Hi Everybody! Whew! Getting this done has been a hurdle this week! Anyway, a couple of themes this week as we're trying to see how real people lived out being followers of Jesus in real situations. In fact, we all do pretty well as long as we live hypothetically, but it's that darn reality that trips us up. ;^) Key thoughts - You're not going to make it without key friends who are convinced Jesus cares about you - who will take you in prayer to him, love you enough to tell you when you're wrong, and believe you can be better than you are. And you're going to need courage to not stay stuck in a rut. So... What's your rut and who are your friends? Jeff Leaping My Hurdles Real People (part 6) Jesus saw how strongly they believed that he would help. Mark 2:5 LB Friends Make the Difference 1A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. 4Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. 5When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “{Take heart. Take Courage.] Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7“Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . .” He said to the paralytic, 11“I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 12He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” Mark 2:1-12 NIV * Aim to Get Unstuck When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life Colossians 2:11 Msg Prepare God’s arrival! Make the road smooth and straight! Every ditch will be filled in, Every bump smoothed out, The detours straightened out, All the ruts paved over. Luke 3:1 Msg Now that we’re on the right track, let's stay on it. Philippians 3:15 Msg * Grab for the Courage I Need God will bless you, if you don’t give up when your faith is being tested. James 1:12 CEV With my God I can break through barricades. Psalm 18:29 GWV * Be Committed to My Friends’ Growth I am not trying to get something from you... I’m looking for what is best for you. Philippians 4:17 CEV NIrV If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. Proverbs 15:31 NLT As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Ephesians 4:16 NLT * See the Best in People Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself. It takes one to know one. Judgmental criticism of others is a well-known way of escaping detection in your own crimes and misdemeanors. But God isn’t so easily diverted. He sees right through all such smoke screens ... Romans 2:1 Msg We’re not in charge of how you live out the faith, looking over your shoulders, suspiciously critical. We're partners, working alongside you, joyfully expectant. 2 Corinthians 1:24 Msg Seeing the way they had put their faith into action Luke 5:20 CPV God has put us together as Ridgewood to: Get Out the Good News Gladly Glorify God Grow More and More Godly Give Our Gifts Generously Gain Genuine Grace-Filled Friendships