Getting into a boat, Jesus crossed over the Sea of Galilee and came to His own city.
2 And they brought to Him a paralyzed man lying on a stretcher. And seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man who was paralyzed, “Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.” 3 And some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming!” 4 And Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, “Why are you thinking evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 6 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, pick up your stretcher and go home.” 7 And he got up and went home. 8 But when the crowds saw this, they were awestruck, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
TODAY'S TAKEAWAY
People tend to value a life that is long and healthy. Then, based on their expectations, if and when anything happens to them or someone else that impacts their length or quality of life, they deem it "unfair". So, from an atheist's viewpoint, a life of value is only when a person is able to contribute to society, and/or they are needed or wanted by society. Also from an atheist's viewpoint, they only consider life going from point B to C, and then there is nothing. After all, they believe in evolution, which says that we are all just meaningless accidents anyway.
As believers, we have to know that life is from point A (conception), to B (birth), to C (physical death) and D (is all eternity)! Therefore, even if our life here on earth is cut short or it is hampered with diseases or other forms of suffering, realize that in the continuum of eternity, this is such a very short - short - time. Our focus and decision should be about where we want to spend all of eternity and with whom.
The only way we can go to heaven to be with the God of love, is to humbly go to the Lord God, Himself, and repent and believe in Him. He forgives all our sins, past, present and future. Therefore, just like this paralyzed man, we can take courage, whether the Lord chooses to physically heal us or not - we - are going to heaven where there will be no more diseases or suffering!!! Meanwhile, here on earth, within our personal relationship with the Lord, He will faithfully help us through whatever it is we are going through.
AND, the Lord values us so much, He came to earth in flesh to accomplish His work on the cross, to provide the way to having a personal relationship with Him! And He values us so much that He wants to do life with us, and use us in carrying out His purpose here on earth, all in His strength, love and wisdom, all to His glory... even if we are paralyzed! As the Lord needs us, He will equip us as He sees fit.
I was so greatly impacted by a young man who spoke in our church. He came out in a wheelchair with the assistance of a loved one. And he told us that he had been an unbeliever when the car he was driving was hit by a drunk driver, leaving him a quadriplegic. Then he said, this was the best thing that had ever happened to him in his entire lifetime, because this is how he found and accepted the Lord Jesus into his heart and life! And now, God was using him and his testimony to make a great impact in the Lord's kingdom! And it all begins with the Lord!
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