"Since 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." Mark 2:4
"Faith is full of inventions. The house was full, a crowd was blocking the doorway, but faith found a way to get to the Lord and place the paralyzed man before Him. If we can't get sinners where Jesus is by ordinary methods we must use extraordinary ones. It seems, according to Luke 5:19, that roof tiles had to be removed, which would make dust and cause a measure of danger to those below, but when the situation is very urgent, we must not mind running some risks and shocking some proprieties. Jesus was there to heal and, therefore, come what may, faith risked all so that her poor paralyzed charge might have his sins forgiven. O that we had more daring faith among us! Can't we, dear reader, seek it this morning for ourselves and for our fellow workers. Won't we today try to perform some gallant act for the love of souls and the glory of the Lord?
The world is constantly inventing; genius serves all the purposes of human desire: can't faith also invent and, by some new means, reach the outcasts who lie perishing around us? It was the presence of Jesus which excited victorious courage in the four bearers of the paralyzed man: isn't the Lord among us now? Have we seen His face for ourselves this morning? Have we felt His healing power in our own souls? If so, then through door, through window, or through roof, let's breaking through all impediments, work to bring poor souls to Jesus. All means are good and acceptable when faith and love are truly set on winning souls. If hunger for bread can break through stone walls, surely hunger for souls is not be hindered in its efforts. O Lord, make us quick to suggest methods of reaching your poor sin-sick ones, and bold to carry them out despite the risks." Charles Spurgeon, Morning & Evening
This is what I pray for us, dear beloved brothers and sisters in Christ. Today, I challenge you to step out of your box of comfort, your box of what is appropriate and acceptable, your box of do's and don'ts, and walk out in faith and love. Today, may you be led by the Spirit to do what is unconventional. Today, may you be bold to pray over others, to pray for healings, to call on the Spirit to show up in a miraculous way, for Him to soften the hardened hearts. Don't be afraid of rejection or mockery because Jesus is in you. Mull on that, let that empower you and fill you with joy and peace! Believe the Gospel, talk the Gospel, live out the Gospel! May your life be an example of one who has been radically pursued and transformed, and now has full faith to see that same change in others.
"Faith is full of inventions. The house was full, a crowd was blocking the doorway, but faith found a way to get to the Lord and place the paralyzed man before Him. If we can't get sinners where Jesus is by ordinary methods we must use extraordinary ones. It seems, according to Luke 5:19, that roof tiles had to be removed, which would make dust and cause a measure of danger to those below, but when the situation is very urgent, we must not mind running some risks and shocking some proprieties. Jesus was there to heal and, therefore, come what may, faith risked all so that her poor paralyzed charge might have his sins forgiven. O that we had more daring faith among us! Can't we, dear reader, seek it this morning for ourselves and for our fellow workers. Won't we today try to perform some gallant act for the love of souls and the glory of the Lord?
The world is constantly inventing; genius serves all the purposes of human desire: can't faith also invent and, by some new means, reach the outcasts who lie perishing around us? It was the presence of Jesus which excited victorious courage in the four bearers of the paralyzed man: isn't the Lord among us now? Have we seen His face for ourselves this morning? Have we felt His healing power in our own souls? If so, then through door, through window, or through roof, let's breaking through all impediments, work to bring poor souls to Jesus. All means are good and acceptable when faith and love are truly set on winning souls. If hunger for bread can break through stone walls, surely hunger for souls is not be hindered in its efforts. O Lord, make us quick to suggest methods of reaching your poor sin-sick ones, and bold to carry them out despite the risks." Charles Spurgeon, Morning & Evening
This is what I pray for us, dear beloved brothers and sisters in Christ. Today, I challenge you to step out of your box of comfort, your box of what is appropriate and acceptable, your box of do's and don'ts, and walk out in faith and love. Today, may you be led by the Spirit to do what is unconventional. Today, may you be bold to pray over others, to pray for healings, to call on the Spirit to show up in a miraculous way, for Him to soften the hardened hearts. Don't be afraid of rejection or mockery because Jesus is in you. Mull on that, let that empower you and fill you with joy and peace! Believe the Gospel, talk the Gospel, live out the Gospel! May your life be an example of one who has been radically pursued and transformed, and now has full faith to see that same change in others.
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