Many Christians attempt to be good showmen by trying to hide problems that affect their walk with the Lord. We may have experienced a new birth, belong to a new family and are citizens of the heavenly kingdom, but we still live and operate withing the confines of the carnal world. We face the same problems and circumstances as everybody else. Jesus said "we are not of the world but we are in the world." We have a tendency to allow the "system" to bog us down. As a Christian and servant of the Lord for over 30 years, I have been in that situation many times. We are not infallible, but I have learned to accept the truth of the Father's word and its literal application to our lives today. We can find ourself in a "rut" and allow ourselves to be affected by that "rut" we are in and thus become like dead wood within our local church. One principle the Apostle Paul set forth was that the "just (or those who have been justified) shall live by faith." Living by or in faith implies our dependence on the Father and to His supplying all our needs according to His riches in glory. Satan, our arch enemy wants us to be despondent, depressed, sorrowful, on the self of do nothing. in a word, ineffective. How can we become an effective Christian worker and be victorious over our cicumstance and "get out of the rut we are in"? Our text speaks about a very real person, Bartimaeus, who had a very real problem. He was BLIND. How much more of an incapacitation could one be in than to try to function in the world without the ability to see? He was in every way affected by his circumstance. Let us look closer to Bartimaeus and learn from his example. He... I. Took Responsibility for His Life. (v.47)(Col.3:17) Taking responsibility means: Admit our weaknesses/shortcomings to ourself. To often our pride keeps us from admitting to ourself that we have any weakness. We need to appear in control at all times. Bartimaeus "cried out." We are not all blessed with the same gifts or abilitites, (1 Cor.12:30) but we are to exercise the ones we do have. Although he was blind, he could hear. And he heard that Jesus was near and that Jesus could heal. Our hearing is very important, "He that has an ear (or ability to hear) let him hear what the Spirit says." We have to admit we have a problem, hear what the Spirit is saying and cry out to the Lord. Acknowledge our Sin/Disobedience. The Word teaches us that our sin will find us out and that because of sin "many are weak and sickly among you and many sleep." It goes on to say, "Purge out, therefore the old leaven, that you may be a new lump." (1Cor.7:7) Bartimaeus cried out, "have mercy on me." Unconfessed sin can render us ineffective and must be confessed. "If we confess our sin He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Don't be Afraid to Ask for Help. James writes, "You have not because you ask not. You ask and receive not because you ask amiss." Many won't ask for help and those who ask don't really believe it will come. And that is why it doesn't. He cried out. II. Believe You Can Change.(v.51b) He was blind but he believed he would gain his sight. Many sincere Christians think the Lord doesn't perform today like He did then. He is the same yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever If one thing is certain, God doesn't change. The problem is we change. To get out of our rut we, too, must believe we can change. (Mk.11:23-24; Mt.21:22; Jo.15:7; 1 Jo.4:22) Believing requires action on our part. If we ask anything of God as it pertains to our Christianity, we must act as if we already received what we asked for. Paul say we are to "Rejoice in the Lord always." Our rejoicing is in Him and it implies joy and happiness. Why? Because it is contagious. Try bursting out in laughter and see what happens. Those around you will start laughing as well. Our long faces and joyless attitude is also just as contagious. If we conduct ourselves like we have already received of the Lord it will be by an attitude of rejoicing in what God has done. III. Clarify What You Need.(v.51a) Bartimaeus clarified his need, "that I might receive my sight." We must also clarify our need. The Lord knows before hand what we need but He wants you the name it. This is our dependence upon Him. "Ask and you shall receive." He didn't say, ask and I might give it to you. He said you shall receive it. He came that we might have an abundant life and that life is not based on one's material possessions but a joyful attitude of heart as one representing the King of kings, and whose Father owns the "cattle on a thousand hills." This is not Name it and Claim it as to acquiring material benefits, but to "letting the peace of God rule in your hearts. It is not His plan and purpose for His children to be defeated, despondent and despress over circumstances. You see, we are more than conquerors through Christ. IV. Stop Worrying About What Other People Say. (v.48) They told Bartimaeus to keep quiet but he cried all the more louder. Satan doesn't want you to be joyous or victoriuos over your circumstance. Like the so-called friends of Job, Satna uses people to accuse or discourage us from gaining the victory. What is at stake is our relationship with the Lord. How can we maintain a strong, vital relationship with the Lord if we remain in a defeated condition? We tend to think He doesn't hear us or He doesn';t care for your problems. HE DOES. "Come unto me all you that labor and are heavy burdened and I will give you rest." Just come to Him and He will take care of it. You can count on it. V. Don't Put It Off(v.49) Don't wait for what you think is ideal time. We are by nature procrastinators. Bartimaeus made his presence known and Jesus called for him. Those with Jesus changed their attitude when they said,"Be of good comfort, Rise, He calleth you." Moses would never have heard from the Lord had he not "turned aside" and approached the burning bush. It was then that God said, "Moses..." If your problem or circumstance has the best of you, don't put it off or wait till a more appropriate time. Your situation will never improve until you present it to the Lord and leave it with Him. VI. Do Something. (v.50a) "Casting away his garment." Bartimaeus did something. he "cast" his garment. 1 Peter 5:7 says, Cast your cares upon Him for He careth for you. That is, cast you concerns or worries on Him. Typically, he laid his problem or burden on the Lord. His garment is what he was wearing close to himself and he cast it off. We can never improve our situation by depending on our own abilities. We must do something about it by giving it to the Lord. VII. Now Is the Time.(v.50b) He came to Jesus. We must do the same thing. Come to Jesus with our needs. The longer we put it off, the harder it will be to recover. We are not our own, we were bought with a price and our Redeemer wants us to be affective in our service to Him. As soon as he came to Jesus, "Immediately he received his sight." His faith that Jesus could do what he said resulted in healing. If we had the faith of a "grain of mustard seed," we might be stronger Christians in His service. Living by the faith of the Son of God means just what is says. Problems are weapons of the enemy to weaken our ranks. Our weapons are not carnal but are Spiritual. "Greater is He that is in you then he that is in the world." Not only did he receive his sight immediately, but he followed Jesus "in the way." He continued his dependence on the Lord. We must do likewise. How sad it is when we only come to Him when we experience problems. How would your parents feel if you only came to them when you need something? We must follow Him with a daily relationship on the mountain tops or in the valleys. The stronger our relationship with the Lord, the stronger our Christian walk will be. Trust Him today. "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, our faith." 1 Jo.5:4. Believers, we can be effective, vital witnesses to the Lord if we would but truly trust Him in all things. Place our dependence in Him and He will deliver. "These things I have written unto you that your joy would be full." Back|Home