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Editors note: These devotionals are taken from the PS archives and are based on the time I spent with the Lord in His Word. I wanted to share them with you this new school year from the Gospel of Mark! Revisions have been made!

May Lord use your mind for His honor and glory and may you know that He can inspire you and nurture you daily!

“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)

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

1. The teachers of the law were sitting there when Jesus told the paralytic his sins were forgiven.

2. They thought to themselves ‘why does this fellow talk like that?’

3. They thought to themselves, ‘He’s blaspheming!’

4. They thought to themselves, ‘Who can forgive sins but God alone?’

Point 4: Crowd

1. The paralytic walking amazed the crowds.

2. The crowds praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”

Observations/Interpretations:

Last Saturday, 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 comes 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 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!