EXPRESSIONS

Custom Search

“F.R.I.E.N.D.S are Forever Readily Imparting Encouragement Now Dealing Sacrificially!”

Ramesh C. Reddy
Publisher

SCRIPTURE:
"Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. 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. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." (Mark 2:3-5, NIV)

Approach Question:
How do your friends know that you are a true friend for them?

Observations:
Previously, I had read that Jesus was preaching the Word to the crowds. Now, I asked myself what was happening as Jesus was preaching the Word to the crowds?

1. Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic.
2. All four of them carried the paralytic.
3. Since they could not get him to Jesus, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus.
4. They dug through the roof for the sake of their friend.
5. They lowered the mat, the paralyzed man was lying on.

Interpretations:
I asked myself what is so significant of some men bringing to Jesus as paralytic?
They could have been his friends who intervened in his life when he had given up on hope. They knew Jesus alone could bring healing into this man's life.

Al's response: They had faith that Jesus alone could heal their friend. Faith by what they had done brings power.

Interpretations:
I asked myself what do we learn about the character of the friends especially when they could not find a way to get the paralytic to Jesus?
They loved their friend so much that they decided to do whatever they could to make sure the paralytic would reach Jesus even if it meant destroying the roof of someone else's place probably Peter and Andrew's house by making an opening in the roof by digging through it for the sake of their friend. Then, they took the time to lower the mat, the paralyzed man was lying on. This is not an ideal situation destroying someone else's possession to help someone else but it shows the depth their friends went to, to make sure the paralytic found Jesus.

Al's response: They did not give up.
Brian's response: They were very creative. They were very strategic in what they did.

Observation:
I asked myself what cause-effect relationship do I see between Jesus and the paralytic's friends?
Because Jesus saw their faith, the effect was that Jesus said, 'Son, your sins are forgiven'

Interpretation:
I asked myself what is so significant about Jesus' actions?
It was their [the men carrying the paralytic] faith shown through actions that made Jesus act. It showed the importance of having faith but not any kind of faith. It showed an active type of faith. It showed a faith that is based on our actions no matter how difficult the situations maybe. Then, amidst the difficulty, we see Jesus move specifically towards the paralytic to forgive the paralytic. I have seen Jesus intervene in my loved one's life when I pray for them even when they themselves did not believe at the time. That is awesome to know that Jesus gives credence to intercessory prayer.

Al's response: It showed Jesus their faith. Faith without deeds is dead. Praying to God prayers that other people pray for you can impact your life too. I don't think Jesus' ability to heal the paralytic was based on the paralytic's own faith but the faith of his friends. It is not always our faith but others too. No matter what the person believes for themselves when other people are praying to Jesus, Jesus can intervene. It is prayers of supplication and intercession.

David's response: I agree with Al.

Implications:
I saw important implications for my own life.  I saw this passage as an example of what true friendship could look like. If I say that I am somebody's friend, I should put myself in a position to be there for them no matter what the obstacles. That is what the four men did for their friend and it paid of. I realized one of the ways I can be a true friend is to pray for my friends intentionally especially those that have left Pittsburgh without forgetting about them. It is easier to pray for those that are nearby because you see them often.

So during my Quiet Times I pray for my friends that come to my mind. It really helps when I know their needs. But, I don't limit it to just my Quiet Times but throughout the day. If something reminds me of my friends who are not here, then I turn that into prayer.  When I don't know what to pray for them, I pray the Scriptures for their lives.

This is one thing I started being more intentional about after meeting Linnea, Ben, Annette, Ralston, Cecilia for the first time, and so on this summer. I praise and thank the Lord for Linnea and Annette who keep me in prayer that I can experience the depth of God's love deeply in my life.

