Who was this woman? Do you know anyone like her, I do she is me she is you. This woman had a pass, she was the woman that other women talked about. So if you read the story about her in John 4, then you know that she came to the well in the 6th hour alone. Why do you think that she waited until then to come and draw water from the well? Could it have been because she was trying to avoid all the other women.
How many times have we made a comment about a neighbor,co-worker,friend,church member,pastor or just someone in a store or on the street. I have there was a young lady at WalMart one day that had on some really short shorts, now I saw this just a week ago we had one of those warm days I believe the temperature was around 70 degrees. Anyway I made the comment that she really did not need to be wearing something that short and this was really still winter. Ouch see I am no better than those women who talked about the Samaritan woman. To categorize it I was a mean woman and I had categorize her as being a bad girl.
You see those other women looked at how she lived her life,not taking the time to really get to know her. Jesus saw the Samaritan woman as being thirsty so instead of condemning her for her obvious sins Jesus offered her Living Water.
"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." John 4:14 (NKJV)
So who is the "real" Samaritan woman? It's me and its you we are all "ex" bad girls-thirsty women.
The next time you come across a young woman or an older woman who seems like their not living a life that would be pleasing to God. Give them a drink of the Living Water.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Our Daily Bread
This is a devotion I read this morning and I wanted to share with my blogger friends. As you read it really take the time to digest what Max Lucado is saying.
"Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread." by Max Lucado
What a statement of trust! Whatever you want me to have is all I want. Some days the plate runs over. God keeps bringing out more food and we keep loosening our belt. A promotion. A privilege. A friendship. A gift. A lifetime of grace. An eternity of joy. There are times when we literally push ourselves back from the table, amazed at God's kindness. "You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup fills with blessing" (Ps. 23:5 MSG).
And then there are those days when, well, when we have to eat our broccoli. Our daily bread could be tears or sorrow or discipline. Our portion may include adversity as well as opportunity.
This verse was on my mind last night during family devotions. I called my daughters to the table and set a plate in front of each. In the center of the table I placed a collection of food: some fruit, some raw vegetables and some Oreo cookies. "Every day," I explained, "God prepares for us a plate of experiences. What kind of plate do you most enjoy?"
The answer was easy. Sara put three cookies on her plate. Some days are like that, aren't they? Some days are "three cookie days." Many are not. Sometimes our plate has nothing but vegetables--twenty-four hours of celery, carrots, and squash. Apparently God knows we need some strength, and though the portion may be hard to swallow, isn't it for our own good? Most days, however, have a bit of it all. Vegetables, which are healthy but dull. Fruit, which tastes better and we enjoy. And even an Oreo, which does little for our nutrition, but a lot for our attitude.
All are important and all are from God.
The next time your plate has more broccoli than apple pie, remember who prepared the meal. And the next time your plate has a portion you find hard to swallow, talk to God about it. Jesus did. In the garden of Gethsemane his Father handed him a cup of suffering so sour, so vile, that Jesus handed it back to heaven. "My Father," he prayed, "if it is possible may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will" (Matt. 26:39).
Even Jesus was given a portion he found hard to swallow. But with God's help, he did. And with God's help, you can too.
From The Great House of God© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2001) Max Lucado
"Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread." by Max Lucado
What a statement of trust! Whatever you want me to have is all I want. Some days the plate runs over. God keeps bringing out more food and we keep loosening our belt. A promotion. A privilege. A friendship. A gift. A lifetime of grace. An eternity of joy. There are times when we literally push ourselves back from the table, amazed at God's kindness. "You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup fills with blessing" (Ps. 23:5 MSG).
And then there are those days when, well, when we have to eat our broccoli. Our daily bread could be tears or sorrow or discipline. Our portion may include adversity as well as opportunity.
This verse was on my mind last night during family devotions. I called my daughters to the table and set a plate in front of each. In the center of the table I placed a collection of food: some fruit, some raw vegetables and some Oreo cookies. "Every day," I explained, "God prepares for us a plate of experiences. What kind of plate do you most enjoy?"
The answer was easy. Sara put three cookies on her plate. Some days are like that, aren't they? Some days are "three cookie days." Many are not. Sometimes our plate has nothing but vegetables--twenty-four hours of celery, carrots, and squash. Apparently God knows we need some strength, and though the portion may be hard to swallow, isn't it for our own good? Most days, however, have a bit of it all. Vegetables, which are healthy but dull. Fruit, which tastes better and we enjoy. And even an Oreo, which does little for our nutrition, but a lot for our attitude.
All are important and all are from God.
The next time your plate has more broccoli than apple pie, remember who prepared the meal. And the next time your plate has a portion you find hard to swallow, talk to God about it. Jesus did. In the garden of Gethsemane his Father handed him a cup of suffering so sour, so vile, that Jesus handed it back to heaven. "My Father," he prayed, "if it is possible may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will" (Matt. 26:39).
Even Jesus was given a portion he found hard to swallow. But with God's help, he did. And with God's help, you can too.
From The Great House of God© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2001) Max Lucado
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