Water of Life

"Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:13-14 (NIV)


In John 4, you will read a story about a woman who had a very long drought in her life. She had been in a series of relationships with men that she thought would satisfy the needs of her heart.

"He (Jesus) told her, "Go, call your husband and come back."

"I have no husband," she replied.

Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true."

As the ole country song goes, "Lookin' for love in all the wrong places". Maybe all your "wells"- your relationships are all dried-up. You've been abused in your life by your dad, a step-father or an uncle. Somewhere along the way you feel all used-up, you're ruined and no one wants a girl that has been violated. So, you find yourself being a loser-magnet and settling for men who mistreat you; continuing to violate you. You set the bar low because your self-worth is very minimal.

Maybe you had a dad who ran out on you a long time ago. Not realizing that he ran out on your mom- not you. You try to find acceptance and security in any guy who gives you the attention you need. You figure that if you give yourself up to him, he will stay with you. The next thing you know these guys get the one thing they want and they leave you anyways. Leaving you feeling worthless, regretful and devalued.

Lonely. Wanting to experience love- you give yourself up to someone in order to wash away the loneliness. Know it's wrong to have sex but, you do it anyways. You figure, even for a moment, you can be in the security and love of a companion. You realize these moments are fleeting. The pain and emptiness afterwards far exceeds the feeling of love.

Just like the woman in this story, you are desperately needing something to satisfy the thirst. Jesus is saying to YOU, "whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

Jesus is talking about a source of spiritual fulfillment that no one on earth could ever offer you- and it would be everlasting. If you are willing to receive it, Jesus will fill you with a source of peace and satisfaction in your soul.

Pray: "Jesus, I am sorry for cutting off the source of your love in my life. Because of my poor decisions, my sins, I have separated myself from you. My heart is broken and my life is full of pain. I need your forgiveness and cleansing on my life. I want to pin all my trust on you. I realize now that you died on the cross for me. Thank you for being the ultimate sacrifice so that I can be saved and have an eternal relationship with You. I love you, Jesus"

Don't go another day without Jesus. Feeling devalued? He sees you as priceless. Full of regrets and pains? He wants you to cast all your anxiety and pain on Him. Feeling lost and alone? He wants you to be a part of His family eternally.

Jesus loves you so much. He is the lover you've been longing for.

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"Positive Attitude - It Changes Everything"

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"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than success, than what other people think of, say or do. It is more important than appearances, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company,... a church,... a home.

The remarkable think is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play the one string we have, and that is our attitude... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes."

Charles Rozell "Chuck" Swindoll (born October 18, 1934) is an evangelical Christian pastor, author, educator, and radio preacher

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Funny Humor for Friday V

Dedicated to my good friend who loves Post-its!

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Dollar Bill

There were two old dollar bills. One was a $100 dollar bill and the other was a $1 dollar bill. The $100 dollar bill said, "I've lived a good life. I've been to the amusement park, the theater, the zoo and baseball games."

"Wow," said the $1 dollar bill. "You sure have had a good life."

"Where have you been?" asked the $100 dollar bill.

"Oh, I've been to a Baptist church, a Methodist church, a Lutheran church and an Episcopal church."

The $100 bill said, "What's a church?"

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Christian One Liners

Prayer
God answers Knee-Mail.

The Boss
Under the same management for over 2000 years.

Insomnia Cure
If you can't sleep, try counting your blessings.

Nutrition
The best vitamin for a Christian is B1.

Yummy
Try our Sundays. They're better than Baskin-Robbin's.

Cosmetic Surgery
Come in and have your faith lifted.

Seating Arrangements
Where will you be seated in eternity? Smoking or non-smoking?

Tithing
Give God what's right -- not what's left.

Which Way?
Man's way leads to a hopeless end -- God's way leads to an endless hope.

Two Ears
Since God gave us two ears and one mouth, He must have wanted us to do twice as much listening as talking.

Stand
If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.

Anger
The person who angers you, controls you!

Flying
If God is your Copilot - you're in the wrong seat!

Unconditional Love
Yes, God loves us all, but He favors "fruits of the spirit" over "religious nuts!"

Forbidden Fruit
A forbidden fruit will create many jams.

Greatness
You can tell how great a person is by what it takes to discourage him.

Best Formula
1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given. (Love it!)

Problems
The problem ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.

Peace
Peace starts with a smile.

Benefits
Working for God does not pay much, but His retirement plan is out of this world.

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I hope this puts a smile on your face and a chuckle in your belly!

Have a wonderful weekend.

A reminder: Church is this Sunday =)

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All posts are the sole property of the Heart Like Jesus blog. You must obtain permission to use any of the information on this blog.

Guilt

"When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Selah " Psalm 32:3-4

There was a time in David's life where he was consumed by shame... guilt. It was eating away at him slowly to the point that he could do nothing but think about his regrets. His past was literally draining the life out of him.

It is easy to be manipulated by memories; controlled by the past. Silently punishing yourself with shame. Guilt takes over and it consumes your thoughts and can make you physically ill. You can never look forward at the hope of the future, because you are constantly replaying your past over and over.

Pastor Rick Warren said, "We are products of our past, but we don't have to be prisoners of it."

God’s purpose for you life isn't miserable guilt. God specializes in giving you a “fresh start.”

