need to do our jobs, we need to clean our houses, and work in ministry (we are all called to some type of ministry), and be wives, husbands, moms, friends, etc… But no matter how busy things get, there are going to be times in our lives when we have to leave what is important to us, to do what is important to Him.

Although it came with great sacrifice, I became that listening ear, that sounding board, that voice of encouragement, that prayer warrior, often times with little strength left in me. And some how it got done, or we were able to make do without it. 

The woman at the well led her entire village to Jesus because she was so enthralled with Him that she forgot about her own needs long enough to realize that her village had a greater need; to meet the Messiah! I was instrumental in helping a family that was struggling in their faith, their finances, and their marriage, to keep their eyes on Jesus. The last time we spoke, about two years ago, they were doing well in every area of life! To God be the glory!

With all that I have on my plate still, it is sometimes difficult to pull away and be available to someone, not because of ministry responsibilities but because He has given me a sphere of influence in that life, and I’m the one they need to reach out to them.  It’s not always easy, but He doesn’t always call us to the easy life. People are hurting and they need the Lord. They need to know that He cares, He heals, He forgives, He delivers, He is Messiah!

When was the last time you left your water pot to meet someone’s need that was greater than yours. Yes, you need certain things in life, and so do your family; but there are times when someone will need you more because it is literally a matter of life and death, eternally!  

Because He reminded me of this tonight, I thought I would blog about it. Maybe you needed the reminder also! Wonderful Jesus!

Nothing is Impossible!

For with God nothing will be impossible.”-Luke 1:37 

I heard a wonderful sermon preached from this scripture by Pastor Jentezen Franklin a while ago, and it was just brought back to my remembrance today, so I thought that I would post about it.

If you have ever read the account of the Angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary, the mother of Jesus, these words are familiar to you. And typically when we read them or hear them, we view them in the same way: God is the God of the impossible. There is nothing ( no thing) that He cannot do! And this is absolutely true!!

The birth of Jesus was an impossible feat because a young woman gave birth without the assistance of a man. Only God could accomplish that! As a matter of fact, creation could only exist because of the Creator. Only God could cause the water of a large sea to part, or command the sun to stand still, or raise the dead, or save an individual from hell eternally, to name a few! And what a wonderful, powerful encouragement this scripture is to all who grasp it.

What was unique about his message was that he also spoke on another truth that these few words have within them. Not only is there no thing that is impossible for God, but that “nothing” (doing absolutely nothing) is impossible for God. Now that lit my fire!

Often times we petition the God of impossibilities with our needs and concerns, then walk away from that time in prayer feeling like nothing happened. Time goes on and we see no change in the situation or circumstance and we think, nothing happened. But the truth of the matter is that it is impossible for God to do nothing!!

When we pray, and believe what we pray, God responds! It is impossible for Him to not respond! Even if things haven’t changed in the natural, He is responding, so keep believing. 

We wanted a bigger house, and the plan when we purchased our home was to put a second floor on top. We got an architect, got the plans drawn, applied for a permit and ran into a snag. The project was stopped. Or so we thought! Almost 17 years later, the project moved forward and was completed. We had many opportunities during those year to doubt that it would come to pass, but God was working. Let me tell you some of the things He did!

Our neighbors had a problem with something in our plans, so we decided not to push the matter, to trust that God would bring them around. Relations were stilted for a while, but eventually we began to have a cordial relationship again. As we were neighborly and walked in love, God was changing hearts. (Ours included!) He was also putting people in place to help us to do the work. When it was time, our neighbors were in agreement, the workers had been met and were willing to work on the project, (often times at significant discounts), the finances were available and the wisdom and knowledge needed to do the project was available. 

We thought nothing was happening, for 17 years! But God was happening. He kept bringing people in our lives until the time came when we knew it was the right time to move forward. We saved thousands of dollars because of the right people doing the job the right way at the right time. We made purchases for our home that should have cost much more than they did! Only God could have orchestrated things the way they were put together. And that is just a tip of the iceberg of the things we experienced!

So when I heard this message, and of course I am being brief, it resonated with my soul, causing me to recognize the truth of this statement: It’s IMPOSSIBLE for God to NOTHING on our behalf! He is always moving, causing things to work out for us! As I came in today from laughing with my neighbors, I remembered how God worked things out with them and my soul rejoiced!

