Got Faith?

Mark 5:27-28

When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, "If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed."

Astounding! What incredible faith this woman has! She has suffered for years from hemorrhaging, going from doctor to doctor for a cure, only to spend all that she has without results. Yet, all this time, I believe she prayed daily to God for help, for healing, trusting that, in His time, He would hear her pleas and make her well. Her faith is so immense; she is convinced that she only has to touch the hem of Jesus' garment to be restored to health, and that is exactly what happens.

What would it feel like for us to have faith like hers? In last Sunday's service, Pastor Emily's sermon, once again based on the book, The Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations by Robert Schnase, focused on intentional faith building. She challenged us to think about where we were currently in our walk with the Lord and what we could do to improve our understanding of and relationship with Jesus. Were we in a Sunday school class, a Bible study, or a prayer group? Were we spending intentional time with God each day in prayer and in meditating on His word? Were we increasing our faith through fellowship with other Christians? The bottom line was this: Attending church each Sunday just doesn't cut it if we truly want to grow our faith. We must purposefully seek God's presence each and every day of our lives in order to mature spiritually.

Are you intentionally building your faith? Take a moment today to assess where you are in your journey with God and know He is ready to help you make that first step.

"Take a step of faith, take a step of faith.

When you can't see your hand in front of your face,

Take a step of faith.

With no star to guide your way, God's still beside you saying,

'Take a step of faith, just take a step of faith'." ~ Kathy Hill, Wise Guys and Starry Skies

Readings

Psalms 40, 54 or 51

1 Samuel 31:1-13

Acts 15:12-21

Mark 5:21-43