by George | Nov 19, 2020 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Be a “Stretcher Bearer.”
“And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.”
Mark 2:4
He was paralyzed. How was he going to go see Jesus for healing?
The only way to get there would be with the help of his friends.
This would not be an easy task. The paralyzed man was dead weight. He would have to be carried.
So they lift the man on a stretcher, which was possibly a thick blanket.
The Bible doesn’t say how far they had to carry him, but I imagine it was hard work!
Then they get to the house where Jesus is. Standing room only! And, there’s a crowd around the house.
I imagine that the friends were disappointed. But, something made them not give up!
It was the love and compassion they had for their friend. They had to try something “outside the box.” So they climbed up to the roof of the house, pulling their paralyzed friend up to the top probably with ropes. This too was no easy task!
Then they cut into the roof which might have been made of straw and mud. (Luke uses the word tiles.)
G. Campbell Morgan said that original Hebrew text conveys the idea that they tore into the roof. A sense of urgency!
Can you imagine being inside the house listening to Jesus, when the ceiling starts coming apart?
Then, a man is lowered into the room.
“When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.””
Mark 2:5
It doesn’t say that the reason the man is paralyzed because of sin, but Jesus knows that forgiveness is his greatest
need.
However, Jesus did heal the man of paralysis.
I’m sure the man’s friends were thankful for that. They sure didn’t want to carry him home again!
They… Not just one person. It sure would have been hard if not impossible for one person to carry, climb up to the roof and lower their paralytic friend to where Jesus was.
So, the question is. Who can we be a “stretcher bearer” for today? We can work together to help those who are weak.
Paul tells us to:
“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.”
I Thessalonians 5:14
May God grant us the discernment to determine who needs our help today and may we work together to help them.
by George | Nov 16, 2020 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
What’s Next?
“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:13-14
Watching college football Saturday, I noticed a running back make a great run, and a wide receiver make an amazing one handed catch! In both instances, after they were tackled, they got up and tossed the ball to an official. Then, they immediately looked to the quarterback to see what the next play would be.
Sometimes we are tempted to live in the past. Continually thinking of a “great play” we have made.
Paul would tell us to forget all that, and move forward.
“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:13-14
If anybody could have sat down and watched an amazing highlight reel in his mind, it would be Paul.
He was well educated, and if he were alive today, he would probably be known as “Dr. Paul, PHD.”
But, he chooses not to live in the past. Instead, he keeps moving forward.
How do we keep moving forward and not dwell in the past?
First: Paul tells us to let go of the past. “Forgetting those things that are behind…”
Second: Keep moving forward! “reaching forward to those things which are ahead.” The dictionary definition of reach is to “stretch out an arm in a specified direction in order to touch or grasp something.”
It says “specified direction.” (Not aimlessly grabbing at whatever comes along.)
This leads us to the third key. Reach for the goal. Paul said: “… I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Paul wanted to finish well, and kept his eyes on the goal.
I mentioned earlier that the running back and the wide receiver looked to the quarterback for direction, what the next play would be. In the same manner, let’s keep our eyes fixed on God.
“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2
Even if you get tackled today, get up, and look to God for “the next play.”
See you in the end zone!
by George | Nov 12, 2020 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Be Kind… Rewind
“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:32
Have you seen the yard signs that say “Be Kind”?
When I first saw one, it reminded me of where I first saw the phrase. It was years ago on a VHS tape case. (Long before the DVD and all the digital stuff, this was how we watched movies!)
Rewinding the tape before you returned it was a way to be kind to the clerk at the video store or the next person who rented/ borrowed the tape.
Paul reminds us to be kind to one another. OK, we can do that.
Then he says to be tenderhearted. Let’s show compassion and empathy for folks we come in contact with.
The third part might be the hardest part. “…forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
We shouldn’t hold a grudge. If I’m tempted to, I look in the mirror and remind myself that Christ has forgiven me for a TON of sins. Then, I forgive, and release it to God, and leave the person in God’s hands.
So, maybe the archaic tape label has a new meaning for us today.
When you rewind a tape, you can play it again.
Once you shower someone with an act of kindness, keep doing it. Then, be kind to the next one, even if they don’t deserve it.
Maybe your acts of kindness will inspire others to do the same.
“Be Kind… Rewind.”
