Interpretation:
I asked myself why did the woman want to touch Jesus secretly?
The disease she had would have made her unclean according to Jewish Law. This meant no one was supposed to touch her because whoever touched her would have become unclean. So, she must have figured that Jesus would not lay His hands on her to heal her because that would be touching her. She also knew He was a Rabbi and would be versed in the law.

"'When a woman has a discharge of blood for many days at a time other than her monthly period or has a discharge that continues beyond her period, she will be unclean as long as she has the discharge, just as in the days of her period. Any bed she lies on while her discharge continues will be unclean, as is her bed during her monthly period, and anything she sits on will be unclean, as during her period. Whoever touches them will be unclean; he must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean till evening.” (Leviticus 15:25-27, NIV)

But, she was desperate and wanted the bleeding to stop which was occurring for 12 years. All the doctors she went to made her spend all she had but she was getting worse and not better. She heard about Jesus and the miracles Jesus had done. She figured she could touch the cloak of Jesus and receive her healing without His permission. Interestingly, there was a cause-effect relationship that occurred.

Observation:
I asked myself what the cause-effect relationship was?
BeCAUSE she believed and touched Jesus’ clothes the EFFECT was that she was healed immediately as the bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.

I asked myself what is significant about her healing?
Even though she was sick for 12 years when she touched the cloak of Jesus, she was healed IMMEDIATELY. She received her freedom from this sickness at once even though she did it secretly without making her situation public. It was her belief in Jesus and the faith she had that brought her freedom and healing.

Implications:
I asked myself what are the important implications for my own life?
The woman received healing from her uncleanness because of her faith and belief in Jesus. She believed that Jesus could heal her even though her perception was if Jesus knew how unclean she was, Jesus would not have anything to do with her. How wrong she was because Jesus did heal her. Just as the woman went out in faith even though 12 years of suffering occurred, I should not limit myself to the sufferings I have faced but turn to Jesus who can heal. What I learned is that Jesus can heal whatever situation I am in too, if He chooses to,  regardless of my misconceptions. Thank you Jesus! In Jesus, I can find FREEDOM, as I come to Him as I am. He can do that for you too helping you find FREEDOM.

Seven years ago my heart was broken on July 04, 2005 when I was really excited about pursuing a relationship. I still remember how I walked from Point State Park all the way to Squirrel Hill while talking over the phone to convince her, we were right for each other.  When she heard the word marriage, she wanted to halt the relationship and did not want me to call her anymore. It was very painful. In tears, I turned to the Lord Jesus for help. While I was sleeping, I saw a figure dressed in a white robe heading up a mountain. When I woke up, the words 'Don't be afraid, just believe' kept coming to me. These were the same words Jesus used with Jairus when his relationship with his daughter ended in death. Jesus did bring her back to life and restore that relationship after healing the woman who was in bondage.

That made me realize that Jesus was seeing my pain and my brokenness and wanted to bring healing into my life from the dead relationship. I still held out hope that Jesus would resurrect that relationship. But more than that, it made me reflect on the dream of why Jesus went to the mountainside. From the Bible, I learned that Jesus went to the mountainside to seek Father God and pray for wisdom.

It dawned on me that I was so eager to pursue an earthly relationship without seeking the Lord completely. For I had never read the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation to know the heart of God and the relationship He desired with me.

So, with the promise, 'Don't be afraid, just believe', I chose to read the entire Bible in 40 days from July 04, 2005 to August 15, 2005 expecting to know the heart of God, growing my relationship with Him believing He would help me to pursue a godly relationship for marriage.

While reading the Word, I made my criteria of finding a bride to be so hard that only the Lord Jesus could meet that criteria for me.  I knew if the Lord chose a match for me then it would lead to marriage. Thank you Lord.

As I went through the Word, I wrote down 40 questions that I would ask any relationship I pursued on Indian Matrimony sites. It was also during this time that the Lord Jesus gave me the signature verse for my life and any relationship: "But life is worth nothing to me unless I use it to do the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus, the work of telling others about God's mighty goodness and love!" (Acts 20:24, NIV)

Only after finishing the Bible in 33-40 days, I started using the sites again but this time asking the 40 questions one at a time at different intervals of the relationship. Only when I was satisfied with all 40 responses and the prospective match was satisfied with me would I take the next step.

I only pursued matches where I felt the girl loved Jesus more than me. It is that person I wanted for my wife. I even made that clear on my profile stating that my mommy prays that I find a wife who loves the Lord Jesus more than me. Thank you Lord.

I had to hold on to the promise of God: 'Don't be afraid, just believe' regarding marriage prospects for 5 more years. In those years, there were times I was hasty and made mistakes discounting the questions, etc but I am thankful to the Lord that none of those matches worked out because of what the Lord Jesus had in store for me. Thank you Jesus.

When I pursued a relationship in 2008, she satisfied all the criteria I had set in those 40 questions. After that, I involved my mommy and  Pastor Hugo who read through all 250 pages of my correspondence with a sweet girl. Both of them gave me their blessings to marry her. On July 04, 2009, I communicated with her over the phone for the first time.

