Real Worshipers

Reading from John 4

"Sir," the woman said, "I see you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem."

Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know, we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

The woman said, "I know that Messiah (called Christ) is coming. When He comes, he will explain everything to us."

Then Jesus declared. "I who speak to you am He."

The woman was amazed at Jesus' ability to know her. How could this man, this Jewish rabbi, know her life, and ultimately her thoughts and intentions? She took the opportunity of the conversation to voice her opinion not only of him, but of their differences in belief and worship. She recognizes that he must be a prophet, as he knew about her life, but she defends her belief system, ultimately saying that the Messiah will come and that then He can sort out all the controversy.

It strikes me that at times we attempt to defend our own belief systems, morals, ideas, and attitudes in the face of what the Bible might be saying, or if the slightest hint of conviction comes on us we wave it away, with an attitude of  "Yes, But...".

I know that I did that myself most of my adult life. I would read the Scriptures, and if it was something I didn't understand, or didn't particularly agree with, I would find myself making excuses, and avoiding the Truth that was staring me in the face, shut the book, turn off the voice inside of me and morph into "Scarlett O'Hara". Oh, fiddle de de. I'll think of that another day, not today. Today I will do what I want, think what I want, and believe what I want!

Jesus then says in so many words, woman, you are worshiping someone you don't even know, you are fooling yourself, and even though you may have good intentions, good intentions are not enough. You have to have the Truth.

I have talked with many people who are loaded with good intentions. People who are kind hearted, do good deeds, love other people, say they are "spiritual", but don't have a clue concerning the Truth. And the Truth is this: Jesus, and that Jesus is God's Son, sent here to redeem us from our sin. He is the way, the truth, and the life, and there is no way to the Father except through Him. (John 14:6)

We have to know the Truth, and we won't find it in the latest Blockbuster movie or book, TV infomercial, or on Oprah.(I do watch Oprah, I just don't look to her for my spiritual guidance) The Truth is the Word of God, plain and simple, and if what you are hearing does not line up with the Bible, I'm sorry, it's just not the Truth.

You may not agree with me, but there are so many "things" out there; so many ideologies, philosophies, trends, and super-duper sales pitches that I've had to be very particular about what I expose myself to. If I read the latest bestseller self help book on the NY Times list, it needs to line up with what the Word of God says, otherwise I won't let it in my heart. I know this sounds somewhat narrowminded, OK alot narrowminded, but I have a hard enough time keeping my thoughts in line with God, without someone getting in there and confusing me. And confusion causes doubt. And then you are on a slippery slope.

I'm sure there are people who would read this and immediately exit, but that's how I feel. That's my way of staying "on track", and it works for me. Am I against hearing other people's ideas or opinions? No, I'm just careful about what I allow in my heart.

So we know about worshiping in "Truth". What about worshiping in "spirit"? In the Old Testament times we know the Holy Spirit "came upon" individuals, but He did not "indwell" a believer in the everpresent way He does at this time. (Since Jesus death on the cross and his resurrection) Jesus said he would "go away" so that we might receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.(John 14) Now upon our salvation experience He comes to indwell us and take up residence in our heart (spirit). In doing this we now receive the mind, heart, and thoughts of God, Himself. (1 Corinthians 2:16)
If we seek Him, He will give us guidance and direction for our everyday life. Now we can worship, not only in Truth, like the Old Testament believers, but also in spirit, as the Holy Spirit speaks to our spirit. We know the Truth of the Word of God, and we are also blessed and motivated by God's own Holy Spirit. That's real worship. Not one or the other, but the combination. That is my great desire...to be a True Worshiper.

So we find in verses John 39-42 that the woman went back to town and spread the word that Messiah was there among them, and that many in that area came to see and hear Jesus and ultimately believed in Him because of her testimony. 

So my Life Lesson through this has been: Be open to meeting God in my daily life, let Him speak to me about the Truth, let me not be afraid to "come clean" before Him, and then to go share my experience with others.

Glad you're with me on the journey.

Our older daughter and her husband, from St. Louis, and my brother and sister-in-law from Texas will be here this week for several days. We'll be spending some wonderful quality time with them, so I'll post next week. Not sure where we will be reading, I'm excited to see where this is going. God has really blessed me this last week in studying this Samaritan woman. Hope you know her a little better because of this. My ultimate goal is to know Jesus a little better... everyday.

