Going to the Well

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Death Hurts

Romans 14:8 (NIV84)
If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord.  So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.


A Brother in Christ went home to be with the Lord today.  A tragic accident that took this young man's life all too soon from our point of view.  He was a very sweet, loving man who loved his family with all his heart and desired to to love and honor God in his life.  His smile would brighten your day and he was genuine in his character.  Our hearts hurt and grieve for the friends and family but our hope is not lost because we know that in life or death, Aaron Barnes belonged to the Lord.

Thankful to have known Aaron Barnes, husband, father, brother and friend.  Our lives were better for having you be part of it.

phebee

The Anchor

Acts 27:20 (NIV84)

When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.


Have you been there?  Have you been caught in a storm so bad that there did not seem to be an end to it, no light, no relief from the crashing waves and tossing and turning.  No clear direction and everything seems to be out of control to the point that all you see is darkness and you lose hope of being saved.  Sometimes, I have bouts of "mild" depression.  I feel like the darkness is going to swollow me up and the hurt, the lonliness and despair come crashing in like waves with no relief in sight.  Thankfully, my hope is not lost, my soul is anchored to the Rock, my Lord Jesus and He keeps me through the darkest nights.

In these times I remember the Lord says He will never leave me nor forsake me.  I look to Psalm 139 to remind me that He alone is in control of my life and He knows everything that is going on in my life.  Psalm 23 also brings me much comfort as I remember He is my Shepherd...He leads me....for His name's sake and His presence comforts me.

And I look to the cross...always look to the cross....there is never a doubt of my Fathers love and care when I look to the cross in the darkest, most difficult storm....the Cross is my beacon of light to bring me safely back to the shore.

phebee

Momma said ther'd be days like this

July 26, 2013

The Fear of the Lord leads to life.  Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.  Proverbs 18:23 (NIV84)

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through him who gives me stregnth.  Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV84)


It's not that we won't have trouble because we are in the Lord....It's trouble won't have us because we are in the Lord!  We will have difficulities in this life but when we are in Christ our hope & contentment are found in Him....not our circumstances.

We will not be overcome by our troubles...they will come and some will seem unbearable..and but for the grace of God, some of them would be and are...but when you know that God is with you in all things and He loves you and cares for you....that is where you find contentment even during the most difficult days.  Relief comes when God changes our circumstances...but contentment comes from knowing God is with us in all our circumstances even if they don't change...good & bad...and that is what we need most.

phebee

Shaken

07/22/2013

Acts 4:31 (NIV84)
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God bodly.


Don't you love this visual!

The people of God coming together pouring out their hearts to God in prayer-not half hearted bless me and my stuff prayer-but God we need YOU to Move!!  We need your presence-Your wisdom-Your direction-Your Will and after they prayed...God shook them up and filled them up and then emptied them out with His message!! God give us the passion to pray like this.

phebee

The value of Tears

July 16, 2013


John 11:35 (NIV84) Jesus wept.


There are times that my heart just breaks.  I cry so deeply that all I can do is bring my tears to God as an offering.  I lift them up to my Father knowing He see's whatever has caused my grief and pain.  It can be concern for someone I love, it can be grief over my sin, it can be for the salvation of someone I know, it can be for a burden God has placed on my heart.  Sometimes all I have are tears-words will not come-so I lay my tears at Jesus feet and know that He cares.

phebee

His Will be done

July 9th, 2013


NIV1984

Psalm 138:8
The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever-do not abandon the works of your hands.

Psalm 139:16
All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

Ephesians 1:4-5
For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight, in love He predestined us to be adopted as His Sons through Jesus Christ in accordance with His pleasure and will.

Matthew 6:33
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Eash day has enough trouble of its own.

God has a purpose and plan for our lives in Christ Jesus.  (The bible tells us so.)

phebee

A Beautiful Offering

June 26, 2013


She did what she could.  Mark 14:8 (NIV84)


I love this account in the Gospel.  The woman took all she had and used it as a sacrificial gift because of her love for Jesus.  The people wanted to rebuke her-stating what she was doing was a waste-that she was not being a good steward with her resources.  Jesus said it was a beautiful thing and to leave her alone-She was doing what she could do.  Don't you love that!!  We get so tore up wondering if we are doing enough to please God-how can I do more-how can I give more-and then we have others that ridicule us for giving or doing to much or to little.  Jesus say's-your love and devotion to him is a beautiful thing.  Do what you can do with what He has given and ENJOY the love of the Savior!


phebee

"A beautiful thing"

June 18, 2013

Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "why are you bothering this woman?  She has done a beautiful thing to me."  Matthew 26:10 (NIV84)


Why do we discourage people when they give up something in this life as an offering to God out of love?  Why do we try to convince people they are wrong and not being "responsible" when they are willing and have the desire to pour out their lives here on this earth for a greater treasure in Heaven?  To honor and glorify the Lord for Who He is.  Shouldn't we encourage, support, and desire to be more like people who understand when it comes to Jesus there is no sacrifice.  With Him there is only gain.


