The Woman At The Well

The Samaritan woman at the well, found in John 4: 7-43, is one of the most popular women in the Bible. Her encounter with Jesus was life changing. It also is a source of encouragement for us.

First Jesus offers her "living water" in spite of her nationality. Jesus was a Jew and she was a Samaritan. Verse 9 says, "For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans". The fact that Jesus was even talking to her was amazing.

Second, He knows her history. She has had five husbands and the man she was currently living with was not her husband. Again this didn't stop Jesus from offering her the water that will become "a spring of water welling up to eternal life." He didn't tell her to change her lifestyle. I am going to assume that the changes came later. As we grow in our faith, the Holy Spirit will convict us of sin and the need for repentance.

Third, He points out that one day all (regardless of heritage) "true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for such the Father seeks to worship him". Paul says in Romans 10:12, "For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and bestows his riches upon all who call upon him".

The woman leaves her water jar and goes back to the city and tells the people what took place. They go to where Jesus is. Verses 39-42 says, "Many Samaritans from the city believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me all that I ever did." So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two more days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, "It is no longer because of your words that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world." She is doing the work of an evangelist!

Jesus meets us where we are. It doesn't matter your sex, lifestyle, or heritage. He is seeking true worshipers. The lifestyle changes will happen. You cannot follow Jesus and not be changed! There is so much more to be gleaned from these verses. I hope you are encouraged.

Life Verses

The group doesn't look the same as it did last year at this time. Some folks have left and new ones are joining. What I like is that the new members have jumped right into the mix and are contributing. The important thing is that the Lord has remained a part of the group and He is blessing us.

Last week we started looking at group members' "life verses", Scriptures that encourage us in our walk or are the foundation of our faith.

Kelli started off with Joel 2:25 and Isaiah 41:10. Joel talks about restoring the years that the locusts have eaten. Kelli says that she sees that as God restoring what was lost before salvation. At some point a believer looks back and thinks about what things could have been like if they had come to faith earlier in life.
God redeems that time.

Isaiah 41:10 encourages us to not be frightened or discouraged. In those times God strengthens us. He says he will uphold us. I hope that encourages you.

Virginia shared Psalm 34. It starts out with praise to the Lord. The Lord delivers us from our fears. Psalm 34:8 is a well known verse of the Bible. It says, "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him." You could probably spend weeks in this Scripture. David goes on to talk about staying away from evil. He talks about how God can see and hear us. The Lord is near to those who are brokenhearted and crushed in spirit. Also in keeping with Kelli's verse in Joel, Psalm 34:22 says, The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned."

I hope these words encourage you. They certainly do me. I'm looking forward to hearing other "life verses". Be encouraged.