Life

PEACE AND STRENGTH THROUGH TRIAL…


Spiritual Blog - Hang On

Romans 5:1-5 – “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”  NASU

I love the beginning of this chapter.  Paul highlights the foundational truth that we are Justified by Faith.  He then reminds us that because of that reality we have Peace with God through Jesus Christ.  His work of Grace ushers us into the presence of the Father and in that relationship, we have a Peace that the world is unable to supply and incapable of taking from us.  It is the Peace of God and Isaiah referred to it as Perfect Peace.

Paul reminds us that we were introduced into the Grace of God, through faith and the finished work of Jesus Christ.  In that condition and position, we rise to a place of exultation in which we experience extreme joy and happiness.  This is sheer ecstasy in the realm of the Spirit. It is jubilation that is as the Bible describes it, “Joy unspeakable and full of glory.”  It could be described as walking on air, jumping for joy, or being on cloud nine.

Then he adds, “And not this only…”  As if that was not enough we discover there is more but, in this condition, state, relationship, and peace we can ‘exult in our tribulations.’  Doesn’t that sound a little like what James said in his writings?  He tells us to ‘count it all joy when we fall into different kinds of temptation.’  That makes no sense to the natural man, but the Spiritual man recognizes that in every trial there is an opportunity for God to demonstrate His Incredible Agape Love and Grace.

Paul gives us an insight into trials that most reject or do not wish to discuss.  He did not advance a doctrine that we are to seek for, look for, or hope for difficulties, but that when they come, and they will, we can ‘exult’ in them.  Why?  Because we know that through the tribulation or trial we learn perseverance.  We learn to ‘having done all to stand and keep on standing’.  We learn to ‘never quit.’  He then reminds us the perseverance produces proven character.  I have said for a long time that I do not want to go to war with anyone without a limp.  I want them to be proven and tested.  I want to know they will stand with me to the end.  God wants that from us and for us.  When we know that we will stand and resolve to stand, the anointing of the Holy Spirit becomes even more powerful in our lives.

He continues that proven character produces Hope!  What is biblical hope?  It, I would argue, is elevated faith.  Remember Hebrews reminds us that Abraham held on to his hope and “in hope against hope believed.”  Hoping to the patriarchs in the Bible was not wishful thinking it was rock solid.  It was assurance and confidence in the unshakable and infallible promises and character of God.  They lived in the Hope of the Resurrection and in the Hope of the promises of Covenant.

Paul reminds us that this kind of Hope does not disappoint.  Why?  Because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit.  That is one of the ministries of the Comforter.  He brings us into the presence of the Father and pours the love of God in our hearts so that we are filled with His fullness.

Therefore, when you face trials rather than lamenting and complaining realize that in this difficulty there is Hope and, in our Perseverance, we grow stronger and more confident in God.  In that confidence, we can pull down strongholds and withstand the fiery darts of the wicked one.  We are able, as David, to “serve the purposes of God in our generation.”  That should be the inscription on each of our headstones when we depart this life.

I want you to take courage and know that you are not forsaken, and God has not unleashed the devil to torment you, but if trials come, in your hope and confidence you can develop perseverance, proven character, and hope as you bask in His love, grace, peace, and power.

God bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day in Him!

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A BETTER PLACE IN OUR TOMORROW…


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John 14:1-6 – “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.  2 “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.  3 “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.  4 “And you know the way where I am going.”  5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”  NASU

 

In troubled times like these, we need something to inspire and comfort our hearts.  Many are facing situations and problems to a degree they have never experienced.  Some are living in fear of what is coming or about to come on the earth.  Many are troubled by the direction of the nation over the past few decades.  They are troubled by the direction of the organized religious community, and our society as a whole.  Things do not look good on so many fronts that it would be easy to become discouraged, despondent, depressed, and draw into a shell and try to pull the covers in over our heads to hide.  That is not possible so we need something that gives us reason to get up in the morning and face the new day with a smile rather than trepidation.  That is found in this passage for me.

