Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Praise Him, Praise Him!

I remember as a small child learning the following song when I was about 3 or 4 years old….

Praise Him, Praise Him; All you little children.
God is good; God is good.
Praise Him, Praise Him; All you little children …
GOD is GOOD…GOD is GOOD!!!!!!


This little song should ever be on our lips as believers especially as we enter a season of praise and thanksgiving. Scriptures says it best in Psalm 107:1-2, “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for his steadfast love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.”

Did you catch that? The act of gratitude and thanksgiving falls to those of us that are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb….for if anyone has a reason to be thankful, it is surely those that God has forgiven and adopted into the family of righteousness.

The problem for all too many of us is that we are often filled with gratitude, but fail to express it….to our spouse, our family members and especially to our Heavenly Father. It is like picking out a great gift, going to the trouble to wrap it in the best paper, placing an awesome bow on top…..and then sticking it in the closet, never to be given to our intended recipient.

Gratitude that is not shared is not really gratitude at all….it fails to give us that warm, fuzzy feeling that one would expect when shared ……and it leaves our object of affection feeling cold, sullen and unappreciated.

So this Thanksgiving, let’s start at the top of the list with those to whom gratitude and expressions of love are due….Our Savior for His gift of eternal life…our spouses for their affection, tenderness and support …our children for their honor, obedience and admiration….our church, its staff and those who give unselfishly in loving acts of service…..

Let’s unwrap our gifts of gratitude and tell everyone we meet, “Thank you and God Bless you for all that you are and do for those that you love.”

If we, as the Redeemed of Christ, can not express our thanks and show our gratitude to those we love…what does that really say about our relationship with Christ?

A serious question that needs your attention as you Praise Him, Praise Him…. for God is Good!

Happy Thanksgiving,
WPQ

Poem for the Day:

In this season of thanksgiving,
Best watch your attitude;
So share with all your loved ones
Your thanks and gratitude.

Don’t leave them in the darkness
Wondering if your care
Just thank them for their support
And always being there.

WPQ 2011

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Getting What You Deserve?

With all the turmoil that exists in our country today, there seems to be one recurring theme that is constantly being bantered about….and it deals with the mindset of those that are bent on getting what they deserve.

Now, I don’t know about you; but for me personally, I am not the least bit interested in getting what I deserve; especially when talking about my former relationship with God.

Throughout the scriptures, we are constantly reminded of our sins, failures, shortcomings, disappointments and overall lack of worthiness to be loved by God. In fact, we are told that even our best is “filthy rags’ when presented to the Almighty. We are told that the wages of our sin is death and that we are totally cut-off and separated from God by our sin….in simple words, if we got what we deserved, it would be separation and annihilation from and by God.

But our God is a God of mercy….and God’s mercy is not getting what we deserve. We deserve to be despised and loathed by our Creator but as we read in Romans 5: 8, “but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners (MERCY), Christ died for us (GRACE).”

It is so simple to run around with our chest puffed out and demand we get the things in life we think we deserve; however, when we view our lives through the eyes of our Heavenly Father, it is easy to see how that kind of thinking brings about ruin and a life lost forever.

God has shown each of us mercy by loving us in spite of our sin and He has bestowed His grace on us by allowing His only Son to pay the price for that sin. We deserve death but God’s mercy and grace have provided a way out….and I, for one, am grateful for His mercy shown and His grace bestowed.

Do you really want God to give you what you’ve got coming to you…. or are you FOREVER GRATEFUL that God’s mercy and grace supersedes your sins ….in this season of thanksgiving, here's a great place to start praising the God of the Universe.

Why not enter this Thanksgiving day with a thankful heart....acknowledge to all of those that you interact with that you serve a God that loves you and has bestowed His grace and mercy upon you....He has purchased you with the blood of His only Son and given you not what you deserve but rather a gift of immmeasurable proportions.

My question for you this Thanksgiving.....where do you stand in this "getting what you deserve" debate?

It is a question that demands an answer….after all, one day you WILL bow before Jesus and receive all that you’ve got coming to you…..reward or retribution…..the choice is yours!!!!!