In that year, our small group Living Acts was so instrumental in praying for my relationship with her and encouraging me to call her often. Especially Edwin, Marie, Kristen, and Bryan were involved in my pursuit of her. Later, Calvin and Elise counseled me on this match one day.

Now, 7 years later, Lord has blessed me with the most wonderful wife in Chandra. She is so sweet and special. She is a PLUS for me: Prayerful, Loving, Understanding, and Supportive. She would not have been in my life without the Lord's intervention. In July of 2010 we were married and the Lord never made me miss a July 4th without her by my side. Thank you so much Jesus. She loves Jesus so much and uses her gifts to bless me and others. Thank you Lord.  This will be her first July 4th celebration ever in the U.S. Thank you Lord!

This all would not have been possible if I did not find my freedom in Christ to move on that day of July 04, 2005. This would not have been possible without the help of God's Word from Genesis to Revelation. Thank you so much Jesus. It brings me tears of joy to reflect on where I have been on this day and where the Lord Jesus has brought me to. Thank you Jesus.

I share this experience with you because bondages could be different such as the woman's bondage to constant bleeding for 12 years, to my bondage of a broken relationship, etc that needed the freedom offered in Christ alone. Christ intervened in both situations and brought healing in His timing. The Lord Jesus can do that for you too my friend.

I ask you now dear friend where do you need F.R.E.E.D.O.M to move on?
Dear friend, I don't know what bondage you are faced with that needs freedom to move on, but the Lord Jesus does. He wants to free you and bring healing into your life so that you can have freedom. Yes, He does friend. Come as you are and find freedom in Him in His perfect timing for He will grant it to you. Yes, He will friend! Thank you Jesus!

Tell the Lord the area of suffering or bondage that you are in without giving up. Tell him the freedom that you desire from the captivity that you face. He will hear friend as you turn to Him. So bring it all to Jesus for His healing touch and intervention. He will intervene in your life as you turn to Him. Let the word of God, "Don't be afraid, just believe" resonate in your life on this Independence Day.

Just as the woman felt unclean, you also may feel what happened to you, where you have been, what you have seen, etc makes you so unclean. You may even feel if people knew who you really are and what you have done, no one would want to associate with you anymore so you do not even ask for help but maybe desiring help deep inside. You even give up on community because you are a prisoner to your own sin.

But I have Good News for you friend and it is in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Yes, friend, the Lord Jesus loves you so much and wants you to find freedom in Him. No matter who shuns you, the Lord Jesus won't just as He did not do that to the unclean woman because He loves you so much.

No matter where you feel unclean or in bondage to, you can come to Jesus and receive your cleansing and be made clean because He will wash you with His precious cleansing Blood to give you a new beginning. Come just as you are and find your freedom in Christ for He already paid the price for your Redemption and freedom.

If you are in need of deliverance from your sin or bondage, now is the time for deliverance. Don't wait for some other time. It is appointed for man to die once and then the judgment.

Whatever area you need help in, you need to examine your own life and bring your weaknesses before the Lord especially all the sin that entangles us so He can rescue us and give us freedom. Thank you Jesus.

You can find FREEDOM in Christ. Yes, you can friend! As I have found FREEDOM in Christ in different areas and will continue to find FREEDOM as I wait upon the Lord, so can you. I know you can.

You can be made clean for Jesus will clean you and make you new. Jesus healed the women suffering for 12 years. Whatever you are suffering, there is hope in Jesus friend. You are never out of His love and never out of His reach. You do not have to think that you are so unclean that Jesus would not bother with you because Jesus wants to bother with you in a loving wonderful way. He wants to! Yes He does friend!

Though your sins are like scarlet,  they shall be as white as snow. Though they are red as crimson, they shall be as wool.

Friend, you were the reason Jesus gave His life. You were the reason He suffered and died. For the world that was lost, He gave all He could give. (This song is based on David Meece's: We were the Reason')

You can find a reason for coming to Jesus no matter how unclean your life has become. Yes, you can because of Jesus, my friend! What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and burdens to bear. Yes friend, come as you are this July 04, 2012 to the throne of grace and find help in time of need. Thank you Jesus!

Name all the reasons before the Lord where you feel unclean and let Him clean you. Ask Jesus, 'Clean me Jesus'. Receive His cleaning in your life. He will clean you with His precious cleansing blood! That is so exciting friend! It is! For one drop of blood can heal you where you are and give you FREEDOM. Oh yes, it can friend!

Never ever think what you have done, what has happened to you, where you have been, or what you have seen is out of the reach of our Lord and Savior.  When Saul of Tarsus murdered Christians, the Lord still restored him and he became the Apostle Paul. Now, I am going through the Book of Philippians to see how the Lord Jesus has given Paul freedom. Even in his chains, He found joy in Christ and proclaimed it to the Philippians.

With Jesus, we can find joy and strength too. Thank you Lord! Please come as you are friend!

