October 23
Scripture of the day: "When He had come back to Capernaum several days afterward, it was heard that He was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them. And they came, bringing to Him a paralytic, carried by four men. Being unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and when they had dug an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic was lying. And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, 'Son, your sins are forgiven.'" Mark 2:1-5
Thought of the day: Four men tried to bring their paralyzed friend to Jesus. But there were too many people crowded into the house where He was speaking the word. Unable to enter through the crowded doorway, they carried their friend to the roof. They removed part of the roof ... and dug a large opening through the ceiling. Then they lowered their friend to Jesus. And He forgave the man of his sins ... and healed him.
Challenge of the day: The four men had a team commitment to bring their friend to Jesus. When normal methods didn't work, they were creative. Whose faith did Jesus see? He saw their faith. Their commitment and effort are a great example for your own evangelism. Join forces with some other Christians. Develop a witnessing partnership with them. Be co-committed to bringing people to Jesus. Identify some lost friends who are spiritually crippled by their sins. Pray for them... serve them ... and tell them about Jesus. Be creative if normal methods (like inviting them to church meetings) don't work. Be so committed that you would do something as odd as digging a hole through the roof. Let Jesus see your faith!
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