Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for Genesis One Nursery!
GENESIS ONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL & NURSERY BEGINS SCHOOL YEAR WITH DEDICATION OF NEW FACILITY
Genesis One Christian School, located in Mendenhall, MS is expanding its nursery program with the dedication of a new facility for nursery 3,4, & 5 yr olds. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 12noon on Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 722 Circle St., Mendenhall, Mississippi. The community is encouraged to come celebrate with Genesis One as it expands its nursery program and dedicate its newly renovated facility. Besides expanding its operating hours until 6 p.m., the nursery program is offering free tuition for the full month of September for new applicants and vouchers are welcome and accepted as well. Genesis One is a private, Christian School in Simpson County with a committed staff and utilizes the well-known Abeka curriculum to provide young people with a strong academic start. Genesis One established the first Kindergarten in Simpson County, MS over 30 years ago and continues to enjoy a reputation as one of the top schools in the area for spiritual and academic enrichment.
Kids “Summer Splash” June 14th – July 9th JOIN NOW !!!
The Mendenhall Ministries will be conducting a Summer Enrichment / Recreation program from June 14th – July 9th. This program is for all kids. Sign up and enjoy the summer learning and having fun.
The first week will be a Vacation Bible School with an Art concentration. Time will be 10am – 5pm. The 2nd-4th week will be an enhanced learning time for math, reading and writing. Time will be 8:30am – 3:30pm. Lunch is available at the Mendenhall Jr High School.
Make new friends, act out dramas, sing learning songs, play games to help you learn and play sports. Sign Up Now. Call (601) 847-3421 OR (601)382-9401. You can download a Summer Splash flyer HERE.
SUMMER SPLASH! ~ Summer Enrichment Program
Dear Partner,
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” Matthew 25:40 NIV
Summer is here and kids are excited to be out of school! Genesis One Christian School conducted its closing program May 21st. Each class made a presentation of songs, poems, and rhythm and rhyme. I thoroughly enjoyed each presentation. In addition, I had the honor of being the commencement speaker.
Now that school is out its time for kids to have some fun. At the same time, however, we want them to continue to learn and be excited about learning. To this end, we are offering a community wide summer enrichment program, Summer Splash, which integrates learning and fun in a seamless array of activities. The program serves kids from ages five through 16, from June 14th through July 9th. Summer Splash promises to be a fun-filled learning experience.
40 Day Prayer & Increase Initiative Final Update!
40 Days of Prayer and Increase Devotional ~ by Pastor D. L. Lane
Last weekend we completed our 40-days of Prayer & Increase for Mendenhall Ministries. We would like to thank you for your prayers for our ministry. While we didn’t reach our goal during the allotted time, financial pledges are still coming in. At the conclusion of our 40-days, we reached 53% of our “Increase” or financial goal. We still remain $46,312 short of our goal. Your gifts help us continue rural ministry and services to communities in Mississippi. They also help us host hundreds of volunteers who come each year to work alongside of us and gain practical training in Christian community development ministry. Thank you for visiting us…thank you so much for those of you who have provided financial support through our 40-day initiative. To find out about how to support this ministry, please click the donate button above. If you make an attempt, and experience difficulty making a contribution online, PLEASE let us know. Thank you and God bless you.
Your gifts go to help with the following ministry needs;
-
Upgrade of Nursury Building for fall Pre-School Program
-
Renovation of manufactured building for Summer Enrichment Program, Community Education, and the Solar Cyber Cafe’
-
Supplies for Summer Enrichment Program
-
Solar Panels and related equipment for Cyber Cafe’
-
Farm Manager ~ Funding to supplement compensation for Farm Manager
-
“Master Plan” for campus-wide facilities
-
Unrestricted funds ($50,000) for overhead expenses and administrative needs (software, water/fireproof safe file cabinets)
Please continue to keep our ministry needs in prayer! If you would like to assist us with any of these ministry needs, please feel free and contact us….your gifts are greatly appreciated!
DAY 40 ~ PROLEPTIC PRAISE
40 Days of Prayer and Increase Devotional ~ by Pastor D. L. Lane
Today is the last day of our 40-days of Prayer & Increase for Mendenhall Ministries. We would like to remind you one more time to send up a prayer for Mendenhall Ministries at 12 noon today. This is the last day of our initiative, but we have only reached 51% of our “Increase” or financial goal. We still remain $49,295 short of our goal. Your gifts help us continue rural ministry and services to communities in Mississippi. They also help us host hundreds of volunteers who come each year to work alongside of us and gain practical training in Christian community development ministry. Thank you for visiting us…thank you so much for those of you who have provided financial support through our 40-day initiative. WE STILL HAVEN’T GIVEN UP ON REACHING OUR GOAL! If you feel impressed of God to help, please do. We will provide the final tally on Monday, May 24th. Thank you once again for your continued prayers. To find out about how to support this ministry, please click here. If you’ve made an attempt, and experienced difficulty making a contribution online, PLEASE let us know. Thank you and God bless you.
“And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the Lord hath given you the city…So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they
took the city” (Joshua 6:16,20 KJV)
Proleptic praise. There is power in praise. It is good to take time to thank God and show appreciation for what He has done and what He is doing. Oft times we take the blessings and mercies of God for granted. Every day we ought to thank Him for life and a measure of health and strength. But there is a way to mingle our faith with our praise by thanking Him for what He is about to do. When we ask in faith, believing, the Bible assures us that nothing is impossible with God. And someone has suggested that there are only three ways that God answers prayer; He’ll say yes, no, or wait.
DAY 39 ~ PRACTICING HIS PRESENCE (In memory of Bill Flanagan, former Minister of Missions, St. Andrews
40 Days of Prayer and Increase Devotional ~ by Pastor D. L. Lane
We will devote today’s devotional (our final one is tomorrow) to the memory of Dr. Bill Flanagan. “Flan” as he was affectionately known, was the former missions pastor at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Newport Beach, California. While never having had the privilege of knowing him personally, his dedication and ministry has affected me indirectly. “Flan” was instrumental in introducing St. Andrews, as well as other churches with which he was formerly associated, to Mendenhall Ministries. We feel deeply indebted and are very appreciative of believers like “Flan” who have dedicated their life to Christian service. He represents the epitome of those who engage in selfless, sacrificial service on behalf of others and his influence and commitment can only be measured in eternity. And Mendenhall Ministries was just one of many missions and ministries he supported and devoted his life to over the years. A celebration of Flan’s life will be held today at his church and I am here in Newport Beach, to attend the service representing Mendenhall Ministries, to show our appreciation and love for a believer who’s life was well lived. Thank you for visiting us…
“Let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” (Exodus 25:8)
In the courtyard of the wilderness tabernacle stood two articles of furniture, the brazen altar and the laver. The brazen altar was the place the offering place for the morning and evening sacrifice. It generally typified the cross of calvary on which our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ would lay down His life. The second article of furniture in the courtyard was the laver, a tub-like basin filled with water and designed to be a place of cleansing. The priests who served throughout the year would, as a part of the respective ceremonies, engage in a ceremonious cleansing before entering the tent of tabernacle. What a fitting symbol of the New Testament ceremony of 
baptism and what happens to our life when fully submitted to the Word of God. The Bible says, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word…” It is the Word of God that cleanses and sanctifies and both the ceremonial cleansing at the laver in the Old Testament and the New Testament ceremony of baptism, are symbols of that redemptive work.
