DO WE REALLY WANT HEALING?

See John 5:1-15


This morning, I read John 5:1-15, the story of an invalid who had been that way for the last 38 years, although, he was not born this way. I have been thinking about something Jesus asks the invalid, "Do you want to get well?" Many peope might ask why would Jesus ask such a thing. After all, WHO WOULD NOT WANT TO BE HEALED, RIGHT?!?! How many times do we say to others, ourselves, and to God I want to be healed? Maybe not from a physical ailment but maybe an addiction or hang-up, a needed attitude adjustment, or anything else we need to let go of. We say we want healing and wholeness, but do we really? I am not saying that as believers we will not struggle with sin at times and temptation is a fact of everyday life. Here, I am referring to long-term bondage, something that has us by the ankle and will not let go or should I say we will not let go, which comes in many forms. Before you are quick to say yes, take some time to do some deep inner inspection. Could it be that we do not really want to let go of whatever is causing you the problem(s) but rather we just do not like some of the side effects or consequences or that you got caught? Let's face it, our hang-ups and addictions do something for us or give us something we need or want, otherwise we would not be hanging on to them. Many times our attitudes, addictions, and hang-ups have become companions that we are comftorable with, faithful friends, even though at least some of the things that accompany them are not wanted or comftorable. We need to search ourself (Lamatations 3:39-42) and ask God to help us examine ourselves for the heart is decietful and who can understand it (Jeremiah 17:9-10). May we discover the true source of our appetities (desires) and let our heavenly Father fill our appetities with what He sees fit instead of the empty and worthless cisterns that we refuse to let go of (Jeremiah 2:5).

REMEMBER GOD IS SUFFICIENT FOR ALL THINGS!!! PSALM 103

Side Note: The invalid's injury had apparently been caused in some way by sin in the invalid's life when he was young (John 5:14). Just like the man's sin led him into physical bondage, our sin can lead us into emotional and spiritual bondage and maybe even physical bondage like the invalid.

Texas Heat Wave in August

Good Afternoon,

I hope you guys are staying cool out there. As I was driving to work this morning, I was listening to the people on the radio to talk about it getting to 108 degrees this week, whew, I hope you are drinking plenty of water. Speaking of the Texas heat, we have all had times in life when in the middle of life circumstances or our situations have felt like a Texas day at 108 degrees. Life definitely has its share of 108 degree days. Thankfully, we as believers have hope, when life gets hot, we have an unlimited supply of water and not just any water but living water. When life makes us sweat, our throats become dry, and we feel like were about to pass out from heat exhaustion let us quench and refresh ourselves through and in our relationship with Jesus Christ. Be still, open the Word, and sit before the Lord and let Him pour into you, to restore the places that have been scorched by the fires of life.

John 7:37-38

 ³⁷ On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. ³⁸ Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”