He is a good God, a mighty good God, and for Him to do nothing about our situations and circumstances is impossible! We just need to wait and see what the end is going to be while trusting that He is moving on our behalf! Wonderful Jesus!

Worth It All!

The day is ending and we’ve celebrated another Mother’s Day! It came with all of the expected traditions of the day: church, gifts, and dinner with family. Always a wonderful part of the day!

But I can’t help sometimes wondering if it is also becoming a day of great commercialism. Restaurants are filled to capacity and often booked weeks in advance. Greeting card sales soar! And malls are packed as people search for the perfect gift for mom.

And it’s no wonder! Everyone knows that a mother is the heartbeat of the home!

I didn’t grow up with a mom; although my sister did the best she could for us, making sure we stayed together, but she wasn’t mom. And when I was expecting my first child, I was a little concerned about the type of mom that I wanted to be.

So of course, I wanted to be to my children all the things I had missed in not having a mom. I wanted to make sure I was a part of their school life. I wanted to know their friends and their friends parents. I wanted to teach them how to read and write, and handle hurts and disappointments. I wanted to be their confidant, while remaining their mom. I wanted them to have piano lessons because the girl across the street from me had a piano, but I didn’t.  I wanted to teach them to love the Lord my God and how to serve Him. I wanted to teach them how to have a great self-esteem…and the list goes on.

A tall order to say the least. And one not possible without the help of the Holy Spirit! As a matter of fact, not every fully accomplished.  Some times we had take out or a frozen meal! Some times things weren’t picked up! And some times I wasn’t in the “I’m so glad to see you” mood when I walked in the door and they weren’t getting along for whatever reason. We were far from perfect, and I found out that I didn’t have to be; but we created a wonderful home for them and taught them to love God. We made sacrifices so that they could have a better life than we had; and loving each other so that they could see a healthy relationship-well, that part was easy.

What blesses me most, is knowing that we have raised first and foremost, godly young women; beautiful in the sight of the Lord! And they are doing well! Every mother wants to know her children, at any age, are doing well! And even though I didn’t do all that was in my heart to do for them, they turned out alright in the end.

I guess what I’m saying is, that moms aren’t perfect. We have unrealistic expectations of ourselves and of our children, and sometimes we get it all wrong! But with God’s help, we do  the best that we can to love our children and teach them to love our Father. And when it’s all said and done, Mother’s Day is simply a reminder, that it is worth it all! Wonderful Jesus!

 

A Word from God

And now, Lord, You are God, and have promised this goodness to Your servant. Now You have been pleased to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue before You forever; for You have blessed it, O Lord, and it shall be blessed forever.” 1 Chronicles 17:26-27 

As I read these words tonight they resonated in my spirit. 

David wanted to build a house for God and Nathan, the prophet, told him to do all that was in his heart for God was with him. However, Nathan had a dream and God spoke to him about David.

When Nathan gave David the word from the Lord, it wasn’t the same word the prophet had given. As a matter of fact, God vetoed David’s plan to build Him a house and told David that He would build him a kingdom that would last forever! This blew David’s mind! After hearing this word of prophecy I noticed that there were a couple things that he did:

First, he prayed and thanked God for the word spoken to him by Nathan. “O Lord, there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.” David acknowledges that there is no God like our God and there is no other God besides Him. He’s worshipping God and giving Him praise.

Second, he accepted that word and agreed that it would come pass. And it most certainly did. “And now, O Lord, the word which You have spoken concerning Your servant and concerning his house, let it be established forever, and do as You have said.” David told God basically, “Go ahead God and establish you word and do what you said!”

I got to thinking about the things that have been shared with me in dreams, or things that were shared with me, by a person I highly respected in the faith, as a word from the Lord. Then I thought of my past responses.

I’m always excited about that word. Every one wants to hear a word from the Lord. But I don’t often pray over that word and come in agreement with it like David did. But lately, I’ve had a stirring in my spirit about some things that God has said to me and my soul leapt when I read this chapter tonight!!

