“What you’re called does not matter and where you go to worship does not matter.” ~~Jesus

It is not about what religious group you are born into. It doesn’t matter what church you go to.

Jesus is challenging us. He is clear.

It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God..Our worship must engage our spirit in the pursuit of truth.That’s the kind of people that Jesus is out looking for. Those who are simply and honestly themselves before God in their worship.

Jesus challenges us to know that God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration. It is not what religious group you were born into. It is not what church you go to.

“But the time is coming—it has, in fact, come—when what you’re called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter.” ~~Jesus (John 4:23 The Message)

“You worship guessing in the dark; we Jews worship in the clear light of day.”~~Jesus

Jesus challenges us to worship in a clear way. Sometimes we are just guessing. That is not the way of God’s chosen people.

God is light. He is so clear there is nothing but truth in Him. No guessing; just clarity.

Our worship needs to be the same way.

“You worship guessing in the dark; we Jews worship in the clear light of day.”~~Jesus (John 4:22 The Message)

“Believe me, woman, the time is coming when you Samaritans will worship the Father neither here at this mountain nor there in Jerusalem.” ~~Jesus

Jesus challenges us to know that worship is going to church or any specific location. It isn’t where you worship; Baptist Church, Catholic Cathedral, Jewish Synagogue, Muslim Mosque. What is important is do you worship the one true God? Do you reach him through Jesus?

Jesus challenges us to one of those who are simply and honestly themselves before God in their worship. That is all.

May I worship God simply and honestly today.

“Believe me, woman, the time is coming when you Samaritans will worship the Father neither here at this mountain nor there in Jerusalem.” ~~Jesus (John 4:21 The Message)

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• Was God at Church Today? (fbccanaan.com)

“These fields are ripe. It’s harvest time!” ~~Jesus

Jesus knows things we don’t. He challenges us to wake up. He looks out and doesn’t just see people. He sees a field that is ready to be harvested. He sees people who are ready for God’s world (Kingdom).

Jesus challenges us to see the same things. We can’t be complacent. We must not think someone else will do what God wants us to do right now.

We must rise to the challenge Jesus has for us. It is harvest time.

“These fields are ripe. It’s harvest time!” ~~Jesus (John 4:35 The Message)

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“You spoke the truth there, sure enough.” ~~Jesus

Jesus knows us. Jesus knows us to our core. We can try to evade the truth but Jesus knows the truth. So there is no point in even trying.

The kind of people our Father is out looking for are those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. He wants that kind of relationship with us.

“That’s nicely put: ‘I have no husband.’ You’ve had five husbands, and the man you’re living with now isn’t even your husband. You spoke the truth there, sure enough.” ~~Jesus (John 4:18 The Message) 

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“Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth.” ~~Jesus

Jesus challenges us to worship God in a way we have never known before. Do we think worship is sitting in church singing the hymn and raising our hands?

Worship is at the core of who we are in pursuit of who God is. Are we pursuing God in our worship? Are we heads over heals going after Him? Are we engaged with Him like never before? Jesus wants us to know that God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration.

 “Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth.” ~~Jesus (John 4:24 The Message)

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“Go call your husband and then come back.” ~~Jesus

Jesus knows everything. There is no reason to pretend otherwise. He knew the “Woman at the Well” had been married 5 times and the person she was living with right now wasn’t her husband. He knew she would answer “I have no husband” when he would ask her to go get her husband.  He also knew that operating with the Spirit of Wisdom would get her attention to listen to God’s word for her.

When she left the encounter, she would say to others, “Come see a man who knew all about the things I did, who knows me inside and out. Do you think this could be the Messiah?” A word of Wisdom can make a huge difference.

May I operate with the Spirit of Wisdom that God gives me to help others encounter Jesus.

“Go call your husband and then come back.” ~~Jesus (John 4:16 The Message)

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“I am the Messiah. You don’t have to wait any longer or look any further.” ~~Jesus

Jesus challenges us to know who He is. He is clear. He is straightforward. He is the Messiah.

The woman he was talking with casually mentioned she was waiting for the Messiah to be revealed. She couldn’t have been expecting this response from the man who wanted some water.

The conversation got interrupted. She had heard enough. She went and spread the word.

Jesus has revealed himself to us. What are we waiting for? Why do we act like we are continuing to look for Him?

“I am the Messiah. You don’t have to wait any longer or look any further.” ~~Jesus (John 4:26 The Message)

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“The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life.” ~~Jesus

Jesus challenges us to look beyond a cool bottle of water. This world and all it offers doesn’t satisfy. Jesus brings to us satisfaction and a life that never ends.

Jesus challenges to look around us, the bread we eat, the water we drink, the clothes we wear and see them for what they are. Temporary items of this world that never satisfy us. We consume and always want more. It is never enough. In GOD’s world (Kingdom) we are always satisfied.