The one thing I know for certain is that there is a better place in our tomorrow because Jesus said so.  I trust Him and His affirmation that if it were not true He would have been honest with us.  You may prefer the word “mansion” or “room” to the words in this version “dwelling places” and that is fine but the fact that I want you to focus on is that There is a Place in the presence of God in Heaven for us in our tomorrow.  Jesus departed this earth to prepare that place for us and has promised to come again and receive us unto Himself so that where He is there we may also be.  Access to this place is through Him and there is no other access.

So if you are facing difficulties today that are almost beyond your ability to bear, look toward the future (eternity) in which there will be a better tomorrow!  We have the absolute assurance of our precious LORD that there is a place and He is coming for us to take us to that place.  It is a place that the world did not provide, the government did not create, and the devil cannot prevent.  It is our Eternal Home!  So as you go through each day go through it with the confidence that no matter how bad or bleak things may appear here there is a “Better Place in Our Tomorrow.” 

May God be with you as you go through your day!

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LIGHT SHINING IN DARKNESS…


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John 12:44-50 – “And Jesus cried out and said, ” He who believes in Me, does not believe in Me but in Him who sent Me.  45 ” He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me.  46 ” I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.  47 “If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.  48 ” He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.  49 “For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak.  50 “I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.”  NASU

 

 I realize that there are at least ten devotionals I could give from this passage but I want to pull out one particular statement and focus on it.  Jesus said:  “I have come as the LIGHT of the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.”  What a powerful and comforting statement!

In this world of darkness, corruption, wickedness, evil, and depravity there is a Light shining as a beacon and that Light is Jesus!  If we come to Him, we come to that Light and darkness is dispelled and we are able to walk in the Light seeing clearly not only the dangers and pitfalls but the beauty of what God has wrought.  We are able to live in the Light and be free of the torment of darkness.  We are able to live Forgiven free of the pain of hidden sin and separation from God.

If you have ever been in a storm and the darkness was so black that you could almost touch it and feel it then the clouds rolled back and the sun began to peak through you know the feeling of calm that comes when darkness is driven out.  That is what Jesus offers spiritually.  His Light in the midst of darkness and when He comes into the room the situation or life’s darkness flees.  We see with new eyes and new hearts and the sweetness of life becomes fresh and new.  Fear is banished and peace floods the soul bringing a calm and confidence that cannot be experienced anywhere else or in any other way.

If you do not know Jesus the Light of the World I encourage you to call upon Him today and allow Him to become Light in your darkened world.  If you do know Jesus then refuse to allow the darkness to invade your light, resist the devil and he will flee.

May God be with you as you go through your day!

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INSEPARABLE LOVE…


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Romans 8:37-39 – “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  NASU

 

Sometimes we read something in the Bible that so resonates in our spirit that we can’t keep from thinking about it for days.  This is one such passage for me.  It seems that each time I come to it I spend the next few days thinking of little else beyond the Incredible Unconditional Love of God and the mind-boggling patience and sacrifice He was willing to extend to mankind so that we could be restored to a relationship with Him and escape the torments of the kingdom of darkness.

I love Paul’s definitive optimism that No Matter What – “we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.”  Then he proceeds to make the foundation granite and sure pounding this truth into the bedrock of our hearts saying, “I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  HALLELUJAH!  What a promise and declaration!  What a truth!  What an anchor to ground our lives!  We have the promise of GOD’S INSEPARABLE LOVE!

There is no devil in hell, no situation, no person, no government, no economic crisis, no health crisis, no relational crisis – – Nothing, absolutely Nothing can come between us and God’s Love!   We may turn on that love and walk from it but God Will Go On Loving Us Without Fail!   Nothing can change that!  In that reality I live my life and find solace when things are dark.  In that, I live my life and find comfort when the storm winds blow.  In that, I live my life and find the strength to “repent” and “return” anytime I find myself straying from the path He has chosen.  I know that I am accepted in the beloved and that His Love is Without End!