David said to the Lord, “You have promised this goodness to Your servant, to bless the house of your servant, and it shall be blessed!” Wow! It shall be blessed! It shall be done! Not it might be done, but it shall be done!

The promises of God, in His word, are more powerful than that of the prophetic being pronounced over an individual. (Although I certainly believe in the prophetic ministry.) The Bible is a more sure word of prophecy and we should endeavor to accept it as such. But how often do we neglect to embrace the truth of that word?

I was just ministering on the subject of “Healing through Redemption”. A “take God at His word” approach to healing. As I prayed with the people, I encouraged them to take God at His word. And some have testified to being healed, and others will! Glory to God!

Yet I know that there are still areas in my life where I have not fully trusted the word of God spoken over my life, and where I have struggled to accept it and say “be it done unto me with unwavering faith! But tonight my heart leapt as I read of David’s attitude about what God said to Him. And I know that God has just spoken to me!

Daily I have been giving Him thanks for the promotion He has given me and I tell Him I know it is so. But today I was feeling a little silly about it. But reading this tonight, without any searching for this particular topic as I read the Word, I receive it for what it is! A word from God to continue to give Him praise and declare that it will surely come to pass when the devil tries to convince me differently.

Maybe you too are in a place where you need to be encouraged to continue to trust God in spite of what you do not see because of what He said He will do for you! Well, let this passage encourage you as it did me, and agree like David that God will surely bring it to pass! Wonderful Jesus!

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week

They sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are sincere and that You teach the way of God truthfully, without concerning Yourself about [what] anyone [thinks or says of Your teachings]; for You are impartial and do not seek anyone’s favor [and You treat all people alike, regardless of status].-Matthew 22:16 

I was looking for a verse to encourage teachers, when I read this one. I think it’s perfect.  A very big part of Jesus’ ministry was teaching, so we as educators are following in His footsteps. 

The scripture  above said that Jesus was a sincere teacher and He taught truth. Every great Bible teacher knows the importance of teaching truth. As we prepare to get before people in Sunday school or bible studies all over the world, we study to give truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

As we prepare to enter a classroom, we want to teach our content correctly because we want our students to learn, even if we have to rethink that lesson and reteach that lesson for them to do so.

Jesus taught irrespective to what anyone thought of Him. Daily teachers go into the classroom in spite of the negative publicity that say we are overpaid and under qualified. We go in spite of politicians using us as their springboard for the next seat in government. We go in spite of parents who suggest that we don’t care or we are trying to fail their child. And we go in spite of the fact that it seems we can never do enough to prove that we are giving it our all.  So again, we are just like Jesus. He taught truth and He taught faithfully inspite of the fact that they wanted to kill Him for it. No has wanted to kill me yet, I don’t think!

We are impartial. I remember my first year as a teacher. A famous rapper had a daughter at our school and she just happened to be in my class. When I was told about them, I didn’t get impressed. I had 28 students to teach. There was no room for favoring a child because of her parentage. Any nationality, any religious affiliation or lack thereof, any social status or lack thereof, rich, middle class and in poverty, the good, the bad, and the gifted…it doesn’t matter because we will teach you if you are sitting before us. 

Over the years I have endeavored to treat all of my students with love and respect. Sometimes I missed the mark, but it was always the goal. I work with a lot of teachers and I see their heart. For the most part, they show up to do their jobs without partiality. And many of them do it quite well!

When I applied for entrance into the education program at my universe they asked me why did I want to teach, and before I could respond they told me not to say because I love children. I obviously said something to impress them I got in and graduated.

After all these years I understand what they were saying. A great teacher doesn’t teach because they love children, although they may, they teach because they love to teach. My passion is to teach. Not that we are allowed to just teach, because if we were, we would. But that’s my passion. Especially in the church. Especially the word of God. 

So to all my fellow teachers who teach because you love to teach, remember, so did Jesus. Rather you teach at your church, in a school, or in a world wide ministry or university, you are important, you are special, and you are doing a work that Jesus did when He was on this earth.

I felt someone needed to tell you that in spite of your difficulties and challenges; or your lack of supplies and support, or your lack of engaged students, or your lack of pay, or your long hours (no one knows about but us) or your cushy position that you finally got after 30 years of service; I am proud to be numbered among you. In the church and in the school room. You are important to the world that constantly wants to beat you up; but you keep going, you keep trying, you keep teaching, and you deserve every gift and word of encouragement that comes your way this week. Keep up the good work! Wonderful Jesus!

