John 4:10-14 – “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.”  11 She said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep; where then do You get that living water? 12 “You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself and his sons and his cattle?” 13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again;  14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”   NASU

Then came, THE FALL springing from THE LIE – You shall be as God.  If you cast God aside then you will be independent, in charge and in control was THE LIE.  The suggestion was that once they did that they would be ‘self-sufficient’, ‘all-powerful’ and LIKE GOD.  When man believed THE LIE he was united to it.  It was not a thought or theory it was linked to the foundation of his being and since that event mankind has been built upon THE LIE.  In believing this LIE of hell they severed themselves from GOD now they are independent rather than dependent.

Deep inside the heart of every person is the knowledge that we are GUILTY that we have MISSED THE MARK and with guilt comes shame.  THE LIE said, Declare yourselves independent of God and you will become god so man did and instead of being fulfilled he found himself empty and full of fear.  Since he finds it difficult to believe that all this was a LIE he then must conclude there is something wrong with him.  The league between man and the devil is a true tragedy.  Man partnered with the devil who, hates the human race and is identified in the Bible as “the accuser of the brethren”.  Man’s insecurities and failures are reinforced by the devil so that man left the Garden feeling worthless filled with shame and demonstrating emptiness within his being.  He had an incredible THIRST.

He is thirsty but he’s in control of his own life now so, if his thirst is to be satisfied he is going to have to find a way so the endless search for significance, purpose, worthiness, and value begins and continues to this day.  Jeremiah said, “My people have committed two evils. Forsaken Me, the fountain of Living Water in order to hew out for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water.”   They rebelled against God and then had the audacity to substitute self for God.

No wonder the words of our Lord as He cried out, “Everyone who is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.”  No wonder the Psalmist declared, ‘As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul longs for thee O God.’  Think of that imagery!  A deer in drought!  That’s me, Lord that’s me!  Every part of my being is panting for you.  I long for you!

Psalms 63:1 – “…I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water.” NASU

THE WOMAN AT THE WELL….

Jesus told her you had five husbands and the one you are now with is not your husband.  Please hear me:  If you are going to understand people you cannot get a burr under your blanket over what they do you seek to understand why they do it.  Jesus never seemed concerned with the what, but the why.

We have a twisted view of being loved, having significance, and gaining respect.  We desperately want others to like us for if they like us, if they smile at us, if they accept us we will feel good and therefore we seek to do anything to achieve that and thereby become slaves to that mentality.  We do that with our children trying to force them to turn out right so others will respect and accept us.  We do that with possessions for if we have enough we will be valued and significant.  That’s why some go on spending sprees and over eat they are hungry for acceptance and when they feel low or rejected they react.

Jesus said:  “I am the Bread of Life.  He who comes to Me shall not hunger.  He who believes in Me shall never thirst.”  (Amplified) = Shall never thirst anymore at any time!  The only way to quench that thirst in the heart of man is a personal union with God.  If you have received Christ you are LOVED UNCONDITIONALLY.  You are VALUED.  The value of any object is what someone will pay for it and consider what God paid for you!  In Christ we are LOVED, have SIGNIFICANCE, and VALUE.  We have a mission and everything is of eternal importance.

If the president of the United States were to come to DFW and clean toilets all the news networks would be here too.  The world would watch a man clean a toilet.  Cleaning toilets is a menial task but suddenly it would become important.  WHY?  It is not the task but the person who does the task.  So it is inconsequential what your occupation is, if you are made in the image of God and you are if you have been purchased by the Blood of Jesus, indwelt by Christ THEN whatever you do you bring importance to it that it never had before.  Do not allow a mentality of slavery overpower who you are in Christ!

            May the Lord bless you as you go through your day!

John 4:10-14 – “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.”  11 She said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep; where then do You get that living water? 12 “You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself and his sons and his cattle?” 13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again;  14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”   NASU

I want to address something that some get hung up on which appears at the beginning of this Chapter where it says, “Jesus had to go through Samaria.”  From a strictly geographical sense that is not true it was not a geographic have to be a divine have to.  It would have been far safer and more convenient for Jesus to have used the road used by most Jews to avoid dealing with the hated Samaritans.  It was necessary for God’s divine plan for Jesus had a divine appointment in Samaria.

 When you consider that they walked virtually everywhere they went in the times of our Lord you can imagine how tired they would have been walking from Judea to Samaria and arriving by noon.  That is a feat for the fittest of individuals and as Jesus sits at the well to rest the others go into the village searching for food.  I want you to paint this picture in your mind:  It is NOON and Jesus is at the WELL.  That is important.

This woman who comes to the well has had a difficult life.  She has been through five husbands and likely given upon marriage and is now just living with a man.  It would appear that her mindset is that if there is something bad going to happen it is going to happen to her.  Someone said, “She was a social leper.” 

