When do you go to the well?
John 4:4-42 is one of my favorite passages in the bible, especially to teach from when I go to Ghana West Africa. I think there is a lot in this passage that the ladies I speak with can relate to and I want them to make the connection that Jesus see's them, knows them and has come to free them from their sin.
In this passage the woman that comes to the Well to get her water for the day has waited until the hottest part of the day to complete this chore. The question becomes why did she wait until that time of the day and as the story unfolds the answer becomes clear. This woman has a sinful past and is currently living in sin and is filled with shame and regret. She comes at this time of the day so that she does not face the judgments and ridicule of the people in her community. She comes to the Well at this time of day because she expects to be alone and therefore she doesn't have to face the consequences of her sinful life. Although, in fact, she is facing the consequences of her sinful life because she is isolated from being an active part of her community out of fear and rejection.
What this woman did not expect was for a Jewish Rabbi to be setting at the Well and she certainly didn't expect him to speak to her or even acknowledge her existence. She was completely caught off guard when he spoke to her and asked for her cup of water.
And as we go along in the story we find that not only is he a Jewish Rabbi but He speaks with authority and he shares the truth of who she is and then he shares the truth of who he is...the Messiah. I can say with certainty that she defiantly didn't expect to meet the Messiah on this day. But I can also say, that Jesus expected to meet this woman and he expected to meet her deepest need, which was grace, mercy, forgiveness and restoration and what she got on this day was her Savior & Lord.
So this is where I want to land. I don't know what time of day you think you can go the Well. I don't know if you are living with shame, regret, disgrace, isolation....but can I just remind you that when you go to the One who is the living water, when you draw from his Well, when you allow Him to speak directly into your heart and reveal any sin that is causing you this pain and separation....He can bring springs of living water up out of your soul, He can bring the healing you need for the sins that haunt your past, present and future....he can give you the grace, mercy, forgiveness, and restoration you need.
He is waiting there for you and me. He see's us, knows us and desires to free us from our sin and bondage and give us a new life. You give him your old bucket full of pride, anger, regret, shame and disgrace and let him fill up your new bucket with the fruits of His Spirit. Go to the Well today to meet with your Savior and be refreshed.
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Monday, August 18, 2014
Typewriters and Floppy Disc
Philippians 1:6 NIV84
Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
My mind went back to the 9th or 10th grade the other night and I thought about the typing class that I took at that time. I started out on the old time typewriter...and then we graduated to the electric typewriter....good times! That was a much improved device...as I would often make mistakes and on the electric typewriter you just hit that backspace button and it would white over your mistake and you could type on....whereas with the other manual typewriter...either liquid whiteout...or start all over.
Then in the next year or so we started working with computers....wow! This baby didn't need whiteout at all...just backspace and your mistakes disappear....back in my day..we would have used words like "totally awesome" to express our feelings over such a wonderful device. Now those first computers were pretty neat compared to using an electronic typewriter...but at that time...the programs used on those computers were DOS based programs...and they were a pain! You had to learn all these commands in order to get the computer to function in a certain way for the end result that you would desire. I was not liking all those commands we had to learn....and also we had to store our work on floppy disc. They were these square looking things with a metal tab at the end and you would work and work and save all your data on that little floppy disc...and then somewhere along the way..either the disc would get tore up, lost or erased...a number of things could go wrong with those floppy disc and your work would be null and void.
But as you know technology does not stand still and before you know it...we have WINDOWS!! Yay, what a great software program that made my life a whole lot easier and my work a lot less stressful.....oh yeah...that's where I was going with this...work..
You see....when I was in that beginners typing class back in my High School years...I had NO IDEA that training was going to be a HUGE part of what I do to make a living....I type all day long on my wonderful little computer....and because of that training I received so long ago...I am now able to use that for something productive...but trust me when I was learning this back in the day...I had no idea it would be such a huge part of my life today. Not to mention did I ever imagine I would have a little computer to pack around in my hand that I could use on a daily..almost moment by moment bases to either look up something on the other side of the world thanks to the internet...or talk to or check on a friend that may live far away..or keep a close eye on my children's activities..lol....so many things that I now see how valuable that little typewriting class brought into my life now..that I thought somewhat of a pain at the time.
And then it hit me....you know there are things that God may be doing in my life right now....things He is using to train me up with so that someday He will use me in a way that I can't even begin to imagine now...that He is giving me lessons on skills He wants developed into my life with the basic information now...so that later when His timing is right...He will give me the job that will bring Him much glory and me much joy and I can trust Him right now..even though I don't know what that is...or what it will be...I know my Father is working in my life to complete the work He has for me until I am with my Lord and Savior.
