The woman who was healed from bleeding came forward trembling when Jesus asked who touched Him. She had a great amount of faith, but she probably also had a great amount of fear. Others who wanted healing from Jesus would often call out to Him. The lame man even had friends lower him from the roof. Many people came boldly to Jesus. Even Jairus had come boldly, knowing Jesus would help him. But this lady did not even attempt to get His attention, that we're aware of. Perhaps she didn't think she'd be noticed among the crowd. But chances are she didn't feel worthy of Jesus' attention. He was the Teacher and walking with a man of importance. What if He noticed her and rejected her? I can totally relate to her.

When Jesus stopped and called her out, she was shaking with fear. She probably felt as if she would be seen as a thief, stealing power from Jesus. Perhaps He would make the bleeding start again, this time worse. Perhaps He would curse her, humiliate her, and make her even more alone. Instead, Jesus embraced her. He called her "daughter." Not only was she healed, she was loved. Because of her faith.

If she had all of those fears, she risked them all because of her faith. The risk of being rejected was worth it to be healed. Too often we remain in our suffering because we are afraid of the potential consequences of finding healing. This was not the first time she tried to be healed. She lost everything in attempt to be healed. Many people would have given up. But she did not. And because of her faith she finally found healing.

It's not always necessary for us to reach the bottom to receive healing. But we must come to the realization that our hope comes from God, not in anything man can create.

"While the crowd backed away, He drew in close." - Jamie George. Not only did Jesus heal her, He wanted her to be known. She had been an outcast for years, and Jesus caused everyone to take notice that she was healed. He publicly expressed that she was clean and that she is beloved. He provides physical and emotional healing.


"A blessing is the visible, perceptible, effective proximity of God." - D. Bonhoffer

"What we obtain too cheap we esteem too lightly." - Thomas Payne

"To have faith is to see everything against an infinite horizon." - Rolheiser, Against the Infinite Horizon

"Your pain is the concrete way in which you participate in the pain of humanity." Henri Nouwen, The Voice of Inner Love

"Exposure frees us to take in the humanity of our failure and humiliation." Dan Alldean

Word in Action

Several Sundays ago, I went to the Set Free church. Set Free is a mission ministry for homeless men, run by men who were formerly homeless. They have two shelters in town and hold church services in one of the buildings on Sunday morning. After being in a place that has such big production services, with full rock band and lights and video, it was nice to attend a service with just a handful of people using nothing but our voices to praise the Lord.

After the service, I met a man named Bill. Bill used to be in a quartet and he told me how his quartet sang at his wedding. The only song they knew at the time was Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. He also told me that they held their wedding in a coffee shop, one that was created for homeless people to have a place to hang out in. Because of this, none of his wife's wealthy friends wanted to come to the wedding. Bill told me they went out and invited all the street people they could find, and they came to the wedding instead. Bill also told me that they hadn't planned a reception, but someone donated a bunch of bagels and drinks and so they were able to provide food for their wedding guests. A band that had been in town also offered to play at their reception. So this wedding, that was originally planned to be very small and could have turned out to be a disaster, became an event much larger than they could have imagined, and a direct reflection of the story in the Bible.

I don't know Bill well enough to know how much truth is in his story. But I want it to be true. And I believe he believes everything he remembers about it. This story is a great example of how God is the same today as He has always been. The great works He performed in the times of the Bible, He is still performing now.

But it doesn't stop there. Sadly, Bill's marriage wasn't nearly as perfect as his wedding, and he and his wife are no longer together. It's hard to imagine how someone could experience something so perfect, something so obviously ordained by God, and still walk away from it. Yet people do that every day. God continues to perform miracles, yet people reject Him, they mock Him, they tell Him He doesn't know what He's doing. Even as we fail daily and sin, we are discrediting God's perfect design. A great experience, a miracle, helps in strengthening our faith, but it does not perfect that. Perfect faith can only come through time. Bill still has faith, which is an amazing thing. I hope that when the miracles in my life turn to imperfections, I can say the same thing.

