Monday, March 20, 2023

Scandal at the Pool

 

John 5:1-15 NKJV After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there was a pool, which is called in Hebrews, Bethesda, having porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. 5 Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made 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, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” 9 And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath. 10 The Jews therefore said to him who was cured. “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.” 11 He answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’

 

12 Then they asked him, “Who is the Man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk?” 13 But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdraw, a multitude being in that place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” 15 The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.

 

Where is our heart and our eyes focused on? Do we think along the lines of opening a bottle? According to some pastors, some say it takes awhile for many to get their healing, yet I have never found that when looking over the pages of healing. Faith was there each time to receive from the Lord. He did not lay hands o the man but Jesus saw the helpless man. Jesus did not extend a hand but only spoke: "Get up! Pick up your bed and walk!"


Change your position from where you stand, lay or even reside. Sometimes one has to change the position. As changing from the belief of a parent to Jesus. Changing a habit that is of heaven and not of an unbeliever: Take these pills and see a therapist and you will be fine. Hopefully a Christian is not doing this thing: taking prescribed pills, seeing a therapist because they are “mental” and be happy!

This man lived a life of pain and injury. Every time he tried to reach the active pool, many more filed in before him. Each time he experienced defeat. Yet Jesus came for us each individually. Each has to make conversation with him and certainly one called the “blame game”. If we fail are we blaming someone else about it.

Except for the duration of this man’s illness: the emphasis is on the supernatural cure, of its consequences and its testimony of Christ’s life giving  power to each of us. Jesus withdrew from the crowd not to draw attention to Himself. Those in charge of the spiritual welfare of the nation were more interested only in what they considered as a “breach in the law” and were not moved by the healing of this older man. But people matter to Christ!

Scandal appeared at the pool of Bethesda as those against Him would desire the healed man not to speak. In that condition and not enjoying life, this man was outside of life and living. He looked for others to help when the water stirred, but when Jesus was there, He came to him to speak something.

Only the lame in the body came to this place. In reading on in the same chapter and down to verse 16 Amplified reads this: For this reason the Jews began to persecute (annoy, torment) Jesus and sought to kill Him, because He was doing these things on the Sabbath. Seems they resisted healings on the Sabbath and certainly not to remove a mat from the pool.

Reading on in verse 30 I am able to do nothing from Myself [independently, of my own accord----but only as I am taught by God and as I get His orders]. Even as I hear, I judge [I decide as I am bidden to decide . As the voice comes to Me, so I give a decision], and my judgment is right (just, righteous), because I do not seek or consult My own will [ I have no desire to do what is pleasing to Myself, My own aim, My own purpose] but only the will and pleasure of the Father Who sent Me.

 

That stirring of the water was doing more than just healing some people. It disturbed those who saw a man healed on a day that they regarded as religious. Man certainly wanted to change what God had given in the beginning.  At some point, anything given by God would ultimately be brought back to being twisted by man and the good like Jesus did, was violating their (Jewish leaders views) which was on the premise of the pride "thing" and hypocrisy.

 

Jesus told the man to "Get up, take his mat and walk!" Jesus wanted him to walk which he had probably never done, and to take his mat. Take of that which would remind anyone you had been in that condition and walk. Walk! 

Now Jesus can come in and do quietly for us when no one watches, when no one cares, and when others are waiting on that "pool" thing. But walk.........praise God, give glory to Jesus the Healer, the Great Physician and do what you are to do every day..........all to the praise of God and His mighty deeds! Tell others about what Jesus did for you,........and tell them when He healed you and what you profess today about Him.

In recent days, I have heard of this care called "Wound Care" and it is for those who have gone through some kind of treatment like radiation or many surgeries and the body will no longer heal itself in that area of body, so one has to have this wound care for that body area. It is sometimes for the rest of one's life but is helpful to those who really need it. But let us remember Jesus our Great Physican.

 

Jesus is our Wounded Care giver. For He surely bore our griefs and carried our sorrows. He was the wounded for our transgressions ( our sins). Our bodies are made by God and He can restore them to health. A process indeed, but we must put action to what we can do with Jesus.

Isaiah 53:4-5

Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains [of punishment], yet we [ignorantly] considered Him stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God [ as with leprosy] 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needed to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.

 

Here in John 5:6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made 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.” 8Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” 9 And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.

Notice Jesus asked and the man had an excuse for not being healed.

 

Jesus asked" do you want to be made well?"

 

Are you " fully serious"? Are you " zealously sincere" about getting well?

Are you "making a demand" for healing?"

Yes, Yes, and Yes!

We have to act like the healed even when we do not feel it in our bodies. We must rise up........take this word from Isaiah 53 and confess that we are the healed and made whole by the wounded Jesus who took our transgression and was bruised for our guilt and iniquities (sins) . He took my punishment and your punishment and we do not have to have it, ever. That chastisement needed for us to obtain peace and well-being was met in Jesus. Today, we are the healed, made whole. Our lives are characterized by being the comfortable, the healthy and the HAPPY! Amen.


Jesus with us, is His presence of life in us. It is a light in the darkness. It is love extended to those perishing. The Lord makes a way for us and will we take it or just make an excuse for doing being made well?

Scandal at the pool: Man was made well. Jesus did it! Jesus the committed and Jesus the ready for God’s love to be revealed to another! May we be serious to want to pick up that mat of sickness, disease or even lack, for the Lord our God is in action to heal this day. Amen and Amen.

 

                                           New teaching at: Voice of Prayer 

Seasoned

Visit my You Tube channel Voice of Prayer for more teaching 

New teaching at: Life Giving Wells
Peace Calms : Peace Builds

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Now Posting to Rumble 
Voice of Prayer
And
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Friday, March 10, 2023

Opens Their Understanding

 

Am in awe of Jesus and how He opened eyes to see, to hear and understand Scripture, by going through the breaking of the bread and taking the wine in remembrance of what was shed for us. He did this in Luke 24:29-31. And yet, He opens their understanding here in John 16.