So I hope you will think back to some of the times in your life where you have received instruction, training and guidance in such a way..that at the time..you just thought you were doing what you had to do to get the grade, pass the class...move forward in your life...but then later found out...nothing with God is wasted.
love and grace to you all...and thank goodness we don't have floppy disc anymore!
phebee
Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
My mind went back to the 9th or 10th grade the other night and I thought about the typing class that I took at that time. I started out on the old time typewriter...and then we graduated to the electric typewriter....good times! That was a much improved device...as I would often make mistakes and on the electric typewriter you just hit that backspace button and it would white over your mistake and you could type on....whereas with the other manual typewriter...either liquid whiteout...or start all over.
Then in the next year or so we started working with computers....wow! This baby didn't need whiteout at all...just backspace and your mistakes disappear....back in my day..we would have used words like "totally awesome" to express our feelings over such a wonderful device. Now those first computers were pretty neat compared to using an electronic typewriter...but at that time...the programs used on those computers were DOS based programs...and they were a pain! You had to learn all these commands in order to get the computer to function in a certain way for the end result that you would desire. I was not liking all those commands we had to learn....and also we had to store our work on floppy disc. They were these square looking things with a metal tab at the end and you would work and work and save all your data on that little floppy disc...and then somewhere along the way..either the disc would get tore up, lost or erased...a number of things could go wrong with those floppy disc and your work would be null and void.
But as you know technology does not stand still and before you know it...we have WINDOWS!! Yay, what a great software program that made my life a whole lot easier and my work a lot less stressful.....oh yeah...that's where I was going with this...work..
You see....when I was in that beginners typing class back in my High School years...I had NO IDEA that training was going to be a HUGE part of what I do to make a living....I type all day long on my wonderful little computer....and because of that training I received so long ago...I am now able to use that for something productive...but trust me when I was learning this back in the day...I had no idea it would be such a huge part of my life today. Not to mention did I ever imagine I would have a little computer to pack around in my hand that I could use on a daily..almost moment by moment bases to either look up something on the other side of the world thanks to the internet...or talk to or check on a friend that may live far away..or keep a close eye on my children's activities..lol....so many things that I now see how valuable that little typewriting class brought into my life now..that I thought somewhat of a pain at the time.
And then it hit me....you know there are things that God may be doing in my life right now....things He is using to train me up with so that someday He will use me in a way that I can't even begin to imagine now...that He is giving me lessons on skills He wants developed into my life with the basic information now...so that later when His timing is right...He will give me the job that will bring Him much glory and me much joy and I can trust Him right now..even though I don't know what that is...or what it will be...I know my Father is working in my life to complete the work He has for me until I am with my Lord and Savior.
So I hope you will think back to some of the times in your life where you have received instruction, training and guidance in such a way..that at the time..you just thought you were doing what you had to do to get the grade, pass the class...move forward in your life...but then later found out...nothing with God is wasted.
love and grace to you all...and thank goodness we don't have floppy disc anymore!
phebee
Monday, April 21, 2014
Someday
Some day there in glory land,
All things will be as God has planned.
Families united in one accord,
Singing praises to our precious Lord.
Brothers and Sisters we'll truly be,
No more parting we'll ever see.
God our Father will shelter us there,
In the mighty arms of His loving care.
Spirit teach us along the way,
Until we reach that glorious day.
Until all God's people make it home,
And then we'll gather around His throne.
To praise the Lamb that made the way,
For all of us to see that day.
November 30, 2009
All things will be as God has planned.
Families united in one accord,
Singing praises to our precious Lord.
Brothers and Sisters we'll truly be,
No more parting we'll ever see.
God our Father will shelter us there,
In the mighty arms of His loving care.
Spirit teach us along the way,
Until we reach that glorious day.
Until all God's people make it home,
And then we'll gather around His throne.
To praise the Lamb that made the way,
For all of us to see that day.
November 30, 2009
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Security
When will the darkness and clouds disappear?
When will I learn to run to you to calm my fears?
What beauty and love I can find there;
If only I would look to your throne of grace
and find comfort and joy in your beautiful face.
What friend can ever be mine?
Except for the one you have designed.
To look beyond all hurt and pain;
And see the love that can fully be.
Only by the One who has set me free,
The One who touched me beneath the tree.
He said "my daughter" come let me be
The One who loves for all of time
For without Me child there is no reason or rhyme.
As I stood there beneath His agony,
I realized then how He truly loved me.
I took His forgiveness upon myself,
And in His love I will forever dwell.
Years have come and years have went.
I asked Him "Lord, what if I forget?"
Forget? That can not be child,
For I am yours and you are mine.
Time will come and time will go,
But my love for you will never grow old.
I will live with you forever my King?
No matter what this life might bring?
Eternity belongs to you and me,
Forever together at home we will be.
March 22, 2010
Phebee
Monday, January 27, 2014
No Longer Worthy
Luke 15:19 (NIV84) "I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men."
