Great is the Lord

Psalm 145:3 - Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable.

Great are you Lord. You bring hope, you bring life…

I was taking my walk this morning. The sad thought of how angry many are in this world, how contentious and hate-filled some have become popped into my head. Then I heard a stream gurgling nearby. 

For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water. (Jeremiah‬ ‭2:13‬)

At the start of the season there was was not much water in that stream. Since we’ve had a lot of rain the past couple weeks, the stream has overflowed. And it bubbles and churns. It reminded me of the living waters Jesus gives when anyone gives their lives to Him. When He comes in to a person’s life it’s those waters that flow through us and refresh us, even overflow, and help us to get through our days. 

We need water to survive. We need Jesus, and that was the thought...how these certain people really need Jesus! 

How much He wants us to know Him to have this living water. How great is our God!! 

John‬ ‭7:38 - He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. 

Full

1John 1:1-4 - That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.

The disciples knew Christ. They saw Him, walked with Him, listened to Him. We have not had the pleasure of seeing or listening to the Lord  physically. Some of us have met Him, though. Those who have can relate to this: Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. ...while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (2Corinthians 4:16,18, Hebrews 11:1)

This is the Christmas season. It’s a time for many to celebrate with parties and get togethers. Along with that is eating (and drinking). Never a shortage of food. Diets are just around the proverbial holiday corner. We get full! Maybe, probably, overfilled, with the food that fills our bellies.

...for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17)

Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance. (Isaiah 55:2)

Remember when the Israelites wandered in the desert? All their needs were supplied. Clothing and sandals did not wear out. They had their fresh manna every day. It came down from heaven. Moses struck a rock and water appeared. Bread and water...

...and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. (1Corinthians 10:4)

I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world. (John 6:51)

As the Bible says, life is not about the food and the drink as we tend to think it is. This life, this world will pass away some day. Those who do not have the spiritual food and drink will pass away also, eternally. Those who have tasted and seen that the Lord is good, will not pass away but will live with Christ. 

So, Christmas is a time to celebrate the life of One who gives us all our physical life, but more importantly, eternal life through Christ. We celebrate His birth which led to His life and death...all so we might have life if we choose to acknowledge Him, every day, not just at Christmas. 

John 15:11 - These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

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What More Can I Say?

Isaiah 55:6 - Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.

What more can I say? It's always about Jesus. His love, His mercy, His desire that all should know Him intimately.

Nothing satisfies more than the deep knowledge of an unseen God. Just because we cannot see Him doesn't mean He does not exist. He's always a prayer away to those wanting to know Him.

Isaiah tells us in Chapter 55 that God has what we need. Thirsty? Hungry? ...Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance. (Isaiah‬ ‭55:1-2‬) ‭Why else would He be called the Bread of Life or the Fountain of Living Water? He has all we need. Our soul, our spirit is the most important part of us. 

If we give up our own ideas of what life should be like, what we think we need to make us happy, and accept Jesus, we shall be satisifed. Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you... (Isaiah 55:3) Everlasting = lasting through all time, eternal. Without Jesus we will always flounder.

Hah! Bear with me here! Flounder? Didn't Jesus enlist the help of fishermen? Didn't He say they would become fishers of men? Isn't that who we are without Jesus--people who just flounder through life without a purpose? Haven't we all at one time asked what we are here for? Let Him catch you in His net. Let His words pierce your soul and spirit.

What more can I say? He is a merciful God to anyone who seeks Him, no matter where you are in life, no matter how 
good or bad you are. Even those who think on their own merits they are good need Jesus because there is none righteous without Him. Period! 

Isaiah 55:6-7 - Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. 

We can search all we want for the truth in this world but we will never find it here. It can only be found by taking our eyes off this world and looking up to God. It works.    

When I was 40 I lost my mother to cancer. That time was all a blur. It must have taken its toll because I decided to quit my job and get away from it all. I packed my bike, got a plane ticket to Luxembourg and spent seven weeks biking through Europe--searching for myself. I believe God was with me even then, when I didn't yet know Him. He was there every step of the way, in the people I met and safety I experienced, even down to very real moment-to-moment needs that I expressed out loud to myself. God heard me and those needs were met--without my knowledge of His hand. He knew a day would come when my searching for myself would end when I found Him. How I praise Him today for that. 

Now I know my purpose--even though I may not live it perfectly--is to glorify God in everything I do. To know Him as Truth and to trust Him with my life.

