"Messiah Imparts Nurture Daily!"
By Ramesh
C.Reddy
Pittsburgh Standard
September 25,
2007
SCRIPTURE:
“When Jesus saw their
faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some
teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, "Why
does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins
but God alone?" Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what
they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you
thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your
sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? But
that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive
sins . . . ." He said to the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, take your
mat and go home." He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of
them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, ‘We have
never seen anything like this’”. (Mark 2:5-12, NIV)
Observations:
I asked myself who are the
main characters involved!
-
Jesus
-
Paralytic
-
Teachers of the law
-
Crowd
Observations:
I asked myself what role
they play!
Point 1:
Jesus
-
Jesus saw their (four men who brought the
paralytic) faith.
-
Jesus said to the paralytic, “Son, your
sins are forgiven.”
-
Jesus knew in his spirit what the teachers
of the law were thinking in their hearts.
-
Jesus asks the teachers of the law 3
questions.
-
Jesus tells them He has the authority to
forgive sins.
-
Jesus tells the paralytic 3 things.
Point 2:
Paralytic
-
The paralytic got up.
-
The paralytic picked up his mat.
-
The paralytic took his mat and went home.
Point 3:
Teachers of the law
-
The teachers of the law were sitting there when Jesus told the
paralytic his sins were forgiven.
-
They thought to themselves ‘why does this fellow talk like
that?’
-
They thought to themselves, ‘He’s blaspheming!
-
They thought to themselves, ‘Who can forgive sins but God
alone?’
Point 4:
Crowds
-
The paralytic walking amazed the crowds.
-
The crowds praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything
like this.”
Observations/Interpretations:
Few days ago, I focused on the first 2 actions
of Jesus. Today, I decided to focus on the next 2 actions of Jesus.
I asked myself what is the
significance of Jesus’ actions?
Statement 3: Jesus knew in his spirit what the teachers of the law were
thinking in their hearts.
It is so interesting to know that Jesus knew in
his spirit what the teachers of the law were thinking in their hearts
even before they expressed it out aloud. It is important to remember
that the teachers of the law were not talking to Jesus directly but
thinking amongst themselves.
Now, imagine what they would have felt when
Jesus poses 3 questions to them out of the blue.
Statement 4: Jesus asks the teachers of the law 3 questions.
Question
1:
'Why are you thinking these things?'
Whoa! Out of the blue Jesus asks them why they
were thinking what they were thinking. That must have caught them off
guard. First, Jesus tells the paralytic that his sins were forgiven and
now he is able to read their minds.
It is interesting that Jesus does not stop with
asking ‘why they were thinking these things’ but decides to address what
they were thinking with 2 more questions.
Questions 2&3:
Which is easier: to say to
the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your
mat and walk'?
Jesus addresses them in their own confusion.
Definitely they were confused and could have been perplexed too after
Jesus could read their minds knowing what they were thinking in their
hearts.
Implications:
I saw important implications for my own life.
Jesus knows what I am thinking in my heart even before I express it.
This can be exciting or scary. When I think to myself positive or
negative things, Jesus already knows. There are times Jesus could
challenge me on those thoughts.
If Jesus knows what I am thinking in my heart
then he definitely also knows what statements come out of my mouth, for
nothing comes out of our mouth which has not already been in our head at
some time or other.
This means I cannot really hide anything from
Jesus. He knows before it will be. He knows everything about me and can
challenge me on some of my thought processes.
I ask you now dear friend,
what are you thinking in your mind?
Dear friend, whatever you are thinking in your
heart or mind, it is exciting to know that Jesus already knows about it
even if we do not express it publicly. Jesus is not concerned just with
our actions but our thought processes that lead to negative actions. Knowing that Jesus already knows what we think
before we think it and bring it to action should make us more aware of
how we live our lives. It also helps us to know that Jesus is there to
hold us accountable for our actions for our own good.
