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W.A.T.E.R. - Willingness


 Willingly Accept Truly Eternal Rivers - Willingly
“Do you want to get well?”
John 5:6



Are you ready to step in supernatural water as we focus on verses from the book of John spoken by Jesus? Come soak with me!

In John 5:1-9 Jesus asked a certain man who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years, lying by a pool, “Do you want to get well?” “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” 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... The man was willing and so was Jesus.
There were also the Israelite priests who willingly did what they were told when they came to cross the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land.  The testimony of God’s care and provision is demonstrated very clearly. And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the LORD—the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap. Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away...” (Joshua 3:13-16). Faith in action! And their faith was rewarded! Note how the waters didn’t stop until their feet touched the water.

What if they had not been willing to step into the deep waters?
The will is the voluntary desire or active choice by either God or humans.  God is able and He is willing. He is more than willing to draw us to Himself by the Holy Spirit.  Jesus willingly went to the cross on our behalf.
Willingness requires humility.  It says, “I have a problem that I can’t fix.” “I can’t do it on my own.”
Willingness requires making choices that may be inconvenient, painful, and sacrificial.  Choices that God will not force you to make.
Willingness requires engaging your heart, not just your mind.
After many years of emotional illness, I wanted to get well. I’ve heard struggling loved ones admit, “I don’t want to deal with my issues.” I understand, but putting off getting well only compounded my problems.   
Peter was willing to leave the safety of the boat to walk on water toward Jesus in spite of fear and doubt. Will you? Will I?
Heavenly Father, I want to be well.
Karen Sims

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