As I was reading this chapter, one verse really stuck out to me. It was the Samaritan woman when she said:
"...Where can you get this living water?"
-John 4:11b
As the Samaritan woman talked to Jesus, this question comes up. I started thinking about it, how many times do I hear this question in a day? While it might not include the words "living water", or really words at all, but people are constantly searching for something.People might not come out and say it, but so many are looking for something to fill the hole in their heart and make them "never thirst again". The thing is, what am I going to do about it?
In this chapter, Jesus sets a great example. He saw a woman who, like most people, was struggling. Instead of just walking by, Jesus stopped and shared his living water with her. He took the time to talk to someone (that he would be looked down on for talking to) when he could have been doing something else. Why is it that I can't even pass out a bringvitation to one of my friends?
I don't know who the Samaritan woman is in your life. Maybe it's the girl who's sitting by herself, or the guy in History class that no one seems to really like. The question is, will you be Jesus to them? Will you take the time to share the living water Christ has given you...or will you be too busy?
Brianne Chrenko
Friday, February 29, 2008
John Chapter 2
The first thing is I like how Jesus didnt say anything when the master of ceremonies complimented the groom on saving the best wine until last and Jesus didnt even take credit for it. Secondly, when most people picture Jesus they picture him as a nice loving man that never became angry. I like this particular passage of scripture because i believe it shows us how God reacts when are doing things that dont bring glory to His name. I also like that fact that he foreshadows that He will rise 3 days after his death.
Seth Mills
Seth Mills
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
The Reflectors
Well, the journey of the next 21 days has begun…(dum dum dum). I’m amped about this challenge and what God is going to do, not only through the study, but also through the culminating event of the “Passion of the Christ”. Remember to invite your groups and a thousand other people…J (I don’t think that’s too much to ask) Alright, its blog time:
As I read through the first chapter, it was if God was almost not allowing me to move past verses 6-9. No matter how much I read on, I was still thinking of what was said in these verses. Part of this could have been my A.D.D. (lol), but I really think God was bringing some things to light….no pun intended. Obviously when I began to S. O. A. P., these are the truths that stuck out to me. Here is my observation raw and un-edited. We become reflectors of the light of Jesus Christ which is the “true” light. The closer that we (slowly) come to the light, the stronger our reflection is. Let me clarify the word (slowly) used in my last sentence. This is personal. I don’t know if you feel the same way, but I feel as though I grow so slowly and take such baby steps. I’m 27 and I am no where near where I would like to be on my journey. Through much failure and many, many spiritually scraped knees, I am (slowly) becoming closer to this TRUE light. I think this passage points out why it is so important for us to strongly reflect this TRUE light. In verse 7 the Bible says, “He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.” This is why it’s so vitally important for us to be the best reflectors of light we can possibly be. Directly after this in verse 8, I think it is interesting that it’s pointed out strongly again that we are merely the reflectors of the TRUE light. Jesus Christ is the “light of the world.” In my life I have to give way to this light every day or what I find myself doing is trying to work apart from the source.
I want to give one last illustration about the light…I don’t want to beat it to death, but I think these words are used for a purpose. As we are reflecting this TRUE light, this light that “enlightens all,” to other people we have to keep in mind that they may be living in darkness. Stay with me… have you ever had the lights off and you’re about to fall asleep? You’re comfortable and cozy and have been sitting in the room for a pretty long time. Maybe you’re watching a movie and you’re really into it. Out of nowhere someone walks in and turns on the light. It’s bright and uncomfortable…almost annoying. It’s changing the way your eyes operate. It could even be making them do more work which could cause irritation or slight pain. Realize that when we start to reflect this light strongly to our friends, family, people we work with or hang out with, they could be coming from pure, comfortable, almost comatose darkness. So what God showed me is that there may be an adjustment period for people to come along with us and our “bright light” of change. Don’t be discouraged and beat down as a leader when this adjustment is going on, just keep loving people and (slowly) becoming closer to the TRUE light. I hope that you got a lot out of John 1. Keep going and remember…”leaders lead.”
Love God. Love Others.
Shane
As I read through the first chapter, it was if God was almost not allowing me to move past verses 6-9. No matter how much I read on, I was still thinking of what was said in these verses. Part of this could have been my A.D.D. (lol), but I really think God was bringing some things to light….no pun intended. Obviously when I began to S. O. A. P., these are the truths that stuck out to me. Here is my observation raw and un-edited. We become reflectors of the light of Jesus Christ which is the “true” light. The closer that we (slowly) come to the light, the stronger our reflection is. Let me clarify the word (slowly) used in my last sentence. This is personal. I don’t know if you feel the same way, but I feel as though I grow so slowly and take such baby steps. I’m 27 and I am no where near where I would like to be on my journey. Through much failure and many, many spiritually scraped knees, I am (slowly) becoming closer to this TRUE light. I think this passage points out why it is so important for us to strongly reflect this TRUE light. In verse 7 the Bible says, “He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.” This is why it’s so vitally important for us to be the best reflectors of light we can possibly be. Directly after this in verse 8, I think it is interesting that it’s pointed out strongly again that we are merely the reflectors of the TRUE light. Jesus Christ is the “light of the world.” In my life I have to give way to this light every day or what I find myself doing is trying to work apart from the source.
I want to give one last illustration about the light…I don’t want to beat it to death, but I think these words are used for a purpose. As we are reflecting this TRUE light, this light that “enlightens all,” to other people we have to keep in mind that they may be living in darkness. Stay with me… have you ever had the lights off and you’re about to fall asleep? You’re comfortable and cozy and have been sitting in the room for a pretty long time. Maybe you’re watching a movie and you’re really into it. Out of nowhere someone walks in and turns on the light. It’s bright and uncomfortable…almost annoying. It’s changing the way your eyes operate. It could even be making them do more work which could cause irritation or slight pain. Realize that when we start to reflect this light strongly to our friends, family, people we work with or hang out with, they could be coming from pure, comfortable, almost comatose darkness. So what God showed me is that there may be an adjustment period for people to come along with us and our “bright light” of change. Don’t be discouraged and beat down as a leader when this adjustment is going on, just keep loving people and (slowly) becoming closer to the TRUE light. I hope that you got a lot out of John 1. Keep going and remember…”leaders lead.”
Love God. Love Others.
Shane
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