Faith in Desperation: Encountering Jesus' Transformative Power

Devotional

Day 1: Faith That Reaches for Jesus Brings Healing and Freedom

When the woman with the issue of blood reached out to touch Jesus’ cloak, she did so in desperation and faith, believing that even the smallest contact with Him could bring the healing she had sought for years. Her suffering had isolated her, but her faith moved her to push through the crowd and the shame, trusting that Jesus alone could make her whole. In that moment, Jesus not only healed her physically but also restored her dignity, calling her “daughter” and affirming her faith. No matter how long you have struggled or how unworthy you may feel, Jesus welcomes your honest, wholehearted approach—He is ready to meet you with compassion and power. [07:40]

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 pain or shame you have kept hidden from Jesus? Will you bring it honestly to Him today, trusting that He welcomes you and can bring healing?

Day 2: Do Not Fear—Just Believe

When Jairus received the devastating news that his daughter had died, Jesus immediately spoke words of hope over him: “Do not fear, only believe.” Life will always present us with reasons to be afraid, but God’s Word offers a daily invitation to trust Him instead of giving in to fear. Even when circumstances seem final or hopeless, Jesus calls us to hold onto faith, reminding us that His power is greater than any obstacle or loss. Today, let His voice be louder than the voices of fear, and choose to believe that He is able to do what seems impossible. [08:30]

Mark 5:35-36 (ESV)
While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.”

Reflection: What is one fear that has been holding you back from trusting God fully? How can you surrender that fear to Him and choose faith today?

Day 3: Jesus Turns Death Into Life

The story of Jairus’ daughter and the woman with the issue of blood is a powerful reminder that Jesus brings life where there is death and hope where there is despair. Both the girl and the woman had experienced twelve years—one of life, one of suffering—but in a single encounter with Jesus, everything changed. He is not intimidated by what seems dead or hopeless; instead, He speaks life and restoration. No matter what feels beyond repair in your life, Jesus is able to breathe new life and bring about a miraculous turnaround. [11:45]

Mark 5:41-42 (ESV)
Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement.

Reflection: What is one area of your life that feels “dead” or beyond hope? Will you invite Jesus to speak life into that place today?

Day 4: Hold Fast to God’s Promise Even When You Can’t See It

It is easy to doubt God’s promises when you see Him working in others’ lives but not your own, or when you can’t see any evidence of change. Like Jairus, who watched Jesus heal someone else while his own need seemed to go unmet, we are called to trust that God is working even when we cannot see it. The right voices in your life matter—surround yourself with people who encourage your faith, not those who sow doubt. Even if you don’t understand the timing or the process, keep believing that what God has spoken, He will bring to pass. [23:11]

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

Reflection: Who are the people you allow to speak into your life about God’s promises? Is there someone you need to distance yourself from, or someone you need to invite in, to help you keep believing?

Day 5: Salvation—From Death to Life Through Jesus

The greatest miracle is not just physical healing, but the transformation that comes when a person encounters Jesus and moves from spiritual death to life. Nothing can separate you from the love of God—not your past, not your failures, not any circumstance. Jesus has already done everything necessary for you to have a relationship with God; all that remains is for you to receive His gift of salvation by faith. Today is the day to open your heart, accept His forgiveness, and step into the new life He offers. [31:47]

Romans 8:38-39 (ESV)
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Reflection: Have you truly received the gift of salvation and new life in Jesus? If not, what is holding you back from saying “yes” to Him today? If you have, how can you celebrate and share this miracle with someone else?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered with a deep sense of expectation, believing that God desires to meet each of us in a personal and powerful way. The stories of Jairus and the woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5 remind us that Jesus is not distant or indifferent to our pain, but is present and able to transform even the most desperate situations. Jairus, a father whose daughter was dying, and the woman who had suffered for twelve years, both reached out to Jesus in faith—one publicly, the other quietly, but both with a conviction that only He could bring life where there was death and hope where there was despair.

These accounts are not just ancient stories; they are invitations for us to bring our own suffering, confusion, and hopelessness to Jesus. The woman’s boldness in pushing through the crowd, despite her shame and exclusion, shows us that no one is disqualified from encountering God’s love. Jairus’s persistence, even when others declared his situation hopeless, demonstrates that faith is not about ignoring reality, but about trusting that Jesus’ word is greater than any circumstance.

We are reminded that the miracles of Jesus are not just about physical healing, but about restoration, renewal, and the breaking of every label or limitation that life or others have placed upon us. The intersection of these two stories—twelve years of suffering and twelve years of life—points us to the truth that Jesus is the answer for both chronic pain and new beginnings. He is the one who brings the dead to life and the suffering to wholeness.

As we respond, we are invited to push past hesitation, disappointment, and the voices of doubt, and to reach out in faith—whether for ourselves or for others. The call is to make room for Jesus, to believe again, and to trust that what seems impossible is possible with Him. Whether you are in the room or joining online, today is a day to encounter Jesus, to receive His love, and to step into the fullness of life He offers.

Key Takeaways

1. Faith is not hindered by our history or our failures. The woman with the issue of blood had every reason to believe she was disqualified—years of suffering, exclusion, and disappointment. Yet, her faith was not in her own worthiness, but in Jesus’ willingness and power. No matter how long we have struggled or how far we feel from God, He is always near, ready to respond to the smallest act of faith. [05:38]
2. Desperation can be the doorway to encounter. Jairus and the woman both came to Jesus at the end of themselves—one as a desperate father, the other as a broken outcast. Their stories show that God is not put off by our desperation; in fact, He often meets us most powerfully when we have nothing left but Him. True encounters with Jesus often begin when we are honest about our need and bring our whole truth to Him. [06:51]
3. God’s timing and process may challenge us, but His promises remain sure. Jairus had to watch Jesus stop for someone else while his own crisis deepened. It’s easy to become discouraged when others receive their breakthrough and we are still waiting. Yet, what God has spoken, He will fulfill—sometimes the testimony of others is meant to fuel our faith, not diminish it. [23:48]
4. The voices we allow in our lives can shape our faith or our fear. Jesus removed the mourners and doubters from Jairus’s house before performing the miracle. In seasons of believing for breakthrough, it is vital to surround ourselves with those who will stand in faith with us, rather than those who reinforce doubt or cynicism. The environment of faith matters for the miraculous to take place. [24:54]
5. Jesus brings life where there is death, and wholeness where there is brokenness. Both the woman and the girl experienced immediate transformation when they encountered Jesus. The same power that raised the dead and healed the suffering is available to us today—not just for physical needs, but for every area of our lives that feels hopeless or lifeless. We are invited to believe for “immediately” moments, trusting that Jesus is able to do what only He can do. [28:35]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - Opening Prayer & Heart for Outreach
[01:17] - Dependence on God and Series Introduction
[02:16] - Creating Room for Encounter
[03:27] - Reading Mark 5: Jairus and the Woman
[04:42] - The Search for Satisfaction
[05:38] - Jesus’ Nearness in Our Desperation
[06:51] - The Power of Whole Truth and Belonging
[08:17] - Do Not Fear: Faith Over Fear
[09:47] - Death to Life: The Miracle of Salvation
[12:07] - Suffering, Exclusion, and Jesus’ Welcome
[14:23] - Taking Off Old Labels
[15:13] - The Intersection: Jesus as the Answer
[17:49] - Faith Declarations: “If Only” Moments
[20:45] - The Power of a Mustard Seed Faith
[23:48] - Testimonies as Fuel for Faith
[24:54] - Who’s in Your Miracle Room?
[26:09] - Responding in Worship and Faith
[28:35] - Praying for Immediate Miracles
[30:07] - Blessing Over Men and Women
[31:47] - The Greatest Miracle: Salvation
[34:21] - Prayer of Salvation and Celebration

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Mark 5:21-43 (ESV) — (The stories of Jairus and the woman with the issue of blood)

Observation Questions

What are the different ways Jairus and the woman with the issue of blood approached Jesus? How did their situations and actions differ?
According to the passage, what happened immediately after the woman touched Jesus’ cloak?
In the story, what did Jesus do when He arrived at Jairus’s house and saw the mourners?
The sermon mentions that both Jairus and the woman had to push past obstacles to reach Jesus. What were some of those obstacles? [[06:51]]

Interpretation Questions

The woman had suffered for twelve years and was considered unclean, yet she still reached out to Jesus. What does this say about who can approach Jesus, regardless of their past or present situation? [[07:06]]
Jairus had to wait while Jesus stopped to help someone else, even as his own crisis grew worse. What might this teach us about God’s timing and our response when we see others receive their breakthrough before us? [[23:48]]
Jesus removed the doubters and mourners from Jairus’s house before performing the miracle. Why do you think the environment and the voices around us matter when we are believing for God to move? [[24:54]]
Both stories end with immediate transformation. What does this reveal about the power and willingness of Jesus to bring life and wholeness, even in situations that seem hopeless? [[28:35]]

Application Questions

The woman with the issue of blood could have let her shame and exclusion keep her from Jesus, but she pushed through anyway. Is there an area in your life where you feel disqualified or unworthy to approach God? What would it look like to bring your “whole truth” to Jesus this week? [[07:06]]
Jairus kept believing even when others told him his situation was hopeless. Are there voices in your life—internal or external—that are feeding doubt or discouragement? What practical step can you take to limit those voices and surround yourself with faith? [[24:54]]
The sermon said, “Desperation can be the doorway to encounter.” Can you think of a time when your own desperation led you to a deeper experience with God? How might you be honest about your needs with God and others right now? [[06:51]]
Sometimes, seeing others receive their miracle can make us feel left out or discouraged. How can you let the testimonies of others fuel your faith instead of making you feel overlooked? [[23:48]]
Jesus invited both public and private acts of faith. Which do you find more challenging—reaching out to Jesus in front of others, or coming to Him quietly with your needs? Why? [[05:38]]
The sermon encouraged us to “make room for Jesus” and believe again, even after disappointment. Is there a specific area where you have stopped believing for change? What would it look like to “make room” for Jesus in that area this week? [[26:41]]
Both Jairus and the woman experienced “immediately” moments with Jesus. Is there an area in your life where you are praying for an immediate breakthrough? How can the group support you in faith and prayer for that need? [[28:35]]

Sermon Clips

You can walk away from God for as many years as you like, but you've got to hear it. He's never walked away from you. He is a God who is for you. And at the moment your heart says, okay, it's time to reach out again. I want to tell you he is there. He is there. [00:05:31] (15 seconds) #GodNeverLeaves

I'm telling you, life will give you 365 every single day of the year. Reasons to fear. But I want to tell you, God would say to you every single day of your life, do not fear. Do not fear. Do not fear. It may seem too big. Do not fear. It may seem like a death sentence. Do not fear. Yes, all these other voices. But he says, ignoring what everybody else said. He spoke direct and said, do not fear. Do not be afraid. Just believe. [00:08:25] (29 seconds) #DoNotFear

We don't walk into a place where we all get on a ladder and find out because of our good works or bad works where we sit on a ladder. No, we've all fallen short. All we're doing here is turning from walking one way in our own strength and saying, jesus, I now turn to follow you. And you join a whole line of others all at the same place going. Our eyes are fixed on one and one alone. [00:12:55] (21 seconds) #TurningToJesus

But if he said on that cross, by my stripes you are healed, then I'd rather listen to what he says and realize, maybe, just maybe, this could stop with me. Maybe, just maybe, this could be the marriage that stays together. Maybe, just maybe, this could be the family that doesn't live from the poverty line to poverty line, but we actually able to see them become all that God designed them to be. [00:13:52] (23 seconds) #HealingStartsWithMe

We see a woman, 12 years of suffering. And the moment Jesus came. We see a girl, 12 years of life resume the moment Jesus speaks. There's this intersection and the intersection is the same thing. It's Jesus. I don't know what your life's intersecting on, but can I say, what we need to intersect on is Jesus. What we need to be built on is Jesus. What we need to be found in is Jesus. [00:14:36] (32 seconds) #IntersectOnJesus

He heals what was dying and he raises what was dead. So I ask you today what's dying and what's dead that he can bring alive? Because today I want to just declare that as we continue to step into all that God has for us as a church, we are not here to see it multiply and minimize. No, no. We are here to see the name of Jesus multiply and be magnified. [00:15:13] (25 seconds) #RaiseTheDeadAlive

We're here not just to go through the natural. I believe we're here to see the supernatural. We're here not to build buildings. We're here to see a revival take place. We're here to see a city won. We're here to see a nation reached. But I tell you, not in our might nor in our power, but by the spirit of God. [00:24:23] (16 seconds)

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