27 And Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs. 28 And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs. 29 And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.

Friends, faith is continuing to trust God even when the answer is delayed, the situation looks impossible, or we do not understand what God is doing. The Syrophenician woman came to Jesus because her daughter was possessed by an unclean spirit. She refused to give up even when Jesus said let the children first be filled.  Yes, she faced an apparent refusal, but remained humble, persisted in faith as she said the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs. And her saying brought her testimony and she went home to find her daughter delivered. Though Jesus initially appeared to reject her request, she refused to walk away. She remained humble and persistent until Jesus responded to her faith.  Luke 18:1 - And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.

Apparently, our faith can be tested through delays and difficult circumstances.  Galatians 6:9 - And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. But delay does not mean denial. So, we must keep praying, believing, and trusting God even when you cannot understand His timing.  Jesus said to her in Matthew 15:28, “O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt.” Bartimaeus also refused to give up when people told him to be quiet. Mark 10:48 says, “But he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.” Jesus stopped and answered him.  Friends, don't allow disappointment, opposition, or delay to make you abandon your faith. I encourage us to keep trusting God. Keep praying. Keep standing on His Word in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:

Oh Lord, I receive grace to remain steadfast in faith and never to give up when answers are delayed but strengthen my heart to keep holding on until my testimony comes, in Jesus’ name.

Action Quote:  Friends, don't give up because the answer is delayed but keep trusting God until your testimony comes.

Text: Psalm 22:3 (KJV)

But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

Friends, praise is more than singing beautiful songs. Yes, it is an expression of our faith, gratitude, and confidence in God so it is important that we make praise our habitation and a lifestyle. God dwells in the praises of His people. And, praise creates an atmosphere where God’s presence is welcomed and manifested. So, when we praise God, we declare that He is worthy regardless of what we are going through.  Though difficult circumstances can make us complain instead of living in praise, but we can change our mindset, today. Unfortunately, we focus so much on what is wrong and we forget what God has already done. But when we praise God, it shifts our attention from the size of our problem to the greatness of our God. Psalm 100:4 - Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Amazingly, Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned, yet at midnight they prayed and sang praises to God. Acts 16:25–26 says, “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God… And suddenly there was a great earthquake.” Their praise happened before their deliverance.  Jehoshaphat also experienced victory when singers went before the army praising God. 2 Chronicles 20:22 says, “And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon…”  Therefore, learn to praise God even in difficult seasons. Praise does not mean you deny your problems; it means you acknowledge that God is greater than your problem in Jesus  name.

Prayer Point:

Oh Lord, give me a heart of praise even in difficult seasons as you help me to trust Your faithfulness and worship regardless of my circumstances in Jesus’ name.

Action Quote: Friends, learn to praise God before the breakthrough, because your circumstances may change, but God remains worthy of your praise.

Text: Ephesians 3:16 (KJV)

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.

Friends, true strength in life does not come from your physical ability, intellect, or resources, but from the Spirit of God residing within you through several encounters with His Word. Yes, there are seasons when life feels overwhelming, when emotional exhaustion sets in, and human effort fails to move the mountain before you, but your inner man must be connected with God for strength. In those moments of weakness, relying on your own flesh will only leave you weary. But, Paul understood this truth when he prayed for the believers to be empowered from within by God’s Spirit.

Interesting, when the Spirit of God empowers your inner man, your perspective shifts from fear to faith. Samson was ordinary until the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, enabling him to break impossible chains. Zechariah 4:6 reminds us, "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the LORD of hosts." The Holy Spirit revitalizes your faith, gives you wisdom when you are confused, and restores your peace amidst chaos. So, stop trying to fight spiritual battles with natural strength. Surrender your limitations to the Holy Spirit today, and allow His supernatural power to lift you above every trial today in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:

Father, fill me afresh with Your Holy Spirit; strengthen my inner man with Your divine power, remove every spiritual weariness, and grant me victory over life's challenges, in Jesus' name. Amen.

Action Quote: When human effort reaches its limit, the power of the Holy Spirit steps in to grant you supernatural strength.

Text: Matthew 3:11 (KJV)

He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear.

Friends, there is One who is mightier than you, mightier than your challenges, mightier than your enemies, and mightier than anything you may face in life. His name is Jesus. John the Baptist recognized the greatness of Christ when he declared, “He that cometh after me is mightier than I.” Sometimes, we become overwhelmed because we focus more on the size of our problems than on the greatness of our God. We look at our weaknesses, and circumstances and conclude that there is no way forward. But when you remember that Jesus is mightier than you, your perspective begins to change. David faced Goliath, but he did not depend on his own physical strength. He trusted in the power of God.  Also, the disciples faced a storm that was beyond their ability to control, but Jesus spoke to the wind and the sea, and there was a great calm. Jeremiah 32:27 - Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for me?