Why should we trust our own ideas? Who gave us life? Who gave us our abilities and gifts? If we do according to His plans we will not fail. Some believe our gifts and ideas are our own; they are gifts but gifts from God. He knows what's best for us. It's true, our Father knows best!

What more can I say? Despite the troubles life can bring, He gives us peace, joy, singing, blessings instead of cursings. With or without us God's plans for this world will be accomplished. I'd rather be on the safe side, on God's side. Seek Him and His Word. That's all I can say...for now!

Isaiah 55:11 - So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

My Simplistic Mind

John‬ ‭4:14‬ ‭- ...but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.

Today on my walk in my favorite park, I started at the old quarry, like I usually do. It has been made into a lake, Trout Lake. In a couple of small coves the Canadian geese congregate each morning to chat before flying off someplace. And there they were, honking, splashing and congregating. 

I started taking a path through the woods and was alongside a stream. At one part of the stream it opened up to a swampy area and there were more geese just bobbing around in the water or sitting on exposed logs. So I followed the gently flowing, relaxing stream along the path when all of a sudden I realized I was taking picture after picture of the water. I came upon a very small waterfall and it was beautiful. Snap, another picture. Video too. 

Before I knew it my mind went right to the things of God. It dawned on me this water, which was so peaceful to listen to, was like streams of living water that flow from the very throne of God and that Jesus is our living water. If we drink of Him we will never be thirsty. We will be refreshed. I got to thanking and praising Him for the new, eternal life He has given me. 

He provides what we need. He gives us peace. He will, in due time(s), give us the strength we need. If we are truly following Him He will give us the wisdom and discernment for all our situations. 

I thank Him that I can look at what's going on in this world and see it through His eyes. I don’t know how others feel about the world situation or whether they try to figure out what has caused it to happen, but my simple mind just always goes right back to Genesis. 

When God created all things and then created man to enter into this world to subdue it and live in harmony with God and His creation, that was the perfect life He desired for us to have. We all know what went wrong…a serpent entered into their garden, hung by a certain tree, tempting Eve, and changed their world in a heartbeat…by a mere bite of a piece of forbidden fruit. End of paradise. That’s my simple explanation. The rest is history. All pride, hatred, self-centeredness, immorality, killing and so much more, came to be. 

So over 6,000 years later here we are, reaping in even greater measure. None of it has been a surprise to God. He has tried and was able to get His people to be obedient time after time, but He also saw the failures of man. Self-will was just too great. Self! Me this, me that. Gimme, gimme, gimme. These all come from that same serpent from the Garden. And we listen, just like Eve did, like Adam decided to also do. The temptation to do as we wish is so great. 

So what does any of this have to do with my walk and the stream. The living water, of course. I don’t have all the answers for what goes on in the world. But Jesus does. He has called us, as hard as it is sometimes, many times, to love our enemies. How do we do that when they hate us? How do we do that when some hearts are drawn to evil? Even God hated what had happened. We are to forgive because He will avenge some day, like He did in Noah's day when the world was in a similar situation as ours.

Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the LORD said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD (Genesis‬ ‭6:5-8‬)

The Book of Revelation shows us that there will be another time like the days of Noah above. We will not be deluged by rain but by fire.

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.

‭‭(2Peter‬ ‭3:10).  So, how will we fare in the eyes of the Lord on that day?

The Bible tells us that purification is by fire. Israel was tested through affliction. We are definitely experiencing some affliction in this world. When this final fire arrives, God's purification will take place. All evil will be removed and that serpent in his rightful place with a fitting name, the Lake of Fire. And others will be there too. But, if we stand fast on God's Word, trust Him for the future, stand by His truth, believing all He says, we will come through this fire...into a new world, a pure world, with an honest, just, loving ruler, Jesus Christ Himself. We will reign with Him! 

So my simple mind is believing what He says will come to pass. He has given us the signs. If we search scripture we will see and understand by the power of His Spirit what those signs are. I believe we are seeing signs day by day. I do not believe things will ever be back to normal. And how do I feel about that? Come, Lord Jesus! If you do not see this, it is time to acknowledge Him, repent of your sins, turn from them, and follow Him. He will then show you.

