Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Jesus the Healer
John 4: 1- 14

“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.” (10)

The story of the Samaritan woman at the well is one that is familiar to the church body, yet a story that is filled with numerous words of encouragement of who God is and His relationship with His people.

There are many who face struggles or obstacles that may leave them feeling disconnected or not in line with the perceived ‘sinless’ atmosphere of the church. Those who are struggling may avoid the church atmosphere to avoid criticism, gossip, or the out casting looks from the members of the church. Yet, biblically Jesus came to do just the opposite. He overlooks the sinful nature and cultural separation of the Samaritan woman and He reached out to her and offered her eternal life and offered her healing to the life that she was living. He reminded her that it is not the physical water, but the spiritual living water that brings healing and new life.

Our society today is filled with many who are hurting, isolated, and looking for hope and love in a world that is full of hate, violence, and rejection. Many feel an emptiness and turn to drugs, alcohol, sexual immorality, and violence (physical, mortal) to fill the hurt and pain they are trying to heal. Jesus, like in this story of the Samaritan woman, reaches out with no judgment, no rejection and immediately offers her the opportunity for eternal life. That same opportunity is offered to us every single moment and Jesus asks us to do the same to those around us. He asks us to quench our thirst not with the things of this world, but with the living water that gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord, we live in a world that is in need of you. A world that is confused, divided, and seeking physical fulfillment to fill a void that only you can fill. Lord we as humanity, as a nation, are in need of you to fill us, to quench our thirsty spirits. Fill us Lord with your Spirit and fill us with your living water so we may never thirst again, but for you alone.

Thought for the Day: Rely on and drink of the living water for eternal life and hope for the future in this mortal world. 


Betty Vattakkunnel, Trinity, MTC Houston

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tell a child as to why they’ve been a
Read more