The young adult’s pastor from Cloverhill Assembly of God shared a message on the woman at the well.  He spent time on the word “had”.

…Now he had to go through Samaria. John Chapter 4

Through lengthy research methods, he found no reason why Jesus had to go through Samaria other than a passionate purpose–“I have to do this.”  God’s incredible love for this woman created a “had to” moment.  She was a woman with many husbands, divorces, and during the time of her encounter with Jesus, cohabitation.

The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”

He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.”

“I have no husband,” she replied.

Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”

From Jesus’ Words of truth and love, the woman drank from the living water of Jesus, and her encounter changed the village.  Jesus knew he had to share His love with her, because she would have great influence over those around her–many would believe.

Many Samaritans Believe

Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers.

They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”

Yesterday, the post on reconciliation was about fighting to reconcile relationships that are worth fighting for.   Interestingly, and no coincidence, my friend I met up with ALSO heard a sermon that same Sunday on the woman at the well.  Adding to yesterday’s post, I would like to share a sermon point from the message I heard on Sunday.

We can join the fight club to be reconciled but we can’t change other people.  The pastor emphasized the influence of the woman; yet, the message goes on to say, “we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.” 

Each of us is responsible for our encounter with Jesus.  We may influence others through our stories of grace–the sampling of stories from your life of healing, grace, and God’s redemption, but we can never assume the place of God’s plan for that person.

I’ve worked toward reconciliation and desired so much for the other person to change and be healed, only to find myself feeling more defeated and bruised from the fight.  Today, recognize that you can never be God or the Holy Spirit to them.  Go back and read the reconciliation post if needed–so powerful!

Share His love.

Let God be God–His ways are higher and perfect.  It’s not your job to fix and redeem.  That battle belongs to the Lord.

Digging Deeper

After I wrote this post, I received the blog post from Rusty Rustenbach. POWERFUL, intimate time with Jesus based on the woman at the well passage.  I pray you can go to his post and quiet your soul and encounter Jesus. God has much to say to us–His love will quench our desperate longings.

http://rustyrustenbach.blogspot.com/2013/11/water-that-lives-and-gives-life.html

My Listening to God Time

Jesus said:

Drink this water, and your thirst is quenched only for a moment. You must return to this well again and again. I offer water that will become a wellspring within you that gives life throughout eternity. You will never be thirsty again (John 4:13-14 Voice).

1.  Jesus, there are so many wells we can drink from. What do you have to say to me about where I tend to seek to quench my thirst?

Being valued, needed, wanted by others

2.  God, I realize You know me both inside and out, … yet You still love me. Would you communicate to me right now? I am listening. What is Your word to me today? (Jot down the thoughts He pours into your heart).

My daughter, you are not perfect and that’s okay.  There will be times in your life you are tempted and you fail, and people will judge you.  Stop living in fear and shame of those moments.  My purpose for you will be revealed in all things.   I love you through it all.

Psalm 8—…You’ve crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet.

My love is protection.  Don’t view my laws as rigid but as a love letter to keep you safe.  My love for you is a pathway to peace and LIVING WATER.

Jeremiah 2:13 “For My people have done two sinful things: They have turned away from Me, the well of living waters. And they have cut out of the rock wells for water for themselves. They are broken wells that cannot hold water.

I know it’s important to you to feel valued and wanted, but that causes you to create these broken wells in your life that will never hold all the promises I have for you.  I created you and redeemed you.  I see you as completely worthy and valued–priceless. Rest here.  Know this.  Let this be enough. The enemy will cause you to believe otherwise, just as he did in the garden with Eve.  He persuaded her to question my love and protection.

I’ll never leave you; yet, if you continue in a direction of “self” and “feelings” and “behaviors” that satisfy only the moment, you will be broken, confused, and my Word will seem distant and unsatisfying.  You’ve been there before.  Think.  Remember.  Oh, sweet child, I have so much more for you.  Things you can’t imagine!  Trust me.  Wait.  In the wait, I’m rebuilding your broken well to hold all that I have in store for you.  This restoration and redemption is for you to experience life in abundance in the safety of My love, My peace, and My Joy.

Go listen to that song I shared with you–Beloved--that’s who you are to me.  For better or for worse, Anna. Death shall not part us.  My love binds you to me.