Opinions.

 Meditation John 5:10-18

1. The Jews asked the man who was healed, why he was taking his bed and walking on a Sabbath day as it was not lawful. ( V10)
2. He said the person who made him whole told him to take his bed and walk. (V11)
3. Then the Jews asked him who healed him , but he knew not as JESUS conveyed himself away. ( V12,13)
4. Then later Jesus meets him in the temple and deals with his sin. (V14)
5. The man and testified to the Jews that it was Jesus that made him whole.  ( V15)
6. They started persecuting Jesus because he healed on a Sabbath day. ( V16)
7. Jesus said he should work where his father works. (V17)
8. They hated him evermore as he not only broke the Sabbath, but also made him equal to God the father. (v18)

LIFE APPLICATION:

Dealing with Opinions of People:

Jesus was every time aware of the intentions of people. It is very easy for any man to judge others and the law facilitates it. (V10)

And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Genesis:6:5

It is from the hearts  of man that evil things arises.

But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
Matthew:15:18

For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
Matthew:15:19

God never wants us to hold a judgemental spirit as there will be a day when we stand before the judgement seat of God.

But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
Romans:14:10

This is what CHRIST says,

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
Luke:6:37

Here I would like to take you all into a deeper understanding of law and Grace.

A. Law makes us guilty of our sins:

Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Romans:3:19

Christ fulfilled law in the flesh: (grace)
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Romans:8:3

B. Law makes sin come alive.

The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
1 Corinthians:15:56

But we have victory over the strength of sin and death that comes through the law through JESUS CHRIST.

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians:15:57

C. Law breeds self-righteousness but Grace bears the righteousness of CHRIST.

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Philippians:3:9

Jesus was more concerned of the welfare of people than their traditions. I would request you to kindly meditate Mark 7 to know more.

Jesus came to fulfil the law.. through Grace.

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Matthew:5:17

Christ has summed up the fulfilment of the Law as Love.

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Matthew:22:37

This is the first and great commandment.
Matthew:22:38

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Matthew:22:39


On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Matthew:22:40

Christ emphasises more on love than law. Dear Child of God, we are made free from the condemnation of the law, by the righteousness of CHRIST.  Law puts us under bondage. But Grace liberates us to walk in freedom.

For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
John:1:17

Hence, we do not need to fear nor are we condemned if we walk according to the spirit.

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Romans:8:15

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans:8:1

LIFE APPLICATION 2:

REVELATION OF CHRIST:

I have shared beforehand, that a man who had an encounter with God can never be the same.

A. The first encounter:
The first time the man met Christ his body was healed. (V9)
B. the second encounter:
The second time this man met CHRIST, his sins were dealt with, and he was made whole inwardly.
Here I would like to go a little deeper about sin and it's consequences.

A. What is sin?

Sin is the transgression of the Law.

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
1 John:3:4

All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
1 John:5:17

If we know what is right and don't do it.
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
James:4:17

B. How do we know when we sin?
1. Our conscience convicts us.

And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
John:8:9

The WORD of GOD says that we are sinners who need forgiveness.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1 John:1:8

C. What happens when we sin?
1. Our spirit man becomes dead and death begins to reign in us.

But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
Genesis:2:17

2. The sin lies at our doorsteps when to devour us.

If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
Genesis:4:7

3. When sin is fulfilled in our mortal bodies, it breeds death.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans:6:23

This is the sequence. Lust conceives sin and sin brings curse and death.

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
James:1:15

So the consequences of sin is terrible.  If you are knowingly playing with sin, it is time to come back to God.

Christ has borne all our sins and curses at the cross.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Isaiah:53:5

The WORD of GOD says,

There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.
Isaiah:57:21

So let us come back to Christ and he will give us his peace.

When his soul man was healed, he went about testifying what CHRIST has done to everyone. (V15)

So will God do the same with us when we have an encounter with God.

May the Spirit of God minister unto your souls.

