Today is a very influential story to me, its one of my favorites. I have fell that I'm the women at the well in the past. Always looking to fill up my bucket with the water of life, never being able to get my fill. Until I found Christianity.
If your not familiar of the story it comes from the book of John Chapter 4 verses 4 thru 26.
4 He had to go through Samaria on the way. 5 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. 7 Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” 8 He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.
9 The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans.[a] She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”
10 Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”
11 “But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? 12 And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?”
13 Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. 14 But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”
15 “Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.”
16 “Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her.
17 “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied.
Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband— 18 for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!”
19 “Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. 20 So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim,[b] where our ancestors worshiped?”
21 Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. 23 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”
25 The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”
26 Then Jesus told her, “I Am the Messiah!”
What is so different about the Samaritan women from other women is because she had five husbands and one man on the side that she was living with, which made her a sinner. Most women got up early to go to the well in the morning to get water, also went in the evening to get some. But the women waited till middle of the day so she wouldn't have to face the other women cause of her reputation. The reason why she asked Jesus why he was talking to her because he was a Jew and she was a Samaritan because (*)after the northern kingdom, with its capital at Samaria, fell to the Assyrians ,many Jews were deported to Assyria and foreigners were brought to settle the land help keep the peace [2 Kings 17:24]. The intermarriage between those foreigners and the remaining Jews resulted in a mixed race, impure in the opinion of Jews who lived in the southern kingdom. Thus, the pure Jews hated this mixed race, called Samaritans, because they felt that their fellow Jews who had intermarried had betrayed their people and nation.
Back than the worship place for the Samaritans was Mount Gerizim where they built a temple on top to worship God, but the Jews saw Jerusalem as the holy place to worship God at. Jew's also believed Samaritans were sinners because they didn't believe like they did. Every Jew didn't want to cross through Samaria because they thought they were better and didn't want to touch the same land as them. Another reason she asked because him was because she was in a public during the day, no respectable Jewish man would talk to a women there.
This shows that the good news that Jesus brings is for every person and show's no discrimination towards anyone. When Jesus told her about the living water, she thought he was talking about actually water she could drink. But the living water he was talking about is Gods foundation for life. In life we crave food and water but sometimes we forget to feed our souls. The bible is the living water that we need to satisfy our soul so that we don't need to keep going to the fountain to fill our buckets. When he told her she would not thirst to again, she thought it would make life for her easier, but this isn't that case Christ came to change us on the inside and empower us so that we can take on life's problems from God's perspective. When she asked about where the proper place is to worship God, he makes a point that the place of worship doesn't matter, but the worshippers attitude. Jesus meant when he said Salvation comes through the Jews, was that only through the Jewish Messiah would the whole world find Salvation. God is spirit was meant as he is every where and can worshipped any place. God is not a physical being limited in a place.
We sometimes block out God till he comes to talk to us in different ways, we make excuses for why we are not worthy enough to be his sheep but he shows us in his book they we can find the living water. After we have ran out of excuses and let Jesus into our hearts, and we learn to repent our sin's we live a happier life. We no longer have to keep going back to the well to make ourselves happy. Back to our drugs, our alcohol or our immoral sexual needs. God can keep us full with his words. I pray that you can find your way away from the well and to the living water.
Revelation 22:17
And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!' And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
Do you feel like your the women at the well? If you worship God already do you feel as though your worship is true? Are you blocking Jesus from your heart?
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Zacchaeus
I know it has been over a week since I have posted. Trials of being a mom has kept me busy and from tending to my blogs. I have recently started going to bible study at Hiss Methodist Church. Which is a really nice welcoming community. They have given me a idea (literally). I'm going to start posting sections about different topics, every week will be a topic. This week will be the people who have been directly influenced by Jesus. These people will be sinners who have meet Christ in person and repented for there sins. Today is Zacchaeus, we covered him last week in bible study.
The passage of the story is in Luke 19:1-10. Its a very small story but still has meaning behind it. If you don't know the story here is a quick version. Jesus was ministering around or pasing through Jericho. Zacchaeus was a tax collector and a very rich man.
He wanted desperately to see Jesus, but the crowd was in his way—he was a short man and couldn’t see over the crowd. So he ran on ahead and climbed up in a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus when he came by. When Jesus saw him in the tree as he was passing by he called to him to come down. He told Zacchaeus that he was going to be his guest in his home that day. People were upset that Jesus was going to be a guest of a notorious sinner. Zacchaeus told Jesus "I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much
!". Jesus said "Salvation has come to this house today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost".
A gentleman has made a point in class that makes sense. If this taken from a different view, the tree could signify how high Zacchaeus was in everybody else's life being a tax collector. Jesus could have asked him to come down to everyone's level. Meaning, not to act of higher power, because he was rich.