Please, do not let the enemy make you feel like there is no hope left, for there is hope. The woman hoped in the Lord, I hoped in the Lord, and so can you so you do not have to be trapped by Satan.

Jesus, will show His everlasting love for you by providing people in your life that will love you and pray for you. He will surround you with His love through those that love Him dearly. So friend, fear not what you are going through but come, come to the Lord Jesus and rest in Him and Him alone.

In my life Jesus had provided two people outside of my mommy, to reach me where I was at and find FREEDOM in Christ. Jesus used Pastor Hugo and Edwin to shepherd me. Jesus continues to use my mommy, Pastor Hugo, and Edwin Chan.  But most of all, the Lord Jesus has blessed me tremendously to have a wonderful wife in Chandra who shows the love of Christ even in my shortcomings as we depend on His precious Word to give us freedom in Christ.

On the other hand, Satan will let you know all your mistakes and tell you there is no escape. Satan will show all your failures and come like a flood but he can be defeated by one drop of blood. I am talking about the Blood of Jesus Christ which will cover over you.

Sin will make us unclean  and we will want to hide from others because of that sin but Jesus came for the sick not the healthy. Jesus wants to heal you where you are. Jesus wants to forgive you of all your sin no matter how yucky you feel, no matter what you have done. Yes friend, the yuckiness of sin was covered by His precious blood when Jesus sacrificed His life for you and me so you can be clean.

Come to Jesus as you are and receive His healing and forgiveness no matter where you feel yucky and find FREEDOM in Jesus to be freed of your suffering. Jesus loves you so much that He died on the cross, was buried, and came back to life on the 3rd day to save you. Yes He did friend! He wants to save you friend by His grace. Come as you are and yield to Him as you are.

This July 04, 2012, as you enjoy the fireworks that blast through the sky, the sound and blasts of freedom will be exciting but when the fireworks are gone and you leave the celebration, where will your heart will be?

Let it be in the Lord and in the Lord alone! Help us Jesus!

Fireworks
(c) 2011, By Ramesh C. Reddy

After the fireworks in the sky
Will you feel low or high
With sin, the soul will die
You ask me why
Your heart will experience sin's blast
That continues to last
Bringing to remembrance your shameful past
But this sin you can cast
To the One who wants to receive you fast
Jesus is His Name
And for your freedom He came
Your life will never be the same
For He will give you a new aim
By doing His wonderful part
When you give Him a start
By giving Him your heart
So Satan's fiery arrows you will dart
And experience fireworks for your soul
That will always keep you excited and whole
Being covered by Christ's precious blood
That absorbs the sin that comes like a flood
Now you will always be clean
Upon the Lord & Savior when you lean!
Amen!

"Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom!"

May you come to know the love of Jesus in your life friend and find freedom in Him! Amen!

"Forever Remembering Emmanuel''s Eternal Deliverance Over Me! (F.R.E.E.D.O.M)/"Where do you need F.R.E.E.D.O.M to move on?"

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you so much for healing the woman who was bleeding for twelve years even though she wanted to receive her healing in secret without asking you for it. You still healed her through her fears. Thank you Jesus! Thank you Lord Jesus for bringing me through different years of turmoil, for you have carried me through. I pray Lord Jesus for the one who is in deep pain for different reasons and ache for freedom to be whole again. Only you Oh Lord can give them true freedom and deliver them from their bondage. So, please intervene Oh Lord on this day to bring deliverance. Thank you so much Jesus. Thank you for knowing everything about us and where we feel unclean. You Oh Lord are so loving towards us and want to give us freedom in you and bring deliverance in our lives. When you were on your way to see Jairus daughter, you let your healing flow in the woman’s life! Thank you Jesus! If you in your busyness cared for the woman when large crowds were pressing all around you, I know you will care for us too. Thank you so much Jesus. You know what has happened to us, where we have been, what we have done, what we have see, etc. You can rescue us. Thank you for rescuing us and bringing us into your Kingdom. "Oh Lord, thank you we are the reason that you gave your life. We are the reason that you suffered and died. For the world that was lost, you gave all you could give and showed us a reason to live." By your blood we are made whole. Thank you for the cross and for your love!. We give our life to thee and ask thee to take care of us. Thank you that you will. Thank you we can belong to you. Thank you for hearing our prayer and answering us! In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

Lord Jesus, You are my all in all. You are my Prince of Peace, Rock, Savior, and Friend. You are my Holy Father guiding me through to live a life of righteousness, Holy righteousness. Oh God, I need you more than ever. I need to feel your hands around me holding me tight. I need your love to surround me so that you can glow in my life. Help me please Jesus. I desire in your presence. Thank you for guiding me to live a life of righteousness. Oh God you love me more than ever. You hear my voice when I cry out to you. When I seek your face, you fill me up. You are my all in all. Thank you Jesus so much for your help no matter what I face, your grace is available and you take my case. Thank you for hearing us and answering us. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! AMEN! (Most of the prayer is from a vineyard song called “All in All”)