No no no, you can't handle this

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. – 1 Corinthians 10:13


If verses had feelings, I think this one would lament over being constantly misunderstood. Often times we think back to this, especially during times of trouble, and think of it in reference to our own personal strengths. We look at it as God’s kudos to our ability to handle tough times and when it’s over we thank God for believing in us if we succeed, or questioning His confidence if we don’t. Yet this verse is not about what we can or can not accomplish, as the rest of the Bible makes very clear. Verses like Philippians 4:13, 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Isaiah 40:29. Even 1 Corinthians 10:12 warns us not to become too confident in our own power.

So what is this verse about, if not about our strength? What is our “ability”? I believe it is our measure of faith. James 1:2-3 tells us that trials are considered the testing of our faith. And it is through faith that God can make good on His promises. Do I truly believe that I can do all things through Christ? Sure, I may have the faith to get through a bad day or two, but what about dealing with the betrayal of a friend, the loss of a loved one or supporting myself and my family through difficult financial times? What will my attitude look like in those situations? When faced with issues of pride, greed, selfishness, lust, anger or bitterness can I pray for wisdom as James instructed, and pray without doubting?

Many times we must allow ourselves to get to the place where we realize that we are insufficient to make it through the struggle before God can provide us an escape. James also reminds us that “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (4:6) and “humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.” (4:10). When we humble ourselves, we give Him free reign to do what needs to be done, with no interference from us and proud minds. In reality, there is no circumstance that we can’t bear, as there is nothing that is too big for Him. The only limitation is in how much we trust Him to provide for us in all situations.

Was Paul able to preach so well in so many various circumstances because of a miraculous power of God or because his faith prepared him for every situation? In some cases, he may have prepared what he was going to say along the way. But in others, such as with the jailer, the words he spoke were not prepared, yet he still spoke the word of the Lord and all were saved.

1 Peter 3:15 says that we should all be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks us to give an account for the hope in us. This means that in any situation we should be prepared to speak on the topic of Christ. The example of worship in 1 Corinthians 14 shows that it was not about having prepared sermons but about speaking as God inspired them. I think often times we are so concerned that we say the right thing that we rely too much on our own ability and not enough on Him.

Matthew 9:9 - "As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collectors' booth; and He said to him, 'Follow me!' And he got up and followed Him."

Matthew was in the midst of work, in the midst of living his life, when Jesus came and called him. He was not concerned with what his friends would think, or what would happen to his job when he walked out. His earthly status was not as important as his spiritual status.

There are many things I do that I feel are necessary. It is important to have a job, as it is scriptural to be good stewards of our money. I need to work to provide for myself and pay off my debt. But do I rely on my job to allow me to do that or am I relying on the One who provides? If I lose my source of income, would I worry about where my next meal, next car payment will come from? More importantly, would I be willing to leave on my own volition or would it take a circumstance that forces me out? I have been in difficult situations with finances and have trusted in God. But I still have a hard time leaving when God says go.

Matthew had the privilege of having Jesus there and knowing for certain that it was His voice calling him. I must learn to recognize Jesus' voice so that I know when it is He who calls me.

Matthew 9:29 - "It shall be done to you according to your faith."

God answers the prayers of the righteous. The righteous shall live by faith (James 5:16, Romans 1:17). Our faith determines the measure of our blessing. If I have faith only enough to believe I will receive little, little will be given. But If I have faith enough to believe I will receive much, much will be given.

Faith in God is an amazing, and difficult, thing. We put our faith in other people or in other things because we have experienced them, or witnessed them to be true. We know that people have flown in planes and survived, therefore we know it's safe. We've sat on chairs before, therefore we trust similarly structured objects to also hold our weight when we sit on them. We've seen others display their love for us, therefore we trust that that love will continue. Yet there is nothing concrete we can use to explain our faith in God. We have His word, but that relies on faith that it is truly inspired. We have answered prayers, but that depends on faith that it truly was God's work and not just chance.

