Salesmen or Signposts ?

We often get trapped into thinking that we ought to sell Jesus to one and all. Guess what? You don’t have to. Jesus never sold–either himself, the kingdom, or God. Certain Biblical incidents always seemed strange to me. Like for instance, why did Jesus go to the Bethesda pool and heal only one guy? John 5. 1-5 Why did He go thru Samaria and speak to one particular sinful Samaritan woman? John 4. 3-7 Why did he enter a particular house and wait for a certain gentile (Canaanite) woman to come? Matthew 15. 21-29

Well, [Quote] ‘He was locating those who already belonged to him. He was giving substance to the indescribable hunger that true seekers have. He was putting words to their deep thirst. He was explaining why they felt strangely drawn to him.’[Unquote]

Is it not great? It is not our job to create the hunger for God or eternal life. All I have to do is point to Jesus, allow them to [Quote] ‘hear His words of life, see him as he is, and check for signs of spiritual life. The whole endeavor of “converting” someone is a mistake. God converts people.’ Our job is to ‘locate them and help them understand and trust what they are already experiencing. There is much explaining to do, much to clarify, some areas to challenge, and a great deal of listening to do. But there is no burden to create a spiritual interest that isn’t there.’ [Unquote]

So now I can [Quote] ‘stop worrying about how people respond to me. Either they are being drawn to Jesus or they aren’t—and I can’t do anything to change that. I can only help the person determine whether they are spiritually alive or not, and what to do next.

Second, I would focus much less on persuading and more on the signs of spiritual hunger and thirst. I would ask direct and honest questions like, “Do you ever think about God?” “What do you like or not like about God?” “Do you ever wonder what he thinks of you?”
[Unquote]

We belong to God because God drew us to Jesus, and we believed in Him, so we have His life in us. Like wise, when the hungry ones have believed in Him, ‘[Quote] they need to be taught and even challenged to trust, follow, surrender, obey and remain in Jesus.’ [Unquote]

We [Quote] ‘don’t sell admission tickets to heaven; we point to Jesus, the source of immediate, abundant and eternal life.’ [Unquote]

To read the original article click here

Must reads

Guys, the following are some must read links.

Evangelicals and the Crisis of Authority - http://www.crosswalk.com/11616903/
Idolatry: Worshipping Our Own Image of God - http://www.crosswalk.com/11603342/

Samaritan flashback

Though geographically placed in close proximity, the hindrances for any meaningful interaction between a Jew and a Samaritan are numerous. The Bible informs us that, ‘Jews have no dealings with Samaritans’, their hostility primarily based on both race and religion. However, cultural, political, traditional differences, and sinfulness made it further difficult to bridge the chasms between the two.2 Kings 17-18

On the separation of Israel and Judah, the ancient city of Shechem became the religious center of the Northern Kingdom. This Israelite kingdom continued to exist in Samaria until it fell before Assyria.

After the Assyrian Exile in 722 BC, (2 Kings 17. 6, 24-41) the remaining Jews intermarried with Gentile colonists and formed a hybrid worship of Jehovah God (2 Kings 17. 33,41), complete with a different temple and an edited Old Testament. They adhered rigidly to the Torah, never admitted any of the prophetical teachings. The Jews thus viewed them as Half-Breed Heretics, and the Samaritans returned their hatred.

Religious differences between Jews and Samaritans
1. Worship only at Jerusalem Temple - Worship in Mt. Gerizim
2. Holy Book - Torah - Pentateuch
3. Abraham honored as Father - Jacob honored as Father
4. Believe heaven is exclusively for them - More liberal

The Samaritans had built their own temple on Mt. Gerizim to rival the Temple in Jerusalem and offered sacrifices according to the Mosaic code. This Samaritan Temple was destroyed by the Jews under the rule of John Hyrcanus (a king of non-Davidic lineage) in about 128 BCE. The Samaritans returned the favor by defiling the Jewish Temple. The rabbis taught it was ritually defiling to touch any utensil handled by a Samaritan. Since Samaria lay between Galilee and Judea, pious Jews normally walked the 20+ extra miles around Samaria rather than go through it.

