Day 35 of our series is by James Dunn and is a look into how we can live a victorious faithful lifestyle and see incredible miracles. You can see more devotionals here
Living Victoriously!
James Dunn
Luke 5:17-26 (NIV)
Jesus Heals a Paralytic
[17] One day as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there. And the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick.
What does it mean for “the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick”? Our “FAITH” is the Activator & Conductor for “God’s Power” in our Life! Our Faith can move the heart of God and actually effect changes in the world around us.
Consider the following verses:
Matthew 13:57-58 (NIV)
[57] And they took offense at him.
But Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor.” [58] And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
Mark 5:31-33 (NIV)
[31] “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’” [32] But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. [33] Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth.
Luke 8:45-48 (NIV)
[45] “Who touched me?” Jesus asked.
When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”
[46] But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”
[47] Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. [48] Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”
As our Faith ACTIVATES God’s Power in our Live’s, Our Lack of Faith, LIMITS God’s Power in our Lives! You may be saying, “okay I want faith, but how can I grow in it?” You have your answer below:
Romans 10:17 (NIV)
[17] Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
Faith comes from “Hearing The Message” of God’s Word! There are so many “messages” out there that promise to help us, guide us, and heal us.
Q: What Message (outside of Gods word) are you tempted to place your faith in?
Luke 5:17-26 Cont… (NIV)
Jesus Heals a Paralytic
[18] Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus.
The Paralytic: He DID NOT let his disability hinder him from having deep relationships and making his needs known. He was still willing to receive help!
Q: What hinders you from having deep relationships?
The Paralytics Friends: They were willing to be inconvenienced in order to serve their friend!
Q: Are you willing to be inconvenienced for people so they can see God?
Luke 5:17-26 Cont… (NIV)
Jesus Heals a Paralytic
[19] When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.
[20] When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”
[21] The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
[22] Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? [23] Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? [24] But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins….” He said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” [25] Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. [26] Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”
With the faith of our friends and our own, we can also say along with them, “we have seen remarkable things today”! Don’t we all want to be able to say that today?! If we have faith, we will. If our eyes are open to what God is doing around us and we believe He is going to do incredible things today, we will no doubt see miracles!
Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)
God Disciplines His Sons
[12:1] Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. [2] Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. [3] Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
It’s Not just abut dealing with Sin, but “Everything That Hinders!” As we are throwing everything off, lets remember Jesus he will give us the endurance we need to not lose heart no matter the battle we are in.
Q: What is hindering you right now?
This Man’s Body was Paralyzed, but his Faith was Activated! Sometimes we can be alive, but not really living. We can be physically here, but spiritually paralyzed. God wants us to have an active, dynamic, exciting faith that is able activate, see, and enjoy His miracles!
3 Keys to “Living Victoriously”
- Make sure the message you have faith in is based on the Gospel.
- Identify & Remove anything that is “hindering your faith” from Activating God’s Power in your Life!
- Be Willing to uncomfortably sacrifice for Other People, so that they can get closer to God.
Challenge:
Commit to having at least 3 people that have a connection with Jesus who know you (Yes even the embarrassing parts) yet still love you enough to do whatever it takes to bring you to Jesus when you need his healing.