ANCIENT WORD/NEW DEFINITION

Pool of Bethesda (google)

     I began yesterday, thinking, I would clean the house. Nothing turned out as planned. Instead, I rediscovered John in the Bible. Did you know that it was originally believed that Andrew wrote the book, and well, why not...the first 4 disciples chosen, according to the book, were Andrew, Peter, Philip and Nathanael. Where's John? So many discoveries, but I must stay focused. Immediately following the Miraculous Sign #2 of speaking The Word and the official's son was healed in the 7th (rest/sabbath) hour, he goes to Bethesda. Numbers, location, etc. all have meaning in the Bible.
    That being said, the Holy Spirit gave me a guide on #'s to interpret His Word...but not apart from His Spirit. Meaning, even though I have a chart, which orders my thinking, I still need the Holy Spirit to be Wisdom in order to understand in a way that is applicable to extending Love. That being said, first, there were 5 covered collanades. We have heard that the # 5 is the number of Grace. The chart given to me has meaning for Spirit/Natural, because they have two different flow directions. Everything originates in the Spirit, which is poured on us as oil/anointing. Our flow is water, with open, palm up hand, drink offering toward Jesus....see the Circle? Again not trying to get side tracked.
     So, the #5 is (Ministry/Work), and the fact that column/collanades hold up the building, and that they are covered is very important. The next # we see in Chapter 5 is that the man had been an invalid for 38 years. We have to break down the number to get the meaning. Here it is: 3 (War/Battle) x 10 (Law/Commandments) + 8 (New Beginning/Circumcision). So, what The Word is telling us is that the War/Battle, from the beginning, is with the Law/Commandments, and in order to have a New Beginning/Circumcision is required. The problem with man was not physical. How do we know? The only time Jesus "commands" is when demons are involved...why? Because obedience is immediate bowing to His will. Oh, and isn't it cool that the pool was near...not at....just near the Sheep Gate? He asks him, in vs 6, "Do you want to get well?" That, by the way, is a requirement for all who are vexed by demons. What's the point if they don't want to get well?
     The man's answer was a bit shocking...yet very familiar. Vs.7, "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 ahead of me." Go back to Genesis 3:12, "The man said, 'The woman you put here with me - she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it." Then, as we know, the woman blamed the serpent...Who does The Word address in discipline first? The serpent, yes. So, he did with the invalid. He said, vs 8 (New Beginning/Circumcision), "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." Without hesitation, vs 9 says, "At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked."

Using herbs for health (google)

     Now one would suppose after 38 years, there would be dancing and rejoicing, but no. Instead, he was met by "Law/Commandments," who said, in vs 10 ( such perfection), "It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you carry your mat." His reply, "The man who made me well said to me, 'Pick up your mat and walk.'" Really? Did the man who just got healing from The Word just accuse him? Why? Why would anyone have a response like that? It gets worse. They wanted to know who it was, cause Jesus had slipped away from the crowd. In vs 14, it says, "...See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you." Anytime Jesus "sees" someone, it means He sees them naked/greatest lack/door hinge. So, the fact that he is well again, means, the demons came back...but here's a second, and last chance.
     If you are floored by this, no, no, check this out. The next verse says, "The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. No, my friends, that is not a testimony. It is an accusation. So, yesterday, I saw the word WITCHCRAFT in a whole different light. The simplest definition is this: Taking in/Receiving the Gift of God through obedience, then using it to accuse God." This is why Rebellion is AS the sin of Witchcraft.
     Before we become self righteous, I will give my own personal experience. In 2008, after I had experienced complete restoration from D.I.D. and deliverance from demonic influences, the Holy Spirit invited me to crush my "Box of Behaviors" that had kept me safe for so long....from looking like a whore, a broken, needy person, uneducated, etc. Man, I was really into "looking right." When I did, I agreed to walk with Desire without contempt or self loathing. I listened closely, for a good long while, and shut out others who accused me of doing it all wrong. I don't know what changed the direction of my heart, but I decided I was entitled to know Passion NOW! I entered into rebellion against God, angry that I could never have a 50 year wedding anniversary, those grand family dinners, etc....all because of His Love...ugh!!!

Missing the Pt. (google)

     I got myself so deep into rebellion, that Jesus had to bring me to a home of my own. I could have stayed at Restoration Village and been a great help to them, but my choices brought Jesus to discipline me with mercy. My home has been a training ground for 6 yrs and 2 months. I committed Witchcraft. Thank God that there is nowhere I can go that He isn't. I am so different as a result of His mercy and constant discipline. When I put my foot in the stirrup of the High Horse, He is faithful to bring me to remembrance, not shame, and immediately, I'm on a Shetland, riding with humility and gratitude.
     A practical thing to do is ask Jesus, "Am I practicing Witchcraft with any and all gifts you have given me? Did you give me a gift and I am using it to make myself feel better? In my dissatisfaction of your provision for me, am I accusing you?" It's always the heart that God is after. Here's another zinger...The Bible is allllll about Territory. Does God have free reign in His territory, bought by the blood of His Son, rather you are in agreement or not? The answer is in I Cor. 13...love is not self seeking, it doesn't demand its own way.  If Love is not serving Love, then it is lust and it is not God. God is love.