GOD’S WORD FOR AUGUST 22

We are reading from a daily devotional  called “Running To Win” written by Erwin Lutzer  and the late, great D.L. Moody.   Erwin Lutzer is a light in our day as D.L. Moody was in his.  Besides his many ministries, and many books, Pastor Lutzer was Senior Pastor at Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years and now serves as Pastor Emeritus there.  He is  Chancelor and a former professor at Moody Bible Institute, where he taught Theology and Ministry, and now has numerous radio teachings.

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FAITH FOR A FRIEND

Mark 2:4

And when they could not get near Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay.

D.L. MOODY

These four friends were terribly in earnest  They let the bed on which the man was lying, down into the room.  They laid their friend right at the feet of Jesus Christ; a  good place to lay him, was it not?

Perhaps you have a skeptical son or an unbelieving husband, or some other member of your family, that scoffs at the Bible and sneers at Christianity.   Lay them at the feet of Jesus, and He will honor your faith.

ERWIN LUTZER

Jesus was always using His miracles as a teaching opportunity.  He always illustrated something other than the physical healing, and that is clearly seen in this passage.  We read, “And when Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’”

(Mark 2:5)  Jesus used the occasion not just for a physical healing, but also a spiritual healing of forgiveness.  Notice in verse 6, it was evidently the faith of his friends that prompted Jesus to respond to this man’s need.  There are those among us who are distracted, skeptical, and often bound by sin.  In a sense, we have to believe for them as well as ourselves.  Yes, we have to go to Jesus on behalf of others, and we should have the determination of these four men who spared no effort to get their friend to Him.

Let me emphasize that we need to think of ways to share the good news of the gospel with others; we need to help those bound by the paralysis of sin to see that there is someone who can set them free.  Let us intercede for them, befriend them, and be willing to expend effort to lead them to Jesus.

We all know someone we can help get to Jesus.

PRAYER

Father, for the sake of Your glory, please bring to mind those I must help come to Jesus through my efforts, my witness and my love.

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James 5:16

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

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1 Timothy 2:1

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,

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Job 42:10

And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.

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Ephesians 6:18

Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

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Romans 8:26-27

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

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James 5:13

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.

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2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

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