Category: Daily Prayer

Friends, with heavy heart but out of love for each other I am canceling all church activities (including worship, Sunday School, Confirmation and bible study) until March 31st. I will be available in the church office, by phone, email or text for anyone during this period. I will livestream my sermon at 10 am on my Facebook page the next two Sundays and post the video on the two church FaceBook pages and my website (pastordougolson.com) as well. Please pass this information to those who may not have FaceBook or the web. I am saddened by the need for this but following the example of our District office, schools and other organizations, I believe this to be the best course of action for now. Prayers and blessings, Pastor Doug

Our scripture this week is John 4:5-42.

Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?” “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”
John 4:31-38

Jesus first uses an example that confuses the disciples, and later one they could relate to in order that they might understand what He is calling them to do. They are often slow to see His point. He is trying to get them to understand for themselves the joy of doing God’s will and the amazing opportunity they have to share His love.

He has led them to a foreign place where they are out of their element and perhaps a little uneasy. After they arrive, the disciples react in a human way by going to get food. When they return Jesus tells them “my food is to do the will of He who sent me”, an indication of how essential it is to obey God and follow His plan for us, to tell all the world that His kingdom has come near.

He continues the lesson about working for the kingdom with the comparison to the harvest, that the “fields” of humanity are ripe, waiting to hear the promise of salvation. Jesus shows them that their call is to reap a harvest of believers for the Lord, bringing their brothers and sisters the Good News of God’s love.

Wise and wonderful God, our task for You is awesome! Help us to be the harvesters of righteousness, drawing all to You in love. Amen.

The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.” Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?” Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him. John 4:25-30

The Samaritan woman initiates the discussion of the Messiah to come and Jesus verifies His identity to her. She goes to the town to spread the word as the disciples return, somewhat confused as to what is happening. Jesus had led them to a foreign country and now seems to be sharing their blessing with these “other people”.

There are two lessons for us here. The woman is inspired to go share the Good News with others. She uses a phrase that Jesus has used, inviting people to “come and see”. She had only spoken with Jesus for a few minutes, yet she has become an effective disciple. We don’t need massive theological education or long experience to share our joy in Christ. Telling others about our relationship with Him is the only requirement.

The lesson for the disciples (and us) is that sharing the blessing of Jesus with others will multiply, not diminish, our blessing from Him. Christ’s love for us is immeasurable and it can only grow as we continue on the path He has called us to follow. This passage shows that His love is intended for everyone, everywhere, regardless of their status or culture.

Loving Lord, we are often selfish, even after receiving the gift You offer, unwilling or afraid to share it as You have called us to do. Make us energetic disciples, ready to tell the Good News of Your love to our brothers and sisters. Amen.

Our scripture this week is John 4:5-42.

The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” He 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.” “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
John 4:15-24

The children of Israel had split into two separate kingdoms following the reign of King Solomon – Israel or Samaria to the north, and Judah to the south. Because they had been one country, there was enmity between them. Thus, the Samaritan woman is surprised that Jesus would engage in conversation with her. He tells her things about her life and she is convinced He is a prophet.

She speaks of both country’s worship practices, which were virtually the same, except for location – the Jews worshipped at the temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem, while the Samaritans held Mt. Gerazim as their place of worship. Jesus tells her it will not matter where people worship God but that they must “worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth” (v. 23). He indicates that it is more important that we approach God in love and honesty, no matter where or when or how we worship.

Jesus speaks to an issue we still face today. God wants only to love and connect with us. He doesn’t care what day of the week, time, place or style of worship we practice as long as He is the focus of our intent. He calls us to love each other and respect our different needs for worship – silence, prayer, praise, whatever is needed to honor God. We must remember that where, when or how we worship is far less important than who we worship and why.

Gracious God, help us to see our worship in new ways, allowing all to come before You in spirit and truth. May our praise draw us closer to You and renew Your spirit in us to follow the call You make on our lives. Amen.

Our scripture this week is John 4:5-42.

“Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?” Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
John 4:11-14

Do we sometimes hear the wrong message from Jesus? Not that Jesus ever sends us a wrong message, but we sometimes miss the meaning. We may not be intentionally rejecting what He tells us, but in our humanness we sometimes misunderstand.

Last week we heard about Nicodemus who was unable to get the true meaning of being born again, at least right away. Today the Samaritan woman tells Jesus “the well is deep and you have nothing to draw with”. Actually it is she who has “nothing to draw with” from the well of living water until she believes in Christ and His message of salvation.

We must listen carefully to the lessons Jesus brings us, making sure we hear His word and not a message filtered by our earthly desires or expectations. Jesus wants only the best for us, but it is up to us to choose the living water He offers.

Loving Lord, we often miss the meaning of Your message of hope to us because we only hear what we want to hear. Open our ears to Your love and help us to resend that love to all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this week is John 4:5-42.

So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. ) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
John 4:5-10

This story begins as many do with Jesus and His disciples arriving at a place after a long dusty journey. The disciples scurry off to take care of the logistical needs, but Jesus takes the opportunity to speak to a woman at the well. How often does this sound like us, ensuring the coffee is made and donuts are out on Sunday morning but failing to invite our community to join us in worship?

Jesus has several lessons to teach us in this passage. First, He was never too tired to reach out to others. Next, even though this woman is a member of a group that Jews do not associate with, He continues the conversation with her. He may in fact want her to draw Him a drink of water (remember He was as human as we are) but He wants to share the message of God’s love with her.

Jesus teaches that we should be ready to share the Good News regardless of our energy level or to whom we are speaking. Our brothers and sisters need to hear Christ’s message and we are the ones chosen to bring it to them. Let the light of Jesus shine through you in every situation.

Loving Lord, we are weak and easily distracted from our duty to You. Help us to remain focused on our duty to share the Gospel no matter what our situation. Amen.

Our scripture this week is John 3:1-17.

Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
John 3:1-17

Jesus tells us “You must be born again” (v. 7) to teach us the level of change in our lives needed in order to become the people God intends us to be. There is no alternative method, no backup plan. If we truly desire to be the children of God, we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in us and through us to bring about this change.

In scripture we hear of many who are touched by Jesus and instantly accept the call He places on their lives. Others, such as the Pharisee Nicodemus in this lesson, take a bit longer. It is up to each of us to choose this spiritual rebirth Jesus offers us.

Listen for the invitation Jesus gives you. Feel the Spirit move you to new acceptance of the role you have to play in God’s creation. Be born again through this love and go to share it with all our brothers and sisters.

Gracious God, we are often insensitive to the message You send, resisting the movement of the Spirit and the tasks You have for us. Help us to be born again through Your love that we may be the children You intend us to be. Amen.

Our scripture this week is John 3:1-17.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
John 3:16-17

“God so loved the world” – probably the best known verse in all of scripture, quoted by Sunday School children, learned theologians and even non-believers. We see it on signs behind the goalposts at the Super Bowl and on the ragged cardboard of those asking for cash at major intersections. What about this verse speaks so deeply to all of us?

It tells us that God loves the world, all of us, everything. He doesn’t just love those of a certain denomination or nationality. Peter tells us “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right” (Acts 10:34-35). For the people of Jesus time, this was a novel idea (and it’s still hard for some to believe).

Our God is everyone’s God and He wants all of His children to turn to Him and know the love waiting for each of them. We have been called to help share that love without partiality just as God does. God sent us the gift of salvation through His only begotten Son that we might be saved and know just how much He loves the world.

Heavenly Father, in Your mercy You sent Jesus to us that we could see Your love in person, and learn to be Your love to others. Help us to share this wonderful gift with all Your children everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this week is John 3:1-17.

No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
John 3:13-15

Jesus goes directly to the most important point of His lesson to Nicodemus – “that everyone who believes may have eternal life in Him” (v. 15). He has moved to the heavenly things He spoke of before in order to reach out to the Pharisee, that Nicodemus may see God’s law is love and obedience, not merely petty rules to be scrupulously obeyed and used to shame others.

Jesus tells him that “the Son of Man must be lifted up”, an indication of the Crucifixion and Ascension to come. We are called to continue to lift Him up as our Savior and example, living as He taught us and sharing the Good News with everyone.

Nicodemus may not have understood immediately, but as scripture tells us he was there for Jesus later (John 19). We may not comprehend everything Jesus has to teach at once, but He tells us faithful persistence will allow us to learn.

Gracious God, we fumble for human knowledge which won’t make us wise and power that can’t save us. Help us to see Your love and truth embodied in Jesus and become the people You intend us to be. Amen.

Our scripture this week is John 3:1-17.

“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?”
John 3:9-12

Jesus used many different things to teach us about the Kingdom of Heaven. He knew we would not understand how Heaven really is because we can’t comprehend its glory and majesty. Often He told us “the Kingdom of Heaven is like…” and used an earthly example to try to help us envision it.

Now speaking to Nicodemus, He underscores that point in verse 12 “I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?” Jesus wants us to know what the kingdom of heaven is like, but He knows we can’t take it all in at once.

Listen to what the Lord has to share with us and don’t try to run ahead. Jesus knows our capabilities and our limitations. Listen to the earthly examples we can relate to and as we learn and grow, we will better understand the blessings of Heaven in store for us.

Loving Lord, our understanding is never complete, but You continue to reach out to us in Your love and care. Help us to pay attention to Your word and the plans You have for us to be Your representatives. Amen.