The Word for Today with Ray: June 2022

Thursday, June 30, 2022

Give Me This Water - John 4:15

John the apostle wrote how Jesus, “came to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. There came a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus said unto her, Give me to drink. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) Then said the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that you, being a Jew, ask drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her, If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that said to you, Give me to drink; you would have asked of him, and he would have given you living water. The woman said unto him, Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from where then have you that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinks of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life”, and in chapter four and verse fifteen of his book, John shared how the woman said to Jesus, “sir, give me this water, that I thirst not” where we read:

The woman said unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come here to draw.

The verse reads, “The woman said unto him, Sir, give me this water, ...” John began with the words, “The woman said unto him” or “the female human being from Samaria uttered, declared and proclaimed to Jesus”, “Sir” which means “One to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord and the title given to God the Messiah”, “give me this water” or “grant, bestow, furnish and supply me, the Samaritan woman, with this spiritual water”. John shared how the “Samaritan woman” asked Jesus for the “spiritual water” of which He was speaking.

The verse goes on to say, “... that I thirst not, neither come here to draw.”. John continued with the words, “that I thirst not” which means “so I, the Samaritan woman, do not suffer from thirst, painfully feel want of and eagerly long for those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported and strengthened”, “neither come here to draw” or “no and not in any way approach and come forth to the location of the well to bale or pump out water”. John shared how the “Samaritan woman” told Jesus she did not want to “be thirsty” nor have to travel to the “well” to “bale and pump out” water any longer.

When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we learn how this “Samaritan woman” desired to have the “water” that would fully satisfy, and although she was thinking about the “physical benefits” of never thirsting or traveling to the “well” to draw water, she found herself in want for that which Jesus offered. God loves people to understand their need for what He supplies, and He is able to give them “spiritual water” that will satisfy their souls. The fulfillment that is found in the temporal, empty things of the world only last for a short time, but when a person yields their life to Jesus, they shall find that He supplies a continuous fountain of satisfying water that gives them rest in their souls.

Next time John shares how Jesus says to the woman, “Go, call your husband, and come here”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

Never Thirsting Again - John 4:14

and his children, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinks of this water shall thirst again:”, and in chapter four and verse fourteen of his book, John shared how Jesus told the woman, “whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst” where we read:

But whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

The verse reads, “But whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst;” John began with the words, “But whosoever drinks” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover whatever person whether male or female who imbibes and receives” “of the water that I shall give him” which means “pertaining to the spiritual water that I, Jesus, will grant, bestow, furnish and supply to the person” “shall never thirst” or “will not in any way or fashion be athirst or feel want and eagerly long for those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported and strengthened”. John shared how Jesus told the “Samaritan woman” whatever person “imbibes” of His “spiritual water” would never again “long for and desire” to be refreshed and strengthened in their soul.

The verse continues, “but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”. John added the words, “but the water” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the spiritual water” “that I shall give him” or “that I, Jesus, will grant, bestow, furnish and supply to the person ” “shall be a well of water” which means “will exist as a fountain or spring of spiritual water” “springing up into everlasting life” or “leaping and gushing up to never ending or ceasing vitality which is real and genuine, vigorous and devoted to God.” John shared how Jesus told the “Samaritan woman” He could provide her and any other person with “eternal, never ending and never ceasing” “spiritual water that would be like a “fountain” gushing up from their souls.

When we consider John's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus was able to provide “spiritual water” that would “fully satisfy” all who partake of it, and the result would be an “eternal” “fountain” that would “spring up” from within them. God knows “temporary things” within the world only “satisfy” a person for a small amount of time, and afterward, they “thirst again”. Regardless of whether it is a material possession, venture, trophy or relationship, there always seems to be a desire for more in only short time after possessing or obtaining that thing. God desires to bring “satisfaction” to everyone through a personal relationship with His Son Jesus, and when they submit themselves to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”, He will provide them with a “fountain” from within that continually supplies their every need.