DAY 38 ~ A DWELLING PLACE
40 Days of Prayer and Increase Devotional ~ by Pastor D. L. Lane
We will devote our final week to discovering various themes in the Scriptures that speak to the heart of Christian service. We would like to remind you to send up a prayer for Mendenhall Ministries at 12 noon today and through Friday or at a regularly-scheduled time of your convenience. We are in the last week our initiative but have only reached 50% of our “Increase” or financial goal. Your gifts help us continue rural ministry and services to communities in Mississippi. They also help us host hundreds of volunteers who come each year to work alongside of us and gain practical training in Christian community development ministry. Thank you for visiting us…thank you so much for those of you who have provided financial support to help us get closer to our goal of $100,000, and for your continued prayers. To find out about how to support this ministry, please click here. If you’ve made an attempt, and experienced difficulty making a contribution online, PLEASE let us know. Thank you and God bless you.
“Let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” (Exodus 25:8)
The children of Israel had been in Egyptian bondage for 430 years. God raised Moses up as their deliverer so that they may worship God in freedom. He led them out with an outstretched arm and provided many tokens of His power and favor for His people. Once in the wilderness, the children of Israel needed to become reacquainted with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They needed to know who they were and Whose they were. All of them were born while under Egyptian rule and had little understanding of God’s will, His way, and His plan for His people. Shortly after revealing His law on Mt. Sinai, the God of Israel had Moses to return once again to the mount. This time He revealed to Moses the blueprint for the wilderness tabernacle or sanctuary.
DAY 37 ~ JESUS’ WAY TO HOLISTIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
40 Days of Prayer and Increase Devotional ~ by Pastor D. L. Lane
We will devote our final week to discovering various themes in the Scriptures that speak to the heart of Christian service. We would like to remind you to send up a prayer for Mendenhall Ministries at 12 noon today and over the next 3 days or at a regularly-scheduled time of your convenience. We are in the last week our initiative but have only reached 50% of our “Increase” or financial goal. Your gifts help us continue rural ministry and services to communities in Mississippi. They also help us host hundreds of volunteers who come each year to work alongside of us and gain practical training in Christian community development ministry. Thank you for visiting us…thank you so much for those of you who have provided financial support to help us get closer to our goal of $100,000, and for your continued prayers. To find out about how to support this ministry, please click here. If you’ve made an attempt, and experienced difficulty making a contribution online, PLEASE let us know. Thank you and God bless you.
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” (Luke 2:52 KJV)
This is by far one of my favorite texts to share when highlighting the Biblical theme of cross-shaped, holistic ministry. Cross-shaped is a reference to the multidirectional nature of growth, ministry and service. While the vertical beam symbolizes our relationship with God, the horizontal beam symbolizes our relationship with one another. This particular verse highlights the symmetrical growth of the life of Christ while here on earth. He not only “increases” in favor with God, but with mankind as well. Jesus is the perfect example. His growth and development is proportional and balanced.
DAY 36 ~ CROSS-SHAPED SERVICE
40 Days of Prayer and Increase Devotional ~ by Pastor D. L. Lane
We will devote our final week to discovering various themes in the Scriptures that speak to the heart of Christian service. We would like to remind you to send up a prayer for Mendenhall Ministries at 12 noon today and over the next 4 days or at a regularly-scheduled time of your convenience. We are in the last week our initiative but have only reached 38% of our “Increase” or financial goal. Your gifts help us continue rural ministry and services to communities in Mississippi. They also help us host hundreds of volunteers who come each year to work alongside of us and gain practical training in Christian community development ministry. Thank you for visiting us…thank you so much for those of you who have provided financial support to help us get closer to our goal of $100,000, and for your continued prayers. To find out about how to support this ministry, please click here. If you’ve made an attempt, and experienced difficulty making a contribution online, PLEASE let us know. Thank you and God bless you.
“When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you. ” (Mark 2:3,4 NKJV)
We continue our devotional today with the story of the paralytic. On yesterday we discovered the power of determ
ination and intercession against forces bent on destroying our faith and hindering our ability to come into His presence. Today we want to focus on the keen insight of One who knows the desires and intents of the heart. Upon seeing the helpless man before Him, Jesus acknowledges their determination by interrupting His lesson to get right to the heart of the man’s condition. As we emphasized yesterday, this story is a lesson about the importance of intercession.
DAY 35 ~ ABOVE THE CROWD
40 Days of Prayer and Increase Devotional ~ by Pastor D. L. Lane
We will devote our final week to discovering various themes in the Scriptures that speak to the heart of Christian service. We would like to remind you to send up a prayer for Mendenhall Ministries at 12 noon today and over the next 6 days or at a regularly-scheduled time of your convenience. We are in the last week our initiative but have only reached 38% of our “Increase” or financial goal. Your gifts help us continue rural ministry and services to communities in Mississippi. They also help us host hundreds of volunteers who come each year to work alongside of us and gain practical training in Christian community development ministry. Thank you for visiting us…thank you so much for those of you who have provided financial support to help us get closer to our goal of $100,000, and for your continued prayers. To find out about how to support this ministry, please click here. If you’ve made an attempt, and experienced difficulty making a contribution online, PLEASE let us know. Thank you and God bless you.
“Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.” (Mark 2:3,4 NKJV)
What a powerful lesson on determination and intercession! Jesus was teaching in a home full of people anxious to hear the precious truths that fell from His lips. The King James Version describes the scene in this way, “there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door…” It was a packed house. He was in Capernaum and many had heard or experienced comfort and healing through His ministry. And although He returned to His Father, His message is no less powerful today. Through the Comforter, the gospel message of comfort and healing is available today.
THE INTERNET CLUB & FIRST “GREEN” CYBER CAFE’
On May 4, 2010, Mendenhall Ministries, under the leadership of Ray Holt, its technology consultant, organized an internet club. Officers were elected and Eisenhower “Ike” Durr was asked to serve as its first President. The group’s first project is to lay plans for the first “green” cyber cafe’ in Mississippi. The plan calls for using one of the facilities on campus as an internet cafe’ which will be equipped with wireless internet access and all computer equipment powered by solar panels.