Doing My Part

I recently went to the doctor for a check up. I’m doing well and I thank the Lord for that! However, my blood pressure was up for the first time. Several people have commented that it’s expected at our age. Hear me clearly: the devil is liar! I don’t believe for one second that I have to have high blood pressure or any other disease because I am older than I was.

Truly I believe in the healing power of Jesus and I stand firm on His word that “by His stripes I am healed. Having said that, I truly believe that it is my responsibility to take care of this body that I have. I have to do my part.

So I am believing God that I am healed and cutting down on the junk food. And I will continue to stand on the truth of His word that I am healed, and will continue to exercise. And I am spending time in prayer to cast all my cares on Him that I may continue to walk in my healing.

I am not healed because of the things I do, but by faith in Jesus. Yet, I still think I need to do my part. I remember going to pray for a sister in the Lord many years ago. When I went to see her I asked her what was going on with her. She told me the doctor said many things including that she needed to change her diet. She defiantly said she would not. She went home to be with the Lord!

I am not interested in helping the devil take me off of my assignment so I will do my part. I won’t tempt the Lord my God by thinking that I can do what I want because He promised to heal me. Neither will I live in fear and become neurotic over my health because everything is bad for my health.

Fortunately for me, I left the doctor with no medication and no warnings of the things I need to do to keep my pressure low; but I made my own decision to continue to believe the Great Physician is on my medical case and there are some things I just don’t have to put in my mouth; especially since my belly is not my god.

Divine healing is a wonderful benefit of the relationship that we have with the Father and I have experienced it and seen it on many occasions. However, I would foolish, and so would anyone else, if I thought that God would be pleased with me mistreating my body with food or anything else, and then expecting Him to heal me because He is God. Jesus told the devil, “It is written, You shall not tempt the Lord thy God!” If Jesus wouldn’t tempt Him, then neither should we. Walk in your healing, but do your part! Wonderful Jesus!

National Day of Prayer!

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.-1 Timothy 2:1-4

Tomorrow is the National Day of Prayer in the US. Many churches will be opening their doors to allow congregants and neighborhood residents to come in and pray for the nation and other things on their hearts. This is a good thing! This is a God thing! For He has absolutely given us a command to pray for those in authority over us that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life.

There’s no turning on the news today without hearing of the sad state of affairs that our nation and many of our cities are in. Politicians are not representing the people as they promised and the streets are filled with violence. Are we to fear? God forbid!

I know that God is not shocked by the “headline news” because He knows all things! But is He pleased with our lack of prayer regarding these officials, regarding our cities? I think so!

It’s great that people will be taking a moment of silent prayer in schools, at their jobs, and even in some churches; but it’s going to take dedicated, faithful prayers of righteous men and women to effect change in our cities and nations.

Maybe you don’t live in America, but that doesn’t release you from your responsibility to pray for your nation, for your leaders. Quite frankly, I don’t even remember the last time, outside of church, that I spent any real time praying about these issues. I pray during election season, I pray when people are not making godly decisions, and I pray when things affect me negatively. But honestly, they are not at the top of my prayer list.

So I have decided to not wait for tomorrow to pray, but I will pray before I go to sleep. And I will begin to make a greater effort to pray for those in leadership over me in my church (this one is easy) my job (maybe not the kind that I have been praying), my city, and my nation, because I don’t want to forfeit another day of peace and I want to see these people truly give their hearts to Jesus and live for Him! I encourage you to join in with me and the millions who will be praying for America because God knows we surely need it! Wonderful Jesus!

My Determination!

Tonight my heart is filled with joy! I am not starting with a scripture verse, although I am sure before I finish writing one will come to mind.

I have served the Lord most of my life. As a matter of fact, I gave my heart to Jesus when I was a child of about nine years old. I attended a Baptist church at that time with my family and I enjoyed going to church.

My mom had recently passed and I grieved as any child would grieve for her mother. One thing I distinctly remember about that time in my life: I was willing to do anything for God. 

