Thoughts for Life: One Grasp

Barbara Suiter shares with us, "If three-year-old Esther's fingers were rubber hands, they would have snapped.

'I want to touch you, Pastor Tom.'

Esther wiggled closer, extending her fingers toward him at the table and straining with all her might.

She raised herself in her booster seat and reached as far as she could. As her fingertips met Tom’s, she smiled shyly and whispered, 'I touched Pastor Tom!'

They both seemed pleased.

"Who touched me? Jesus asked Luke 8:45 NIV

As I watched, I thought of the woman in the gospels with the bleeding disorder.

How she needed touch. She lived in isolation, in humiliation, in shame due to her unclean state. She had been untouchable for twelve years–with little or no display of affection to or from her.

Oh, she was hungry.

She knew Jesus was coming; she had heard about this man. If only she could reach Him–could stretch and touch Him for only an instant–without anyone knowing.

After the years of suffering physically and emotionally, she was grasping at her only hope.

Her belief about this Jesus, that He could heal, was all she had left.

Pushing as she could in her weakened state, struggling through the noisy crowd, she eventually reached him. She risked ridicule and rebuke, but she had no choice.

Can you see her?

Her fingers momentarily, but gently, caressed the bottom of his cloak, her eyes closed as she silently whispered, “I believe . . .”

Immediately, she knew she was healed, the debilitating weakness gone. The thief of her strength and energy–her very youth–fled.

She had only touched for one brief instant . . .

But Jesus knew.

Someone had touched Him.

As his eyes pierced the clamoring crowd, he saw a desperate woman. He looked into the eyes of someone reaching for hope, stretching for deliverance--believing.

That power to give new life flowed from Him to her as her faith released His power to heal.

In one frantic grasp, she was made completely whole.

In the same way, He desires my touch, that reach of total trust.

He waits to be wanted. And as I clutch in reckless abandon, He is there, releasing the peace and assurance for which I ache, the power that enables me to live this day–now.

Grasp, reach . . . touch the Christ who will heal you."

One Grasp - Barbara Suiter

Photo courtesy www.freedigitalphotos.net stock photo

Barbara Suiter is a wife, mother, and grandmother of thirteen.

She is married to Tom Suiter, Associate Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Lebanon, Tennessee.

The couple has recently returned from serving ten years in Western Europe as missionaries.

She is a freelance writer and women’s Bible study leader and teacher.

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Used by permission www.christiandevotions.us & Barbara Suiter

Let’s pray:

Father, may the same power to give new life that flowed from Christ flow into us today, as we have faith in Him to release His power to heal!

May we believe Jesus hears us, and His desire is to heal us where we hurt, whether emotional or physical.

Help us come to Him with simple, determined faith, just as the woman did mentioned above.

In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: Ps. 147:11 "The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy."

Today’s quote: Sharon Jaynes – “For many years I would begin each day praying for my son, “God, please be with Steven today.” Then one day God stopped me mid-prayer. “Sharon, I am with Steven…every day,” He seemed to say. “Why do you continue asking for something Steven already has?”

God was right! (Imagine that.) God was with Steven at all times, just as He is with you and me. He promised each of His children, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). After God’s gentle nudge, I changed my prayer for Steven: “God, I pray that Steven will sense Your presence in his life today. Thank You for being with him.”

Some thoughts today: There are no "short cuts" with God. He works in one "room of your heart" at a time, my friend. Connect with His children, and begin learning His ways for you. You cannot do God's will alone. Think on Jesus!

- Change is coming! Get ready!

- There's the sound of a heavy spiritual rain in your area. Keep praying!

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John Eastmond testing his new Melancon Custom Artist Electric Guitar

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