Holy Spirit Opens our Understanding to Know Truth: John 16:12-15 NKJV 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.13 “However, when he, the Spirit of truth has come, He will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak on His own authority, but whatever he hears He will speak and he will tell you things to come. 14”He will glorify Me, for he will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 “All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

1.   You are relaying the ministry of Jesus Christ right where you live: we know He was speaking to His disciples and apostles….still we are en-grafted into the family of God and the Jews and are to tell others

2.   Teach others as Jesus did and stay in tune with the Father

3.   Jesus treated people with dignity: as the woman at the well, He addressed her present condition  John 4:1-42….Truth was given of her present condition and what would she do with it

4.   In truth we deal with accuracy, integrity and being sincere with dependability in our lives

5.   Jesus had transparency of heart: he was not after titles, nor after a position: He came to save!

6.   He was after people’s souls

 

In relaying the ministry of Jesus; we find His was the kingdom comprised of the Beatitudes. As seen in Matthew 5:1- Matthew 7:29. Matthew 5:20  stands out since it the kingdom of God is by a righteousness of heart not by a hypocritical or eternal legalism. Only is this through the Messiah’s personal reign. Does He reign in our lives?

 

In the New Birth, we begin to see the kingdom of God. His word becomes clear. And within this it is the Holy Spirit’s works and wonders are believed and experienced. Faith is ALIVE!

 

In Our Walk of Faith: Humbly Call to the Lord to Perform Signs, Wonders and Miracles: Acts 14:3-7 NKJV  3 Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4 But the multitude of the city was divided; part sided with the Jews, and part with apostles. 5 And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them, 6 they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region. 7 And they were preaching the gospel there.

 

Trouble was brewing from what we read hear in Acts 14. Preachers preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. Signs and wonders to represent an awe and a lesson given. You have apostles and have unbelieving Gentiles. But the preaching continued. Paul and Barnabas were threatened and they fled when stoning was mentioned.  Why would they escape at some junctures and stand their ground at others places? Holy Spirit is the controlling principle God placed. In that close and intimate communion with the Lord, they received marvelous communications of the divine mind and will.

 

Enduring persecution with Faith and Patience : 2 Thessalonians 1:3-8  NKJV 3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, 4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulation that you endure, 5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer. (this suffer is from without: a treatment that threatens violence against you)

6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 7 and to give you who are troubled rest, 7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1.   Vengeance on those who do not know God

2.   Vengeance on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ

 

 In the passage above, Paul is writing a letter of thanksgiving. His heart beats as that of a true servant of the Christ. He rejoices over his spiritual children. The faith walk was making great strides, and their love was expressed without exception. These men and women stood against persecution. They endured and proved the worthy of the kingdom of God. The only merits came through Christ Jesus.

In verses 6-10 the righteous action of God is seen. There was punishment for the persecutors and rest for the persecuted. Obeying the Gospel is obeying Jesus Christ.

 

Allow the Holy Spirit to Make Demonstration of His Power when You Speak or Preach: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5  NKJV And I, brethren which I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling . 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.   

We should expect manifestations of the Holy Spirit, not for show or sensation, but as means for God to validate the glory of the Gospel.

The apostle Paul wrote about his preaching was to glorify God and not himself. He came to them proclaiming the testimony of God, not with excellence of speech or of wisdom. He was neither an orator nor a philosopher. Paul’s message: Jesus Christ and him crucified ( found in verse 2)

In weakness, in fear and in much trembling: Paul was the earthen vessel, and the treasure the Gospel; that the excellence of the power might be of God and not of Paul. His preaching was always in demonstration of the Spirit and Power.

                                                                                    

 We are to be the Committed to Give God’s Word Whether Convenient or Inconvenient. We are to Proclaim…and expect to Patiently Instruct : 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort , with all longsuffering and teaching.

 

Live in Purpose: Respond to Anxiety and Worry with Joy and Much Prayer: Philippians 4:4-7 NKJV “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men, “The Lord is at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Our conversations should be permeated with and in Christ Jesus.

1.   We should allow the Lord to show us that which needs His purpose to prevail.

2.   Understand that to pray is equal to finding the peace of God.

3.   In coming to His plan: His conduct and actions show clearly that we are to be one heart with Him.

4.   Allow God to reveal through your prayer time that which you must know either within the church body or within that where you work

5.   All is important to God: He desires us to know the mind and the disposition of Christ Jesus…3 John 3 I have not greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3 John 2 says: Beloved I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

6.   We are to be sound, that is hygienic…that is taking of the word of God daily in and praying to prosper in sound faith. Balance is required in our bodies, in our lives and within the body of Christ.

 

Finding balance in God is by the Holy Spirit and will progress in all areas of our being: spiritually, physically, financially, emotionally and yes socially! Spiritually motivated people reside in truth, are unified with other believer’s of their faith in God through the shed blood of Jesus. These are those who walk in truth and give other’s the God kind of love always! We must have balance for within this we walk by faith, have joy in our hearts, and bring encouragement and much love to others!

Our bodies may wear out but our spiritual man should always be strong. May our physical health correspond to our spiritual vigor. Sad but true, many people take better care of their bodies than their spiritual man. Let’s allow Holy Spirit His way in our lives so that we too can go from grace to grace and glory to glory.

  

                                           New teaching at: Voice of Prayer 

Seasoned

Visit my You Tube channel Voice of Prayer for more teaching 

New teaching at: Life Giving Wells
Unbelief and Wrong Thinking

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Now Posting to Rumble 
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And
Life Giving Wells

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