Moments with my First Love [UNDER REVISION]

MOMENT 18: How long have you been invalid?

Let's read from the book of John 5:5-9.

5 One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.

6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, Do you want to be healed?

7 The sick man answered him, Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.

8 Jesus said to him, Get up, take up your bed, and walk.

9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath.

What is INVALID?
- being without foundation or force in fact, truth, or law

Sometimes, the reason why we become invalid is because we are not establishing our foundation in the truth/Word of God

- suffering from disease or disability

Suffering comes in the life of every man, that's NATURAL! but suffering for a LONG TIME is no longer fine! It's NOT NATURAL!

- a person who needs to be cared for because of injury or illness

Whenever we feel pain, whenever we suffer, we have this so-called 'longings' to be cared for, to be given attention. But to whom we find that care? To whom we seek attention?

KNOW THIS!
During your suffering, during your invalid moment, JESUS ALREADY KNEW WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH. HE ALREADY KNEW EXACTLY WHERE YOU ARE and He keeps on asking you "Do you want to be healed?" (v6)

The reason why HEALING TOOK SO LONG is because "WE DON'T REALLY WANT TO BE HEALED RIGHT AWAY!" We are like this invalid man in the Bible.

The invalid man said in verse 7 (NIV) "Sir,".. "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred.."

When you are asked, "Do you want to be healed?" Your answer should be either YES or NO, right? If you want, you'll say YES. But we give answers based on how we want to be healed. This is our problem...

Healing is being delayed because we are looking for people to help us be healed!

God said in Psalm 146:3 "Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save." Don't find healing in humans who cannot heal us!

HEALING IS FOUND ONLY IN JESUS CHRIST!

That's why He encourages us to CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD so WE CAN BE SAVED. WE CAN BE HEALED!

Continuatuon of invalid man's statement:
"..while I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me. "

We are not in a competition to be the first one to get healed. It's not a matter of who must be healed first. So ehat if someone was healed first than you? You must keep on trying until you are healed!

Don't compare your process of healing to others. Others maybe fast, and you are not. We have different process. But our goal is just the SAME-TO BE HEALED. God knows what He is doing.

Jesus said to him, "Get up, take your bed, and walk." (v8)
Healing comes the moment you DECIDE TO STEP UP FROM YOUR COMFORT ZONE (bed).

Your invalidity took a long time because you enjoy the comfort of it.

V9 And at once the man was healed..
The moment you move, healing comes immediately!

Sometimes, God doesn't need ro announced that you're healed. You do not need to hear God says it because you already knew that He already declare it long time ago. It is writen. You just have to take a step of faith and claim your healing.

Invalidity is not just about physical aspects. It goes even through our emotional and spiritual concerns. What are you invalid of?

Is it in a matter of forgiving?

Or of joy due to the pain of loss?

Of litting up your fire because of too much sins?

ONLY GOD CAN HEAL OUR INVALIDITIES.

Call upon His Name. Be healed.

Shalom!
To God be all the Glory! :)