“So many people gathered together that there was no longer room [for them], not even near the door; and Jesus was discussing with them the word [of God]. Then they came, bringing to Him a paralyzed man, who was being carried by four men. When they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Jesus; and when they had dug out an opening, they let down the mat on which the paralyzed man was lying. When Jesus saw their [active] faith [springing from confidence in Him], He said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.””
Mark 2:2-5 AMP
I’m really fired up about this today.
Who would you consider your square?
Those four friends that lift up your arms and legs and carry you to Jesus.
And as I’m asking myself this question, one of my answers was someone that I listen to who always encourages me, but the Holy Spirit said,
“No, this person has to be close enough to know you’re paralyzed.”
Wow!
I love The Holy Guest.
He doesn’t skimp.
Maybe this is just for me this morning, and I’m cool if it is,
But I’d say that there are some of you that may have been once bitten- twice shy, with true friendships.
Yes, they have to be close enough to see that you are paralyzed.
My man, is number one after Jesus.
He knows.
He can see the look in my eye and my misplaced joy when I’m battling fear paralysis.
And I dare say, that fear paralysis is the root of being paralyzed physically.
We stay in the same spot, lying on our mat fearing Jesus isn’t enough.
I can say that because if we believe He is, than how we got paralyzed isn’t the issue.
How we get Free is.
And Jesus paid more than we could ever need to draw out.
Our sin was great- HIS LOVE WAS GREATER!
So, notice they lifted the man.
I admonish you Brothers and Sisters, if you’re top four aren’t lifting you into His presence, you need a reassessment of the people you’ve chosen to influence your life.
I need to know, that in a paralyzing moment, whether it’s fear, or physical paralysis, that my four are there to pick me up, not keep me down!
And I know that you’ve probably heard of it being a top five-
But there were four friends and JESUS!
He should be included, first and foremost.
This just in….
bubbling up from a message I heard yesterday…
Jesus even had an intimate smaller circle. It was a top three.
Not that he thought these men He chose were better, but were rather more like minded.
I believe they chose to walk in more intimacy with Him.
Like when He went up on the mountain, He only took Peter, James, and John with Him.
I believe these boys were up that early with him-
Before everyone else-
because they pressed in to see what Jesus was going to do next.
Some of your associates aren’t ready to see the things of God that you’ve positioned yourself to see,
And rather than Worship and raise the roof, they want to drag you back down to their mediocre level of thinking.
I’m not talking a church performance and the latest episode of America’s Got Talent-
Picking your friends through a popularity contest-
The old high school who’s who mentality.
I’m talking picking someone who’s going to agree with you that Jesus IS THE ANSWER, instead of coddling you and laying down with you on your mat!
Those friends, are hard to come by.
They have to be spiritually discerned.
No wonder there may only be four of them!
You and in need a Jesus minded friend at every limb.
Reinforcing and uplifting you to the point of making it to Jesus.
To the fullness of Who Jesus is, inside of you.
Your support system should be supporting the Word as THE standard for your life.
“We’re not stopping until we get to Jesus!” They should say.
Father, Help me and my friends.
First of all, lead me to these four.
Allow me to be intimate enough with them to know when I’m paralyzed, starting with YOU, Jesus.
Then allow me to be uplifted and strengthened while on my Way to your Fulness.
And let me not forget to be someone’s square.
Freely I’ve received, and freely I give of what you’ve given me. Thank you Jesus. In your Name I pray.
So be it.
ThankFully Restored 