If you need to meet my Jesus, contact me…. I’ll be happy to make the introduction!

Bathed in His mercy….clothed in His grace,
WPQ

Poem for the Day:

Christ love has no limits.
His grace knows no measure;
He lives forever in my heart
He alone is my greatest treasure.

WPQ 2011

Monday, November 21, 2011

A Thankful Heart in Trying Times

Here’s a new twist to an old saying: Due to the recent financial difficulties, the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off!

Now, I know that things are not as good as they could be; but, heaven knows they could be worse. So as we approach the upcoming day that we as Americans set aside to give thanks; well, let’s do just that….GIVE THANKS!

In fact, if truth be told, we find in God’s word that giving “THANKS:” is an imperative …a direct command from the Great I AM.

Throughout the Psalms, David continually wrote to praise the Lord and to give thanks. In Chapters 106 and 118, he begins each psalm with this admonition, “Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.”

Time and time again, David reminds us to give thanks…to let our hearts overflow with thanksgiving. In fact, in over 33 passages in the Bible, we are commanded to give thanks to our Father who is the giver of every good gift.

So, on this Thursday as you gather with friends and family members and recount all God’s blessing during this past year……. Don’t look at the shrinking balance in your checking account and lament how poor you are…rather; remember if you have any spare change just lying around the house, you are already wealthier than 75% of the world’s population. Comp template on this…..if you have a roof over your head, clothes on your back and shoes on your feet….. And you eat at least one meal a day; you are living above the poverty level of 85% of those in third world countries.

Yes, times are hard for many of us here in America, but that does not relieve us of God’s command to obedience as we bestow our praise, honor, adoration and gratitude on Him who has given us all that we have and more that we need.

However, we should not give thanks to God because it our duty or just to be obedient to his Word, but rather out of love and gratitude for the immeasurable blessings of God on this great nation.

Times may be hard and they may become harder…but we, as followers of Christ, are called to a higher standard of thanksgiving…we are to praise him and give thanks in ALL things…the good and the bad…in the best of times and the worst of times.

Begin today your celebration of this Thanksgiving season by doing the following….set aside some time to make a list of the things for which you can give thanks and after each one, BLESS THE NAME OF JESUS….tell Him, personally, what and why you are thankful and how, even if that blessing were striped away, you would still give thanks and bless his name…..for scripture tells us, “What shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, yet lose his own soul.”
This Thanksgiving do the one thing that will honor God, praise Him and bring glory to His name….Tell others how thankful you are that you belong to Jesus. This simple act of telling others that you are a child of the King will elicit praise from your lips and will demonstrate a heart filled and over-flowing with thanksgiving.

It is in every act of worship that we demonstrate our love for our Heavenly Father and in our praise and works of obedience that we show a humble and thankful heart. SO GO AHEAD AND HAVE A BLESSED AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING this week…and

May God bless you as never before….
WPQ

Poem for the Day:


In harmony with one voice we raise
Our grateful songs of thankful praise
In song and dance we do proclaim
That we are blessed in Jesus’ name.

May all creation spend each day,
Praising Jesus in every way…
And may the very rocks cry out
The valleys sing, the mountains shout

And echo through each humbled heart
As all who know Him do their part….
To sing and worship all our days
With hearts filled with eternal praise.

WPQ 2011

Friday, November 18, 2011

Being A Friend

The story that follows is one that has been circulating on the Internet for sometime…I know that my wife has sent it to me on at least two occasions.; however, the message is so poignant that I believe it bears repeating. I have added my own conclusion and trust that you will do the same….please share this with someone who is in need of a friend…….

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying every single book he owned; so I found myself thinking, 'Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd.'

So I shrugged my shoulders and went on. Besides, I had quite a weekend planned with some parties to attend and a football game with my friends’ tomorrow afternoon.

As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him... He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes.

My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses and I’m sure I saw tears forming in his eyes. As I handed him his glasses, I said, 'Those guys are jerks.' They really should get lives.' He looked at me and said, 'Hey thanks!'

There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.

