@AYENCO 12 October 2022 more from that month

TOPIC: STAY THERE. TEXT: Matthew 15: 22-28. Key verse:15:23- “But He answered her not a word…” A lot of us have been there, and knows the frustration that comes with having to ask and be rebuffed. I know a pastor’s wife that couldn’t handle the difficulty any longer, and decided to send a text to one of the big guns in their church asking for some foodstuffs to keep body and soul together, and the person never replied her: he did not say yes, nor no, and did nothing about it, instead, he began to keep his distance. She felt so embarrassed, and wished she never asked. We can begin to understand the state of the woman in our text; she came crying, desperate for help, and told Jesus of her daughter who was being tormented by demons. She wasn’t just asking, but she was begging yet, He answered her not a word. In those few minutes, a lot would have ran through her mind, and many conclusions arrived at, but she stayed there. As Jesus turned to leave, she followed after Him, determined to not just get a response but to see her daughter whole. So many things happened in that brief encounter that could make some to turn their backs and say, “to hell with your miracles” but she stayed there unyielding, unflinching, and consistent in her firm resolve to have her girl restored. The word from God to you today is, stay there with Jesus: doubts may be rising, and time flying, stay with Him. With Him you can be sure of getting an authentic miracle. In those moments of waiting for Jesus’ response, her faith and patience were tried just like yours now, but she stayed. Jesus once asked His disciples after many of them stopped following Him: *“Will you also go away?”* And Peter answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.” (John 6: 66-68) Don’t join the myriad believers running to and fro in search of miracles. Everything you need and will ever need is in the hands of Jesus. The fact that there is a delay is not tantamount to a denial. You also will carry in your hands whatever it is you are pregnant of, if you stay with Him. "For with God all things are possible.” (Mark 10:27) “So shall my word be that goeth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11) Stay there with your gaze on Him and His power, and not on the situation. (Hebrews 12:2). Peter did not die in that prison; that condition will not kill you. Yes, the year is ending and you feel lost and handicapped, but this is what He promised: *"Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.”* ( Psalm 65:11) The verse started with: “But He answered her not a word." It did not end like that; It ended with: "And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.” Albert Hubbard said that, *“There is no failure except in no longer trying.”* Keep trying; keep praying; most importantly, stay with Jesus, He always delivers. *LET US PRAY:* Father, give me the grace to stay with you to the end…