The significance of prayer is that it is an opportunity for us to talk to the creator of the universe. The Lord is never too busy to listen to our prayers as we pour out concerns. Hebrews 4:16So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, …
Don’t miss the gift of salvation. I had preached this on Christmas Eve several years ago. People who may not know the Lord come to worship with family and friends at Christmas. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, people may hear the message of salvation for the first time. I remember one gentleman sitting …
Look for God at work around you, and don’t be surprised how fantastic He is. As we go through life, sometimes we don’t lift our heads long enough to smell the roses and see what God is doing. While Jesus was going to Jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish Holy Days, He ministered to a man …
The story of the healing by the pool shows a problem of religiosity. According to Miriam-Webster, religiosity is intense, excessive, or fervent religiousness. [1] John 5: 9 Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! But this miracle happened on the Sabbath, 10 so the Jewish leaders objected. They said to …
Jesus gives us more than we ask because God is generous. Paul writes about this generosity. Ephesians 3:20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. [1] Paul was under house arrest in Rome when he wrote …
Jesus asked a curious question to an ill man. John 5: 6 When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?” [1] This man had been seeking healing at the pool of Bethesda, along with many others. He had been ill for …
When our problems overwhelm us, we can feel a sense of hopelessness and despair. Maybe you are feeling overwhelmed today as you face life challenges. As Jesus returned to Jerusalem to attend a Jewish Feast, there was also other work for Him. John 5:2 Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, …
Praising God for what He has done changes our perspective as we focus on the Lord, not ourselves. For many people, receiving praise is a beautiful and treasured experience. How often do we take time to give thanks and praise to others? More importantly, how frequently do we praise the Lord for what He has …
We see the importance of spiritual healing in our story. Jesus forgave the paralyzed man before He healed him physically. The paralysis would have been evident to all who saw the man. The need for healing from spiritual, emotional, or relational wounds is less obvious. Because the public can’t see spiritual or emotional hurts, it …
Taking God out of the box is often challenging, especially for adults. Perhaps this is something you are struggling with. As adults, we like to use reason to figure things out, but faith is not like that. Hebrews 11:1 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot …