"What Do You Want?" By Debra Courtney

Photo Courtesy: havencaraliers.com

“She was quick: “You’re right Master, but beggar dogs do get scraps from the master’s table”. Matt. 15:27.” MSG

A surplus of leftovers was stacked in the fridge. So precariously, in fact, my thoughts of unpacking the milk for morning tea caused me to settle for yogurt and granola. I had no time to risk the probable avalanche, nor the energy to rearrange before my first cup of tea kicked in.

Like last year as I pushed back from a Christmas Buffet laden with ham, turkey and all the trimmings, etc… I vowed never to eat again. Yet, before the dawn’s early light had broken and with only the light of the refrigerator piercing the morning, my bleary-eyed glimpse of sliced turkey and some persimmon pudding caused me to eagerly anticipate my next meal.

Leftovers are rarely considered choice fare. But, for the Canaanite woman, seen only as a “dog” and deemed unworthy of anything more, even leftovers were desirable.

Desperation regarding her daughter’s illness seized her soul as she pushed past the self-righteous glares of the crowd and fell humbly at the feet of the Master.

Jesus sat silent. (Reading this to myself I am thinking that Jesus is saying to himself, hum; I’ll see what she “says” first before I make a comment.)   

A sense of smugness must have engulfed the disciples as Jesus’ initial reaction appeared to validate their deeply embedded beliefs of superiority. Little did they know, a few “incisive words” from Jesus would quickly extract their shallow roots.

Undaunted by Jesus’ alleged indifference, the Canaanite women voiced her unwavering hope.

Jesus gave in. “Oh woman, your faith is something else. What you want is what you get!” Right then her daughter became well. Vs 28.MSG

Jesus came to save the pharisaical community; yet most blindly looked on in self-righteous indignation. In contrast, the outcast woman believed even a single word or touch from the Master would be enough to restore her daughter’s life.

This morning, as I munch on my yogurt and granola with an abundance of food piled high in my fridge, I question if I take for granted all I have while feeling entitled to more. Do I humbly receive whatever God desires to give me, knowing that even the scraps from his hand will bring more healing to my body than the surplus of leftovers stacked in my fridge?

It is not what we receive, but the spirit with which we receive that brings the results we desire, and the surplus sounds of Thanksgiving our Master longs to hear.

This New Year, give God thanks and share from your place of abundance with those around you.

Debra’s life goal is to inspire and motivate women globally to become all they have been created and designed to be by using the guiding principles of their Creator’s word in gaining wisdom, understanding their designed-given personality identities & create their purpose!  You can contact Debra at dwcscc@yahoo.com.

And Then You Say It! Part 2 By Debra Courtney

“The word that saves is right here, as near as the tongue in your mouth…It’s the word of faith that welcomes God to go to work and set things right for us…That’s it. you’re not “doing” anything; you’re simply calling out to God, trusting him to do it for you… and then you say it, right out loud…” Romans 10:8-10” MSG

That is why it is so important to say what God has said. We do this not so others can hear us, but so our soul will receive instruction what to believe and agree with instead of the situations in our life, symptoms in our body and fear-based thinking and talking we hear from others around us. How do we give glory to God? By honoring the words He has spoken and demonstrating our trust in Him. Our first step of acting on our faith in His Word is to agree with and say the thing He has said.

Keeping Jesus’ words means more than just doing what He said. It also means living as He lived. He lived never saying or doing anything He did not first hear the Father say or see the Father do. As His disciples, our words should be in complete agreement with what the Father has spoken concerning us.

When we speak His words in faith, they have the same power to change our circumstances as when He spoke Creation into being.

Jesus’ ministry to us today includes His position as High Priest of our confession (Hebrews 3:1). To confess means to “say the same thing.” When we say only what God has said, His words have the same power spoken in faith out of our lips as they did when He originally spoke them. Jesus, as our High Priest, makes sure those words the Father has spoken come to pass in our lives. That is why we are instructed in Hebrews to “let us hold fast our confession [of faith in Him].”  4:14 AMP. Also, “So let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering the hope we cherish and confess and our acknowledgement of it, for he Who promised is reliable (sure) and faithful to His word.” 10:23. AMP.

And Then You Say It

Jesus Is My Lord
         Philippians 2:9-11 “I confess the complete lordship of Jesus Christ. Jesus is Lord over all and He has given me authority. As I confess Him, His Word and His Name, and resist Satan in His Name, Satan must bow his knee.”

I Do Not Have a Care
         1 Peter 5:7; Psalm 37:23-24 “I cast all my care on Jesus because He cares for me. He upholds me as He guides my steps.”

I Do Not Want
          Psalm 23:1; Philippians 4:19 “The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want. For my God supplies all of my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

I Am Free from Sin, Sickness, Sorrow, Grief and Fear
            Isaiah 53:3-5; Matthew 8:17; 1 Peter 2:24 “Every sin, sickness, disease, sorrow and grief was laid on Jesus so that I could be free from them. Therefore, today I am forgiven, healed, and healthy and well. I live in divine health.”

Jesus Is Made unto Me Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption
            1 Corinthians 1:30; Colossians 2:10 "I confess that Jesus is my wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. Only in Him am I entirely complete.”

Debra’s life goal is to inspire and motivate women globally to become all they have been created and designed to be by using the guiding principles of their Creator’s word in gaining wisdom, understanding their designed-given personality identities & create their purpose!