Breakers and Builders
We live in a world that has gone a little crazy. So many have lost their way. I hear stories of so much heartbreak and hopelessness.
Many feel stuck.
Every week on the radio shows I present, and on the blogs I write, we receive many requests for prayer from desperate people who feel they can’t get out of their dead-end situation. They feel stuck, paralyzed, and unable to move forward.
Whether it be sin, a troubled mind, a mess at home, financial hardship, or another tragedy, so many feel unable to get out of their bondage. Many are gripped with fear and are battling to get back up. It is as though the hard knocks of life and the hypnotic power of the enemy have left them paralyzed, unable to escape.
The solution.
There is one who can set captives free, release the oppressed, and bring healing, hope, restoration, and new life. His name is Jesus.
Jesus “came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)
Hope for the hopeless.
I want to share a story about a man caught up in a hopeless situation. It involves a paralyzed man, four friends who will stop at nothing to help their broken friend find healing, and Jesus.
In this story, you will see how a group of desperate friends come together to help their sick friend get to Jesus and how Jesus pours out His love and compassion and sets this captive free.
In Mark 2:1 it tells how “Jesus returned to Capernaum.” News “spread quickly that he was back home.” People came to see Him, and “soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door.” (Mark 2:1-2)
When Jesus came to any town, people flocked to meet Him. Even in a day without social media and smartphones, news spread fast, and crowds were drawn to Jesus.
Why were crowds drawn to Jesus?
Well, wherever Jesus went, He brought breakthroughs and healing. He stood up to the religious establishment that kept people in bondage. He walked in power. He spoke life-giving words that brought hope and direction, and he raised the dead, calmed storms, opened blind eyes, multiplied food, and delivered the oppressed. He also brought light into a dark world and hope for hopeless people.
I can tell you that the Jesus I know is mighty to save, deliver, and set you free. Yet, many of God’s people today are embarrassed to share anything about Jesus, thinking that people will be offended and angry if you introduce them to Jesus.
How crazy! We have the solution to the world’s problems. We have the answer to life’s issues, yet we often hold back and keep it to ourselves.
When Jesus walked the earth, crowds were drawn to him. Yes, some were offended by him, but those who had lost hope and whose lives were in a mess would travel far and wide to get to him. They were supernaturally drawn to Jesus. Deep down, they knew he was the one who could turn the tide and bring hope and healing.
And here is Jesus, back in his hometown, and people flocked to the house where he was staying, just like what happened in every town or village Jesus went to.
And whenever the crowds came, Jesus never said, “Go away, leave me alone.” No, he took time out to minister to people.
So here is Jesus, back in town. The house where he is staying is filled to capacity, and every makeshift seat is taken. Like fish in a sardine can, people are crammed in, looking to Jesus, listening to his wisdom, and waiting on him.
Some would have rocked up because they had a great need, others would have arrived to check him out, and still others would have come to ridicule him, but no matter the reason, Jesus shared God’s life-changing word with the crowd.
Now, the house is packed to the brim.
The bound.
Down the road, there is a paralyzed man who has no hope for the future. He has four friends who have heard that Jesus is in town, they know they must seize the moment. They are desperate to get their friend to Jesus. Doctors cannot help their friend. They know there is no way out for their friend in the natural world. But they know that Jesus can, and they want to get their friend to him.
We are told that while Jesus was preaching God’s word to the people who had managed to get a seat in the crowded house, these “four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd.” (Mark 2:3-4)
When the four friends could not get their sick friend to Jesus, they may have chosen to give up. They could have said, “Well, at least we tried. Maybe next time.”
But no, these men knew Jesus was their friend’s only hope. They knew the urgency and magnitude of the situation, and they would not give up.
These four friends were prepared to do anything to get this broken man to Jesus. They were prepared to get their hands dirty and even break a hole in the roof to get this paralyzed man to Jesus.
Look what they did. We are told, “So, they dug a hole through the roof above his (Jesus’) head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus.” (Mark 2:4)
Would you be prepared to knock a hole in a roof and even damage someone else’s property to get someone who is lost or broken to Jesus?
These men knew that Jesus was able to fix their paralyzed friend’s broken life, and they were prepared to break the roof to get him to Jesus.
Bold. Single-minded determination.
These four men made no excuses.
They were not prepared to compromise.
They were determined.
They were prepared to do whatever was needed to get their friend to Jesus.
