"Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony" (Jn 4:39 ESV)

Jesus awed a woman with his authority and power after a short conversation. She was so excited about what she was hearing she ran off to get her friends, forgetting her water jar at the well.

That's when John writes, "Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, 'He told me al that I ever did'" (Jn 4:39 ESV) I'm really impressed with her friends. They eagerly believed and were excited with her excitement. They didn't doubt, question or act skeptical.

Note that they weren't blind believers. "So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, 'It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.'" (Jn 4:40-42 ESV)

I need to be believing and not a doubter (Jn 20:24-29)

"But when he came to himself ..." (Lk 15:17 ESV)

Even though the "Lost Son" was blowing away his father's money on wasteful & sinful things, he didn't come to his senses. He ignored his problem.

Even though the "Lost Son" lost all his money and a famine hit, he didn't come to his senses. He ignored his problem.

Even though the "Lost Son" hired himself at the most disgusting job there could be, feeding pigs, he didn't come to his senses. He ignored his problem.

Finally, he got hungry. So hungry he wanted to eat pig food. Pods, or shells, of the good food. That's when the Jesus says, "But when he came to himself, he said, How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!'" (Lk 15:17 ESV). Poor guy, I wish it didn't take him so long to think about it.

I realized a few years ago the value in admitting, acknowledging and owning up to sin and problems. I try to think about what I'm doing, and more often than not, I can see that what I'm doing is sinful. It's through the grace of God that I can know right from wrong and by his help that I can turn away from it.

The only way I'll ever know right from wrong is by reading his word as often as I can. I urge you all do the same. God's word and help is the only way I can be saved.

Jesus clarifies what correct authority & rule is

I was reading through Mark 7-14 today, and I was struck by the theme of bad authority and rule. The stories in the first half of these chapters seem to address the problem of people grabbing more power, authority and rule than they should:

1) 7:1-23 :: the Pharisees complain about Jesus' disciples not washing hands & Jesus condemns their use of scripture & traditions
2) 8:11-12 :: the Pharisees won't listen to Jesus unless he proves himself to them with a sign
3) 9:2-13 :: Jesus' authority & rule is confirmed by God in his transfiguration
4) 9:14-29 :: in healing a man's possessed son, we see that the disciples were weak in their own belief and faith while Jesus' authority was solid
5) 9:33-37 :: the apostles demonstrate their confusion over authority & rule by arguing about who would be the greatest
6) 9:38-41 :: the apostles want to punish someone for working without (their perception) of Jesus' authority

The topic really continues through some more chapters, but you get the idea.

I need to be careful as a brother & teacher that I don't say (or try to say) more than I should. Relying on God's word, and its own strength, is all I should ever do.

"Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven" (Mt 16:17 ESV)

Peter makes his bold confession "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" and shows his belief in Jesus even when others started to turn away from him. (Mt 16:16 ESV) I feel proud to be a Christian when I read passages like this or hear my sisters and brothers making bold confessions.

Today I started thinking about Jesus' comment, "Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven". (Mt 16:17 ESV) How exactly did Peter get this revelation? Was it:
* "Zapped" into his brain by God, the Father?
* A "special" and "secret" revelation that Peter heard and others didn't?
* Or was it merely the result of seeing Jesus' miracles (by the power of God) and hearing Jesus' message (the words of God) and taking the time to think about it?

God reveals his will to us when we read his word and consider what he's said and what it means for our lives. I don't think I have to sit on the couch to be moved by God to learn. Reading God's word "moves" me. When I love what I read and consider, I am: 1) moved closer to him and 2) moved on to better and better things. However, if I read his word and reject what it says, it moves me farther and farther away from him.

When people saw Jesus cast out demons and reacted by saying that Jesus was using the power of demons, they were "moved" by God's revelation. Sadly, they were moved in the wrong direction.

I pray that I will listen to God's word and always move forward with him.