Never allow yourself to think that you are worthless, without value, or unloved because you are loved by Love Himself!  You are loved by the Love that breaks all barriers, shreds all bonds and chains, and brings hope, comfort, and joy to the soul.  We have God’s Inseparable and Unconditional Love!

May God’s love cover you like a glove as you go through your day!

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THE WORDS OF CHRIST…


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Colossians 3:16-17 – “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” NASU

In speaking to the Church at Colossae the apostle Paul gives them a discourse on love, humility, compassion, gentleness, and forgiveness.  His message is so powerful that each time I read it I tremble realizing, my own deficiency and short-comings.  It brings me to a place of repentance each time and I am thankful that it continues to have that effect on my heart.  I never want a calloused heart that can read the Word of God without being touched by it through the Holy Spirit.  Then he comes to the text that I have chosen for this devotional and it is equally powerful.

His admonition is for each of us to Let or Allow, which is an act of our will or choice on our part, something to transpire or be birthed in our hearts.  It requires our involvement in the process and is not something done to us but done in us as we cooperate with the Spirit of God.  He says, “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you….”  Wow!  Imagine the Word of Christ living “inside us.”  Not just floating around in our brains but Living inside of us and producing the life that it brings.

That LIVING WORD produces:

  • ALL WISDOM – – Enabling us to be taught and teach each other.
  • THE TOOLS – – Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs. (It would serve you well to carefully examine the difference in each of those and their significance)
  • THE OBJECTIVE – – A life of Thanksgiving so that whatever we do in Word or Deed we do in the Name of the Lord.

We find ourselves not just representatives of Christ but manifestations of Him to the world who is longing for something real and relevant in their troubled lives.  Too many churches and Christians are trying to be modern without really being relevant or without dealing with the Root Causes of the Problems that people face.  I am not interested in just having a crowd I am interested in seeing people Freed From Bondage.  If that means I minister to a House Full or a Hand Full it is perfectly fine with me.  The objective is bringing people to an encounter and place in God where “The Word of Christ can richly dwell in them…..”  It is in that state that I know from experience and the Word of God that there will bring Liberation from the Bondage of the devil and a New Found Freedom that will create an attitude and atmosphere of Thanksgiving and Praise which is infectious to those seeking Liberty!

May the Lord be with you as you go through your day!

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WHAT DO YOU SEE IN THE MIRROR?


spiritual blog - mirror

2 Corinthians 3:12-18 – “Therefore having such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech, 13 and are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the end of what was fading away. 14 But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. 15 But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; 16 but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.”  NASU

 

What a powerful presentation of the Gospel by the apostle Paul.  He identifies that if we only have the “Letter of the Law” we are living with a veil over our hearts but if we have the “Spirit of Christ” we have the veil removed.  In that condition, we find Liberty because where the Spirit of the Lord is there is Liberty.

I love his description in verses 17and 18.  It identifies the liberation of the heart by the presence of the Holy Spirit.  It is also the liberation of the mind or mindset.  He then goes on to identify that as believers in Christ it is as though we have the veil or change the prism of how we see things.  As we, in this condition, look upon the Lord and His Glory we are then Transformed into His Image from Glory to Glory.  The Bible teaches and I believe and have proven that we become like that which we Worship.

If we worship money we become like mammon.  If we worship power we become brutal and ruthless, unfeeling, and often uncaring.  If we worship natural beauty we allow our hearts and minds to be filled with carnal delights and pleasures and become vain, egotistical, conceited and driven for physical perfection.  But if we worship GOD we go through a Transformation or a Metamorphosis into His Image.  The reflection that others see is HIM rather than our imperfections because in the transformation He transforms our heart and our hearts issue forth HIM.

I do not want to be a representative only of Jesus I want to be a manifestation of Him to the world.  I do not want to just speak about Jesus I want to speak for Him to this world.  I do not want to be an example of a good man I want to be a reflection of HIM.  It is because I know that in my own power, or positive character qualities I cannot transform a life but He Can!  I know that it is Only as we behold Him with unveiled face and heart that we are Transformed from darkness into His marvelous light.  So my cry is “God remove the veil and let me BEHOLD YOUR GLORY so that I can Become more and more like you!”

