Faith: The Key to Miracles and Wholeness
Summary
Today, we began a journey into the realm of miracles—those moments when God interrupts the normal flow of life and does what only He can do. The focus was on the story of the woman in Mark 5 who suffered for twelve long years with a condition that left her physically, financially, emotionally, and socially depleted. Despite her relentless suffering, her faith never died. She had tried everything, spent all she had, and only grew worse, yet she still believed that if she could just touch Jesus, she would be healed.
This woman’s story is a powerful reminder that suffering can become so familiar that we start to accept it as our permanent reality. We often lower our expectations, resigning ourselves to the idea that things will never change. But God is not limited by the length or depth of our pain. He is able to do the impossible, to bring an “immediately” after years of waiting. The gap between our suffering and our miracle is often bridged by faith—faith that is fed by what we hear, who we surround ourselves with, and what we choose to believe about God.
Her journey to Jesus was not easy. She had to push through a crowd, overcome obstacles, and defy social and religious norms. Yet, her faith was persistent and active. She kept telling herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” That inner dialogue of faith was her sermon to herself, and it propelled her forward. When she finally touched Jesus, power flowed from Him, and her suffering ended—not just physically, but in every area of her life. Jesus didn’t just stop her bleeding; He made her whole, restoring her to community, relationship, and fruitfulness.
This story challenges us to examine what we are willing to accept in our lives and to raise our expectations. It calls us to keep pressing, to keep believing, and to surround ourselves with faith-filled voices. It reminds us that God is touchable, that our faith can draw power from Him, and that He is still in the business of doing miracles. Even if it’s been twelve years, even if it’s been a lifetime, “immediately” can still come. Go get your Father—He’s waiting to show you what only He can do.
Key Takeaways
- Faith is the Bridge Between Suffering and Breakthrough
The woman’s story teaches that the distance between long-term suffering and a miraculous breakthrough is often crossed by faith. Even when every resource is exhausted and hope seems foolish, faith dares to believe that God can still intervene. This faith is not passive; it is persistent, active, and sometimes even desperate, refusing to let go of hope despite years of disappointment. [08:16]
- What You Hear Shapes What You Expect
The turning point for the woman was not a new doctor or a new treatment, but what she heard about Jesus. The voices and messages we allow into our lives either feed our faith or fuel our resignation. Surrounding ourselves with faith-filled words and testimonies can activate expectation and move us to action, even when circumstances haven’t changed. [20:42]
- Miracles Often Require Pressing Through Obstacles
The path to wholeness is rarely obstacle-free. The woman had to push through a crowd, risk public shame, and defy religious boundaries to reach Jesus. True faith is not deterred by barriers; it presses on, sometimes quietly, sometimes boldly, but always with determination. The miracle often lies just beyond the resistance. [27:53]
- Faith Touches God in Ways That Mere Proximity Cannot
Many people were physically close to Jesus, but only one drew power from Him. It was not her hand, but her faith, that touched Him. God responds to the touch of faith—a heart that believes, expects, and reaches out. This is a reminder that spiritual breakthroughs are not about religious activity or being in the right place, but about a living, expectant faith that moves God’s heart. [37:42]
- God’s Wholeness Goes Beyond Surface Healing
When Jesus said, “Your suffering is over,” He did more than stop the bleeding. He restored the woman’s ability to live, relate, and flourish. God’s miracles are not just about removing pain; they are about making us whole—spiritually, emotionally, relationally, and physically. He is not interested in partial healing, but in complete restoration, so that we never have to face the same bondage again. [44:57]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Introduction to the Miracles Series
[03:05] - Defining a Miracle
[05:30] - Setting the Stage: Mark 5 and the Woman’s Suffering
[07:21] - The Purpose of Faith in the Supernatural
[08:16] - When Suffering Feels Permanent
[12:52] - The Cost and Depth of Her Suffering
[17:23] - Exhausting All Human Options
[20:42] - The Power of What You Hear
[26:34] - Pressing Through the Crowd
[27:53] - The Inner Dialogue of Faith
[31:10] - The “Immediately” of God
[32:53] - The Cost of Ministry and Private Miracles
[37:42] - Faith That Touches God
[40:24] - Go Get Your Father
[44:21] - Wholeness, Not Just Healing
[46:04] - Prayer for Supernatural Breakthrough
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: “Faith That Bridges the Gap”
---
### 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.”
---
### Observation Questions
1. What details does Mark give about the woman’s suffering and her attempts to find healing before she met Jesus?
(see Mark 5:25-26; [12:52])
2. According to the passage, what was the turning point that led the woman to seek out Jesus?
(see Mark 5:27; [20:42])
3. What did the woman say to herself as she approached Jesus, and how did this inner dialogue affect her actions?
(see Mark 5:28; [27:53])
4. How did Jesus respond to the woman after she touched him, and what did he say about her faith?
(see Mark 5:34; [44:21])
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. The woman’s suffering was not only physical, but also emotional, financial, and social. Why do you think Mark (and the sermon) emphasizes the totality of her suffering? How might this shape our understanding of what it means to be “made whole”?
([12:52])
2. The sermon points out that many people were physically close to Jesus, but only one person drew power from him. What does this suggest about the difference between proximity to Jesus and faith in Jesus?
([37:42])
3. The woman’s faith was described as persistent and active, even “desperate.” What does this story teach about the kind of faith that moves God’s heart?