The plans are in the preliminary stages and the club hopes to launch the cafe’ sometime this summer. The club is developing plans to launch services designed to introduce new users and increase familiarity for existing users. Beyond that, the club will also find ways to use the internet to assist users with their everyday needs such as resume and tax preparation services to helping families with college bound young people file the necessary forms for financial aid.
DAY 34 ~ THE STEWARDSHIP OF FRAGMENTS, II
40 Days of Prayer and Increase Devotional ~ by Pastor D. L. Lane
Our latest series is “Blessed & Broken ~ A Model for Community-based Ministry.” We would like to remind you to send up a prayer for Mendenhall Ministries at 12 noon today and over the next 6 days or at a regularly-scheduled time of your convenience. We are more than halfway through our initiative but have only reached 38% of our “Increase” or financial goal. Your gifts help us continue rural ministry and services to communities in Mississippi. They also help us host hundreds of volunteers who come each year to work alongside of us and gain practical training in Christian community development ministry. Thank you for visiting us…thank you so much for those of you who have provided financial support to help us get closer to our goal of $100,000, and for your continued prayers. To find out about how to support this ministry, please click here. If you’ve made an attempt, and experienced difficulty making a contribution online, PLEASE let us know. Thank you and God bless you.
“And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.” (Matthew14:20 KJV)
After the miraculous meal the Bible says that “they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.” In th
e gathering of the remaining loaves we observe three lessons about the stewardship of fragments. The Bible says “they did all eat, and were filled…” and the remaining fragments were collected for some future purpose, which is not revealed in Scripture. Perhaps they were given to the twelve disciples. After all, they were channels of blessings for the multitude and in need of satisfying their appetite just like the multitude. They had to trust that as they distributed the loaves, that God would eventually take care of their needs as well. As we minister to the needs of people in community development work, quite often the very services and ministries we provide are as necessary for us as it is for those with whom we share.
DAY 33 ~ THE STEWARDSHIP OF FRAGMENTS, I
40 Days of Prayer and Increase Devotional ~ by Pastor D. L. Lane
Our latest series is “Blessed & Broken ~ A Model for Community-based Ministry.” We would like to remind you to send up a prayer for Mendenhall Ministries at 12 noon today and over the next 7 days or at a regularly-scheduled time of your convenience. We are more than halfway through our initiative but have only reached 38% of our “Increase” or financial goal. Your gifts help us continue rural ministry and services to communities in Mississippi. They also help us host hundreds of volunteers who come each year to work alongside of us and gain practical training in Christian community development ministry. Thank you for visiting us…thank you so much for those of you who have provided financial support to help us get closer to our goal of $100,000, and for your continued prayers. To find out about how to support this ministry, please click here. If you’ve made an attempt, and experienced difficulty making a contribution online, PLEASE let us know. Thank you and God bless you.
“And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.” (Matthew14:20 KJV)
The Bible says “they did all eat, and were filled…” When we are nourished by Jesus, He satisfies. There’s no need lo
oking to anyone else or anywhere else for fulfillment. How many sojourn through life trying to find fulfillment and something or anything that satisfies? Some have tried to find fulfillment in relationships, others through drugs. Still others have tried to find fulfillment in the pleasures of life. Nothing ever seems to satisfy. Upon meeting the Samaritan woman at the well, Jesus replied to her; “Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” When Jesus comes into our life, He satisfies. Jesus fills the empty void, He answers the difficult questions, He calms the troubled seas of our lives. The Bible says that after they ate they “were filled…”
DAY 32 ~ THE BELIEVER & THE BREAD, Part V
40 Days of Prayer and Increase Devotional ~ by Pastor D. L. Lane
Our latest series is “Blessed & Broken ~ A Model for Community-based Ministry.” We would like to remind you to send up a prayer for Mendenhall Ministries at 12 noon today and over the next 10 days or at a regularly-scheduled time of your convenience. We are more than halfway through our initiative but have only reached 37% of our “Increase” or financial goal. Your gifts help us continue rural ministry and services to communities in Mississippi. They also help us host hundreds of volunteers who come each year to work alongside of us and gain practical training in Christian community development ministry. Thank you for visiting us…thank you so much for those of you who have provided financial support to help us get closer to our goal of $100,000, and for your continued prayers. To find out about how to support this ministry, please click here. If you’ve made an attempt, and experienced difficulty making a contribution online, PLEASE let us know. Thank you and God bless you.
“And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to [his] disciples, and the disciples to the multitude…” (Matthew14:19 KJV)
After Jesus blessed and brake the bread, He gave it to His disciples to be dispersed to the multitude. The act of “giving” is the focus of our thought for today. Perhaps one of the most well known texts in the Bible is John 3:16; “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.” This text reveals the heart and essence of true love. Love manifests itself in the gift of giving. Notice what the text does not say. It doesn’t say “For God so loved the world that He loaned…” Jesus was not “on loan” to the human family. He was our gift.
DAY 31 ~ The Believer & THE BREAD, Part IV
40 Days of Prayer and Increase Devotional ~ by Pastor D. L. Lane
Our latest series is “Blessed & Broken ~ A Model for Community-based Ministry.” We would like to remind you to send up a prayer for Mendenhall Ministries at 12 noon today and over the next 11 days or at a regularly-scheduled time of your convenience. We are more than halfway through our initiative but have only reached 37% of our “Increase” or financial goal. Your gifts help us continue rural ministry and services to communities in Mississippi. They also help us host hundreds of volunteers who come each year to work alongside of us and gain practical training in Christian community development ministry. Thank you for visiting us…thank you so much for those of you who have provided financial support to help us get closer to our goal of $100,000, and for your continued prayers. To find out about how to support this ministry, please click here. If you’ve made an attempt, and experienced difficulty making a contribution online, PLEASE let us know. Thank you and God bless you.
“And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to [his] disciples, and the disciples to the multitude…” (Matthew14:19 KJV)
There were three things that Jesus did with the loaves. He blessed them, broke t
hem, and gave them away. Today we will focus on the second action. Not only did Jesus bless the bread, but He broke the bread. The blessing and breaking of bread reminds us of communion. The ‘breaking of bread’ was a colloquial expression which referenced communion. The transliterated Greek term for communion is koinonia which means fellowship, joint participation, the share which one has in anything. When Jesus lifted up His eyes to heaven with the gift of fish and loaves, He was in essence, preparing to share communion.
DAY 30 ~ THE BELIEVER & THE BREAD – The Anatomy of Christian Service
40 Days of Prayer and Increase Devotional ~ by Pastor D. L. Lane
Our latest series is “Blessed & Broken ~ A Model for Community-based Ministry.” We would like to remind you to send up a prayer for Mendenhall Ministries at 12 noon today and over the next 11 days or at a regularly-scheduled time of your convenience. We are more than halfway through our initiative but have only reached 37% of our “Increase” or financial goal. Your gifts help us continue rural ministry and services to communities in Mississippi. They also help us host hundreds of volunteers who come each year to work alongside of us and gain practical training in Christian community development ministry. Thank you for visiting us…thank you so much for those of you who have provided financial support to help us get closer to our goal of $100,000, and for your continued prayers. To find out about how to support this ministry, please click here. If you’ve made an attempt, and experienced difficulty making a contribution online, PLEASE let us know. Thank you and God bless you.
