Good morning! You are more valuable to God than you think. He is in control of all things. Nothing surprises Him. He hears our prayers and He has an answer for everything. Yet, He chose you before you were born. He knitted you perfectly in your mother’s womb. If you were lost, He would leave the 99 and go get you. He sent His one and only son to save you. Continue to trust Him. He loves you. Enjoy today’s devotion as we continue reading Matthew chapter 12 and your weekend.

BIBLE VERSE – Matthew 12:9-14 NLT

“⁹ Then Jesus went over to their synagogue, ¹⁰ where he noticed a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Does the law permit a person to work by healing on the Sabbath?” (They were hoping he would say yes, so they could bring charges against him.)

¹¹ And he answered, “If you had a sheep that fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you work to pull it out? Of course you would. ¹² And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath.”
¹³ Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand. ”So the man held out his hand, and it was restored, just like the other one! ¹⁴ Then the Pharisees called a meeting to plot how to kill Jesus.”

REFLECTION
I am amazed by the Pharisees’ (religious leaders) willfulness to plot against Jesus. They were leaders amongst leaders but were plotting how to kill Jesus – their priorities and hearts were truly tarnished.

Even so, Jesus used this moment in these verses as a teaching moment. Instead of answering the Pharisees with an immediate yes, he asked another question to allow the Pharisees and the people to understand that his people should come before tradition.

I love the example of the sheep – who is prone to wander.  Sheep were a valuable commodity to the people at that time. If a sheep fell and needed help the Pharisees would save the sheep ( they would show an act of mercy for the sheep), but they wouldn’t take time to heal a person. Their commodity was more valuable than healing a person on the Sabbath. Jesus was demonstrating His people were more valuable than animals and mercy should be extended toward His people even on the Sabbath.

Take aways:

• The Lord desires for us to have more compassion/mercy than religious laws/traditions that bind us.

• The Lord will help his sheep (us) anytime on any day.

• He is our shepherd.

• We are our Father’s most valuable commodity. 

• He will save us, regardless of the day, moment or hour.

• He loves us.

It is obvious that the Pharisees were spiritually blind to all the things the Lord/Jesus was doing on earth. However, we don’t have to be. Sisters and brothers, no matter where you are or what you are going through the Lord will rescue you too. Will you believe and accept Him as your Lord and Savior? Will you care for others?

PRAYER
Father God, how excellent is your name in all the earth. Lord, you are Creator of all things. The earth sings praises to you. Lord, our hope is in you alone. Lord, we ask for healing to occur in the bodies of those who are sick. Lord, we pray for those who are preparing for surgery and ask that you comfort them. Lord, if possible, which we know all things are for you – will you bring healing to their bodies without surgery. Lord, heal and restore the things that aren’t working properly. Increase blood flow and increase movement wherever it’s needed. Lord, equip the doctors with wisdom and knowledge to discern treatment. Lord we pray for those who know you as Lord and Savior. Lord we ask that you strengthen their faith and trust in you.  Lord, build them up and remind them of who you are… Lord, we pray for the broken-hearted and ask for healing in their hearts. Lord, be with the families who have lost their loved ones. Lord, help those who are mentally ill or are in emotional pain. Help them to see you, heal them and save them. Lord, touch them and do not let them give up on life. Send true Christians to minister to their well-being and acceptance. Fill them with your Holy Spirit and allow it to overflow with healing, mercy and compassion. Lord, we want to be able to make a difference in the lives of others and bring glory to your name.

Lord, we lift up every prayer request that was sent in and those that weren’t and we ask that you answer the prayers of your people. Lord, be with the couples that are getting married this summer and fall. Lord, strengthen their relationship with you. Strengthen their relationship with one another. Comfort them and help them to work together and build their lives with you first in their marriages. Encourage them as they grow together and learn more about one another. Lord, protect them from the enemy and his followers. Don’t allow their marriage to crumble or fall apart. Lord, we pray for the church plant in Hawaii and we ask that you bring more people into their church who want and need to know who you are. Lord, encourage the pastors and workers in the church and across the islands to remain faithful to your call. Continue to equip them for the members they will serve and the communities that they will lead in the name of Jesus. Lord, we pray for those in chronic pain and we continue to ask for healing and the removal of pain. We ask for mercy for them. Lord, thank you in advance for their healing. Lord, we pray for this ministry. We pray for volunteers to come forward. We pray for the retreat and the planning that is taking place. We pray for each woman who will be in attendance. We pray for each speaker. We ask that everything be done to glorify you and to point others to lean on you.

Lord, we surrender our lives, thoughts and day to you. Change us, Lord. In Jesus name, amen.

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UPDATES

We Are Looking For Volunteers

Sisters, we are looking for two more volunteers for our upcoming events. Our next volunteer meeting is on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. via Zoom.

We are also seeking to fill two open Board positions.

If you would like to join us or get more information, please send an email to: contactus@maryewhiteministries.com

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PRAYER REQUEST
Do you have a prayer request? We would love to pray for you. Send your prayer request to: contactus@maryewhiteministries.com

Bible Reference: http://biblegateway.com

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