May God be with you as you go through your day!

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LEARNING TO WAIT…


spiritual blog - waiting

Psalm 33:18-22 – “Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His lovingkindness, 19 To deliver their soul from death And to keep them alive in famine.  20 Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.   21 For our heart rejoices in Him, Because we trust in His holy name.  22 Let Your lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us, According as we have hoped in You.”  NASU

 

I find this a particularly interesting and challenging passage.  It is encouraging, filled with promise, laced with guidance and direction, and carries a condition that most miss.  When I read passages from the Bible sometimes there are certain things that leap off the page to me and grab my attention which results in going back to look in more detail at what has been said.  That is what happened with the conditional portion of this passage.

As I gave this passage a cursory reading I was blessed but when I came to verse twenty-two I was arrested by the Holy Spirit and went back to look over the passage in more detail and with a different heart.  Let’s consider it from verse eighteen and see where it leads us:

  1. We have a Revelation which also has a condition attached.

The Eye of the Lord is on those who Fear Him and on those who Hope for His Lovingkindness.  They are hoping, trusting, or believing for God to deliver their soul from death and to keep them alive in famine. There is both protection and provision in this revelation of “God’s Watching Over Us.”  I find repeatedly in Scripture the solidification of this and take great comfort in knowing that God not only Sees but Can and Will do something about my situation. 

  1. There is the Instruction.

The Soul that is waiting upon the Lord knowing that He is our Help and our Shield, that’s the picture.  Wow!  In my “waiting” on the Lord, I am entering into not only His provision but His protection.  That is not only instructional but tremendously encouraging. 

  1. There Is an Encouragement and a Nudging.

To allow the heart to Rejoice in Him, and that is possible because we Trust Him.  It is out of my faith that I am able to “Rejoice in All Things” and “Give Thanks in All Things.”  It is as I trust His Name, His Person, and His Grace that I am Free to Rejoice! 

  1. There is the Request and the Condition.

The Request is – – “Let your Lovingkindness be upon us.”

The Condition is – – “According as we have hoped in You.”

That reminds me of the passage in 3 John 2 – “Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.” NASU The promise and desired result are clear but the condition is unmistakable if we are haphazard in our relationship with the Lord we become as James described “double-minded” and that instability renders us, poor candidates, to receive.  Why?  We are not in a spiritual mindset or condition to utilize it properly and in all likelihood would as James declared “consume it upon our own lusts rather than to move us closer to God and advance the Kingdom.”  I am not saying that God will not bless anyone who is not Totally Dedicated to Him.  No! No!  If that were the case few of us would have ever received anything from Him.  What I am saying is that if we want to live in the midst of God’s Care, Keeping, and Blessing we need to train our souls to WAIT UPON THE LORD and SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS!  It is in that condition of heart that we humbly receive His blessings and as a result, many others are also blessed.

May God be with you as you go through your day!

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TIME TO GET DRUNK…


spiritual blog - drunk

Ephesians 5:15-21 – “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.” NASU

 

Hopefully, my title will not cause a mass exodus from my friend’s list on Facebook or cause anyone to refuse to read what I am about to write.  Read the passage before you jump to any conclusions as to what I am going to say.  That is always the safest course of action in any situation.  We need to become people who “Hear the conclusion of the whole matter,” before we render judgments.

Paul tells the Ephesian church and the church today that they and we are to take care “how we walk” or “live” this spiritual life in the flesh.  He warns us against being “unwise” while reminding us of the condition of the hour regarding evil and wickedness.  He admonishes us to “understand” or “discern” what the Will of the Lord is.  Then he says something that is almost totally off the topic he is discussing and says in verse eighteen – “Do not get drunk with wine…”  Had he stopped there one would have to conclude that there was a problem with drunkenness in the Ephesian church but he continued and said in contrast, “Be filled with the Spirit…”

He identified some characteristics of a Spirit-filled Life in the next verses that are worthy to be considered:

  • Speaking to one another in Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs.
  • Sing and make melody with your heart to the Lord.
  • ALWAYS giving thanks for ALL THINGS in the Name of the LORD.
  • Be subject to one another in the Fear or Reverence of Christ.