I helped him pick up his books and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me. When I asked him why I had never seen him before, he said he had been going to a private school and had just recently transferred to my school Now, I would have never have hung out with a private school kid; but as we talked on the way home, I realized that he was a pretty cool kid….so, I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with me and my friends and he said yes.

We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him and so did my friends. The weekend flashed by and Monday morning came and there was Kyle with that huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, 'Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!” He just laughed and handed me half of his books.

Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. When we were seniors, we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke. I knew that as close as we had become we would always be friends regardless of the miles that might separate us. He was going to be a doctor and I was going on a football scholarship to major in business.

As you might expect, Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare to deliver his speech for graduation and I remember thinking that I sure am glad that it’s Kyle up there instead of me.

Graduation day came and there stood Kyle….prim and proper in his cap and gown…. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and even looked good in his glasses. In fact, he had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him. Boy, sometimes I was jealous!

Today was one of those days…..

I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, 'Hey, big guy, you'll be great!' He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled.... ‘Thanks,’ was all he could say.

As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began... 'Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly your friends....I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them.

I am going to tell you a story.'


I just looked at my best friend with disbelief as he told about the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker and was carrying his stuff home so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile.

'Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable.'


I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his Mom and Dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile…… Not until that moment did I realize its depth.

Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life. For better or for worse, God puts us all in each others lives to impact one another in some special and distinct way….so open your eyes and look for those who are searching for hope, longing for peace, praying for deliverance ….you might just be their answer to prayer,

Christ said….NO GREATER LOVE DOES ONE MAN HAVE THAN TO LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR A FRIEND……who is God calling you to befriend today…remember,


'Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have forgotten how to fly.'


Today is a gift from our Heavenly Father….open it wisely and share it with a Friend.

Blessed in the Friendship of the Father,

WPQ

Poem for the Day:

A truer friend can never be
Than one who walks life’s path with me
And you my friend are tried and true
In all life’s trials you’ve seen me thru

You give without a second thought
Asking nothing in return
And through your love and kindness
In God’s wisdom you discern

That you have all that you will need
For God’s provision is ever sure
For in each friendship you have found
His everlasting love endures.

WPQ 2011

Thursday, November 17, 2011

R U a Counterfeit Christian?

This past Saturday, I was standing in line with my wife at the Dollar General store as we watched the cashier examine the $20 bill my wife had given her. She held it up to the light and looked through the paper searching diligently for the watermark and the embedded thread that is reported to be there.

Then she placed the bill on the checkout counter and ran her marking pen across the bill…nothing happened ….which is a good thing! She went on to explain how one of the stores in the vicinity had taken over two hundred dollars in counterfeit twenties on Friday…and she was bound and determined not to let that happen in her store.

I admired her resolve which got me to thinking….how do you spot a counterfeit Christian? On the outside, they say the right things, profess the right theology and attend the required functions and formalities of their religious affiliation; but are those traits enough for one to be considered the “genuine article”…..a True Christian.

I THINK NOT!!!!!!

In fact, in the first epistle written by the apostle John, he writes: “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” I John 2:4-6 New International

So there you have it……if you a true and bona fide Christian the “proof will be in the pudding”….your inner life (where the Holy Spirit dwells) will manifest itself in your life. Your thoughts, deeds, actions and more importantly, re-actions will let others see you living as Jesus lived….not in lip service but in a wholly committed relationship to walk as Jesus did; to serve others without complaint, concession or compromise; to speak boldly in actions and words that you belong to the King of Kings and that your are striving, in the strength and grace of the Holy Spirit, to love unselfishly all those that God places in your sphere of influence.

These are the days for real men (and women) that love Jesus to boast about what Jesus has done in their lives …to show genuine love and compassion for those around us who are lost and without the hope of Jesus…..to live as REAL Christians and put away any thing that would tarnish our witness or have others suspect us of being a counterfeit.

When Jesus uses the marking pen of life on you, what will he uncover? Will he find the REAL DEAL or just another COUNTERFEIT CHRISTIAN….you are what you profess to be WHEN YOU WALK THE WALK AS WELL AS TALK THE TALK….

So start walking each day with Jesus as your guide…..He’s the only way to go!!!!

