"But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." (John 4:14 NIV)

Jesus talks to a woman at a well

The longest one-on-one conversation with Jesus, recorded in John 4:4-26, is with a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. On a hot day, when Jesus was worn out and thirsty from a long journey, He stopped at the well to rest and to get a drink of water. A Samaritan woman was there, drawing water from the well, and He spoke with her. The conversation was unusual because Jesus didn't follow the well-established religious rules of the day.

First, he was traveling through Samaria rather than walking around it, as most Jews do to avoid Samaritans. Second, Jews weren't supposed to speak with Samaritans. Third, men weren't permitted to speak with women without their husbands present. Fourth, rabbis had no business speaking to shady ladies such as this one.

The woman focused on the law; Jesus focused on grace

"You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman," she reminded him. "How can you ask me for a drink?" (John 4:9 NIV).

Jesus kept the conversation focused

“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 4:10 NIV).  After more questions from her, “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 4:13-14 NIV).

The woman misunderstood Him

She thought Jesus was talking about the regular kind of water and therefore meant that she wouldn't have to get water from the well anymore as she usually does, so she asked Him for some. “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.'" (John 4:15 NIV)

Living water is a different kind of water!

Like many people today, the woman at the well misunderstands what Jesus meant when he said, "The water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." (John 4:14 NIV). He was actually talking about the Holy Spirit. This is made clear in the seventh chapter of the gospel of John, when Jesus identifies the "streams of living water" that flow from within those who believe in him as the Holy Spirit. “On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’” (John 7:37-38 NIV).

“Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. (Heb. 7:25 NIV)

Completely saved!

That means totally, entirely, wholly, thoroughly, fully, utterly, absolutely, perfectly, unconditionally, quite, altogether, downright; in every way, in every respect, one hundred percent, every inch!

How is this possible to be saved completely?

Two reasons are given in the passage at the top of the page.

• First reason: You are saved through Jesus. The verse says, “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him…” You are saved completely because It's done through Jesus. 

 “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:6 NIV)

And because your salvation is through Him, you can have complete confidence that He will keep it completely safe! 

 “For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (2 Tim. 1:12 KJV)

• Second reason: Jesus lives to intercede for  you! The verse says, “because he always lives to intercede for them.” To intercede means to mediate, intermediate, arbitrate, conciliate, negotiate, moderate; Intervene, interpose, step in, act; plead, petition, and advocate. This is what Jesus does for you! “

“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.” (1 Tim. 2:5-6 ESV)

Therefore

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Phil.1:6 NIV)

“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” (2 Chron. 16:9 NKJV)

Have you ever watched little children at play in a public playground? The children will often look up to make sure their parents are looking at them. Every now and then, a child will say, “Look, Mommy! Look, Daddy!” Naturally, the parents are watching because they love and care about their children.

It's wonderful to know that God loves us (John 3:16) and constantly keeps His eyes on us, too!

I know He watches me!

One of my all-time favorite gospel songs, His Eye Is on the Sparrow, was written by Civilla Martin and Charles Gabriel in 1905. The lyrics were inspired by a story in Matthew 10:29, which tells how God knows when a small sparrow falls to the ground, and yet, we are more valuable to Him than they. The chorus is very joyful, and I often have it running through my head.

“I sing because I’m happy.

I sing because I’m free.

For His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me.”

Therefore

“But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.” (Psalm 33:18 NIV)

“Then the Lord said to him, ‘What is that in your hand?’ ‘A staff,’ he replied.” (Ex. 4:2 NIV).

When things seem dire, it's easy to lose hope

Perhaps your supplies are low, and the need is very big; it even looks impossible. But, be encouraged: when you follow God’s instructions and you do what He says to do, He can cause what you already have in your hands to produce miraculous results.

The Bible is filled with many examples of this.

• A boy’s lunch feeds thousands

Jesus prayed over a small amount of loaves and fishes, then placed them into the hands of His disciples, and the miracle continued as the loaves and fishes kept dividing in their own hands as they fed thousands!  “Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.” (Matt. 24:19b NIV)

• A desperate mother’s last meal doesn't run out 

A mother was down to her last, and all seemed hopeless for her and her son! She told the prophet Elijah that she planned to eat her last meal and then die!

Elijah instructed her to use her remaining flour and oil to prepare a meal for him, demonstrating a remarkable act of faith, and assured her that her food would not run out! He blessed her for following his instructions. The food she already had did not run out! (1 Kings 17:10-15)

• Moses had a staff in his hand

A Pharaoh's daughter rescued Moses, a Hebrew baby, from the Nile River (Ex. 2:5). