Today's Verse: Luke 5:18

Wednesday, May 18, 1960

Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus.
— Luke 5:18
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

What is the best example of someone being a friend you have seen? The Bible offers numerous definitions and examples. One of my favorite examples is this story of the paralyzed man whose friends went to great extremes to get him to Jesus. When the crowd blocked their way to the Lord, they became creative and dug a hole in the roof to let their friend down to Jesus! Their faith and their effort to get him to Jesus ultimately resulted in the man's forgiveness and healing. I don't know about you, but that's the kind of friend I want to be - someone who will do anything to bring friends to Jesus to be blessed by him!

My Prayer...

Holy Father, please bless me as I try to lead my friends and acquaintances (speak the names of several non-Christian friends here) to Jesus. I want them to experience Jesus' saving power, loving grace, complete healing, and ultimate deliverance in Jesus. Please give me the tenacity and tact to do this with "gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15), never losing my sense of urgency to see them come to Christ. In Jesus' name, I ask for wisdom and urgency as I try to share Jesus. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

4 Related Resources by Heartlight

Find Healing
Illustration of Luke 5:18
Inspirational illustration of Luke 5:18 -- Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus.
The Help of Friends
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"One day while Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and teachers of religious law were sitting nearby. (It seemed that these men showed up from every..."
Extraordinary God!
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Child of God, What is your greatest need? Seems like a simple question, doesn't it? But when you look deeper, the events in the verses below..."
Is It Time Yet?
Article by Russ Lawson
Does he really act at just the right time? Russ Lawson reminds us that even though it is hard to wait patiently, God always responds to our prayers at just the right time and we should never give up asking him for his help.

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 5:18 — Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, May 18, 1960

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Divine Jealousy' (2 Co. 11:1-15)
"Dear Father, to whom our pure devotion is due, Thank you for the divine jealousy that Christ feels for us, his church. How wonderful to know that we...."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Jesus Came to Show Mercy' (1 Ti. 1:15-16)
"What I say is true, and you should fully accept it: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst. But I was given mercy so..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Hard Times in the Spirit' (Ac. 20:22-23)
"[Paul, to the Ephesian elders at Miletus:] "But there is another urgency before me now. I feel compelled to go to Jerusalem. I'm completely in the dark about..."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Pete and Repeat' (Acts 11:2-4)
"But when Peter arrived back in Jerusalem [after leading Cornelius and his relatives and friends to Christ], the Jewish believers criticized him. "You...."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

More Today's Verse