Extra Faith Required… “Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven” (Matthew 9:2).
Some situations call for the extra faith of others to get us through. It is ok to appropriate the faith of friends when you face a task that takes more than one person to tackle. You may have lost confidence to carry on in your current condition, but when faithful friends are willing to rally around you and help, let them. Allow faithful friends to lift you to the Lord.
Furthermore, you may have strong faith, but to make it through this challenging season requires extra faith from family and friends. In your home, when was the last time you held hands and prayed together as a couple or a family? Two or more praying together exponentially multiplies our prayers. Or, are you so busy doing that you have neglected taking time together and going to Jesus. The family unit, by God’s design, allows an appropriation of faith for one another. One struggling family member can have the support of other family members. A united family front lifts one another to Christ’s care and love.
The results of applying the faith of family and friends are extraordinary: sins are forgiven, emotions are healed, bodies are made whole, life has a new lease and Jesus becomes radically real. There is phenomenal encouragement when the Body of Christ comes together to care for the wounded, the broken and the lost. Having a full faith is freedom.
Therefore, seek out those who need our Savior Jesus, and do not be content until they come to Christ. If you are in need of extra faith, do not be shy to share your heart with those you trust and respect. When we all reach Jesus together, He exceeds our expectations.
“I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith” (Romans 1:11-12).
Who needs my faith to lift them to the Lord? Who can I invite into my life for a fresh dose of faith?
Related Readings: Job 16:20-21; Psalm 85:10; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Peter 4:10
Transformational Living
What did I learn from the Lord in today’s Bible reading? How will I respond?
