Bible Study: Times of Refreshing 11.02.10

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Today is Tuesday November 02, 2010 and we are continuing our reading through the Bible. Today's message comes from the Book of John, chapters 4-5. In these chapters we will read about, Jesus and the Samaritan woman, Jesus healing a man on the Sabbath and confronting the Jews who were condeming Him for it, all Scripture quoted comes from the King James Version. If you would like to read today's chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-november-2

Today's Message: Times of Refreshing
An amazing transformation happens when one meets Christ, whether we accept or reject Him our lives do change. You can not meet Jesus and remain the same. He pierces right through you and while a few will humble themselves to accept Him and enjoy life with Him in it, most will get offended, reject Him, and spend life pretending that they are enjoying life without Him in it. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” - Hebews 4:12.

As Jesus was walking through Samaria He and His disciples stopped there for some rest, while the disciples went to get food Jesus remained by the well to get some water, where He met a woman. “Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.” - John 4:9-15.

The Jews despised the Samaritans so when Jesus approached this loud mouthed woman she could not believe that He even spoke to her let alone asked her to give Him some water. Jesus' response was, “I know you are thirsty for something that water can not provide and if you knew who you were talking to I would have given it to you.” The flesh is 85% water, you can go several days without food, but if you go one day without water you can die, So, water is vital to give us life. Just like we need water to keep us alive in the flesh, we also need water to keep us alive spiritually. “For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” - Revelation 7:17.

Now, her interest is peaked and she wants to know how she can get this water. “Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.” - John 4:21-26.

Jesus is telling this woman that before now, salvation was thought of as only for the Jews, but the time has come for all to know that salvation is for everyone who believes. God is not the God of the Jews, or the Mormons, or the Jehovah's Witness, or the Muslims, or the Christians, He is the God of all and it is only when one believes in Christ, the true Christ, that they receive salvation and He becomes our God. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” - Galatians 3:28.

After Jesus revealed to this woman that He knew who she was, she immediately left the well, told people about Him, and brought them to Him. “And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. And many more believed because of his own word; And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.” - John 4:39-42.

The people did not believe in Jesus because of this woman's testimony, they believed because when they heard her testimony they longed to see for themselves what He was all about and heard the truth from His own Word. It is great to hear testimonies and study God's Word as a group, but we are all human and we err, but God's Word does not, it will confirm truth or expose any lies that one has been told. That is why it is very important to read it for ourselves, if you are just starting to read the Bible and not sure where to start, the Book of John and Romans will help you get started. Just like the Samaritan woman ran and told the people about Jesus after she got saved, we too can do the same. Jesus is the Savior of the World and we need to at least give someone the opportunity to know the truth, if they do not accept it than you have done all you could, God will take care of it. “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” - Galatians 6:9,10.

You can enjoy the things of this world for a season, but you will always remain thirsty for more, Jesus is changing your life as you speak, you can go with the flow, remain thirsty and never be satisfied or you can refresh yourself in the living waters of Christ. “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” - Acts 3:19. Praise God!

Enjoy the rest of your day/night and week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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