Steps Toward Freedom

Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. 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. Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. 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?” (John 5:2-6).

Jesus asked this man a seemingly ridiculous question, “Do you want to be made well?” It’s obvious, isn’t it? He is at the pool, isn’t he? The only reason people went there was to be healed. What kind of a question is that to be asking? Of course, he wanted to be healed.

But Jesus was not convinced. This man had been stuck in his condition for a long time. He was not only lying down on the outside, he was lying down on the inside.

Sometimes people get used to living in their problems. While they may outwardly be going through the motions to get free (generally because they know that is what is expected of them), inwardly they have given up.

Sometimes people get used to living in their problems and then it seems that they don’t want to get out of their problems (smart frate). Their problem becomes their Identity. They talk a lot about getting free, while grovelling and moaning and complaining and actually enjoying the place of safety of their problems. If a cripple can suddenly walk or the blind can see maybe they will lose their disability grant and will have to start to work for their living. It’s too comfortable to remain sick.

1.  The first step toward getting free from your problems and that which binds and restricts your life is wanting it—really wanting it.

You have to stand up on the inside before you can ever stand up on the outside.

Let me be very bold and ask you: Do you want to be made well? Do you really want things to change? Or have you grown accustomed to living under the devil’s heel?

If you are tired of defeat, mediocrity and bondage, then stand up on the inside and say, “Enough is enough!” It is the first step toward freedom.

STEP 2 Stop Blaming and Rise Up

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?” 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” (John 5:6-7).

This guy was basically saying, “It’s not my fault. I’m in this condition because of what someone else won’t do for me, or because of what someone else has done to me.”

Think about it, “I have no man to put me in.” Paraphrased that says, “I’m stuck because of what someone won’t do for me.” Or, “While I’m coming, another steps down before me,” which paraphrased says, “I’m stuck because of what someone else has done to me.” Either way, “It is not my fault.”

I am paralyzed; someone else has to get me into the pool first and in time.

Someone else needs to give me a job.

Maybe you can get a job far away – no its too far, they must first give me transport

Someone else has to give me food.

Someone else has to take me to the doctor.

Or

“It’s not my fault. I’m in this condition because of what someone else has done to me.”

After making up our minds that we want to be free, the next step is to stop shifting the blame to others. Do not get caught in the trap of blaming others. Instead, make the decision to rise up.

Someone else needs to give me a job. What can you do or make, what has God already put in your hands to do something with ?

Boy with 2 fishes, 3 loafs of bread.

Joh 6:9-14 MSG

(9) "There's a little boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But that's a drop in the bucket for a crowd like this."

(10) Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." There was a nice carpet of green grass in this place. They sat down, about five thousand of them.

(11) Then Jesus took the bread and, having given thanks, gave it to those who were seated. He did the same with the fish. All ate as much as they wanted.

(12) When the people had eaten their fill, he said to his disciples, "Gather the leftovers so nothing is wasted."

(13) They went to work and filled twelve large baskets with leftovers from the five barley loaves.

(14) The people realized that God was at work among them in what Jesus had just done. They said, "This is the Prophet for sure, God's Prophet right here in Galilee!"

DO YOU NEED OR WANT A MIRACLE?

YOUR BIGGEST MIRACLE MIGHT ALREADY BE RIGHT IN YOUR OWN HANDS

OUMA RUSKS

Ouma (commonly referred to as Ouma Rusks) is a South African rusk made from a traditional buttermilk recipe.[1] It was first produced in the rural town of Molteno, in the Eastern Cape, by Elizabeth Ann Greyvenstyn in 1939,[2] in response to an initiative by the town's pastor to help the entrepreneurial efforts of the women in his congregation.[3] The brand currently dominates the relatively-small local rusk market, and is manufactured in the same town it was first produced.[4]

In an effort to reduce the negative impact of the Great Depression, the town's pastor offered each female member of his congregation money to start local businesses and increase their family income.[5][6] They each received a half-crown, which is equivalent to two shillings and sixpence (roughly worth R520 in 2016).[7]

They were first sold under the brand name "Outspan Rusks" but was changed soon after to 'Ouma' (Afrikaans for grandmother).[8][9]

In 1941[10] the fledgling governmental Industrial development Corporation (South Africa) gave its first start-up loan to Ouma Rusks for £1,500.[11] Elizabeth's grandson, Leon Greyvensteyn, who was involved in the establishment and management of the company went on to found the Simba Chip company in 1956.[12]

Ouma became part of Fedfood in the 1970s, and since 1992 has been owned by Foodcorp (South Africa).[13] As of 2012 Foodcorp still maintains an Ouma Rusks factory in the town of Molteno employing 250 people.[9]

Someone else has to give me food – do you grow any vegetables in your garden or own sone goats or sheep or cattle? 

3. Final key Obey and Get Unstuck

Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk” (John 5:8).

These words were spoken to a man who had been sick for 38 years! His bed had been carrying him, and now Jesus was telling him to carry his bed!

We have discussed several keys to getting unstuck from your problems in our last devotions. First, we must genuinely want to be free, and second, we must stop shifting the blame for our problems to others.

The final key I want to share with you is found in the above verse. It is to obey what the Lord tells you. Whether it makes sense or not—obey!

To a man who had been carried by his bed for 38 years, rising up and carrying his bed must have seemed crazy! But the moment he began to obey, new life and strength began to flow into his previously paralyzed limbs.

Listen for the Lord’s instructions in your heart. Search for them in His Word. There is no faith without action. There will be something that God will require you to do in order to release or express your faith.

It may make sense to you—or it may not. But to quote Mary, the mother of Jesus, “Whatever He says to you, do it” (John 2:5).

If there is any unfilled obedience in your life, get busy and do what the Lord has told you to do. It is the only way to get unstuck.