This is crucial because our lives get messed up by so many things, and it is a question that can keep us turning in our beds, because we all struggle with sickness at one point in our lives.  It could be anything from a headache to a toe pain, alcohol issues, drug problems, depression, etc.

He asked the above question to a paralyzed man who was trying to get in the water for a healing.  He performed a miracle on him when he saw his persistence.  We can learn from him that to get a good result we have to persevere, especially where faith in Jesus is concerned.  For spiritual healing is better than physical.

In most cases we get well physically, because we want to get well and more importantly because God wants us to get well for a purpose.  For example,  Jesus healed all those who desired to get well.  So when Jesus asked this question, he goes even deeper than physical healing, which is our inner-being (spiritual).  When we are healed spiritually we can handle anything. The Bible gives us instructions to aid our healing.  When we get transformed by the word of God, that’s our healing, for example, unhappy marriage can be transformed by the word of God when both parties adhere to its guidance.  A drug addict or dealer can be transformed if they are willing to change.  The fear of God also helps us to transform.

When our lives get messed up by our actions, he asks the same question.  When we are burdened by problems, he asks the same question.  And he also says, ‘come to me all those who are weary and burdened and I’ll give you rest’. Mathew 11:28   When Jesus is in your life, you can relax even when things get too tough and are beyond your control.  God does not allow things in our lives beyond what we can bear.  He only allows things which are common to man.  But every one’s cup is different, which means our problems differ.

When we face a problem God provides a portion of strength to help us handle a particular problem.  But the reality is however, most of our problems are solved by following his wisdom. There are times when we focus too much on our problems, and the more we focus on them the bigger they become, thus creating even more stress.  I used to do that!  Nowadays though, my attitude is different, I focus more on his counselling.  And the Bible is brilliant, when it comes to solving a lot of our issues. When God sees that we are taking in his counselling by faith, he energises us.  It is amazing, the best thing I have ever done, and I wouldn’t exchange for any amount of money.

Some people say, reading the Bible is difficult.  It is not that difficult if you have faith and the right attitude.  Now days, I even use my finger along each sentence.  Starting with the New Testament is easier.  Taking your time, line by line, chapter by chapter is crucial to gain understanding; for it is not just a book, it is God’s letter to us –  a revelation of his thoughts.  In the Old Testament, He wants us to understand what happened before Jesus. The New covenant of Christ is the final fulfilment of his plan.  Jesus said, ‘He is the Alpha and Omega’.  (The beginning and the end)  So reading it carefully with a humble attitude, is the key to knowledge and understanding.  It is a Book of Life, a way to Salvation.  Having God Almighty and Jesus in our lives is something special and it carries no regrets because it is all good.  According to the scriptures, nothing in life will ever surpass that.

God is the source of Love

• Love reaches out and says hello.
• Love connects us to God.
• Love is kind and heals broken hearts.
• Love is patient, smiles, forgives and gives wisdom.
• Love helps, is generous, is not proud and is not selfish.
• Love is not aggressive and hates violence.
• Love has a humble attitude and keeps you out of trouble.
• Love sings, makes you laugh and gives peace.
• Love listens and is a good communicator.
• Love appreciates and gives encouragement.
• Love is faithful and keeps a marriage.
• Love encourages parenthood, provides security and disciplines.
• Love connects us to the environment and other creatures.
• Love respects, does no wrong and hates evil.
• Love gets angry about injustice and focuses on the truth.
• Love is power and conquers all.

God Almighty created every living creature out of Love….and every thing he does is through love…

This is a crucial question which Jesus asked the disciples, to get their attention, despite the fact he knew what they were thinking.  It is a question God asks every one of us, because he cares about all of us.  According to the Bible, (John 10:10) God wants us to live life in abundance, e.g. to enjoy the environment, food, making good decisions etc.  Let’s face it, bad decisions messes us up (sin).  And it is good to live life with hope and no fear, knowing that God has promised us that there is more to come, which is even better than what we have now. (Living forever happily).

