ON this side of existence, life is a constant battle. No wonder the first thing a new born baby does is to cry. Surprisingly, if the baby does not cry at birth he/she get smacked again! What a cruel world we live! So the only thing that can make life worth living is having the privilege to enjoy successive victories over emerging battles.
Jesus said, in this world, we shall have many tribulations. Tribulation is a combination of problems, difficulties, trials, persecution, temptation, attacks, battles, etc. Thank God, because Jesus finished the statement by saying we should be of good cheer because we will overcome. May you overcome in any battle confronting you in life in Jesus name.
Every victory brings relief. Some victories however add sweetness to the relief they bring. May such great and sweet victories come your way in Jesus name.
In John 5:1-15, The bible talks about the man at the pool of Bethesda, he had been impotent for 38 years.
After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty- eight years. 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?” 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.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.
Now that day was the Sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk. ’” They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him.
Every time the angel of God comes to stir the pool, he would think that his battle would be over, but not. He was incapacitated and helpless. One bright and lovely day however, Christ came along and grant him victory!
It was not just a mighty victory, but a sweet one too. He did not need to jump in the pool. He did not need to be shoved in the water. He simply got up, wrap up his bed and walk free!
If you are suffering any form of incapacitation, you are walking free now. Are you helpless in any way? May Christ personally come to offer you help.
In Luke 8:43-48, The Bible again talks about the woman with the issue of blood.
And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
Excerpts of a sermon by Pastor Samuel OBAFAIYE on October 20th, 2013 at RCCG EFA York