In the midst of the crowd

Stretch our your fingertips in the midst of the crowd !!!

There we were in the midst of thousands of people. The crowd was large and loud. Being a part of the sights and sounds of Time Square, New York City New Year's Eve 2009 was indeed quite a unique experience. There was so much sound, and yet I found myself closing everything out in that hour prior to ushering in 2010. I found myself looking out over the huge crowd and asking, How many of these folks know who Jesus Christ is? Are they looking forward to a New Year in which they will have the opportunity to serve The Lord? How many of these folks are filling their empty lives with temporal things that will only last through the night, only to find themselves empty once again on January 1, 2010. How many souls in this sea of humanity are absolutely lost?

For a moment I found myself praying for each member of our family as they approached the New Year. First giving thanks for my husband of 35 years, the love of my life and best friend. Then my prayers turned to our older son Mark and his wife Katie and our younger son Michael and his wife Renee ( pregnant with our first grandchild). What a blessing they all have been.

Then my thoughts were turned to the woman in the scriptures having an issue of blood for twelve years. She was an unclean woman that thought if she could only touch the hem of His garment that she would be healed. She pushed through the crowd and believed as sh extended her fingertips just to touch His garment.

Standing in the NYC crowd, feeling people pressing in against me on all sides I could understand the disciples when they said, Master, the multitude crowd thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touch me?" Luke 8:45 They must have thought how absurd. Really Lord, who touched you?

But they should have known that the Lord would always notice those that need to be healed. He was always aware of those that came to Him, believing with great faith that they would receive. Luke 8:48 Daughter, be of good comfort, thy faith had made thee well. Go in peace.

How many times do we feel pressed in against with a great crowd of worry, stress or despair? Are we still willing to move ahead in faith, believing that our Lord will notice our needs? Do we reach out our our Father? Do we believe He will be moved by our touch? Do we really believe in faith not wavering?

In Bruce Wilkinson's book, You Were Born For This, he states, "The amount of our faith___and the actions we take as a result___can either limit or release God to act in a Miracle situation.

Usually we decide not to move ahead because fear grips us and strips us of the power and strength that the Lord promises throughout the scriptures.

Once again from You Were Born For This, " The root of fear is unbelief in our hearts. When we respond with unbelief, we are saying to God, You are not trustworthy. Therefore, if I'm faced with a situation that depends on You to come through, I won't take a risk." What if the unclean woman had not taken the risk?

Bruce Wilkinson continues, " We don't tear down unbelief in our hearts by trying to muster up courage or fan the flames of emotion. We tear it down by rejecting the lies , claiming the truth, and acting on it. Then we take courage in spite of fear... and step out of the boat.

Let's face it, unbelief is sin. We need to spend our energy rejecting Satan's lies and claiming Truths found in His Word.

Why do we try to take care of these thing ourselves? Have you ever heard yourself say: "Oh come on, this problem isn't that big. I shouldn't even bring this before the Lord. Surely I can handle this one myself. You should be ashamed of yourself. Look at these other folks that have major problems. Suck it up and get on with your life."

Reject the lies that Satan tries to put before you and take everything to Him. He wants our conversation, our companionship and our hearts.

Will you choose to extend your fingertips in the crowd and believe?

Debbie Fritz