If you have been in church for any period of time-most likely you have heard the story of the prodigal Son. How he abused his father's love and kindness, made a disgrace of his life, then ran home to a forgiving and compassionate father and a jealous brother.
As I was reading this story again in Luke today, this verse stood out to me, because I think many Christians have adopted this attitude.
They are a child of God because of putting their faith and trust in Jesus Christ, but then maybe along the way they have blown it...well, not maybe...we all have blown it from time to time...most likely everyday and several times a day..to act, think,live and represent being a child of God. We have in some way or fashion abused and taken advantage of the love and kindness of our Father-and then we find ourselves sooner or later-bankrupt and wollering in the pig pen and facing despair, distress and depression...all the things that come with rebellion.
So we get this idea...like this young man did...I am no longer worthy to be called a child of God..so I will try to earn my place back into my Father's presence by being a servant instead. Maybe, if I do enough good things, straighten up my act, clean up my life....then my father will accept me again..not as a son or daughter...but at least as a servant....
Here is the good news we need to remember and this young man needed to hear....We were never good enough to be God's children in the first place! None of us are worthy to be His children, we never were and we never will be-we are His by rebirth, in faith in Jesus and once you are His child...you are His child forever! That's why the Father could run to His son and welcome him home before His son even had a chance to speak a word...nothing changes who we are in Christ once you are in Christ.
The young man did suffer consequences as a result of his rebellion, he suffered loss, he was in a place he did not belong or want to be....but who he was did not change because of what he did...Because who he was, was based on his relationship with the Father...not on his ability to please the father. When God looks at us in Christ...He see's His Son...Jesus...and he is always pleased with His Son.
By the way...the other son in the story had the same issue. He did not rebel but he was still trying to earn his father's favor through service instead of trust. Check out verse's 28-30....
Then in verse 31 the father reminds him too.....that he is His son...and all that he has is his too because of his relationship to the father.
So.....if you are in the pig pen today....and facing the consequences of rebellion, sin, bad choices or decisions.....don't despair and think all is lost and don't go to God making deals or bargains that if he will just let you back in..then you will serve Him better.....He is your Father that loves you, seeks you...longs for you to return to Him...because He wants your best and your best is HIM....so go to Him and find restoration and renewal.....and enjoy Who you are in Christ because of what He has done...then serve Him out of love and gratitude...not to earn favor.
And if you are the one...who serves faithfully and trys so hard to keep in check....make sure your motives are because you are grounded the in confidence of who you are in Christ and out of love and gratitude....not for gain...but because you already know that all that the Father has is yours in Christ.
May we all remember...nothing, nothing, nothing can seperate us from the Fathers love.
phebee
If you have been in church for any period of time-most likely you have heard the story of the prodigal Son. How he abused his father's love and kindness, made a disgrace of his life, then ran home to a forgiving and compassionate father and a jealous brother.
As I was reading this story again in Luke today, this verse stood out to me, because I think many Christians have adopted this attitude.
They are a child of God because of putting their faith and trust in Jesus Christ, but then maybe along the way they have blown it...well, not maybe...we all have blown it from time to time...most likely everyday and several times a day..to act, think,live and represent being a child of God. We have in some way or fashion abused and taken advantage of the love and kindness of our Father-and then we find ourselves sooner or later-bankrupt and wollering in the pig pen and facing despair, distress and depression...all the things that come with rebellion.
So we get this idea...like this young man did...I am no longer worthy to be called a child of God..so I will try to earn my place back into my Father's presence by being a servant instead. Maybe, if I do enough good things, straighten up my act, clean up my life....then my father will accept me again..not as a son or daughter...but at least as a servant....
Here is the good news we need to remember and this young man needed to hear....We were never good enough to be God's children in the first place! None of us are worthy to be His children, we never were and we never will be-we are His by rebirth, in faith in Jesus and once you are His child...you are His child forever! That's why the Father could run to His son and welcome him home before His son even had a chance to speak a word...nothing changes who we are in Christ once you are in Christ.
The young man did suffer consequences as a result of his rebellion, he suffered loss, he was in a place he did not belong or want to be....but who he was did not change because of what he did...Because who he was, was based on his relationship with the Father...not on his ability to please the father. When God looks at us in Christ...He see's His Son...Jesus...and he is always pleased with His Son.
By the way...the other son in the story had the same issue. He did not rebel but he was still trying to earn his father's favor through service instead of trust. Check out verse's 28-30....
Then in verse 31 the father reminds him too.....that he is His son...and all that he has is his too because of his relationship to the father.
