Pastor Stephen Dedman

They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus.
‭‭Mark‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Question
What obstacle have you allowed to keep you from taking the next step of faith,?

Context
Jesus was teaching in a crowded house in Capernaum when four men brought their paralyzed friend to Him. They believed Jesus could help him, but there was one major problem: they couldn’t get through the crowd.

They could have turned around. They could have said, “We tried.” Instead, they climbed onto the roof, opened it up, and lowered their friend directly in front of Jesus.

Their faith moved them to action. They refused to allow the crowd, the circumstances, or the obstacles to keep their friend from Jesus.

Application
There will always be obstacles between people and what God wants to do in their lives.

Sometimes the obstacle is fear. Sometimes it is discouragement, disappointment, failure, or circumstances we cannot control. And sometimes the obstacle is simply the crowd: the voices and opinions of people around us.

But Mark 2 reminds us that faith doesn’t always mean the way will be easy. Sometimes faith means finding another way forward when the obvious way is blocked.

Notice something else: the man on the bed could not get himself to Jesus. He needed someone willing to carry him.

Who has God placed around you who needs to be carried to Jesus through your prayers, encouragement, love, and witness?

Truth For The Day
Real faith refuses to let obstacles have the final word.

Pray
Lord, give me the kind of faith that refuses to quit when the way becomes difficult. Help me see obstacles not as reasons to turn around, but as opportunities to trust You more deeply. Give me compassion for those who need someone to carry them to Jesus. Make me willing to pray, serve, encourage, and do whatever I can to help others encounter Christ. When the way seems blocked, remind me that You are still there. Give me courage to keep moving forward in faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭3‬:‭4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
Is there an area of your life where you are more concerned about fitting in than faithfully following Jesus?

Context
John the Baptist was not trying to fit into the culture around him. His appearance, lifestyle, and message were unusual because God had called him to a unique purpose: preparing the way for Jesus. John’s life demonstrated that obedience to God sometimes means being willing to look different from everyone else.

Application
It is easy to become more concerned with fitting in than standing out for Christ. We can adjust our convictions, words, and behavior simply because we want to be accepted. John reminds us that following God is not about winning approval, it is about fulfilling our calling.

Being different for Christ does not mean being strange or seeking attention. It means being willing to live according to God’s Word when the world around us chooses another path. Our lives should point people toward Jesus, just as John’s life pointed people toward the coming Messiah.

Truth For The Day
You don’t have to fit in to faithfully follow Jesus.

Pray

Lord, help me to live faithfully for You even when it means standing apart from the world around me. Give me courage to follow Your Word, humility to serve You, and a life that points others to Jesus. May I never seek the approval of people more than I seek to please You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
Is there an area of your life where you’re struggling to let Jesus truly be Lord?

Context
Philippians 2:5–11 describes the humility and exaltation of Jesus Christ. Though He was God, Jesus humbled Himself, became a servant, and willingly died on the cross. But His humiliation was not the end of the story. God highly exalted Him and gave Him a name above every name. One day, every person will acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord of Lords and King of Kings.

Application
The question is not whether Jesus is Lord. He is. The question is whether we will willingly acknowledge Him as Lord and master today. We don’t have to wait until eternity to bow before Him. We can surrender our plans, our desires, our possessions, and our future to His authority right now.

Following Jesus means more than believing in Him… it means allowing Him to lead us. When we make Christ our Lord and Master, obedience becomes an expression of worship.

Truth For The Day
The greatest life is found in willingly surrendering to Christ’s lordship today.

Pray
Lord, You are worthy of all honor and glory. Forgive me for the times I have tried to lead my own life instead of surrendering to You. Help me to recognize Your authority in every area of my life. Give me the humility to obey You, the faith to trust You, and the courage to follow You wherever You lead. May my life bring glory to God the Father as I willingly bow before Jesus Christ as Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.