Matthew 9 - 11.13.25

SCRIPTURE

“Some men brought to Jesus a paralyzed man, lying on a mat.

When Jesus saw their Faith—

HE said to the man, “Take Heart. Son; your sins are forgiven.”

At this—some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”

KNOWING—their thoughts—Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?”

“Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are Forgiven’, OR to say, ‘Get up and walk’?

But—I want you to know that the Son of Man—has authority—on earth to forgive sins.”

So—Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Get up—take your mat—and—Go Home.”

Then—the man—got up—and went home.

When the crowds SAW this—they were filled with (fear) and awe; and they Praised God, who had given such authority to a man.”

OBSERVATION

Some men brought their friend who needed Jesus’ help.

The friend was paralyzed so they carried him—possibly some distance—lying on a mat—to see Jesus.

When they arrived at the house where Jesus was teaching there was a crowd gathered at the entrance—so the friends had no way to enter into the house. The friends were desperate to get their friend to Jesus. Right here is where I begin to feel convicted. How desperate am I to get any of my friends or loved ones to Jesus? Desperate enough to carry them a long way on a mat through town? Desperate enough to carry that mat up to the roof when I couldn’t make it through the doorway?

These friends somehow managed to carry their friend up to the roof.

I’m guessing this made some noise. I’m thinking it took awhile to make a large enough opening for their friend to fit through. In Luke’s account we learn that Pharisees and Teachers of the Law had traveled from Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem to hear Jesus Teaching. This was a large gathering with many influential Jewish Leadership included.

They must have all paused to look up—wondering what was going on—especially when the tiles began to come off. Then all of a sudden like something out of cirque to soliel---the paralyzed man drops down out of the newly created “sunroof” right in front of Jesus. There must have been a moment of shock and awe.

Jesus goes right to the heart—literally!

“Take Heart, son—your sins are forgiven”

APPLICATION

Take Heart—Your sins are Forgiven

Jesus is still offering the Same Forgiveness Today that HE offered that Young man.

Only God can forgive sins, so Jesus was claiming to be God. HE backed up His claims through the many miracles HE performed, His Teachings, and His death on the cross and His resurrection.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

“There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name but Jesus under heaven by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

“He is so rich in kindness and grace that HE purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins.” (Ephesians 1:7)

PRAYER

LORD Jesus,

YOU are Holy—All knowing, ALL merciful, ALL powerful, ALL Worthy to be praised. You are not slow as some consider slow..YOU are giving every opportunity to bring people into Your kingdom and the saving knowledge of Your goodness and mercy. But there will come a day when there will be no more time.

Help me Heavenly Father to wake up to greater urgency for those things that burden Your heart. Give me the desperation to be like these friends who carried their friend on a mat and stopped at nothing to get him in front of YOU. People are lost and hurting and broken. Like I was once, they don’t know what they don’t know. Open the eyes of their heart. May I be one to always share my Love for YOU. YOU gave everything for me.

In Jesus Name. amen.

Tina L Kudelka

Psalm 91 - 11.12.25

Scripture

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1)

Observation

Psalms 91 is the ultimate promise of God’s divine protection. The Lord will keep you safe from secret traps and deadly diseases. He will spread his wings over you and keep you secure. His faithfulness is like a shield or a city wall. You won't need to worry about dangers at night or arrows during the day. And you won't fear diseases that strike in the dark or sudden disaster at noon. You will not be harmed though thousands fall all around you and no terrible disasters will strike you or your home. God will command his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will carry you in their arms, and you won't hurt your feet on the stones. You will overpower the strongest lions and the most deadly snakes. You will be satisfied with a long life and will see God’s saving power (Ps 91:3-13,16, CEV).

Like many other promises in the Bible, this is conditional. This promise of protection is to those who dwell in the shelter of the most high and who rest in the shadow of the almighty. (verse 1).

Application

Let us examine ourselves. What does it mean to dwell in the shelter of the most high? Have we made God our shelter? Do we continually live in Him? Our home is our place where we belong, where we are our true selves. Do we run to God for shelter? Is He our home? Are we walking so close to God, that we are literally in his shadow. If we dwell in the shelter of God, and we rest in the shadow of the Almighty, then all these promises of protection are for us. If not, let us search our hearts for sin and disobedience. Let us repent and correct ourselves, and draw close to God, make Him our shelter and let us rest in his shadow, so that we can be assured of the promises of protection in Psalms 91.

Prayer

Dear Father, thank you for making me your child. Thank you for your love and patience with me. Please help me to make you my shelter. Help me to rest in your shadow. Show me areas of my life where I have not fully made you my shelter. Shine your light on what needs to be corrected in my life. Father, I need you. I want to dwell in you as my shelter, and I want to rest in you. You are my strength. You are hope. I can do nothing without you. I ask you to forgive me of any sin that you are showing me right now. Draw me close to you. I thank you because all the promises of Psalms 91 are mine, because I dwell in you as my shelter and I rest in your shadow. I will say of you Lord, “You are my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely You will save me from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. You will cover me with your feathers, and under your wings I will find refuge; Your faithfulness will be my shield. I will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at my side, ten thousand at my right hand, but it will not come near me. Because I make you my dwelling, no harm will overtake me, no disaster will come near my house. You will command your angels concerning you to guard me in all my ways; They will lift me up in their hands, so that I will not strike my foot against a stone. I will tread on the lion and the cobra, and I will trample the great lion and the serpent. You will rescue me because I love you. You will protect me, because I acknowledge you. I will call on you, and you will answer me. You will be with me in trouble. You will deliver and honor me. With long life, you will satisfy me. Thank you Jesus, because you are faithful to do what you have promised. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

- Asha Chacko George

Psalm 90 - 11.11.25

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm 90:12

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

OBSERVATION:  This psalm is the only material written by Moses that is included in the Psalms.  His message included the length of life - and God’s anger (verses 10, 11).  Moses warned about the importance of using our time wisely in order to achieve God’s purposes.

APPLICATION:  Moses reminded all believers to walk wisely before God.  We are called not only to know His will, but to live it out.   After Jesus ascended back up to heaven, He sent the Spirit of Truth to help lead and guide us in all of our ways.

“Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk - not as unwise people but as wise - making the most of the time, because the days are evil.  So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s Will is.  And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit: speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music from your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.” (Ephesians 5:15-22).

PRAYER:  Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me life.  Even when I didn’t know You, Your hand was over me, and Your eyes were on me.  Thank You for drawing me, and revealing Yourself to me.  Thank You for helping me to discover that I was a sinner, separated from you because of my sins. And thank You for forgiving me, and giving me new life in Jesus.  I am growing older, and I pray that You will teach me to number my days carefully so that I will have Your wisdom in my heart to achieve Your plans.  I pray Your continued favor to be over my life, and that You will establish the work of my hands so that I can be a part of the future generations who will be coming to know You. 

- Robin Orefice