~ What REALLY Matters ~
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 10:21 pm Mark 2:1-12
1 And again he entered into Capernaum, after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.
2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.
3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.
4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.
5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?
8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?
9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?
10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)
11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.
12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.
“God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:9 (NRSV)
Like most people I know, I was taught early in life that with enough hard work and dedication, I could reach any goals. I never considered myself a bad person; but because I learned to concentrate all my efforts on material success, I neglected my spiritual development. Though I attended church, I had no relationship at all with God.
All of this changed in 2003, when I suddenly developed epilepsy. I was unable to work or even to drive. Overnight, my world changed dramatically. My wife and I were at the point of losing everything we had worked our whole lives for, with nowhere to turn and no one to turn to. At this low point in our lives, the members of the church we attended came to our rescue. They drove me to doctor appointments and wrote letters on my behalf to disability officials. Most importantly, they provided my wife and me a spiritual and emotional refuge, along with offering practical help during the storms we were facing.
I am still disable, and the life I knew for many years is over. However, I have learned that what really matters in life is not the personal gain but faith and trust in God.
Prayer:Loving God, always give us the faith to do your will and to trust you in the storms of life. Amen.
Prayer Focus of Day: Those whose lives change suddenly
Thought for the Day: Christian Community makes God's love real.
Story shared by: M. Carter (TX)
Source: Upper Room Daily Devotional: 8/11/11
1 And again he entered into Capernaum, after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.
2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.
3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.
4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.
5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?
8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?
9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?
10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)
11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.
12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.
“God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:9 (NRSV)
Like most people I know, I was taught early in life that with enough hard work and dedication, I could reach any goals. I never considered myself a bad person; but because I learned to concentrate all my efforts on material success, I neglected my spiritual development. Though I attended church, I had no relationship at all with God.
All of this changed in 2003, when I suddenly developed epilepsy. I was unable to work or even to drive. Overnight, my world changed dramatically. My wife and I were at the point of losing everything we had worked our whole lives for, with nowhere to turn and no one to turn to. At this low point in our lives, the members of the church we attended came to our rescue. They drove me to doctor appointments and wrote letters on my behalf to disability officials. Most importantly, they provided my wife and me a spiritual and emotional refuge, along with offering practical help during the storms we were facing.
I am still disable, and the life I knew for many years is over. However, I have learned that what really matters in life is not the personal gain but faith and trust in God.
Prayer:Loving God, always give us the faith to do your will and to trust you in the storms of life. Amen.
Prayer Focus of Day: Those whose lives change suddenly
Thought for the Day: Christian Community makes God's love real.
Story shared by: M. Carter (TX)
Source: Upper Room Daily Devotional: 8/11/11