They believed wholeheartedly that Jesus could change this man’s dead-end life. They were single-minded. They worked as a team and were prepared to get into trouble and even be embarrassed if they could create the opportunity to bring their paralyzed friend to Jesus.
Their sole priority was to get this lost and broken man to Jesus.
If you know of a broken or bonded friend, the best thing you can do is get that person to Jesus.
These four men worked in unison. They dared to risk for God. They were bold and were prepared to break open the roof, causing destruction to the property, to get their paralyzed friend in front of Jesus. They then carefully lowered their friend down, right down in front of Jesus.
What do you think Jesus and the crowd thought of this?
Let us look at what transpired.
“Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:5)
Jesus didn’t react negatively. He didn’t reprimand that, saying, “Who do you think you are, causing destruction – breaking a hole in the roof!” He didn’t get angry. He saw their faith and desperation. Jesus, knowing this man’s heart, forgave his sins, set him free, and healed him instantly.
When you bring the lost, broken, and bound to Jesus, he touches hearts, restores lives, and brings abundant life.
One minute, this paralyzed, broken, and bound man’s life seems like a dead-end. He was stuck with no way out. He was totally dependent on others, totally incapable of getting to Jesus on his own. But because his friends got him to Jesus, in the blink of an eye, everything changed!
One moment with Jesus, and everything changed.
Jesus performed a mighty miracle.
You would expect the crowd to be joyful and to celebrate, but no, look at the response from some in the crowded house.
Some may have been angry and offended, saying, “Who do these imbeciles think they are, destroying property, covering us in dust, interrupting Jesus? How rude! Unacceptable behavior!”
Look at the religious leaders.
We are told, “But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, “What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” (Mark 2:6-7)
I would have expected the religious leaders to be the ones wanting to see the paralyzed man be set free and find hope. I would have thought they would have been overjoyed and praised God for healing a broken, lost, and bound man. But they had a critical spirit.
We are told, “Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking,”
Jesus knows everything. He sees all. He knows all hearts and motives. You cannot hide anything from him.
Jesus asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts?” “Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? So, I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” (Mark 2:98-11)
It is so easy to be critical and judge. Jesus didn’t allow religious criticism to rob this paralyzed man of a new life. He forgave his sin. He healed him. He sent him free.
In the same way, don’t let the negative voice of the enemy stop you from following through on what God has called you to do.
Jesus fixes broken lives.
“Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” (Mark 2:11)
Look what happened next.
We were told, “And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!” (Mark 2:12)
This man was paralyzed and could not move his body. Yet, at Jesus’ command, he rose up, completely healed. He was forgiven and restored. He was a new man with a new purpose and a new life to live.
My friend, Jesus is the answer. Jesus brings hope to hopeless situations despite opposition. Jesus can bring breakthroughs to the bound.
While some were critical, most of the crowd exploded in praise and rejoiced. They had experienced a mighty miracle in front of their eyes. Jesus had brought new life to an impossible situation. They had witnessed firsthand that Jesus could change a personal life. They erupted in celebration.
Jesus changes lives.
Jesus loves to see broken people set free.
We are told that “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.” (Acts 10:38)
Jesus forgives sin. He can deliver the oppressed. He can heal the sick. He sets captives free!
Jesus told us, “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” (John 10:9-10)
Jesus is the answer. He brings abundant life. He can turn any situation around. No situation is too far gone for God’s intervention.
Are you bound? Are you in a hopeless situation?
In the world we live in, so many are paralyzed. Some are physically paralyzed, and others are crippled by sin and negative emotions. Some are paralyzed by fear. Many feel harassed, helpless, and hopeless, but Jesus changes lives.
Jesus was willing to forgive and heal this paralyzed man. In fact, he set him completely free, and Jesus has not changed.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
What Jesus did in Bible times, he can still do today. Nothing is impossible for him, and no situation is too hopeless. With Jesus, there is hope.
Today, you can come to Jesus. He is the way maker. He offers hope.
When Jesus walked the earth, he spoke life-giving words of wisdom, healed the sick, calmed storms, and even raised the dead.
I don’t know if you are aware of it, but while Jesus did great and mighty miracles and brought hope and healing to many, Jesus came for a greater purpose: He came to earth to pay the full price for sin. It was sin that cut us off from a holy God. But Jesus died on the cross. All our sin and every vile curse of hell was loaded onto him. He is the Lamb of God, who had done no wrong but died on the cross to pay the price for our messes, mistakes, and sins. He was buried in a tomb, but the grave couldn’t hold him. He rose victorious on the third day, defeating the enemy and paying the full price for every sin, once and for all, so we can have a relationship with God.