Next time John shares how the woman says to Jesus, “sir, give me this water, that I thirst not”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Thirsting Again - John 4:13

and his children, and his cattle?”, and in chapter four and verse thirteen of his book, John shared how Jesus told the woman, “whosoever drinks of this water shall thirst again” where we read:

Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinks of this water shall thirst again:

The verse reads, “Jesus answered and said unto her, ...” John began with the words, “Jesus answered” or “the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate whose name means Jehovah is Salvation responded and began to speak” “and said unto her” which means “and uttered, declared and proclaimed to the Samaritan woman”. John shared how Jesus “responded” to the “Samaritan woman” by telling her the following words.

The verse goes on to say, “... Whosoever drinks of this water shall thirst again:”. John continued with the words, “whosoever drinks” which means “whatever person whether male or female who imbibes and receives” “of this water” or “pertaining to the physical water which was drawn from the well” “shall thirst again” which means “will suffer from want, desire and support in thirst more times”. John shared how Jesus told the “Samaritan woman” whoever “drinks” the “physical water” from the “well” would not be perpetually satisfied but would want to “drink” again.

When we think through John's words in this verse, we learn how the “physical water” from the well upon which Jesus sat would only “satisfy” a person's thirst temporarily. Jesus desired to give this woman and every other person “lasting refreshment” which would not be limited by time, but would provide a “spiritual satisfaction” to those who put their “faith and trust” in Him. God loves everyone, and those who yield their lives to Him shall find their “thirsty souls” satisfied to never thirst again.

Next time John shares how Jesus tells the woman, “whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Are You Greater than Jacob? - John 4:12

John the apostle wrote how Jesus, “came to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. There came a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus said unto her, Give me to drink. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) Then said the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that you, being a Jew, ask drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knew the gift of God, and who it is that said to you, Give me to drink; you would have asked of him, and he would have given you living water. The woman said unto him, Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from where then have you that living water?”, and in chapter four and verse twelve of his book, John shared how the woman asked Jesus, “are you greater than our father Jacob” where we read:

Are you greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself,

and his children, and his cattle?

The verse reads, “Are you greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, ...” John began with the words, “are you greater” or “are you, Jesus, larger and of more importance” “than our father Jacob” which means “compared to the Samaritan's immediate progenitor and ancestor Jacob whose name means heel-catcher or supplanter and was the second son of Issac”, “which gave us the well” or “who granted, bestowed, furnished and supplied the hole in the ground which was dug for obtaining or holding water is profoundly deep”, “and drank thereof himself” which means “and his own self imbibed from the well”. John shared how the “Samaritan woman” questioned whether Jesus thought He was of “more importance” than “Jacob” who was the “Father” of the people of Israel because Jacob not only provided them with the “well”, but also “drank” from it.

The verse continues, “... and his children, and his cattle?”. John added the words, “and his children” which means “and Jacob's offspring and progeny”, “and his cattle” or “and Jacob's flock, sheep and goats”? John shared how the “Samaritan woman” wondered about Jacob's “progeny” as well as his “animals” who also “drank” from the “well”.

When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we learn how the “Samaritan woman” continued to question Jesus as she wondered if He was of “greater importance” than “Jacob” who was“fore-father” of the people of all of Israel. Jesus will respond to her question in our next few verses, but for now let it suffice us to know that Jesus is equipped to handle any situation whether on earth or in Heaven. He came to the earth to make a way for mankind to have a relationship with God, and through His death on the cross and subsequent resurrection, every person who yields their life to Him will be forgiven of their sins and receive everlasting life. Let all who read these words answer, “YES”, Jesus is greater than “Father Jacob” or any other person in the world.

Next time John shares how Jesus tells the woman, “whosoever drinks of this water shall thirst again”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Where do You have that Living Water? - John 4:11

The woman said unto him, Sir, you have nothing to draw with,

and the well is deep: from where then have you that living water?