So.....if you are in the pig pen today....and facing the consequences of rebellion, sin, bad choices or decisions.....don't despair and think all is lost and don't go to God making deals or bargains that if he will just let you back in..then you will serve Him better.....He is your Father that loves you, seeks you...longs for you to return to Him...because He wants your best and your best is HIM....so go to Him and find restoration and renewal.....and enjoy Who you are in Christ because of what He has done...then serve Him out of love and gratitude...not to earn favor.
And if you are the one...who serves faithfully and trys so hard to keep in check....make sure your motives are because you are grounded the in confidence of who you are in Christ and out of love and gratitude....not for gain...but because you already know that all that the Father has is yours in Christ.
May we all remember...nothing, nothing, nothing can seperate us from the Fathers love.
phebee
Monday, December 30, 2013
The Rain Comes to All
December 30, 2013
In Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV84) Jesus says:
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundatin on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
We see in this story that Jesus points out the rain came down, the streams rose and the winds blew and beat against both houses.
Only one house had its foundation built on Jesus (the Rock) and the other on sand (world values, self ambition, do it my way or the highway..lots of sands out there) and only One house remained after the storm.
But I hope we as Christians will see a truth here that will help us overcome this notion that when we follow Christ, we shouldn't expect distressing times. The exact same storm hit both houses. They both went through the same trial and difficulty. So point being, do not think because you are facing a difficult circumstance, trial or life event...to be a strange thing to happen to a Christian. But the difference is God will use those things in your life as a testimony to His faithfulness to never leave you, never forsake you and nothing can seperate you from the Love of Christ..see Romans 8:18-39.
You will most likely get beat up pretty bad by things in this life sometimes, could be problems you caused for yourself, could have been something you had no control over....could be the result of your sin or the result of someone else's sin....we live in a fallen world....so there will be difficulities and there will be storms that roll into all our lives....but (I love that word after bad news) when your foundation is founded upon Jesus Christ..you are secure.
Proverbs 24:16 (NIV)
For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.
I pray that if you are facing a storm today...may God use this to bring encouragement to you.
much love
phebee
In Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV84) Jesus says:
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundatin on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
We see in this story that Jesus points out the rain came down, the streams rose and the winds blew and beat against both houses.
Only one house had its foundation built on Jesus (the Rock) and the other on sand (world values, self ambition, do it my way or the highway..lots of sands out there) and only One house remained after the storm.
But I hope we as Christians will see a truth here that will help us overcome this notion that when we follow Christ, we shouldn't expect distressing times. The exact same storm hit both houses. They both went through the same trial and difficulty. So point being, do not think because you are facing a difficult circumstance, trial or life event...to be a strange thing to happen to a Christian. But the difference is God will use those things in your life as a testimony to His faithfulness to never leave you, never forsake you and nothing can seperate you from the Love of Christ..see Romans 8:18-39.
You will most likely get beat up pretty bad by things in this life sometimes, could be problems you caused for yourself, could have been something you had no control over....could be the result of your sin or the result of someone else's sin....we live in a fallen world....so there will be difficulities and there will be storms that roll into all our lives....but (I love that word after bad news) when your foundation is founded upon Jesus Christ..you are secure.
Proverbs 24:16 (NIV)
For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.
I pray that if you are facing a storm today...may God use this to bring encouragement to you.
much love
phebee
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Why Do I need Jesus?
8/27/2013
Hebrews 4:13 (NIV84)
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account.
This verse (is one of many) that answers the question of why we need Jesus. Can you imagine standing before God, giving an account for your life...every thought, action and deed laid bare before a Holy, Righteous, Perfect God. And you have to give an account to Him for your life....there is NO ONE but JESUS who has lived a perfect spotless life. All who stand before God will be judged for their lives. But..(don't you love that word!!)....but...if you are IN Christ that judgement and penalty have already been meet at calvary on that cross where Jesus suffered and died and life eternal is secure in the resurrection of Jesus from the grave. Trust Jesus attonement for your sin today! Stand in His righteouness alone.
I am telling you if I had to answer to God for my own sins....I had enough in the first 5 minutes of today to do me in..much less a lifetime. I need Jesus.
Hebrews 4:13 (NIV84)
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account.
This verse (is one of many) that answers the question of why we need Jesus. Can you imagine standing before God, giving an account for your life...every thought, action and deed laid bare before a Holy, Righteous, Perfect God. And you have to give an account to Him for your life....there is NO ONE but JESUS who has lived a perfect spotless life. All who stand before God will be judged for their lives. But..(don't you love that word!!)....but...if you are IN Christ that judgement and penalty have already been meet at calvary on that cross where Jesus suffered and died and life eternal is secure in the resurrection of Jesus from the grave. Trust Jesus attonement for your sin today! Stand in His righteouness alone.
I am telling you if I had to answer to God for my own sins....I had enough in the first 5 minutes of today to do me in..much less a lifetime. I need Jesus.
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