If I truly consider what he is saying then I immediately recognize that adoration, praise, and worship is vital to the Spirit-filled life.  It is important that we rejoice in the Lord and from many other passages in the Bible I would suggest that this should be not just an occasioned occurrence but a daily one.  We notice additionally that it is important to have “An Attitude of Gratitude” in our daily lives and be thankful for All Things not just Some Things!  Then we come to a place that most either have a problem with or resist and that is “being subject to one another” but doing so in reverence to Christ.

We seem to have an innate fear of subjecting ourselves to anyone for fear that they will abuse us in some way.  I suggest that if the church practices mutual subjection in reverence and fear of Christ there will be No Lording it over anyone but there will be a mutual desire to protect and defend each other from the enemy and forces of evil.  There will be a caring for each other that seeks the best good of that individual rather than a Lordship Position.  There will be the rise of humility and servanthood rather than abuse and lordship.

Begin with the first part and “Get Drunk on the Spirit” and “Jesus” and the rest will follow naturally.  So I declare that today is a good day to GET DRUNK in the Spirit or on the Spirit of God.

May God bless you as you go through your day!

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CAN’T FAKE IT ‘TIL YOU MAKE IT IN GOD…


spiritual blog - faith it

Acts 19:11-20 – “God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out. 13 But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, “I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.” 14 Seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said to them, “I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” 16 And the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaped on them and subdued all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived in Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified. 18 Many also of those who had believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices. 19 And many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of everyone; and they counted up the price of them and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing.”  NASU

 

I have used this passage in preaching and teaching to illustrate the truth and drive home some points about “Second Hand Faith.”  What I mean is that we can imitate what someone else has done expecting to get what they and become incredibly disappointed.  I had someone tell me, “Well, we just need to fake it ‘til we make it.”  That might work in some areas of life but not in the realm of faith.

This account illustrates that point powerfully, in my view.  God was using Paul to perform some ‘extraordinary miracles’.  I really don’t know what that entailed but for the Holy Spirit to prompt the descriptor of extraordinary to the miracles being performed they must have been extremely incredible and eye-catching.  That prompted some of the Jewish exorcists to attempt to mimic Paul and I find it almost laughable that they would attempt to perform an exorcism with the words, “I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.”  I can imagine the devils laughing at them if not openly, secretly.

The Seven Sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, attempted this, and I can envision a Keystone Cops type scene or someone trying to baptize a house cat resulting.  When they attempted this, the evil spirit turned on them and spoke incredible reality and makes my point.  It said, “I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?”  Then the evil spirit prompted the man in whom it inhabited to physically attack them and overpower all seven.  In fact, the Bible says they were left ‘naked and wounded’.  How’s that for faking it ‘til you make it in the spirit realm and in faith.  It didn’t turn out well then and won’t produce results now.

Hebrews 11:1 tells us that Faith is the assurance of things hoped for.  It is like having a title deed to a piece of property or a written guarantee.  It is not speculative but definitive.  It is a commodity of heaven.  It is the conviction or absolute confidence that those unseen or yet to be realized in the natural things or events are Assured!  That’s not faking it.  Had Peter and John been ‘faking it’ at the Gate Beautiful the lame man would not have walked.  They would not have had the opportunity to keep repeating a charade and attempting ‘til it happened they had one shot and that shot required Faith, not Fantasy or Imitation.

How do we develop faith? According to Romans 10:17 it comes by HEARING, and hearing comes by THE WORD OF GOD!  I argue that Faith is a commodity of heaven and originates with God and as He speaks, and man hears faith is received.  When man acts upon what He has heard with confidence that it is true faith is released back to God.  When man acts on the promises of God, God responds by confirming His word and fulfilling His promises.  Faith then goes full circle of beginning with God and ending with God and we are the flow through channels.