No woman went to the well at noon!  It would be too hot but the fact that she is there at noon suggests that the others of the town would have nothing to do with her and she was avoiding contact with the community.  At the well she finds Jesus, a Jew sitting there.  It seems that she planned to avoid all contact with Him but she cannot help notice he is a Jew and a very strange man.  The custom of that day would dictate that a woman NEVER speak to a strange man and likely would not even look at him, at least not directly.  But Jesus speaks and asks her for a drink of water.  I can only imagine the shock that brought to her mind and her world.  It was unheard of and violated all tradition and custom of the day.  She questioned Him and he responded saying, “If you only knew who I am, you would ask of me LIVING WATER.”

I suggest that meant no more to her than it would to you or me.  She was at the physical well, drawing natural water and he says, “I have another water or living water.”  What could He be talking about and where do you get this water?  I can imagine she thought Him a bit lacking in mental capacity.  Jesus then said as He pointed to her water, “Whoever drinks of that water will keep on thirsting.”  It will not permanently quench your thirst and you will have to keep drinking again and again. He says, “But, whoever drinks the water that I will give will never thirst again.”  His declaration was ONE DRINK will be enough forever.  In the Greek He said, “Shall never, no never, no never thirst again” IT WAS EMPHATIC!

One drink becomes an artesian well that will touch every part of your being.  This is NOT NEW.  Jesus was not saying something completely new rather He was connecting the dots.  It is amazing that most believers begin reading the Bible in Matthew and miss much of what the God declared and the New Testament interprets.  Imagine beginning a book in Chapter Five but we begin reading God’s book at Chapter Forty how interesting.  You see, in the Old Testament God presents ideas and when Jesus steps on the scene he takes those ideas and connects the dots declaring, “I am what they are talking about.”  This is one of those ideas.

The idea of mankind being thirsty and God being the fountain of living water is found in many passages in the Old Testament and we will not fully comprehend what Jesus is saying until we go back and find that which He was connecting the dots for. This is one of the reasons that so often people come to a wrong conclusion regarding biblical truth today.

My limited time and space prohibits my continuing but I will in the next post but until then may the Lord bless you and keep you and satisfy the longing of your soul.  BLESSINGS!       

Acts 4:18-20 – “So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”  NKJV

In today’s world, as predicted by Scripture, Christians are being assaulted politically and legally by government agencies, groups, and individuals.  Prayer has been banned from public schools and many public institutions, buildings and activities.  The Bible is taboo in many places within our society.  We are told we cannot ‘name the name of Jesus’ lest we offend others of different faiths although they are not banned from proselytizing in the name of their religion or god.  We seem to have come to a time when there is an open attempt to ‘silence’ Christians, ‘censor’ the Christian message, and ‘control’ what preachers can or cannot preach from their pulpits.  The Bible describes these conditions as part of the ‘last days’ and it will only intensify as we near the time of the Lord’s return.

I have people tell me biblically I am forbidden to ‘speak against’ what government does and suggest that I am to ‘obey’ apparently blindly to whatever edict is issued for the ruling authorities.  I question that and if I used no other scripture to reject it the above passage would be sufficient.   There is a time to ‘disobey’ authority and that is when what they are instructing or demanding violates the Word of God or the Spirit of God.  The disciples were not rebels in the sense they went out looking for trouble but were so completely committed to God they were willing to put their lives on the line to obey God and considered any disobedience to man’s edicts as an expected occurrence when forced to choose.

I do not intend this devotional to be political but warn than those in politics when used as tools of the devil will pass laws and issue edicts that violate God’s Word and when they do we have to make a choice.  They may take my physical freedom and incarcerate me. They may take my possessions and render me a pauper.  They may take my physical life but they cannot take away my eternal destiny nor will they ever ascend above God’s authority.  If in the course of events, God so chooses to allow them to do that I will still trust Him and seek to obey Him.  I have made my choice to ‘follow Jesus’ wherever and into whatever He may lead.

I like Peter’s response. It was not disrespectful but to the point and factual.  He made no pretense or showed no hesitation in advising the powers that he stood before making them decide if they should have more power and authority than God.  He then informed them that all he and the others could do was ‘speak’ the things they had seen and heard.  They purposed in their hearts to obey God and so should we. If that means we violate legislation, edicts, and laws that violate God’s Word, Precepts, and Principles then so be it.  My heart cries to “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” in all things and at all times.

            May God be with you as you face this day and all your tomorrows!

Luke 17:1-4 – “Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!  2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.  3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.  4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.” NKJV

Jesus makes a powerful statement regarding ‘offenses’ from which each of us can and should benefit.  He said it is IMPOSSIBLE that no offenses come.  The opportunity for offense is ever present and most of us, at some time, TAKE OFFENSE at something the human psyche and ego almost guarantee it.  It is not TAKING NO OFFENSE that we should hear but how we respond to an offense.  I do suggest that we have to choose to be offended for offense to take root but let’s look at the situation when an offense is present.

Jesus warned that although ‘offenses’ will come we are not to be the ‘offender’.  He presents it in such a graphic picture that we should all carefully weigh our words, deeds, and actions.  He especially conveys how damaging it is to offend a child but does not leave it there and applies it to everyone.  We know from scripture that we are to be careful in damaging a ‘weaker brother’ but biblically dealing with ‘offense’ is a lost art in most of the church today.  Sadly, too often we are like the world in how we respond.

