Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well." Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.
Mark 5:25-29 NKJV This woman was desperate. She had a problem, she heard about Jesus, and she said: "If I just touch His garments, I will get well" (vs. 28). The woman pressed through the crowd and drew from Jesus—He wasn't deliberately ministering to her, but she expectantly reached out for Him and received her healing. Jesus said to her: "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction" (vs. 34).

Don't succumb to the idea that God's help is not for you. It is! In the Book of Matthew, one woman wouldn't take no for an answer. Her daughter needed healing and she sought out Jesus. Even when the disciples wanted to send her away and Jesus basically told the woman that she was not part of His primary call, she wouldn't back down (Matthew 15:21-28). Because of her tenacity, Jesus praised her faith: "O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish" (Matthew 15:28a).

As you reach a place of desperation and cry out to Jesus, God will turn things around. Fight despondency and despair. If you have lowered your expectation of God's faithfulness and are just going through the motions of religion, become desperate like the prodigal son and take action: But when he came to his senses, he said, "How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight'" . . . So he got up and came to his father. Luke 15:17-18, 20a Seek God. Be desperate for Him. Expect Jesus to minister to you when you come to church. Expect Him to show up in your daily life. Expect Him to turn your challenge into breakthrough. And He will.

Press On!
Pastor Jeff




© 2008 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.