My simple mind (come as little children, Jesus says) believes in Jesus as the living water. I drink from those living streams. I don't know what tomorrow holds, but I know who is holding me. That's not in the Bible but the concept is there. Who do you trust? Another person, yourself, a job, money, government? Or do you choose to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, who knows the times and the seasons, beginning from the end because He IS the Beginning and the End. He was there in Genesis and He was there at the writing of Revelation, announcing His return, and what we will see prior to that. That time is near (Revelation 1:3, Revelation 22:10) He has told us many times the time is near. Jesus said three times He is coming soon. Do you believe it? He HAS shown us in His Word. It has played out before. Like the Ark's door closed, the next door will close permanently. Jesus is that door. God holds the power to close it. 

Don't be a scoffer and claim you've heard this all before and He hasn't returned yet. His plans have been taking shape. He will. It's been prophesied many times. In our Revelation class this was said: God's judgment on unbelievers is certain, final and inescapable. Remember that fire? Inescapable. We also heard this: We are not experiencing out of control events [in this world]; it is all part of God’s plan. He WILL return. We all need to be ready. 

Isaiah‬ ‭46:8-10,12-13‬ ‭- Remember this, and show yourselves men; recall to mind, O you transgressors. Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, "My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure... Listen to Me, you stubborn-hearted, who are far from righteousness: I bring My righteousness near, it shall not be far off; My salvation shall not linger...."

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There is No Reason to Die!

Ezekiel 34:12 - As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day.

Pastor Dave Johnson, Community Bible Church in Eagle River: There is no reason for anyone to die if you'd only believe the Word. He was preaching out of Ezekiel 34:11-31. 

That's quite a statement. I was looking online for a church I might attend while I'm out of town this coming weekend. I saw this church listed, checked out their website, and determined it could be just the place. Simple church, sing from hymnals, have three services a week. So I listened to part of a sermon from the senior pastor. 

Pastor Johnson went on to say: Our life will parallel what has already happened. If we read the Word and believe it we will see, when things happen, as we have studied in Ecclesiastes, that there is nothing new under the sun. Aren't we supposed to learn from our past, from both successes and mistakes? Is there any reason why couldn't apply the same principle to God's Word? It was, after all, written as an example for us. We seem to continue making the same mistakes. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭53‬:‭6‬)  Jesus, God's own Son, paid the penalty for our sin with His life. BUT...from His death, we can receive life. Hallelujah!

Hah! Success comes from knowing Jesus. Mistakes come from not! 

The opening scripture above is in the Old Testament and speaks of Israel. But it can certainly speak of the Good Shepherd and people today. “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?" (‭Matthew‬ ‭18‬:‭12‬) That's what Jesus would do for anyone.

The Word of God is truth. It is life. It is the bread of life: And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." (‭John‬ ‭6‬:‭35‬) We are to seek God for our daily bread. Jesus is that bread; He is the Word...made flesh. This Word of God is the river of life: And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. (‭Revelation‬ ‭22‬:‭1‬). It is the living Word: For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (‭Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭12)

While at the time of this writing I hadn't listened to the whole sermon, I got a lot just from his opening statement. If we believe all this Word, there is no reason to die! But...we need Jesus to secure that eternal life. We need to have been born again, as Jesus Himself tells us we must be. Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3) We need to be in relationship with Him. If these statements don't make sense, Google them! I'm sure there will be many explanations and even one that might touch your heart. If your church doesn't teach you this thing about being born again...

When we truly begin to believe the Word, our spiritual life changes. Without the Word, without Jesus, we have no life. We have no hope. We might see things in the world that disturb or anger us. If we believe the Word we know these things will happen before Christ returns. We will begin to recognize the intensity of all that is taking place...but we can rejoice knowing that He is returning. This life on earth is always temporary. All of us will die. And one day the world as we know it will die. As in the days of Noah...

If we have Christ we have eternal life. Remember, He was the door to that ark Noah built. It saved Noah's family. It's open now, but some day it will be too late. It will close. It will happen in a twinkling of an eye. This earthly life will fade away but we can have that hope of heaven before us. 

The world will deteriorate, already is. The Church will be persecuted, as might be the next step some desire to get God totally out of the way. Like the persecution of the Church, a persecution of the body of believers...if they hold fast to the truth of God's Word...if they don't compromise...if they don't allow society to dictate what it believes should be right. Believers will be scoffed for some of these ideas and this will happen. Some might think life has always gone on, why should anything change? But things will change. It's why the Word needs to be understood. 