phebee

The Question

June 11, 2013

"But what about you?"  He asked. "Who do you say I am?"  Matthew 16:15 (NIV84)


How we answer this question is the most important question we will ever answer.  Who is Jesus?  Who we say He is does not change or take away or add to who He truly is-but it certainly changes everything about who we are based on who we say He is.  If we confess with our mouths and believe in our hearts that He is the Son of God that died for our sins and was raised back to life on the 3rd day by God-then our identity changes into a child of God.  If we deny He is the Son of God-then our identity remains a child of darkness.

phebee

Grace

June 11, 2013

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Psalm 51:10 (NIV84)


In the biggest messes of our life is the greatest opportunity for God's grace to show through.

Grace is not easy-but it is always good.

Grace can be very painful and difficult-but the benefits are priceless.


Thank you Father for your grace in my life.  It cost you everything to extend your grace to me-you came into my mess and extended your grace into my deepest need-forgiveness of my sin against you.  Thank you Father for taking the high road.

phebee

**that is probally not very theologically sound to say that God took the high road...but in my little finite human mind that was the best I could come up with to describe what God did for me when He placed himself upon a tree to rescue me from my sin, when he didn't have to...He would have been just as right in leaving me to face the judgement of my sin...but He didn't.

**Panic**Prayer**

June 7, 2013


Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him.  Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat.  But Jesus was sleeping.  The diciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!"

He replied, "you of little faith, why are you so afraid?"  Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

The men were amazed and asked, "what kind of man is this?  Even the winds and the waves obey him!"  Matthew 8:23-27 (NIV84)


I have prayed like this....many times and often times still do.  Lord do something-Please-it looks hopeless.  Even though this prayer looks like I am trusting Jesus-He says its little faith.  I am actually in panic mode-I should be trusting that Jesus is already working-even though he seems silent-He is always aware and in control.

phebee

**don't be discouraged....notice, Jesus was wanting his diciples to learn that they could trust him in all circumstances...but even when we cry out to our Father in panic because of unexpected or trying circumstances....He does not turn a deaf ear....He hears us when we cry out to him...thats the thing we need to know most...God is with us and He never leaves us nor forsakes us...we are in Christ and Christ is in us.

Just say the word

June 7, 2013


The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof.  But just say the word, and my servant will be healed."  Matthew 8:8 (NIV84)

Jesus has ALL authority.  There is NOTHING that is not subject to Him.  All He has to do is say the word and it is done just as He said.  Lord, I too am unworthy to receive anything from you-but because of your goodness and mercy I beseach your blessing.  Just say the word Jesus and it has to be done according to your will.


phebee

**this is not a name it claim it idea.  We should go to God with our request that He can do anything we ask of him...but also that we go to Him trusting that if He does not grant the request we trust His decision that it is not in our best interest for His purpose and plan for our lives.  The main point is....Jesus has all aurthority...He is able to do all things...actually, most of the time our request are extremely to narrowminded or small...we could never ask God for anything that would come close to what He is able to do....we will always fall short in our expectations of what God can do with our lives...I know I do....in the back of my mind...I always have this little thing saying....should I really ask God for that....what right do I have to ask Him for that.....pueny little faith.  He is my Heavenly Father for peats sake....He sent His Son to die for my Sins....and now I want to limit Him on what I can ask Him to do in and through my life.  He has every right to say no to any request....but why do I just assume the answer will be no or feel it is not polite to ask Him for it in the first place...I might be overstepping my bounds as a daughter of the One true King?  I might being taking Him for granted or expecting to much out of our relationship?  And I know....the hairs are standing on end..a person might start thinking....well, maybe you are just asking for your own comfort and enjoyement....yep, could be....still my Dad, still God, still in control of the universe and everything else out there....he knows the motives of my heart and He knows why I am asking for whatever I am asking for and He is big enough to answer it in the right way and He is able to convict my heart of wrong motives too. So I guess my focus today...is freedom...freedom to go ahead and ask...don't limit yourself on what is the "appropriate" thing to ask of your Heavenly Father, but at the same time...trust Him with the answer.  Would you want someone to tell your child they don't have a right to come to you and ask you for something or talk to you about anything.....that would not settle well with me if someone told my child that....let me decide what is an appropriate request from my child....and let God decide what is an appropriate request from His children.  If you truly are a child of God, He will change the desires of your heart and help you accept the answers He gives.

Where else would we go?

June 6, 2013


"Come follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."  At once they left their nets and followed him.  Matthew 4:19-20 (NIV84)

Our response should be:

Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life we believe and know that you are the holy One of God."  John 6: 68-69 (NIV84)

The only response that is appropriate to the call Jesus gives in Matthew 4 is found in John 6.  Lord, where else would we go-we must follow you-you have the words of eternal life.  As we lay down our lives to follow you-use your words of life to bring in a great harvest for your glory and our joy!


phebee