Categories
The Overcoming Believer

Healing at the pool

Hey Yielded Family 🩷

“Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath,”
‭‭John‬ ‭5‬:‭7‬-‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Many of us are familiar with this story. This man suffered from a paralytic condition for a long time, and was sitting at the Pool of Bethesda in hope of healing. It was a hope that had been long disappointed because the bible records that he had been in this situation for 38 years. That’s a long time to be sick. I don’t know about you but just an hour of not feeling completely fine is unbearable, what more, a month, a year, 2 years , 10 years , 20 years, and now 38 years! What about his career? Did he get a chance to marry? Did he have children? Come to think of it, did he even have friends? No. He didn’t. Imagine that! Paralysed, most probably broke, lonely and alone! That’s hake-tick!

The place was full of sick people but Jesus was drawn to this man. Maybe because others were too focused on the water but he didn’t even look there anymore for fear of disappointment. Maybe he’s the only one who looked to Jesus not because of healing but that there was nowhere else to look. The water situation was a hopeless plan but then quite naturally, the man couldn’t think of any other way for his need to be met. Jesus does not carry the man to the pool, He starts a conversation with him which turns out so interesting.

Jesus asked the man if he wanted to get well. I wonder why He asked that. Do l want gold and diamonds right now? Oh yes Lord. You don’t have to ask, l want them now as I’m typing! So Jesus saw that the man was paralysed, he was on a mat, he obviously needed healing. That’s not true. Many people are sitting on mats but they’re okay with the situation. They have accepted the sickness as part of them. Poverty. Childlessness. Unemployment. Stagnation. They have settled in with the reality that they don’t even think of a breakthrough. Do you really want to get married? Do you really want to run your business again? Hmmmm.

Let’s read his response. It says , Sir l have no one to help me. The reason why he sat there 38 years is because he had no one to assist him when he needed it the most. This means his eye was always on “who can help me” could that be the reason why he conversed with Jesus? “Oh here’s a man who will finally help me get into the pool.” Being at the pool for a long time , l bet people didn’t help him because they thought he didn’t want it that bad. Or maybe he never asked for help. In any case, his response to reveals a side of many of us. If someone doesn’t help me, I will not prosper. If my uncle doesn’t give me the job, if my aunt doesn’t pay my fees. We have fixated our eyes and faith on man so much so that we don’t realise, God is our ever present help in times of trouble. You don’t choose your destiny helper , God does and you’ll be shocked, it’s not even your own sister.

He had hope, or would never have come to the Pool of Bethesda. Yet once there, he had little hope to be the favoured one to win the healing that day. I totally understand him. I mean, daily he was there and daily he remained paralysed. When Jesus comes into the picture, He doesn’t offer the natural or usual solution . He doesn’t even say, I will take you to the pool, I’m that man you’ve been waiting for. No. He says do what you cannot do. Being paralyzed, it was impossible for him to rise or to take up his bed-mat or to walk. At this moment, Jesus challenged the man to believe Him for the impossible. And the man did- a whole miracle.

The miracle could be in doing what you’ve never done before. Shall we serve water at a wedding feast? We have never done this before. Shall we believe that 5000 people can be fed by just one lunchtin? We have never done this before. Shall l arise and take my mat when l know I’m paralysed? It’s not thought or an assumption, l am sure I am paralysed. I have never done this before. The miracles are embedded in what has never been done before. It’s not in the pool. It’s in the person of The Christ. So what if it’s been 38 years? Our God restores. So what if you’ve waited so long? In a moment the wait could be over. We are talking Miracles.

He wasn’t only healed, his strength was restored else how would he carry his bed? Complete restoration. I don’t know what you are believing God for, I don’t know how long it has been. You may have no one to help you. You literally can’t find someone who is willing to assist you. You may have seen others get what you wanted so bad and they didn’t hustle much for it. They get into the pool after being there for 5 mins but you who has struggled for yeaaaars are still struggling. There remains a hope for Gods people – his Name is Jesus. He performs miracles! He won’t need to carry you to the pool, He Himself is the pool.

I hope you’re expectant. Soon you’ll see your own miracle. Stop checking the clock. Stop blaming people for this and that. Keep your eyes on Jesus and receive your breakthrough! 🩷

Categories
The Overcoming Believer

The Official’s son

“The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.” The man took Jesus at his word and departed.”
‭‭John‬ ‭4‬:‭49‬-‭50‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Hello Family. Welcome to a new week. I hope we are all doing okay? For those of us who are in the lion’s den , hearing the lions growl and snarl, and it seems as if they will open their mouths and eat you up. Paralysed with fear and anxiety. I want to say to you, fear not and do not be dismayed. The Lord your God is faithful to take you out of there! Soon! Hold on! We are still discussing miracles.

