Author: Lori Casto

And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!” Mark 2:1-12

I’m fascinated by the 4 men who were carrying the paralytic. How far and how long did it take for these men to carry him? Furthermore, once they arrived at the house, how long did it take to uncover the roof and pick up the paralytic and gently lower him into the house? They must have already been exhausted after arriving at the house where Jesus was teaching. These 5 men, the 4 carrying him and the paralytic, believed in Jesus’ power so much they were willing to go the distance to be in His presence. 4 men must have really loved the paralytic to agree to do whatever was necessary to get their moment with the Miracle Worker.

Can you imagine the hope the paralytic might have felt on the way to the house where Jesus was teaching? I can imagine him saying, “We’re almost there. Just a little longer. You guys are doing great. You’ve gone this far; you can’t stop now.” Or maybe the 4 men carrying him were filled with a supernatural adrenaline & strength because they were so excited about the miracle that was about to happen. Maybe as they were walking, they were discussing all they miracles they’d heard Jesus had performed.

Here is what we know:

• All 5 agreed to see a miracle.
• They exercised their faith by going the distance
• They all believed in The Miracle Worker.
• They got what they came for.

Your miracle is just around the corner. You’re almost there. Don’t give up. How must you exercise your faith to see your miracle occur? Who will stand in agreement with you in expectant hope of the exciting miracle? How can you keep your hope alive and active while you wait?

“I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105

I love reading the Bible. Some days it’s one verse; others it’s several different scriptures meditating on the same subject. Still other times I’ll just be reading, and The Holy Spirit speaks to me in an amazing way.

When we lack direction, the Word of God can provide direction. When we lack understanding, guidance, and wisdom, The Word of God provides wisdom, guidance and understanding. Whatever question we have, I firmly believe the Bible has the answers.

What are you seeking wisdom about? What situation are you needing specific direction? Seeking God and His word will be your lamp and light.

How will you Devote2day?

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105

Therefore comfort each other and edify (instruct, teach, inform, educate) one another, just as you also are doing. And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:11-19  * Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (V. 11 NIV)

• Be encouragement & comfort to anyone who needs it.
• If you have the ability to instruct, do so
• Live peacefully/ in unity
• Pursue what is good for you and everyone in your influence
• Rejoice, pray, & give thanks always
• Stay away from evil
• Lift up those serving God in authority & think highly of them & respectfully

Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.  Acts 4:29-31

Peter and John had been put in jail overnight because a lame man was healed in Jesus’ name and they were preaching about Jesus. They were released from jail but warned not to continue preaching. Five-thousand people had already been converted, and miracles were happening.  Obviously, Peter and John didn’t head the warning. Instead, they prayed that everyone would have boldness in speaking about Jesus, and that signs and wonders would occur in Jesus’ name. They were all filled with The Holy Spirit and were able to speak God’s word with boldness.

God’s great church was growing. Peter and John wanted those they preached to not only to proclaim Jesus as their Lord and Savior, but once converted, continue spreading the gospel. They didn’t just want those converted to spread the gospel with boldness, Peter and John wanted them to be so bold that through the name Jesus, signs and wonders would occur and be seen. Through Holy boldness, the name of Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit, the church would continue to grow.

The prayer in Acts 4:29 is powerful. This prayer can be prayed over Christians daily.  Signs and wonders weren’t meant only for the church in its infancy. Through the name of Jesus with the power of The Holy Spirit at work as we submit to His leading and guiding, miracles can and do still happen.

I want to fully grasp the power of Jesus Name and His Holy Spirit at work in my life. I never want to shorten God’s hand.

Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.  Acts 4:29-31

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

I’ve been walking while carrying one 3-pound weight in each hand. They aren’t heavy.  They do, however, become heavier the steeper the hill, or the longer I carry them. Often, I go on a 3 mile walk and put the weight down at the halfway point. It’s truly amazing how much easier my walk becomes when I put down weights. Suddenly I have a bounce in my step. I can walk faster, and the hills seem so much easier.

When I carry my weight, I can’t help but think of the life weights I tend to pick up. Often, I think I can handle a situation on my own, so I carry the weight by myself because it doesn’t seem very heavy. Since it’s not very heavy, I see another situation that needs my attention, so I pick up more weight. Before long, I find myself carrying the weight of the world.

Before I realize it, the situations I keep carrying become more difficult. Life’s rain comes. Then, I find myself walking around in the mud from the rain of life. I’m carrying so much weight I begin to sink. It’s a vicious cycle.

It never has to be this way. The writer in Hebrews tells us to lay down the weight. Laying weight down is just as important as laying sin down. We don’t have to walk around with the weight of the world on our shoulders. We are clearly instructed to lay the weight down. Better yet, Jesus is walking right beside us. We can simply hand the weights to Him. Who better to trust with our weights than the one who took on the sins of the world to save us from ours?

It’s so much easier to run our race with endurance if we put the weight down. What weight are you carrying? Isn’t it time you put it down? How will you Devote2day?

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:7-12

 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. John 14:13-14

 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive that your joy may be full. John 16:24