Do you know who you're talking to?

Reading from John 4

John 4:7-14  When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, Will you give me a drink? The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (for Jews do not associate with Samaritans). Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."

Sir, the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water?"... Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

In the day that Jesus was  here on earth, His followers had Him physically with them. His disciples knew Him and heard Him speak every day. They were familiar with His voice. They knew and recognized it like we recognize our loved ones and friends today. We all know people whose voices are so familiar that we don't have to ask "Who is this?" when we hear them on the phone. We automatically know who it is. Today it may be a little less clear on how to actually "hear God speak" to us. And yes, He still speaks today.

You may have known people (or even be one of them) that say "God doesn't speak to us today. That was for Old Testament times and the early days of Christianity." I have heard this many times, many of which were spoken from the pulpit or another place of authority within a church. That may be what some people prefer to believe, but as for myself, I hear His voice.

There are several ways which God communicates to His family here on earth. In the days that Jesus lived an earthy life, it was person to person, verbally. Now, it is through our spirit from His Holy Spirit. That part of a person that is our innermost being. Our substance that makes us at one with our Heavenly Father. It is what continues to live on after our bodies have died a physical death. Without going into a complete in depth study, we need to realize that we can communicate with God in a way that transcends our earthly abilities. 

Just as we know in our hearts when we have been hurt or have hurt another, or if we love another person, so we know when we have felt God's touch. He communicates through an impression, or a "word" from the scripture. Some thought that just innately "appears" in our consciousness. He gives us ideas and comprehension through "pictures" in our minds, or at times we actually "hear" a voice in our thoughts. I like to say He "downloads" a concept. Something that you previously had not thought of or understood, suddenly takes on a complete comprehension... you "get it".

There is a lot of discussion on this topic of hearing God, but I will say this, He does communicate with us, or at least He "tries" to communicate. Don't feel bad if you have not had this experience, just ask Him in prayer for the opportunity to communicate with Him, and I guarantee He is more than willing to answer that prayer.

In the days when Jesus and this woman met, He spoke to her face to face. Today we read God's Word, the Bible. But don't forget to say in prayer,

"I need your thoughts, Lord, and your mind. Speak to me in however way you chose. I'm open to hearing You and to doing your will. Thank you for hearing me and choosing me to be your child. In Jesus Name Amen.

God choses a time to approach us. Will you take that time to let Him speak? I have always thought it interesting that Jesus many times asks us a question. It isn't that He doesn't know what we'll say, but He wants us to think about the concept that He is putting in front of us. He asked her for a drink, but He was opening the door for communication. He wanted her to think about another kind of "water", the kind that only He could give, the kind that would be not only refreshing, but also life changing...eternity changing.

Has God been waiting for you by the well...His well? His well of wisdom, acceptance, healing, and comfort? He is the one with the "water". He is the one with the answers. He is the one with the peace.

Is God asking a question of you? If so, what is He asking, and more importantly, what is your answer?

Be Blessed, Debra