There is more to life than just the here and now.
Life does not end at the grave.
Life continues into eternity.
You will either share your eternity with God in his Kingdom, or you will be separated from God for all eternity. Jesus spoke about a real heaven and a real hell.
We cannot save ourselves. Thank God for his plan to send Jesus to die in our place for our transgressions so that we can make right with God.
Because of the finished work of Jesus, you can call him to be your Lord and Savior. You can repent of your sins and put your faith in him. Today, you can become a child of God and know you have everlasting life in heaven. Call of Jesus. Today is your day of salvation. You can rebuild your life on Jesus. Repent of your sins. Put your faith in Him. He can set you free. You can begin afresh. You can restart your life and live to please God.
The Bible is clear, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13)
Today, I implore you to surrender your life to Jesus.
Give him your all.
“For this is how God loved the world (YOU) that He gave his one and only Son (JESUS), so that everyone who believes in him (PUTS FAITH IN JESUS) will not perish (HELL) but have eternal life (HEAVEN). God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16)
Today, if you are lost or have drifted from God, you need to return…
Today is your day of salvation.
- Reflect on how Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for our sins so that we can be reconnected to God,
- Repent of your sins.
- Recognize how Jesus won the victory. He conquered death. He rose. He is alive.
- Reset your life. Put your faith in Jesus. Take him as your Lord and Saviour of your life.
Today, commit your life to Jesus.
Prayer…
Dear Lord Jesus, I need you. I know I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you have prayed this prayer, please let us know. We would love to pray for you and send you some incredible ebooks to help you on your journey with God.
There are so many broken, battered, and bound people who are lost, worn out, paralyzed, and troubled without hope. If you are in trouble or lost, I implore you to come to Jesus.
And if you are a child of God and know someone who is bound up, in trouble, or has lost their way, I implore you to bring them to Jesus.
God is looking for his people, who will start living for him and become ambassadors of his Kingdom. God is looking for people who care enough to help those bound up.
All you need to do is LOVE GOD by living to please him and LOVE PEOPLE enough to get them to Jesus.
Breakers.
God is looking for BREAKERS—those who will stop at nothing to bring the lost, hopeless, broken, and bound to Jesus.
Breakers are prepared to go the extra mile and get their hands dirty. They will do anything to break down walls of oppression and darkness and bring them to Jesus so they can find new life, forgiveness, healing, and breakthrough.
Are you prepared to become a breaker?
Breakers know that Jesus sets captives free and that he is the answer and the solution to man’s problems. Breakers care for those in trouble and will stop at nothing to get them to Jesus.
Breakers are prepared to break a hole in the wall to see the bound set free. Breakers do all they can to bring the lost and bound to Jesus.
Are you prepared to knock a while in a roof to get the broken, lost, and battered to Jesus?
Jesus fixes broken lives. Jesus sets lost and broken people free. He came to rescue those who are in trouble.
So many people are paralyzed, lost, and bound and are living lives devoid of God, cut off from the life-giver, and disconnected from the way-maker.
If you knew of a remedy to mankind’s troubles, would you want to keep it to yourself, or would you want to tell everybody about it? If you had the solution that could bring peace and healing to others, would you share it?
I am sure you would.
We have the answer. He is the Saviour. His name is Jesus.
The Bible says, “But how can they call on him (Jesus) to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” (Romans 10:14)
Jesus told us, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” (Mark 16:15)
God is looking for his people to be his ambassadors. He calls you to share the good news with those who have messed up and become paralyzed.
Jesus can break strongholds. Jesus came to bring life and life more abundantly.
We are told, “Anyone who believes in him (Jesus) will never be put to shame.” (Romans 10:11)
The scripture continues, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13)
Builders.
God is also looking for builders. People who will fix broken lives, provide the needed support, and help restore what is left in ruin.
In the story of the paralyzed, his four friends, “the breakers”, were so desperate to get their bound friend to Jesus that they broke open the roof. They stopped at nothing to get the paralyzed man to Jesus. The result was clear: Jesus brought new life to this man.
But I often wonder – Who fixed the damaged roof?
Are you prepared to do your bit?
What is God calling you to do?
Are you called to be a BREAKER?
Are you called to be a BUILDER?
Are you prepared to stand up and direct people in trouble to the one who is the way-maker and miracle worker?
Ambassadors.
