Reflecting God - Embrace Holy LivingKansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “Praise For His Power” – Tuesday, 29 July 2014 - Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

Reflecting God - Embrace Holy LivingKansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “Praise For His Power” – Tuesday, 29 July 2014 - Scripture: Mark 2:1-12
A Paraplegic
1-5 After a few days, Jesus returned to Capernaum, and word got around that he was back home. A crowd gathered, jamming the entrance so no one could get in or out. He was teaching the Word. They brought a paraplegic to him, carried by four men. When they weren’t able to get in because of the crowd, they removed part of the roof and lowered the paraplegic on his stretcher. Impressed by their bold belief, Jesus said to the paraplegic, “Son, I forgive your sins.”
6-7 Some religion scholars sitting there started whispering among themselves, “He can’t talk that way! That’s blasphemy! God and only God can forgive sins.”
8-12 Jesus knew right away what they were thinking, and said, “Why are you so skeptical? Which is simpler: to say to the paraplegic, ‘I forgive your sins,’ or say, ‘Get up, take your stretcher, and start walking’? Well, just so it’s clear that I’m the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both . . .” (he looked now at the paraplegic), “Get up. Pick up your stretcher and go home.” And the man did it—got up, grabbed his stretcher, and walked out, with everyone there watching him. They rubbed their eyes, incredulous—and then praised God, saying, “We’ve never seen anything like this!”
“Praise For His Power” by Evangeline Gardner 
“Brian has broken his neck riding his bike,” Kim cried.
Before the other members of our singles’ adult Bible study group were notified, I was at the hospital. I witnessed the doctor telling this 35-year-old man that he might not survive the surgery, and if he did, paralysis was a probability. I laid my hand on his forehead and prayed over him before they wheeled him away.
Our close-knit group prayed for him separately and together, but few of us saw Brian or heard much about him for weeks. He had a large and caring family, but being nonbelievers, they didn’t fully understand our genuine love and concern for him. As he battled between life and death, paralysis and motion, all we could do was lift him up in prayer.
That Thursday night he surprised us by walking in the front door, a praise party broke out! We instantaneously began singing the Doxology. His miraculous recovery drew his doctors, family and friends to Christ. It resulted in our celebration, rejoicing and gratitude to God!
When we see the power of God firsthand, we know that we can praise Him even in advance for working wonders again.

Hymn for Today:

“Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow” by Thomas Ken
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
Thought for Today:
“Followers of Christ can lilve with confidence in His power and mercy”(Session Truth).
Prayer Needs:
Many people in Senegal will come to Know Jesus the Christ, Yeshua the Messiah, and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
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