Living in the Last Hour

“And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him. And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, when she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.

For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.

And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said,

Who touched my clothes?

And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?

And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague (Mat. 5:24-34)” 

Most believers are familiar with the story of the bleeding woman. Her story is recorded as a testimony to the power of faith and healing in Christ Jesus. As we read…the multitudes gathered, people surrounded Jesus, all wanting to see Him, touch Him, many pleading for something, or some type of healing for themself, or for another. The crowd was thick, no doubt everyone was trying to push their way next to Jesus. Then, here comes this woman barely able to walk, in pain, desperate to touch only the hem of His garment. She knew that alone would heal her. How could she know that unless God revealed it to her…that’s my thought.

These last days, more than ever it seems, the church has become like that, the crowds want to draw near to Jesus, everyone pleading for something, usually material blessings, at least from the stuff that gets posted on Facebook. Most want the goodness of God, not the persecutions. But as in the case above, where only one woman touched the heart of God, today, I am convinced that very few Christians touch the heart of God. These days, empty platitudes and positive thinking seem to be the staple of Christian living. Some Christians do not tolerate any negativity, any constructive criticism, and certainly will not accept anything that even remotely sounds like judgment. First response by most Christians is scripture…remove the plank from your own eye, before trying to correct me (Mat.7:3-5). Now, I speak only of self-proclaiming Christians. As Christians we are in the world, but we are not of this world, so we should not live as those that still wear a veil, but many do. The scriptures tell us that not all that say Lord, Lord (Mat. 7:21-23) will enter into the Kingdom of God. In the blink of an eye, the Lord will separate the wheat from the tares. That’s what He said. As believers, we have to be like that woman, completely convinced that we will be made whole.

As believers God expects us to hold each other accountable. And our desire should be as much. Gal. 6:1 “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”

But we don’t do it, because most of the time, we too are caught up in our own mire and don’t wish to be found out.

Proverbs 27:6 “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”

Nevertheless, many proclaim their faith and closeness to God. Seems everyone is close to God, but their heart…well…only God knows the heart of any man, but one look at the life of any Christian and the condition of the heart becomes obvious. It either good or bad, albeit some Christians are quite clever at hiding their indiscretions. That’s one lesson I was forced to learn early in my walk with God. Love is patient and kind, but few know this.

The condition of the heart speaks volumes. It is long-winded and boastful. It pats itself on the back all the time. It seeks constant attention. It is easily provoked to thoughts of evil and iniquity. It’s desire is for deceit, in all things, will tolerate nothing but its own selfish needs. The heart never fails to disappoint.

God alone knows the heart of any man and when anyone touches His heart, He knows it. And that believer is never the same again. Amen.

As Paul wrote to Timothy…(2 Tim. 3:10-17)

“But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

Be blessed.