1 Peter 1:8 - "And though you have not seen Him, love Him."
James 1:6 - "But he must ask in faith, without any doubting."

Faith in God is a constant, active thing. it's not a lackadaisical second thought, but requires determination to declare that although I cannot see, I believe. And not only believe, I love. This is not phileo love, which says that I am fond of God. But is agapeo, the verb form of agape. Do I truly have a brotherly, benevolent love toward God, or is it just an appreciative fondness?

Hebrews 1:1,6 - "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He exists, and the He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."

Faith, once accepted, can be freeing. It is not necessary to know God before we can receive salvation, it is only necessary to accept that He can offer salvation, and admit we need it. In fact, before we are saved, it is impossible to know God, because we do not have the spirit of God. "For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so, the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. " (1 Corinthians 2:11). When we are saved, the Spirit of God dwells in us (1 Corinthians 3:16). The Spirit teaches us (Luke 12:12, John 14:26). The Spirit reveals God's wisdom. (1 Corinthians 2:6-10)

Inspired by Steve's sermon

In Matthew 14, Jesus was saddened by the news of John's beheading. he tried to go off into a solitary place to mourn and to be alone. But instead of that happening, the crowds followed Him. Instead of sending them away, He paid no mind to His desires, but only of the desires of those who came to Him.

Matthew 14:29-30 - Peter's focus was solely on Jesus, and because of this, he was able to walk on the water. But then he noticed the winds and the waves - his circumstances. By shifting some of his focus to these things, his sights were taken off of Jesus, and that is when he began to sink. but when he cries out for help, immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him.

Hebrews 12:1-2 - We can overcome trials when our focus is on Jesus (Proverbs 3:5)

Matthew 14:29 - Peter stepped out of the boat. Are we - am I - willing to defy the odds and do what goes against logic?

1. Peter went against popular opinion - Are we more influenced by the world, the church, friends, family, than we are Jesus?

2. Peter defied modern wisdom - Are we too analytical? Do we rely more on logic? (Gideon, Joshua @ Jericho)

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

3. Peter stepped out of the boat, into the storm - He left what was safe, went into the midst of their problems. 

Jesus left the comforts of heaven into the turmoil of this world so that God's will can be done.

Peter asked, received and acted. Often we ask for God to work, and when He shows us His will, we make all sorts of excuses as to why we can't do them. Things didn't work out perfectly for Peter. But the worked out. And he walked on water.

They say that faith can find a Savior

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" - Hebrews 11:1

It's fairly easy to have faith as a child. It's not as simple to have a childlike faith? Often I feel God's presence so close to me, I know without a doubt that He is there. But what about all those times when God seems so far away, when it seems as if He's not even paying attention to me? God speaks to us in a whisper, in His still quiet voice. But often times I want Him to just scream and shout, and demand my attention. Anything to let me know He's there.

So why doesn't God do that? Why doesn't He do whatever He can to make His presence known? "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29).

Why doesn't He rescue us from all our trials and hardships? As our Father, shouldn't God want to keep us from suffering? "For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts, and tells us that we really are God's children. And since we are his children, we will share his treasures--for all God gives to his Son Jesus is now ours too. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later." (Romans 8:16-18)

It has been said that if you want something, you have to work for it. "No pain, no gain". To become a good soccer player you must suffer through years of training and practice. To become a doctor or lawyer you must suffer through of schooling. To be a Christian you must suffer through the pain of humanity.

Life is not easy for Christians and non-Christians alike. God's love is not charity. He doesn't see as us poor souls who are suffering, and decides to take away all our pain. Five times in the book of Luke, Jesus tells his disciples that He must suffer and be rejected. As Christians, those called to be Christ-like, we must also "share in his suffering." And herein comes our faith.

It's easy to follow God and to profess our love for Him when things are going our way. Easy to say "I know God loves me, because He's providing all this for me." That assurance is not so easy to have when we are going through all sorts of struggles and difficulties. 


"Our hope for you is firm, for we know that as you share in the sufferings, you also share in the encouragement." 2 Corinthians 1:7