DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT WEDNESDAY - JESUS CHANGES LIVES. Part 2.

In the midst of a generation screaming for answers, Christians are stuttering. - Howard Hendricks.

"Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?" - John 4:29. Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me all that I ever did." - John 4:39.

"Millions of surveys which we have helped to take around the world indicate that approximately 98 percent of the Christians do not regularly introduce others to the Savior." - Bill Bright.

Yesterday in Part 1, we were looking at the ministry of Jesus, and recognised that He was never satisfied with a “Status Quo” ministry. Jesus risked His reputation as a Jewish Rabbi and Leader, as He confronted the woman at the well. He changed her life, and He still changes lives to this day.

The changes that He wants to make are in people. I believe that we have a “principle of change” here in this situation, and that Jesus used it as He touched the lives of people. It is the principle that we must use as an extension of Christ Himself, as we minister to the lost.

In John 4:4-42, Jesus puts this “principle of change” into action, as He changed the lives of a Woman, His Disciples and a Town full of People. These verses are incredibly powerful, for they speak to us as individuals, and as universal body of believers, that we too must be in the ministry of change, a ministry that changes the lives of people. Having risked His reputation...

JESUS ANSWERED HER QUESTIONS

Another reason the woman at the well came to accept Jesus, is because He dared to answer her questions. Those outside of Christ, in the world, have hearts and lives that are full of questions and most of them are legitimate, as were the questions of this woman. Honor Christ and let him be the Lord of your life. Always be ready to give an answer when someone asks you about your hope. - 1 Pet 3:15.

Q1. Why Are You Talking To Me?
This woman was questioning the motives of Jesus! Her question was valid because of the long standing feud between her people, the Samaritans, and the Jews. Likewise, the world questions our motives, because of certain televangelists that have created doubt and suspicion about the motives of Christians.

But let's not lay all the blame on them, their are things that we have said and done have also created suspicion on the part of the unsaved, and they are not sure about the changes we want to bring about in their lives, are worth it. Jesus' motive was love, and His love reached out to show her that she needed a drink of the living water, that only He could give her. The love of Jesus is a “principle of change!” Hallelujah! What an awesome God we serve!

There is nothing you can to do make God love you more! There is nothing you can do to make God love you less! His love is Unconditional, Impartial, Everlasting, Infinite, Perfect! - Richard C. Halverson.

Q2. Where Can I Get This Living Water?
This woman not only questioned Jesus' motive, but also His method. She reminded Him that He had no bucket to draw water with, and the well was deep... Where do you get that living water?

The method Jesus would use was His own life, He was the living water that she needed to drink. People are thirsty for this living water today, and they will try to quench that thirst, with any and every drink. Our method must be the life of Jesus flowing through us, and we must offer a thirsty world a drink from this living water of Christ. Hallelujah!

The response she gave to Jesus was mocking. She was not interested in having to make many trips for the physical water. No matter what the response is when we answer the world's questions, we must continue to offer them the living water of Jesus. To drink from the living water Christ that offers, means to thirst no more. Jesus and Jesus alone quenches our thirst forever. Jesus lovingly brought this woman closer to change, by answering her questions.

The young salesman was disappointed about losing a big sale, and as he talked with his sales manager he lamented, "I guess it just proves you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink." The manager replied, "Son, take my advice: your job is not to make him drink. Your job is to make him thirsty." So it is with evangelism. Our lives should be so filled with Christ that they create a thirst for the Gospel. – Preaching.

Loving Father, help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to risk my reputation, and be ready to change my life, so that I may be instrumental in changing other people’s lives. Help me to lovingly answer any legitimate question that people ask, that they may be won for Jesus, and thirst no more in His Kingdom! In His wonderful name I ask this. Amen.

LET’S TELL A THIRSTY WORLD THAT THE LIVING WATER IS AVAILABLE NOW!

Be encouraged!
GBYAY

Tomorrow in The Conclusion of JESUS CHANGES LIVES... Jesus Makes Her Face the Real Issue.