One of the notes in my Bible really made me think about verse 34, ““My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.”” Jesus makes a very good point about where He has gotten His nourishment. He got it from giving. How many times have I short changed myself from God’s blessing by simply receiving and not giving of myself to others. How much more fulfilled would I be if I gave as much as I received?
The other passage that got me thinking is the story of the government official and his faith in Jesus’ promise. When Jesus said, “You may go. Your son will live.” the man did not hesitate. He simply left and took Jesus at His word. I need to be more like that. I need to be the one who takes Jesus at his word, knowing He will always be with me.
Daily Devotion 
I have a couple of thoughts on today’s reading. First in verse 42 when the people told the woman at the well, “We no longer believe because of what you said, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this really is the Savior of the world.” (John 4:42 HCSB) That’s so true, we have to experience the love of God for ourselves. I grew up with parents that raised me in the church and it would have been easy for me “believe because of what they said”, but God was good enough to reveal himself to me and now I have a relationship with Him that is my own.
The second thought I have is in reference to to Jesus healing the officials son. So many times we have problems and circumstances in our lives that we wonder why God would allow something like this to happen. I’m sure the official thought the same thing about his son. But Jesus clearly pointed out, “Unless you [people] see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” (John 4:48 HCSB) God does things in our lives so that He can be glorified. It may not seem good to us in the moment, but He can use anything to reveal and glorify Himself to us.
Ok I know I’ve missed posting the last few days but I have been doing the reading. I am without a computer tonight so trying this from my phone and will this be brief.
I find myself marveling at the entire Samaritan woman story. It sort of feels to me like Jesus is setting her up. The whole asking her for water so he can turn the tables. Then when she asks for the living water he tells her to go get her husband. Why do you suppose he asked her to do that? Then it seems he sets her up to declare him a prophet so he can reveal to her that he is te Messiah. The entire dialogue intrigues me.
i want to let you borrow my book “beautiful outlaw,” by john eldredge. he describes this very conversation in detail. man, it’s incredibly enlightening! there’s so much personality behind every word.
I really enjoy how Jesus explained worship to the Samaritan woman, “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. It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. 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.” To me, this means that our passionate love for God must work its way into our daily lives. Our pursuit of truth (our pursuit of Him) will rock our very core. Sidenote: I’ve been to one of the wells that was supposedly owned by Jacob! It’s amazing to physically see the places the Bible describes. If I ever had a doubt in Jesus, it was destroyed on that trip! If you haven’t yet gone, you should. It will solidify your faith in a way that nothing else can.