Manna for Your Morning

Then Jesus said to her, “O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at once. — Matthew 15:28 (NASB1995) The Syrophoenician woman (a Gentile) was one of a few people Yeshua told they had great faith. In Matthew 15:22, she came out and began to cry out, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed.” She was aware that Yeshua had come into her region. People of great faith are attentive and sensitive to the Lord’ Pre sence, and come to Him. Matthew 15:23 says: He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and implored Him, saying, “Send her away, because she keeps shouting at us.”  Instead of sending her away, Yeshua answered and said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” She humbled herself before Him and continued to ask Him for help. Great faith is persistent. And He answered and said, “...

They began to discuss this among themselves, saying, “He said that because we did not bring any bread.” But Jesus, aware of this, said, “You men of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread?” — Matthew 16:7-8 (NASB1995) It takes little faith to look at and discuss what we don’t have. Instead of focusing on current external conditions, remember the goodness of Yahweh and His faithfulness to provide for His children. Understand the depth and breadth of the love and compassion the Lord has for us. Jesus asked His disciples: “Do you not yet understand nor remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets you picked up? Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many large baskets you picked up?” (Matthew 16:9-10 NASB1995) Recall the good things our great God has already done. May we be people of great faith, like the centurion (Roman officer), in Matthew 8:7-9. When Jesus said He would go and heal his servant, the centur...

Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment. — Matthew 15:28 (NIV) What did this Gentile woman do that caused Jesus to notice that she had great faith? Matthew 15:22 says, she cried out to Him, saying, “ Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed. ” Mark 7:25-26 tells us, as soon as she heard about Jesus she came and fell at His feet, and begged Him to cast out the demon from her daughter. Even after Jesus said, “ I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. ” (Matthew 15:24), she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” (Matthew 15:25) So this woman had a sense of urgency to get to Jesus, she humbled herself, she asked for His help and she worshiped Him. I would also note, she did not take offense when Jesus said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” (Matthew 15:26). Instead she continued to plead...

The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.” — Matthew 8:8 (NKJV) Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour. — Matthew 8:13 (NKJV) Matthew 8:10 says: When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! May we be like the centurion and take Jesus at His Word. In John 19:30, Jesus said, “ It is finished! ” The battle is already won. Jesus has done everything that needed to be done for us to live a victorious life. He has given us the authority here on earth. In John 16:33, Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” So don’t be surprised at the fiery ordeal which is...

But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. — Mark 4:38-39 (NKJV) When our wind-beaten boat is being tossed to and fro by the stormy waves of life, and we can’t see anything good happening, with our natural eyes, it may seem that Jesus has fallen asleep on the boat. But rest assured that He is awake, He cares and He is at work in your life. Instead of panicking, exercise great faith and speak the Word of God over your circumstances. Be still and know that He is God and He has given you peace that can endure throughout all situations.

Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour. — Matthew 15:21-28 (NKJV) What was it about the gentile woman that caused Jesus to tell her she had great faith? 1) She had a need and sought Jesus. May we have the wisdom to know that Jesus is the answer to every problem. 2) She asked Him to have mercy on her, then she made her request. Let us humble ourselves, and ask the Lord for help. 3) She worshiped Jesus and made another plea for help, after He informed her, that He was only sent to the house of Israel. When circumstances don't appear to be going in your favor, persist in prayer and praise. 4) She did not take offense, when  He said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” She stayed focused on her daughter's healing, and received the desires of her heart. Keep the main thing, the main thing and don't take a detour on the roa...

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? — 2 Corinthians 13:5a (NKJV) Let us examine our hearts. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified (Romans 10:10a). Do you have great faith like the centurion who said to Jesus, “…but only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.” (Matthew 8:8). Or are you more like the disciples who panicked and awoke Jesus, in the midst of a storm. He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” (Matthew 8:26). Jesus, in His compassion took care of both. Even if you had little faith in the past, it's not too late, faith is now. Faith is for the present time, today. “Do not be afraid; only believe.” (Mark 5:26). “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” (Mark 9:23).

Like a will that takes effect when someone dies, the new covenant was put into action at Jesus’ death. His death marked the transition from the old plan to the new one, canceling the old obligations and accompanying sins, and summoning the heirs to receive the eternal inheritance that was promised them. He brought together God and his people in this new way. — Hebrews 9:16-17 (MSG) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). When we accept Christ as our Savior, we transition from being lost to saved, from the old obligations to new promises, from being poor to being rich. As we continue to walk with God, we transition from being full of doubt, to having great faith, from being defeated and in despair, to triumphing over our troubles and walking in victory.

The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. He 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.” Matthew 15:25-27 (NIV) Jesus told this woman: “you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment, (Matthew 15:25-28). Great faith is persistent. When this woman first cried out to the Lord for Him to heal her daughter, He said, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel." But the woman didn't give up and she didn't get offended. She humbled herself before the Lord and pressed in with her plea. May you have great faith in our Lord and Savior, who is full of compassion.