 But more than that, I praise the Lord for how much Chandra and her friends keep me in prayer everyday even though we are thousands of miles apart. I don't even know her friends and they keep me in prayer. I pray for Chandra everyday and it is so amazing what prayer can do :) I am so excited to go meet her soon Lord willing and proceed the way the Lord wants me to :) She is the sweetest, most loving and caring friend, Jesus has put in my life. Words just cannot express how I feel about her. In the fireworks, her name even appears in the sky :) Some of the lyrics from 'A Thousand Miles' by Vanessa Campagane and 'Wait for Me' by Rebecca St. James express how she feels for me and how I feel about her. I say some of the lyrics because not all describe both of us.

As I reflect on what the paralytic's friends did for the man, my relationship with Chandra would not have come this far if it were not for my dear brothers and sisters in Christ from Living Acts who have kept me accountable and in prayer before the Lord Jesus interceding on behalf of Chandra and me but some of them have gone beyond just caring for this area of my life.

I have also realized I have not always been the friend that I want to be. It's been sad when 'Out of sight, out of mind' has become a reality in my life in the past. So now those that I meet even for a brief time, I intentionally do things not to forget them whether it is texting my friends, emailing my friends, calling my friends, writing on their facebook wall, but most of all praying for them. You can do that too.

 I have no words to describe my friends prayers for my own life. I praise the Lord for my dear brothers and sisters from Living Acts: Edwin & Marie, Kristen & Josh, Liz, Bryan & Lyd, Rachel, Cathy, Antonia, Jeremy, Pastor Ed, Joachim, Steve & Zela, Ryan (spent a lot of time with my dad in the ICU), Vicki, Keng & Ling, the time they have invested in my life at different times.

I have been especially blessed by the enormous time Pastor Hugo, Edwin& Marie have taken to help me develop my relationship with Chandra. They have given up their time for my sake and have not shied away from being firm with me in different areas holding me accountable.

I was so touched yesterday when Ralston, Brian, and David prayed for me last night laying their hands upon me regarding my relationship with Chandra before I leave Pittsburgh and all those that prayed at Oakland International Fellowship for me. If I name everyone, I probably won't get to share everything I want to share. Just a few more shout outs for  Daniel, Heather, Calvin, Elise, Brian, and Elias who have discussed with me about Chandra including for Rev. Paul Bucknell.

As I think about Pittsburgh Standard, it has been awesome how helpful Kristen has been and now she is joined by Pete, Debbie, and Maggie. It is amazing how Priscilla, Debbie, and Rich have helped me with children's Sunday school :)

Again, reflecting on what the paralytic's friends did made me realize how much our small group Living Acts cares for one another. We would pray for one another during our small group and keep each other in prayer throughout the week. If someone was in need, the members of my small group would do whatever they could. It feels so special knowing you are being prayed for. I want my friends to feel special too and I feel the best thing that I can do for them is to pray for them.  You can do that too by sacrificing your time to pray for your friends.

I may not have opportunities to go through obstacles to help my friends but I can make time to pray for them.

I ask you now dear friend, what kind of friends do you have in life?
Dear friend, there are friends who pretend to be friends and there are those who are real friends who would try to be there for their friends no matter what. It makes me so happy to realize that there are friends out there that do not mind risking their own lives or giving up their time for their friends. They do not let obstacles, inconveniences, or hindrances stop them from helping their friends. That is what four men did for their friend and it paid of.

Many times what our friends do for us no matter how small to them or others can be a big deal depending on our need! This is what Annette sharing about Christianity &Rehabilitation in Addiction did for me to get me to read counseling books again to want to help others.

Al's response: My friend Mike talks to me over the phone a lot. I enjoy that. He inspires me and keeps me accountable. We actually keep each other accountable. He inspires me physically, spiritually, and emotionally.

Brian's response: When I was a new student, a lot of people welcomed me from Oakland International Fellowship. My small group leader Matt would check up on me a lot to make sure I was doing well and did not need anything.

David's response: I have a good friend in the UK church I went to who always took time to help us out even though he had a full-time job. He was always available to hang out with anyone and do things no matter how busy. He would not expect anything in return.