Know the Word, understand it, believe it and you have gained wisdom. But it comes only from knowing Jesus. He imparts the power of His Holy Spirit for that knowledge. Along with the knowledge you have gained life...you do not need to die! In Christ you have life. Like God did for Israel, took them out of captivity into a new land and new life, so Jesus does for us. Only this life ahead will be eternal.

Ezekiel 34:13 - And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land; I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the valleys and in all the inhabited places of the country.

Blessings, Hope and Trust

Jeremiah 17:7-8 - Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.

Oh, this so spoke to my heart yesterday morning after I laundered this tee shirt and took special notice of the scripture on the back. It fits in with what I wrote yesterday about drawing water, trusting in God, having no fear. This is what comes with the territory from our devotion to God. How often does one worry about money, jobs, war, government control, terrorists, children and home grown evil pervading our cities? Not everyone worries, but everyone should be aware because some day something will cause worry.

Those who trust in the Lord, who know Him, know His ways, know His goodness and judgment because of sin, need not fear. We will not be immune to the troubles of life, but there's that hope that when all is said and done, we truly will be in a better place. 

I was thinking yesterday about a young family. Good people, two sweet children. But they don't know Jesus like they should. Their world is all that goes on in their lives, their accomplishments, their children, their friends and parties. They are happy. But what happens if the bottom falls out...you know, anything could happen in their lives, just like it could happen in ours. We don't know what tomorrow brings. And without God, it might be a horribly tragic event. 

Those who know the Lord have a foundation, like I said yesterday, like a tree planted by water. Nothing to fear as long as that water is there. Where do we get this water? We draw, like the Samaritan woman, from the living water which is Christ. He removes our sin so He can be our all. He cannot be our all without that recognition that we are sinners and He is our Savior. We then drink of His strength and there is no fear as long as we hold to the belief He is there for us and will see us through, not always out of, our circumstance. Praise Him. Praise Him. Praise Him. The song from a grateful heart. 

In the midst of our trouble we can still proclaim His goodness...yielding fruit of righteousness and witnessing. I will praise Him again.

Psalms‬ ‭91‬:‭1-6,14 - He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name."

Feast on the Lord

Matthew 5:6 - Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. 

There's more to feeding bread and water to the poor and starving in this world or here at home. While we are to do this in the natural, it is best to first have and do it through Christ who is the living water and bread of life.

Out of His own mouth, Jesus tells us:

"...whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink." (‭John‬ ‭6‬:‭35,4:14)

"Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him." And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. I am the bread of life. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world." (‭John‬ ‭6‬:‭27,7:37,6:48‬,51)

It's  a simple message. Jesus Christ saves. He quenches our thirst and satisfies a spiritual hunger. Yes, we are commanded to feed the poor and take care of those in need...but it should not just be with the water and bread that never satisfies. It should include a large portion of Jesus Christ, the living water and bread of life. The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek Him will praise the LORD. Let your heart live forever! (Psalm 22:26)

Psalm 107:9 - For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.

He Bears Witness

John 8:12-18

Then Jesus spoke to them again saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." The Pharisees therefore said to Him, "You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true." Jesus answered and said to them, "Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I come from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going. You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me. It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me."


So far in the Book of John He has called Himself the living water, bread of life and now the light of life. This is the Christ. He is Life. He alone offers life in a way no other can. His life does not bring continual hunger or thirst. His life is satisfying, fulfilling all needs. The light He shines in the dark places allows us to see what is true. And when we understand truth, we have life.

Again the Pharisees struggled with His words because, despite understanding all their religious laws, they could not see, or did not want to see, that He was who had been written about, prophesied about in their books of the law. There was a connection missing. How could He claim to be God's Son? The audacity! I've had a couple look strangely at me because of my witness! Who do I think I am?

When we come to Christ we become children of God. We are co-heirs in God's inheritance. Jesus and His Father bear witness of this even if others don't understand or are offended by our beliefs.
He/They judge not by the flesh... And as children of God through Christ Jesus, we share in His suffering, persecution. Jesus told us this would happen.

What Jesus gives us is the most special thing we can receive. The living water, bread of life and light of life. They desire all to know and receive this. But we are not to be surprised by what others think or fear them because we are in the protective arms of the Almighty.

Matthew 20:21-22 - “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved." 

So There Was Division

John 7:35-43

Then the Jews said among themselves, "Where does He intend to go that we shall not find Him? Does He intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? What is this thing that He said, "You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come?"

