Through the Roof

1A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. 4Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. 5When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."

6Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7"Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

8Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things? 9Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? 10But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . ." He said to the paralytic, 11"I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." 12He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"

Mark 2:1-12

This was Sunday's scripture. Our pastor gave an excellent sermon on it. I love this passage. 

My favorite thing about it is the fact that the paralytic never says a word. He does nothing and asks for nothing. I imagine the times when I have been the paralytic; unable to know what to ask or even to think of going to God. The fact that, in these times, my friends can take me to the Lord gives me great comfort. Knowing that God provides friends who would carry me to the roof and then dig through it to lower my dead weight down to the feet of our Lord fills me with joy.

I'm not always the paralytic, however. Sometimes I am one of the friends. Sometimes God gives me the task of praying for a friend or giving comfort when times are tough. Often I miss the opportunity or shirk the responsibility, but when I act on behalf of a friend in need, He gives me access to His glory. My faith is strengthened when I have the privilege of praying for a brother or sister in Christ.

I must be honest, though, frequently I am one of the teachers of the law. I sit and judge rather than jumping up to help. I somehow imagine that the paralytic maybe doesn't deserve any attention until he gets his act together and asks for forgiveness. The passage does mention that the man had sins to be forgiven. However, as I pointed out before, the paralytic says nothing and does nothing. What does Jesus do? He forgives him and heals him. Guess what? It's not my job to wonder whether or not any of us deserve His forgiveness. I certainly don't deserve it. Praise God he gives it anyway! 

Thank you God, for forgiving me even though I don't always ask. Thank you for sending me friends who will carry me to you. Lord, help me to be one of the friends in this story. Help me to carry my neighbors to your feet. In Jesus' name, amen.

Hope in the Lord

Why are you in despair, O my soul?
And why are you disturbed within me?
Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God. 

Psalm 43:5

What is it today that has you despairing? Are you worried about losing your job, have you already lost your job, or maybe you wish you could quit your job? Perhaps you are grieving the loss of a relationship or even a loved one. Maybe you are struggling with something that seems trivial to others: health problems, depression, children who won't cooperate. 

Whatever it is, there is someone who wants to hear about it. There is someone who won't let you down. He is better than a bank account

and stronger than a storm. If we will turn to God, we will find hope. Not a 'maybe-it-will-be-okay' kind of hope, but a confident, joy-filled hope. He provides a huge, you-are-not-alone hope.

Sometimes it seems easier to place our hope in something earthly. Sometimes it IS easier to put our confidence in our own abilities or the idea that something like the right job, a better husband, smarter kids, a better president or a nicer house will make us happy. But it's wrong. Our only hope is the Lord.

How do we do put our hope in Him? We go to Him first. We ask Him to help us. We admit that we need Him. "I do believe; help my unbelief." (Mark 9:24b).

Remember, "God can do anything, you know — far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us." (Ephesians 3:20 The Message).

Hope in the Lord!

A Love Letter for You

My beloved child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. I know when you sit down and when you rise up. I am familiar with all your ways. (Psalm 139:1-3)

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. (Matthew 10:30)

For you were made in my image. (Genesis 1:27)

In me you live and move and have your being, for you are my offspring. (Acts 17:28)

I knew you even before you were conceived, before I formed you in your mother's womb. (Jeremiah 1:4-5)

I chose you when I planned creation.  (Ephesians 1:11-12)

You are not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. (Psalm 139:16)

I have called you by your name; you are mine. (Isaiah 43:1)

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. I chose to make you my child by giving you my true word. And you, out of all creation, are my choice possession.  (James 1:17-18)

My plan for your future is filled with hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Because I love you with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3)

My thoughts toward you are innumerable; they outnumber the grains of sand! (Psalm 139:17-18)

I take great delight in you. I will calm all your fears and rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)

I will never stop doing good for you. (Jeremiah 32:40)

For you are my own special treasure. (Exodus 19:5)

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. (Deuteronomy 4:29)

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)

For it is I working in you, giving you the desire to obey me and the power to do what pleases me. (Philippians 2:13)

I know what you need even before you ask. (Matthew 6:8)

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. (Ephesians 3:20)

For I am your greatest encourager and I give you strength in every good thing you do and say. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles so that you can comfort others. (2 Corinthians 1:4)

When you are in trouble, I will answer you and rescue you. (Psalm 91:15)

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. (Psalm 34:18)

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. (Isaiah 40:11)

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. And I will take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. (Revelation 21:4)

I am your Father, and I love you as much as I love my son, Jesus. (John 17:23)

For in Jesue, my love for you is revealed. (John 17:26)

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. (Romans 8:31)

And to tell you that I am not holding your sins against you. Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

This is real love. (1 John 4:10)

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. (1 John 2:23)

And absolutely nothing will ever separate you from my love again. (Romans 8:38-39)

With my unfailing love,

Your Heavenly Father, God