IDS INSPIRATIONS

Life often presents us with struggles that seem insurmountable. At times, we feel stuck, powerless, and without hope. But the story in John 5:1-16 reminds us that hope in the Lord can transform even the most desperate situations. ### The Man by the Pool of Bethesda In this passage, we encounter a man who had been ill for thirty-eight years. He lay by the pool of Bethesda, where many sick and disabled people gathered, hoping to be healed when the waters were stirred. But for nearly four decades, this man remained in his condition. He was unable to move quickly enough to reach the water in time and had no one to help him. Imagine his frustration, loneliness, and sense of hopelessness. ### Jesus Sees and Offers Hope Then came Jesus. He saw the man lying there and knew his condition. Instead of asking about the pool or discussing the man’s long wait, Jesus asked a simple but profound question: **“Do you want to be healed?”** The man responded with his reality—he had no one to help him into...

A father sat beside his son's hospital bed, watching helplessly as his condition worsened. The doctors had done all they could, but the situation looked bleak. Desperate, the father turned to prayer, asking God for a miracle. Though he saw no immediate change, he felt a deep assurance in his heart—God had heard him. The next morning, to everyone's amazement, his son showed remarkable improvement. The doctors called it a medical mystery, but the father knew it was faith in God’s power at work. This real-life scenario mirrors the powerful story of the royal official in John 4:43-54 , whose unwavering faith in Jesus led to his son’s miraculous healing. It reminds us that true faith is believing in God’s word even before we see the results. The Royal Official’s Faith When Jesus arrives in Galilee, a royal official approaches Him, pleading for the healing of his dying son. He begs, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” (John 4:49). Instead of going with him, Jesus simply say...

Today, we reflect on one of the most powerful parables Jesus ever told—the story of the Prodigal Son . It is not just a story about a wayward son; it is our story . Each of us, at some point, has wandered away from God in different ways. This parable reveals the journey of conversion , and through it, we will reflect on four key steps: Realization – recognizing our sin. Renunciation – turning away from sin. Repentance – a sincere change of heart. Restoration – returning to God’s love. Let us open our hearts and allow God to speak to us today. 1. Realization: Recognizing Our Sin (Pehchaan’na) The story begins with a young man demanding his inheritance from his father and leaving for a distant land. He lives recklessly, spending everything on worldly pleasures. But soon, a famine strikes, and he finds himself starving, lost, and empty . Luke 15:17 says, “When he came to his senses…” —this is the turning point. He realizes the gravity of his mistakes. Many...

Once, there was a tall, strong tree that stood by a river. It was proud of its height and thick branches. It often laughed at the nearby reeds, saying, "Look how weak you are! You bend so easily, while I stand firm against the wind." The reeds replied softly, "Brother Tree, humility keeps us safe. By bending, we survive the storm." But the tree only scoffed. One day, a fierce storm came. The wind howled, and the river raged. The proud tree stood straight, refusing to bend. "I will not bow!" it declared. But the storm grew stronger—until, with a loud CRACK!, the tree snapped and fell into the river. The reeds, however, bent low with the wind. When the storm passed, they stood up again, unharmed. The fallen tree, now broken, understood too late. "I was foolish," it sighed. "My pride destroyed me, while humility saved you." The Danger of Self-Righteousness The Pharisee in this parable believed himself to be righteous because of...

In Mark 12:28-34, Jesus is approached by a teacher of the law who asks Him which commandment is the greatest. Jesus responds by emphasizing love—love for God and love for neighbor. The teacher agrees, acknowledging that love is greater than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. Jesus then tells him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” Mark 12:34 “When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ And from then on, no one dared ask him any more questions.” 1. Knowing Is Not Enough The teacher of the law understood the greatest commandment, and Jesus commended his wisdom. However, being “not far” means he was close—but not yet inside the kingdom. Intellectual knowledge of God’s truth is important, but salvation requires a personal commitment to Christ. 2. The Heart’s Response Matters The difference between being near the kingdom and entering it is our response. Do we simply admire God’s word, or do we live it out? Jesus...

In Luke 11:14-23, Jesus demonstrates His divine authority by casting out a demon from a mute man, allowing him to speak. However, some among the crowd accused Him of driving out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons. Jesus responded by explaining that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand and emphasized that He was casting out demons by the power of God, proving that God's kingdom had come upon them. Luke 11:14-2 3 “Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed. But some of them said, ‘By Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.’ Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven. Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: ‘Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? ... But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God h...

When Jesus Christ preached to His disciples and the people, He made it clear that He did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them. Matthew 5:17-19 enumerated the following points: 1. Jesus Came to Fulfill, Not Abolish Many believed that Jesus came to end the Jewish Law, but He clarified that His mission was to complete it. The prophecies and laws of the Old Testament were meant to point to the coming of the Messiah. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus fulfilled the true purpose of the Law. 2. God’s Law is Eternal Jesus emphasized that not even the smallest detail of God’s Law would disappear until its purpose was fully achieved. This shows that God’s principles are not temporary but hold eternal value for all generations. 3. The Importance of Obedience and Teaching Jesus warned that those who disregard His commandments and mislead others will be considered least in God's kingdom. However, those who obey and teach His words will be hon...

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” – Luke 1:38 Life often presents us with unexpected moments—some bring joy, others bring uncertainty. But what if God called you to something so great and life-changing that it filled you with both excitement and fear? This is exactly what happened to Mary , a simple girl from Nazareth, when the angel Gabriel appeared with a divine message: She would bear the Son of God!   A Divine Interruption (Luke 1:26-29) Mary was living an ordinary life when, suddenly, the angel Gabriel appeared, saying: “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was troubled. Why would an angel visit her? She was just a young girl, engaged to Joseph, living in a small town. Like many of us, she probably felt unworthy and unsure when faced with something much bigger than herself. Consider the story of Rosa Parks , a simple woman in Montgomery, Alabama. One day in 1955, her normal life was inte...

“Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown.” – Luke 4:24 Rejection is something we all experience. It hurts when people we love and respect turn us away, doubt us, or refuse to see our worth. But rejection is not the end of the story—it’s often the beginning of something greater. Even Jesus faced rejection, yet He remained steadfast in His mission. Jesus in His Hometown: When Familiarity Becomes a Barrier Luke 4:24-30 tells a powerful story. Jesus returned to Nazareth, where He had grown up, and went to the synagogue. At first, people were amazed by His words. But when He reminded them that God’s blessings were for all, including Gentiles, their excitement turned into rage. They refused to accept that someone they had known as a child could be the Messiah . In their pride and familiarity, they rejected the very person who had come to save them. Instead of believing, they tried to throw Him off a cliff! Yet, Jesus was not shaken—He walked away and...