My response: When I think about what David shared regarding hanging out, I am reminded of Annette, Linnea, David, Brian, and Ralston who always took time to hang out or have taken time to keep in touch with me no matter how busy they have been. I know that's why I miss them so much when they are not here. 

I am reminded of 4 friends from college who made such an impact in my life many years ago when I needed to move. Sara, David, Josh, and Jonathan cancelled their Bible study when they did not see me there and surprised me at my apartment. Then for 3 hours they packed everything and cleaned out my apartment and the next day Josh had his brother come out of town with his truck so he can move everything with David to my apartment. I had specifically told them that I did not want any help and I did not want them to miss Bible study but they saw serving me more important than the Bible study on service. They actually put the study into action. I praise the Lord for them. It was more special because finals were approaching and they still took time.

As you read this, you may feel like you may not have friends like that in your own life right now but you can be a friend like that to someone else in their life. You can be there for them when they need a helping hand whether it is spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally, etc.

Al, Brian, David, and Ralston shared with me what it means to have a true friend.

Brian's response: It is the littlest things that can make a difference. When ordered something, sharing with your friends when they least expect it whether it is food or beverages.

David's response: It is taking time to help them, sacrifice food and time for others, and giving resources when needed.

Al's response: It is being as honest as I can be, giving of myself as best as I can, and taking care of myself so I can take care of others.

Ralston's response: It was when someone came to the airport to see me and pray for me when I was leaving. That was so unexpected and so touching.

Friends don't always have to be outsiders. Our best friends can literally be within our own household. I know for me my mommy is my best friend and  my daddy too but now my daddy is with the Lord Jesus. I praise the Lord for the brothers I have and how much they take care of me when I am in need :)

Maybe you don't have close friends who you can turn to for help, hope, and healing but I have Good News for you. Regardless of work, life, home life, etc we all can have a Friend who no earthly friend can come close to when it comes to caring for you.

I am talking about Jesus Christ who will never leave you nor forsake you. Our earthly friends are not perfect and they can disappoint us but Jesus Christ will always be there for us to whom we can turn 24-7. We can talk to Jesus wherever we are.

You can know that you can live this life victoriously when you realize what a friend we have in Jesus who our burdens does bear and for us deeply does care. He will take all our soul sickness and bring His healing into our lives because of His love for us shown through His blood shed for the remission of our sins.

Jesus is someone we can always talk to. Even when friends disappoint because they will, for we are all human and have our own flaws, deal with issues of hurt, anger, forgiveness, etc that could put a tension in friendships but with Jesus Christ, He can mend any broken relationship His way.

We can always know God is right there for us  giving us His Word filled with His promises and guiding us by His Spirit. He is there for you and me friend and you can be excited that you do not have to live this life on your own but have the King of Kings and the Lord of lords to guide you and lead you. Yes, friend! Praise the Lord!

May you be a close friend to someone as you yourself experience the depth of God's love in your life.

F.R.I.E.N.D.S are "Forever Readily Imparting Encouragement Now Dealing Sacrificially!"/"What kind of F.R.I.E.N.D.S do you have in life?"

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus,  thank you that you are the greatest friend we can have. Your love for us is unconditional. Thank you for the friends you do send our path to put a smile on our face. Thank you how much you care for us.  Thank you for Your Word and how it changes people's lives. Thank you Lord that we can follow your example.  Please Lord help us to be faithful to you and seek you always. Please help us lay down our lives for our friends, our time for our friends, sacrifices for our friends being there for them. Thank you so much Lord Jesus for friends you have placed in my life. Thank you that you want to be our best friend. We lift our lives to thee.  Come Lord Jesus and fill us with your presence in our hearts today. Make our hearts your home and preach to us Jesus. Please work in our lives and help us to be the friend you want us to be to others. Help us to always intercede for our friends who are here and far away not allowing 'Out of sight, out of mind' to become a reality in our lives. We thank you for covering us with your precious cleansing Blood to atone for our sin and coming back to life to save us. Thank you for wanting to be our Lord and Personal Savior when we turn our lives to you. Please hear our prayers and answer us Oh Lord. Thank you for hearing us and answering us. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

If you are reading this and do not know Jesus as your Lord and Personal Savior and would like to invite Jesus Christ into your heart and make Him a daily part of your life, you can this very moment. You will never be alone. You can claim God's promises for you in the Bible and see them come true, before your eyes, in His wonderful timing. You don't have to wait for a special time to come to the Lord. You can come right now as you pray this prayer, meaning it in your heart. You can invite the GREAT PHYSICIAN right now as you make this your prayer.

