Jesus snd the Samaritan Woman
John 4:4 Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— 2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. 3 So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.
4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.
7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?”8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)
9 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.[a])
10 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.”
One thing I love about the scriptures is the way they feed me. I can enjoy a snack by reading the verse of the day offered in several Bible Apps. Or, I can sit down for a feast, digging deep into word studies or various themes.
The most important thing I know about the Word of God is this—if we are not transformed by the reading of the Word, then we are not doing it right! You see, when God shines His truth into our hearts, it not only illuminates the open spaces, but it also prevents us from hiding things under the floorboards.
The Samaritan woman Jesus encountered had been drawing water during the heat of the day for years—Why? She wanted to avoid meeting other women who could be very unkind about the woman’s lifestyle.
But Jesus did not shame her, instead, He presented her with the truth.
May we open our hearts and minds to the truth today, and may we share the story of salvation with all we meet.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Together in Christ
Ephesians 2:11-22
New International Version
Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ
11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)—12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
It can be difficult for us in the 21st century to relate to these verses. Yet, the Ephesians were quite aware of the separation existing due to race and religion. But Jesus broke down barriers that had existed for generations, bringing joy and unity to all who believed. Some referred to elevating Gentiles as the mystery, but the true mystery was God sending His son to be the spotless sacrifice for sinners slain.
May we continue during our Lenten journey to reflect upon our personal walk with Jesus, trusting that God will enable us to do all He calls us to do.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
RECONCILIATION
21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of[a] your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
Today our Lenten study takes us to the city of Colosse, to defend and further explain salvation by faith and to root out any misconceptions that works can save us. There were two common problems facing these early Christians—the pagan influence of the Greek culture and the legalistic views of the Jews. Neither view allowed for the freedom found in Christ. Paul preached that nothing could be added to or taken away from the the gospel of Jesus Christ.
When we read and follow God’s Word a transformation takes place. Where once we lived in selfishness seeking our own desires, we now live for Christ. And perhaps when we make a practice of seeking God during these days preceding Easter, we will find this daily habit will become something we need.
May we be transformed through the renewing of our minds and hearts as we seek to live out our lives in accordance with the mind of Christ.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Seek the Lord
Isaiah 55:6-9 6 Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake their ways
and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
One of the many benefits of this season leading into Easter is reflecting on the mercies of God and using this time to draw close to Him. We sometimes forget that there will be a time when our access to God is not easily available. But today, we are still able to meet Him in prayer, receiving His mercies which Lamentations 3:22-23 says:
22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
May we spend our time wisely, drawing close to our God and sharing His love with others.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Master Builder
Psalms 127 WEB 1 Unless Yahweh builds the house,
they who build it labor in vain.
Unless Yahweh watches over the city,
the watchman guards it in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early,
to stay up late,
eating the bread of toil,
for he gives sleep to his loved ones.
3 Behold, children are a heritage of Yahweh.
The fruit of the womb is his reward.
4 As arrows in the hand of a mighty man,
so are the children of youth.
5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them.
They won’t be disappointed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.
As we continue our Lenten journey toward the resurrection, let’s take a moment to reflect upon this blessing. We see immediately that God is intertwined in each part of our daily living, and if we try to do anything apart from Him, our efforts are futile.
Yet, we are sometimes guilty of getting so caught up in our own lives that we forget to include the Almighty God in our plans. When we seek God first, there is a calm that settles over us that cannot be duplicated.
We are currently in the throes of a developing war in the Middle East. Yet, we can begin each day knowing that our God is in ultimate control. The key to finding peace is spending time with the Prince of Peace every day.
May we purpose to meet God early each day, asking for wisdom and then following His direction.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Seeking Holiness 