Topic: Extravagant Faith
Text: Mark 7:25 -30
Key scripture: She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even the dogs under the table are allowed to eat the scraps from the children’s plates.”
The revelation in the knowledge of God is unending, l have taught for years that faith is a defensive weapon until the day l looked at this text again with an open and hungry heart. Extravagant Faith displayed in worship comes from a humble heart, l call it so because it is a display of faith that is exceeding what is reasonable or appropriate; excessive or elaborate. This kind of faith is no more about defense, but an aggressive attack against human reasoning and false arguments limiting you from receiving what you desperately want from God.
How many times has your heart stirred you to do something radical by faith and you dismissed it because of what people will say or think about you? How many times have you been waiting on the Lord for a miracle and you suddenly got put off by something the minister said or how the usher treated you?
Am talking to those who come to God with a preconceived idea about how God will fix their problem. Am talking to those who size up ministers and ministries and decide where their healing will take place. Am sent to you today, fix that ego problem, fix that haughtiness before it denies you the miracle.
The woman in our text may look like a gate crasher to the Jesus party, her timing was not right because she came when Jesus had not announced, \”Healing time\”! In fact, Jesus was not ready to see any one or handle any case. Yet she stormed into his presence because of her desperation. How desperate are you to get your child delivered of that demonic oppression manifesting as addiction, rebellion, disobedience and wickedness? As long as you can postpone taking action because of work, you are not yet ready.
This message is for people who are sick and tired of medical reports, alternative therapies and just want to get their lives back. What did she do here, she came to Jesus with a humble heart, she fell at his feet and begged him. Prayer is not just what you say, its the state of your heart. She begged him and she begged him to cast out the demon from her daughter.
When last did you beg God for something? When last did you pour out your heart with strong reasons to your maker for a supernatural intervention? There are types and forms of prayer, it is not all the time you decree or confess, there are times of supplication. When your requests are not for you personally ,it is called intercession.
… I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one. Ezekiel 22:30b
O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen on your walls; they will pray day and night, continually. Take no rest, all you who pray to the Lord. Give the Lord no rest until he completes his work, until he makes Jerusalem the pride of the earth. Isaiah 62:6-7
What might just heal your broken heart is to intercede for that your child until……
God is searching for desperate intercessors not complainers or storytellers, intercessors, those who make other people\’s problems their business before God. That woman didn\’t care what was said to her. She lavished the Lord with worship, she didn\’t mind the attitude or reference to her as an outsider, she just wanted a miracle! How badly do you want yours? Are you willingly to go to the temple like Hannah and pour out your heart till you are heard? Mary and Martha worshipped even when it looked hopeless, are you ready to worship till your loved one is made physically and mentally whole?
The Shunamite woman gave it her everything, she told the servant not to mind her own discomfort but ride as fast as possible to the man of God.
So she saddled the donkey and said to the servant, “Hurry! Don’t slow down unless I tell you to.” 2 kings 4:24
Today, God wants us to take up a challenge to fight for our children, relatives and ourselves until we get the healing we seek. God still answers prayers, Jesus\’ name has not lost its power. Oh yes!
I remember fighting for my child, praying ,crying, fasting and pursuing against all odds. God showed up big time and it ended in victory, yours will be next in Jesus name. Don\’t be held back by human reasoning or opinion, don\’t mind any ridicule or even insults, that\’s what the devil will use to push you back off the course you have taken. Stand your ground and don\’t give up till you get what your desire.
Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, what do you hope for today? God is ABLE and WILLING to do it !
Roses&Thorns