RUSSELL SANDERS

11-3-2025

JERUSALEM

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Over centuries of time, cities have risen and cities have fallen. None last. But God’s city of Jerusalem has lasted over two thousand years because God, Himself, is its defender.

Isaiah 31:4a-5 says, “So shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for Mount Zion, and for the hill thereof. As birds flying, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it.”

Jerusalem has been special to God since the days of Abraham [1400 B.C.] when it was called Jebus and its inhabitants were the Jebusites. It has been revered by Jews, Christians, and Muslims. It is the only city on earth where we are admonished to always pray for its peace. It is no small wonder that God [Jesus] chose to be born near there in Bethlehem in human flesh, and God chose Jerusalem as the place where Jesus would be crucified.  It has long been considered to be a holy city.

Today, we still consider Jerusalem to be a special place on this earth. We even look to the future for a “New Jerusalem” where Christ will reign eternally over it in peace.

When the prophet Daniel was held captive in Babylon, he prayed three times daily with his window open facing Jerusalem, as instructed in scripture.

God still defends Israel and Jerusalem today from enemy attacks. He has miraculously delivered them time and again against the greatest of all odds. It would be a fair statement to say that “Jerusalem is God’s holy city.”

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May God’s peace be extended over it.

HELEN SANDERS

11-3-2025

INTERRUPTED BY A TOUCH OF FAITH

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In Luke 8: 41-48 we see Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue who had an only child, a twelve-year-old daughter, who was dying. Jairus came to Jesus and fell at his feet, asking him to come to his house. He believed if Jesus would come and touch her, she would be healed. Jesus agreed to go, but the crowd of people thronged him. They all wanted to touch him.

A woman that had been ill for twelve years with an issue of blood also needed a touch from Jesus. She pressed in past the crowd knowing that if she could just touch Jesus that she would be healed. She had faith in Him. She had heard of his miracles and knew she would receive one too if she could touch him.

She came up behind Jesus and touched the hem of his garment. Some believe she touched his tallit, or prayer shawl. Regardless, when she touched it, she was healed immediately and the issue of blood dried up.

Upon this happening, Jesus paused and asked, “Who touched me?” 

Now there were hundreds of people trying to touch Jesus, but this touch was different. Jesus’ disciples couldn’t understand what had happened.

Jesus then said, “…Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.” The woman’s faith had connected with the anointing of Jesus, and he felt that anointing go out from him. Her faith had made her whole. The woman fell at his feet and told him it was her, and that she was healed immediately. Jesus told her in verse 48, “…Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.”

While he was ministering to the woman, people came to Jairus and told him that his daughter had died. How he must have been distraught. If only Jesus hadn’t stopped to speak with this woman that touched him. If only…

Immediately, Jesus told him in verse 50, “…Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.” Jesus then went to Jairus’ house, and the girl was raised from the dead. Instead of ignoring the woman with the issue of blood, Jesus saw her need and ministered to her. Jairus’ faith would see a miracle also.

There will be interruptions in our lives, and things may look dead in the natural, but it does not keep God from bringing the miracle we need to us.

As Jesus said, “Fear not: Only Believe.” When our lives are interrupted by faith we rejoice and praise God that He not only meets our needs, but other’s needs also.