Overthrow SELF PITY

MEDITATION John chapter 5: 1-9

1. In Jerusalem there was a pool named Bethesda having five porches where many impotent people, lame and blind were laying. (V1-3)
2. They were waiting for the water to be stirred as some times an angel comes down and troubled the water and whoever stepped in first were healed of all their diseases.  (V4)
3. There was a man lying there with an infirmity for 38 years. ( v5)
4. Jesus saw him lying and asked him if he wants to be made whole (V6)
5. The impotent man said that there was no man to put him in the pool when the water is stirred and someone else enters first. (V7)
6. Jesus told him to rise, take up his bed and walk.  ( V8)
7. Immediately the man was made whole and he took up his bed and walked.  (V9)

LIFE APPLICATION:

Today I would like to bring to light the stronghold of self-pity, which the Holy Spirit will open our eyes to, through this meditation:

1. I would like to analyse the condition of this person. If you can identify yourself with this person, then this meditation is for you.
A. 38 years of infirmity.

A long term illness undefined, that he can do nothing by himself and under the mercy of others.
Many times we are unable to pick ourself up. We are lying in our weaknesses (V5)

B. He had repeated failures;

 He has seen before his eyes the waters being stirred and someone being healed but not himself. (V7) We see a lot of people around us coming out of problems easily, but not us.

C. He was discouraged because of repeated failures:

He puts it as, when the water is stirred, someone else enters first and he misses every time. (V7)

D. He was very angry:

He was angry with people that nobody helped him out in his distress. (V7)

E. He was sad:

He was sad again, as he has no way out. (V7)

Who has more reason to feel pity for himself, more than this man??

Also the self-pity can follow a  series of emotional manifestations like,
Discouragement, disappointment, sadness, depressive thoughts, hopelessness and why not even thoughts of suicide.

So how are we to deal with it? Scroll down to know more...

 1. Waiting for Miracle:

Long term waiting is not a pleasant situation to face. The WORD of GOD says,

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
Proverbs:13:12

Yes, whenever our hopes are deferred our heart is sick. But when what we desired comes it is like a tree of life.

Dear brothers and sisters, is your heart sick of waiting? God has a better way of dealing it. The WORD of GOD says,

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah:40:31

If waiting for a miracle is making your heart and life sick, wait on the Lord, for strength.
He will give you the strength to run till you receive your miracle.

Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.
Psalm:84:5

Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.
Psalm:84:6

They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.
Psalm:84:7

You want to move from strength to strength? You feel your strength failing? You cannot go 1 step further, wait on the Lord and he will be your strength.

2. Dealing with repeated closed doors:

This is another source of frustration. We desire for things to happen and if it doesn't our heart is becoming sick. We don't stop there, we blame God for that too. This is human nature.

What to do when confronted with closed doors everywhere?

1. Be still:

And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will show to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more forever.
Exodus:14:13

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalm:46:10

Let us be still and know that he is our God.

2. BRING our desires before God:

He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.
Psalm:145:19

Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah.
Psalm:21:2

3. Acknowledge GOD and allow God to direct your paths:
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs:3:6

C. Dealing with discouragement:

Discouragement hits everyone. Even the great prophets like  Elijah and Jonah were discouraged that they wanted to die.

But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
1 Kings:19:4

Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.
Jonah:4:3

But praise God for the blood of CHRIST we can boldly go before the throne of grace.

Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews:4:16

Dear brother, Dear sister do not be disheartened... through CHRIST we have Grace upon Grace. We do not need to stay discouraged forever.

We can boldly approach the throne of Grace when in distress.

3. Dealing with anger and sadness:

Getting angry or becoming sad, especially with other people when our things don't work our way is not going to help us any further.

This is where we renew our minds to rise up. Christ has promised us a garment of praise instead of a spirit of heaviness.

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Isaiah:61:3

Put on the garment of praise, that is the treatment for a heavy Spirit. It is a willful act. We might sometimes have to force ourselves to give thanks to God. But do it...
 This is how we declare to the enemy that we are no more on the bed and along with the people who are going to be there in infirmity forever...