Jesus performed plenty of miracles. Of course, many of the things that Jesus did could not have been recorded in such short works. John freely admits, “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book…Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written” (John 20:30 and 21:25). The different gospels record the miracles from slightly a different perspective but we are looking at the gospel of John.

In this story , we meet a desperate father. A man whose child is at the brink of death this means the situation was out of his control. Many times we need miracles for situations we cannot control. Maybe after trying for so long, we exhaust every possible option to help resolve the problem. I don’t doubt that this man had tried many doctors, different medicines, he might have gone from city to city, desperately seeking for remedies to save his beloved son. When he finally met Jesus, Jesus was addressing the unbelief of the crowd. “Unless you see miracles you won’t believe.” We have such people even in the church who want God to prove Himself first before they can fully believe. Miracles don’t exist in the lives of faithless people. As a matter of fact, Faith triggers the miracle. Without faith, expect to keep seeing miracles in the lives of others.

The royal official asked Jesus to come with him and heal His son. He didn’t ask if Jesus “could” do it. That was his first act of faith. He approached Jesus knowing He can do it. Isn’t that what the Bible teaches? Those who approach God must FIRST believe that He is! Before the reward, believe that HE IS. Jesus responds with words. He doesn’t tag along. Most of us think we can just come and drag Jesus wherever we want to do whatever we want. He may have been a royal official but Jesus is the Master. He released a Word and as the man believed, the miracle took place. What do we learn? The word of God mixed with faith creates miracles.

The royal official had instantaneous faith. “He started on his way.” His faith was in action. The man took Jesus at His word. There was no hesitation. He surrendered completely and immediately to the word of Jesus.

“While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living.”
‭‭John‬ ‭4‬:‭51‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This miracle teaches us of the importance of faith. Do you believe? After being disappointed by many medicines , the royal official still believed. “I don’t believe I will get married, many people have disappointed me.” Or “I don’t think I will ever make it. I’ve failed so many times.” We cannot receive what we do not expect. Expectation is a virtue of faith. If God released a word today and said ,”Go apply for the job, you’ll get it.” Will you argue? If the answer is yes then you’re part of the people Jesus was addressing. Unless you see, you’ll never believe…. By the time the official got home, his boy was in perfect health! Imagine how joyful he was!

The truth is, to see , you must believe.

Have a great day!❤️


Categories
The Overcoming Believer

Reflection Friday

Even Mary and Martha had no idea that, that very day they would hear their brother’s voice again.

Vanessa

For a long time l have had no choice but to be strong and by no choice l mean, either I’m strong or I’m strong. Often times we are afraid of crying because it may look like we don’t have faith. We put on our best clothes, to “not look like our problems” which is a great thing by the way – I applaud you if you do that! Many times people grow up thinking they need to muster up more strength to press on. More strength. More strength. We encourage ourselves from within. More strength! We are told to dry our tears, tie our leather belts, pull up our shoe straps and move beyond the heartache of the moment. “You cannot afford to break down, you’re a man. Men don’t cry.” Or “Be a strong girl. Tears won’t help you with anything.” But John 11:35 tells us a different story …

“Then tears streamed down Jesus’ face.”
‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭35‬ ‭TPT‬‬

You may be reading this and you’re not facing any problems, read anyways. You may be reading this and are actually drowning with your hand lifted up to whoever cares enough to pull you out. I am reminded of the disciples in the boat. They were terrified . Justifiably so. If you were in the boat and you could hear the sound of mighty waves, you feel the coldness of the water on your feet, everyone’s shouting out in fear and there is Jesus … sleeping. How would you feel? They felt like He doesn’t care at all.

“So they shook him awake, saying, “Teacher, don’t you even care that we are all about to die!”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭4‬:‭39‬a ‭TPT‬‬

Wait up … I got a little package for you …

When we get too used to self sufficiency and survival mode based on our own strength we can barely hear God gently telling us to unflinch our jaws, let the tears flow and not move a muscle. How many times has He said Be Still and we quote the scripture, post it, while not being still. We’re actually at our busiest trying to fix things while we keep saying , “Be still.”