Back then to finance there country, the Romans levied heavy taxes on all nations under there control. The Jewish people hated the because the tax collectors were born Jewish, they were considered traitors, they made themselves rich by gouging their fellow people. People didn't like Jesus going home with Zacchaeus because of his sinfulness towards his own people. But despite Zacchaeus down falls Jesus loved him. Because of that he converted to Christianity.
In every society, certain groups of people are considered "untouchable" because of there political views, their immoral behavior, or their lifestyle. We should not give in to social pressure to avoid these people. Jesus loves them, and they need to hear his Good News.
The passage of the story is in Luke 19:1-10. Its a very small story but still has meaning behind it. If you don't know the story here is a quick version. Jesus was ministering around or pasing through Jericho. Zacchaeus was a tax collector and a very rich man.
He wanted desperately to see Jesus, but the crowd was in his way—he was a short man and couldn’t see over the crowd. So he ran on ahead and climbed up in a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus when he came by. When Jesus saw him in the tree as he was passing by he called to him to come down. He told Zacchaeus that he was going to be his guest in his home that day. People were upset that Jesus was going to be a guest of a notorious sinner. Zacchaeus told Jesus "I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much
!". Jesus said "Salvation has come to this house today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost".
A gentleman has made a point in class that makes sense. If this taken from a different view, the tree could signify how high Zacchaeus was in everybody else's life being a tax collector. Jesus could have asked him to come down to everyone's level. Meaning, not to act of higher power, because he was rich.
Back then to finance there country, the Romans levied heavy taxes on all nations under there control. The Jewish people hated the because the tax collectors were born Jewish, they were considered traitors, they made themselves rich by gouging their fellow people. People didn't like Jesus going home with Zacchaeus because of his sinfulness towards his own people. But despite Zacchaeus down falls Jesus loved him. Because of that he converted to Christianity.
In every society, certain groups of people are considered "untouchable" because of there political views, their immoral behavior, or their lifestyle. We should not give in to social pressure to avoid these people. Jesus loves them, and they need to hear his Good News.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Trusting God When you Dont Understand
This is from a sermon by Joyce Meyer that I found on facebook. I have put her words in my own context, some may be copied from her own but very little. I chose to post this sermon because its very moving and powerful. It helps you answer your questions in life when times get hard. I figured some people may need this right now with how tough things are in the job market, housing, and the problems going on over in Syria. Check below on my page to find different sermon's from Joyce Meyers.
If you want to follow along with Joyce she reads from the Amplified bible, sometimes I take the verses from my bible with is Women of Faith Devotional Bible (pink edition).
Most recently I have been in a motor vehicle accident. Things did not turn out good so I turn to go and asked why. How could a bad thing happen to such a good person. So I turned to looking on youtube for sermons on help. When I came across this one it touched me spiritually inside in a way that I haven't been touched since I was a teenager. I thought I would share this in my insight with some of Joyce words to you my friends and strangers who has been drawn to this page by luck or fate.
Exodus 3:13 Moses says to God
God, Behold when I come to the Israelites and say to them, The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they say to me, What is his name? What shall I say to them?
Exodus 3:14
And God said to Moses, I am who I am, and what I am, and I will be what I will be; and he said, You shall say this to the Israelites I am has sent me to you!
We must remember God is the almighty, there is one God we answer to. There has only been one God the same god through the years. He has answered our prayers, listen to him when he calls. Do not mistake him for something else.
Romans 9:20
But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it? "Why have you made me like this?"
We ask why do we have the abnormalities that we do. Go why have you given me big feet or a big waste? God why do I not have the personality to always be chipper like so many that I know. Why do I not have the metabolism like my husband? God hs created us in our mothers womb to be the way that we are. There is nothing about each and everyone of us that is a accident. He has created us separately to serve a purpose. God want us to be proud of ourselves and who we are cause he loves us the way each and everyone of us are made. Just because we are not like someone else does not mean there is anything wrong with us. I was once told something by my friend Holly not to whine about our defects like mine would be obesity. She told me either lose it or flaunt it. So I flaunt it, I'm not ashamed to be me. She didn't say to this to be mean but for me to it was like God was giving me a sign. Like he was talking to me through her. Always remember God made us for certain jobs and one day he will come to and show you your job. But just remember he will come when he see the time is right.
Joyce has also quoted in her Sermon
Romans 9:20 A
But who are you, mere man, to criticize and contradict and answer back to God? Will what is formed say to him that formed it, Why have you made me thus?
Romans 9:21 KJV
Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor.
Amplified Version
Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out the same mass (lump) one vessel for beauty and distinction and honorable use, and another for menial or ignorable and dishonorable use?
We have to remember God has chosen our path and what happens ,since the beginning of time. It is up to us to follow the path and not ask why. You have to prove your faith to god, show him that you believe by just handing him your situation and let him take control. Don't ask why because it shows you question his love for you.