Blessed to be His….Walking His Way,
WPQ

Poem of the day:

The entire world is watching
Each day, hoping to find;
A person who loves Jesus
Who is true and genuine.

Whose actions will speak volumes;
Whose empty works are few;
Because their love for Jesus
Is evident in all they do…

So be the one they’re searching for
In Christ, you’re the perfect fit.
Let His love show through…in all you do;
DON’T BE A COUNTERFEIT!

WPQ 2011

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Are you a Bargainer with God?

I sat down last night to view one of my favorite TV shows, NCIS, but about midway through I became a little peeved with the writers and directors.

There was a scene where Tony Denosoe, one of the NCIS federal agents finds himself alone in the chapel on the Navy base. He starts down the aisle of the chapel carrying on a flippant conversation with the” BIG GUY” regarding his lack of staying in touch (Tony’s been SOOOOO busy) as he continues to plead his case that “he is doing the best he can down here.” Now, here’s where I kinda wanted to plant my size nine squarely on Tony’s posterior region. He matter-of-factly queries God to see if God still intends to hold up his end of a bargain that Tony had made with him on a previous tough occasion…..of all the unmitigated gall.

He’s made a “deal” with God and he wants to know if God can deliver …or I guess through the implication; then if not, the deal is off!

I was perturbed on so many fronts, I really don’t know where to start….first with the writers who once again have chosen to represent God as a giant genie in a bottle…we rub it and our wish is his command,

Secondly… the only way to get something from God is to promise Him something in return….like we have anything that God wants, needs or can’t get or do for himself.

Thirdly….if you believe in God and trust in Him, you must be a moron. Besides, how can you believe that God is really going to keep his end of any bargain that you might make with Him?

Once again, those that bring us entertainment think that God or even the concept of an Almighty being is just to ludicrous for words…so they paint Him and all of those who might profess to follow Him as idiots….and then, it hit me as the words of Christ rang true in my head and then my heart…”You have heard it said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you that you may be the sons of your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:43-44

Although the above scene left me feeling anything other than loving or forgiving for the blasphemous way in which our God was portrayed, I must admit Tony’s diatribe with the Father set me to thinking…do I bargain with God in order to somehow try and influence His answers to my petitions….have I made some vows or promises that I have failed to keep in my daily walk with the Lord….do I hold back my obedience to His will waiting to see if God comes through as He has promised in His Word?

So, let me be honest and admit that this show got me to thinking about two very important issues for me as a Christian……am I loving those that persecute me because I am a follower of Christ and eager to display my heritage as one of God’s chosen…. or am I all too eager to give them a swift kick in the pants as punishment for their treatment of me?

And, when given the opportunity to petition God for an answer to my needs, do I put myself in the position as a “deal maker” or a “faithful follower”?

Two pretty serious questions that definitely bear some more self scrutiny…and prayerful consideration in the light of God’s Word.


Holding to His Truth….Loving as He Loves,
WPQ

Poem for the Day:

May I faithfully follow you, O Lord;
In your service make my spirit meek…
And when others put me down, O Lord
May I turn the other cheek?

May I show your heavenly love O Lord
And never doubt your caring ways
May all who I encounter Lord
Be filled with joy and praise.

WPQ 2011

Friday, November 11, 2011

Are you a “Sweet” or “Sour”?

Down here in the South, we are known for many things….our gracious hospitality, our genteel manners and our ability to can or “pickle” just about anything that comes our of the ground, grows on a tree or hangs from a vine…..and my favorite object of pickled perfection is the cucumber.

Now the cucumber is mighty good on its own….thinly sliced for a salad or finely diced and served with tomatoes and onions on a hot dog; but, its crowning achievement as a delectable delight is after it has been subjected to days, weeks or even a month in high fructose corn syrup and special spices.

Yes, I’m talking about a PICKLE….but for a moment; join me in the journey from garden to your grocer’s shelf.

First of all, the pickle is a cucumber that is selected for its firmness, color and size so that it can do what it does best…..ABSORB! Yes, a pickle is nature’s sponge from your garden ….ready, willing and able to become your pickle of choice.