Amazingly, the One who is with you is mightier than the battle before you. He is mightier than fear, mightier than disappointment, mightier than rejection, mightier than lack, and mightier than every obstacle standing in your way. When your strength is failing, depend on His strength. When you don't know what to do, trust His wisdom. Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee. When you cannot see the way forward, trust the One who already knows the way. The same Jesus who calmed the storm can bring peace into your troubled heart. The same Jesus who delivered Daniel can deliver you from what seeks to destroy you. The same Jesus who raised Lazarus can bring life into situations that appear hopeless. Therefore, don't allow your weakness to make you forget His greatness in Jesus name. 

Prayer Point:

Father, help me to trust in Your mighty power in every situation that is beyond my ability as you fight my battles, strengthen my heart, and lead me in victory, in Jesus name. Amen.

Action Quote:  Friends, when your strength is not enough, remember that the One who is with you is mightier than anything standing against you.

Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

Friends, there are levels in God that you cannot experience by remaining in the shallow. So, God is calling you into the deep, not because where you are is bad, but because there are more He wants to reveal, teach, and entrust to you. Jesus told Peter, “Launch out into the deep.” Peter had already worked all night and caught nothing, yet Jesus was asking him to go beyond what was familiar and comfortable. Hence, Peter did not allow his previous disappointment stop him but he obeyed Jesus. But when he followed the instruction, he experienced an extraordinary catch. Therefore, your next level requires you to move beyond your comfort zone and trust God's instruction even when your previous experience tells you otherwise. Ezekiel 47:3–5 (KJV) shows a powerful picture of increasing depth. The water moved from the ankles, to the knees, to the loins, until it became “a river that I could not pass over.” So, there is deeper dimensions of God's presence, Word, prayer, faith, and purpose that require greater surrender. You cannot discover everything God has placed inside you while remaining at the same spiritual level.

Interestingly, the deep may require courage because you cannot always see what is beneath the surface. But when Jesus says launch out, trust Him with the journey. Don't allow fear, disappointment, familiarity, or past failure to keep you in shallow waters. There is more in God, and there is more in you that will only be discovered when you are willing to go deeper. Also, Jeremiah 33:3 (KJV) says, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” God has things to show you that you have not yet seen and depths you have not yet explored. Therefore, don't be satisfied with yesterday's encounter, yesterday's revelation, or yesterday's spiritual experience. But go deeper in prayer, in studying the Word, in obedience and in your relationship with God. I pray that God will give you the grace to leave the shallow places, pursue Him wholeheartedly, and discover the depths of His purpose for your life in Jesus' name.

Prayer Point:

Father, give us the grace to go deeper in our relationships and in God’s Word. May we obey His instructions, and experience the deeper dimensions of His purpose in Jesus’ name.

Action Quote: Friends, don't remain in the shallow when God is calling you deeper because there is more of God to discover and more of your purpose to fulfil.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Friends, sometimes we assume that opposition means God has forgotten us. But the scripture above reveals something powerful that God can prepare a table for you even in the presence of those who oppose you. For instance, David had enemies, but their presence did not cancel God's blessing upon his life. In fact, God prepared a table before him in their presence. This teaches us that the success, favour, and purpose God has ordained for your life cannot be stopped by people who oppose you. Genesis 50:20 - But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

Amazingly, Joseph's brothers tried to destroy his future by selling him into slavery, but God turned what they intended for evil into something that preserved many lives. Joseph eventually declared “But God meant it unto good.”  Also, Isaiah 54:17 - No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. Therefore, don't spend your life trying to prove yourself to your enemies. Remember, promotion ultimately comes from God. So, stay faithful to God, keep doing what is right, and allow Him to defend and honour you in His own time. Though, your table may not look like someone else's table, but when God prepares it, no enemy can take it away. I pray your cup will still run over even when opposition surrounds you in Jesus name.

Prayer Point:

Father, help me to remain faithful when I face opposition as Your favour, grace, and purpose prevail in my life despite every opposition in Jesus’ name.

Action Quote: Friends, don't allow opposition to make you doubt God's plan, so if God prepares the table, your enemies cannot cancel your blessing.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.

Friends, we all experience seasons that feel like valleys which can be times of pain, uncertainty, disappointment, loss, rejection, or difficulty. But notice that David said, “though I walk through the valley.” He did not say he would remain there forever. The valley is a place you pass through, not necessarily a place where you are meant to stay. Yes, when we are going through difficult seasons, we begin to think that our situation will never change. But God can use even the valley to strengthen our faith, develop our character, and prepare us for what lies ahead. Joshua 1:9 - Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Amazingly, the three Hebrew boys were thrown into a fiery furnace, but God was with them in the fire. Daniel was thrown into the lions' den, but God shut the lions' mouths. Their difficult seasons did not mean that God had abandoned them. Isaiah 43:2 says, - When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.  Therefore, don't let your valley convince you that God is absent. His presence is with you in the valley just as it is on the mountaintop. Hence, let’s keep walking, trusting, and keep believing, because God is able to bring you through the negative experience with a new testimony in Jesus name

Prayer Point:

Father, strengthen me in every valley and help me to remember that Your presence is always with me as you lead me safely through every difficult season in Jesus’ name.

Action Quote: Friends, don't build your permanent home in a temporary valley but keep walking because God is leading you through.