June 29: TRUE FRIENDS LOWER US DOWN THROUGH THE ROOF RATHER THAN WAITING FOR PERMISSION.

Affirmation: My self-compassion is growing day by day.
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31

Determine a daily habit that will help you cultivate self-compassion. I have affirmations in my daily calendar and set as reminders on my google calendar. I have developed the habit of repeating the daily affirmation when I review my calendar.
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Ponder, Personalize, Practice: How can you put John 14:27 into practice each day? Talk to God about how to change your thinking and perspective based on His peace.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  JOHN 14:27 
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Walk in Grace. Live in Love. By Bob Goff 

                      June 29


TRUE FRIENDS LOWER US DOWN THROUGH THE ROOF RATHER THAN WAITING FOR PERMISSION. 

Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, "Son, your sins are forgiven." 
MARK 2:4-5 

Once Jesus was teaching a crowd of people-a bunch of religious leaders from all over the region. As He taught, a group of men tried to approach Him car­rying a paralyzed friend on a mat. They believed if they could just get him to Jesus, he would be healed. 


The crowd was too big for them to get in-the line for this club stretched around the block. So they created a new entrance. They climbed up onto the roof and lowered him down through the tiles. I've always wondered what all the scraping and commotion would sound like to the people inside. I also wonder how far these men carried the guy. How far are you willing to carry a friend on a stretcher? These friends lowered him right to the feet of Jesus, and the Bible says when Jesus saw the faith of the man's friends, He forgave and healed the man. Isn't that amazing? It wasn't even the man's faith that moved Jesus to heal him. The faith of his friends was enough. They didn't wait for a more convenient time, and they didn't wait until the guy on the stretcher got all the theology right. 


We need friends to have the faith we can't muster up on our own. We don't need theology cops making sure we can recite the Creed correctly. We need people willing to be Jesus in our lives. We need friends who will hope things for us we're too discouraged to dream for ourselves. We need people who will lower us down through the roof rather than waiting for permission. 


Which of your friends will carry you to Jesus? Who will you carry? 

Comments

  1. AricaJune 29, 2025 at 4:16 AM

    Thanks! I’ve always liked the roof story but I never realized the friendship aspect of it.

    ReplyDelete

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