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." But He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. 

Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, "Truly this is the Prophet." Others said, "This is the Christ." But some said, "Will the Christ come out of Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?"

So there was division among the people because of Him. 


Not many verses but full of truth...that divides.

There still were a lot of questions about this Man who claimed to be the Son of God. Oh, the words He spoke. Words difficult to understand. Words which are still difficult for some to understand.

If Jesus stood before us in the flesh today knowing all we know about Him, with all the controversy and offense He stirs up, would there still be doubt, questions? There is a day coming where He will return. It is said that every knee will bow and tongue confess Him then. But this will be either voluntary or involuntary. I prefer to voluntarily bow. I bow before Him today...

Listen to this, Jesus cried out! He cried out then and He cries out now. The love He has for all mankind is enormous, greater than we can imagine. He cries out that people would hear and receive what He has to offer, eternal life...living water, bread of life, His Spirit...His Spirit...that will live in us when we give ourselves to Him. Bread and water that will no longer cause us to hunger or thirst because we have all we need in Him.

He cries out because He knows what happens if we do not...eternal death. He died that all could receive this eternal life if we first call on the name of the Lord to be saved, if we humble ourselves as He humbled Himself. The Son of God, God Himself, died for us. How much more humility do we need? And what does He ask of us? That we become new creatures, letting the old man go (die to selves) and let the new man emerge, through Him. A new spiritual birth. We become part of those through the ages who have received, who are separated unto Him, who receive His righteousness and the good things He has to offer.

Like above, some will believe and some will remain skeptical. We so desire to fawn over Hollywood actors, sports figures, politicians, activists, musicians, ourselves, yet reject Christ. It makes no sense. So there was division among the people because of Him. He still divides. He has so much more to offer.

...I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God. I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. I will call for the grain and multiply it, and bring no famine upon you. And I will multiply the fruit of your trees and the increase of your fields, so that you need never again bear the reproach of famine among the nations. (Ezekiel 36:24-26, 28-30)

Up or Down?

John 6:34-40

Then they said to Him, "Lord, give us this bread always." And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day."


It doesn't get much better than this. Remember the words Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman? "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."

These people were still just wanting the bread but not understanding that it was He. We also look to the natural things in life to sustain us when it is only He who gives real life.

Does it amaze you like it does me that the idea of "up" is always good and "down" tends to refer to not so good? Jesus told the Samaritan woman and these people that we will be raised up, as He was, if we eat of the bread He gives and drink of His living water, which springs up and brings everlasting life. There's always a condition. No way around it, ever.

We see evidence of Jesus daily that we cannot deny His existence. He was with the Father in the beginning at creation. So He was part of creating what we see today. He came in human form that people might see Him and believe. Many saw and did believe and passed their encounters on down through the ages. Testimonies of Jesus. Yet many saw and did not believe. I guess there will always be skepticism or unbelief.

Jesus came down from heaven. That act resulted in His death. But it also resulted in life. Just as He came down and was raised up, so we can be. We are born down here on earth and the end result is death. This death is permanent. We do not come back, as some might believe (reincarnation). After death, however, there is more, one of two directions we take...by God's design. Which "more" do we choose? If we choose Christ, we have eternal life. If we do not choose Him we have eternal death. Up or down? The condition, the result.

We can be raised up like He was. He said that the will of His Father was that He give His life, that we might see and believe and be raised up. Who would want to pass this up? Jesus even bluntly told these people that they saw but still did not believe. I know it's difficult sometimes to imagine what we have not seen. But our childlike faith, which Jesus asks we have, has to believe that He was raised up and that all He says is true and if that IS true, we also will be raised up...if we take hold of salvation through Jesus alone. Lose our life to Christ to have life.

I think if anyone then followed Jesus repeatedly they might have finally understood what He was saying. It's like that for us when we read His Word. Staying in the Word helps us to understand, opens up our understanding. Brings aha moments.

A fountain of water springing up into everlasting life, bread that never causes hunger...that everyone who believes in Him may have everlasting life and will be raised up at the last day. We all know that heaven is up, so where does that place hell? We give in to Jesus and all He has to give or remain content believing we are good to go on our own. It's a choice we make.

Matthew 16:25-26 - For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

That's What He Does

John 4:11-26

The woman said to Him, "Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water? Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?"

Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."

The woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw." Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here." The woman answered and said, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You have well said, 'I have no husband,' for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly." 