This is what CHRIST means, RISE UP, TAKE YOUR BED and WALK. My good friends, the word of life is spoken in your life. Rise up... stir your spirits and renew your strength like an Eagle...

All the more.... Rejoice! We have a miracle-working GOD

JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH

 MEDITATION John 4:45-54

1. The Galileans received him for the miracles he did in the marriage of Cana. ( V45)
2. There was a nobleman in Capernaum and his son was sick. ( v46)
3. He be sought Jesus to come and heal his son as he was sick unto death. ( V47)
4. Jesus said if they don't see miracles they will not believe (V48)
5. He again called Jesus to come and heal his son or else he will die. (V49)
6. Jesus told him to go his way and that his son is living. He believed the word of God and he went his way. ( V50)
7. And as he was going home his servants met him on the way and told him that his son is living. (V51)
8. Then when the nobleman asked the time when his son recovered it was the same hour when Jesus spoke those words. (V52,53)
9. This is the second miracle Jesus did in Galilee. (V54)

LIFE APPLICATION:
1. There was this nobleman whose son was about to die coming to Jesus for a miracle.

Receiving Miracles from GOD:
I am summarising this life applications as steps to follow in receiving miracles from God.

1. Hearing the word of God:

The nobleman could figure out that Christ is the giver of life and he knew that CHRIST can help him out hearing people talk about Christ.

Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
John:6:68

The WORD of CHRIST gives eternal life.

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
1 John:1:1

2. Believing what we hear:
Faith comes by hearing and by hearing the word of God.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans:10:17

3. As this faith grows in us by hearing and hearing the word of God it has the ability to move mountains.

And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Matthew:17:20

Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
Matthew:21:21

Faith needs to grow. Again I EMPHASIS  on this. FAITH GROWS ONLY BY HEARING THE WORD OF GOD.

 Jesus deals with this man's faith in (V48). The WORD of GOD says, many have got their dead risen up by Faith.

Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
Hebrews:11:35

My brother, My Sister; how is your faith? Is our faith wavering?

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
James:1:6

God does not want us to stagger in faith
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
Romans:4:20

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
Matthew:21:22

Ask, believe and pray. You will receive what you need.

4. By faith we win the battle in the Spiritual realm:
By faith, we move God's heart to avenge for us. (V49)

And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
Luke:18:7

I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Luke:18:8

If God can see this kind of faith in us he can never stop but avenge us speedily.

5. When the battle is won in the spirit realm, the word of God is spoken..(v50)  this is the spoken word of GOD. The RHEMA.

He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.
Psalm:147:18

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Isaiah:55:11

This word goes forth to accomplish what it is spoken for.

6. In the physical realm, we ought to believe and obey. (V51) The nobleman believed and went and received his son alive. ( V51-54)

What do you need in LIFE? Do you need a miracle? Nothing moves the heart of God like Faith.

Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
Habakkuk:2:4

The JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH. Dear Child of God, don't give up on God. Don't waver in faith. He is our abba father. He knows the deepest desires of our hearts even before we utter a word...

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
Matthew:7:11

God wants us to be filled with good things in our life. He is a good, good father. He does not wish anything bad for his beloved children. So ask of him and you will receive that your joy may be full.

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
John:15:7

May God bless you...

The WORD became flesh : A Meditation John 1: 1- 5

1. Jesus is THE WORD.
2. He was in there in the beginning in the form of the word.
3. Jesus was there in the beginning when the world was created in the form of THE WORD.
4. Everything on Earth is made by him, through him and for him.
5. He is life.
6. This life in Jesus is a light to all men.
7. Where this light (life) is,  there can be no darkness.
8. This is one light that darkness can never swallow.

LIFE APPLICATION:
1. Can we equate the Holy scriptures  to Christ Jesus who came in flesh?
2. Do we still live in darkness not allowing the light of Christ to shine through us?
3. If light is life then darkness is death. Which side are we.?
Let this word of God work in us and through us that we will be able to walk in the light as children of the most high God.