“And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to [his] disciples, and the disciples to the multitude…” (Matthew14:19 KJV)
In yesterday’s devotional we studied the relationship between the believer and the bread. We saw how what God did to the bread He does to us. As He blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves, so He desires to do to us. He blesses us, breaks us, and gives us away in service to others. This act also represents what Christ went through for us. At His baptism, Jesus was blessed and inaugurated to begin His public ministry, on the cross He experienced what it was like to be separated, broken, or cut off from the Father. And at Pentecost, with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the Bread of Life was “given” to His disciples again. The scripture says that “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son…” Christian service and sacrifice represents the heart of the gospel.
DAY 29 ~ BELIEVERS & BREAD – An Anatomy of Christian Service
40 Days of Prayer and Increase Devotional ~ by Pastor D. L. Lane
Our latest series is “Blessed & Broken ~ A Model for Community-based Ministry.” We would like to remind you to send up a prayer for Mendenhall Ministries at 12 noon today and over the next 11 days or at a regularly-scheduled time of your convenience. We are more than halfway through our initiative but have only reached 37% of our “Increase” or financial goal. Your gifts help us continue rural ministry and services to communities in Mississippi. They also help us host hundreds of volunteers who come each year to work alongside of us and gain practical training in Christian community development ministry. Thank you for visiting us…thank you so much for those of you who have provided financial support to help us get closer to our goal of $100,000, and for your continued prayers. To find out about how to support this ministry, please click here. If you’ve made an attempt, and experienced difficulty making a contribution online, PLEASE let us know. Thank you and God bless you.
“And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to [his] disciples, and the disciples to the multitude…” (Matthew14:19 KJV)
Yesterday, we focused on the direction of Christian service. We understand that Christian service is cross-shaped service. On the horizontal beam we reach out to others and on the vertical beam we look up to heaven. Today we will share an overview of the next sub-series entitled “Bread and the Believer – An anatomy of Christian Service” There are prerequisites to Christian service that all should understand. There is an initiation, a preparatory work that must occur before imparting to others the bread of life. Before we expend energy, time, and effort in Christian community development work, we must spend a proportionate amount of energy, time, and effort in service and devotion to Christ.
DAY 28 ~ LESSONS IN THE LOAVES, Part III
40 Days of Prayer and Increase Devotional ~ by Pastor D. L. Lane
Our latest series is “Blessed & Broken ~ A Model for Community-based Ministry.” We would like to remind you to send up a prayer for Mendenhall Ministries at 12 noon today and over the next 12 days or at a regularly-scheduled time of your convenience. We are more than halfway through our initiative but have only reached 37% of our “Increase” or financial goal. Your gifts help us continue rural ministry and services to communities in Mississippi. They also help us host hundreds of volunteers who come each year to work alongside of us and gain practical training in Christian community development ministry. Thank you for visiting us…thank you so much for those of you who have provided financial support to help us get closer to our goal of $100,000, and for your continued prayers. To find out about how to support this ministry, please click here. If you’ve made an attempt, and experienced difficulty making a contribution online, PLEASE let us know. Thank you and God bless you.
“And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to [his] disciples, and the disciples to the multitude..” (Matthew14:19 KJV)
After commanding the multitude to sit down, the Bible says that Jesus looked “up 
to heaven…” When we are overwhelmed with the challenges before us, heaven is the place to look for help. Jesus modeled before the disciples and believers to come, the proper place for Christian leaders and others involved in Christian service to look for help along the way. While the circumstances look bleak and the opportunities for success slim, God knows how to turn a hopeless situation around. Jesus looked to heaven. We too, can look to heaven for support and deliverance.
DAY 27 ~ LESSONS IN THE LOAVES, Part II
40 Days of Prayer and Increase Devotional ~ by Pastor D. L. Lane
Our latest series is “Blessed & Broken ~ A Model for Community-based Ministry.” We would like to remind you to send up a prayer for Mendenhall Ministries at 12 noon today and over the next 13 days or at a regularly-scheduled time of your convenience. We are more than halfway through our initiative but have only reached 37% of our “Increase” or financial goal. Your gifts help us continue rural ministry and services to communities in Mississippi. They also help us host hundreds of volunteers who come each year to work alongside of us and gain practical training in Christian community development ministry. Thank you for visiting us…thank you so much for those of you who have provided financial support to help us get closer to our goal of $100,000, and for your continued prayers. To find out about how to support this ministry, please click here. If you’ve made an attempt, and experienced difficulty making a contribution online, PLEASE let us know. Thank you and God bless you.
“And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to [his] disciples, and the disciples to the multitude..” (Matthew14:19 KJV)
In the verse above Jesus models overarching themes for Christian believers in leadership positions whether in ministry or the secular corporate world. After completing assessments, brainstorming issues, reaching consensus, securing and counting physical resources, it’s time to act. Leaders need to learn how and when to take action. The disciples were at least perceptive enough to recognize the challenges immediately before them. They realized that if the crowd were to linger much longer they would have difficulty securing adequate food for the journey home. It is possible that a lack of food, especially for the children and weak among them, could turn into a precarious situation for some. The ability to understand and grasp the full consequences and scope of a situation is a necessary quality in Christian leadership.
DAY 26 ~ A LESSON FROM THE LOAVES…PART I
Our latest series is “Blessed & Broken ~ A Model for Community-based Ministry.” We would like to remind you to send up a prayer for Mendenhall Ministries at 12 noon today and over the next 14 days or at a regularly-scheduled time of your convenience. We are more than halfway through our initiative but have only reached 36% of our “Increase” or financial goal. Your gifts help us continue rural ministry and services to communities in Mississippi. They also help us host hundreds of volunteers who come each year to work alongside of us and gain practical training in Christian community development ministry. Thank you for visiting us…thank you so much for those of you who have provided financial support to help us get closer to our goal of $100,000, and for your continued prayers. To find out about how to support this ministry, please click here. If you’ve made an attempt, and experienced difficulty making a contribution online, PLEASE let us know. Thank you and God bless you.
“And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass. And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.” (Mark 6:39, 40 KJV)
Before we can expect ‘bread and fish’ to be multiplied in our individual lives or min
istries we need order. We need to invest time to properly plan, organize, and strategize. This is a definite prerequisite to the miracle of multiplication. Before Jesus intervened miraculously in the lives of those in need, He organized the crowd. Some believers are proponents of an idea which sees a disproportionate relationship between planning and prayer, between organization and expectation.
