Scripture: Matthew 9.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Matthew 9:20-22 (NLT)

20 Just then a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind him. She touched the fringe of his robe,

21 for she thought, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.”

22 Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my life today?)

Two examples are given in this chapter of Jesus telling those who came for healing, that because of their faith they are healed. I bet if any Christian was asked if they have faith, they would probably look at you like you were in sane, of course they think they have faith. Friends, this phrase caused me to stop and really meditate on this. Would any of us be willing to leave our comfortable church pews and air-conditioned churches to follow behind a man that some call Jesus who is wandering around out in the heat hanging around with sinners? I wonder what proof we would need? We see televangelists touching a person’s forehead and the person falling backwards, is that what we might expect to see when Jesus reaches out and touches us? I wonder how many excuses we would find to hinder us from getting close enough to touch the hem of His garment? Would that be enough to convince us of healing? But wait, that’s a lot of action by us, we’ve been told that a whisper in prayer could bring healing wherever we’re at. I believe that it is very sad to think about, but for the few Christians who take their Christianity seriously enough to truly get into God’s Word and learn to walk in it’s ways, or have faith enough to believe that by attending church they would not only be obeying the Word, but anticipating enhancement in their Christian walk by fellowshipping with other believers, or have faith enough to believe that Jesus is in charge even when things don’t go our way, do we really believe that they would have faith enough to simply whisper a prayer and God would unleash His power on us? Friends, Jesus plainly told the woman with the blood issue that it was because of her faith to merely touch the hem of his garment, that she was healed. How’s your faith? When last have you demonstrated the extent of your faith? On the subject of giving, Jesus said that we should test Him and see if He would bless us immensely. Perhaps we should learn to test our faith more often and watch the miracle of Jesus’ touch change our lives forever!

PRAYER
(What I will ask of God, in order for me to properly apply His Word to my life)

Lord Jesus, my thoughts above reflect the doubt that often plague my walk with You. I serve the Creator of this universe, the Master of the sea and everything that exist, the miracle working God that I read about often in Your Word, yet I doubt and question. Please forgive me, and please extend Your fresh Holy Spirit upon my life again today to enrich my spirit and renew my faith. I know that You have the power to do all things, please help me to live in that boldness, especially when I don’t see instant gratification or answers that may not be exactly in line with my request. The whole reason that I ask for Your help and Your miracles is because I expect to see You respond in the way that fits Your will, not mine. Please remind me of that often. Thank You for Your patience with this humble sinner and servant of Yours.

 

**Words underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
**