But He did not Answer Her – Not a Single Word was Said – Until

Tip! What really determines’ the effectiveness of our labor for Christ is the measure of our faith and the fervency of our prayers. If our faith is poor and our praying is indifferent; how can we expect to achieve much for Him?

"But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and begged Him, saying, "Send her away, for she is crying after us." He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came and knelt before Him, saying, "Lord, help me." And He answered, "It is not fair to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly. "

Matthew 15:23-28 RSV

All of you who are genuine seekers; you know who you are. As of yet you have not obtained the blessing that you are looking for, have you. You should take comfort from this story that is before us. Our Saviour did not give the blessing at once to this woman, even though she had great faith in Jesus. He intended to give her the request, but He waited awhile. What was He waiting for? Why is Jesus waiting to grant your request today?

"But He did not answer her a word." Was it because her prayers were not any good? No. They were never better in the world. Was her case not that needy? No. She was very sorrowfully and needy. Did she not feel her need sufficiently? She felt it overwhelmingly. Was she not earnest enough? She was intensely so. Then it must have been that she had no faith? Wrong! She had such a high degree of faith; in fact she had so much that even Jesus marveled, and said, "O woman, great is your faith." So then what is the problem?

Here are some possibilities, although it is true that faith brings peace, however it does not always bring it instantaneously. There might be certain reasons in your life that are calling for the trial of faith, rather than the reward of faith. Remember Jesus is the "author and finisher of our faith", so He knows precisely what we need. Genuine faith may be in the soul like a hidden seed, but as of yet it may not have budded or blossomed into joy and peace that we so desperately want.

Tip! The Master will not expect more from anyone than a person is capable of doing for Him. Jesus wants us to understand that each person will be rewarded according to their faithfulness in doing their given task.

A painful silence from our Saviour is a serious trial for many of us that are truly seeking Him with all their hearts. But still even heavier is the difficulty of a harsh cutting reply such as this, "It is not fair to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs."

Many people while waiting on the Lord find instant delight, but this is not the case with all of us. Remember the jailer? He was in a moment turned from darkness to light, but others of us are like plants that have a slower growth period. A deeper sense of sin may be given to you instead of a sense of pardon. And in such a case you will have to have patience to bear this heavy blow.

Ah, but poor heart, even though Christ may beat and bruises you, or even allows you to die, trust Him completely! Even though He must give you an angry word, trust in the love of His heart. Do not please, I beg you, give up! Keep seeking! Keep trusting our Master! Because just as this woman received her request so you will obtain the conscious joy that you long so much for soon. Throw yourself on Him, and perseveringly depend on Him even where you can not yet rejoice in the hope you seek.

Tip! Praise and thanksgiving – This is the earnest, heartfelt prayer where we come before the Lord thanking and praising him for his mighty power and love. We may praise him in both our earthly and spiritual language.

The possibilities of prayer are gauged by faith in God's ability to do. Faith is the one prime condition by which God works. Faith is the one prime condition by which a person prays. Faith draws on God to its full extent. Faith gives character to prayer. A feeble faith has always brought forth feeble praying. Vigorous faith creates vigorous praying. Christ asks this pointed question, "When the Son of Man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?"

How can I pray for you and your family? Please leave a comment or prayer request there. Sign-up for the free Prayer Newsletter and also Get your FREE eBook "Where Are You At?" Then check out my New website www.byfaith-enterprises.com. If you would like a unique version of this article or other articles on prayer, faith or religion for your website, just Click Here for Unique Articles.

Do not Fail to Get the Spiritual Fitness Provided for Us in His Finished Work

Tip! Let's move on to Mark 11:25. There's a condition for asking God for something in prayer.

"I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do." -- John 17: 4

The cruel ridicule of the masses, the mocking insults of the scribes, and the criticism of the violent crowd could not turn Jesus away from His set intention of finishing His work according to the will of His Father. The stripes, spittle, blood, and bruises could not crush Him. The abuse and humiliation that was pile up on Jesus could not overpower His passionate love for us, His disqualified saints. Jesus Christ, was numbered with the transgressors, He was crucified on a lonely hill called Calvary. He suffered, the Just for us the unjust, that He might bring us to God.