A Jewish prayer goes like this: "I thank you that I was not born a Gentile, a slave or woman." Rabbis (Jesus was one) were forbidden to speak to any woman in public, even their own mothers or sisters (Jesus came to break off all shackles that bound people and he was often found in mixed company).

Samaritan women were regarded as ritually unclean from birth. To top it all, the Samaritan woman in question was immoral - she had been through five husbands, and currently had a live-in boyfriend!

She was an outcast. In a small town like Sychar, she would be viewed as a threat to the other married women, so she was probably ostracized by them. For one thing, there was a well in Sychar, but she was coming almost a mile to this well. Furthermore, most women drew water in the evening or morning when it was cool, and made it a social occasion. But John 4 vs 6 says she came to the well at noon, in the heat of the day--probably because she was ostracized by the other women of the community.

She was indifferent to spiritual issues, at least initially. To this woman, the lowest of the low, Jesus' brought the message - "It does not matter to me how much of a failure you are in people's eyes, you can still have the living water." Thus begins the talk between Jesus and a Samaritan woman.

Jesus offers her living water as a gift - a spiritual gift. The original word for "living" can also mean "running," so it's easy to see why she easily misunderstands his offer and becomes flippant and even cynical in her response and mocks him about both of his claims. "How are you going to get this water? You don't even have a bucket!" and "Who do think you are--better than Jacob –our Father?"

Jesus offers her living water which refers to the gift of a personal relationship with God through the indwelling of his Holy Spirit--the gift that Jesus has come to make available to us. However the woman thinks, “if it'll save me a trip out here daily, I'll take it."

Having positioned her thus, Jesus suddenly shifts gears and exposes her need. "OK, go get your husband and we'll get down to business." Her answer in verse 17 paves the way for what He really wanted to talk to her all the while.

Before she could be interested in the spiritual gift that Jesus had to offer, she had to first become aware of her need for it. Jesus did not speak of her current situation to shame her, but to cut through her "tough guy" facade and force her take a good look at herself. Apparently her spiritual need for a savior kept popping out with the same symptom repeatedly - her failure to achieve lasting, satisfying romantic relationships and her deep-seated loneliness. Whatever the reason, after five failed marriages, she has given up the formality of marriage and was shacking up with some guy just to survive. This is a woman who has deep inner pain, a deep thirst for love and companionship.

Jesus takes a look into her heart and tells her she's got a hole in her heart that men can't fill. He assures her that there is no need to keep drinking from this old well (of failed relationships). It’s time to admit the need for a different kind of water – the kind provided by Him personally.

Jesus had touched a raw nerve, so she side-steps and begins to talk religion. (a very common ruse.) Jesus was honing in on her personal spiritual needs, but she was not ready for it. She was determined to dodge the issue. So she started a theological argument - a smoke-screen.

Even here we see that Jesus handles her well. First, he answers her question regarding worship. Jews worship God in the place and way that God had prescribed in the Old Testament. However, Jesus her that what matters now is that we relate to God in spirit and in truth.

Jesus expects us to relate to him personally and not through ritual observance. We must also relate to him as he really is ("in truth") as he is revealed to us through scripture. People often object to the idea of a God who is holy, who judges sin, who insists that we come to him for forgiveness through Christ and be willing to submit to his leadership. This is unacceptable to God.

Jesus continues to repeat his offer and she says,"Well, I don't know what to think--let's leave this to the Messiah . . . " at this point Jesus reveals Himself to her and hearing Him (hearing the Word of God Himself speak) she evidently came to faith in him as her Messiah. And she began a relationship with God that changed her life and that of many others.

Having received the "living water," she dropped her old water pot. She returned to town and started telling everyone she knew to come out and meet the man who knew everything about her and still loved her enough to give her a gift. No matter why --they responded and went out to see Him. Many believed through her testimony yet many others believed after listening to Him.

editor's note:
This post is background info for the previous original post - "Reaching Out to Christians" click here to go

Reaching out to Christians

The Word of God teaches us that we are to fashion our thought, words and actions according to our lord and master, Jesus. In Jesus’ approach to the Samaritan woman we catch a clear glimpse of how to deal with nominal/traditional/denominational Christians.

