Word for the day: “Beloved leaders’ God still loves you.”
Matthew 9: 1-7 (NKJV) So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city. 2 Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.”3 And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, “This Man blasphemes!”4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 7 And he arose and departed to his house.
BELOVED LEADERS,
In our faith leadership message today, Jesus heals a paralytic, but not before first forgiving his sins: “People brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.” Jesus read the hearts of scribes who had decided he was blaspheming, and so he replied, “Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?” When no reply came from the religious and traditional people present at this time, Jesus sent the man home carrying his stretcher.
If for any reason you feel Jesus does not forgive or love you, I hope today’s message provides you with a sample size of God’s heart concerning you.
LEADERS GOD STILL LOVES YOU.
One of the greatest aspects of my relationship with Jesus is that I believe I’m forgiven of my sins. This narrative in Matthew the 9th chapter affirms that Jesus offers us forgiveness and healing. Even though we are sinners, even though on our own we are hopeless in our many times of wrong judgements and immaturity. I know I have be negligent in my relationship to God, and His will for my life, God still loves us; God still forgives us. We know that nothing can possibly separate us from the love of God because we hear in today’s reading the greeting of the risen Jesus that any and every sin can be forgiven.
I have seen many people, even myself, spend so much of your lives trying to improve those flaws so you can be perceived as perfect people. We can spend time trying to “fix” yourself, so you feel qualified like you have it together enough to make a unique difference. I am here to tell you that your flaws are part of life! In fact, God uses sins and flaws in your life to accomplish his purposes in ways you could never imagine. For without them, you may never be molded and shaped into the person God desires you to become.
POINT TO PONDER
I will be the first to admit there are things I want to work on and improve within myself. But the culture we live in constantly tries to tell us we are not good enough. We are pursuing “improving ourselves” at the sake of “loving ourselves”. Today we need to strike a balance between our sins and flaws and a recognition that God loves us perfectly and completely.
Special thanks!
Chief Encouragement Officer (CEO) James Baker, Jr. and our leadership team are especially thankful for those of you who provided financial donations and support in July 2024, by partnering with us in efforts to advance the kingdom of God in this 21st century season: Special thanks to Mr. and Mrs. David and Annette Straker, Mr. Kenneth Washington, Ms. Itholear Abbott, Mrs. Barbara Mason, Ms. Jeanette Grant, Ms. Cynthia Artis-Waiters, Ms. Michelle Winder Branch, Ms. Brenda Spoach, Ms. Angie Scraders-Murphy, Mr. Calvin Jackson, Mr. William Jones, Mr. William Buchanan, Ms. Judith Battle, Mr. William Wilson, Mrs. Angela Harrison, Ms. Gertrude Scott.
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Kingdom Blessings,