He was detested by antagonist, ridiculed by fanatics, and abandoned by friends, but He was victorious over sin and death. Now Jesus has returned to heaven with our Father, the Most High God, and sets at the right hand of our Father, there Jesus lives to make intercession for His saints.

"Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am..." -- John 17:24

Tip! First, you have to pray. Thinking about something does not make it a prayer.

What if Christ's prayer went unanswered? What would have become of us if our Father did not hear this prayer of intercession? We as living people of God would cry out in unthinkable grief and regret the day we ever heard about the hope of the Gospel. It would be completely impossible to see the devastating hopelessness and terrible distress that would sweep over our souls as the redeemed children of God. The hopelessness of the black raven of depression would cover the sad songs of eternal death on the tombs of the godly.

Tip! THE possibilities of prayer are gauged by faith in God's ability to do. Faith is the one prime condition by which God works.

Jesus' last will and testament has been signed by His nail-scarred hand and sealed by the Holy Spirit. We have nothing to fear or doubt concerning the last victory of Christ's intercessory prayer. Every word spoken in His everlasting intercession will be answered in full by our Father. He has offered His petition as an inheritance to be shared by us, His believing and faithful people.

The voice of Jesus' supplication has been heard in the third heaven. The words of His weeping have been translated in front of the mercy seat of pure gold. At the throne of God our Father, His tears will triumph and His petition will be granted.

Can you believe that our Lord can find pleasure in holy fellowship with His ransomed people to all eternity? It is almost unbelievable. But look again at His prayer, it shows us that it is Jesus' will to live with us, His people in the holy union of love all through all ages, forever and ever. Wow!

I believe that the greatest pleasure we will enjoy in heaven will be the awesome pleasure of being with our Savior, Jesus Christ, for evermore. Only His glory and His presence will make the City of God happy.

Tip! Samson's prayer at the end of his life affected not only his future, but the future of others as well. At the time of his death, his people were in danger, his enemies were present to mock him, but his people were out of harm's way.

Could we have satisfaction in seeing the magnificence of our Father's house of many mansions if Christ was not there to fill it with the light of His appearance? The intensity of His glory and splendor of His Person will complete our happiness; because without Jesus' shed blood we could not be redeemed.

The river of life, the fruitful trees, and the anthems of angels would increase the enjoyment of our surroundings, but these would fail to satisfy us. The only satisfactions for us as the redeemed will be for the glorified Son of God to be present to receive our eternal praise and gratitude.

So let us persist in prayer that our Lord will count us worthy to be given this inheritance of His intercessory prayer that He offered to our Father. Do not fail to get the spiritual fitness provided for us in His finished work. We must always be aware of the fact that without holiness no one will see our Lord.

Tip! Properly understood, prayer is a natural activity dispensable for the fullest development of personality. Only in prayer do we achieve that complete, harmonious, assembly of Body, Mind and Spirit which gives the frail humans its unshakeable strength.

Once again take comfort in our Savior's immortal prayer,

"Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world" -- John 17:24

Tip! Divine Love could be limitless. To know God Prayer is the way.

How can I pray for you and your family? Please go to my blog at byfaith-enterprises.blogspot.com and leave a comment or prayer request there. Sign-up for the free Prayer Newsletter and also Get your FREE eBook "Where Are You At?" at www.byfaith-enterprises.com/prayer_books. If you would like a unique version of this article or other articles on prayer, faith or religion for your website, justClick Here for Unique Articles. Keep praying to the Great I AM.

Jesus has Paid for and Finished His Work for Your Salvation

Tip! In (Phil. 4:6) we have these words about prayer: “Be careful for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me [Jesus]. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." -- John 14:1, 2

Perhaps we are likely to think of the everlasting enjoyment and indescribable happiness we will achieve in this place Jesus is setting up for us, His children. We try our best to imagine the splendor of this City who's Builder and Maker is God.

We are prone to speculate regarding the skillfulness of our Infinite Artist who has combined the seven prismatic colors of white light to increase the magnificent glory of heaven, our holy home for the ones redeemed by His blood.