I want you to notice that Jesus instructed us that if a brother sins against us (does us wrong) we should ‘rebuke’ him not harbor it and talk of it to everyone who will listen.  We are not to divide brothers and sisters with our tale bearing but take it to the individual directly and personally.  No a text message is not the way to handle it.  If that person ‘repents’ we are to ‘forgive’.  If they repeatedly do it and repeatedly come saying ‘I repent’ we are to repeatedly ‘forgive’.  That is a very difficult task for most of us. 

I have had people say to me, “But I can’t forget.”  No, forgiveness does not mean you have ‘divine amnesia’ it means you make the choice to release them from the offense or wrong.  You make the choice to place it in God’s hands.  Separating ‘sin’ from ‘sinner’ is not always easy and enduring relationships require ‘trust’.  If I repeatedly wrong you and repeatedly say ‘I repent’ biblically you are to ‘forgive’ me but my actions will severely damage the ‘trust factor’.  I have found that I can ‘love’ someone biblically and yet find it not conducive to associate with them.  I heard a very godly older lady when challenged that she was directed by Scripture to ‘like someone’ say, “NO!  The Bible says I have to love you it did not say I had to like you.”  I thought there are many layers to that statement and the heart of it goes to separating the ‘sin’ from the ‘sinner’ and ‘compatibility’.  I have observed that some personalities are not compatible and while there can be mutual respect and Christian love it might be in the best interest of both parties to be in different circles.

Love and forgiveness are choices!  I know that sometimes I offend although I never want to.  I know that sometimes my objective, intent, and purpose is misunderstood no matter how I try to convey my true heart in the matter.  I am passionate about many things and in that passion there is the possibility of taking a stance that someone can and does take offense.  While I may continue to believe that which resulted in the ‘offense’ I do not want to be ‘offensive’.  I do not compromise my convictions nor do I expect anyone else to but I will readily ask forgiveness for being offensive.  I would rather be the one potentially ‘offended’ than to be the ‘offender.’  Know this; if I say or do something to ‘offend’ you I am open to your rebuke.  If your offense is that you do not believe what I have said is true I will attempt to explain. If it is based on ideology I will regret having offended but do not ask me to change my personal convictions nor will I ask you.  It is important to know the difference between ‘disagreement’ in philosophy and belief and ‘offense’ or ‘wrong’.  Failure on that front will result in expecting people to complete vacate their beliefs and conviction in the interest of political correctness and that is not what the Bible is talking about.    If you are ‘wronged’ or you perceive you have been ‘wronged’ go to that person and lay out what you perceive allowing them opportunity to clear the air and if necessary repent.

May God be with you as you go through your day!

Luke 21:7-19 – “So they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?” 

8 And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them.  9 But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.”  

10 Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  11 And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.  12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake.  13 But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.  14 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.  16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.  17 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake.  18 But not a hair of your head shall be lost.  19 By your patience possess your souls.” NKJV

It appears from scripture that the last days will be earmarked by broad deception, geological upheaval, commercial calamities such as famine, and disease running rampant and unchecked in ‘pestilence’.

pes·ti·lence – noun archaic – –  fatal epidemic disease, especially bubonic plague.

I recall David Wilkerson predicting the disease part, years ago and while many somewhat believed him most could not truly envision it happening here, after all this is America and we would somehow be immune, at least in our minds.  It is still difficult to wrap our heads around the outbreak of diseases that could turn our world so dark with the ravages that millions die.  Yet, when I think about almost 17 years ago with standing in my back yard in Euless, Texas I saw an open vision in the middle of the day.  Without going into the full details which I did in my book and have in church numerous times, I saw incredible destruction in our land and it looked like European cities during WWII.  I saw troops (not American) in the streets and the feebleness of many churches and ministers in the face of the disaster.  I also saw the Body of Christ rising in a new form and becoming incredibly powerful and effective.  I saw destruction and victory side by side.

Today we have diseases coming across our southern borders that are killing children, infecting families, and causing us to fight diseases we long though conquered.  With the international influx of people including those with or who have been exposed to EBOLA and the threat of terrorism America is trembling as the darkness looms.  The Bible talked about the last days as ‘perilous times’ and while we may not have envisioned how bad that might be we are likely about to experience it firsthand.

THE ANSWER – – Is not a political one although right politics would enhance what we try to do, it is a spiritual one.  GOD is our source of strength, our source of wisdom, our source of guidance, our source of protection, our source of power, and our source of peace.  In Him we live and move and have our being.  Through Christ we can do all things!  The hour is darkening but the light is becoming brighter for those who will LOOK UP, LIFT UP their hearts, and SEEK FIRST the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.

            God bless you as you go through your day.  Do not go in fear but faith!  Do not go in despair but hope!  God bless you richly is may pray and guide your thoughts, deeds, words, and lives!   BLESSINGS!