DAY 25 ~ OF BREAD AND FISH…
40 Days of Prayer and Increase Devotional ~ by Pastor D. L. Lane
Our latest series is “Blessed & Broken ~ A Model for Community-based Ministry.” We would like to remind you to send up a prayer for Mendenhall Ministries at 12 noon today and over the next 14 days or at a regularly-scheduled time of your convenience. We are more than halfway through our initiative but have only reached 35% of our “Increase” or financial goal. Your gifts help us continue rural ministry and services to communities in Mississippi. They also help us host hundreds of volunteers who come each year to work alongside of us and gain practical training in Christian community development ministry. Thank you for visiting us…thank you so much for those of you who have provided financial support to help us get closer to our goal of $100,000, and for your continued prayers. To find out about how to support this ministry, please click here. If you’ve made an attempt, and experienced difficulty making a contribution online, PLEASE let us know. Thank you and God bless you.
“And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. He said, Bring them hither to me.” (Matthew 14:17,18 KJV)
Verse 18 introduces the last and final key for developing a faithful and effective c
ommunity-based ministry. After we understand our role, and make a corporate assessment of both the needs and our available resources to meet those needs in a holistic way, then Omnipotence must be notified. We must be willing to submit our “best laid plans” before the All-Knowing God. Our meager resources, when compared to the great needs of the multitude, should drive us to the Master for help.
DAY 24 ~ WHAT’S IN YOUR HAND?
40 Days of Prayer and Increase Devotional ~ by Pastor D. L. Lane
(During the first 15-days we discovered How the Powerless Pray from the story of the Syrophenician woman found in Matthew 15:21-29 and Mark 7:24-31 [Visit our archives for the complete study]. Our latest series is “Blessed & Broken ~ A Model for Community-based Ministry.” We would like to remind you to send up a prayer for Mendenhall Ministries at 12 noon today and over the next 17 days or at a regularly-scheduled time of your convenience. We are more than halfway through our initiative but have only reached 34% of our “Increase” or financial goal. Your gifts help us continue rural ministry and services to communities in Mississippi. They also help us host hundreds of volunteers who come each year to work alongside of us and gain practical training in Christian community development ministry. Thank you for visiting us…thank you so much for those of you who have provided financial support to help us get closer to our goal of $100,000, and for your continued prayers. To find out about how to support this ministry, please click here. If you’ve made an attempt, and experienced difficulty making a contribution online, PLEASE let us know. Thank you and God bless you.
“And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.” (Matthew 14:17 KJV)
This text also marks a transition and introduces us to the fifth key for developing a community-based ministry. The first key tells us that roles must be clarified. The second key suggests that needs must be identified, the third key says that decisions must be unified, the fourth key proposes that our mission must be magnified, and the fifth key tells us that resources must be quantified. In order to engage in faithful, effective community-based work, all of the keys must be in place.
DAY 23 ~ WHEN THE SERVICE IS OVER…Part II
40 Days of Prayer and Increase Devotional ~ by Pastor D. L. Lane
(During the first 15-days we discovered How the Powerless Pray from the story of the Syrophenician woman found in Matthew 15:21-29 and Mark 7:24-31 [Visit our archives for the complete study]. Our latest series is “Blessed & Broken ~ A Model for Community-based Ministry.” We would like to remind you to send up a prayer for Mendenhall Ministries at 12 noon today and over the next 17 days or at a regularly-scheduled time of your convenience. We are more than halfway through our initiative but have only reached 31% of our “Increase” or financial goal. Your gifts help us continue rural ministry and services to communities in Mississippi. They also help us host hundreds of volunteers who come each year to work alongside of us and gain practical training in Christian community development ministry. Thank you for visiting us…thank you so much for those of you who have provided financial support to help us get closer to our goal of $100,000, and for your continued prayers. To find out about how to support this ministry, please click here. If you’ve made an attempt, and experienced difficulty making a contribution online, PLEASE let us know. Thank you and God bless you.
“And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.” (Matthew 14:15,16 KJV)
This text marks a transition and introduces us to the fourth key for developing a community-based ministry. The first key tells us that roles must be clarified. The second key suggests that needs must be identified, the third key says that decisions must be unified, and the fourth key proposes that our mission must be magnified. In order to accomplish great things for God, we must believe that God is indeed a great God and that His desire and will fo
r us is much greater than we can ever ask or imagine. The disciples had a very narrow and limited perspective of ministry and of what encompasses Christian service. They, like the multitude, had been in the desert all day, watching Jesus teach and heal the congregation which had assembled there to listen and be blessed. At the end of a full day of ministry, at the conclusion of the service, the disciples were ready to share a closing benediction with the crowd and send them on their way. The disciples rightly recognized an additional need which was not necessarily “spiritual” in nature.
DAY 22 ~ WHEN THE SERVICE IS OVER…Part I
40 Days of Prayer and Increase Devotional ~ by Pastor D. L. Lane
(During the first 15-days we discovered How the Powerless Pray from the story of the Syrophenician woman found in Matthew 15:21-29 and Mark 7:24-31 [Visit our archives for the complete study]. Our latest series is “Blessed & Broken ~ A Model for Community-based Ministry.” We would like to remind you to send up a prayer for Mendenhall Ministries at 12 noon today and over the next 18 days or at a regularly-scheduled time of your convenience. We are more than halfway through our initiative but have only reached 31% of our “Increase” or financial goal. Your gifts help us continue rural ministry and services to communities in Mississippi. They also help us host hundreds of volunteers who come each year to work alongside of us and gain practical training in Christian community development ministry. Thank you for visiting us…thank you so much for those of you who have provided financial support to help us get closer to our goal of $100,000, and for your continued prayers. To find out about how to support this ministry, please click here. If you’ve made an attempt, and experienced difficulty making a contribution online, PLEASE let us know. Thank you and God bless you.
“And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.” (Matthew 14:15 KJV)
This study concludes the third key for developing a community-based ministry. The first key involved clarifying roles. The second key suggests that needs must be identified and the third key says that decisions must be unified. On yesterday we noted that the decision of the disciples was short-sighted and lacking in compassion. This conclusion was based upon their observation and response. The disciples said “This is a desert place, and the time is now past…” They made a decision based upon time and place. They reached a group decision based upon the conditions of their location and the length of time involved in ministry. They described their location as “a desert” and they described the length of service as “past.” They said, in essence, “it’s hot, it’s dry, and it’s time to go…”
DAY 21 ~ THAT THEY MAY BE ONE…
40 Days of Prayer and Increase Devotional ~ by Pastor D. L. Lane
(During the first 15-days we discovered How the Powerless Pray from the story of the Syrophenician woman found in Matthew 15:21-29 and Mark 7:24-31. Our latest series is “Blessed & Broken ~ A Model for Community-based Ministry.” We would like to remind you to send up a prayer for Mendenhall Ministries at 12 noon today and over the next 19 days or at a regularly-scheduled time of your convenience. We are more than halfway through our initiative but have only reached 31% of our “Increase” or financial goal. Your gifts help us continue rural ministry and services to communities in Mississippi. They also help us host hundreds of volunteers who come each year to work alongside of us and gain practical training in Christian community development ministry. Thank you for visiting us…thank you so much for those of you who have provided financial support to help us get closer to our goal of $100,000, and for your continued prayers. To find out about how to support this ministry, please click here. If you’ve made an attempt, and experienced difficulty making a donation online, PLEASE let us know. Thank you and God bless you.
