IS YOUR WELL FLOWING

WITH LIVING WATER?

There are many people around us who are dry and thirsty in their souls.  They hunger and thirst for “things” but nothing seems to satisfy, and they may wonder why they feel so empty.  I think about those who seemingly are lost without hope, alone in this world.

 I recently saw a newscast about a young woman who was being released from prison.  The commentator mentioned that here was a young lady totally hated by society and her family.  She said she didn’t even have a pair of shoes and only the clothes on her back, and nowhere to go.  She has no one to turn to.  I felt deep compassion for her and prayed that the Lord would send someone her way who would show her the way to Jesus, the Living Water.

In thinking about her, I was reminded about another woman in the New Testament.  We don’t know her name.  We only know her as “The Woman at the Well.”  We find her story in John, chapter 4.

 But he needed to go through Samaria.  So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.  Now Jacob’s well was there.  Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well.  It was about the sixth hour.  A woman of Samaria came to draw water.  Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.”  John 4:4-6

He needed to go through Samaria.  He had a Divine appointment waiting there.  Jesus was very tired.   He knows what it feels like to be bone-tired!  “Since he himself has gone through suffering and temptation, he is able to help us when we are being tempted” Hebrews 2:18. (NLT)  Sometimes the storms rage, the problems come, and we continue to struggle and we become weary, but Jesus understands He has been there!

Women of the village came to draw water twice each day, morning and evening. But you notice this woman came at noon, alone.  We are sure she came alone to avoid the other women, who knew of her reputation.

This woman was a Samaritan, a member of a hated mixed race.  She was known to be living in sin.  This was a public place and no respectable Jewish man would talk to a woman under such circumstances.  But isn’t it wonderful, but Jesus did!  Jesus always reached out to untouchables, the lonely, people who were the lowest in society.  And He still is reaching out today.  It doesn’t matter what you have done, or where you are in life.  Jesus is there! 

 She questions in verse 9, why He a Jewish man would ask her for a drink, since Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.

 Jesus answered and said unto her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” (verse 10)

Jesus directed her attention to God and what He wanted to give her “the gift of God” and on Himself who would give her this gift.  He spoke to her of Living Water.  In the Old Testament we find many scriptures about thirsting after God.  God is called “The fountain of life in Psalms 36:9.  In Jeremiah 2:13 God is called “the fountain of living water.” In saying He could give her living water, He was claiming to be the Messiah, as only He could give this gift to satisfy the soul’s desire.

The woman questions Him why He would want to draw water from this well as the well is deep and He has nothing with Him to draw water and wanted to know where He would get this living water.

Jesus answered and said to her, “whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst.  But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life” John 4:13-14

The thirsty soul need only to come to Jesus for living water, and that water will bubble up out of his innermost being like a fountain.  In John 7:35, He spoke of that fountain being the Holy Spirit.  In other words, when we are drinking of His fountain, our lives will flow with Holy Spirit power, reaching out to a lost world.  Have you ever met a fellow believer who seems to just bubble with joy?  And oh the lives such a person will touch for the Lord Jesus!

This woman, after Jesus confronts her sin, she realizes the true place of worship.  Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when we will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem worship the Father.  You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. “but the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.  “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth”  John 4:21-25.

Jesus directed her attention on true worship of the Father and the fact that “The hour” was His death on the cross that would provide redemption and open the way to the Father for this woman and all of us who would come and accept this wonderful gift of salvation.

This woman was concerned about the place of worship, but Jesus taught her and all of us that the focus is not on the place of worship but on the Person of worship, God the Father.

Are you drinking of the Living Water today?  All the things of this world will not satisfy.  A person could have all the riches of this world and still be thirsty and dry.  He is calling you to the “well.”  This is the well that never runs dry and bubbles up in our lives like a fountain, filled with the Holy Spirit and leading to eternal life.  Won’t you drink of that water today?

Blessings,

Pastor Sharon

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE

I CAN DO FOR THE LORD?

 As a senior you may feel like life has now passed you by and you feel that you can no longer serve the Lord in the capacity you once did.  Maybe you are confined to a wheelchair.  Maybe you can no longer get around as you once did.  And maybe you are reading this and you are not a senior, but are approaching those years.  This message is also for you.

 And what determines if we are getting ‘old’?  Is it the color or lack of hair?  Is the number of wrinkles we have acquired?  Maybe our shoulders stoop and our eyes are dim.  Maybe we are now hard of hearing and do not understand what people are saying sometimes.

 Someone once said, “we know we are old when we regret the past, fear the future and criticize the present.”  God never intended for we, His children, to become stagnant and unproductive just because they have reached or past the 80 year mark.

