Press Through
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you.”
Matthew 7:7 AMP
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
In Mark, chapter five, there was a woman who had been sick for twelve years. The doctors gave her no hope. But, she heard that Jesus was coming through her town. Something deep on the inside said to her, “This is your season. This is your time to get well.” In the natural, when she saw all the people around Him, she thought, “I’ll never get to Him. It’s so crowded and I’m weak. I just don’t think I can do this.” She almost missed her season. But instead of dwelling on those negative thoughts, she started reminding herself, “If I can just get to Jesus, I will be whole.” She made the choice to turn her thoughts in the right direction. She kept pressing her way through the crowd until she got just close enough to Jesus to reach out and touch the edge of His robe. Instantly, she was made whole. This is what Jesus said, “Daughter, your faith has made you well.”
Notice, it was her faith and her persistence that connected her with God’s power, and the same is true for us today. No matter what you are facing, don’t give up! Keep praying! Keep asking! Keep seeking! God is faithful! Stay determined because He will meet your faith with His miraculous power when you continue to press through!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, I come to You today with an open and humble heart. I ask You to fill me with Your strength, peace and joy so that I can press through to victory today. Show me the good plan You have for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen
Natasha’s Reflection
Today we honor and celebrate the life and legacy of a civil rights leader and pioneer, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who’s life was snatched away by an assassin for reasons that we may never know. Dr. King and the numerous other civil rights heroes and sheroes of his time, were passionately focused on healing our world of the sickness of racism, the hopelessness of poverty, and the devastation of war.
Marching steadfast in his convictions of equality for all regardless of race, religion, sex, color, and creed–Dr. King was led by faith, faith in God and a belief in His deliverance of the voiceless in the U.S. and abroad. Dr. King sacrificed because he believed that God would provide the balanced playing field. Dr. King sacrificed because he believed that God saw and loved all people equally, and Dr. King wished that for all of us.
Each victory in the 1960s meant that the civil rights movement was one step closer to success, and that our country was one step closer to being healed. We’re not there yet and it may not be in my or your lifetime, but if we remain positive like the woman in Mark, and just focus on getting to Jesus, getting those victories, then one day we will become whole just as she did. If we are cynical, it will not work. If we are resistant and negative, it will not work. Only in our faith and commitment is it possible. Only in our sacrifices is it possible. Only through the investment of time, talent, and resources is it possible.
Questions of the Day
1.What would you like to add to today’s prayer and/or reflection?
2. What do you think about today’s message?
3. What would you like to say in recognition of Dr. King and other civil and human rights leaders, past and present?
4. Are you optimistic or cynical about the future of civil rights in America as it relates to equality in race, income, and education? Why?
Feel free to share your answers, prayers, comments, and reflections in the comment section below. You can also send me an email at: breakingbreadwithnatasha@gmail.com
Please also feel free to share this post with others. We’re never quite sure who needs to hear and see what, and when! It would be awesome if whenever you run across a prayer, message, or scripture that moves you, you would kindly share it with the rest of us. You can post it on this blog or send me an email.
Love always,
Natasha
Copyright 2013-2015. Natasha Foreman Bryant. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha Foreman Bryant, unless otherwise noted. Prior posts from 2009-2013 are copyrighted under the name Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.com
Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified® Bible,
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