Manna for Your Morning

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...

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. — Luke 2:15-16 (NKJV) Jesus calls each and every person to come to Him. May we be like the shepherds, and make haste everyday, to come to Jesus. They did not take any detours, they made their way straight to Him. Let there be a sense of urgency to seek His face and His will for your life. Make Him your first priority. May we look to Jesus, the Living Word, for the answers to the challenges we face. When we allow all of our earthly concerns to operate within and through our relationship with Christ, He gives us the direction and guidance we need to live a successful and victorious life. He is Immanuel, God with us. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the first...

When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying one to another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem, and see this [wonderful] thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” — Luke 2:15 (AMP) When the shepherds were told about the birth of Christ the Lord, they had a sense of urgency about going to see Him. In the Message Bible, they said, “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They started their journey at once and I doubt that they got sidetracked or took any detours. May we also have a sense of urgency when it comes to drawing near to our Lord and Savior. Stay clear of sideshow distractions that serve to create distance between you and the Lord, and closely follow Jesus.

Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. — John 21:7 (NKJV) Peter had a sense of urgency to return to the Lord, after denying Him three times. When you miss the mark, don’t let the enemy create a distance between you and the Lord. Instead, draw near to God with a sincere heart. Our God is faithful to forgive and the flow of His love toward us never stops. Surrender all, and plunge into the living waters, that draw you closer to the Lord. He will show you the path of life; In His presence is fullness of joy; At His right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11, NKJV).

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. — Luke 2:15-18 (NKJV) Just as the shepherds went in haste to see Jesus, let us have a sense of urgency, not only to see Jesus, but to know Him personally. May we have a richer and deeper experience of His love and grace, each and every day.  And let’s introduce others to our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6 NIV). The LORD anointed Him to bring good news to the poor. He was sent to comfort the brokenhearted and to announce freedom to all captives, and pardon all prisoners. (Isaiah 61:1). Hallelujah! Enjoy your day as you celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.