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. – John 5:8-9
Never give up and always try until the river runs dry… keep going because at any instant, there may be immediate relief. Just as God’s resources never run dry, the Guadalupe River never runs dry because it is fed by springs by the Edwards Aquifer which is one of the greatest natural resources of water in the world.
One devotional thought in “Keep Seeking Solutions” is to read the Word for solutions to my problems, to be patient, and work hard to make things better. The man at the pool of Bethesda was disabled for thirty-eight years yet he was finally rewarded when he refused to quit and followed what Jesus said to do.
So, this day with God, here is a good old country song called The River by Garth Brooks to inspire today to never give up but always try. So, my friend, stay between the shores and never be satisfied but sail your vessel ’til the river runs dry.
This picture was taken while riding a boat down the San Antonio River in the summer of 2021. The resource for this river never runs dry because it is fed through a cluster of springs about three miles north of Downtown San Antonio near the University of the Incarnate Word. In the same way, God’s resources never run dry and are always available to help us go further and never stop so this day with God, dream big and keep going like the sick man we read about today in John 5:1-18.
The sick man in today’s passage wanted to be healed and spent thirty-eight years thinking that getting into the pool was the way. The blind, the lame, and paralyzed would wait for the water to stir because they believed an angel would cause the water to move and the first person to step into the water would be healed (v. 4).
When Jesus came to the pool, He asked this question to the man in verse 6, “Do you want to get well?” The man answers Jesus with kind of an excuse by saying he couldn’t get into the pool because of his physical burden and others always went ahead of him so he could never be the first one in the water to receive the blessing.
Many times, we are like the disabled man and kind of have excuses for the problem areas in our life. We think thoughts like if I just had enough money to buy this or that. If I had this skill or if I looked more like that person … or had their car … or had what they wear so I could get noticed … or that house to live in but maybe that’s not what we really need.
Maybe it comes down to simply not having enough faith to take action to make the problem better. The disabled man at the pool of Bethesda followed the command of Jesus in verse 8. The immediate cure came when he did what Jesus told him to do. All he needed was faith in Jesus and his willingness to take action.
The thought for me in today’s passage is to read the Word for solutions to my problems, to be patient, and work hard to make things better. The man at the pool of Bethesda was disabled for thirty-eight years yet he was finally rewarded when he refused to quit and followed what Jesus said to do.
This day with God, help lift people’s burdens by sharing the Word with them. Maybe they’ve tried for years to be free from some burden but all they really needed was faith in Jesus. Today, you have an opportunity to listen to someone’s burden, pray for them, and spark an interest in the Great Physician who can bring the solution they need.
Lord, we pray today that we get up and get moving. Grace has freed us so no one can restrict us and it unlocks our potential to fulfill the purpose You have for us. We’ve started by reading Your Word, praying, and now we ask that we go forward in the Truth for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.
A thought from reading 1 Kings 8:1-21 is how King Solomon built the temple of God with a plan, with patience, and with persistence. These are the same qualities we need as we build our life by trusting in the path provided.
The reading plan below will be used to hold me accountable as I share about God’s Word. It’s important to have a plan. I’m thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Christ as Savior, we have taken the steps necessary to make each day amazing!
John 5:1-18 – How does the sick man answer Jesus’ question? How does Jesus’ question apply to problem areas in your life? What two commands does Jesus give the man (See verse 8 and 14)? How can I help lift people’s burdens?
John 5:19-29 – What can the Son do? List two things He can do (See verses 21-22)? Why can He do these two things (See verses 26-27)? What are two prerequisites in obtaining eternal life? What are the two results?
John 5:30-47 – To what five witnesses does Jesus refer? Do the scriptures bring life? From whom does Jesus receive glory? From whom do you receive glory?
John 6:1-15 – Why does the multitude follow Jesus? Why does Jesus question Philip? What is different about the response of Andrew? What is your response? What did Jesus do?
John 6:16-40 – What power does Jesus reveal in verses 16-21? What are the claims Jesus makes in verses 25-40? What two basic needs does Jesus fulfill?
John 6:41-59 – How do the people respond to Jesus’ claims of verses 25-40? How are Jesus’ flesh and blood connected with eternal life? Can Jesus live apart from the Father (see v. 57)? Can you?
John 6:59-71 – How does Jesus answer the disciples? Who can come to Jesus? How are Jesus’ words connected with eternal life?
Feel free to respond with a short note or a comment about any of the questions above. Also, I welcome any other thoughts or ideas, favorite inspirational videos, photos, or favorite Bible verses. Just add them to the comments.
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Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts
Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God: A Daily Study Guide to the Entire Bible. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1978. Print.
Over the last few weeks, I’ve been looking at ways to apply the word found in the book of John and sharing some thoughts that not only can benefit you now but also help the next generation too! The greatest of all possessions one can hand off to future generations are the guiding principles taught by Christ Jesus.
Brought out in John 3:1-21 is that the Spirit works in you to be a powerful force and through your decision rather than the condition of the word, you can receive the power to accomplish His plan for you to testify about the Light.
A thought from John 3:22-36 is that each member of the body of Christ benefits the team with the objective of helping people participate in eternal life. Each does their part to encourage others to do their part for the team.
Reading John 4:1-26, one thought is that people are not drawn to religion but to excitement for what Jesus has done for you and what He will do for you in the future. The important thing to know is that Jesus can satisfy your basic need which is experiencing the fullness of life.
Spending time in the word reading John 4:27-42, the thought is that with the Internet today, the opportunity to sow seeds in many places is available. Once these seeds take root in hearts, local churches can reap the harvest. The sower and the reaper can rejoice together in the harvest for they work hard together and there is a reward for this hard work in harvesting a crop for eternal life.
Interest in Jesus is sparked and faith is increased from the passage John 4:43-54. Going to God in prayer and asking for help will examine the basis of your faith. Like the official in the passage, you can take God at his word; go on your way today knowing that things will work out the way they should and be satisfied with the results.
The road map is at this link and all who accept Jesus will be rewarded because God’s kingdom has abundance, and the Spirit has no limit! The blessings consist of a future with provision, purpose, peace, and a perfect place for you that is beyond what could be imagined.
This Day With God - A Spiritual Journey 