Surprise. Even shock. These can be part of the experience when knowledge is suddenly discovered.
But revelations are also the source of wider and deeper understanding, resulting in personal challenge that leads to change.
Watch for new insights that result from taking these next few moments to listen for what God might have you know.
SATURDAY, March 29 Raise the Rafters!
Psalm 95:1-7a MSG
Come, let’s shout praises to God,
raise the roof for the Rock who saved us!
Let’s march into his presence singing praises,
lifting the rafters with our hymns!
raise the roof for the Rock who saved us!
Let’s march into his presence singing praises,
lifting the rafters with our hymns!
And why? Because God is the best,
High King over all the gods.
In one hand he holds deep caves and caverns,
in the other hand grasps the high mountains.
He made Ocean—he owns it!
His hands sculpted Earth!
High King over all the gods.
In one hand he holds deep caves and caverns,
in the other hand grasps the high mountains.
He made Ocean—he owns it!
His hands sculpted Earth!
So come, let us worship: bow before him,
on your knees before God, who made us!
FRIDAY, March 28 Cascade of Living Waters
Romans 5:3-5 MSG
There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!
A cascading fountain of living water:From one stage to another we grow.
Suffering through troubled times
tumbles down into patience,
endurance tempers our souls.
Patience bubbles up and then falls
into a basin of character and virtue.
The bowl fills and flows forth into Hope.
And the pool of Hope?
The opportunities abound for
An infinity of containers cannot catch the Living Waters of hope,
God flows into every aspect of our lives,
And Spirit-Love becomes a part of us.
Go forth this day expectant -
Patiently seeking God's abundant love
Poured forth into the pools of our lives.
THURSDAY, March 27 On the Threshold
Romans 5:1-2 MGS
By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.
Of God revealed, Love enacted,
Grace freely flowing.
We stand freed from our expectations,
Our insecurities and limitations.
Behind us linger our doubts and ignorance,
Our pride meshed with an egocentric idea of success.
Beyond the threshold,
In a Spirit-empowered fountain of Living Water,
Lies opportunity, hope,
Gifts of peace, joy, and faith.
Stand on the threshold of glory,
Feast on the face of God,
Prepare to leap into a new life!
Hallelujah!
WEDNESDAY, March 26 Knowing
John 4:41-42 GNT
Many more believed because of his [Jesus] message, and they told the woman, “We believe now, not because of what you said, but because we ourselves have heard him, and we know that he really is the Savior of the world.”
I say I believe.
I utter words of faith.
I try to walk the walk.
But do I KNOW?
With a depth of comprehension
That erupts from within
And shatters all previous perceptions.
Do I KNOW with an awareness
of God at work in all I see around me?
Do I KNOW through experience,
through a witness of God-grace,
and the revelation pf new life?
The sun is rising in my eyes,
Another day, another opportunity, presents itself.
What will I learn this day of the God I proclaim?
What will I do that demonstrates this knowledge?
How can I share what I KNOW with others,
so all may know.
As the sun sets this evening,
may such knowledge be revealed,
in me and through me.
TUESDAY, March 25 A-ha Moment
John 4: 28-30 GNT
Then the woman left her water jar, went back to the town, and said to the people there, “Come and see the man who told me everything I have ever done. Could he be the Messiah?” So they left the town and went to Jesus.
The light bulb turns on;
The mind explodes with awareness.
The student looks in wonder,
Somewhat grasping, but excited.
It's the 'Aha' moment in the classroom.
When a morsel of truth is revealed,
And the student begins to nibble.
For the woman at the well,
An 'Aha' of Truth has come.
God is revealed; Grace abounds.
In her excitement, she abandons her water jar.
She deserts her past, the guilt of sin,
And runs to exclaim, to shout her joy.
Uncertain where this revelation may lead,
She proclaims the truth she has seen.
An opportunity to glimpse the revelation of God-grace,
And be freed to a new life.
MONDAY, March 24 Thirst
John 4:13-15 MSG
Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life.”
The woman said, “Sir, give me this water so I won’t ever get thirsty, won’t ever have to come back to this well again!”
We all thirst.
On hot, dry days,
the thirst is physical.
A yearning in our bodies for water -
Life-giving liquid.
The dehydration can kill.
Yet, we all thirst for more.
We thirst for acceptance,
respect, and love.
We thirst for relationships that build unity,
For the touch of one another in compassion.
We thirst for worth,
A sense that what we do counts ...and matters.
This thirst is spiritual;
Yet the dehydration can also kill.
Come to the well.
Drink of God's eternal waters.
Drink...
And thirst no more.
SUNDAY, March 23 Well Encounter
John 4:7-10 MSG
A woman, a Samaritan, came to draw water. Jesus said, “Would you give me a drink of water?” (His disciples had gone to the village to buy food for lunch.)
9 The Samaritan woman, taken aback, asked, “How come you, a Jew, are asking me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” (Jews in those days wouldn’t be caught dead talking to Samaritans.)
10 Jesus answered, “If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you fresh, living water.”
Trapped in a self-proclaimed role.
Held captive by societal norms
Who am I to speak to the stranger?
Keep to my position,
Dare not not respond.
A man asking, not demanding!
A Jew no less!
But I hear a
Voice of compassion.
Who is this man?
Who is this God?
What is this living water?
Dare I drink?
His presence radiates peace,
His demeanor an echo of hope.
His words fill me with worth.
A revelation of transformation.
Who IS this man?
Who is his God?
Dare I drink of this living water?
Dare I?
---
We worshipped today at Shalom Mennonite Fellowship, the parent church of CHRPA and our hosts for these two weeks. I enjoy the informality of the services and especially the quality of the singing! The regular minister was gone today, so my scribble is based on the Call to Worship, a short poem quote by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
We worshipped today at Shalom Mennonite Fellowship, the parent church of CHRPA and our hosts for these two weeks. I enjoy the informality of the services and especially the quality of the singing! The regular minister was gone today, so my scribble is based on the Call to Worship, a short poem quote by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
BENEDICTION BLESSING....(d365.org - Carol Harston)
Go now, willing to be set free
By words that bring new life,
By grace that brings new light.
By words that bring new life,
By grace that brings new light.
Prepare yourself for knowledge that brings peace
Which knows no limits.
Which knows no limits.
God is giving you reasons to be hopeful
And a new song to sing.
And a new song to sing.
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