When we are thinking something and we are doing
it on false premises, Jesus can challenge those premises and ask us why
we are thinking the way we are.
It can be scary because sometimes our thought
processes can be just plain evil and we do not want to act on them. Jesus
knows those too.
What can we do in those
situations?
We can ask the Lord Jesus to forgive us of these
thought processes and ask him to fill us with His presence and good
thoughts. I know He will!
When we are having thoughts we don’t like, we
can keep calling the Name of Jesus in our hearts or even aloud. Jesus
sees our motives. Focusing on the Lord can help us in our thought
processes. Our thought processes are not always pleasant and we need
Jesus to help us daily.
I know when I have thoughts that are not Holy I
call on the name of Jesus. At other times, I pray to the Lord not to
take my thoughts seriously because there are some bad thoughts I just
cannot help. I let the Lord know that I am not going to act on them.
I don’t know what you are going through when it
comes to your thought processes but Jesus does. When you have thoughts
that you do not want to have and they permeate your mind, know that
Jesus loves you and wants you to focus on Him. Ask Him to forgive you
and move on knowing you are forgiven. Whatever negative thoughts persist
in a day, leave them at the foot of the cross knowing Jesus looks at
your motives.
If you do not want to have them but they keep
coming, let Jesus know. As long as you do not entertain those thoughts
to the point that they become actions, I do not believe you have sinned.
Even when we sin, our Lord is so merciful to forgive us and cleanse us
from all unrighteousness when we turn to Him.
Friend, whatever is on your minds, it is good to
know that Jesus already knows! Yet, He wants us to share whatever we are
going with Him. When we do not share, He still knows but there is
something about talking to the Lord. It is a personal relationship.
Whatever is on your mind, you do not have to face it alone. Even if it
is so painful and you think nobody understands, Jesus wants to reach you
where you are at. Come to Him as you are and allow Him to work in your
life. He wants to help you.
Even if they are bad thoughts, Jesus is there
for you to share it with Him and let Him know why you feel that way. He
will not abandon you!
The other part to it is when we think badly
about others as the Pharisees were doing about Jesus, Jesus already knew
about it and knows about what we do too. We may think we are talking
behind a person’s back but the Lord is aware of it and is not happy. I
know I have been guilty of that sadly and have asked the Lord
forgiveness. It is good to know that the Lord watches everything we do
and knows about it to keep us accountable! Our Messiah imparts nurture
daily as he knows what we are thinking!
May you know that Jesus knows what you are
thinking in your heart and loves you still!
Everyday I ask the Lord not to pay attention to
negative thoughts that permeate my mind if I don’t act on them. I ask
the Lord not to listen to my bad thoughts that sometimes just pop up. I
then move on! I ask the Lord to help me be Holy as He is Holy. When I
mess up, I ask Him for His forgiveness. He does forgive and help, for our
Messiah imparts nurture daily!
"Messiah Imparts Nurture
Daily!"(M.I.N.D)/”What are you
thinking in your mind?”
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, I want
to thank you so much if you knew what the Pharisees were saying to each
other and what they were thinking, you know our minds too and what is
going on in them. I thank you for being there for us. Please help us Oh
Lord for the glory and honor of your Name. Thank you that we are in your
thoughts always. I love you Jesus. Help us please Jesus. There are times
we can be tortured by our own thoughts and only your healing voice and
presence can deliver us. Forgive us when we think bad thoughts and
sometimes entertain those thoughts that they become actions. We need
your help to keep our mind and heart Holy. Help us to focus on you Lord.
When we do think negative things, please forgive us Lord. Thank you for
your mercies and knowing what we think before we think it. Thank you
that you came to die for sinners and not for those who think they are
righteous. It means a lot Jesus. We give our hearts and minds to you.
Thank you whatever we are thinking we can share it with you even if they
are bad thoughts and you will help us through. Help us to be open with
you Lord knowing you love us unconditionally. Thank you so much Jesus!
In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!
If you 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 the prayer below, meaning it in your heart.