While thinking about the wonderful hope of heaven, do not fail to notice the fact that our hope is founded on the completed work of Christ. Remember what Jesus said to our Father,

"I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do." -- John 17: 4

His prayer is like someone returning back home after having done the appointed assignment. He makes no mention of the price He had to pay with His blood and tears to be able to prepare this place where we can be with Him to all eternity.

His unequivocal agony on that middle cross granted for us the required qualification of moral character needed to shape eternal heaven with Him in our Father's house. His intercessory prayer promise's us that we can be sanctified through the truth in His Word. It is His will to wash us by His blood and present us holy and un-blamable and un-reproved in His sight. Colossians 1:22.

His finished work and last will are in no doubt the basis on which we rest our hope on. That one day soon we who believe will be with Him where He is, and will see His glory. We have every reason to believe that we can gain these sacred benefits of His finished work, and when we arrive at the end of our life's journey we will receive a magnificent welcome into the City of God.

Tip! Please complete the work you have started in me. Please bless those that hate me, and give me the courage to walk in your commands and give me the words to say in my prayers.

But only if we believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and that He paid the price with His blood for us, the price we could not pay, for the sins we did.

Jesus took great joy in bring about His Father's purpose in salvation. He took great pleasure in granting us access to a place in our Father's house as His believing people. His joy in bringing many people unto glory made it possible for Him to endure and triumph over His bodily torments and the anguish of His heart and soul.

Do you have one of those mansions waiting for you? It is a free gift. All you have to do is accept it. Jesus has finished His work for your salvation. You only must believe that He paid the price for your sins and ask Jesus to forgive you. Ask Him to come into you life and be you Savior. Jesus is waiting for you, because without Him we are all lost and will die and go to hell. It is Jesus' will that no one should die and go to hell. He wants you to be with Him in heaven in our Father's house. He has a mansion waiting for you! Do you believe that?

Tip! In order really to mould personally, prayer must become a habit. One can pray everywhere, in the street, the office, the school, in the solitude of one's own room.

Please, do not go to hell!

Will I see you in Heaven?

How can I pray for you and your family? Please go to my blog at byfaith-enterprises.blogspot.com and leave a comment or prayer request there. Sign-up for the free Prayer Newsletter and also Get your FREE eBook "Where Are You At?" at www.byfaith-enterprises.com/prayer_books. If you would like a unique version of this article or other articles on prayer, faith or religion for your website, justClick Here for Unique Articles. Keep praying to the Great I AM.

Christ Pleads His Will in Intercessory Prayer for Us

Tip! True prayer is a way of life, the truest life is literally a way of prayer.

"Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am..." -- John 17:24

John preserved this intercessory prayer for us when he wrote down Jesus' precious prayer. Our Lord allowed His disciples the enjoyment of knowing what His intercession for them in heaven as their High Priest was really like.

Of course the disciples had heard our Saviour pray for them frequently, but they had never heard Him pray like He did at this precise time and place. They must have been extremely awed by the ease of His approach to our heavenly Father.

They heard Him pray with the absolute assurance of the Beloved Son, Who is One and the same and eternal with our Father. The disciples must have acknowledged that Christ breathed into His intercessory prayer the effectiveness and authority of His everlasting life.

Jesus unlocked the precious inheritance of His prayer to our Father by saying, "Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou gave me: for thou loved me before the foundation of the world." These gracious words of Jesus clearly show us what His final will is regarding the sacred domain for us as the redeemed. His absolute right to plead His will in prayer before our Father is founded on His completed work in this world. This is what He said,

Tip! “Supplication” is the very soul of prayer in the way of pleading for some one thing, very much needed, and the need intensely felt.

"I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do." -- John 17: 4

Jesus' finished work and His last will are one in the Divine plan for the salvation of all people. He made it obvious that His intercessory prayer is an essential part of His redemptive work on the cross. It has pleased our Savior to show us this final conclusion of all He has willed and intended for us as His purchased people. The enjoyable hope of being with Him where He is will be fulfilled to the glory of our Father and to the eternal approval and wonderful admiration of His loving saints.

