Luke 8:42-45 But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him. 43 Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, 44 came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped. 45 And Jesus said, "Who touched Me?" When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, "Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?'" NKJV

Often, in the pages of this bulletin, we list those of the South Cobb membership and friends and relatives who are in need of our prayers. We do this to inform the membership, believing in the power of prayer and the need for all of us to do what we can for those who need our help.

Often, however, while we list the sick and those in need of prayers, we ask, “Do we pray for them? Do we do what we can to “visit” them by helping them in their times of need? Do we call them and let them know we are thinking about them? Often I know I don’t. Often I don’t take the time to make a short phone call and let them know I am thinking about them. This, in one small way, is a way to get involved with one another’s lives here at South Cobb, and get to know one another that much better.

I can’t imagine living with a disease or pain for years and years. I do imagine that the woman that Luke, a physician, mentions above was a woman who wanted to get better no matter what the cost, and no matter how long it took. It has always been interesting to me to see that Luke is the one who mentions the fact that she spent all of her livelihood on physicians, and that she did not get any better. I also can only imagine the fact of living so long in this situation, and struggling to get up hope that perhaps, one day, things will get better.

For the Christian, however, even though we may have to live this life in pain and suffering, we also know from Scripture that it will not always be this way. God tells us that we will be able to live with him, where there will be no suffering, no pain, no more death and no more tears. The Christian looks forward to that day with eager anticipation.

Until then, for those of you who suffer silently, who always have a positive thing to say and who encourage us by your determination and resolve to overcome in this life, we say, Thank you! Thank you for your example and your love for the Lord and his way. I pray that you will continue to have the determination and the faith in God to remain faithful no matter what you have to go through.

For the rest of us that are blessed with good health, let us be there for them and encourage them in every way that we can. Let’s pray for them, call them, encourage them, and let them know that they are loved. Such is pure religion and undefiled before God. Such is one way God will use us – to encourage others.

I pray that God will bless us all.