The woman said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship."

Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

The woman said to Him, "I know that Messiah is coming" (who is called Christ). "When He comes, He will tell us all things." Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am He."

More than one thought going through my head. Of course!

How Jesus reveals Himself to us is amazing. Here the Samaritan woman was standing before Jesus, knowing of Him and telling Him that when He comes He will tell her all things! She does not recognize Him. Then He reveals Himself to her.

One day we might be staring right at Him or hearing from Him but we might not recognize Him. Then one day He might say "I who speak to you am He." Your eyes are opened and you recognize Him. Now I'm not suggesting He will be physically standing in front of you or audibly speaking to you, but it can happen in an instant in your spirit. Words you've heard and didn't understand, or rejected, will one day come to life. Those words may have been repeated many times just so one day will make an impact: Oh, now I get it!  I remember being bombarded by little instances before I was saved. Then one day I recognized He had been setting the stage for my salvation. He's an awesome God.

Yesterday in church our pastor reminded us that God seeks us. Some think we seek Him, but He's seeking us first. It always starts with Him. He created us with the desire in our hearts. He puts the emptiness and need for more there too. Always starts with Him. Some just choose not to heed His call.

Psalm 14:2-3 tells us He looks down from heaven looking for anyone who might seek Him...but there are none! But when He reveals Himself then our seeking can begin. He seeks because of what John 3:16 tells us: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Jesus testifies of and personifies this. He is the a God who loves. He is the Son who gave His life that whosoever believes can have eternal life.

While whosoever includes all people, only some respond. To those who do not, He exacts His judgment...have to clarify that. He loves all, but will place judgment on those who do not accept His call.

He is the living water. He knows all we need and He can satisfy with greater things than what we think we need. When something, or someone, doesn't satisfy anymore, don't we look for something, or someone, new only to find out we still need more? He so loves the world He wants to give us what will satisfy.  That's what He does.

The Samaritan woman didn't understand the feeling of emptiness she had. She thought she had what would satisfy...many husbands. Jesus began to open up her understanding. When Jesus offered living water that she would no longer thirst she misunderstood. She talked of this well she was at providing water in the physical sense. It met part of her physical needs. Jesus offered her more. More.

Jesus says we can only receive from Him, the One who is greater. No other person can offer us what He has. We worship what we do not know. Anything greater than God is a god or an idol. We can go to a banker, an instructor, friend or spouse, food, our job, children, another lover, a doctor, psychiatrist, pastor, priest or rabbi, but none can offer what Jesus can. He frees us from believing all these other things satisfy. We go directly to Him because He knows us.

When we recognize God (meaning we have received Him and know Him) we can begin to worship Him in spirit and in truth. We recognize we've been looking for things that never fully satisfied. Those who know Him can worship in spirit and truth. He seeks us first that we might in return seek and worship Him, and He will give us the living water. Praise God He does that. Praise God for those who respond.

Exodus 20:1-3 - And God spoke all these words, saying: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt [dryness, want], out of the house of bondage. “You shall have no other gods before Me."

Living Water

John 4:1-10 

Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples), He left Judea and departed again to Galilee. But He needed to go through Samaria.

So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. The. The woman of Samaria said to Him, "How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.

Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water."

I know this is only part of the story of the Samaritan woman's encounter with Jesus but I felt I could stop here.

Today is Good Friday. Today is also a special day for me. On April 18, 1999 I was born of the Spirit! I received Christ. I had no clue it was to happen and it happened in an instant. No sinner's prayer, no bells and whistles, no wriggling on the floor, no exciting music. Just a few moments where the truth of God's Word penetrated a stubborn, yet broken, heart...one that I believe God had been slowly working on for this particular day and time. A perfect time it was too, considering I'd not stepped into a church for years!

What does that have to do with the Samaritan woman? Jesus had been summoning me for awhile. I can't even tell you how long but in bits and pieces He was making Himself known to me through others. I was growing tired and worn. He met me that morning, like He met the Samaritan woman at the well.

I can look at that church, that service, that morning, as a time when Jesus sat at my well. I didn't know He was there until He chose to use a pastor to speak the truth of His words to me...in an instant. I was the one, however, needing the drink but didn't know it. My life had been dry without Him.

In not so many words He might have said to me, "I have the gift of God. If you ask I will give you a drink of this living water." The actual words were: "There is nothing you can do to change your situation, but I know Someone who can and that is the Lord Jesus Christ." He gives us what we need. He refreshes and strengthens weary souls.