Tip! If you make a habit of sincere prayer, your life will be very noticeably and profoundly enriched.

The disciples could not understand our Savior's stated reason for going away. In their minds they were deeply confused; their hearts were greatly troubled by this alarming fact that He was to suffer and die. Was Jesus leaving them alone to serve and suffer in a world hostile toward all that they believed and preached about? I don't know, but could it be that they had almost reached the point of accepting final defeat? Because this is when Jesus re-energized their undecided nerves, saying,

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." -- John 14:1, 2

Wow! Let us highlight His wonderful words, "...A place for you." Our Lord was revealing the purpose of His departure. He removed the curtain that has been between time and eternity to validate the faith of His anxious people. Jesus wants us as His people to rest in our faith in Him by these comforting words He spoke to us, "In my Father's house are many mansions..."

Tip! The work of George Muller in Bristol, England, was a miracle of the nineteenth century. It will take the opening of the books at the great judgment day to reveal all he produced through prayer.

Praise God; there will be no homeless children in the family of God. All of us that believe in Jesus will have your home in stately mansions throughout all eternity. This inhospitable world has no lasting home for us as God's children. Yes, we were born in this world, and may even be buried in this world, but thanks be to God our Father; this passing world is not our home. We have no long-lasting city here on the earth. God's people are citizens of the celestial City, the heavenly Jerusalem, the city that John saw coming down from heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Tip! “Asking of God” and “receiving” from the Lord - direct request to God, immediate connection with God - that is true prayer.

Are you headed to that home in heaven? You can!

All you have to do is admit that you are a sinner. Believe that Jesus died in your place and rose again on the third day, and ask Him to forgive you and to come into your life as Lord and Savior. Then according to the Holy Bible, if your mean this with all your heart, you are Saved and are now a child of our Most High God.

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Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? explores the mysterious intersection where you and God meet and relate. Writing as a fellow pilgrim, Yancey explores the questions surrounding prayer that you may wonder about but not know how to express. Above all, Yancey shows you how to pray to a God who sees what lies ahead of you, knows what lies within you, and who invites you into an eternal partnership with Him---through prayer.

Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? by Philip Yancey

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With 52 Model Bible Questions and your Bible, you can confidently teach lesson after lesson, year after year, and see the power of great questions create changed lives. You don't need a seminary degree to use them well. You won't need to buy a new study guide every time you want to move to a different book of the Bible or topic Just Click Here!

I have A Free Ebook For you from me called "Where Are You At?" or just download it here Click Here

Many times, when we are worried about the problems we face, our mind plays tricks, we think we hear things like, “Ah! Now I am going to be told my duty, you must become a “Christian”. I will make sure I will not be home.”

No, this book does not come to make a demand on you, but to bring you something. I am not going to talk about law, duty, or punishment, but about love, goodness, forgiveness, mercy, and eternal life.

Please do not act as if you are not at home: do not turn a deaf ear, or a careless heart. I am asking nothing of you in the name of God or man. It is not my intent to make any obligation or demands on you; but I come in God’s name, to bring you a free gift, which will be to your present and eternal joy to accept. Open the door, and let me appeal to you heart, allow me to come in. “Come now, and let us reason together.” This book is to discuss “Where Are You At” in your life. The decisions we make today will last for eternity.

Get Your FREE download copy of this eBook from me, Ramon Ross, a Free gift. To download it Click Here. You can also order a paperback copy for $7.03 if you wish. Thank you, and if you have any questions or you have a problem downloading it from Lulu.com just send me an email at ramonj.ross@comcast.net

It's not an activity or a chore. Prayer is a way of life. Learn how to move beyond rituals and discover new intimacy with Jesus. Henry and Norman Blackaby's study of Jesus' prayer life reveals astounding truths about God's intent for prayer. By the time you turn the last page of this 2006 National Day of Prayer book, your old notions will be replaced by the reality of Jesus' example. You'll experience the power of heaven and earth being joined together as the King of all creation lays His heart over yours. Your will becomes aligned with His. Discover freedom from methods and formulas, justClick Here and let God unfold His mighty purposes for you.