Have a wonderful rest of the week and I'll be back probably Tuesday. Be sure and check back in though, in the comment section. We have back and forth commenting, that I will be checking, which I really enjoy.

Blessings,

Debra

Let's Get Honest

Reading from John 4

In the times that Jesus was here on earth there were few opportunities for men to speak with women in a public place. It was not part of their culture. Men and women were pretty much segregated. It was not proper for a man to address a woman, and forbidden by culture for a woman to speak to a man. It was just not done.

For a Jew to speak to a Samaritan, unheard of. And for a Rabbi to speak to a woman, well, it just didn't happen. In that culture, women were not to speak in public or to even voice an opinion. At home they were allowed, but not in public. So for Jesus to speak to this woman in a public place was very much out of the ordinary. I'm sure she was surprised. Yet He opened the conversation with asking for a drink.

"...Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water."

And then He dropped the bomb shell:

"Go call your husband and come back."

And she said, "I have no husband."

Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true."

Let's stop here and look closely at this dialogue. In the beginning it appears that Jesus doesn't know about her marital status, but in reality He was waiting for her honesty. Let's disregard the nature of this subject matter; women and marriage and divorce etc.

Let's look at this conversation for what it is. This could be a man He was  speaking to. It could be a young person that just stole a car, and He asks for a ride. This subject is about being honest with yourself before God and admitting our failures, problems, shortcomings, and yes, admitting our sin.

I don't want us to get caught up in the subject matter. Divorce happens; disappointment, adultery, inability to communicate that ends in "falling out of love" happens. I'm not saying that it's the best way. But sometimes it happens. God says he hates divorce. It doesn't say He hates those involved. He hates it because it tears people apart, and families suffer.

You know the church signs, out front, where they have some little saying that's pithy and or a double meaning? Cute and clever to get your attention?

Well, last week we saw one that said, "God has no plan B". My husband had a fit! I was sort of surprised at his indignance. He said in so many words, how wrong that is, because God is the God of second chances. and third, and fourth, and five hundred and fourth. You know what I mean? Yes, He has His perfect will, but I have to tell you, just in case you didn't know...I am not perfect. Nope, not perfect. I've been married almost 37 years and it's not been perfect. My husband hasn't been perfect and I have been messed up and messed up other people. So there.

We've been near divorce a time or two, so believe me. God forgives, heals and restores. I'm living proof!

One other thing I want to say concerning these scriptures, and the other reason they mean alot to me is that Jesus looked at this woman and saw her heart. He had a change of eternity for her, but He also had a job for her. She may have become the first woman "evangelist"! She ran back to town and told all the other townspeople who Jesus was and for them to come and meet Him.

When I was 45 years old, God "called" me. He reached down and gave me a message and said now go tell it. I had this burning in me for months before I finally went to my Pastor and talked to him. The calling was strong, it was life changing and it wasn't going to go away. I won't go into detail, let's just say that I left feeling rejected and insignificant. I know in my heart it would have been different if I had been a man.

It's hard being a woman in the realization of a call to minister. I thank God that He put it in my heart. I'm not dead yet. God's in charge!

I'm so grateful that God has elevated the status of women. It may still be hard, but He knows our hearts and He loves us more than we could ever imagine.

I want this to be affirming, encouraging, and the Truth. We have all sinned in some way or another. I make no judgements. I have been right there with some biggies. We go to God, admit our sin, and then receive forgiveness. Repentance is admission, and then making a decision to turn from sin and go the other way. It all starts with being honest before Him. He will be there for us, no matter what.There is no sin so big that He does not forgive. He wraps His loving arms around us... and how wonderful is that?

Be Blessed,

Debra

Just want to mention that if you leave a comment here I will get back with you here. I think that is more in keeping with making this an "interactive" place. If you have something personal, I'm happy to have you email me. It's on my profile. Then I'll return your email. I'm loving hearing from you all. This has been a huge blessing to me. This was tough subject matter. I prayed hard for the right words. God is so loving. If any one of you is ever offended or hurt by anything I say, please let me know, It was not intentional and we'll figure it out. Love you all, and thank you for taking the time to come by!

