Jesus said to her,
"Daughter, your faith has saved you.
Go in peace and be cured of your affliction."
(Mark 5:21-43)
Dear Friends –
Jesus unknowingly administered a cure to a woman who suffered hemorrhages for twelve years, and then discovering it, He turned around, and is quick to point out to her that it was her faith that saved her. She had believed that if she could just touch his cloak she would be cured, so she pushed her way through 
the crowd, did touch His cloak, and immediately she felt healed. She was so sure He would heal her if she could just make a connection with Him… that’s the level of faith that gets God’s attention. Total trust in God to do what is best for us requires we maintain a strong relationship with Him through constant prayer… daily Bible meditation that unfolds His character to us completely… and keeping the lines of communication open which means learning to listen with our heart between our bouts of pleading for this and that. When prayer isn’t answered, did we really ask Him properly? Wholeheartedly? Did we recognize an alternate provided… or see the timing was off and we would have to wait longer? So many reasons why our prayers are not answered the way we want, but when they are, know that it was your faith that saved you.
Many people believe there is a God, but they won’t reach out to connect with Him… they think a personal relationship with Him is impossible… but 
they are wrong! I know that may sound far-fetched that the Creator of the Universe has the time and capacity to listen to me, but He does… He is a most powerful God that hears all, sees all, and touches us back if we make the first move and BELIEVE! Start with small requests, material or spiritual, and don’t be greedy or unreasonable. If it’s sincere and in compliance with His Will, wait and watch… listen with your heart to His speaking to you through the various channels of communication He uses, be it another person, a random Biblical passage, even something in the media will jump out at you as just what you needed to hear from Him.
Building a personal relationship with God takes time… learn to include Him in your daily thoughts for guidance and feel the calm ensue as you reach a decision that you just feel He aided you in reaching. When a butterfly lands on your arm, study its’ beauty and tell Him how great His artistry; compliment Him anytime nature flabbergasts you. When you are tired and running late and a parking 
space opens up right in front of you, yell out “Thank You God,” for He really does do very personal things just like that when we need them. You may be down in the dumps when someone just happens to give you such a nice compliment at the exact time needed, then be sure to think God inspired, for that is exactly how He talks to us and passes on His love and concern. If someone you love needs His help, then ask for them and when it happens acknowledge that you know it was His doing that brought it about… appreciate Him… make Him part of every moment of your life, and before you know it you will have established a personal relationship with Almighty God.
Once that intimacy is established, especially during and after all our dire crisis that require Divine Intervention, you will never forget His
Intercessions but cherish those extra special moments of His love to deepen and solidify your bond, eternally. Remember, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, nothing will be impossible for you because you will have His help doing for you; and because your tiny faith grew and grew with each experience of His love, nothing will be able to separate you from Him, for all eternally… and for that He will say to you, “your faith has saved you.”
"The truth is like a lion.
You don't have to defend it.
Let it loose. It will defend itself."
Saint Augustine
The Bible is the authentic Word of God, and while it has many different authors, they were all inspired to write only The Truth by The Holy Spirit; He would never let His perfection be wrongly portrayed. Consequently, when difficulty arises in understanding certain passages, continue to ponder and meditate, for eventually God will lead you to comprehension. In the end, you will reach a state of enlightenment that knows the veracity of His creeds are without fault, only truthfulness.
FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD
In The Old Testament we find that God carried on conversations with many of His chosen people starting with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. It was His original intent to spend time
with His creation… walking and conversing with Adam and Eve in the Paradise He conceived was definitely His desire until they disobeyed Him and were banished from the good life. Adam was made aware of the tremendous power of his Creator who presented him with the animals and birds to name, and for true companionship a wife to coexist with inside this perfect garden… the reality of Almighty God was more than apparent to Adam and Eve, unlike us who must learn of His being. Once we make that leap of faith to believe in the reality of an Almighty God, and just like it was in the original garden, we get to walk and talk with Him just as He always wanted… that never changed by original sin… God still wants a relationship with us!
This cannot be a forced relationship of master and servant, but rather one of love freely reciprocated, and that’s why our free will must choose to believe in that which cannot be seen, but yet learned, He really does exists! Such weak minds do exist that never think to contemplate the existence of God, but for those who do, 
He will reveal Himself in bits and pieces that lays a foundation for an edifice that Christ will enter. The more we become Christ-like, the more will our trust and faith in The Father grow, giving us in time The Holy Spirit. When an unwavering faith in God is accomplished we will have become a friend of God’s just as the Wisdom Book relates. The apostles were the first friends of Jesus; they came to know the human and divine sides of this Son of God so thoroughly, they were eager and willing to spread His Truths and to suffer ridicule, humiliation, imprisonment and even death rather than deny His Being… that’s unwavering faith.
Reading The Bible, 
and the lives of the Saints and Martyrs provides us with the examples of what friends of God are willing to experience for Him, and these models should strengthen and encourage us to do the same. Pop culture gives us all sorts of icons to emulate as American Idols where only the material is glorified, and regardless of how masterful that physical skill may be developed in we mortals, it is never those accomplishments that will get us through the pearly gates. Friendship with God comes from developing our spiritual gifts… increasing the talents of virtue that can only be inherited from Him, that’s what our Heavenly Father expects of His children, His creation; never what material man thinks is worthy of regard will ever be what God rewards with Heavenly existence. You can stand before the pearly gates with all of your social media followers, tons of medals and awards, pockets full of money, and multi-degrees in all things natural, but if you have not love, His love, you have nothing that will gain you entrance. Almighty God will look at you and say, “I’m sorry, you are not my friend, I never saw you before.” He gives us every chance to be His friend, His child, Christ-like, and heir to all that is His… and yet, some never become His friend,
never make it to heaven. Faith is the foundation of belief… it provides the structure to support Hope, which can only be fulfilled by the miracle worker, Almighty God… and when the work of God’s hands is experienced, it’s love from your best friend… infinite, all-encompassing Love that becomes an eternal part of you, as a result of your faith.