“And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past…” (Matthew 14:15 KJV)
The verse under consideration introduces us to our third key for developing a co
mmunity-based ministry. The first key involved clarifying roles. The second key suggests that needs must be identified and the third key says that decisions must be unified. This key is primarily for group ministry. But it can equally be applied to any organizational or group structure. Once we have executed key number one and identified our respective role and developed an action plan for key number two and conducted a needs assessment, then it’s time to analyze all of the information and arrive at a unified decision.
DAY 20 ~ DISCOVERING OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE
40 Days of Prayer and Increase Devotional ~ by Pastor D. L. Lane
(During the first 15-days we discovered How the Powerless Pray from the story of the Syrophenician woman found in Matthew 15:21-29 and Mark 7:24-31. Our latest series is “Blessed & Broken ~ A Model for Community-based Ministry.” We would like to remind you to send up a prayer for Mendenhall Ministries at 12 noon today and over the next 20 days or at a regularly-scheduled time of your convenience. Today marks the halfway point during our 40-Days of Prayer and Increase. We are halfway through our initiative but have only reached 31% of our Increase. Your gifts help us continue rural ministry and services to the community. They also help us host hundreds of volunteer groups each year who come to work alongside of us and gain practical training in Christian community development ministry. Thank you for visiting us…thank you so much for those of you who have provided financial support to help us get closer to our goal of $100,000, and for your continued prayers. To find out about how to support this ministry, please click here. If you’ve made an attempt, and experienced difficulty making a donation online, PLEASE let us know. Thank you, and God bless you.
“And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.” (Matthew 14:14 NKJV)
As we began this series a few days ago I outlined a strategy and shared six keys for developing a community-based ministry based upon the story of the feeding of the 5,
000. The first key suggested to us that roles must be clarified. That is, we must clearly understand our role, expectations, and motivations as it relates to Christian Service. This was our focus in the previous two devotionals. As we pray and set goals to launch or develop an effective outreach ministry or individual plan for Christian service roles must be clarified. We should realize that we are simply vessels through which flows the love, mercy, and grace of God to the world around us. We don’t engage in Christian service in order to achieve salvation, we engage in Christian service because we have received salvation.
DAY 19 ~ THE MULTITUDE, THE MASTER, & THE METHOD
40 Days of Prayer and Increase Devotional ~ by Pastor D. L. Lane
(During the first 15-days we discovered How the Powerless Pray from the story of the Syrophenician woman found in Matthew 15:21-29 and Mark 7:24-31. This account portrayed a powerful and central theme of the Gospel and captures the heart and mission of Mendenhall Ministries ~ overcoming barriers and ministering to the helpless, hopeless, and hurting. The devotional series each run as a sequel and we encouraged those just visiting us to read earlier posts to receive the full benefit of each series. Our latest series begins today and is entitled “Blessed & Broken ~ A Model for Community-based Ministry.” We also would remind you to send up a prayer for Mendenhall Ministries at 12 noon today and over the next 21 days or at a regularly-scheduled time of your convenience. Thank you for visiting us…thank you so much for your those of you who have provided financial support to help us get closer to our goal of $100,000, and for your continued prayers. To find out about how to support this ministry, please click here.
“And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.” (Matthew 14:14 NKJV)
No one taught the way Jesus taught. Jesus had a holistic ministry that met the 
physical, psychic, emotional, and spiritual needs of people. He didn’t just preach. He identified, in a very intimate way, with our tribulations. He ministered to the very core and heart of our being. He helped us, without leaving us helpless. He corrected, without being overly-critical. He restrained us, without leaving us bound. He rebuked us, without leaving us hopeless. He rendered our own vain attempts at redemption useless, without stripping us of our ultimate value and worth to Him. Jesus exemplified a balanced ministry, reinforced by both word and deed.
DAY 18 ~ NO HIDING PLACE
40 Days of Prayer and Increase Devotional ~ by Pastor D. L. Lane
(During the first 15-days we discovered How the Powerless Pray from the story of the Syrophenician woman found in Matthew 15:21-29 and Mark 7:24-31. This account portrayed a powerful and central theme of the Gospel and captures the heart and mission of Mendenhall Ministries ~ overcoming barriers and ministering to the helpless, hopeless, and hurting. The devotional series each run as a sequel and we encouraged those just visiting us to read earlier posts to receive the full benefit of each series. Our latest series begins today and is entitled “Blessed & Broken ~ A Model for Community-based Ministry.” We also would remind you to send up a prayer for Mendenhall Ministries at 12 noon today and over the next 22 days or at a regularly-scheduled time of your convenience. Thank you for visiting us…thank you so much for your those of you who have provided financial support to help us get closer to our goal of $100,000, and for your continued prayers. To find out about how to support this ministry, please click here.
“When Jesus heard of it, he departed…and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him…” Matthew 14:13
While Jesus sought out a solitary place, crowds of people, either through ignorance or sheer desperation, sought Him as well. When Jesus heard the news of John’s death, He made an effort to retire from the crowded throng, but when the multitudes heard He was departing, they invaded His solitary space with their own needs, seemingly oblivious to His.
DAY 17 ~ A DESERT PLACE
40 Days of Prayer and Increase Devotional ~ by Pastor D. L. Lane
(During the first 15-days we discovered How the Powerless Pray from the story of the Syrophenician woman found in Matthew 15:21-29 and Mark 7:24-31. This account portrayed a powerful and central theme of the Gospel and captures the heart and mission of Mendenhall Ministries ~ overcoming barriers and ministering to the helpless, hopeless, and hurting. The devotional series each run as a sequel and we encouraged those just visiting us to read earlier posts to receive the full benefit of each series. Our latest series begins today and is entitled “Blessed & Broken ~ A Model for Community-based Ministry.” We also would remind you to send up a prayer for Mendenhall Ministries at 12 noon today and over the next 23 days or at a regularly-scheduled time of your convenience. Thank you for visiting us…thank you so much for your those of you who have provided financial support to help us get closer to our goal of $100,000, and for your continued prayers. To find out about how to support this ministry, please click here.