 Of necessity our bodies shift into lower gear, but must that affect our attitudes?  Is it possible to be like the senior citizen described in Psalm 92:12-15

 “The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.  Those who are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.  They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing, to declare that the LORD is upright:  He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”

 As seniors we can continue to “grow straight and tall” in God’s kingdom.  And notice that you can still bear fruit in old age.  What fruit are we to bear?  How can we bear fruit when sometimes we can hardly get around, and troubles surround us?  No matter what age, what condition you are in, you can still bear fruit and much fruit for the Lord.  You may ask, but what fruit are we talking about here?  Some of you, I am sure know what fruit we are talking about.  Let’s take a look at our “fruit.” 

 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  Against such there is no law” Galatians 5:21.

 Can we honestly say we walk daily in these nine Gifts of the Spirit?  Jesus said, He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.’”  Jesus was speaking of the Holy Spirit in John 7:38.

 Here is the secret for bearing much fruit in our lives, even in our old age, and that is letting the Holy Spirit flow through our lives not just into our lives.  Isn’t that wonderful?

 And how do we keep the flow of the Holy Spirit in our lives?  It is that special time with the Lord daily.

“Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.  Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God:  for unto Thee will I pray.  My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee and will look up” Psalm 5:1-2

 Notice that the Psalmist says he will direct his prayer in the morning.  Even Jesus went out before dawn and prayed to His Father. (Mark 1:35).  Sometimes it is hard in the mornings.  Some have to rush off to their days, as some of us have busy schedules.  But take the time, even a short time, if necessary to give Him your day, invite the Holy Spirit to refresh you for the day ahead, and He will guide your path.  The Psalmist also says that he will “look up.”  When we start our day with the Lord, then we can look up to Him all day, keep our eyes on Jesus as we move through the day, and you can be amazed at how God will move in your life in situations and in answered prayer.

 “I will go in the strength of the Lord God: I will make mention of Thy righteousness, even of Thine only.  O God, Thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared Thy wondrous works.  Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shown Thy strength unto this generation, and Thy power to every one that is to come” Psalm 71:16:18

 Many of us have been taught from our youth and witnessed and shared His Word with many.  But now, as we are old or getting older He calls us a step further.  He calls us to share our faith with those around us, to our grandchildren, great grandchildren, so that our faith will be continued to be passed down through the generations to come.  What a blessed promise?  That because of our faith down through the years we can be confident that after we have passed on to Heaven, that His Word will continue to be shared to all those to come.  Praise the Lord!

 In conclusion we have learned that we too, as seniors, can continue to minister and share our faith no matter where we are.  And sometimes, it may be just a comforting word to someone who is hurting, blessing them in the Name of Jesus, or just whispering a prayer.   We can then continue to bear fruit and much fruit (John 15), even in our senior years.  May God continue to bless you as you serve Him wherever you are, no matter how old you may be.  The Holy Spirit will continue to flow through you and to bless other lives around you.

Blessings,

Pastor Sharon

TRAVELING WITH MY GOD

 As I traveled recently to the coast of Oregon, looking at the Redwood forests, traveling on the narrow, winding mountain road, sometimes we would travel a straight path.  We traveled through valleys.  Then we would begin to climb again.  Sometimes we would see the sun.  Other times the canyons hid the sun. 

 We went through fog as we neared the Pacific Ocean.  And along the way there were posted warnings to beware of rock slides.  Then ahead of us was God’s beautiful ocean, with wind and waves roaring.  Then the fog lifted and I could praise the Lord with the Psalmist in Psalm 96:11-13

 “Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and all its fullness; let the field be joyful, and all that is in it.  Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the Lord.”

 I rejoiced in God’s beautiful creation, but I was reminded also of the picture of His people traveling through life as pilgrims on a journey.  We are like Abraham looking for a city.

 “By faith he sojourned in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations whose builder and maker is God”  Hebrews 11:9-10.  “But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country.  Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them”  Hebrews 11:16.

 For as we walk we keep our eyes on Jesus, looking forward to our heavenly home.

 “Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.  You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You?  And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.  My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” Psalm 73:23-26

He never leaves me nor forsakes me (Hebrews 13:5).  He promises to hold my right hand as He guides me through life.  He leads me through beautiful forest glades.  Sometimes there are narrow mountain paths with steep drops on each side, which fill me with fear.  So I must cling tightly to His nail pierced hand.  Sometimes it is lovely on those mountains and oh, those mountain top experiences with my Lord!  Then the fog of grief and pain may cloud my vision and I don’t know where I am going, but He is there right beside me leading me through those dark and lonely places.  Along those paths may be rock slides of despair, discouragement and anguish.

 Oh, the storms may blow and rock my ship, but my Captain can calm the storms of my life.  And when I follow Him closely the seas become calm, the fog lifts and I can see the sun again.  And when my travels are done, He will lead me safely home to glory!  Praise the Lord!

 I don’t have anyone in heaven but Him, and as much as I love my family and friends, there is no one I desire more than my Lord Jesus and to someday see Him face to face.

 “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face.  Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known” II Corinthians 13:12.

 This body will someday fail, as it is only temporary.  My heart may fail, my strength may fail, but we don’t lose heart.