So what are we doing today? We are choosing to lean on God. We are reflecting on the results of our own work and the proven credible results of God’s work. You know what? I’m actually choosing to be still. Keep praying? Yes. Stress while praying? No. Hand it over . I love how Apostle Paul puts it;

Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. II Corinthians 12:8-10(ESV)

He says l begged for a change of story, three times. Have you been begging for God to change something and you wake up and the situation is the same. By the end of the day you probably feel exhausted from all the anxiety you felt all day. Have you been crying and pleading with God to take away the pain? Then you got up and chose your own strength which doesn’t even get you to the end of the day? If Paul tried to figure things out himself and leaned on his own ability, he would have forfeited the opportunity to experience the power of God. I’m gonna ask you a couple of questions, answer truthfully:

  1. How are you? Think before you answer
  2. Do you feel like crying? Go ahead. Drop those shoulders and just let it out.
  3. Does it feel too heavy? Pretend you’re lifting something off your shoulders, focus, now lift it up and then place it down and say ,”Lord , it belongs to you now.”

Today, there’s one thing you don’t have to do – You don’t have to be strong. “But I have no choice, I need a door to open urgently. Fees, bills, medical expenses. I can’t not do something, you don’t understand, I have a lot on my plate.” If you had a chance to choose another “plate” would you take it? Here’s the chance then. Choose the plate that says ,”Father, you can be trusted.

Don’t overthink. Don’t panic.

And one more thing …

Categories
The Overcoming Believer

Chilled Thursday

Heyyyyyyyyyy!

At this point you guys have heard all my sorries BUT yes I AM SORRY for posting late. It’s Chilled Thursday!! I don’t know if I will chill today; I’m soaking in assignments! I know many times we feel guilty when we rest especially when tasks aren’t completed but rest is biblical. Infact the Sabbath was never to be broken. The practice of observing the Sabbath (Shabbat) originates in the biblical commandment “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy“. God wants us to rest. Burn out is so common nowadays that it literally affects every area of one’s life. It kills zeal to do anything at all. Rest is a must. It is not a choice. According to the bible, we have no choice.
Shabbat is more than just a day off from labor. It is a day of intimacy with God. I love reading so in my resting time l read. I write. I play podcasts and soak in the word of God. I join live videos of sound men and women of God teaching the Word. I watch good Christian movies – these days I can’t find any 🫠 . I groom my hair and nails while listening to some good gospel music. Just chilling with Holy Spirit. We rest – by Abiding. We rest – by Yielding. We rest – by Trusting.

Remember you can book a counselling slot should you feel like you need someone to talk to. Simply scroll down and you’ll find the slots.

Here’s a video that blessed me; I know it will bless you too. Click on the link below.

Watch now

Categories
The Overcoming Believer

Worship Wednesday

Luke 10:38/ John 12:2.

The story of Mary and Martha is one of the most discussed stories in the topic of building intimacy with God. Although some focus on it being a “woman” thing, I believe it is for the entire body of Christ. Men, women, boys, girls, leaders, new converts, everyone! Intimacy with God is a calling to all. The secret place is for all.

The story raises questions about priorities in spiritual life, time spent with Jesus , what comes first, fellowship with God or service. I think is a perfect story for reflection Friday because it literally brings everyone before the mirror. Nobody will leave confused. We will all figure out who we are in the story , Mary or Martha. It also touches on roles of women. Are intimate moments with God only meant for men while women prepare dinner, feed the family, clean, wash? The balance between action and contemplation. The main lesson of the story places emphasis on giving attention to Jesus over our own busyness. 

I love what one of my leaders Ps KG said. He said ,”Careful of being too busy that you miss out on encounters.” This doesn’t only speak on being busy in the market place because church workers will think they’re excluded. It touches on everything called “work” whether you work at a bank or you are an usher at church. Works have a way of taking priority. People prioritise their career over their spiritual life. We prioritise being in the worship team more than the actual worship. Jesus addresses that by saying ,”Martha , you’re missing out on encounters because you worry yourself about many things. You’re too busy! You’re too distracted.” In the busyness of life, lies distractions.

It may be puzzling because the truth is ; someone has to do the work. If we all sit, the work will not move forward. However, the point of the story is Make Jesus Your Priority. Yes Martha can make dinner at another time but when Jesus is there, when it’s time for prayer, or worship, that’s not the time to start thinking about laundry. Even still, Martha was a remarkable woman and deserves considerable credit. Well done to all those who have been tirelessly serving others! You’re amazing!

Service is a good thing, but sitting at Jesus’ feet is best. We must remember what is most important. Good works should flow from a Christ-centered life. Remember, busyness may not necessarily mean productivity. It could be a distraction. Always prioritise sitting at His feet! Have a good day! ❤️


Here’s a 🔌 . Click the link below.