"Three Steps"

 "Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk." (John 5:8 KJV)

 "The LORD says, "I will guide you alone the best pathway for your life, I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control." Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD. So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!" (Psalm 32:8-11 NLT) 

  On a brighter note, this is a perfect picture of what it means to be transformed, by the Word of God! I know that my title says three steps, but in all seriousness, there is one step to be healed or delivered; the other two steps are about demonstration and completion! When Christ has made you brand new, you are a new creation; now you will be demonstrate the power of God in your life, walking out, sometimes crawling, the victory that has been won in Christ! 

 Is it easy? Depends on your point of view! If you keeps your eyes on Jesus, it is incredible and always full of amazing adventures, but never a burden or a disappointment. But if you keep your eyes on this world, it can be overwhelming and out of control; like a merry-go-round, where you just keep waiting for it to stop or find a spot where you might jump off. 

 As to the bed; Jesus could have told him to just rise up and walk, leaving his bed, since he wasn't going to need it anymore. Isn't that what we might expect to happen? Maybe it was for someone else? Just in case, maybe it was for Jesus to use it somewhere else? Maybe all three! Isn't exciting to see how God works! You think your burden is something that weighs you down, but maybe it actually lifts up someone else!

 Better yet: Maybe Jesus will use your little burden to glorify Himself...

"For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the briar shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off." (Isaiah 55:12-13 KJV)