Jesus had an appointment with me.

This has been a very trying few weeks for me. I feel as though I am living my life in a bubble. I get up make some coffee, get ready for work, kiss my wife and kids bye, drive to work, work for 10 to 12 hours, drive home, eat dinner, read a little, go to bed, and get up and do it again. If it wasn't for the hour I get with my wife and the a time in the Word I could go crazy. I feel as if I am drying up. No joy nor purpose in my life.
Until I read John 4:4. It says that Jesus needed to go through Samaria. He had an appointment. He met with a woman who was probably feeling like I have been lately. She was at the well getting water (working the daily grind), and was not feeling too fulfilled and questioning herself if her worship and relationship with God was what it should be. She was thirsty for more than this life has to offer. In the conversation with the Lord he reveals that he is the source for fulfillment. He wishes to give living water that will flow into and through our lives. But in order for us to receive we must believe He is who He says He is. He points out to the woman that he knows all about her and her life. She then realizes that He is a prophet and starts to seek religious truths from Him asking about the Messiah. He tells her that He is the Messiah. She believes and goes to tell the people of the city she is from and many believed in Him because of her testimony.
Wow, what has happened to the excitement I used to have about meeting Jesus? Why am I not telling everyone I come in contact with about Him?

Father , please fill me to overflow. I want to be refreshed and be used by You to share that all can find a fulfilled relationship with You. That all can understand that You are Spirit and those who worship you must worship in spirit and truth. Give me the same excitement I had when You first met with me and showed me who You were.

You can't work your way to heaven.

Forgiveness of sins and a relationship with God is something that can not be earned. It is what God gives freely to those who seek him with a pure heart.

The Passover is a religious holiday that God instituted with the nation Israel. The nation of Israel took the religious ceremony and turned it into a way for man to try and earn or buy God's favor. Jesus, I think, started to show the Jews that the religious system of that time was not what God had intended. He threw the individuals who had turned the worship systems that God had implemented into money making schemes, out of the Temple. His anger was prophesied in Psalm 36:9, and when the Jews remembered the prophesy they asked Jesus to show them a sign to prove He was God. He answered them and said" Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up. They couldn't believe Him because it had taken man forty-six years to build the temple. They did not understand that He was speaking of His body.

Jesus goes on to meet with Nicodemus, a teacher of the Jews. In the conversation Jesus explains to him that a man must be born again to see the things of heaven. That second birth is of the spirit. The first is natural, of the water. Nicodemus showed that he did not understand by asking if a man must enter his mother again and be born again. I believe he was seeking man's way to enter heaven. God's way involved a spiritual work of God. That way includes mans belief in God's Son, Jesus, and the work that God does through Jesus. The Spirit of God does a supernatural work in the heart of man to give him an understanding of the spiritual things of God. Belief springs forth from the work of God. God will reveal Himself to those who diligently seek Him.

On the third day......

The "third day" is used by God many times God to reveal new things or beginnings. It is used in John 2 to show the start of the Lord revealing himself through miracles. He turns water into wine at the wedding. Many bible commentators say that the wine represents joy. It is hard to describe the joy that I had when I was saved. To know that God has changes me from that person who was miserable, seeking fulfillment in the things that the world offered and my flesh desired, to someone who desires to walk with God daily and share His love with everyone I meet. To know that my sin was forgiven and that the creator of the world loved me so much, that He payed the price that I deserved to pay. He died on the cross, shed His innocent blood to pay God's requirement for the forgiveness of my sin. And he rose the third day, overcoming death and the grave. Wow, what a great gift that can not be re-payed, only received freely.
This is the beginning of the miracles that the Lord will be doing. It is amazing to see that many people will see the glory of God revealed in the miracle ministry of our Lord Jesus.
I see something interesting in this same portion of scripture. The master of the feast makes an interesting comment about the bridegroom saving the best for last. What do you think?

I want to be a Nathanael. Today I read how Jesus revealed Himself to Nathanael. Jesus was heading to Galilee and he found Philip and told him to "follow Me". Philip then went to get Nathanael and tell him that they had found Him who was written of by Moses and the prophets. Nathan seemed to be a little doubtful in questioning if He who was spoken of could come from a place like Nazareth. But Philip was persistent in bringing his friend to see Jesus. He said ,"Come and see". The statement that Jesus makes to Nathanael shows that He is from God. He says, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!". Than He tells him that he had seen him under the fig tree. At that moment Nathanael knew that Jesus was the "Son of God." Was Nathanael in prayer seeking God during the time he was under the fig tree? I think he was. God knows when we are being truthful in our relationships with others and with Him. I want to be without deceit and have quiet time in prayer and the Word every day. Pray for me.

It is amazing how God lets Himself be found when we diligently seek Him. While I was reading the Word at lunch time God confirmed the fact that I can seek Him where ever I am. I was reading in John's gospel about the beginning of the Lord's ministry years when He was gathering the disciples to Himself. He asked the two disciples of John the baptist " What do you seek?". Wow, I thought to myself. What do I seek. Am I seeking comfort, riches, fame, pleasure? No. I am seeking a relationship with the Creator of the universe, the Savior of mankind, the Lover of my soul. But where do I find it? In His word and in fellowship with His people. I discovered that in Acts 2:42 an example of how the early church grew. " And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers". I definitely want to grow in my relationship with our loving God. I sooo want more time in the Word and prayer.

Does work keep you away from worship services?

Well, it is another Sunday and the job has kept me away from church. If it is not working on Sunday, it is being so tired from closing that I can't get up after 3 or 4 hours of sleep. How do you get into fellowship when retail is the way you make your living? Do I look for different work? This Blog will be the way I track my journey to walk closely with God and fellowship with His people. Pray for me.
Rich