That Sunday our pastor said this also: "God says we're not weak, we're powerless. We can't do anything alone, ever."  And he added, "It's not about a program, a technique, but a person. It's walking humbly with our God, a relationship with Jesus Christ, not a religion or philosophy."

When we receive Christ He becomes our Living Water. He provides from a well that never runs dry. We live in a dry and thirsty land without Him. This is Good Friday. It's also a good day to consider this Living Water. We are celebrating Jesus' resurrection this weekend. He is alive! He still comes to us asking us to receive the living water, the gift He supplies. He is our gift. He desires being received.

Isaiah 12:2-3 - Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’ ” Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

Unmovable, Unshakable

Jeremiah 17:7-8 - “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the water, which spreads out its roots by the river...”

We sang a new song Sunday morning. The words to the song Tree by Jason Rizzo go like this:

I want to be unmovable and unshakable

So let my roots go down deep

Unmovable and unshakable in You

I, I want to be like a tree

Planted by the streams of living water

This’ll be my song, God; this’ll be my prayer

Till the end, till the end

As the song lilted through my head this morning and as I peered out the window into the dark I could see a light shining up on a tree in our yard. It may not be near a stream but it is planted firmly...unmovable and unshakable. It's  roots go down deep. It has withheld the storms of the seasons.

Isn't it just like God to create nature and then to use it to show us not only Himself in it's beauty, grandeur, magnificence and unlimitlessness, but by example, like a tree whose roots are planted by a stream?

Our water, if we so choose, is Jesus Christ, our fount of Living Water, the only water, as the Samaritan woman was told, that would cause her to thirst no more. She became like the tree that day she met Jesus. And so are all who look upon Jesus as their strength for all things, who do not search for the things of the world that rust and moth can destroy.

There are troubles in this world. There always will be, as Pastor Rory Grooters told us on Sunday morning during our series on Getting Through the Tough Stuff. No one is immune. No amount of wealth or privilege will be able to prevent troubles. And don't I sometimes wonder if they actually bring on more problems. Less CAN truly sometimes be more.

There is only one need in this life and that is Jesus. Less is more. Houses, clothing, stuff we accumulate is all lumped into the category of things that moth and rust can destroy. But blessed is the man whose trust is in the Lord. Blessed is the man whose roots are firmly planted by the streams of living water, who will be nourished by the truth of His Word and strengthened by His power in the times of trouble. 

Be still and know that He is God. He will always be God. He never changes. He can be that God for us if we search for Him, receive Him and follow Him. Our roots can run deep in Him. He is here for us when we seek Him. Seek Him before the troubles begin. We can be unmovable and unshakable, like a well watered tree.

Psalm 46:1-3 - God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling.  Selah

Here She Is Again!

John 4:10-11 - Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, "Give Me a drink," you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." The woman said to Him, "Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water?" 

Oh, this Samaritan woman. What a bevy of stories can be gleaned from her one encounter with Jesus.

We are all like her you know, whether man or woman. She is the represents sin, something to which we all can hold claim...even if it isn't the same as hers.

As my friend Carol and I drove to my "little Baptist church," Superstition Foothills, in Gold Canyon, Arizona, I knew we would be fed a good meal from Pastor Joe Knowles as he related the account of this woman and how her life shared a moment in time with Jesus and how Jesus even needed a drink.

And you know, it only takes a moment with Jesus, to meet Him where you are, in your sinful state, to taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8).

As Jesus hung on the cross moments before His death at Calgary, He spoke the two words: I thirst. Pastor Joe pointed out that Jesus' whole life was centered around winning lost souls. Even at the cross after He had undergone mocking, spitting, the crown of thorns, the agony of the whipping, the long walk with the cross on His back, then the nails piercing His hands and feet, He never spoke against the people. No, He did as He had done at the well with the Samaritan woman, He saved a soul, the one thief who acknowledged his sins before Jesus.

At the well Jesus met the Samaritan woman and told her she might be dipping the bucket for water to quench her thirst but only He could provide the water that would allow her to never thirst again. And she was curious about such water. She received Christ within minutes.

Pastor Joe said the Greek word for water in the account of this woman was word. I find that incredibly interesting and certainly not a coincidence! If we are curious about the water that will never cause us to thirst again, we need only go to the Word. Jesus is the Word. Jesus is the Living Water. The Bible is the Word. Ephesians 5:26 tells us that He might sanctify and cleanse...with the washing of water by the word.