Now, if you place your cucumber in a solution of high fructose corn syrup, vinegar and sweet spices, you will end up with a sweet, satisfying morsel of heaven that can put a smile on your face ( my favorites)….on the other hand, if you use a mixture of less syrup, more vinegar, dill, garlic, pepper and loads of salt, you will end up with a SOUR DILL that can remove the enamel from your teeth (at least that’s what it feels like to me)….and I have said all this to say….

WE CHRISTIANS ARE A LOT LIKE PICKLES….SOME US ARE REALLY SOUR AND SOME OF US ARE REALLY SWEET….Which one are YOU????....That’s all determined by what you absorb.

If you spend your time in God’s word, seeking His guidance and direction…if you are constantly looking for ways to help others…if you surround yourself with genuine believers …if you make the worship, praise and adoration of your Savior the main thing in your life; odds are you’ll turn out on the sweeter side of the pickle meter.

But, if you frown more than you smile….if you believe that whatever your are doing it is “all about you” …if you never give until God says that’s enough…if you spend too much time in front of the “BOOB TUBE”….if your Bible is the biggest dust collector in your home….Well, I’m sure you can see the correlation…..you’ll end up a SOUR Christian with little joy and even less desire to change.

Why not follow the advice of the apostle, Paul, who when writing to the Philippians penned these words, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8 Today’s NIV

Yes, where you spend you time in thought, prayer or meditation will determine what you are absorbing in your daily walk with Christ. It can be pure and noble or it can be devious and despicable …it will produce the SWEET or SOUR disposition by which you will be known.

So why not immerse your self in the only true and righteous one…Jesus…..the more you absorb of Him, the more you will be like Him ….and that will be really SWEET!

Taking Sweet to New Levels….Absorbing the Savior,

WPQ

Poem for the Day:

My outlook may be fuzzy,
Life’s trials may make me sour;
But the time I spend with you
Will make me sweeter with each hour.

So as I read your Holy Scriptures
And I bow my head to pray…
May the time we spend together
Be the sweetest moments of my day.

W. Patrick Queen

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

He’s Forever the Same

With all the bad news that seems to be circulating in our papers and on our TV sets, it seems that the world is caught in a whirlpool that is taking us down the proverbial drain…there is scandal, fraud, lying, cheating and all types of sexual sins that have allegedly been committed by those in positions of power, trust and influence…and these are the things we normally see on the sitcoms, not in those in pursuit of the nation’s highest elected office. And with all of the talk and speculations surrounding these recent events, the great consensus seems to be …..OOPS, I guess he got caught …or UHH-OHH, he should have been more careful….Thankfully that is one sound or phrase that you will NEVER hear coming out of our Lord’s mouth….

OOPS or UHH-OHH…….. That is a sound that is made by man not by our God on High…for nothing has EVER caught our God by surprise. He has never had to “go with Plan B”, search for a “better alternative” or even questioned “if this was good for all concerned.”

HE IS GOD… and His ways are higher and better than ours. We can not begin to fathom the depths of His ways nor understand the “whys” of His heart; but, we can trust who he is and we can find great comfort and hope in the desires of His heart.

His word says in Hebrews that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and tomorrow.” In other words, GOD NEVER CHANGES … and in a world that is in constant flux and seemingly unending change, this knowledge should give us hope and peace in spite of our circumstances.

You may be dealing with a job change or loss…aging parents and how to care for them…teenagers that are hell bent on self destruction….facing retirement with limited funds…or a myriad of who knows what….but that’s okay, because

GOD KNOWS WHAT… AND HE STANDS READY WITH HIS HEAVENLY HOST TO COME TO YOUR RESCUE.

None of the calamities that may befall us ever catch God off guard…He is prepared to deal with each one. He just needs your permission…for God will not force himself or His will on you. He said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20

He is waiting just outside your door. Do you hear him knocking …are you listening for his voice…are you willing to ask Him to come in and take control of your heart and soul and make your life better in surrender to His will?