The verse reads, “The woman said unto him, Sir, you have nothing to draw with, ...” John began with the words, “the woman said unto him” or “the female human uttered, declared and proclaimed to Jesus”, “Sir” which means “One to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord and the title given to God the Messiah”, “you have nothing to draw with” or “you, Sir, do not hold, own or possess anything or not one thing with which to bale or capture water”. John shared how “the Samaritan woman” told Jesus He did not have anything with which to “bale” the water out of the well.

The verse goes on to say, “... and the well is deep: from where then have you that living water?”. John continued with the words, “and the well is deep” which means “and the hole in the ground which was dug for obtaining or holding water is profoundly deep”: “from where then” or “separate and apart from what place or location therefore and consequently” “have you that living water” which means “do you obtain, hold, own and possess the vital, full of vigor, fresh, strong and efficient water”? John shared how the “Samaritan woman” knew the depth of the “well” was “deep”, so she wondered about the location from where Jesus could possess the “living water” about which He spoke.

When we consider John's words in this verse, we learn how the “Samaritan woman” questioned the “physical capabilities” of Jesus. She was looking to the “natural” world which would require some type of “drawing” instrument to gather water from the “deep well”, and since Jesus did not have anything of that sort with Him, she wondered how He could “obtain and possess” “living water”. Jesus is not limited to the “natural world” but is able to operate in the “supernatural spiritual world”. He will tell more of what this “living water” means in our next few verses, however, let us know Jesus is not limited by what we “see, know or perceive” but is able to go beyond any expectations and limitations we perceive. Those who are wise will yield their lives to the “All-knowing One” as their personal “Savior and Lord”.

Next time John shares how the woman asks Jesus, “are you greater than our father Jacob”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Wednesday, June 29, 2022

If You Knew the Gift of God - John 4:10

John the apostle wrote how Jesus, “came he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. There came a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus said unto her, Give me to drink. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) Then said the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that you, being a Jew, ask drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans”, and in chapter four and verse ten of his book, John shared how Jesus told the woman what she would do if she, “knew the gift of God, and who it is that said to you, Give me to drink” where we read:

Jesus answered and said unto her, If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that said to you, Give me to drink; you would have asked of him, and he would have given you living water.

The verse reads, “Jesus answered and said unto her, If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that said to you, Give me to drink;” John began with the words, “Jesus answered and said unto her” “Jesus who is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate whose name means Jehovah is Salvation” “If you knew” which means “whether you, the Samaritan woman, understood, perceived, noticed, discerned and discovered” “the gift of God” or “the gratuity belonging to the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”, “and who it is that said to you” which means “and what person exists who uttered, declared and proclaimed to you, the woman from Samaria”, “Give me to drink” or “grant, bestow, furnish and supply me, Jesus, with a drink of water”. John shared how Jesus told the “woman from Samaria” if she was aware of who He was that was asking her for a drink of water, the following would be her response.

The verse continues, “you would have asked of him, and he would have given you living water.”. John added the words, “you would have asked of him” which means “you, woman of Samaria, would have inquired and requested from Him, Jesus”, “and he would have given you” or “and He, Jesus, would have granted, bestowed, furnished and supplied to you, woman of Samaria” “living water” which means “active, blessed, full of vigor, strong and efficient water”. John shared how Jesus said the “woman from Samaria” would have made a “request” of Jesus, and He would have provided her with “active, strong and efficient water”.

When we think through John's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus responded to the “woman from Samaria's” statement by telling her “if” she knew who was speaking to her, she would have requested “living, eternal water” from Him. God's desire is to help people “spiritually” and “physically”, and because this woman only had the idea of a “physical” relationship with God and others, Jesus wanted her to know about His “living, blessed, full of vigor, strong and efficient” water. In other words, Jesus wanted this woman to enjoy “everlasting water” or “life” with Him forever. Those who are wise will ask Jesus for His “living water” to be freed and forgiven of their sins and to receive “everlasting life” with God.

Next time John shares how the woman told Jesus, “sir, you have nothing to draw with”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.