The quenching of the water of the word. If we take the time to quench our thirst each day by opening up the Word, we meet the Living Word page by page. It quenches. He quenches.

What more can I add to this? If we have received Christ we have been washed. We have thirsted once in our lives but now our thirst has been quenched. There is a satisfaction we hold on to that we did not have before. We have received the Living Water. We can, like the Samaritan woman, share that thirst quenching water by sharing Christ with others. We cannot live without water. I love how God the Father has created the words. Isn't it ironic...Jesus is that Water? It's fact.

Matthew 5:6 - Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Cleansed by the Water

Genesis 6:12 - "Behold, I, even I am bringing the flood of water upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life, from under heaven; everything that is on the earth shall perish."

I mentioned water and cleansing yesterday, how God cleansed the early world of evil through the great flood. This is a type of baptism into Christ. We are cleansed by the washing of the Word...we are cleansed by the washing of Christ. The Bible is so filled with types and shadows of Christ. It's amazing. 

Recall Noah and his circumstances for a minute. God warned him of the pending disaster of a flood that would destroy the earth but because of his righteousness he was saved. There was a catch, though. He had to do something very extreme. He had to build an ark and while he was building it he was to explain the reason to the curious people confronting Noah. And the people scoffed.

Jesus pretty much expects the same thing of us. He is our Ark...another type of Christ. There is evil in our lives, our sin, as well as evil in the world, and He asks us to enter in, to seek our refuge from this sin, from the world, through Him. That extreme act on our part is the relationship He wants us to enter into with Him. Proverbs 18:10 alludes to this too: The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Do you see? It's believing in Christ and allowing Him to wash away our sin.

But like the people in Noah's day they did not want to hear this hard word. No different today. It's difficult; it's not something some choose to do; it's a narrow thinking: Matthew 7:13 - Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Haven't I mentioned before Jesus is not only the Ark, He is the narrow Gate. He is the only Way, Truth and Life.

When we are feeling unclean we take baths or showers. We feel refreshed, energized or relaxed/comforted. Is there any way you cannot see how the things of the world are so closely related to the things of God? Another day begins and more revelation comes. God is so good. It's not like I might not have thought of this before, but it's even stronger today.

Jesus' ministry began after He was baptized in the Jordan River. John the Baptist thought it odd that He would want him to do this thing. John believed it should be the other way around. Here's what Jesus said: "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness" (Matthew 3:15). 

When we all come to this point in our lives where we are fed up with our sin and need this cleansing, we are to do as Jesus did. He was our example. If He needed to be baptized, so do we. So that poses the question, if Jesus was perfect and the Son of God, why did He need to be baptized? I have to admit I had to find this out. I didn't have a clear answer. As Matthew 3:15 says above it was to fufill all righteousness. Jesus was about to begin His ministry. He was about to take on the sins of the world Himself. Like the priests of the Old Testament, He needed to be cleansed as well to be our Great High Priest. It was an act of obedience to His Father to show Him He was serious about what He was going to do. 2Corinthians 5:21 - For He [God the Father] made Him who knew no sin  to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 

And this was done by being immersed in water, totally cleansed. Not sprinkled, but like a great flood. All the sins of the world that Jesus was about to take upon Himself were washed clean in His baptism. And if it is our belief that Jesus is the One who saves then  “He who believes and is baptized will be saved “ (Mark 16:16).

That brings me to the next step after receiving Christ, being baptized in Christ and having our sins removed. The Word of God, the Bible, is also likened to water. Ephesians 5:26 - that He might sanctify and cleanse ... with the washing of water by the word. When we are saved and take on a new life, we are to be renewed by the washing of the water of the Word. 

We know how valuable water is. We cannot live without it, just like we cannot live without Jesus, our Living Water. The woman at the well went daily to collect water. She met Jesus there. He told her all about her life, the dryness of it, and told her of water that would never cause her to thirst again. He offered Himself to her. Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, "Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water" (John 4:10). 

Jesus Himself tells us unless we are born of water...and the Spirit...we cannot enter the kingdom of God (John 3:5). A relationship with the Lord cleanses us. It washes away our sin and makes us righteous. No water but the Living Water of Christ will ever do anything like this. He is the water that refreshes.

Titus 3:5-6 - ... but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior...