Faith in Action: Transforming Lives Through Jesus

Devotional

Day 1: Faith That Pushes Through Barriers

The story of the woman with the issue of blood is a powerful testament to the kind of faith that refuses to be held back by tradition, fear, or the opinions of others. For twelve years, she suffered not only physically but also emotionally and socially, being labeled as unclean and kept apart from her community. Yet, in a moment of desperate hope, she chose to look beyond her pain and the limitations placed on her by others, fixing her eyes on Jesus. Her faith compelled her to take a bold risk, pushing through the crowd to touch the hem of His garment, believing that even this small act would bring her healing. Her courage and determination show us that faith often requires us to step out, even when it feels terrifying or when the world tells us to stay back. [01:07:20]

Mark 5:25-34 (ESV)
And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” And he looked around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel held back by fear, tradition, or the opinions of others? What bold step of faith can you take today to reach out to Jesus in that area?

Day 2: Speaking the Language of the Kingdom

When we enter into God’s kingdom, we are called to adopt a new way of speaking—a language of faith that declares God’s promises over our lives, even when circumstances seem bleak. Just as God spoke light into darkness at creation, and Abraham called himself the father of many nations before he had any children, we are invited to speak God’s truth over our situations. This is not about denying reality, but about aligning our words with God’s reality and His promises. As we learn to speak this new language, we begin to see transformation, not only in our circumstances but also in our hearts and minds. [01:17:01]

Genesis 1:3 (ESV)
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

Reflection: What is one negative or limiting statement you often say about yourself or your situation? How can you replace it today with a declaration of God’s promise or truth?

Day 3: Faith Is the Blueprint for Action

Faith is not just a feeling or a mental agreement; it is the blueprint that shapes our actions and decisions. Hebrews 11:1 describes faith as the assurance and evidence of things not seen—a conviction so strong that it moves us to act, even before we see the results. Like the woman who pushed through the crowd, faith compels us to step out in obedience, trusting that God’s word is true. This kind of faith is built by hearing, meditating on, and acting upon God’s promises, even when it means going against the tide or facing opposition. [01:25:31]

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Reflection: What is one promise from God’s Word that you need to act on today, even if you haven’t seen the outcome yet? What practical step can you take to put your faith into action?

Day 4: God’s Faithfulness and Our Identity in Christ

God is not a trickster or a pretender; He is faithful and true to His word. He never leaves us nor forsakes us, and He continually lifts us up, reminding us that we are His beloved sons and daughters. Our identity is not defined by our failures, our past, or what others say about us, but by what God says about us in Christ. We are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, empowered to walk in His authority and love. When we trust in His faithfulness and embrace our identity in Him, we find the strength to persevere and fulfill the calling He has placed on our lives. [01:37:02]

Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV)
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.

Reflection: In what ways have you allowed past failures or negative voices to define your identity? How can you intentionally embrace and declare your identity as God’s beloved child today?

Day 5: Obedience and Boldness in Following Jesus

Following Jesus requires more than good intentions; it calls for obedience and boldness to step out, even when it’s uncomfortable or risky. The woman with the issue of blood risked everything to reach Jesus, and her story challenges us to move beyond passivity and into active participation in God’s work. We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus, to care for others, and to do the things He has put on our hearts. This means listening to His voice, trusting His guidance, and being willing to act—even when it means breaking out of our comfort zones or going against the expectations of others. [01:33:02]

James 2:17 (ESV)
So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Reflection: What is one specific act of obedience or boldness that God is prompting you to take this week? How will you respond to His call, even if it feels uncomfortable or challenging?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered to reflect on the story of the woman with the issue of blood from Mark 5:25-34, a powerful account of faith, courage, and the transformative nature of encountering Jesus. This woman, suffering for twelve years, was not only afflicted physically but also isolated by the traditions and laws of her time. She was labeled unclean, kept at a distance from community and worship, and forced to live in the shadows. Yet, in her desperation, she shifted her focus from her pain and limitations to the possibility of healing through Jesus. This shift was not just a change in thinking, but a radical act of faith—one that required her to risk everything, even her life, to reach out and touch the hem of His garment.

Her story is a vivid illustration of how faith is not passive. Faith is not simply believing in our minds, but a deep reliance, a cleaving to the promises of God, and a willingness to act on them even when circumstances seem impossible. The woman’s faith was not a denial of her suffering, but a declaration of hope in the face of it. She spoke a new language, the language of the Kingdom, which calls things that are not as though they are. This is the same language God used at creation, and the same language He invites us to use as His children.

We are reminded that the systems and traditions of man can often keep us from the fullness of what God desires for us. But Jesus breaks through those barriers, inviting us to step out in faith, to speak His promises over our lives, and to act on them. Faith is the blueprint for what God wants to build in and through us. It is sustained by hearing, reading, and meditating on God’s Word, and it is proven as we step out in obedience, even when it means going against the crowd or facing fear.

God is not a trickster; He is faithful and true. He calls us to trust Him, to listen for His voice, and to act on what He says. As we do, we discover that He never leaves us nor forsakes us. Our identity is not in our failures or in what others say about us, but in what God declares: we are His beloved children, called to walk in righteousness, empowered by His Spirit, and sent to bring light and healing to a broken world.

Key Takeaways

1. Faith Requires Action, Not Just Belief True faith is more than mental agreement; it is a deep reliance on God’s promises that compels us to act, even when it feels risky or countercultural. The woman with the issue of blood didn’t just believe Jesus could heal—she acted on that belief, pushing through fear and opposition to reach Him. Faith is proven in the steps we take, not just the thoughts we think. [70:26]
2. Kingdom Language Transforms Our Reality When we enter God’s Kingdom, we are called to speak a new language—one that aligns with God’s truth rather than our circumstances. Like God at creation, and like Abraham, we are to call things that are not as though they are, declaring God’s promises over our lives. This is not denial of reality, but a declaration of hope and trust in God’s faithfulness. [77:01]
3. God’s Promises Demand Our Participation God’s will is clear and His promises are sure, but He invites us to participate through faith and obedience. Just as salvation requires us to confess and believe, so too does every promise of God require our response. We must read, meditate, and act on His Word, trusting that He will do what He has said as we step out. [74:26]
4. Obedience Often Means Going Against the Crowd Following Jesus will sometimes require us to break with tradition, face misunderstanding, or even endure opposition from those around us. The woman risked everything to reach Jesus, and we too may be called to stand out or stand alone for the sake of obedience. God honors those who are willing to step out in faith, even when it’s terrifying. [88:35]
5. Our Identity Is Rooted in God’s Declaration, Not Our Past We are not defined by our failures, our struggles, or what others say about us. In Christ, we are the righteousness of God, empowered and beloved. God never condemns or abandons us; He continually lifts us, calls us forward, and equips us to do what He asks. Our journey is not about striving in our own strength, but about trusting and walking in the identity He has given us. [103:10]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[64:43] - Introduction to the Woman with the Issue of Blood
[66:00] - Reading Mark 5:25-34
[67:20] - The Weight of Tradition and Isolation
[68:10] - The Meaning of “Affliction” and Cultural Barriers
[69:48] - Shifting Focus: From Suffering to Jesus
[70:26] - The Risk and Power of Faith
[71:27] - Breaking Through Man-Made Barriers
[72:27] - The Necessity of Faith and Action
[74:26] - What It Means to Truly Believe
[76:33] - Learning the Language of the Kingdom
[77:01] - Speaking God’s Promises Over Our Lives
[78:28] - Faith as the Blueprint for God’s Work
[80:04] - Listening for God’s Voice and Growing in Faith
[84:01] - Hebrews 11:1 and the Nature of Faith
[86:16] - Faith in Action: Practical Steps
[88:35] - Pushing Through Opposition
[90:51] - God Honors Desperate Faith
[93:02] - Our Calling: Love, Care, and Obedience
[94:34] - Praying for Boldness and a Change of Heart
[97:02] - God’s Faithfulness and Our Identity
[103:10] - Walking in Righteousness and Authority
[106:53] - Closing and Fellowship

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Mark 5:25-34 (ESV) — 25 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years,
26 and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse.
27 She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment.
28 For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.”
29 And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.
30 And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?”
31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’”
32 And he looked around to see who had done it.
33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth.
34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV) — Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Observation Questions

What risks did the woman with the issue of blood take in order to reach Jesus, and why were these risks so significant in her cultural context? [[01:07:20]]
According to the passage, what did the woman believe would happen if she touched Jesus’ garment? [[01:10:26]]
How did Jesus respond to the woman after she revealed herself, and what does this reveal about his character? [[01:06:00]]
In Hebrews 11:1, how is faith described, and how does this definition connect to the woman’s actions in Mark 5? [[01:24:01]]

Interpretation Questions

The woman’s faith led her to act despite fear and possible punishment. What does this suggest about the relationship between faith and action in the Christian life? [[01:10:26]]
The sermon described “Kingdom language” as calling things that are not as though they are. How does this way of speaking and thinking differ from simply ignoring reality? [[01:17:01]]
The traditions and systems of the time kept the woman isolated and labeled as unclean. What are some modern “barriers” that might keep people from experiencing the fullness of God’s promises? [[01:11:27]]
Jesus tells the woman, “Your faith has made you well.” What does this teach about the role of personal trust and participation in receiving from God? [[01:14:26]]

Application Questions

The woman shifted her focus from her pain and limitations to the possibility of healing through Jesus. Is there an area in your life where you need to shift your focus from your struggles to God’s promises? What would that look like this week? [[01:09:48]]
Faith is described as more than just believing in your mind—it’s a deep reliance that leads to action. Can you think of a situation where you need to take a step of faith, even if it feels risky or countercultural? What is holding you back? [[01:10:26]]
The sermon talked about “speaking the language of the Kingdom”—declaring God’s promises over your life. What is one promise from God’s Word you need to start declaring over your situation? How can you remind yourself to do this daily? [[01:17:01]]
Sometimes, obedience to God means going against the crowd or breaking with tradition. Have you ever felt pressure to conform to what others expect instead of what God is calling you to do? How did you respond, or how do you wish you had responded? [[01:28:35]]
The woman’s identity was changed by her encounter with Jesus—she was no longer defined by her illness or what others said about her. Are there labels or past failures that you still let define you? What would it mean to embrace your identity as God’s beloved child? [[01:43:10]]
The sermon emphasized that faith is built and sustained by hearing, reading, and meditating on God’s Word. What is one practical way you can make God’s Word a bigger part of your daily routine this week? [[01:26:16]]
The pastor said, “God is not a trickster; He is faithful and true.” Have you ever struggled to trust God’s faithfulness because of disappointment or unanswered prayer? How can you bring those doubts honestly to God and move forward in trust? [[01:20:04]]

Sermon Clips

When God looked into the vast of darkness before creation, he did not say, oh, look at all the darkness. He said, light be. And it was. And right there is the start of the kingdom language. Light be. And it was. All right? And we get down to Abraham and Isaac. Abraham saw those things that are not as if they are. God taught him that by changing his name to Abraham. Walking around with a name that says, I'm the father of many, and you have no children. [01:17:01] (51 seconds) #FaithBlueprintVision

When you've seen God do it once, you know he'll do it again and again. He's a faithful God. You see, he's not a tricker or a pretender. He doesn't wave a carrot in front of us and goad us or annoy us. He's a faithful God. You see, he doesn't trick us or make us think, oh, will he or won't he? No. See, the will of God is obvious. The will of God is written down for us. We don't have to wonder what God wants us to do. [01:19:46] (36 seconds) #ObedientFaithAction

We're in a new kingdom. We talk a different way. We see a different way. Our language is different. We're always speaking faith. We're never speaking doubt. We always speak the word of God over our situation. That's the difference with us. [01:23:43] (22 seconds) #PleasingOurFather

Faith begins by hearing a word from God. Reading, speaking, and acting on it. It sustains us in hope and expectation. Faith. Faith from a word from God. [01:26:42] (16 seconds) #RighteousnessInChrist

The story of the woman with the issue of blood is a testament to the fact that God honors desperate faith. When we are pushed through and go against the crowd often, even when it looks bleak, even when it looks like we're breaking rules. We break rules, all right. Sometimes you have to go against what people say, what the common thing is. [01:30:51] (28 seconds)

Your father draws you. He beckons you. He has open arms. He draws you and draws you continuously. He never stops loving you. He never stops caring for you. And he backs every word that he said to you. So when you totally believe it and you start to act on it, he's right there with you. He never lets you down. And that's the thing we say. He says, I'll never leave you nor forsake you. But that's what it means when you take the word of God to heart. He says, I'll never leave you or forsake you. Right in that word. I'll never leave you or forsake you. [01:37:14] (45 seconds)

``We're called the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. That's who we are. We're not just sinners, just saved. That was years ago. Now we're the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. So that's who we are. We walk as the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. We have all power and authority given to us. Why? Because he said, all power and authority is given to me. So now you go and do the things I've called you to do. You go and do these things. You go. Put your hands on the sick and they shall recover. You go. He said, I'll never leave you nor forsake you. Put your trust in the things of God. Today, he's called you. [01:43:04] (53 seconds)

It's a new way of talking. It's a new way of seeing. It's a new way of believing. You have a new father who always lifts you, never forsakes you. It's only when I try to do it myself. I have these terrible bouts of failure. I can't blame anyone except me. [01:44:00] (25 seconds)

Greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world. It's no longer I that live, but Christ that lives in me. And gives me all power and authority to do the things that he's called me to do. This day and forevermore. [01:46:09] (19 seconds)

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