“The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life.” ~~Jesus (John 4:14 The Message)

“Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever.” ~~Jesus

Eternity is a long time. Think a billion years. Not enough. A trillion years. Not enough. It is hard enough to think of 100. Jesus wants us to wrap our minds around the enormity of what GOD can and will do. GOD is GOD.

Jesus offers the Holy Spirit and life for all eternity. It is an unconditional offer. It is ours for believing in Him and GOD.

Jesus challenges us to drink His water and be satisfied. It is enough. We don’t need anything else.

“Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever.” ~~Jesus (John 4:14 The Message)

“Go home. Your son lives.” ~~Jesus

You come to Jesus. You beg him to personally come and heal your son who is dying. Jesus puts you off. Won’t go see him and heal him. Jesus makes a blunt statement that all you are interested in is miracles. Jesus challenges you. Will you be put off? Will you slink away? Do you have faith?

This man did not slink away. He had faith and kept at Jesus. He begged. He pleaded. He knew Jesus could heal his son. So, Jesus says to him:

“Go home. Your son lives.” ~~Jesus (John 4:51 The Message)

He went home. His son was healed. Just as he believed and just as Jesus said.

Jesus challenges us. Do we really believe?

“Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again.” ~~Jesus

Jesus challenges us to not be deceived by things in this world. In God’s World (Kingdom), you can drink water and be satisfied. Thinking that water in this world really satisfies us is a deception. It is the Spirit of God that satisfies us. We must drink of that water. We must be thirsty for that water. We must focus on God’s World not this world.

“Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again.” ~~Jesus (John 4:13 The Message)

“I’m telling you to open your eyes and take a good look at what’s right in front of you.” ~~Jesus

Jesus challenges us to see the opportunities right in front of us. We need to see what God is doing rather than what He isn’t doing. We need to see what God is doing today not what we think He is going to do 4 days from now or 4 months from now or 4 years from now. He is doing amazing things today. He wants us to tap into that today. The fields are ready to be harvested. He needs workers today.

“Well, I’m telling you to open your eyes and take a good look at what’s right in front of you.” ~~Jesus (John 4:34 The Message)

“The food that keeps me going is that I do the will of the One who sent me, finishing the work he started.” ~~Jesus

Jesus challenges us to focus on the main thing. It isn’t about what our next meal will be or what will be on the menu. It is about doing what God wants us to do right now. Doing God’s will step by step, every day. All those steps add up to His grand plan for His world (the Kingdom).

Doing what God wants right now is our source of energy.

“The food that keeps me going is that I do the will of the One who sent me, finishing the work he started.” ~~Jesus (John 4:34 The Message)

“Unless you people are dazzled by a miracle, you refuse to believe.” ~~Jesus

You come to Jesus. Your son is sick and is going to die. You ask Jesus to come and heal him. Jesus puts you off. That’s right, Jesus doesn’t just hop to it to do what you want. In fact, He challenges your motives. This is your opportunity to slink off or stand firm.

Jesus challenges us. Do we believe in him or will we give up?

“Unless you people are dazzled by a miracle, you refuse to believe.” ~~Jesus John 4:48 (The Message)

“It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God.” ~~Jesus

We get caught up in the wrong things. What church do we go to or what denomination do we belong to. How good is the worship team or choir. What school did we graduate from. What neighborhood do we live in. What is my title at work. How much money we earn. What car do we drive. The list goes on and on.

Jesus challenges us down to our core. What is my relationship with our loving God and Father? Do I love Him and Him only? Do I seek with all my heart to please Him every day? Do I love the people in my life the way He loves me?

That is all that is important. Jesus challenges us to live that way.

“It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God.” ~~Jesus (John 4:24 The Message)

“I have food to eat you know nothing about.” ~~Jesus

It can be confusing to talk with Jesus. We’re talking this world and He’s talking about God’s world. He challenges to see things from God’s perspective; from His world. So, when we talk about food that isn’t the kind of food He is thinking about. This seriously confused His disciples when He was here. It can confuse us today if we aren’t careful.

May I see things His way and not my way.

“I have food to eat you know nothing about.” ~~Jesus (John 4:32)

“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.”~~Jesus

Jesus knows first hand the generosity of God. When we ask for a drink of water, he reminds us (challenges us) to focus on what is important. Water will quench our thirst for a brief period of time. Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit (living water) who empowers us for all of eternity. We have that now.

May I drink from the living water of Jesus and realize the power of His Holy Spirit. May I realize that now.

“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.”~~Jesus (John 4:10)

“Would you give me a drink of water?” ~~Jesus

Jesus asks a question. Simple and to the point. He was thirsty.

Jesus also knew where the question would lead and that the conversation would change this woman’s life.

It really didn’t matter what her answer was going to be, He was going to have the conversation. So, it isn’t about the question as much as it is about the conversation. True with Jesus. True with us. But it did start with a question.

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.)  (John 4:7-8)