God knows it is in our human nature to think, plan, set targets and accomplish our dreams.  Many of us think about what we want every day.  Our ideas are more or less the same, and start from an early age.  Children normally want to play and yearn to have a good relationship with their parents.  I remember there was time in my childhood,  when my sisters and I, desperately wanted a dolly.  It was very rare in those days, for a child to have a dolly, let alone buy one.  Our parents didn’t have much money to spend on toys.  Guess who provided? God!  One day I was walking along a road, and to my greatest surprise, I found a small dolly covered in dust.  It became one of my happiest days as a child. Thus,  I thanked God.

So, children have their own list.  However, as you know, our list becomes bigger as we get older, and gets less as years go by.  God normally blesses us with what we need, even though he is aware of all our wants.

We store our want list in our minds, and God sees each and everybody’s list.  There are so many doors which are connected to our wants and desires. The moment you put something on your want list, a process begins which in a way you’re knocking on that door.  God helps us with the process especially when he knows the door you’re knocking on is good for you, in terms of your personal development.  But the negative scenario is things fall apart when we knock on the wrong door of which the devil is hiding in, for example, when someone desires a wrong thing. Every action begins with a thought, for we are as good as our thoughts. There are times when Jesus says, you don’t know what you’re asking’.  For it is so easy for us, to be consumed by what we want, and forget to look at things in all angles.

Our want list as humans is more or less the same.  One thing we all have in common though, is the desire to be happy, and we put that happiness in various areas of our lives, i.e. marriage, children, education, work, etc. There is nothing wrong with that, so long as God approves.  So it is our responsibility to be careful about what we desire.  Much of our want list has been dominated by money.  But let’s face it, even though money solves some things, it’ll never surpass the bigger things in life like love, peace, faith, etc. Once a rich man said,’ it does bring material things but it doesn’t bring real happiness.’  It is good to hear it from the horse’s mouth.

Most of our wants requires good reasoning, which we do in our minds and in most cases we are not even aware that when we give a reason it is laid bare before God.  For example, we give a reason why we want that job, or why we want to marry the person, or why we want to travel to another country.  Our reasoning can be so bad sometimes, that we end up in a confusion.  When our reasoning is not good an alarm will go off subconsciously in our minds.  For example, when  a young teen and is just starting out in life, they think about  careers and most important of all – love. The question they have to ask themselves  is why that particular person?  For this is a situation God requires someone to give a good reason.

Many of us pursue love, because it is in our human nature.  We want to love someone else, marry them, and have children. Ok, to God that’s a good reason. The moment you put that on your list, the (love) people start coming into your life.  Some of them are destined by God and others are sent by the devil.  Before you make a step, you have to examine their intentions because some will come to take advantage of you and don’t have your best interest at heart.  That’s why it is always good to pray about things, and take God’s guidance when it comes to relationships.  The best guidance we have,  is not give yourself to someone until they commit to a marriage.  And when you’re a serious Christian you have to get someone who shares that conviction to be on the safe side.

Some times God has a way of opening doors to show us his kindness and generosity.  When I compare my list before and the list I have now, I realise now, that things I wanted at one time and didn’t get, I didn’t need them.  And all things I’ve managed to get have been for my own learning experience.  So nowadays, I’ve managed to cross out things on my want list to appreciate what I have.

The truth is God doesn’t want us to be lazy and undisciplined, and expect things to drop on our laps.  He wants us to be wise about the way we make decisions.  He presents opportunities but it’s up to us to make it work.

When Jesus asks, ‘what is it you want?  This is a serious question and is supposed to open our mind to things which are even bigger, and more important than anything else.  The Holy Spirit says, He even asks, ‘do you want to be saved, or be forgiven for your sins on the judgement day?’ This is where you have to examine yourself deeper, and think about salvation.  Another question Jesus asks, do you understand what I have done for you? – His sacrifice to get us saved. When some people heard about Jesus, they asked a serious question; what do we need to do to get saved? Acts 2:38

Jesus said, ‘knock and the door will be opened’.  In this case he means a door to salvation.  When a person puts on their want list, I want to be saved, or to be forgiven for my sins; this opens a way to salvation. This is a way of reaching out to God.