DO YOU REALLY WANT TO GET WELL

Proclamation:

“When Jesus saw him lying there … He asked him, ‘Do you want to get well?’ … Then Jesus said to him, ‘Get up!  Pick up your mat and walk.’  At once the man was cured …”  John 5:6-9 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the Apostle John under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this chapter, John records the incident with an invalid male at the pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem.  The man had been affected for thirty-eight years when Jesus saw him and asked him if we wanted to get well.  Rather than answer the question, the man began to offer excuses regarding why he had not gotten well.  The water in the pool had healing power once it had been stirred by an angel and it would heal the first to enter it.  Jesus, told the man to get up, pick up his bed and walk and at once he was cured.  This upset the Jewish leaders because it occurred on the Sabbath and it was not lawful to work on the Sabbath. (John 5:10)  They wanted to know who told him to pick it up and walk.  Sin may have been the cause of this man’s problem because Jesus told him stop sinning or something worse may happen to him. (John 5:14)  The remainder of the chapter deals with Jesus offering His justification and authority to do what He did. (John 5:16-47)  Jesus preformed His third miracle and they wanted to kill Him for it.

Application:

First, all too often we beat around the bush instead answering a direct question.  Frequently we offer excuses for our behavior or our inability to get something done.  Jesus was questioning this man’s faith; He knew that he was sitting by the pool because he wanted to be healed.  Our faith is tested regularly.  There can be not testimony without first having a test.  Too many of us are focused on our problem or our situation and waiting for someone to help us, not realizing that faith in The Lord God is all that we need.  Jesus, The Christ, is God.  He can do anything that God, The Father, can do. (John 5:19)  He can give life to whomever He pleases. (John 5:21)  He has been given the final judgment of all mankind. (John 5:22-23) 

BLESSED IS HE WHO PERSEVERES THROUGH THE STORMS

Proclamation:

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12 (NIV)

Explanation:

These Holy Spirit inspired words were written by James, the half brother of Jesus, to the scattered believers after the crucifixion of Jesus, The Christ, and the martyrdom of Steven, the first deacon, when the Jewish believers were being persecuted.  His plea was for them to be uncompromisingly obedient to The Word of God.  The persecution of believers was a test of their spiritual faithfulness and that they would be blessed and rewarded by God if they persevered in the face of adversity.

Application:

As long as we never let go of our belief and faith in God, and focus on our guaranteed victory at the end of our trials, we will receive eternal life as God has promised.  There is a crown awaiting those believers who faithfully endure the storms of this life.  However, there is also a blessing in store in this life for those who persevere through the trials, tribulations, and temptations.  Those of us who pass the tests of the storms of life will be given earthly blessings in addition to heavenly rewards.  Each test that we endure will strengthen our character and help to prepare us for the next test.  Therefore we should count it all as joy when we are tested. (James 1:2-4)  Just as exercise strengthens muscles, the storms of life can strengthen our faith.  By maintaining our faith in God during the bad times we will be blessed.

OUR BAD TIMES ARE JUST A TEST

Proclamation:

"... Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" Job 2:10 (NIV)

Explanation:

With the aid of The Holy Spirit of God Job spoke these words to his friends and his wife after he had suffered.   Job went from being on top of the world (Job 1:1-3) to losing all of his possessions (Job 1:14-17) and then losing all of his children. (Job 1:18-19)  Then he even lost he health (Job 2:7).  "In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing." Job 1:22 (NIV) God allowed Satan to test Job. (Job 1:8 & 2:3-6)  Job passed his test; he kept the faith and did not curse God.  He did eventually question God, but he soon repented for doing that.

Application:

No matter how bad things are going with us, none of us have it as bad as Job had it.  Bad things happen to good people.  Some times we are reaping the results of our own bad choices and some times we are just being tested.  Regardless of why we go through bad times, we are to continue to praise God. (James 1:2)  Satan can only do to us what The Lord God permits.  He knows just how much we can bear.  Remember, after Job passed his tests, God blessed him with twice as much as he had before the bad times began. (Job 42:10)  I am sure that there is a blessing in store for each of us if we keep the faith and endure until the end. (James 1:12)  When bad things happen to us, we should pray and continue to have faith in God.  He can bring us through it, whatever it is.  We can’t have a testimony until we first go through a test.  Bad times are only a test. 

DON'T WORRY REJOICE AND COUNT IT ALL JOY

DON’T WORRY REJOICE AND COUNT IT ALL JOY

Proclamation:

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may mature and complete, not lacking anything.  James 1:2-4 (NIV)

 

Explanation:

These Holy Spirit inspired words were written by James, the half brother of Jesus, The Christ, to the scattered believers after the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.  He told them that their trials and troubles serve a purpose.  They are only tests which strengthen and increase their faith and lead towards spiritual maturity.

 

Application:

Have you ever been down in the dumps and felt like you've been whipped and defeated?  God can lift you up, plant your feet on a solid rock, help you to climb any mountain and walk in high places no matter how rough the terrain. (Habakkuk 3:18-19 and Psalms 18:32-33)  Whatever situation we find ourselves in, we are to rejoice in The Lord because He is greater than our situation. If He brought us to it, He can bring us through it.  Remember that The Lord said, "My grace is sufficient." (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)  Like the Apostle Paul learned to take pleasure in troubles because God’s strength is shown in time of human weakness.  We should count it all joy because we know that all things work together for the good of them that love The Lord. (Romans 8:28)  Our trials help us to grow.  We are still a work in progress.  So don’t worry when the storms of like come.  We are under the wings of protection of The One who controls the storms. (Psalms 91:4)  When trouble strikes, count it all as joy.  Our troubles won’t last for very long and joy is coming after them.  “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Psalms 30:5)  "Rejoice in The Lord always; and again I say, 'Rejoice’." (Philippians 4:4)