Jump and Praise

5:25 “the man jumped up…and went home praising God” The man was paralyzed. I can only picture myself cautiously standing up to see if everything is working. But when the power of God hits you, it is only appropriate to jump and praise. According to Eph 3:16-20, we have that power right now. Can we make this a day or ‘jumping’ and praising?

How about you? Would you take the time to focus on God’s power in you today instead of your problems? Let’s call this a jump for joy day. Oh come on. Give it a try. It might even be contagious (5:26 “and THEY praised God”)

My Faith – Your Life

5:20 “Seeing THEIR faith” Most stories that we read deal with a person’s faith and their relationship with Jesus. In this story, the paralyzed man has his sins forgiven and is healed because Jesus saw THEIR faith implying the men who carried their friend, the paralyzed man, to Jesus. That is flat out interesting. All of us believe our influence is minimal. That is a concept we get from ourselves, not from Jesus. I wonder what would happen today if I made an extra effort to bring my friends to Jesus. I wonder how my faith affects the people I work with.

How about you? Feeling very influential today? Feeling very faith-filled today? Start with what you have, try to add a little each day, and let God work. Today is the day my faith should influence those around me.

I Am Willing

5:13 "I am willing" I think most of us experience the feelings of the leper when he acknowledges that God can heal me and make me clean. The power of God is usually not questioned. It is his willingness. God can, but will he? That is why verse 13 is so comforting. "I am willing" The man was not only healed, but he was healed instantly and received the 'touch' of the Lord.

How about you? How is your faith in God's willingness? Why not focus today on the love of God and his willingness? He has a reason when he says no, but he loves to say yes.

Going Deeper

This Week - Luke 5
vs. 4 "Go out where it is deeper" Every time I see those words I wonder where my deeper waters are. What area of my life needs deepened? Many areas need worked on, but what does God want me to work on right now. A place where I've fished before and caught nothing? A new place where the fish are hungry? In the deep water is where Jesus works. It's where the Lord's fish are.

How about you? Where is your fishing hole this week? Need to go deeper? Remember to take someone with you because there will be plenty of fish in the Lord's deep waters.

The Temptations Continue

Only three temptations are listed. But Luke says he was tempted “for forty days”. Later, it says the devil left him “until an opportune time.” Can you think of other times when Jesus was tempted? Here are a few: Bread = physically, he had no home (Luke 9:48), Jump = emotionally, they tempted him to come down from the cross(Mark 15:30-32), and Bow down = psychologically, they tried to force him to become king (John 6:15). Now turn and look at Hebrews 4:14-16. Because he was tempted, we have confidence to receive grace and peace.

How about you? Is the strength of Jesus giving you strength to overcome temptations? When you fail, do you confidently approach the Lord for grace and peace? This should be a day that you live in freedom and peace.

It's Just Bread

4:3 “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.” What is the harm? Is bread sinful? Would it be OK if he turned it into steak and potatoes? What is so sinful about this miracle? Can you name one miracle that Jesus performed for himself? Is this a temptation of control, dependency, and security? ‘God isn’t providing, so I guess I’ll have to get it myself.’ It is hard to let God set the agenda and determine the timing. Obedience, trust, and confidence are all tied together.

How about you? Have you taken matters into your own hands today? What about today shows your dependence and faith in God? Stop for just a moment and ask God to take control again.

Expand My Vision

4:22 “Everyone spoke well of him…How can this be? Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” How do you answer that question? Yes – he lives with Joseph and is being raised as a son by Joseph and Mary? OR No – he is the Son of God (3:22). Here is the problem. The people of his hometown can only see him in the setting of their own village (their own world). Jesus is bigger than that. So much bigger than that. The challenge is to open your heart and mind to see ‘beyond your world’.

How about you? Are you looking at ‘your village’ today or can you expand your mind to see God’s world. There is more going on than you think. There is more that is about to happen than you think. Watch out. God is at work.