Story of A Man Out of Chance and Capacity but found amidst Competition

John 5:1-15 New King James Version 

A Man Healed at the Pool of Bethesda

5 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda,[a] having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had.[b] 5 Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”

7 The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”

8 Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” 9 And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.

And that day was the Sabbath. 10 The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.”

11 He answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’”

12 Then they asked him, “Who is the Man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13 But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.”

15 The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.

It's easy to question what can this man teach us ? His story sounds very unfamiliar to many of us, however, there are three things with which everyone of us may identify ourselves alongside him. I would like to draw three C from this text, which would summarise the condition of this man.

1. CHANCE 

Let's suppose that once in a year water is stirred. But he could not reach for 38 years. It equals 38 years in total. It's like being found in the same class again and over again for 38 year.  

Many of us may have been in the same place as this man was, of course, not with the same sickness but same as the one who lost multiple chances in attempting to achieve something meaningful. Today you may be standing in a place, that appears to you as a place where you have no more chances left. But remember if you are able to read this article God is offering you another chance. God is the God is opportunity. He gave that chance to apostle Peter. Peter had lost all his chances to get restored. And he knew this well and was guilty about it and must have though that now when I have denied my Master at His face now I have run out of all my chances to get back. Ironically, God always works quite differently than the way man understands. 

Jesus offered him another chance. And Peter took it with joy and never let down his master again. Today He is calling you to offer one more chance. 

2. CAPACITY

When Jesus came near to him, he said to Jesus, "I have no man to help me get in the pool" We see another problem with this man that he had no capacity to help himself and that's why he was looking at people to help him but sadly enough there was no one to help. And this again becomes quite identical with many of our situation. First we have no capacity of our own to help ourselves. Capacity includes; human strength, money, resources etc. You have squandered everything in your life and may have come to a place where you are empty handed. And not only you are empty handed with no capacity but the second problem with this man was he had no one to help him as he himself tells to Jesus Christ. You sometimes see your friends that they are being helped by their parents and relatives but in your life there is nobody to help you no one to care for you. 

Just think with me for a while....this is the only or few of those miracle where Jesus Himself went to the sick without their request to heal him. Very much un-probable. So it's all about His strength not your's. 

3. COMPETITION

Remember this man was not alone but he was among those who were persistently competing with him to get ahead of him. And sadly enough, for all these days his competitors were always ahead of him to reach out the pond as it was being stirred up by an angel. 

We also sometimes find our selves among such competitors. Where we see people around us growing on their spiritual/physically, they are ahead of us in every front. Many of us feel a sense discouragement and think for all these years we had been praying and praying but Lord has not answered me yet. This is a very very difficult this to experience as ye followers of Jesus Christ. But let's not forget that this man had an end to his misery only when he encountered Jesus in his life. Today, Jesus is at your door of your heart, knocking, would you let Him in. So that you may experience the liberation as this man did. 

Many of us may find ourselves in the same place as the man at pool. You may have lost all the Chances; you may have no Capacity to help yourselves; you may be amidst stark Competition. Certain things in your life only Jesus can set free. That guy might have thought who are you telling me that I can free you. I have seen many like you no one could do. He is not here to tell you 39th time you may do. But He says I can free you RIGHT NOW. 

Do you wanna be free?

GOD BLESS YOU !!!

Image Source: https://www.google.co.in/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=imgres&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwimgJe7vJvPAhWEFpQKHTXYDTwQjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lds.org%2Fmedia-library%2Fimages%2Fbible-pictures-pool-of-bethesda-1138571%3Flang%3Deng&psig=AFQjCNEn74YBfNBfgbSPeXkt5kVgtJPxDw&ust=1474375738552063

Read More

Lessons from Colossians 2:2-6

TEXT: COLOSSIANS 2:2-6 

Colossians 4:2-6 (ESV)

2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

This year in the capital of India on the day of 15th August, India's Independence Day, a beggar was seen at the signal asking alms. Sadly enough nobody was mindful of this man. And on the other side another boy selling India's flag and sold all the flags he had. Seeing this, the beggar planed to snatch this flag-boy's money which he could accumulate by selling flags. And as this beggar drew close and snatched, boy started weeping and somehow made all efforts to escape but failed in every turn and beggar disappeared with his money. Now boy had nothing in his hand to spend for himself, even for food. This man searched every every garbage can, nook and corners but could find nothing, whereas beside him people were busy with their stuff; enjoying street side foods and celebrating Independence Day on social media. Later, hit by a rushing car this boy was found dead the same evening. This is the picture of the dark side of our country left unattended at large. 

