Desperate Determination

[S] Matthew 15:25 --
But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, "Lord, help me!" 

[O] The Syrophoenician woman's attitude of seeking after Jesus' help was not only with desperation but also with determination.  She believed Jesus can heal her daughter so even though she ran into a dead-end street she did not give up but continued to seek favor from Jesus -- even just the "crumb" of his favor was sufficient for her so she continued to "bow down" and asked for Jesus' help.

[A] May be I have it too easy and I take the favor of Jesus on my life for granted but as I reflect on my own desperation of hanging on to the power of Jesus in my life, I am way short of this woman's attitude and determination.  I need to bow down before Him and simply ask "Lord, help me!"

[P] Dear Jesus, as time dashes by in the midst of whirlwind of events, I have not come before you on my knees to ask for Your awesome help in my life.  Please forgive me for trying to "do it" on my own instead of seeking the touch of your miraculous power.  Please help me, Lord, so I may lean on You 100% in 100% of my life.  In Your name I ask.  Amen.

Getting Up Even After a Rocky Day

[S] Acts 14:20 --
20 But while the disciples stood around him, he got up and entered the city. The next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe.

[O] This passage is so "Paul" because I can just picture Paul being stoned by the Jews to think he was dead but he just gets up and returns to the city and then leaves on a mission trip the following day as if nothing had happened to him.  To Paul, it was just another new day for the Lord whether almost stoned to death or not.  This is so "Paul."

[A] While I certainly do not wish to find myself being stoned by oppositions, I at times feel likewise and just want to walk away from it all but Paul's determination and purposeful way of carrying out himself for the expansion of His ministry encourages me again and again, just like the Eveready bunny.  I, too, need to get up again and refocus back to my purpose and take the next step with my co-laborers in Christ one day at a time.

[P] Dear Jesus, may Your Spirit continue to guide me and strengthen me to be like Paul, the spiritual Eveready bunny, who keeps on going until Your ministry expands beyond the walls of our own limitations.  I give You praise for being the source of my energy.  In Your name.  Amen.