If you do not have Faith for a particular thing or need, call others to join you in prayer and come into agreement with them.  The effectual fervent prayer of the righteous avails much.  We are the Body of Christ and not isolated islands.  We need each other and as we pray one for another God responds.  Does it really matter if it was your faith or the faith of another that touched the throne of God and brought about the desired result?  Don’t pretend, but confess to God your doubt and fear and He will send the Holy Spirit to minister to you.  Hold up the hands of your brothers and sisters in Christ and together we will overcome.  Remember a three-fold cord is not easily broken.  Don’t let your pride keep you for asking for help.  Don’t try to fake it ‘til you make it but call on Him who can make it happen!

God bless you as you walk in His Light and Love!

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WHAT A QUESTION – Do You Wish To Get Well?


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John 5:2-9 – “Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes. 3 In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, [ waiting for the moving of the waters; 4 for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted.] 5 A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, “Do you wish to get well?”  7 The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, ” Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.”  9 Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk.”  NASU

 

From the first time I read this verse until now, this question has always amazed me.  Here is a man that had been lame for 38 years.  Think about that?  He had been brought to the Pool of Bethesda for a very long time.  The remarkable thing about his recurring trek to this pool was that on occasion an angel would stir the waters and the first one in the water was healed.  The fact that he was there indicated that he wanted to be healed.

Jesus asked, “Do you wish to get well?”  I would have expected him to shout at the top of his lungs, “Yes, Lord, Yes!”  But rather than respond with a simple yes, he began to offer excuses as justifications as to why he was not healed.  His answer reflects somewhat of a “woe is me” attitude.  It was a backdoor response saying, “Yes, but.”  I can almost hear, in his response an accusation toward the LORD by insinuating, “It’s not my fault.  I’m lame and nobody is here to help me get to the water.”  I would suggest that rather than expectation he was living in exasperation.  I would also suggest that he had become accustomed to disappointment that he feared to answer the question in the affirmative fearing another letdown.

I find it difficult to criticize him because after 38 years his hope most assuredly had waned.  He still had a flicker of hope or he would not have been at the pool, but that light was growing incredibly dim.  I would also suggest that he did not truly know who was asking him the question.  In that light, he may have been somewhat aggravated that anyone seeing his condition would even ask that question.

Sometimes the LORD seems to allow us to come to the end of our hope and rope so that He can demonstrate His incredible love, grace, mercy, and power.  I wonder how many times the Holy Spirit whispers to us, “Do you want?” and we, out of fear, disappointment, or self-defense give excuses rather than give a straightforward answer.  Too often we tend to justify our lack rather than face reality and openly admit that what we want seems impossible and out of our reach.

Jesus did not chide him for his failure to answer definitively and in the affirmative, but said, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.”  Jesus saw the desire in him and after asking a question that had to cause him to look deep inside himself offered him that which he had not been able to attain.  In the Bible, Jesus, from time to time, asked people, “What do you want?” or “What do you want Me to do for you?”  Most of the times they responded with definitive requests, but it appears, that this man needed something beyond physical healing.  He needed what everyone needs, a Savior and a refreshing of hope.  I suggest that based on Jesus words to him later.  In verse 14 Jesus found him in the temple and said, “Behold, you have become well; do not sin any more, so that nothing worse happens to you.”  Jesus was addressing the man’s spiritual condition as well as his physical malady.

God’s greatest concern is not our physical well-being but our spiritual health.  He is concerned about us physically else the promises would not be in the Bible and He would not have endured the stripes for our healing as spoken of in Isaiah.  Jesus’ focus is the whole man, body, soul, and spirit.  So, today, “Do you wish to get well?”  It doesn’t matter if your issue is physical or spiritual the question remains the same.  The song, “Touching Jesus” comes to mind as I write, and it is my cry and prayer to “touch the hem of His garment” and not only touch Him but have Him touch me and touch you.

God bless you as you reach out to Jesus and find He is reaching out to you!

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