Sunday, October 18, 2009

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

11 comments:

  1. Debra this post is beautiful and I am thankful to you for blessing us with it today.
    I cannot get over your beautiful words to me and I want to thank you for the gift of your comment to me. And the gift of this message.
    Hugs,
    June

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  2. Debra, this is just what I needed. I so appreciate you doing this blog. I have a feeling its going to touch so many lives.

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  3. Hi Debra. I so appreciate all the effort you're putting into the post that's bringing so many of us together. It really seems to have a deeper impact, sharing the word with others. It causes me to pause a little longer, read a little slower and put more thought into what I've just read. Thank you for the blessing. Love, Tracy :)

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  4. Debra this is a short poem I wrote...not about a well but about living water only HE can give. He is asking me will you come and drink? It comforts me. It goes like this:

    My Garden Fountain

    Deep in the garden of your heart
    God has placed a fountain
    A place to search and quench your thirst
    When life is at its bests or worst

    Thru roughest storms the Sonshine’s here
    It has another atmosphere
    This fountain sings a soothing song
    When you are tired and days seem long

    He listens to your heartfelt pleas
    His loving heart holds the keys

    Unlocking doors of un-reached dreams
    To reveal a hope that gleams

    Deep in the garden of your heart
    A never-ending fountain flows

    As constant as the sun and moon
    Rarest fragrant flowers bloom

    Refreshing mercy and grace
    Will always shine upon your face
    He loves to meet you in this place!

    So remember, No matter what your plight
    Deep in the garden of your heart
    Everyday and every night

    He waits for you
    with great delight.

    God gave me this poem this spring for a young woman on a quest for Him. I hope you don't mind me sharing it.
    Lee

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  5. Hi Debra:
    I'm here! I have felt His presence and seen his works in my life. I always know He is with me, and that my book was written before I was born. I love Him and trust in Him.
    Thank you for starting this blog. I may not comment every day, but know that I'll visit for each new lesson.
    xoxo
    Donna

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  6. I see that our little bible study group is growing in numbers quite rapidly...I am thrilled by this! As I read everyones comments I do feel like were are all here together.
    If God wants something of me...I will listen, and follow...my answer is AlWAYS YES!!!
    That was not always the case...
    I hope everyone has a blessed Sunday...Love and Hugs...donna

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  7. Thank you for this gift today. Bless you, Sally

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  8. Is God asking me a question? What is he asking and what is my answer?

    Today I think he is asking me what I am afraid of and where I have been.

    I am so grateful for this gift of an opportunity to consciously communicate and listen as we all talk about the lesson and our relationship with God.

    My answer is- I am here shaky and willing.
    This scripture reminds me of a silly example- when people say they got so busy they forgot to eat.

    I have forgotten that I need this food too-daily.

    Laura

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  9. I would love to be able to express in words what the moment is like when God speaks to me. I am in awe and humbled. I seek His voice daily and sometimes it is a whisper...sometimes a shout. Sometimes He tells me to do things that are not what I want to hear, but in all things, I know He has a plan for me and I try to follow where He leads.
    Debbie

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  10. Hi Debra,love this blog and I am sure to keep up with your study as you are lead by God's Holy Spirit..I to am a Spiritfilled believer....I was in the most awesome service at our church this evening. It is so rejuvenating when God's presense takes over and he has his way.....looking forward to keeping up with you here....blessings

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  11. Just knowing that you all are here is such a blessing to me. You just cannot know what it means. I think it's easier, and more in keeping with the idea of "interactive" if I comment back here. So if you leave a message, I'll just return comments from here, unless it is something that is more personal, then feel free to email me. I love hearing all your thoughts and experiences. I knew you all were out there, but I just didn't know who you would be. I'm going to share some personal thoughts and things about my experiences along the way. This next post will contain a few of them.
    And Lee, just so fitting, your poem...and anointed. Thank you. This is what this is about. I love to hear what you all have to say! AND about what God is doing in your life.
    Debra

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