Prayer:
God I am a sinner. I am invaded by this deadliest virus. Many times I
feel so guilty and yucky inside. I need forgiveness. I am so sorry for
my sins. I have not obeyed you with my whole heart! I have gone my own
way and done my own things. I still struggle with sin. I need you Jesus
in my life so I can receive forgiveness and a new beginning. In the
process, I can forgive others as you help me to. Thank you so much
Jesus. I accept the antidote you have sent me. I believe Jesus you died
for me and your cleansing blood will cleanse me from all my sins. You
came back to life to save me. Thank you God I am set free, free from the
bondage of sin. Hear my cry Oh Lord. I accept you Jesus into my heart. I
make you my Lord and Personal Savior of my life. Thank you Father God
for giving me Salvation. Thank you Jesus for coming into my heart and
making my heart your home. Thank you for living in me Jesus and I will
live for you and serve you the rest of the days of my life. Thank you
for being my Lord and personal Savior! I can live a life of peace with
you on my side. Thank you that you have heard my prayer and answered me!
In your Name I Pray Jesus! AMEN! Thank you Lord for answering my prayer.
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!
"Yet
to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the
right to become children of God!" (John 1:12, NIV)
"For
God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever
believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16, NIV)
"But
if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with
one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all
sin." (1 John 1:7, NIV)
"If
we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our
sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9, NIV)
"Therefore,
if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new
has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV)
"I
have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives
in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God,
who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20, NIV)
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 will 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 412-720-4579! You can also text message me!
"This is
my work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work
within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)
Love in Christ,
Ramesh
Express Your
View
|
Previous Devotionals:
SEPT 2007:CHAPTER 1:
Gospel of Mark
Mark 1:1-4:
"How seriously do you T.E.S.T.I.F.Y to prophesy?" (Sept
05, 07, 8:35 a.m.)
Mark 1:5-8:
"Who do you P.O.I.N.T to?" (Sept
06, 07, 8:13 a.m.)
Mark 1:9:
"Will you take a S.T.A.N.D?" (Sept
07, 07, 7:57 a.m.)
Mark 1:10-11:
"How is your loving P.R.A.I.S.E?" (Sept 08,
07, 9:02 a.m.)
Mark 1:12-13:
"How do you handle T.E.M.P.T.A.T.I.O.N?" (Sept
10, 07, 8:56 a.m.)
Mark 1:14-15:
"Who controls your T.I.M.E?" (Sept
11, 07, 8:56 a.m.)
Mark 1:16-18:
"What do you do with your P.R.O.F.E.S.S.I.O.N?" (Sept
12, 07, 8:58 a.m.)
Mark 1:19-22:
"Whose T.E.A.C.H.I.N.G.S do you listen to? (Sept
13, 07, 8:00 a.m.)
Mark 1:23-28:
What C.A.P.T.I.V.I.T.Y are you facing today? (Sept
15, 07, 9:18 a.m.)
Mark
1:29-31:
"Where do you need H.E.A.L.I.N.G?" (Sept 17,
07, 11:32 a.m.)
Mark
1:32-34:
"Where do you need an A.N.S.W.E.R?" (Sept 18,
07, 9:31 a.m.)
Mark 1:35-39:
"Where do you give your S.O.L.I.T.A.R.Y time to the Lord?"
(Sept 19, 07,
8:41 a.m.)
Mark 1:40-42:
"Where
do you want to be C.L.E.A.N?" (Sept
21, 07, 8:33 a.m.)
Mark 1:43-45:
"What do your actions C.A.U.S.E?" (Sept
22, 07, 9:26 a.m.)
CHAPTER 2:
Mark 2:1-5:
"What kind of F.R.I.E.N.D are you?" (Sept
24, 07, 11:56 a.m.)
Mark 2:5-12:"Where
does P.A.R.A.L.Y.S.I.S take hold of you?" (Sept
24, 07, 11:56 a.m.)
|