([08:16])
4. Jesus didn’t just heal the woman’s body; he restored her to community and wholeness. What does this reveal about God’s desire for us when he brings breakthrough or healing?
([44:57])
---
### Application Questions
1. The sermon said that sometimes we accept suffering as our permanent reality and lower our expectations. Is there an area in your life where you have stopped expecting God to move? What would it look like to raise your expectations in that area?
([08:16])
2. The woman’s faith was “fed by what she heard.” What are the main voices or messages you are listening to right now? Are they feeding your faith or fueling your resignation? What is one practical step you can take this week to surround yourself with more faith-filled voices?
([20:42])
3. The woman had to push through a crowd and break social norms to reach Jesus. What obstacles—internal or external—are keeping you from pressing in for a breakthrough? How can you take a step of faith despite those obstacles?
([27:53])
4. The sermon challenged us to examine what we are willing to accept in our lives. Is there something you have been tolerating that you sense God wants to change? What would it look like to “go get your Father” in that situation?
([40:24])
5. The woman kept telling herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” What is your inner dialogue about your current struggle? How can you begin to preach faith to yourself instead of resignation?
([27:53])
6. Jesus said, “Your suffering is over.” If God were to say that to you today, what area of your life would you most want him to speak it over? How can you invite him into that area this week?
([44:21])
7. The sermon ended by saying God is not interested in partial healing, but in complete restoration. What would “wholeness” look like for you—not just physically, but emotionally, relationally, or spiritually?
([44:57])
---
Close in prayer, asking God to build up your faith, raise your expectations, and bring wholeness in every area of your life.
Devotional
Day 1: Faith Bridges the Gap Between Suffering and Miracle
No matter how long or deep your suffering, faith is the bridge that connects your pain to God’s miraculous intervention. The woman in Mark 5 suffered for twelve years, exhausted every resource, and grew worse, yet she never let go of hope. Her faith was not passive; it was persistent, pushing her to believe that God could do what no one else could. Even when circumstances scream that change is impossible, faith dares to expect the impossible from God. If the gap between your suffering and your miracle is your faith, then today is the day to get your faith up, to raise your expectations, and to believe that God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all you can ask or think. [10:55]
Mark 5:25-34 (NLT)
25 A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding.
26 She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse.
27 She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe.
28 For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.”
29 Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition.
30 Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my robe?”
31 His disciples said to him, “Look at this crowd pressing around you. How can you ask, ‘Who touched me?’”
32 But he kept on looking around to see who had done it.
33 Then the frightened woman, trembling at the realization of what had happened to her, came and fell to her knees in front of him and told him what she had done.
34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.”
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have stopped expecting God to move? What would it look like to raise your faith and believe for a miracle in that area today?
Day 2: What You Hear Shapes What You Hope For
The voices and messages you allow into your life will either fuel your faith or feed your doubt. The woman’s miracle began when she “heard about Jesus”—not just any news, but the right news that activated her faith and moved her to action. In seasons of struggle, it matters who you listen to and what you listen to. Surround yourself with faith-filled voices, testimonies, and worship that remind you of God’s power and goodness. Don’t let negative, hopeless talk define your expectations; instead, let the stories of what God has done stir up your own hope for what He can do in your life. [20:42]
Romans 10:17 (NLT)
So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
Reflection: What are you listening to most these days—voices of faith or voices of fear? What is one practical way you can fill your ears and heart with faith-building words this week?
Day 3: Keep Pressing Through Obstacles
Miracles rarely come without resistance. The woman had to press through a crowd, social stigma, and her own weakness to reach Jesus. She didn’t let the obstacles stop her; she kept saying to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” Sometimes, the difference between breakthrough and breakdown is the willingness to keep pressing, to keep moving forward even when it’s hard, crowded, or you feel unseen. God honors the faith that refuses to give up, that keeps pushing through every barrier until it touches Him. [27:53]
Philippians 3:13-14 (NLT)
13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,
14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Reflection: What is one obstacle that has been standing between you and God’s promise? How can you take a step of faith to press through it today?
Day 4: Faith Touches God and Activates His Power
It wasn’t the physical touch that changed everything—it was faith. Many people crowded around Jesus, but only one drew power from Him. Faith is what activates God’s power in your life; it’s the spiritual touch that moves heaven. When you believe God for what seems impossible, you are not just hoping—you are reaching out and touching the very heart of God. Don’t settle for being a bystander in the crowd; let your faith be the touch that draws His power into your situation. [37:42]
Hebrews 11:6 (NLT)
And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to move from passive hope to active faith? What is one bold prayer or action you can take to “touch” God today?
Day 5: God’s Wholeness Cancels the Cycle of Suffering
When God heals, He doesn’t just stop the bleeding—He makes you whole. The woman’s miracle was not just the end of her physical pain, but the restoration of her life, relationships, and future. God’s desire is not for you to live in cycles of relapse or partial healing, but to experience complete freedom and wholeness. When He says, “Your suffering is over,” He means you will never have to deal with that again. Trust Him for a miracle that is not just a temporary fix, but a total transformation. [44:57]
Isaiah 43:18-19 (NLT)
18 “But forget all that—
it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.
19 For I am about to do something new.
See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”
Reflection: Where have you settled for partial healing or temporary relief? What would it look like to ask God for complete wholeness and freedom in that area?
Quotes
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