God is looking for ambassadors for his Kingdom, BREAKERS and BUILDERS, history-makers who will stop at nothing and risk everything for God.
We are standing on the verge of a precipice – dark days. Many are holding on by a thread—stuck, paralyzed, and hopeless. Without a Savior, they will be forever sunk.
You are called to introduce them to the life-changer, the life-giver, and the life-saver. His name is Jesus.
God is looking for faithful, loyal, and dependable people.
Are you prepared to be a breaker?
One who is prepared to break down walls of bondage to get people to Jesus?
Are you prepared to be a builder?
One who is prepared to do the work behind the scenes and fix what is broken?
Is God calling you to pray, support, or fix the broken roofs?
There are so many lost and broken people in the world.
Look around! So many are battling to cope in life. Many are anxious, paralyzed by fear, and left feeling hopeless.
God is looking for people who will go out and win the lost, no matter the cost.
Are you available?
God is also looking for FISHERMEN and FIXERS.
What do fishermen do?
They catch fish.
Fishermen often leave the safety of the harbor and go out onto the rough seas to catch fish. They search for where the fish are and then let down their nets, aiming to bring in a big catch.
By the way, when Jesus started his ministry, he was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, and he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. “They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
We are told, “At once, they left their nets and followed him.” (Matthew 4:18-20)
God is looking for FISHERS-OF-MEN who will go out and reach the lost.
Is God calling you to step out, to be a FISHER-OF-MEN?
Often, fishing nets get holes in them. A broken fishing net can be ineffective, causing fish to slip out and be lost for eternity.
God is looking for FIXERS who will mend the nets.
Has God called you to step out, to be a fixer, so that the fishermen can be more effective and ensure that no one slips through the net and is lost?
We need to reach the lost and bring them to Jesus so that he can transform their lives.
GOD IS LOOKING FOR BREAKERS and BUILDERS, FISHERMEN and FIXERS.
IF WE EACH DO OUR BIT, WE CAN BE MORE EFFECTIVE IN REACHING THE LOST, THE BROKEN, AND THE BATTERED, THEREBY ENSURING THAT THOSE WHO ARE HOPELESS AND IN TROUBLE CAN BE BROUGHT TO JESUS.
WE KNOW THAT ONE WORD OR ONE TOUCH FROM JESUS CAN BRING NEW LIFE AND A TOTAL TRANSFORMATION.
People are lost and stuck.
We have the solution.
His name is Jesus.
Are you ready and available to be a BREAKER or a BUILDER?
It is time to stand up.
Lastly, if you are stuck in a hole or paralyzed, I have good news: Jesus is your hope. You do not need to face your troubles alone.
Jesus is the one who came to (Luke 4:18)…
- Bring good news to the poor,
- Bring freedom to the prisoner,
- Bring recovery of sight to the blind,
- Set the captive free,
- Heal the broken-hearted and
- Usher in a time of God’s supernatural favor.
There is a Savior. His name is Jesus. He is the solution, the gateway to hope, and the one who changes lives.
God can “transform the Valley of Trouble into a gateway of hope.” (Hosea 2:15)
Surrender your life to him.
Confess your sins.
Give him your burdens.
If you don’t know him, what are you waiting for?
If you are not a child of God or have drifted from God, it is time to return to God. Call on the name of Jesus. Today is your day of salvation.
Let us pray to make Jesus Lord and Savior…
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you that you came to bring me life and life more abundantly. I ask you to be by my Lord and Savior. Thank you for the price you paid on the cross so that I can be forgiven and become a child of God. Today, I repent of my sin. I ask you to forgive and cleanse me. I give you my life. Thank you that I am born again, have eternal life and that today I have the privilege of having a close relationship with you. Please fill me with your Holy Spirit and lead me on the best pathway for my life. I put my life in your hands. Thank you for being My God. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Let us pray for your deliverance…
Father, today, I surrender my life to you. Lord, I plead for the blood of Jesus over my life. Please break the chains of oppression off my life. I ask you to deliver me. Lord Jesus, I thank you for coming to set the captives free. I thank you for breaking the chains of oppression off my life today. Lord, I ask you to place a garrison of guardian angels around me, and I pray for your protection. Thank you for setting me completely free. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free.” (Psalm 118:5)
Let us pray for your healing…
Father, today, I thank you for being my healer. I ask you to heal me from the tip of my head to the soles of my feet. Lord, please fix what is broken and make me whole. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Psalm 103:2-5)