David found the answer to fixing his guilty past, read verse 5: "Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD " and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah."

There is forgiveness and hope waiting for you if you are willing to receive it. Don't hide it, don't bundle it up inside until it consumes your very being. God wants you to release it- confess your guilt to the Lord and He will forgive you.

"Selah" ; the Hebrew translation can mean to pause or to lift up.

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"Unfailing Love" - Chris Tomlin

"But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me." Psalm 13:5-6 (NIV)

As you look back at 2008 or further, you will find regrets. You are holding on to guilt, heart-ache and shame. This is not a place God wants you to stay- ridden by regrets. God loves you. If you reconcile with God, he will release you of all your guilt and shame. No matter what you did in your past- God is always waiting to forgive you.

Please listen to this song by Chris Tomlin, titled "Unfailing Love". Meditate on the words and believe!

God has a plan for you. He loves you so much that He created you. You are intentional in design- and He will never give up on you.

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A Simple New Year's Resolution

There is still time to make a New Year's resolution!

A friend had asked me, "Did you make any New Year's resolutions?". Joking, I said, "Yes, my New Year's resolutions are not to make a six figure income and to not smoke." Pausing, I continued to say, "I have a hard time keeping resolutions. I picked these two, because I know for sure I will be successful at them!"

I already am a non-smoker, I never smoked, and I never have any intentions of smoking... resolution success!

I am far from making a six figure income and unless I receive an ENORMOUS increase in pay... this too will be a resolution success!

Tongue in cheek humor of course. My friend knowing me well, laughed.

Seriously though. Have you tried the monumental vows? Lose 30lbs. Eat really healthy. Read through the Bible in a year. Stop smoking. Be a better husband. Be a better mom. Work harder. Be smarter. Read 10 self-help books and be a better person... Uggh!

This list is discouraging, no wonder we are miserable. We are setting ourselves up for failure before we even begin our journey.

Please note, these are great commitments and I commend any of you who have the "stick-to-itiveness" and succeed in your promises to yourself. The other 95% of us fail after the first quarter of the year and go right back to our old habits.

I have learned years ago to set short term goals at the beginning of the year and as you continue to accomplish those goals, set longer ones.

I don't know about you, but when I fail at my goals I feel worse than when I started.

Here are some examples of how to be successful in your goals for the new year:
* Instead of saying, I will be a better dad or mom this year. (Undefining what that means).
Say, "I will find one activity that my kid and I can do together." As the year progresses, add another activity, then another. Our kids want to be noticed and feel prized. Give them that one-on-one time they desperately desire!

* Instead of trying to read through the bible in a year.
Switch your way of thinking and say, "I will read the bible every day for 30 days. As you build your new habit and discipline, add another 30 days... and so forth." When you successfully hit each milestone, you will feel good about conquering the next one.

* Instead of trying to stop smoking cold turkey.
This is just an idea. Since I am not a smoker, but it's the advice of a previous smoker.
If you smoke a pack a day- only allow yourself half a pack. Set a goal, "In one week I will only smoke half a pack. In another week, I will only smoke 5 cigarettes a day. On week three, I will only smoke 3 cigarettes a day." Until you are down to 1 cigarette as a reward, then to none at all.

* Instead of trying to exercise 5 days a week and starve your body in order to look thin.
Switch your way of thinking and say, "I will work out 2 days a week for 30 days. My goal is to lose 5lbs." You will feel very good when you achieve this very obtainable goal, that you will then push for another 30 days and increase your workouts and try to lose 8 more pounds the following month.

You see, it took years for us to gain the bad habits in our lives. We lie to ourselves into thinking we can change the course in a matter of days or weeks. It takes time. The simple secret is setting little milestones of success to keep your spirits high and your determination strong.

If we set ourselves up for failure, then we will never accomplish the goals set in front of us.

Trust me when I tell you that I need to follow these example more. This simple plan only works when you actually do them =P

The first thing to do each day is to ask God for strength and perserverance. Ask Him to give you the power to break the chains of your bad habits and addictions. Without God, we will fail- with God all things are possible!


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"Set Me Free" - A Victorious Year

"Set Me Free" - Casting Crowns

If you are unable to view the stream or if it's going too slow, go here: Watch Video


This drama skit was performed by VWOC Teen Drama Group called "SHOCKWAVE".

What chains... what baggage are you carrying into 2009? Hatred? Greed? Maybe you suffer from Rejection... or Depression. Are you shackled by the grips of drugs... heavy drinking... or perversion?

God wants you to be a Winner and Jesus wants to set you free from your bondage.

JESUS DIED ON THE CROSS TO SET YOU FREE!

He has taken on the bondage of our sins for us, but we must be willing to let it go and give it over to Him. Let today be the day you release all your hurts and habits to the one who loves you most. Let today be the day of Victory!

The Bible says, "And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 5:10-11 (NIV)

There is restoration and strength waiting for you. Restoring the brokenness and hurts. Strength to resist the habits that has severed relationships around you. All you need to do is pray that Jesus will set you free. Ask Jesus into your life; allowing Him to transform your mind and soul forever.

All these years you've been doing it your way- and it's not working! Trust in Jesus and He will give you a new life. A life full of hope, blessings and healing.

"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

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All posts are the sole property of the Heart Like Jesus blog. You must obtain permission to use any of the information on this blog.