Help is just on the other side of the door. If you open it and invite God in, He will make your path straight; he will guide you beside the still waters; he will restore your soul…..and he will give you the abundant life for which you were created.

God can deal with any problem, forgive any sin and cleanse the blackest heart …He can and will make new that which is dead…the choice is yours!

Why not invite the Master to be the Lord and Savior of your life…why not do it today? He will not stand at the door and knock forever…he will not continue to call your name and be ignored, shouted down by the cares of this material world. One day, you will draw your last breath and this life will be over…… But, your eternity will have just begun!

Where will you spend eternity…. Forever with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit…Or forever separated from the One who loves you and gave himself for you?

Start living for and serving the Most High God and you too can drop OOPS and UHH-OHH from your vocabulary!

WHY NOT OPEN THE DOOR AND INVITE THE SAVIOR IN ….IT’S A DECISION THAT WILL CHANGE YOU …AND YOUR ETERNAL DESTINY…STARTING TODAY!!!!

Changed Forever….By the One Who Never Changes,
WPQ

Poem For the Day:

If life is filled with strife and stress
No peace for the troubled heart
Just listen for the Savior’s voice
Then your fears will soon depart.

He’s standing at your heart’s door
If you open it, you’ll find….
The Father will come into to you
And bring sweet peace of mind.

W. Patrick Queen

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Thirsty….Go to the Well

Well, it’s good to finally be back at home and to be seated at the keyboard…It’s been quite some time since I have been able to write, but God has kept the ideas coming and today, I would like to pose the question, “Have you ever been really thirsty?”

Now, I’m not talking about a little dry mouth or nervous anxiety that tends to make the moisture in your mouth retreat like General Lee’s army…I’m talking about the kind of thirst that comes from down in your soul…the kind of thirst that makes you think it could never be quenched…an eternal thirst.

Jesus met a woman with that kind of thirst as he was passing through Samaria and the little village of Sychar. He sat down to rest, parched from the noon day sun and the journey that he and his disciples were on as they headed for his home in Galilee. He had nothing with which to draw water from Jacob’s well when he noticed a woman making her way to the well…an odd occurrence for this time of day. He asked her to give him a drink and her reply, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) John 4: 9

Then Jesus did what He did best…..He met her at the point of her need as we read, “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.” “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?” Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 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.” John 4: 10-15

This woman knew a good thing when she heard it… No more long, hot trips to the well and NO MORE THIRST….but Jesus wasn’t through with his ministry to this woman….He had piqued her interest but her eternal soul still hung in the balance.

Let’s read on….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.” “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.” John 4: 16-26

This woman had been given all she needed to know regarding the Christ…she had just met the Lamb of God who had come to take away the sin of the world….what should she do if she wanted to have the thirst of her eternal soul quenched by the LIVING WATER….she had confessed, now it was time to profess….so she left her water jugs behind and went into the village and told those that she very seldom ever talked to that she had met a man that had told her everything that she had ever done…and she posed to each of them the eternal question, “CAN THIS BE THE CHRIST?

And the best part of this story….So many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony. (My emphasis) John 4: 39

She came to draw water but left with a heart overflowing with love, forgiveness and the desire to have others met this man named Jesus ….the Spring of Living Water welling up to eternal life.

How thirsty are you today? Have you met this man named Jesus and come to know him as your personal savior….if not, WHY NOT?

He‘s waiting to meet you at the well …but He won’t wait forever!!!!!!

Thirsty No More,
WPQ

Poem for the Day:

COME TO THE WELL

When life seems too much to bear
And its fears you can’t dispel;
You will find the Savior waiting
When you come to the Well.

Though your life is wrought with pain
So intense you want to yell;
You’ll find release in the Savior’s peace;
He’s waiting at the Well.

For all your life though your sin and strife
Has cast on you its spell;
Know you’ll receive when you believe
His mercy at the Well.

In your disgrace accept the Father’s grace
That saves the lost from Hell.
Then you will know, His love overflows
When you meet Him at the Well.

For you long to be, alive and free
In your heavenly home to dwell;
To be forever blest in eternal rest
With Jesus… at the Well.


W. Patrick Queen
November 2011