There are a number of road blocks to overcome before a believer can reach out to a nominal Christian. They may be racial, cultural, religious, political, and traditional. Sin and satan can also keep the two from ever meeting. Jesus faced all of these hindrances in His encounter with the Samaritan woman and yet He did not allow them to keep Him away from reaching out to her and thru her the entire Samaritan village!

• Jesus took the unpopular route to Samaria, timed his arrival there to meet a certain Samaritan woman of ill-repute. (we too must be willing to walk paths that are not often trod to reach out)
• He made sure that they would not be interrupted by His well-intentioned disciples, or by the self-righteous villagers. (be sensible, as well as sensitive to the Holy Spirit)
• He took the first step to breach the gap between them. (overcome your inhibitions for God’s Kingdom sake)
• He offered her something that mattered to her. (water that would quench her thirst forever, thereby enabling her to put a stop to her unpleasant trips to the common village well) (identify and trust God for their individual needs, miracles will confirm your work)
• Jesus offered her better-quality water. [The Samaritans considered the water from the Jacob’s well superior to any other well. Hence the offer of water (living water) that is far superior to water from Jacob’s well was not to be spurned lightly.] (Jesus has the best offer, none can top it, offer it)
• Through His gentle and non-accusing attitude, He convicted this woman of her sins. (She could have said anything and hidden the truth. Instead she confesses that she has no husband. The manner in which she says it makes it evident that she was convicted of her sinful state.) (let your gentleness and love be plain to all)
• Jesus calmly acknowledges her statement and gently pushes further by revealing to her His knowledge of her previous relationships. This helps her recognise His prophetical and messianic status. (operating in the gifts of word of knowledge and wisdom will help you reach your goal faster. fan to full flame/put to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit within you to do your work well)
• The woman’s revelation of Jesus led to the evangelization of the entire Samaritan village. (a fully convinced disciple is unstoppable)

In these end times, our evangelizations should be fashioned in like manner. We must through prayer and the use of the spiritual gifts discern key person’s to target people groups (people groups may also be a big extended family, a community, a city, an office etc.). Target and mentor such individuals to influence a wide audience for the glory of God.


Click here to read John 4.1-42 - Jesus talks to a Samaritan Woman

related posts "Samaritan Flashback" click here to go

Why become a Shepherd?

It was the custom in the middle-east for the least man to be given charge of the flocks. The shepherd had responsibility to lead the sheep to new pastures and fresh water, defend them from predators, and find the lost ones when they strayed. However, it was a humble job because it was a dirty job.

The shepherd lived amongst the flock and slept across the doorway of the fold to keep the sheep in and the wolves out. It was filthy, smelly, and thankless work. Yet Jesus willingly declared, "I am the good shepherd" (John 10:11, 14). Let’s not miss the impact of these words.

God humbled Himself and got His hands dirty working directly with errant, willful, and dumb sheep (we humans are often pretty dumb).

The shepherd lies across the doorway of the sheep pen - Jesus became the door for us. He sacrificed His life for us (the flock) so that anyone who chooses to believe in Him may enter God's fold (John 3:16).

Once inside the fold, we are provided for, sought when we wander, and protected from enemies.

Victorious Living

You want strength to defeat your enemies? Who are your enemies?
Struggling with feelings of inadequacy? read on

Waiting faith

Read and be encouraged about waiting faith in my post by the same title here.

Time to Change Direction

Finding praising God in the assembly difficult? Stop grumbling and complaining about people, circumstances and God in your private life and work.

As you discipline yourself to a life of gratitude and praise, the God of High praises will come and entrone himself on your praises and you will recognise that all things do work for your best.

