Rise, Regardless (Part 3)!

INSPIRE Devotionals With Emmanuel Afiawari Thursday, December 12, 2024 Topic: RISE, REGARDLESS (Part 3)! Bible Text: John 5:7-8 NKJV 7. 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, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.”  INSPIRATION: Jesus appeared not to be having any of the things the impotent man was saying to justify his prolonged stay in despair. Whilst his reasons seem genuine, Jesus points him to a possibility beyond his comprehension - being in pain can make us imbibe philosophies that entrap us the more. Jesus was going to defy the protocol of waiting for the water to be stirred to get him to wholeness. He is the miracle the man needed; the very Man this impotent man complained of not having. Sometimes, we remonstrate vehemently when our ability to discern is affected. How so often are we in our divine moment but fail to realise it? How so often do we have the Master right there but we remain in trouble for lack spiritual sensitivity? Twice we saw God call Abraham to a place of separation where he could see clearly: firstly, after Lot separated from him (Gen. 13: 14 - 15); secondly, when he asked his servants to wait while he and Isaac went further to ahead to offer sacrifice (Gen. 22: 5). Both incidences have great significance: God pulls us from our pasts with limiting mindset to where we can harness all of the possibilities He's unveiling to us; He sets us apart from people who have no bearing to our manifest future! Jesus was telling the impotent man, all you know are history, in your past; I'm your future. You don't belong to the past. So rise up! Roll up your past and walk into your future. Dare to race towards future; it's calling and pulling you to come. Don't stay stuck in yesterday! As the year rolls behind it the days, look towards a future with greater assurances that your failing experiences can't hinder the future from setting in. Regardless of the struggles, rise to a new level of faith, passion and determination. Kiss yesterday goodbye. God is doing new things, calling you to experience this newness (Isa. 43: 19). Your glory days are here; your answers are upon you with new pathways to thread! This isn't a feel-good motivation; try again! TODAY'S TAKE HOME: Limitations in our minds can foster great limitations in our expression of reality. But you can rise above any limitations! PRAYER: O Lord, I refuse to stay stuck in yesterday with all it's failures or limitations whilst my future beckons. I'm rising to new experiences, taking new territories, doing exploits and winning strategic battles. I heed the call to brace up to my assignment that is boundless in scope of delivery. Help me Lord not to waste my future being trapped in yesterday, in Jesus name, Amen!