Stirred

John 5:4 AMP For an angel of the Lord went down at appointed seasons into the pool and moved and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was cured of whatever disease with which he was afflicted.

Humans have incredibly strong survival instincts. In fact, many psychologists will say it is the strongest of our basic instincts. Presented with almost any situation long enough, we learn to adapt, conforming to the demands of the new environment. But left in a situation too long, the tendency is to become apathetic and indifferent, losing our purpose, drive, and passion.

Thirty-eight years is a long time. The nameless man at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-9) originally came to the pool with a drive and desire to be healed, wanting only to be restored to life as he once knew. He was surrounded with like-minded people who each had their own infirmity and a desire to be made well. Can you imagine the conversations around the pool? Telling and retelling the stories of their past, comparing illnesses, discussing previous angelic visits and stirrings at the pool, speculating about the angel’s next visit and who would receive the healing. Sounds like some of our Sunday morning gatherings. The problem was they became so focused on themselves and their sickness they did not even recognize when the healer himself, the very Son of God, showed up.

Back at the Pool of Bethesda, Jesus approached the lame man and asked a simple but profound question: “Do you want to get well?” What seemed like an easy question for a man who had been waiting 38 years to be healed was really meant to uncover what was in his heart. After 38 years, being lame and living at the pool had become his identity. It was how he was known (we aren’t even told his name). But after all those years, it only took eight words to change everything... Jesus said to him, “Get up, pick up your mat, and walk.” He was healed! But not like he expected.

It is easy to become set in our ways, comfortable with the way things are, no matter the reality of our situation, good or bad. And over and over again in scripture, when God chooses to move someone out of a current situation or circumstance, this phrase, “God stirred their heart,” is always there. Whether it was to change their personal circumstances, to change a nation, or to break someone free of generational bondages, God always begins with stirring the hearts of his children. When Jesus entered into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey, Matthew 21:10 tells us they lay out their robes and palm branches, shouted Hosanna, and their “hearts were stirred.” God was stirring up their desire for God to set them free and establish the kingdom of God. It was just not going to happen like they expected.

The word stirred is defined as: to disrupt or set in motion. It is the Holy Spirit who stirs us to action by breathing upon us and putting the desire to honor and obey God in our hearts. When the Lord stirs someone, He doesn’t shake them carelessly with little thought to the mess or timing of the process. He carefully stirs their hearts into action. When someone are stirred by the Spirit of God, something happens—when God stirs hearts, it is because He has something wonderful planned. In an instant, God stirred the lame man’s life and changed everything, giving him a new identity.

God desires to stir your heart. Are you ready? Just ask. God wants to set you free, giving you peace and joy. It may not happen like you expect. But you can be assured of this: nothing will be the same.

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Gary and Sandy Anthony

Judges 13:24-25 NIV The woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samson. He grew and the Lord blessed him, and the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him.

Haggai 1:14 AMP So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God.

2 Peter 3:1 TPT Beloved friends, this is now the second letter I have written to you in which I’ve attempted to stir you up and awaken you to a proper mind-set.

John 5:4 TPT For an angel of God periodically descended into the pool to stir the waters, and the first one who stepped into the pool after the waters swirled would instantly be healed.

Exodus 35:21 NLT All whose hearts were stirred and whose spirits were moved came and brought their sacred offerings to the Lord. They brought all the materials needed for the Tabernacle, for the performance of its rituals, and for the sacred garments.

Isaiah 50:4 AMP The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He stirs and wakens me morning by morning, stirring my ear to listen like one being instructed.

2 Peter 1:10-13 GNT So then, my friends, try even harder to make God's call and his choice of you a permanent experience; if you do so, you will never abandon your faith. In this way you will be given the full right to enter the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I think it only right for me to stir up your memory of these matters as long as I am still alive.

Proverbs 15:1 AMP A soft and gentle and thoughtful answer turns away wrath, But harsh and painful and careless words stir up anger.

Isaiah 42:13 TPT Yahweh goes out to battle like a hero and stirs up his passion and zeal like a mighty warrior. Yes, his God-shout is a mighty battle cry; he will triumph heroically over all his foes.

2 Timothy 1:6-7 NKJV Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Hebrews 10:24 ESV And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.

Proverbs 28:25 AMP An arrogant and greedy man stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the Lord will be blessed and prosper.

Isaiah 51:15 NIV For I am the Lord your God, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— the Lord Almighty is his name.

Luke 24:32 AMPC And they said to one another, Were not our hearts greatly moved and burning within us while He was talking with us on the road and as He opened and explained to us the Scriptures?

Exodus 35:21 NIV Then everyone came whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and they brought the LORD’s offering for the work of the tabernacle of meeting, for all its service, and for the holy garments.