Dear Jesus, I want to be free. I don’t know everything about you. I still have a lot of questions. What I do know is that you died on the cross for my sins. When it comes to sin, I am a paralytic Oh Lord. I am infected with this deadly disease known as sin. I am not perfect but a sinner who needs your cleansing blood to clean me of my sin. I confess to you my sin and repent of my sin. I know you have forgiven me when you died on the cross and shed your blood. I want to accept that forgiveness. Thank you for shedding your cleansing precious blood for me. You were nailed to the cross because of me. It is like I actually held the hammer and pounded the nails. Thank you for willingly dying for me Jesus. Thank you for taking the shame and pain for me. Thank you for doing that to set me free. I come to the cross and ask you for your healing in my life. Thank you for the power of your love using your Blood to redeem all humanity that comes to you. Thank you for coming back to life to save us and giving us Eternal Life as we yield to you. Your blood can heal us where we are. I love you Jesus. I want you Jesus. Even with my questions, I come to you now and accept you into my heart. Please Jesus come into my heart and make my heart your home. Give me a transfusion of change. Live in me Jesus and I will live for you and serve you the rest of the days of my life. I thank you Jesus for coming into my heart and making my heart your home. Thank you for living in me Jesus. I acknowledge you now as my Lord and Personal Savior. Please be the Lord and Savior of my life. Thank you for being my Lord and Personal Savior Jesus and because of what you have done for me when God looks at me, He now sees me covered in Your blood and His judgment passes over me. Thank you that you have heard my prayer and answered me. Thank you for being with me Lord and Personal Savior! Thank you for saving me. Please fill me with your Holy Spirit. Thank you Jesus I now belong to you and never need to be alone! You will always be with me and have given me Salvation.  Thank you that you have heard my prayer and answered me! In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

May my spoken words and unspoken thoughts be pleasing even to you, O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14)

No matter what you feel in your heart, know that Jesus has come in and resides with you! You are not alone! To make your walk strong with the Lord, spend time in prayer talking to Him as you would to a friend. You don’t need special words to talk to the Lord. Spend time in His Word reading Psalms and turning them into prayer. Next allow God to heal you and speak to you through the Gospel of John or Gospel of Mark before moving on to other Books of the Bible! Slowly, let the Lord show you to which Scriptures He wants you to go to next. It is also important to be part of a body of believers to help you grow in the faith. Find a Bible believing church that preaches the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation proclaiming Jesus Christ our crucified and risen Lord who brings us hope, healing, and help! But beware of churches who do believe in the Word of God completely but there is no freedom in Christ but legalism involved.

As a professional, it is not too late to join a church! As a student, it is not too late to join a fellowship on campus this  new year of 2010! May the Lord's presence and peace fill you with His love now and forever! Amen!

Friend, if you have prayed this prayer and meant it in your heart, you are a new creation in Christ and all old things are passed away and everything has become new! You may feel something or may not but don’t base it on feelings but base your new life in Christ on the promises of our Savior who will never leave you nor forsake you! Amen!

Spend time in His word and let the Lord speak to you! Start out in the Gospel of John! You can also check out the Gospel of Mark which are the devotionals I have been going through.  Learn from Jesus through study and prayer. Also find yourself a church fellowship and a college fellowship you can be part of where you can be part of a community of believers to supplement your own walk with the Lord. Let it be a Bible-believing and Bible-breathing church! Believe in Bible LIVE Eternally!

