FCA ResourcesDevotional
The Faith We Require
Ready
“Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years; and though she had spent all she had on physicians, no one could cure her. She came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of his clothes, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped. Then Jesus asked, ‘Who touched me?’ When all denied it, Peter said, ‘Master, the crowds surround you and press in on you.’ But Jesus said, ‘Someone touched me; for I noticed that power had gone out from me.’ When the woman saw that she could not remain hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before him, she declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.’” -- Luke 8:43–48
Set
When I was 10 years old, I attended my first ever USWNT soccer game in Nashville, TN. My whole soccer team purchased tickets months in advance and each practice we had leading up to the game the more excitement built around the event. For me, my goal was to get as close to the players as I possibly could, and if I were extremely lucky, maybe one of them would come to give me a high five. I just knew, somewhere in my 10-year-old heart that if I was high fived by a professional soccer player then I would become the best player on my team and maybe even go pro. As we all know, going professional in your sport requires much more hard work and much less belief in the transfer of athletic ability through high fives.
Although my faith as a 10 year old was misplaced, it was still bold faith nonetheless. In Luke chapter 8, God gives us a story of a woman whose bold faith in Jesus healed her from the sickness she had for 12 years. This woman knew that if she could just make it to the front of the crowd and touch the hem of Jesus’ clothes that she would be healed. Her faith in the power and protection of Jesus healed the sickness that no one else could heal. She had to push through hundreds of people, fight through the doubt, the fear and the pain to finally break through and see Jesus. But she didn’t stop there, she took a leap of faith and reached out for her Savior, knowing that He was and is the only true giver of life.
We must have that powerful and bold faith in Jesus--He deserves nothing less, and our lives require nothing more than complete and utter faith in our Lord.
Go
- What are you putting your faith in today?
- Do you honestly believe in the power of Jesus in your life?
- What are the things in life that you must push aside to get to Jesus?
Workout
Hebrews 11:1; James 1:5-8
Overtime
“Lord God above, give us the faith to push through the doubts, fears, insecurities and noise, and boldly pursue You. Knowing that You are our only true healer, that if we have our faith in anything other than Your power and love, we will be left empty. Guide us this week and show us areas where our faith is placed in empty objects.”
Group
Bible Reference:
Luke 8:43-48
Hebrews 11:1
James 1:5-8