"Do you want to be healed?"

Grace and peace to you my friends,

"When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.”" John 5:6-8 ESV

Have you ever found yourself miserably wallowing in self pity, wishing there were an easy way out so that you could be more like "Joe mature Christian" and not so easily swayed by the circumstances of life. I personally have found that deep down in my heart at those times it was because there was some selfish pride, some sin that I just didn't want to let go of. At that time I simply didn't "want to be healed". Often when this happens it seems that I chase after worthless treasures or pleasures looking for a false healing only to come up empty and dry. I've even caught myself making excuses for not seeking after the only one who has the true power to heal. There is a continual spiral downward that occurs when we let this kind of thing go on in our hearts and it inevitably leads to a spiritually disabled, joyless existence. We must fight these things willfully and head on with a real hunger "to be healed" and a genuine humility before our God.

"For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation." Psalm 149:4 ESV

Jesus Christ has every thing we need and He freely gives it to the humble ones who deperately seek their satisfaction and contentment in Him alone.

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." James 4:7-8 ESV

"Father God I need you. I need your grace and your mercy. I don't want to stay the way that I am. Lord grant in me more of your Spirits transforming power that I might grow closer to you, closer to the image of your Son. You alone Oh wise God have the power to heal my hurts and life scars, so may your name be praised because you have delighted in your people and made them to enjoy you forever. Keep me close and never let me loose my hope in you the author and finisher of my joy and faith. Amen"

For the Joy of Your Faith,
Teagan