Feel free to email me at reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com if you want to meet to study the Bible, pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My number is 412-641-9426

"This is my work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)

Express Your View

2010 DEVOTIONALS:

“C.A.P.T.I.V.I.T.Y is Capturing A Person's Truth Imposing Vicious Ideas That Yammer!” (Tue, July 06, 10, 4:39 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

“I.N.D.E.P.E.N.D.E.N.C.E is 'Immanuel's Nurture Delivering Every Person Experiencing Now Deadly Evil, Nullifying Captivity Everywhere!” (Sun, July 04, 10, 8:13 p.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

“F.R.E.E.D.O.M is 'Forever Redeemer's Emancipation Everyday Delivering Omnipotent Message!” (Sat,, July 03, 10, 8:57 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

“P.A.S.T is People's Anxious Surrendered Torment!"(Thurs, July 01, 10, 5:03 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

"What do you do with your L.I.F.E to receive Eternal Life?" (June 15, 10, 6:55 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

"What is M.E.M.O.R.I.A.L Day to you?" (May 31, 10, 7:21 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

"Which commandment does your W.I.L.L break easily?" (May 26, 10, 6:23 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

"Why cannot you be G.O.O.D in life?" (May 24, 10, 7:00 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

"What do you do when you T.H.I.N.K about Jesus?" (May 21, 10, 7:51 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

"Whose life do you get I.N.V.O.L.V.E.D in?" (May 20, 10, 7:13 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

"What is the point of being a C.H.I.L.D?" (May 08, 10, 8:51 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 10:13-16: "Whose T.E.R.M.S do you follow in life?" (May 07, 10, 7:21 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 10:13-16: "What H.I.N.D.E.R.S you from coming to Jesus?" (May 04, 10, 8:23 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 10:13-16: "What does who do you V.A.L.U.E. in life tell about you?" (Mon, April 05, 10, 9:54 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

"What does the C.R.O.S.S mean to you?" (Sat, April 03, 10, 11:49 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

John 12: "Will you be the offspring of the S.E.E.D cultivated?" (Mon, March 29, 10, 10:09 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

John 12:3: "What costly S.A.C.R.I.F.I.C.E will you make for Jesus remembering His stinky/dirty feet?" (Sat, March 27, 10, 11:06 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Proverbs 23: "What  has  A.L.C.O.H.O.L done to you in life?" (March 20, 10, 9:17 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 10: "What do you do with an I.N.T.E.R.R.U.P.T.I.O.N in life?" (March 13, 10, 11:40 p.m.)

Mark 10:13: "Why S.H.A.R.E Jesus with others in life?" (March 09, 10, 4:59 a.m) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 10:13: "Why B.R.I.N.G Doggy Poo to Jesus?" (March 08, 10, 9:01 a.m) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 10: "When have you become an A.D.U.L.T.E.R.E.R in life and what now?" (Feb 24, 10, 9:31 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 10: "Why D.I.V.O.R.C.E the one you marry in life?" (Feb 22, 10, 12:15 p.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 10: "What do you do with what is P.E.R.M.I.T.T.E.D in your life?" (Feb 20, 10, 10:08 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

1 Corinthians 13: "How will you be someone's V.A.L.E.N.T.I.N.E using 16?" (Feb 13, 10,  12:16 p.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 10: "Who do you become an A.T.T.R.A.C.T.I.O.N to and why?" (Feb 05, 10, 9:43 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 9: "How can you be a S.A.L.T in someone's life today?" (Feb 04, 10, 11:27 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 9: "What do you help your friends E.S.C.A.P.E from?" (Feb 03, 10, 12:30 p.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 9: "Why bother with H.E.L.L in life?" (Feb 02, 10, 2:39 p.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 9: "When are you planning to cut your hand, foot, or eye to escape Hell?"" (Feb 01, 10, 1:41 p.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

 Mark 9: "Why heed Jesus' W.A.R.N.I.N.G in your life?" (Jan 30, 10, 12:41 p.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy