Pastor Grant-Ross spoke Sunday on the story of the guy at the pool of Bethesda who had been crippled his whole life. When Jesus came along and asked him a simple question the man was full of excuses. Jesus said, "Do you want to be healed?" The man says, "yes, but..." Jesus had asked a simple yes or no question. He was looking for a yes or no for an answer. "Do you really want to be healed?"
Jesus is asking us the same question but so many times we, like the paralytic here, come up with excuses. Jesus doesn't want excuses. Do you want to be healed/delivered? If so, stop making excuses and pick up your mat and walk! Are you willing to let some things or people go? Are you willing to change your schedule? Are you willing to change your lifestyle? How bad do you want to be rid of whatever you need healing/deliverance from? To what length are you willing to go?
Do you REALLY want to be healed?
Yes, Lord. I want to be delivered of my poor eating and exercise (or lack thereof) practices! Lord, help me to make the changes that I need to make. Help me to see the benefits of the sacrifices and not just the loss. I want to be able to fulfill Your calling for my life and I know that my unhealthy lifestyle is standing in the way of that.
