RSS

Friday, April 03, 2009

21 Days to a closer walk with Thee (Day 5) Discussion added

Good morning. I am smiling right now as I post this discussion because I know God is moving in a powerful way in our lives. This chapter is close to my heart because my church's name was taken from it. Here are our key scriptures for today:
2Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.

5And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
6When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
7The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
8Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
9And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

16And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.
17But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
18Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
19Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
20For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
21For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
22For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
23That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
25Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
26For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
27And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
I know this is a lot. Jesus is challenging the Jews who are trying to condemn Him for healing this man on the Sabbath and for calling Himself God. Once again Jesus mentions work. He tells them He is working just like God the father works everyday. But He is doing the work of saving souls, healing people and giving them life. He knew His time to die was coming. Here He lays it out on the table about who He really is. He makes it very plain for them. But remember, when He is captured, He doesn't speak or say anything about Himself.

32There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.
33Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.
We too are now witnesses for Christ. John is mentioned because at the time, He was the main preacher of the gospel. Folks looked up to him and listened to him. But even John himself says Jesus is the one who has come to save the world.

36But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
37And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.
All I can say is, if God is for you, who can be against you. Jesus takes it a step further and says there is someone who is greater than John who will stand for me. I know there have been times in my life when I felt everyone let me down. But no matter what, God knows, and He has the final say.

43I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
44How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
45Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.
46For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me.
47But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
Unfortunately, not much has changed since Jesus walked the earth. Christians are persecuted everyday for doing the will of the Father. But yet men who don't count God's way as holy are lifted up everyday. Jesus speaks of Moses being an accuser because the Jews in that day had strayed away from how God wanted them to be and because Moses also spoke of and believes in Christ. So by not believing in Christ, they were in essence going against Moses as well. It's a shame that it took Jesus mentioning people who are considered "popular" in order to get their attention. Jesus was bold and did not back down. Tonight, when you pray, I want you to pray for the boldness to stand for the Lord no matter what. Think about the areas in your walk where you need strength or boldness. Write them down in your journal and search for scriptures that will encourage that boldness. Pray over them and walk boldly in the Lord. Be blessed. Q

Have a great and blessed day everyone!!! Q

4 comments:

cbean said...

Okay. I am going with verses 5-7.

5. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, "Do you want to get well?" 7. "Sir" the invalid replied, "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. Wile I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me."

Hmmmm, do you not want to get well. Jesus was asking that question based on his observation. The man had been like this for THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS!!! He was sitting right at the pool. A stone's throw from being heeled. Jesus couldn't understand, hence the question...Do you WANT to get well? Folks, what are we dealing with that is keeping us shackled. What healing is in arms reach that we are not reaching out for? How many times do we blame our circumstances on everyone but ourselves? I heard a quote of ten little words one time..."If it is to be, it is up to me". Ten two letter words strung together make a powerful statement. We are accountable for ourselves. In this world and the next. You will not be able to stand on judgement day and say "Lord, I tried to come down to the front of the church and receive salvation, but Sister Sarah wouldn't move, or too many people had already gone ahead of me".

As I sit un-employed, this scripture is personal. Nobody is going to call me to offer me a job out the blue, no letter is going to arrive out the blue. I have to get my butt to the well. If that means I have to drag until my skin is raw, I am making it to the well. We can look to folks for encouragement, but we have to do the work people.

I was at the Between Jobs Ministry with TIH and this one lady was like I sent out two resumes yesterday. We told her okay, that took 5mins what did you do the rest of the day. She looked at us like we were crazy. Folks are passing her by, jumping in the well and getting their healing.

People stop sitting by looking for handouts and making excuses. Be about what needs to get done.

Queeny20 said...

Girl I didn't even want to touch on the 38 years because I am adding that to my sermon book. Yes I am def going to preach that one in the future!!! You are right so many people miss out on blessings everyday. It also speaks to putting God in a box. I mean why not just go in there and get your healing even after someone else beat you to it? Why just believe that God is going to move at one time or one moment? Heck I would have just laid in the water and waited if that's what it took.

Yes people make excuses all the time. I'll get saved when I do this, or when this happens or that happens. They don't realize tomorrow is not promised to them. Do it now while you are still alive. Trust God to bless you and ask Him for what you need. Some of us have not because we ask not. Q

cbean said...

"Heck I would have just laid in the water and waited if that's what it took."

Okay, I busted out laughing at that one. But I so feel you. Just like Noah. Everyday building that ark. Looking crazy. Waiting for rain. Didn't know what rain was, but getting ready for it nonetheless.

I coud see you too. Just sitting in the pool chilling. Summmer, fall, temperatures dropping, Queeny sitting in the pool RED-DEE. I ain't mad at you girl.

Queeny20 said...

I'm saying with all the stuff they saw and heard about God during that time, I just find it just crazy. Nope not me. 38 years is longer than I've been alive. My family would have to visit me there, bring me food and everythang because I would not move!!! Q