A crazy question!

“How we respond to difficulties will determine whether we are a winner or a whiner. One of Satan’s first temptations when our life appears to be on hold is to tempt us to live by feelings instead of faith.”
~ Michael Youssef

When I read today's quote by Michael Youssef the first thing that came to my mind was the story of lame man by the pool of Bethesda.  In the book of John chapter 5 we read:

"Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews. Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 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?" "Sir," the invalid replied, "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me." Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked."

Now, when I first read this story I thought…that is a strange question for Jesus to ask the crippled man. 

“Do you want to get well?”

However, after reading it again, I soon realized that Jesus knew something about that man that we did not.

Many people, myself included, profess that they really want help and healing, yet are more comfortable being a whiner. It’s a lot easier to  make excuses complain than it is to rise up and do whatever it takes to change and become a winner. 

So, the question really isn’t crazy at all, and it echoes down through the ages to each of us today, "Do you really want to get well?"

For some of us we are crippled by our past, our hurts, disappointments, physical limitations, and secret sins.  No matter what circumstances or situation you might find yourself in today: Jesus is asking,

• Do you want to move on?

 

• Do you want to overcome?

 

• Do you want to be healed?

 

• Do you want to be set-free?

 

• Do you want to get well?"

To receive your healing you must first desire to be changed.  We must answer, "Yes Lord, I'm ready to take up my bed and walk!”

I want to be winner, do you?

Lord, we stand before you as weak, sick and sinful people who need your healing touch today.  We are not able to heal ourselves, but we know that with one touch of your hand we will be made whole. Thank you for your finished work on Calvary.  You are faithful, you are true, and you will do all that you have promised.  Forgive me for all the times I have resisted your call to me. Your grace is sufficient.  Amen

Please join us us today over at Karen over at In Love W.I.T.H. Jesus today!

A Quick Look Back

 

Psalm 19:14
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Another year has flown by and it's amazing to think about all the things that have happened.

With God's help, we've made it through.  I thought this was a really neat application that Facebook provided.  This is a random collection from my postings in 2009. 

Wishing you all a very Happy Blessed New Year!

 

Please join us over at Amy’s 160 Acre Woods.  She is the wonderful author of this incredible meme WFW!

A Special Promise... Just for You

Welcome to Word-filled Wednesday!

~Merry Christmas~

So blessed you could join us today. I'm delighted to be your hostess!

Immanuel

His name is Immanuel, "our God with us". The name is a promise, as He is the promise. It describles what He means, or what He can mean. He is with us, His is for us. He is Immanuel. He is our God. Long before His first coming it was nonetheless still His name. (Micheal Card)

Father, how can we ever thank you enough for this precious promise? Thank you for never leaving us, nor forsaking us through every circumstance we have faced or will ever face. Because of this great promise we will never be alone. You walk with us, you are there by our side, you dry ever tear from our eyes. You rejoice with us and sing over us. Make your self fully know to us O Immanuel!

Tea Time

"Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring one another".  Rom. 12:10 

Every year on the  first weekend in December I host a Ladies Christmas Tea for my friends.  It's become a Christmas tradition that we all look forward to each year.  We have so much fun talking, laughing, and just loving on each other.

 

In this verse we are instructed to love each other without pretense.  We are to take delight in esteeming each other above ourselves. 

I can't think of a greater way to witness to the world about the transforming power of Christ in us than to truly love one another.

 

(Thought we’d end on a funny note!)

Thank you my blogging friends for faithfully sharing your affection through your kind comments each week.

Join us today over at my wonderful friend Lori’s place, All You Have To Give for more WFW.

It’s Beginning to Look Like Christmas!

Welcome to my Home!

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

With love,

 

Giving Thanks

Welcome to Word-Filled Wednesday!

~Happy Thanksgiving!~

The purpose of WFW is share God's word (no famous quotes or literature...only the word of God)

Amy over at 160 Acre Woods started this wonderful meme!

As we celebrate Thanksgiving and everyday of our lives we are to give thanks to our Lord Jesus. I pray you will take time today to express your gratefulness to Him! He is so worthy of our thanks.

Lord how can I begin to thank you for all that you are to me? I'm so thankful for the price you paid for my salvation. Thank you Father for this amazing country I live in, for my family and friends. Thank you for loving me unconditionally and so passionately. Thank you for my health, my home, and for taking such good care of my children. I could never express my deepest gratitude for all you've done, for all you are, and for the future I have with you! In Jesus name, Amen...

It's such a joy to be your hostess today!

A Perfect Plan

 

The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him.  (Psalm 28:7)

I don’t know about you, but without Jesus by my side upholding, defending and strengthening me, I would be totally lost! 

Isn’t it wonderful to know that Jesus is both our strength and shield in times of trouble?  He lovingly holds all the pieces of our lives together today, and has a great and perfect plan for our tomorrow.

As we conclude the Beth Moore study on The Book of Esther this week, my heart is overflowing with gratitude for all that I’ve learned during these past nine weeks.

As part of our homework, we drew a diagram with equal sides that helped us understand the balance of how God’s providence works in our lives.

God not only promised that He “works out everything” (Eph. 1:11) “according to His good purpose” (Phil. 2:13), but He also promised that “in all things God works for our good” (Rom. 8:28).

My heart greatly rejoices today as I reflect on how we like Esther, have  been chosen for such a time as this!

Please join us today over at Christy’s Critty Joy for more WFW!