“When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart…” Matthew 14:13
Jesus didn’t just pretend to be human. He didn’t exemplify human characteristics in order to help us simply feel a kinship with Him. He was verily human as much as He was v
erily God. There are some truths beyond our ability to fully comprehend. The nature of Christ and His incarnation into the world are truths which we can but faintly absorb. The scriptures call it a mystery. 1 Timothy 3:16 says “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh…” This is one of the two great counter-opposing mysteries of the New Testament. The other is found in II Thessalonians 2:7. One is the mystery of godliness and the other is described as the mystery of iniquity. The mystery of godliness is the mystery of the incarnation, how and why God would become like a created being and the mystery of iniquity is how a created being would dare seek to become like God.
DAY 16 ~ BLESSED & BROKEN Introduction
40 Days of Prayer and Increase Devotional ~ by Pastor D. L. Lane
(During the first 15-days we discovered How the Powerless Pray from the story of the Syrophenician woman found in Matthew 15:21-29 and Mark 7:24-31. This account portrayed a powerful and central theme of the Gospel and captures the heart and mission of Mendenhall Ministries ~ overcoming barriers and ministering to the helpless, hopeless, and hurting. The devotional series each run as a sequel and we encouraged those just visiting us to read earlier posts to receive the full benefit of each series. Our latest series begins today and is entitled “Blessed & Broken ~ A Model for Community-based Ministry.” We also would remind you to send up a prayer for Mendenhall Ministries at 12 noon today and over the next 24 days or at a regularly-scheduled time of your convenience. Thank you for visiting us…and thank you so much for your those of you who have provided financial support to help us get closer to our goal of $100,000… and for your continued prayers. To find out about how to support this ministry, please click here!)
Series: “Blessed & Broken” Text for Discovery: Matthew 14:13-19
INTRODUCTION: We are excited about the opportunity to present this series, Blessed & Broken. It is based upon the feeding of the 5,000+ individuals and is recorded in all four of the New Testament gospels. For this series, we will focus on the account as recorded in Matthew 14:13-19. In these six verses we will discover six keys to kingdom building growth and ministry. This account not only represents one of the more popular displays of the miracle-working power of Jesus Christ, it is equally one of the most powerful and appropriate models for any believer serious about personal Christian service or engaged in community-based ministry on any level.
DAY 15 ~ THE POWER OF PRAYER & THE PRESENCE OF PEACE
40 Days of Prayer and Increase Devotional ~ by Pastor D. L. Lane
(During the first 15-days we discovered How the Powerless Pray from the story of the Syrophenician woman found in Matthew 15:21-29 and Mark 7:24-31. This account portrayed a powerful and central theme of the Gospel and captures the heart and mission of Mendenhall Ministries ~ overcoming barriers and ministering to the helpless, hopeless, and hurting. This devotional thought runs as a sequel and we encouraged those just visiting us to read earlier posts to receive the full benefit of the series. Our new series begins tomorrow and is entitled “Blessed & Broken ~ A Model for Community-based Ministry.” We also would remind you to send up a prayer for Mendenhall Ministries at 12 noon today and over the next 24 days or at a regularly-scheduled time of your convenience. Thank you for visiting us…thank you so much for your those of you who have provided financial support thus far, and for your continued prayers. To find out about how to support this ministry, please click here!)
“And she went home, and found the child lying in bed, and the demon gone.” (RSV)
Satan, the enemy of souls, is the author of war, strife, and confusion. He is constantly at work to stir up trouble on all levels and within every relationship. As the home is the foun
dation for all other institutions, if he can disrupt and cause anxiety within the home circle, it will have a ripple effect for the church, society, and the nation. That’s why he uses such feverish effort to attack us at our most personal and vulnerable level. The Syrophenician woman experienced such a spiritual assault. And when under attack the natural inclination is fight or flight. This woman did both. She flew into the arms of the Deliverer to engage the enemy in battle and in the process, left us a powerful lesson in how to ward off a spiritual home invasion.
DAY 14 ~ THE FAITH FACTOR, PART II
40 Days of Prayer and Increase Devotional ~ by Pastor D. L. Lane
(During the first 15-days we will discover How the Powerless Pray from the story of the Syrophenician woman found in Matthew 15:21-29 and Mark 7:24-31. This account portrays a powerful and central theme of the Gospel and captures the heart and mission of Mendenhall Ministries ~ overcoming barriers and ministering to the helpless, hopeless, and hurting. This devotional thought runs as a sequel and we encourage those just visiting us to read earlier posts to receive the full benefit of the series. We also would remind you to send up a prayer for Mendenhall Ministries at 12 noon today and over the next 25 days or at a regularly-scheduled time of your convenience. Thank you for visiting us…and for your continued prayers and support!)
“And she went home, and found the child lying in bed, and the demon gone (RSV)
During her encounter with Christ she spoke in faith. Now on her way home she 
walked in faith. It was not an anxious walk. It was a walk of confidence based upon the sure word and promises of Christ. She did not see her daughter healed. She did not witness the exorcism. Her expectation was based upon His declaration. In Mark 7:29 Jesus said “…the devil is gone out of thy daughter.” She walked back to her home believing with full confidence in the promise of His word.
DAY 13 ~ THE FAITH FACTOR, PART I
40 Days of Prayer and Increase Devotional ~ by Pastor D. L. Lane
(During the first 15-days we will discover How the Powerless Pray from the story of the Syrophenician woman found in Matthew 15:21-29 and Mark 7:24-31. This account portrays a powerful and central theme of the Gospel and captures the heart and mission of Mendenhall Ministries ~ overcoming barriers and ministering to the helpless, hopeless, and hurting. This devotional thought runs as a sequel and we encourage those just visiting us to read earlier posts to receive the full benefit of the series. We also would remind you to send up a prayer for Mendenhall Ministries at 12 noon today and over the next 27 days or at a regularly-scheduled time of your convenience. Thank you for visiting us…and for your continued prayers and support!)
“Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt…” Matthew 15:27 (NKJV)
Now for the fourth time in this narrative Jesus responds to her request. The first
time was in silence (verse 23), the second time He shared His commission (verse 24), the third time He shares His compassion (verse 26), and in this last response He shares His commendation (verse 27). He said “great is thy faith…” This response was very similar to that of the centurion of Capernaum in chapter 8. As a matter of fact, the only two individuals who were commended for their great faith were these two Gentile seekers.
DAY 12 ~ DOGGIE BAGS
40 Days of Prayer and Increase Devotional ~ by Pastor D. L. Lane
(During the first 15-days we will discover How the Powerless Pray from the story of the Syrophenician woman found in Matthew 15:21-29 and Mark 7:24-31. This account portrays a powerful and central theme of the Gospel and captures the heart and mission of Mendenhall Ministries ~ overcoming barriers and ministering to the helpless, hopeless, and hurting. This devotional thought runs as a sequel and we encourage those just visiting us to read earlier posts to receive the full benefit of the series. We also would remind you to send up a prayer for Mendenhall Ministries at 12 noon today and over the next 28 days or at a regularly-scheduled time of your convenience. Thank you for visiting us…and for your continued prayers and support!)
