MEET YOU AT THE WELL: HAVING A HEART-TO-HEART WITH JESUS!

Change and Transformation by Father Earnest Graham

Jesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman

¹³ Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, ¹⁴ 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.”

¹⁵ 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: 13,14

Reference Scripture: John 4:1-26 (New International Version, ©2011)

All of our lives we’ve heard words, words that have molded, shaped, prompted and prodded us to either to be at a standstill or words that literally gave us wings to soar. Not long ago I received an amazing gift from Ann Meyer, I think of it as a welcome gift to St. Martin’s Administrative Team. This gift was an unexpected literary treasure entitled Guerrillas of Grace-Prayers for the Battle by Ted Loder (see inside front cover).

Listen to Me Under My Words

O God, I come to you now

Asa child to my Mother,

Out of the cold which numbs into the warm who cares.

Listen to me inside,

Under my words

Where the shivering is,

In the fears

Which freeze my living,

In the angers

Which chafe my attending,

In the doubts

Which chill my hoping,

In the events

Which shrivel my thanking,

In the pretenses

Which stiffen my loving.

Listen to me, Lord

As a Mother

And hold me warm,

And forgive me.

Soften my experiences

Into wisdom,

My pride

Into acceptance,

My longing

Into trust,

And soften me

Into love

And to others

And to you

Maybe it was the Holy Spirit, maybe it was just a woman of God that sensed I would benefit tremendously from an inspirational book, or just possibly it was our preceding conversation about the office atmosphere that lovingly erects ministry and insulates joy, peace and caring! I don’t know, but I do know that when I read, I began to include this gift of prayers as part of my work day devotional, the words of the prayers scaled my heart matters and reminded me of how sacred my relationship is with God. It’s not taken lightly. So I easily connected with the prayer Listen to Me Under My Words. And really appreciate how God helped make the prayer so relevant to John 4.

So as I read John 4: 1-26 I appreciated the Samaritan woman’s frank and direct conversation had with Jesus. She attempted to earnestly converse. What really seemed apparent for me was that while she spoke, there were deeper issues- layers of words under her words which revealed her disappointment, her outlook, and ultimately her humility. Her sarcasm and loneliness were no stumbling block for Jesus’s replies. Her quizzical nature couldn’t stump or thwart the reality that what Jesus desired for her far outweighed her reality! She had stumbled upon a moment in time that changed her and many generations later to come! She visited the well at a strategic time that God had divinely orchestrated. Jesus’ words of life would become a wellspring to be reinvigorated, renewed and experience transformed natural and spiritual living! Let’s make our way with haste to that well! Don’t you want to go?

Published in Lent Devotional (The Journey to Surrender) 2011 Lenten @ St. Martin's Episcopal Church

Listen to Ce Ce Winans sing: I Surrender ALL and let the music minister to your spirit and renew your outlook!

Revived & Overjoyed!
Linda Mose Meadows, Urban Views Weekly Columnist and Inspirational Author of: The Blessedness of Believing A Devotional Journey of Life’s Lessons and God’s Promises and Co-publisher of Eyes of Faith Magazine

http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/

http://eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/

NOW FAITH!

Atmosphere 7 by Earnest Graham

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1

Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Matthew 17:19-20

As I enjoyed The Potter’s Touch : Put Your Faith Into Action by TD Jakes and then stumbled upon this website The High Calling of Our Daily Work, my spiritual toes were being mashed and I knew it! As I reflected and listened I truly understood that although I am a believer in Christ Jesus, on many occasions my “right now” faith is challenged and under construction especially when it comes to my attitude and work. Why is that so hard to swallow for many of us? We’re not totally there- believing God for everything! Our words and actions aren’t always working congruently. Doubt spills over into our “walk” and prayers when we’re truthful. It’s a relief to know that the more biblical truths we read , learn and apply; the clearer it becomes that God desires that we keep it moving in an upbeat fashion, never mind the intellect-it’s about faith! Are you demonstrating your faith!

God has once again gotten my full attention through this sermon and internet sites. He desires our full dedication, trust and heart. We must remain committed –no matter the predicament.

In my spirit, I’m moved to acknowledge that my faith is often compartmentalized into neat baskets with an assortment of attractive labels depending on the “seasons” that I find myself in. I have to confess this really shouldn’t be the case, but on a deeper level it’s a reality. I must earnestly examine what I am thinking-why and how it spills over in my behavior. Are you there also?

Today it’s clear that this methodology is self serving and will have us stuck, often repeating many life lessons we’ve should have learned. It’s God’s intention to move us higher, higher for his benefit of service, so that we effectively are teaching and reaching others! No it doesn’t have to be from the pulpit, synagogue or Sunday School Class. It can occur in the gym, lockers, board room, work cubicle, washroom, assembly lines, school corridors and while we’re waiting for public transportation. Yes, wherever we frequent and interact with other folks.

I feel it in my bones; yes in my spirit that I need to move further along on my spiritual journey and it’s not going to just happen. My momentum can be spurred with NOW FAITH!





Friends, I’m sure you’re getting what the Holy Spirit is conveying? We can’t withhold our faith, and stingily dole out a smattering here and there. We give our faith muscle when we absorb and apply the scripture and communicate with God frequently in prayer. Answers and visions are birthed and thus begins our faith walk. Let’s also remember to seek out spiritually enriching works that cause us to examine ourselves. God is speaking, do you hear him? We’ve got a greater work ahead of us! Trust and “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

Encyclopedia

faith
inner attitude, conviction, or trust relating man to a supreme God or ultimate salvation. In religious traditions stressing divine grace, it is the inner certainty or attitude of love granted by God himself. In Christian theology, faith is the divinely inspired human response to God's historical revelation through Jesus Christ, consequently, is of crucial significance.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.

Shared With Great JOY!

Linda Mose Meadows, Urban Views Weekly Columnist
and Inspirational author of:
The Blessedness of BelievingA Devotional Journey of Life’s Lessons and God’s Promises
(Tate Publishing, Nov. 2007)
http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

BLOGGING WOMEN - JUNE 2009 WINNER!

Beautiful !

Farmer's Market 3 by Earnest Graham

Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

~I Coronthians 10:31

This is a month for many wonderful firsts for me; one of which is my being selected as an Inspirational Columnist for Urban Views Weekly and now I've just learned that recently my blogg: The Blessedness of Believing A Devotional Journey of Life's Lessons and God's Promises has been selected as one of several winners for June 2009 on :

Blogging Women

A manually edited comprehensive directory of

some of the best blogs written by women

Once again, I am counting it all joy that the content of my blog is fresh and relevant for our times! I am honored. I know that it's Holy Ghost inspired. I wish to keep listening for God's voice through scripture,wonderful lyrics/music, my daily encounters and life's lessons. I have no doubt that there's a message of hope for all of us-especially in the midst of a struggle. I endeavor to express that sentiment and swallow my own medicine. Sometimes I just don't care for the taste. We'll encourage each other and keep holding up the banner of faith. Friends there is a blessing in believing!

Thank you Lord for enriching our lives, we take nothing for granted!

In Joyful Service,

Linda Mose Meadows, Author

The Blesssedness of Believing

A Devotional Journey of Life's Lessons and God's Promises

http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/