Posted on November 24, 2022 by Elizabeth Welte in Victory Call
“Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus.” (Luke 5:18-19)
Recently, during a sermon from Luke 5, my mind wandered to a friend who experienced something similar to this in his own life.
In the midst of his addiction, his father dragged him to a men’s retreat. He brought drugs and alcohol with him. One evening he was intoxicated and high and was fighting, arguing and wrestling with others. The next morning some of the men at the retreat came into his room and picked him up limb by limb and carried him to the place they were meeting and laid him “at the altar” and prayed and prayed over him. My friend experienced a dramatic conversion that week and is following hard after Jesus now. He exudes love and faith to those that know him. He has been radically transformed by the power of the cross. God used those men that night to bring him, very much like a paralytic, to meet Jesus.
Why do we so often approach the unsaved as if they should know better? They are blind but we expect them to see. They are deaf but we expect them to hear. They are mute but we expect them to speak. They are paralyzed but we expect them to walk. They are dead but we expect them to breathe.
Only God can restore their sight. Only God can cause them to hear. Only God can give them a voice. Only God can heal their paralysis. Only God can bring the spiritually dead to newness of life.
But God may want to use us to lower them through the tile roof.
Don’t be deterred by the spiritually paralyzed friends and family in your life. Be persistent. By faith, keep taking them to Jesus and lower them down through the roof.
Written by Diane Hunt: Diane Hunt serves on the board of America’s Keswick and is the Executive Director & CEO of Changed Choices, a Christian non-profit in North Carolina. She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org
Think About This: “Sometimes you must stand still in order to get moving to where God wants you to go.” – D.A. McBride
This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” 1 Corinthians 12:26-27
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Based on 396 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Sunny Youn
07:53 27 Nov 23
Wonderful place to meet God
John Mckenzie
01:53 25 Nov 23
Great food but they are in desperate need of more detailed and readable maps in their weekend brochure get a good graphic designer
Andrew Barnum (Andrew B.)
02:46 18 Nov 23
Been going here for years with the Men's Group DCMF. Lots to do here and excellent value. Highly recommend!!
Re McCafferty
17:23 10 Nov 23
Amazing Christian rehabilitation center. Truly a God send 🙏
Railin Saeed
23:30 05 Nov 23
Amazing place for relaxingGreat staff,friendly and kindWill go again and again
venida naples
16:28 20 Oct 23
I like how calm this place is, But I also like when our church has a fellowship time together.
Bruna Cristina
11:19 11 Oct 23
Lugar maravilhoso. Muito limpo e aconchegante. Comida delciosa. Recomendo
Alexander Bryazgin
19:05 02 Oct 23
Went here for my churches men’s retreat. We had a really great time, very nice looking place, rooms were renovated and very clean, and the food was great. I wish I could come here every week!
Wanda Read
17:45 26 Sep 23
praise God for this place and all staff
Dinah Lopez
17:06 19 Sep 23
Beautiful property. Woodsy, nice lakes and a lot of land to explore. A great place for Christians to gather. They also have indoor auditoriums.
Andrea Rowe
01:30 18 Sep 23
Great banquet food.Great piano performance.
Melissa Williams
10:55 15 Sep 23
The warmest, most loving people working together on a mission of love for the Lord. This place is a treasure and I look forward to going every chance I get.
marilyn clinton
09:26 10 Sep 23
Food is not great.
Linda Hamadyk
04:54 10 Sep 23
The entertainment was excellent. The servers were great enjoyed my evening.
Raquel Perez
13:04 03 Sep 23
Amazing, relaxing, friendly and the most important part, the presence of God!!!
Google Rating
4.8
Based on 396 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Sunny Youn
07:53 27 Nov 23
Wonderful place to meet God
John Mckenzie
01:53 25 Nov 23
Great food but they are in desperate need of more detailed and readable maps in their weekend brochure get a good graphic designer
Andrew Barnum (Andrew B.)
02:46 18 Nov 23
Been going here for years with the Men's Group DCMF. Lots to do here and excellent value. Highly recommend!!
Re McCafferty
17:23 10 Nov 23
Amazing Christian rehabilitation center. Truly a God send 🙏
Railin Saeed
23:30 05 Nov 23
Amazing place for relaxingGreat staff,friendly and kindWill go again and again
venida naples
16:28 20 Oct 23
I like how calm this place is, But I also like when our church has a fellowship time together.
Bruna Cristina
11:19 11 Oct 23
Lugar maravilhoso. Muito limpo e aconchegante. Comida delciosa. Recomendo
Alexander Bryazgin
19:05 02 Oct 23
Went here for my churches men’s retreat. We had a really great time, very nice looking place, rooms were renovated and very clean, and the food was great. I wish I could come here every week!
Wanda Read
17:45 26 Sep 23
praise God for this place and all staff
Dinah Lopez
17:06 19 Sep 23
Beautiful property. Woodsy, nice lakes and a lot of land to explore. A great place for Christians to gather. They also have indoor auditoriums.
Andrea Rowe
01:30 18 Sep 23
Great banquet food.Great piano performance.
Melissa Williams
10:55 15 Sep 23
The warmest, most loving people working together on a mission of love for the Lord. This place is a treasure and I look forward to going every chance I get.
marilyn clinton
09:26 10 Sep 23
Food is not great.
Linda Hamadyk
04:54 10 Sep 23
The entertainment was excellent. The servers were great enjoyed my evening.
Raquel Perez
13:04 03 Sep 23
Amazing, relaxing, friendly and the most important part, the presence of God!!!