We are on #55:

the number 5 represents grace so here we have GRACE, GRACE!

“Out of his fullness we have all received grace upon grace already given.”

– John 1:16

Jesus gives us out of all that He is grace upon grace! It’s already been given. Receive it today!

GRACE UPON GRACE SONG:

“Grace Upon Grace”

I hid and I tucked myself away I thought grace left me behind And I let monsters rule my life oh how could you find a way to save A heart as far away as mine How could you ever be so kind

But there’s no height, no depth, no space Just grace, upon grace, upon grace Just a cross where a king took my place It’s grace upon grace upon grace saved a wretch like me saved a wretch like me

You’re ripping me up out of my grave So all my shame can go and die Now you’re breathing in new life Now there is no bondage in my way It’s only freedom that I find And now I finally feel alive

There’s no height, no depth, no space Just grace, upon grace, upon grace Just a cross where a king took my place It’s grace upon grace upon grace saved a wretch like me saved a wretch like me

With blood on my hands, I see love in your eyes You stand in the gap with your arms open wide this is my freedom, this is my freedom All I can offer is failures and pride How can it be that you stay by my side this is my freedom, yea this is my freedom I’m in awe of the love that I never deserved You painted your heart on my canvas of hurt This my freedom, this is my freedom You mend me together as I come undone To break every chain, at the feet of the son You are my freedom, you are my freedom

There’s no height, no depth, no space Just grace, upon grace, upon grace Just a cross where a king took my place It’s grace upon grace upon grace saved a wretch like me

I was listening to:

I was listening to a little podcast that shared the story with the paralytic man.

¹⁸ Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. ¹⁹ When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.

²⁰ When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

²¹ The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

²² Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? ²³ Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? ²⁴ But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” ²⁵ Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God.

Luke 5:18-25

Listening to this story got me thinking about how can we (you and me) tear off the roof for our friends? How can we bring people to Jesus? I think we often think we have to have the answers, and we have to get the outcome. But the truth is, we just have to be willing to be one of the people who carry them to Jesus and tear off the roof through whatever obstacle.

I don’t know how we do that …or maybe I do. Maybe we carry them in prayer to Christ.

or we talk to them about Jesus

or we bring a meal

or we send a card

or we offer care in some way

My prayer then has been, “Lord, how do we tear off the roof for our friends?”

I don’t think we need to have all the answers. We bring them and Jesus does the rest! Jesus does the work; Jesus asks the questions and has the answers. So again, how do we tear off the roof for our friends? I would love to know what you think!

Something seen:

I talk to lots of people…. no joke. Or perhaps they talk to me. Little snippets:

1. I was in the checkout aisle and the woman behind me suddenly blurts out, “My neighbor died today!” I talked to her for a little bit in the line as we waited. Have compassion, life is hard.
2. I had a conversation with a woman when suddenly as she was speaking of pain and struggle, delight flashed across her face. I asked the Lord about that. Some times I just see what’s behind things.
3. I was in the car wash lane. I couldn’t reach the keypad to pay as I opened my door I looked back and caught the eye of the woman behind me, I said, ” I CAN’T REACH!” She said, “Me too, we got short arms!” and we smiled and laughed together. LOL little interactions of connection and joy.

Thanks for listening,

Starla