“And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” Matthew 15:26 (NKJV)
Jesus and the Syrophenician woman continued their discussion in figurative co
nversation. It seemed that each response brought her closer and closer to the relief for which she sought. Every “but he answered” sounded less and less discouraging. Three times Jesus responded and three times she pressed her case. After the first inquiry in verse 23, the Bible says “But he answered her not a word…” After the second request in verse 24, the Bible says “But he answered…I am not sent but to the lost sheep…” and after the third request in verse 26, the Bible says “But he answered…It is not meet to take the children’s bread…” to which she responded, “Truth, Lord.” At the first request she experienced God’s silence. After the second request she was exposed to His commission, and after the third request she felt His compassion. Each response was bringing her closer to her victory.
DAY 11 ~ THE CHILDREN’S BREAD
40 Days of Prayer and Increase Devotional ~ by Pastor D. L. Lane
(During the first 15-days we will discover How the Powerless Pray from the story of the Syrophenician woman found in Matthew 15:21-29 and Mark 7:24-31. This account portrays a powerful and central theme of the Gospel and captures the heart and mission of Mendenhall Ministries ~ overcoming barriers and ministering to the helpless, hopeless, and hurting. This devotional thought runs as a sequel and we encourage those just visiting us to read earlier posts to receive the full benefit of the series. We also would remind you to send up a prayer for Mendenhall Ministries at 12 noon today and over the next 29 days or at a regularly-scheduled time of your convenience. Thank you for visiting us…and for your continued prayers and support !)
“But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”” Matthew 15:26 (NKJV)
Jesus here is speaking in metaphors. He is using imagery to describe a popular perception among the Jewish people during the time of Christ. Their understanding of themselve
s as God’s chosen people had led to a better-than-thou attitude and religious bigotry. They openly boasted of their status and labeled everyone else who couldn’t identify with their race or lineage as unworthy of the favor of God. This perception was widely held and accepted during the time of Christ and well known throughout the regions of their non-Jewish neighbors. A popular metaphor compared themselves to the “children” of God while all others were considered “dogs.” Dogs were considered scavengers and unclean. Even today, in some cultures, dogs have a negative connotation.
DAY 10 ~ WORSHIP WHILE YOU WAIT
40 Days of Prayer and Increase Devotional ~ by Pastor D. L. Lane
Note: Just a note to clear up any confusion. We accidentally got ahead of ourselves and posted today’s devotional yesterday. For those who may have missed Day 9 “Worship While You Wait,” we’re posting it again today for your convenience. Thanks for your patience and we pray you’ll be blessed by today’s reading…
(During the first 15-days we will discover How the Powerless Pray from the story of the Syrophenician woman found in Matthew 15:21-29 and Mark 7:24-31. This account portrays a powerful and central theme of the Gospel and captures the heart and mission of Mendenhall Ministries ~ overcoming barriers and ministering to the helpless, hopeless, and hurting. This devotional thought runs as a sequel and we encourage those just visiting us to read earlier posts to receive the full benefit of the series. We also would remind you to send up a prayer for Mendenhall Ministries at 12 noon today and over the next 30 days or at a regularly-scheduled time of your convenience. Thank you for visiting us…and for your continued prayers and support !)
“Then came she and worshiped him…” Matthew 15:25” (KJV)
Is there such a thing as an appropriate time to worship? If so, this doesn’t seem to be 
the time. She has just been rebuffed by Jesus. A passionate request has just been seemingly denied. What’s the point of continuing any further? Why not give up and go back home? If seeking His favor doesn’t change your situation, why bother?
DAY 9 ~ FROM INTERCESSION TO CONFESSION
40 Days of Prayer and Increase Devotional ~ by Pastor D. L. Lane
(During the first 15-days we will discover How the Powerless Pray from the story of the Syrophenician woman found in Matthew 15:21-29 and Mark 7:24-31. This account portrays a powerful and central theme of the Gospel and captures the heart and mission of Mendenhall Ministries ~ overcoming barriers and ministering to the helpless, hopeless, and hurting. This devotional thought runs as a sequel and we encourage those just visiting us to read earlier posts to receive the full benefit of the series. We also would remind you to send up a prayer for Mendenhall Ministries at 12 noon today and over the next 30 days or at a regularly-scheduled time of your convenience. Thank you for visiting us…and for your continued prayers and support !)
“Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.” Matthew 15:25” (KJV)
Prayer and communion with God have a way of revealing the true intent and need
s of the heart. How many times have we fallen to our knees and pleaded with God regarding an issue or situation around us only to be convicted over an issue within us? How many times have we prayed about strained relationships only to be convicted over those things we’ve done which may have contributed to the strain?
DAY 8 ~ SHEEP-TALK
40 Days of Prayer and Increase Devotional ~ by Pastor D. L. Lane
(During the first 15-days we will discover How the Powerless Pray from the story of the Syrophenician woman found in Matthew 15:21-29 and Mark 7:24-31. This account portrays a powerful and central theme of the Gospel and captures the heart and mission of Mendenhall Ministries ~ overcoming barriers and ministering to the helpless, hopeless, and hurting. This devotional thought runs as a sequel and we encourage those just visiting us to read earlier posts to receive the full benefit of the series. We also would remind you to send up a prayer for Mendenhall Ministries at 12 noon today and over the next 32 days or at a regularly-scheduled time of your convenience. Thank you for visiting us…and for your continued prayers and support !)
“But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”” Matthew 15:24 (NKJV)
Under normal circumstances, this answer would have utterly discouraged any se
eker interested in securing the favor and miraculous intervention of God. But not this woman. In her desperation, she listened for any sign of hope in His response. Perhaps she recognized the tenderness and compassion of His voice. Perhaps she interpreted the response as hopeful since there was no explicit or direct refusal of her request. Maybe she had a different working definition of “lost sheep.”
DAY 7 ~ WHEN THE CHURCH WON’T HELP
40 Days of Prayer and Increase Devotional ~ by Pastor D. L. Lane
(During the first 15-days we will discover How the Powerless Pray from the story of the Syrophenician woman found in Matthew 15:21-29 and Mark 7:24-31. This account portrays a powerful and central theme of the Gospel and captures the heart and mission of Mendenhall Ministries ~ overcoming barriers and ministering to the helpless, hopeless, and hurting. This devotional thought runs as a sequel and we encourage those just visiting us to read earlier posts to receive the full benefit of the series. We also would remind you to send up a prayer for Mendenhall Ministries at 12 noon today and over the next 33 days or at a regularly-scheduled time of your convenience. Thank you for visiting us…and for your continued prayers and support !)
“…And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.” Matthew 15:23 (NKJV)