Laurie Hopkins

This man had “do what it takes” friends.  

He was paralyzed.  

He was unable to get to Jesus on his own for healing.  

They carried him there on his bed.  

When they arrived they saw that because of the crowd that surrounded Him, there was no way to get near.  

They could have given up at this point and went home.  

Surely they had done their due diligence.  

But no, they didn’t stop there.  

They went up on that roof, created an opening, carried him up onto that roof and then lowered him into the midst before Jesus.  

That man received his healing. 

What kind of friends do we surround ourselves with?  

Do we have friends that will not only carry us to Jesus, but will tear apart those things that are keeping us from getting close enough to Jesus to receive our healing? 

Do we have friends we can share openly with without fearing judgement or criticism?  

Do we have friends that will carry us to Jesus when we are weak and tired and can’t take another step? 

Do we have friends that will go to prayer, tear down strongholds in the spiritual, and who will also help us to remove everyday obstacles in the natural?  

Do we have friends who won’t give up on us even when the crowd is pressing in and there is no obvious way in sight? 

On the flip side, what kind of friends are we?  

Would we do for those that the Lord has entrusted us with, what these friends did for that man?  Friendship is a precious thing.  

We can’t let the pressures and busyness of the world block our commitment to building those relationships. 

God has placed people in our lives for a time, season and purpose and likewise placed us in the lives of others.  

We must make it our aim to have and be “do what it takes” friends.

Do you have “do what it takes” friends?  Are you a “do what it takes” friend? What does that look like for you? 

“He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.”  

Jesus, the Son of God, withdrew regularly and sought the Father’s face and counsel.  

The crowds were large and needy and He healed their infirmities.  

He found Himself in the midst of the crowds regularly.  

He was busy.  

He was in demand.  

Yet, He made the time to withdraw by Himself and pray. 

Prayer nourishes the soul.  

Prayer strengthens the body and the mind.  

Prayer is the answer to any question you have in your life. Prayer must be a priority in your life.  Time with the Father will guide and direct your feet and teach you who you really are in the midst of the busyness.  

Relationship with the Father will put all other things in perspective. 

Corporate prayer is important but withdrawing to a place with the Father by yourself is also essential.  

Our relationship with Him is deeply personal and can be deeply intimate if we cultivate it. 

If Jesus required time by Himself in prayer, then surely we require the same.  

Begin to prioritize prayer today; the Lord will redeem the time!

What are some things you have done, that have been effective, in prioritizing your prayer life? What has been the result in your life?

When Jesus calls you He will use the skills He has already placed in you. 

Simon Peter was a fisherman.  

It was what he knew.  

Every moment he worked, every experience he had, every trial and tribulation and every success, was pointing toward this day when Jesus would call him. 

“Do not be afraid.  From now on you will catch men”; 

he would have the same profession, just a different catch.  

Jesus will stretch you, 

but He knows that He has placed all the skills you require within you to answer the call on your life.  If there are skills you need to build, 

He will set up those situations.  

Like Peter, we are already being equipped for the call on our lives.  

Our mess will become our message and our test our testimony.  

What are you going through right now?  

Be encouraged, God will use it for His glory!  

“Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men!”

Does it encourage you to know that God is already equipping you for what He has in store for you?