Mother’s Day came and I was still grieving. I was in the church choir and they asked me to lead a song. Now I can hold a tune, but I am no soloist. The song they asked me to sing had the following words:

In a lonely graveyard, many miles away,

Lies your dear ole mother, neath the cold, cold clay.

Memories oft returning of her tears and sigh

If you love your mother meet her in the sky.

Looking back, all I can think is, that was a horrible song to ask a grieving child to sing. Absolutely horrible!  I would be livid if I was around someone trying to do this to a child today. I cried during that song, and so did everyone who knew me, and everyone who had lost a mother. That was the goal: draw emotion. I cried the first time I shared this story with someone, and I was an old! Brrrrr! But I am still determined to meet her in heaven!

The other thing that is marked in my heart is, we used to tell “our determination”. And every single Sunday, I would go up to the front of the church and tell my determination, which was “to make heaven my home”. Now although I don’t necessarily feel that was a great thing to do, I am just as determined to make heaven my home.

I bring this up to say that both of these incidents influenced me as I lived my life. My heart has always been turned towards heaven. I can assure you I have no wish to leave this earth a single second before the Lord calls me home; however, I have realized that I don’t have to wait to go to heaven to experience heaven.

Recently we have begun studying the kingdom of God in Bible Study and I for one have a profound assurance that I am a part of the Kingdom of God. When I think about the wonderful things God has done and is doing in my life, my family, and my church, I know we are experiencing a touch of heaven.

I still desire to make heaven my home, but right now my determination is to bring heaven to earth and to expand His kingdom. I pray for a stronger anointing, I pray for power, I pray for wisdom, and I pray to be effective in all that He asks of me to do. That’s my determination and I hope every post I share will shout that message out: We’re bringing heaven to earth and we’re expanding His kingdom. Yes, my mother will be in heaven when I get there, but it is Him I will be looking for!

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.-Acts 10:38 

I want to be just like Him! Wonderful Jesus!

Learn From the Rechabites

The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, saying, “Go to the house of the Rechabites, speak to them, and bring them into the house of the Lord, into one of the chambers, and give them wine to drink.” “-Jeremiah 35:1-2

God tells Jeremiah to bring the Rechabites to the house of the Lord and give them wine to drink. And Jeremiah obeys Him. The only problem with this is that they did not drink. 

When Jeremiah tells them the purpose of the gathering, they refuse to drink the wine that was offered to them. They tell Jeremiah that they have never had a drink of wine and didn’t plan to start just because they have been brought to the house of God. (I’m paraphrasing!) But in all honesty, they tell him that they are obeying the traditions or commands of their forefathers and that they would not drink the wine. If you have not read the account of the Rechabites before, I encourage you to do so to get the full story.

God knew this when He had them invited. He wanted to prove a point. The point He wanted to prove was that men will obey an earthly father, even after many years since his departure; but His people would not obey their Heavenly Father. As a matter of fact, He points out that He had repeatedly tried to get His people to obey Him and they repeatedly refused to do so.

God was not pleased with them. He told Jeremiah to tell the men of Judah that He had sent His prophets to tell them on many occasions to repent so that He could bless them, but they wouldn’t listen. They apparently thought God had a different agenda in mind for them, other than blessings.

And He told Jeremiah to tell the Rechabites that because of their obedience to their father Rechab, they would always have a man to stand before Him! Not their obedience to God, but their obedience to their forefather Rechab. There obedience had gotten God’s attention.

Obviously, obedience is pleasing in the sight of God in the natural as well as in the spiritual realm of our lives. When He sees obedience He is pleased, and when He doesn’t see it, He is displeased.

Today, make a decision to seek to be more obedient in your walk before the Lord. Whether at work, at home, at school, in church, or out in society, know that your obedience is a sweet aroma to the Father. Wives obey your husbands! Ouch!! Children obey your parents! Employees obey your employers! Students obey your teachers! Drivers obey the signs! And the list can go on! Don’t let others convince you to do what your Father has asked you not to do, and don’t let them talk you out of doing what He has told you to do.

Obey Him because you love Him! Obey Him because you fear Him! Obey Him because He is your God and King! Obey Him because it’s a blessing in store for you when you obey! Obey Him because He commands it! Wonderful Jesus!