Mind Domination

Scripture: John 5:6-9

When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, "Do you wish to get 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." Jesus said to him, "Get up, pick up your pallet and walk." Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk.

This is a story about a man that had been born lame, and had been in that condition for thirty-eight years. He lay by the pool because at certain seasons an angel of the Lord would stir up the water, and whoever stepped into the water first; would be made well from whatever disease in which they had. However, the man was depending on others to put him in the water; so that he would be made well.

Additionally, he made an excuse, that before he could get in the water; that someone stepped in front of him. Jesus did not have a long drawn out conversation with the man about his condition. He simply asked the man "Do you wish to get well?"

The  will of the man had to be stronger than his physical ability to move, in order for him to get past the mindset of dependency on others; and to defy the environmental stagnation that he had allowed himself to remain in, through the commanded word of Jesus.

When Jesus spoke to him and asked him the million-dollar-question, he made an excuse by stating "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." That's when Jesus spoke to the mind of the man; and told him to get up, and to pick up his pallet and walk.

The physical limitation had been removed by the voice and authority of Jesus speaking to the members of the man that could move, and think, and reason, and believe. The excuses no longer had power over him, and his mind dominated his physical members that were lame; and when Jesus spoke to his mind; he was immediately made well for the glory of God.

Reflection:

There are many obstacles in life, but we must decide whether those obstacles will propel us forward to fulfill our God-ordained purpose; or lock us into the mindset of an unchangeable past. Where there is an excuse, there is an opportunity in the shadows waiting to give birth to new dreams, visions and ideas. It's up to the children of God to take the initiative, and make the dreams that have been placed in our hearts into a visual reality, manifested in the natural realm.

In the pursuit of what is already ours as children of God, it is essential that we speak the word over every situation, every circumstance, and every seemingly opposing force that would attempt to block our progress, because it's just a matter of time before the promise(s) gives birth; right in front of our very eyes. So, no matter what it looks like, know that God has already put the finishing touches on the promise that He made to you.

Prayer:

Father God, I will not make excuses that will hender me from moving forward into the plan and purpose that you  have for my life. I will move forward and not backward. I will acknowledge you in all my ways, and you will direct my path. I will not allow obstacles to hinder me, or the tenacity of someone else to step in front of the promise that you have given to me. I will use the mind that you have given me to dream, to create, and actualize what you have engraved on my DNA.

I thank you for reminding me on a daily basis through your word, that you have already provided blessings and abundance for me; and that nothing can reverse what you have spoken over my life. I thank you for the strength to get up, and walk out this life of faith in you. No matter what I see, I will yet believe, because you are not a liar. I believe every word that you have spoken to me, through your will that you have left for me; and through the voice of your prophets. In Jesus Name, I pray. Amen.

Strong's Concordance Definitions:

John 5:8
Jesus said to him, "Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.

Jesus: 2424
Jesus = "Jehovah is salvation"

1) Jesus, the Son of God, the Saviour of mankind, God incarnate
2) Jesus Barabbas was the captive robber whom the Jews begged Pilate to release instead of Christ
3) Joshua was the famous captain of the Israelites, Moses' successor (Ac. 7:45, Heb. 4:8)
4) Jesus, son of Eliezer, one of the ancestors of Christ (Lu. 3:29)
5) Jesus, surnamed Justus, a Jewish Christian, an associate with Paul in the preaching of the gospel (Col. 4:11)

Said: 3004
1) to say, to speak
a) affirm over, maintain
b) to teach
c) to exhort, advise, to command, direct
d) to point out with words, intend, mean, mean to say
e) to call by name, to call, name
f) to speak out, speak of, mention


to him, "Get: 1453
1) to arouse, cause to rise
a) to arouse from sleep, to awake
b) to arouse from the sleep of death, to recall the dead to life
c) to cause to rise from a seat or bed etc.
d) to raise up, produce, cause to appear

1) to cause to appear, bring before the public
2) to raise up, stir up, against one
3) to raise up i.e. cause to be born
4) of buildings, to raise up, construct, erect

up, pick: 142
1) to raise up, elevate, lift up

a) to raise from the ground, take up: stones
b) to raise upwards, elevate, lift up: the hand
c) to draw up: a fish

2) to take upon one's self and carry what has been raised up, to bear
3) to bear away what has been raised, carry off
a) to move from its place
b) to take off or away what is attached to anything
c) to remove
d) to carry off, carry away with one
e) to appropriate what is taken
f) to take away from another what is his or what is committed to him, to take by force
g) to take and apply to any use
h) to take from among the living, either by a natural death, or by violence
i) cause to cease

up your pallet: 2895
1) a pallet, camp bed (a rather simple bed holding only one person)

and walk:4043
1) to walk
a) to make one's way, progress; to make due use of opportunities
b) Hebrew for, to live
1) to regulate one's life
2) to conduct one's self
3) to pass one's life

References:
Blue Letter Bible. "Gospel of John 5 - (NASB - New American Standard Bible)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2009. 19 Dec 2009. < http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jhn&c=5&t=NASB

Higgins, S. (2009). The Will of the Mind. Devotions for Thought. http://www.devotionsforthought.blogspot.com, http://www.higginspublishing.com