Take Up Thy Bed

Luke 5:25 - "And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God." (ESV)

The preceding verse is taken from the story of the paralytic that Jesus healed after he was lowered into a room through a hole in the roof by some of his companions. Jesus was initially challenged when he told the man that his sins had been forgiven, but afterward, healed him also.

It is noteworthy that Jesus told the man to pick up his bed (v.24). Interestingly enough, Jesus healed the man, but then instructed him to take up the couch that he had been lying. The bed was the place that he had been confined to for years. His bed, in a sense, had power over him because he was unable to get away from it. His bed represented who he was.

When Jesus told him to pick up his bed, verse 25 tells us "immediately he rose...and picked up what he had been lying."

The very place that he had been confined to was the thing that he took control over. He was not only forgiven and physically healed, he now held in his hands everything that represented who he was for so many years. He was at a place that he now had victory over it.

When Jesus Christ changes our lives, He gives us the power and victory over our past! Our past might be filled with excuses and reasons of why it didn't happen, or why it could never happen. It might be circumstances that have dictated us for many years.

At some place in time, we must take control over the thing that has held us prisoner for so many years. Low self esteem, addictions, vices, broken relationships, abuses are all things that seem to plague many people. But when Jesus Christ gives the command to RISE and TAKE UP THY BED - that is the time to get up and take control and claim victory over the your "bed."

Discernment

John Maxwell – “Discernment goes deeper than knowledge, resembling intuition. At times, discernment is a gift; at other times, it results from much experience. Discernment brings a profound perception of what is occurring, either on the outside or the inside of a person.”

Lifting People

"The strong man does not prove how strong he is by standing on top of a stack of weights; he demonstrates his strength by showing how much weight he can lift. Neither does an effective leader prove anything by putting people down. Leaders are weightlifters." - J. Mark Jordan Living and Leading in Ministry, p. 46

"Sin Lieth at the Door"

God warned Cain.

Sin is waiting.

It's ready to pounce like a tiger stalking its prey.

"... if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it." (Genesis 4:6, ESV)

Cain had no reason to be angry with God.

His offering was not acceptable.

God is very interested in our offering.

He pays attention to the attitude and spirit behind our gift.

We have to have a right relationship with our brother before we can bring anything to the offer God (Matthew 5:23-24).

If we do well - God will accept us and our offering (Genesis 4:5).

If we do not well - sin is waiting and ready to pounce on us.

"present your bodies a living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1)

"let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually" (Hebrews 13:15)

"By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain..." (Hebrews 11:4

WHAT KIND OF AN OFFERING WILL GOD RECEIVE TODAY?

Christian Perfection

"I am called to live in perfect relation to God so that my life produces a longing after God in others lives, not admiration for myself" - Oswald Chambers

The Superiority of the Son of God

Just a few notes about the superiority of Jesus Christ from Hebrews 1:

• the Son has been appointed heir of all things (v2)
• He is the brightness (radiance) of God's glory (v3)
• He is the exact imprint or express image of God's nature (v3)
• He sustains all things by the word of His power (v3)
• the Son has purified of us from our sins (v3)
• He occupies the position at the right hand of the Majesty on high (v3)
• He became much superior than the angels(v4)
• He has inherited a more excellent name than the angels(v4)
• all the angels of God have been told to worship Him(v6)
• His throne is forever and ever (v8)
• His throne is established in righteousness (v8)
• the Son was anointed with the oil of gladness above His companions
• He created the heavens and the earth (v10)
• He remains and His years have no end (vs11-12)
• His enemies have been made His footstool (v13)

The Land of Blessings and Battles

Moses sent 12 spies, one from each tribe, to examine a land that was promised to them. They were encouraged to go throughout the area and "see what the land is" (Numbers 13:18). The spies went from the North to the South, to the East and to the West. During their espionage they acquired some of the fruit of the land; a cluster of grapes, some pomegranates and figs.

The 12 spies also noted people dwelling in fortified cities, the descendants of Anak, and several other groups living in the land flowing with milk and honey.

It quickly became apparent to these 12 representatives that the land they were commissioned to spy on was not only a land with abundant blessings but also a land where battles would be fought. In order to enjoy the blessings God had for them, they were going to have to fight some battles. When asked for their report of the land, two of them gave the thumbs up to move forward and take the land. The other ten were not convinced.

Blessings and Battles

In order for people to take possession of the blessings in store for them, there will be battles they will have to fight. God's blessings often don't come without sacrifice. His favor is frequently found in the midst of a struggle.

Walking with God is the greatest privilege this life affords a human being. But, this privileged life doesn't come without first having to fight some battles and driving out the enemies that currently possess this promised land.