God's Solution!

For Sunday, June 21, 2026:

Luke 5:19b NLT: “The men went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus.”

When a situation looks hopeless, God oftentimes provides a way. The men had brought their paralyzed friend on a stretcher, seeking healing from God’s Son. Jesus’ reputation preceded him. He was known for divine healing, just what the guy on the stretcher needed. If fact, Jesus may have been his last hope for a normal life.

But big problem – the huge crowd who had come to hear Jesus completely filled the room! So the men somehow wrangled their injured friend onto the roof, removed some of the roof’s covering, and using ropes, lowered their friend into the room, right in front of Jesus! There was no other way to get the man on the stretcher in front of the Master! I would have loved to see the Pharisee’s faces when they saw a man, suspended by ropes, in the air above Jesus. This is faith on steroids, as we say!

God’s solution to a dilemma may be unconventional, but he has a divine plan! In the end, everything will work out. Go up on the roof, remove some tiles, requisition some ropes and lower the injured man as needed. No one in the room expected to see the injured man that day, but voilà, there he is! Healing is imminent! God is good!

Pastor Norton Lawellin
The Father’s House
Jesus In the City Fellowship
Truth & Freedom Church 

Great Healer!

For Saturday, June 20, 2026:

Luke 5:18-19a NLT: “Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to take him inside to Jesus, but they couldn’t reach him because of the crowd.”

Jesus’ reputation preceded him! He was known for having a unique perspective on Torah, and supernatural healing abilities. Some men wanted to subject that healing ability to a challenging test. Their friend was completely paralyzed and needed supernatural healing. Jesus was the only one who had a chance of success solving their problem. We’re not told what kind of incident or accident put the man in that condition, but I’m guessing that Jesus was their last hope. The men had known their friend before he became paralyzed, and he needed a full restoration. In a way, this would be giving the man his life back. There was no quality of life the way he was now forced to live.

But upon arrival, those gathered to see Jesus had completely filled the room! There was no way to get the man on the stretcher in front of the Master! The men’s faith in Jesus would not let them abandon the project. They needed a plan ‘B’. They were not finished, but they had encountered a bump in the road to healing.

God has a way of working things out. If he needs you for a project and you hit a bump in the road, don’t quit! Don’t give up! Problems can be resolved; roads can be smoothed. God’s projects will always get finished!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

 

Word's Out!

For Friday, June 19, 2026:

Luke 5:17b NLT: “One day while Jesus was teaching, people showed up from every village in all Galilee and Judea, as well as from Jerusalem.”

The word was out about Jesus! People wanted to hear him teach and preach, and they wanted to see him heal. In fact, that was the big draw, the legendary healings. This was something heretofore unseen. Crowds would line up to be next! Many traveled long distances to get close to Jesus. And they would transport friends and relatives with maladies or injuries, and Jesus could render them back to original specs, without the sickness or injury, fully healed!

We have weekly meetings featuring the words of Jesus. It’s called ‘church.’ Do people travel long distances to hear the Good News? Usually not. Do they bring the sick and injured? No, those typically stay home. Perhaps a renewed emphasis on the miracles of Jesus would attract more souls! Personally, when I consider the heaven-sent supernatural nature of God’s Son, no other options exist for my choice of Savior!

To those in Israel 2K years ago, Jesus was worth the trip. He should also be worth the trip nowadays!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church