 “My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever” Psalm 73:26 (NLT).

 So don’t lose heart, my friends.  I know it is so hard sometimes.  Sometimes when the hard times come and our bodies fail us, words mean little.  Sometimes it is just the touch of a hand on a forehead or the touch of a hand reaching out to another and sometimes it is just a hug in the Name of Jesus.  Jesus uses us to touch others, as we are His hands to reach out to the discouraged, the sick and the lonely.  But as we are on this journey we are not alone, as He goes before us, and uses others to touch our lives.

 So keep your eyes on Jesus and on His promises, and soon we shall see Him face to face, and what a day that will be, when our journey will be complete, no more sorrow or pain and we can say with Paul:

 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course.  I have kept the faith:  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” II Timothy 4:7-8.

 In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon

HIS STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS

 I remember the days when I was young and strong.  I hardly ever had a sick day or even visited the doctor.  I could go and go all day long and never seem to tire.  Many of you remember those days fondly also.  And, like me, you wonder where the years have gone. 

 Now many of our days are filled with pain, stiffness.  Some of you are facing lonely years, as a dear one has gone home to be with Jesus.  Maybe, like me, you have lost your hearing, and don’t enjoy being in crowds much anymore as you just can’t hear what people are saying clearly.  But I know in my heart that the older I am, the closer I am to heaven and seeing my Blessed Lord face to face.

 But the Lord especially loves the aged ones and His Word is filled with promises just for us.  So be encouraged as I share some of those promises with you.  Maybe you are a “young senior” just facing your senior years.

 “And even to your old age I am he; and even to grey hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you” Isaiah 46:4

 The Lord is reminding us of who He is, and that He has never forsaken us, even to our gray hair.  He won’t forget us as we are slowing down in our years.  He made us. He promises to bear all our burdens, and even promises to carry us when the path gets rough and steep.  I am reminded of the picture of our Shepherd, Jesus, with a lamb in His arms and we are His lambs, His special ones.

 “O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.  Now also when I am old and grey-headed, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to everyone that is to come” Psalm 71:17-18.

 The Psalmist is reminding us that the Lord has taught us from the time we were children and young people.  Many of us, like myself, have known Jesus since I was a child, have always been in church and Sunday School.  And some of us have become Pastors, Teachers; great witnesses for Christ in whatever capacity, and now, as we are slowing down, we fear that the Lord will forsake us.  The Lord will never forsake us but will give us the strength to continue witnessing and sharing Jesus with this generation; our families, our children, grandchildren.  And as we continue to do that, His Great Power will be seen in the lives of our future generations to come.

 “The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head” Proverbs 20:29

 One translation shares that young men are proud of their strength, but it is the old men (and women) who have the experience of the years.  Oh, the wisdom they can share, the places they have been, and the stories they can tell.  But begin sharing the Word with an elderly saint, one who has walked with the Lord down through the years, and they will have the wisdom that only years of being in God’s Word and in prayer can bring.  They can be of great counsel in the midst of life’s trials.

 “The grey head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness” Proverbs 16:31.

 The Lord looks down on His righteous saints, and beholds their white and silver hair.  And because of their years of walking in His righteousness, He sees that white or silver hair as a crown on their head.  They are literally crowned with His righteousness!

 “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread” Psalm 37:25

 The Psalmist says that he was young once, and now he is old, but never in his years has the righteous ever been forsaken or having his children begging for bread.  God will never forsake His people even in  the hard times we are now living.  We see shortages, high prices, and depressed economy.  “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”  Philippians 4:19.

 And as we live for Him in our “Golden Years”, we have the blessed hope of heaven and being with the Lord. Oh, what an exciting day that will be!  Some of us will soon go to be with Him.  We may even be in the generation who meet Him in their air.  Either way we have some blessed promises and glory to come.

 “For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for Him”  Isaiah 64:4

 Our minds cannot fathom the glory that waits ahead for us who love Him.  What a wonderful place He has prepared for us.  “In my Father’s house are many mansions:  if it were not so I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you” John 14:2

 So take heart, keep your eyes on Jesus, no matter how frail you may become, or how your body may feel as you age, God looks on you as His special ones and waits to being you home to be with Him.

In closing, enjoy the wonderful song below.

 TIME HAS MADE A CHANGE IN ME

 Time has made a change since my childhood days; many of my friends have gone away, some I never more in this life will see, time has made a change in me.

 Chorus:  Time has made a change in the old home place; time has made a change in each smiling face, and I know my friends can plainly see time has made a change in me.

 In my childhood days, I was well and strong.  I could climb the hillside all day long, I am not today what I used to me time has made a change in me.

 When I reach my home in that land somewhere, with my friends who wait to meet me over there, free from pain and care I’ll forever be, time has made a change in me.  (Written by Harkens Frye)

 “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:  and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” Psalm 23:6

 Blessings,

Pastor Sharon