Unfortunately I'm going to take a break but I will post the second half today. This will be a four part post, I will post two today , one tomorrow and one the next day.
Prayer
God please forgive us to asking why in time of despair, I am weak and sometimes fall to sin. Help me to be strong and let you take control. I pray that I become strong and no longer question your plans for me, I know that you love me and have planned great things for me. I understand sometimes faith has to be tested but I will come out, strong, wise and happy. Amen
If you want to follow along with Joyce she reads from the Amplified bible, sometimes I take the verses from my bible with is Women of Faith Devotional Bible (pink edition).
Most recently I have been in a motor vehicle accident. Things did not turn out good so I turn to go and asked why. How could a bad thing happen to such a good person. So I turned to looking on youtube for sermons on help. When I came across this one it touched me spiritually inside in a way that I haven't been touched since I was a teenager. I thought I would share this in my insight with some of Joyce words to you my friends and strangers who has been drawn to this page by luck or fate.
Exodus 3:13 Moses says to God
God, Behold when I come to the Israelites and say to them, The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they say to me, What is his name? What shall I say to them?
Exodus 3:14
And God said to Moses, I am who I am, and what I am, and I will be what I will be; and he said, You shall say this to the Israelites I am has sent me to you!
We must remember God is the almighty, there is one God we answer to. There has only been one God the same god through the years. He has answered our prayers, listen to him when he calls. Do not mistake him for something else.
Romans 9:20
But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it? "Why have you made me like this?"
We ask why do we have the abnormalities that we do. Go why have you given me big feet or a big waste? God why do I not have the personality to always be chipper like so many that I know. Why do I not have the metabolism like my husband? God hs created us in our mothers womb to be the way that we are. There is nothing about each and everyone of us that is a accident. He has created us separately to serve a purpose. God want us to be proud of ourselves and who we are cause he loves us the way each and everyone of us are made. Just because we are not like someone else does not mean there is anything wrong with us. I was once told something by my friend Holly not to whine about our defects like mine would be obesity. She told me either lose it or flaunt it. So I flaunt it, I'm not ashamed to be me. She didn't say to this to be mean but for me to it was like God was giving me a sign. Like he was talking to me through her. Always remember God made us for certain jobs and one day he will come to and show you your job. But just remember he will come when he see the time is right.
Joyce has also quoted in her Sermon
Romans 9:20 A
But who are you, mere man, to criticize and contradict and answer back to God? Will what is formed say to him that formed it, Why have you made me thus?
Romans 9:21 KJV
Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor.
Amplified Version
Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out the same mass (lump) one vessel for beauty and distinction and honorable use, and another for menial or ignorable and dishonorable use?
We have to remember God has chosen our path and what happens ,since the beginning of time. It is up to us to follow the path and not ask why. You have to prove your faith to god, show him that you believe by just handing him your situation and let him take control. Don't ask why because it shows you question his love for you.
Unfortunately I'm going to take a break but I will post the second half today. This will be a four part post, I will post two today , one tomorrow and one the next day.
Prayer
God please forgive us to asking why in time of despair, I am weak and sometimes fall to sin. Help me to be strong and let you take control. I pray that I become strong and no longer question your plans for me, I know that you love me and have planned great things for me. I understand sometimes faith has to be tested but I will come out, strong, wise and happy. Amen
Monday, September 23, 2013
Be Mindful
This devotional is from Daughters of the King Devotional's
verses copied from Women of Faith Devotional Bible (pink edition)
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things.
2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
It is God's will that I walk in his power, have soundness of my mind. HIs will is for me to grow and be like Jesus. Fear will stop me from doing this. At the root of all pride, disobedience and religious mindsets is a spirit of fear (don't feel like your better than others, don't go against others will) Love others (family, friends, neighbors and strangers) more than you love thy self. Do not judge others is it fear, do not hold hate in your heart or head. Lay down your life for your friends and walk in power. Do not ask for praise for it is prideful. Do it for love and yourself. Surrender your mind for the Lord to heal.
WWJD
Never judge others than your self using your religion and never be prideful.
verses copied from Women of Faith Devotional Bible (pink edition)
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things.
2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
It is God's will that I walk in his power, have soundness of my mind. HIs will is for me to grow and be like Jesus. Fear will stop me from doing this. At the root of all pride, disobedience and religious mindsets is a spirit of fear (don't feel like your better than others, don't go against others will) Love others (family, friends, neighbors and strangers) more than you love thy self. Do not judge others is it fear, do not hold hate in your heart or head. Lay down your life for your friends and walk in power. Do not ask for praise for it is prideful. Do it for love and yourself. Surrender your mind for the Lord to heal.
WWJD
Never judge others than your self using your religion and never be prideful.
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