Similarly, Paul also could not see the problems in the church and city of Colossi and responded with his magnificent letter, which is also one of the prison epistles.

Paul, basically, wrote this letter to counter false teacher and strengthen believer in their spiritual walk. In this passage there two pivotal truths that Paul's urges church to incorporate in their daily life. 

1. SIGNIFYING THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER

With much passion, as Paul asks we have to pray for our nation. Prayer is an indispensable tool to draw will of God on earth. Paul compels believers to pray for unbelievers so that they may come to realise Jesus as the their saviour and get delivered from bondage of sin and Satan. 

Someone said working hands are better than praying hands; but want to say working hands today need praying hands for greater effectiveness. 

  

2. SIGNIFYING THE PRACTICE OF PREACHING

But alongside of prayer we also have to speak about the mystery of Christ. Mystery is nothing but the simple gospel of Jesus Christ. That's the work we as believer have got to do. This is the work of a believer to evangelise unsaved. It's not only the work of a pastor, evangelist or the one who has given his/her for for full time ministry but everyone who has ever come to know who Jesus is and what he matters to Unknown. 

From the centuries nobody could stop the work of Lord. It was possible not by some great resources or expertise but simple prayer and preaching of gospel by simple people. Let's once again remember the desideratum of praying and preaching to a lost nation as such India.  

Image Source: https://crippledsteps.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/colossians.jpg

Read More

Godly Nuggets for Successful Life

Godly Nuggets for A Successful Life

Here are a few Godly nuggets that must be incorporated by everyone seeking to be successful in Christian life. Because these are not only Biblical principles but also practical and simply effective if followed seriously. Let’s delve in the life of a Godly man of the Old Testament, called Nehemiah, who is busy in successfully finishing the God-given task. For making it easy to remember, all points starts with letter P.  

1. Plan to take risk, without risk no success is achieved.

While he left the palace and came down to streets, surrounded by enemies to rebuild temple walls, Nehemiah heavily risked his life. And that’s the breeding-ground of the beginning of all success that anyone has ever achieved of any sort. Moreover, this risk was based on the promises of God. Believers always have their foot griped on the unending promises of God.   

2. Pray as if everything depends on God and work as if everything depends on you.

Nehemiah began the work on his knees with tears in the upper room. And toiled hard until the work was over. One should always remember that it’s not one’s own will and might which would result in the success. But battle belongs to God so the victory is. We are just an instrument used to execute the plan. Daniel is a classic example of this fact. He, even after knowing the plan of God that He would deliver His people from bondage only when the fulfilment of the time would come, regardless of the knowledge of the fact, he opens the window toward temple and prays with tears. So while on the run to success, the knowledge of the plan and consummating victory of God, based on His promises should not discourage us to pray persistently.  

3. Put all effort of all times upon one point.

While Nehemiah, while busy to fulfil the primary task, also had a good number of peripheral responsibilities of other matters, however, in line with the same purpose. Despite the emerging responsibilities of withstanding the constant threats of the enemies, meeting the demands of the material for rebuilding, fulfilling the need of cheering and encouraging the co-workers and maintaining self-confidence and faith in God amidst such turmoil, Nehemiah, without being detoured was able to concentrate and put all effort at single point.   

4. Prioritize the time factor

Of course no one ever has stopped time and tide. But anything fulfilled or achieved after the given or demanded time, loses its significance in the context. One rupee given at the time of need matters more than the 100 dollars given out of time of the need. Nehemiah completed the task within 52 days. This tells us the wise management of time. And in the days such as this, Bible doesn't ask us to save money or property but in contrary it does ask us to save our time.

5. Prefer developing attitude over ability

While, David determined to wage war against Goliath, he wasn't even thinking of his ability (which was of course less in all terms), but his attitude. Similarly, in the case of Nehemiah, the task was too big to accomplish. But instead looking at the problem and his aptitude to solve it, he concentrated his mind on attitude in proportion to the faith in God.  It's better to be too big for a job than to have a job too big for you.
As Paul states, I can't do what I want but in Christ I can do all things. Finally, as you toil to fulfil God-given task in your life, wish you a very successful life.

Source: A sermon preached by Vice-principal Rev. Bijaya Nag at Central India Theological Seminary.

Read More