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

No One's Alone

Reading from John 4

I forgot to mention that I am not a Bible scholar, I don't have a degree from a seminary, or much of any "credentials", so this is a way for me to study and spend some time in the Word. There is a lot I need to learn, and I'm so glad that you're along for the ride. If you have input, feel free. I surely do not "know it all". I'll be digging, and praying, and listening, and cracking a book or two I'm sure.

John 4:4-7 Now he had to go through Samaria. So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's well had been there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?"

John writes that Jesus and His disciples were on their way to Galilee, which is in the north, from Judea which is in the south. The Samaritans were part Jewish, part Gentile, so to the Jews they were to be avoided, this would be a case of racism in today's terms. When traveling, the Jews would go out of their way to go around Samaria, making it a much longer journey. But Jesus took the straight path, which took him straight through. I'm sure His disciples were not accustomed to this idea. Why would he want to do this? Travel through an area that was unfriendly and maybe dangerous. Because Jesus had a plan and a schedule to keep. He had a meeting to attend that no one knew about. Not even the one that He would meet.


Now, it says that He arrived at the 6th hour, and since the Jews started their day at 6 am, this means it was noon, lunchtime, and the heat of the day. The disciples were sent to a small town for food, and because Jesus was tired he sat down at the well, which was the same well that Jacob had dug many hundreds of years before. It is said to be very deep, over 100 feet.
Most of the women of the town came to draw water in the evening, when it was cooler, so at noon, it was deserted...except for Jesus and a woman who came at that time, just to avoid the crowd.


How many of us find ourselves "alone" for one reason or another. Maybe we are weary of the company of others. Maybe we have been rejected or outcast by friends and family. Maybe we have chosen a solitary path of our own making. Maybe we want to be included, but have not had the opportunity to make friends. Maybe, out of necessity or circumstance, we are on our own. Alone-ness and loneliness come for many reasons. Maybe we really aren't alone physically, but just feel alone. Like no one understands us or knows what we are going through. Been there? I have.
This woman that Jesus was about to meet was alone that day. An outcast because of her lifestyle. She had been married many times, but rejected, put out by her husband, one after the other, or maybe widowed at one point. At any rate, she was frowned upon by the other women, and talked about by the town people. She was familiar with it and wanted to be alone. Away from whispers and stares.
Here sat a man, a Jewish Rabbi, who was waiting for her at the well. Can you imagine what she was thinking as she came upon Him. I can hear it now.
"Great, who is this? A man!... and good grief, not any man, but a Jewish Rabbi! What on earth is he doing here? All I want to do is get some water, mind my business, be left alone."
Don't you imagine she would have rather turned and walked away...an escape route. But no, not to be. There was a plan in motion, and her life was about to be changed!


We may feel alone in life, but God is there. He wants to meet us in our circumstances. good or bad. trouble or peace. happiness or unhappiness. He is there. waiting...waiting for us to come close to Him so He can reach out. He has something to say.
I've been "busy" for the last few years. And I haven't always been listening. So now I'm gearing down. So I will hear Him, and I will listen.

What I need to remember: These few verses have really spoken to me about being available to what God is doing...what He wants to do. To be open to the "unexpected" in my daily life. To not "judge" a situation or a circumstance by how it may appear on the surface. To be willing to go when and where it may not be convenient, or where others may feel is "less than", because if God leads you somewhere, there is sure to be an encounter and a purpose. And who knows, you may meet God in an unexpected way and in an unexpected place.

Remember, if you feel God is speaking to you about this passage, feel free to comment. What you may be feeling and hearing, or have experienced, may be just what someone else needs to hear. So this time is not "about me", but to also hear from you.

Thank you for taking the time to visit today, I'm hoping this will be an encounter  for you. I don't want anyone to feel this will be time consuming or a place where I am asking for your "commitment". I won't assign homework or make you take tests! (ha ha) I'd just like this to be a place where we can meet for a moment and think about a verse or two, and maybe, leave with a new thought or idea, or just a moment where we "hear" God speak to us in our busy day.

Be Blessed,
Debra