Dare to Believe - Crosswalk the Devotional - September 26

Dare to Believe
by Boyd Bailey, Author of Two Minutes In The Bible™ With Jesus

He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering” (Mark 5:33-34).

At times our faith dares us to believe Jesus, to take Him at His word. It may be unconventional, like the chronically ill woman who suffered for 12 years. She was broke at the bank and broken in her heart.

Her last gasp of hope was to seek healing from the Great Healer. Like her, on occasion, we feel our faith must press through life’s circumstances to find the Lord. But once by faith we touch His merciful robe of righteousness, His healing Spirit makes our spirit whole.

Jesus understands your concerns over rising healthcare costs and the ability to take physical care of yourself and your family. Go to Him for peace and a plan that works for you today, not stressing over the what-ifs of tomorrow. By His grace through faith, let God bring whole- ness to your soul and comfort to your body. The Lord’s healing may come through diet, doctors, and medication, or through an inexplicable miracle of His intervention. Dare to believe in His power!

“Heal me, lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise” (Jeremiah 17:14).

What life challenge are you facing that dares you to believe God? Perhaps a prodigal child who continues to break your heart. Pray they come to the end of themselves and become broken before God. Maybe the fear of being alone ties your stomach up in knots. Let go of the lie that the Lord will leave or forsake you; trust Him to lead you to those who accept you. Dare to believe God. Press through your problems in faith, kneeling at Jesus’s feet and telling Him your story.

Finally, ignore the noise of the crowd. Some may make fun of your faith or judge you for being bold, but those who love the Lord will love and encourage you in your walk with Christ. Those full of jealousy and insecurity will try to put you down, believing that doing so will lift them up. In spite of these misguided people, as you grow in your intimacy with Jesus, you will have the spiritual stamina to love naysayers to Christ. They’ll experience your heart of mercy and sense you have been with Jesus! When you raise your bar of belief, others raise their bars. Dare to believe and others will believe.

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14).

Heavenly Father, I pray for the courage to push through my circumstances and touch the mercy and power of Jesus.

Boyd Bailey is the founder of Wisdom Hunters, an Atlanta-based ministry that encourages Christians to live out God's unchanging truth in a changing world. The author of many devotional books and e-books, Boyd is also cofounder of Ministry Ventures, and currently serves as the Georgia President of National Christian Foundation. Boyd received his Bachelor of Arts from Jacksonville State University and his Masters of Divinity from Southwestern Seminary. He and Rita, his wife of 30 plus years, live in Roswell, Georgia and are blessed with four daughters, three sons-in-law and five grandchildren. His official web site is www.wisdomhunters.com and twitter @wisdomhunters.