1 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV) For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.

What is a promise from the Lord for you, your family, or your kids that you will take hold of in this season of pursuit?

Do I want to casually bump into Jesus, or am I going to pursue Him with purpose?

Luke 8:42-48 As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”

There are two attitudes we can have in our attempts to reach Jesus.
1) I will casually follow Jesus around, hoping something happens.
2) I can pursue Jesus with intentionality, knowing that he is the only one who can heal and save.

Jesus knew that someone had intentionally reached out and touched him in faith.

Faith fastens us to the promises of God. Faith is an attitude that says, “I won’t let go until I receive God’s promise to me.”

Why was this woman afraid to stand face to face with Jesus?

She was labeled unclean and barred from entering the temple.

Jesus’ response to the woman was not one of shame or rejection, but he addressed her as, “daughter.”

In this, Jesus reassured her that neither her condition, nor her past would separate her from his presence.

Hebrews 4:16 (NLT) So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Come Boldly: Freedom to speak openly, plainly, and face to face about what you desire and what’s on your heart.

Jesus has opened the way for a true heart to heart, family relationship with Him.

The prerequisite for the woman’s healing was not the severity of her condition, it was her willingness to respond through FAITH.

James 5:15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

It is FAITH, not NEED that makes a demand of the power of the Holy Spirit.

Have faith that as you prioritize prayer and praise, God will respond!

Breakthrough requires a Resilience fueled by faith! (Ask the Lord for this.)

Don’t quit in the middle, don’t lay down during the battle, and don’t walk away from your field while the seed is still in the ground.

Jesus will respond to our prayer life, His Word, and our Praise.

Jeremiah 33:3 Call to me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

Hearing: (Rhema) That which is uttered by the living voice. It is not just what has been said or written, but what God is saying right now that produces faith.

Come into God’s presence in confidence that he desires to speak to your heart. He doesn’t hold back his now word from you!

Psalm 22:3 Yet you are holy, enthroned (or dwelling in) on the praises of Israel.

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

What strategies in faith is the Holy Spirit asking you to take advantage of right now?

• Intercession – focused prayer for others
• Thanksgiving
• Worship - It may seem like a strange strategy, but it always works!
• Communion - Observing the table of the Lord.
• Memorizing Scripture - Get the truth of the word into your heart.
• Forgiving someone
• Resolving an offense you have taken - Offenses are taken up by us, not given to us.
• More time in the secret place – Your undistracted, designated place of prayer and worship that you intentionally reserve for just you and the Lord.

Questions for Discussion:

1) What are some promises that the Lord wants you to contend for in this season?
2) If you’re being honest, would you say you’re more in the habit of “following the crowd around” to attempt to get close to Jesus, or have you been purposefully pursuing Him?
3) What are some ways you can intentionally grab hold of Jesus?
4) In your words, what is the difference between a prayer of faith and a prayer of hope?
5) What is a strategy of faith (from the list above) you feel the Holy Spirit is asking you to employ more in this season?