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.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Know The Word
The group is continuing to move forward. We have spent the last few weeks in 2 Peter. There's some really good stuff there.
Tonight we looked at 2 Peter chapter two. it is a warning against false prophets.
The Message says, "God is especially incensed against these "teachers" who live by lust, addicted to a filthy existence. They despise interference from true authority, preferring to indulge in self-rule. Insolent egotists, they don't hesitate to speak evil against the most splendid of creatures. Even angels, their superiors in every way, wouldn't think of throwing their weight around like that, trying to slander others before God.
These people are nothing but brute beasts, born in the wild, predators on the prowl. In the very act of bringing down others with their ignorant blasphemies, they themselves will be brought down, losers in the end. Their evil will boomerang on them. They're so despicable and addicted to pleasure that they indulge in wild parties, carousing in broad daylight. They're obsessed with adultery, compulsive in sin, seducing every vulnerable soul they come upon. Their specialty is greed and they're experts at it. Dead souls!"
How do we avoid these false teachers? Again from The Message, 2 Timothy chapter three, "There's nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God breathed and useful one way or another - showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us."
WE NEED TO KNOW THE WORD!!! We also need to hold each other accountable and to stay in prayer. Let me encourage you to do just that.
Tonight we looked at 2 Peter chapter two. it is a warning against false prophets.
The Message says, "God is especially incensed against these "teachers" who live by lust, addicted to a filthy existence. They despise interference from true authority, preferring to indulge in self-rule. Insolent egotists, they don't hesitate to speak evil against the most splendid of creatures. Even angels, their superiors in every way, wouldn't think of throwing their weight around like that, trying to slander others before God.
These people are nothing but brute beasts, born in the wild, predators on the prowl. In the very act of bringing down others with their ignorant blasphemies, they themselves will be brought down, losers in the end. Their evil will boomerang on them. They're so despicable and addicted to pleasure that they indulge in wild parties, carousing in broad daylight. They're obsessed with adultery, compulsive in sin, seducing every vulnerable soul they come upon. Their specialty is greed and they're experts at it. Dead souls!"
How do we avoid these false teachers? Again from The Message, 2 Timothy chapter three, "There's nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God breathed and useful one way or another - showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us."
WE NEED TO KNOW THE WORD!!! We also need to hold each other accountable and to stay in prayer. Let me encourage you to do just that.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
It's A Paradox
I think the Lord has answered our prayers big time! The group has really started off on the right foot for the new year.
My wife and I came home from vacation to a message on our answering machine. It was a couple that we had talked to at a Christmas party in 2007. They expressed interest in joining the group. Now they've been to a few meetings and it seems like they have always been a part of us. What a blessing they are.
We have another man who we had not seen in a long time show up at a meeting. He has really blessed us too. I always enjoy when folks show up and jump right in.
It also appears that the "veterans" of the group have renewed energy. The conversations have been challenging and most of all encouraging. I think that the few weeks off at the end of last year did a world of good.
Our direction is starting to come into focus. The Lord is encouraging us to draw closer to Him. In drawing closer to Him a bond is starting to form in the group. We are no longer content with head knowlege of God, we want a relationship with Him.
This past week we talked about being more than religious. God doesn't just want a part of our lives, He wants the whole thing! Matthew 10: 37-39, " “If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it."
"But if you give up your life for me, you will find it." In giving up our lives for Him we find life in Him. It's a paradox, it's truth, and it's encouraging.
My wife and I came home from vacation to a message on our answering machine. It was a couple that we had talked to at a Christmas party in 2007. They expressed interest in joining the group. Now they've been to a few meetings and it seems like they have always been a part of us. What a blessing they are.
We have another man who we had not seen in a long time show up at a meeting. He has really blessed us too. I always enjoy when folks show up and jump right in.
It also appears that the "veterans" of the group have renewed energy. The conversations have been challenging and most of all encouraging. I think that the few weeks off at the end of last year did a world of good.
Our direction is starting to come into focus. The Lord is encouraging us to draw closer to Him. In drawing closer to Him a bond is starting to form in the group. We are no longer content with head knowlege of God, we want a relationship with Him.
This past week we talked about being more than religious. God doesn't just want a part of our lives, He wants the whole thing! Matthew 10: 37-39, " “If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it."
"But if you give up your life for me, you will find it." In giving up our lives for Him we find life in Him. It's a paradox, it's truth, and it's encouraging.
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