Lets Call a Spade a Spade

These days we see witchcraft often portrayed as helpful, good, or neutral. This is deceptive and misleading. The Lord condemns witchcraft and sorcery of any type. Witchcraft is truly evil and unrighteous. Not just “dark” magic, but rather all magic is evil. Some believe that there is good or “white” magic, and bad or “black” or “dark” magic. Still others believe that magic is not real, and witchcraft is all a big hoax. Let me tell you, witchcraft is very real, and does work and involves demonic spirits.

The reason why some children of God are adamant that witchcraft is fake is because, such things do not work against the children of God. None of these curses, neither “white” magic nor “black” work against us is because “Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world”. We have been given authority over the spirits of darkness, not the other way around, so they can do nothing to us (except oppress or tempt us and we willfully give in).

However, even though things (spells and incantations etc) cannot prevail against the children of God, it still is very real and is practiced throughout the world. Do not associate with it in any forms.

Be of Good Courage

Courage is a gift of God's Holy Spirit. Courage means ‘strength, power'. The equivalent of the Hebrew word for courage (hazaq) means "to show oneself strong."

In Isaiah 11 we're told that the Spirit of God rests upon messiah, helping Him to do His part in the messianic kingdom.
The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of power,
the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.

This word power is also translated as strength and might, derivatives of courage. The gift of fortitude or courage allows people "firmness of mind’ that is required both in doing good and in enduring evil. As a matter of fact, the gift of courage compels a Christian's will toward doing God's will here and now.

Types of Guilt

There are two types of guilt: biblical and false.

The first originates with the violation of a scriptural law. This is not a feeling but a reality: we have sinned and should repent.

The second, which includes feeling guilty after confessing a sin, is not based in truth or supported by the Word. This kind of guilt leads to doubt God's love and salvation, which paves the way for fear, insecurity, and inability to enjoy life. It can also open the door for physical symptoms like depression.

‘Jesus wept’ , Why?

Mary, Martha and the others were blinded by their perceptions to the fact that he really was "the resurrection and the life" despite all his plain words to them: "25 Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Believe you this? 27 She said to him, Yes, Lord: I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world." (Joh 11:25-27) Obviously Martha did not believe that Jesus could resurrect her dead brother dead by four days for she said: "… I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day." (John 11:24) So Jesus was troubled and He groaned in the spirit, He wept.

To read the full post

To read the full reference John 11.1-44

Learn to Stay Afloat

Jesus was preaching nearby, but Peter did not care. His heart was troubled and his purse was empty. He could care less if the new teacher in town was drawing great crowds (they have nothing better to do, anyway). He had no time to stop and listen. He must wash the nets and indulge in a pity–party. Peter was sinking but soon He was floating shares. To learn How you too can succeed Click Here

To Have Hope

1 Cor 10 1-6, 11 -- For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3They all ate the same spiritual food 4and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 5Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert.
6Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did 11These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.

Romans 15. 4For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

To read the full reference passage Click here

Why Lord, Why?

Has God called you to ministry? Have you failed ? Do you feel that God deliberately thwarts your every efforts to achieve your goals?

Lets observe Moses. In obedience to God, Moses told Pharaoh, "Let my people go!" The Pharaoh said, "Who is the Lord that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord and I will not let Israel go." Again and again, Moses returned and demanded freedom for his people. Again and again, Pharaoh refused. God sent plague after plague upon the Egyptians. In response, Pharaoh hardened his heart and persecuted Moses and the people of Israel. A paradox? No, God was teaching Moses and the people of Israel to persevere, to obey, and to wait upon the Lord in patient trust for God's perfect time for deliverance.

What is God teaching you? Be learnable.

Quit being a Rat

Our culture scoffs at both the Father and Jesus Christ. As believers what will be our stand? Confronted by the Philistines and mocking Goliath, David believed that someone had to wipe away from Israel the reproach caused by Goliath's insults. David determined that someone was himself. Will you like David determine that someone is yourself? Will you stand up for God’s honor like young David? Will you turn and run or stand and fight in God's name?

You don't need a sound theological understanding to combat those who would mock God. The "smooth stones" are the truths you pull out from the Bible. The battle and the outcome belong to the Lord. Ref 1 Samuel 17:1-53