So happy you’ve decided to visit daily devos! This is where short reads are added for today’s hungry, and often harried souls! Breeze through quickly if your time is limited. Saunter with solace if you are leisurely browsing. Whether you have only a few minutes or time to linger, be sure to reflect on the thought-provoking questions and challenges included to encourage your spiritual awareness and growth.
… sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16 NIV 1984
|| 2 P (Pause to Praise) by www.WarrioroftheWord.faith
Let’s fill the space around us and the thoughts within us with praise, exalting God and remembering He is greater. Praise looks good on you, my friend!
Jesus said:
Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:19 NIV 1984
Many aspire to be great (exceptionally superior), perhaps distinguishing themselves by educational pursuits, vocational accomplishments or financial gain. Such activities have some merit. Yet Jesus said those who want to be great in His kingdom will practice and teach His commands. So what might that be? He also said:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34 NIV 1984
Should we determine to pursue greatness, let us also carefully consider in whose eyes we seek it – others around us or in the eyes of Jesus. To which audience will we seek to be great?
Sing to the LORD … Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples. Psalm 96:2-3 NIV 1984
|| 2 P (Pause to Praise) by www.WarrioroftheWord.faith
Since social media usage spikes around 9 pm, we decided to duplicate our posts to meet you here. Enjoy these restful reflections.
Sing to the LORD … Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples. Psalm 96:2-3 NIV 1984
|| 2 P (Pause to Praise) by www.WarrioroftheWord.faith
Let’s fill the space around us and the thoughts within us with praise, exalting God and remembering He is greater. Praise looks good on you, my friend!
A Gentile woman who lived there came to Him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter has a demon in her, and it is severely tormenting her.”
But Jesus gave her no reply – not even a word. Then His disciples urged Him to send her away. “Tell her to leave,” they said. “She is bothering us …” Matthew 15:22-23 NLT 1997
Jesus, full of power and compassion, did not respond to the woman who cried out for mercy. While that may seem contrary to His nature and mission, consider what He eventually said to her:
Then He said to the woman, “I was sent only to help the people of Israel – God’s lost sheep – not the Gentiles.” Matthew 15:24 NLT 1997
Jesus was focused on His mission, having first ignored her. So why did He break His silence and speak to her? Let’s review it again in sequence:
A Gentile woman who lived there came to Him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter has a demon in her, and it is severely tormenting her.”
But Jesus gave her no reply – not even a word. Then His disciples urged Him to send her away. “Tell her to leave,” they said. “She is bothering us with all her begging.”
Then He said to the woman, “I was sent only to help the people of Israel – God’s lost sheep – not the Gentiles.” Matthew 15:22-24 NLT 1997
Jesus did not initially respond to the woman. Yet He spoke to her in response to the request of His disciples. And He still responds to His followers …
… The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results. James 5:16 NLT 1997
Are you His follower? What request will you pray for Him to answer today?
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Psalm 100:1 NIV 1984
|| 2 P (Pause to Praise) by www.WarrioroftheWord.faith
Since social media usage spikes around 9 pm, we decided to duplicate our posts to meet you here. Enjoy these restful reflections.
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Psalm 100:1 NIV 1984
|| 2 P (Pause to Praise) by www.WarrioroftheWord.faith
Let’s fill the space around us and the thoughts within us with praise, exalting God and remembering He is greater. Praise looks good on you, my friend!
