April 2 - Believe Jesus

Read: John 4:46-54

Jesus said to him, "Go; your son will live." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. (John 4:50 ESV)

Belief is such a powerful thing. It compels people to behave in ways that are all over the place. Some responses to it are rational. Some are strange to say the least. History, even recent history, has shown us that some people react to belief with violence. In the gospels we see that people frequently responded to Jesus by believing in him. Today is no different.

We can believe in him. He stands apart from everyone and everything else in history. And that belief is not misplaced.

Like the father from John's story we will see a remarkable difference in this life by placing our belief in the Lordship of the incarnate Son of God. It will mean spiritual healing. Sometimes it may mean literal physical healing. It will certainly mean an eternal destiny in his Kingdom.

However, belief alone is not enough. Belief is the starting point for the recognition of our need for him. Submission, surrender, is the move that brings us wholly into his holy family.

February 21 - Love People

Read: John 4:1-42

The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?" ( For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) (John 4:9 ESV)

Cultural, racial, and spiritual differences have existed for thousands of years, rooted in the inherent wickedness of men. Jesus ignored all of that the day he sat at Jacob's Well and chatted with the Samaritan woman. His willingness to ignore social taboos and ridiculous cultural differences gave him a platform by which he ministered to many people during his earthy ministry.

We should love people. All people. Regardless of ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or even religion. If we are to follow in the steps of Jesus we have to love that way. He did.

Sometimes that means crossing literal physical boundaries. Other times it may mean crossing cultural or social boundaries. The end result is always the same. It creates an opportunity to show the love of Christ to someone that is in some way different than we are. We have no right to judge the value of person simply based on their difference to us. Just thinking that way lends itself to incredulous arrogance.

Love people and love God. Let Him work out any changing on their part that might need to happen. Our job is just to help thirsty people discover the well of eternal living water that exists in Jesus Christ.

Water the Flower

Spring is a wonderful season full of flowers, and although it's still not technically spring for a few more days, we all know that nature doesn't wait to do it's thing simply because men decided to stamp a name on a calendar.  Spring also happens to be my favorite time of year.  All the signs of life creep up all around us and blossom into serene visages of warmth and color.

The other day I was chilling on the couch and happened to catch movement out of the corner of my eye.  A quick peek between the curtains and I saw our dear elderly neighbor walking off our porch, a flower-filled vase left on the small decorative stool my wife keeps near the front door.  It was an incredibly sweet gesture.  She returned a few minutes later to ring the doorbell and let me know that the flowers were there and that they needed water.  I thanked her, engaged in a few moments of small talk, and then returned inside to my Xbox and the quiet morning.  The flowers went to the windowsill.

The next day one of the flowers had fallen off the stem.  The whole thing just fell completely off.  There was still one pretty flower left, until the next day.  It fell off too.  Then it hit me.  I had completely forgotten to water them.  Oops.

When people first come to faith in Christ, they are often fully blooming.  They are excited, they are full of life, they often want to share their story with everyone around them.  Over time this often changes, not always, or even in every situation; but many times Christianity just becomes a kind of status quo.  One so full of religiosity that all it really does is replace the previous state of misconduct and sin that the person previously existed in.  This is unhealthy, unnatural, and depriving.  New Christians need help in their early development.  They need encouragement, accountability, instruction, and deep relationships.

For those of us who are already in right relationship with God, it is our mandate to help shape, disciple, and encourage those new to the faith.  Jesus spoke in John 4 about wells of eternal living water, we're not that...and never will be; but we might be the gardener God uses from time to time to help pour into someone fresh in their faith.  Think about it.  Have you helped water any flowers lately?