In the same chapter I spoke about yesterday called “Week 5 The Stretcher of Faith,” Mr Banks talks about the four men who brought their paralyzed friend to Jesus, displaying their active Faith. These companions were not stopped just because they could not get into the home where Jesus was speaking. Sometimes Faith gets creative! Jesus sees not only the need of the disabled man, He sees the Faith of his comrades and healing is not far behind. (see Mk 2:1-5) Mr Banks states, “When the man was paralyzed and could do little for himself, the active faith of those around him made all the difference. When we pray for our prodigal kids, we carry them on stretchers of faith to Jesus. We do the heavy lifting, but they receive the benefit. They may be entirely passive or even actively resisting us, but Jesus sees our faith as we bring them to Him.” (p62)
As I said last week, Faith is the cure for the rebellious heart. As we trust God with our prodigals, our Faith will naturally shine through our actions, because we will be connected to God, allowing His Love to overflow in and through us, more and more. Faith stops fear. Faith disables selfishness. Faith destroys Pride. Faith is the active ingredient in the believer’s heart that releases our ability to live the Abundant Life, out loud, in front of our children and others. If we trust God, then why wouldn’t we follow Him? And when we follow Him, we sow the seeds of trust, and a full life of Faith is the natural result.
2023’s Got A Minute? Book Club
January: The First & Best Book Ever: The Bible
February: Love Is In the Air: “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman
March: Spring Growth: “Secrets of the Vine” by Bruce Wilkinson
April: Living the Resurrected Life: “The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life” by Dr Charles Stanley
May: My Spiritual Mom: “Making Good Habits Breaking Bad Habits” by Joyce Meyer
June: Spiritual Dad: “It’s Not About Me- Rescue from the Life We Thought Would Make Us Happy” by Max Lucado
July: Financial Freedom “Complete Guide to Money” by Dave Ramsey
August: Summer’s Soul Restorer “A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23” by W Phillip Keller
September: Covering Our Children: “Prayers for the Prodigals” by James Banks
<><Peace, Diane
