Bible Study & Devotional Day 127
Guiding Scripture: John 5:5-6, “One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”
🔴 Do You Want To Get Well?
Written By Reason A. Chandler
If I had been lying by the pool for thirty-eight years and didn’t know who this man was, I might have been offended by the question.
In the meantime, the question is valid and deserves an answer.
His response should have been, “YES”; instead, the man begins to complain. Isn’t that just like us? We have an opportunity to get healing; however, we need to point out the past and blame others! But his complaints serve as a lesson, one as old as the garden of Eden.
I remember when cigarettes were a crippling part of my life, I tried many different ways of quitting, and nothing worked. One day a woman came to my house and spoke to my wife and me. She said, “the Lord sent me here to speak to you about your smoking habit.” She continued to say, “God said if you want to be well, you just need to make up your mind.” Then she turned to my wife and said, “and you and I are too fast for three days on your husband’s behalf.”
When I first heard this, I was like the man at the pool. I thought to myself, I’ve tried everything, and nothing worked. My other thought led me to try God instead of continuing with willpower.
At that point, I surrendered to the woman’s proclamation, and in three days, God delivered me from my smoking addiction.
Sometimes our condition clouds our judgment and makes decision-making difficult. We should not speak of our situation when confronted with such a question. Because that is to succumb to the condition in which Jesus found us, let’s embrace the opportunity to be healed, delivered, and set free of diseases or addictions! Let’s boldly request, “Yes, I want to be made well!!!!
This devotional was written by Reason A. Chandler a loving contributor to Our Given Purpose®. Edited by Torrie Slaughter founder of Our Given Purpose® in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
🔴 The Bible In A Year Daily Reading Plan
Download or Print the One Year Bible Reading Plan
Reason A. Chandler,SR is a pastor serving within the United Methodist Virginia Conference. As the senior Pastor of Jackson Street United Methodist Church (JSUMC) in Lynchburg, Virginia, he has inspired the community to push beyond the limits. The last seven years at JSUMC laid the foundation to move worship into a digital space. The pandemic provided an opportunity to grow and expand the ministry virtually, with Sunday service available on YouTube. Connect with Reason via Facebook.