Did I Really Mean what I had Asked for Or was I Just Trying to Impress God with Words: Part 2

Tip! THE possibilities of prayer are gauged by faith in God's ability to do. Faith is the one prime condition by which God works.

If you have not read the first part of this blog entry this one will not make much since. So please go down to the next entry named "Did I Really Mean what I had Asked for Or was I Just Trying to Impress God with Words: Part 1" and read it first.

It was two days letter and Mr. North called me and left a message for me to please come and visit him. I was in the middle of a major project at work; I was responsible for many things going on at church, not to even think of the demands of my family and home. And now Mr. North wanted to see me?

Before I called Mr. North to tell him I could not see him until sometime later; the Holy Spirit asked me one question. Did you really mean what you asked for or was it just to impress God with your words?

I called Mr. North and asked him what time would be good for me to come and see him. He said that 2:00 P.M. this Saturday would be great. I told him that would be fine; and I really meet it as well. Do you know that Satan and my-self (flesh) attack my spirit with everything we could think of? I was overwhelmed with things to do, many places to go and people to see.

I had to stop and pray. I asked God our Father to help me do His will in the Name of Jesus Christ with the strength and power of the Holy Spirit in me; to prepare me for this visit and to get me there safely.

I arrived at the set time and Mr. North was happy to see me again. But after an hour or so of getting to know each other, I was ready to go home. Nothing had come up about any problems, so I figured he was just lonely and wanted some company. I asked if I could pray with him before I left, this is when he told me his problem.

Tip! A person’s character is always demonstrated in their behavior. The Savior again said,“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good ...” -- Luke 6:45

He said he was hearing evil voices in his head all the time. These voices were saying that God did not care about him anymore because he was a worthless old man. They said things like, how could he expect to go to heaven when he had lived such a sinful life.

As the Holy Spirit prompted me, I opened the Holy Bible where Paul wrote

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." -- Philippians 4:8

Tip! •Approach God in prayer and ask for a fit body. • Get clear and visualize your fit body and believe.

Then I asked Mr. North two questions, the first was, when were you saved? This brought a big smile on his face. He picked up his Bible and showed me where he had written it down, and all the things that had led up to his Salvation in Jesus.

The second question was; when were you married? Another big smile filled his face, and again he had written the events of his marriage down on another page in his loved Holy Scriptures. He also stated he was looking forward to seeing her in heaven one of these days.

I saw what the Holy Spirit wanted Mr. North to see that day, and I was so blessed to be the messenger. I asked Mr. North to look at himself in the mirror and see how happy he was. When he looked and saw what I was seeing the Scripture "…think on these things" made sense to him and he understood what the Holy Spirit was telling him through His Word.

Tip! The person who prays, has a belief that they will receive an answer. The prayer is intended to inculcate certain attitudes in the one who prays, rather than to influence the recipient.

You know, Mr. North and I became good friends. My wife and I enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving Day meal with him at the nursing home. He was a joy to be around, even with his physical problems and age. God used this man to show me His love for everyone on earth. Not just the young, good, strong or beautiful;

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." -- John 3:16

Mr. North is with Jesus now, and yes his wife as well. One day soon I will see Jesus as well as Mr. North, and we will be able to rejoice and praise our Father together again, but this time we will be in heaven.

Tip! 1 Timothy 2:1. Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,

Will I see you in heaven as well?

<><><><><><><><>

Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? explores the mysterious intersection where you and God meet and relate. Writing as a fellow pilgrim, Yancey explores the questions surrounding prayer that you may wonder about but not know how to express. Above all, Yancey shows you how to pray to a God who sees what lies ahead of you, knows what lies within you, and who invites you into an eternal partnership with Him---through prayer.

Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? by Philip Yancey

<><><><><><>

With 52 Model Bible Questions and your Bible, you can confidently teach lesson after lesson, year after year, and see the power of great questions create changed lives. You don't need a seminary degree to use them well. You won't need to buy a new study guide every time you want to move to a different book of the Bible or topic Just Click Here!

I have A Free Ebook For you from me called "Where Are You At?" or just download it here Click Here