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by David Cerullo
I love the
story in Mark 5:25-34 where a woman who suffered for 12 long years came to
Jesus for a new beginning.
Like so many
people today, she had first tried everything else before seeking the Lord for a
remedy to her situation.
Although the
woman had done the best she knew at the time, her efforts brought no relief.
In fact, we’re told that she “had suffered many things from
many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but
rather grew worse” (Mark 5:26).
She must have been
feeling quite stuck.
The King James
translation describes this woman’s trouble as “an issue of blood,”
meaning that she had a persistent bleeding problem or hemorrhage.
But before you
write off her story as being irrelevant to you, consider this: While you may
not have “an issue of blood,” each one of us faces some kind of “issue”
that requires God’s help.
So, what is
your “issue” today?
Is it some kind
of medical condition, like the woman in this story?
Are you
battling depression or some form of addiction?
Do you face
concerns about your finances or the choices being made by your children?
Everyone has
their issues, so you are not alone.
Find Hope
Perhaps your
situation today feels much the same as for this distressed woman.
You’ve tried
just about everything, but nothing ever seems to change.
What more can
you do? Like this woman, your frustrating circumstances may have lingered for
weeks, months, or even years.
The devil tells you every day, “See, nothing will ever
change! You might as well give up!”
The turning
point in this woman’s life began when she heard reports about Jesus.
After hearing
about Jesus, she came up in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak (Mark 5:27,
NASB).
Although
hearing about Jesus was the first step in the miracle this woman would receive,
it was only the beginning.
Lots of people
hear about Jesus, but they still don’t get their breakthrough. Why not?
Often, they
have failed to take the next step that this woman displayed.
You see, after
hearing about Jesus, she took action to touch His garments.
There are many
hearers in our churches today who have never become doers (James
1:22-25).
But this woman
received her healing because her hearing was followed by her doing.
What about you?
You’ve no doubt
heard about Jesus, and perhaps you even attend church regularly.
Yet if you’re
feeling stuck in some area of your life, I encourage you to take the next step:
Push through the crowd to touch the Lord by faith.
When you set
out to do this, there will surely be obstacles.
People may be
in the way. Pain may be in the way. The devil himself may seem to block your
path.
However, it’s
crucial to turn your desperation into obedient action, not letting anything
stop you from getting to Jesus to receive your breakthrough.
This woman’s
point of contact with Jesus was to touch His garment, but for us He may have
some other action in mind.
Are your ready
to obey Him, whatever He tells you to do?
Speak in Faith
When you’re
awaiting your breakthrough, it can be very difficult to keep your hopes up and
continue speaking words of faith. Yet that’s exactly what this woman did:
She said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made
well” (Mark 5:28).
Many believers
are willing to give a testimony after their breakthrough comes, but during the
time of testing they’re full of moaning and groaning.
So, I love the
fact that this woman proclaimed the victory before she received it!
She not only
believed in her heart, but she also spoke words of faith from her lips.
The woman’s
example shows how powerful our words can be.
As Solomon challenges us in Proverbs 18:21, “Death and life
are in the power of the tongue.”
In the case of
this woman, her life was literally spared by the faith she exercised and
proclaimed.
If you need a
new beginning today, it’s important to pay attention to the words you are
speaking.
Many people who
need a breakthrough are continually speaking words of hopelessness and defeat:
• “Things will
never change, I guess.”
• “These trials
seem to be my cross to bear.”
• “Maybe God doesn’t love me. Perhaps this is His judgment for
my sins.”
It’s time to
quit talking like that! Instead, you need to start speaking what God says about
you in His Word:
• “God is for me, and He will overcome anything that comes
against me.”
• “Jesus came to give me life, and life more abundantly.”
• “Nothing can separate me from God’s love.”
• “Because of God’s love for me, I am able to overcome any
attacks of the enemy.”
My friend,
don’t wait for the victory before you start proclaiming it! Your testimony of
faith is one of the greatest keys to becoming an overcomer (Revelation
12:10-11).
In order to get
unstuck from your negative circumstances, you must get away from the naysayers
and the purveyors of gloom and doom.
Start
surrounding yourself with people who point you to Jesus and stand with you to
believe that a breakthrough is on the way.
After years of
frustration and defeat, this woman discovered that Jesus could quickly fix her “issue”
– and I’m convinced that the same is true for you today.
A fresh start is available to you in Jesus. He wants to speak
words of freedom, healing, and deliverance to you, just as He did to the
distraught woman: “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and
be healed of your affliction” (Mark 5:34).
This can be the
day your turn-around begins. Believe the Lord’s promises, and reach out to Him
in faith!
God bless you,
David
Cerullo is
the founder, chairman, and CEO of Inspiration Ministries, located in Indian
Land, South Carolina – a ministry dedicated to impacting people for Christ
worldwide through media. The son of international evangelist Morris Cerullo,
David took a less traditional approach to ministry, graduating from Oral
Roberts University with a degree in business administration and management. He
has authored over 20 books, and operates a global media ministry that
powerfully impacts the world for Christ. More from David on
Inspiration.org.
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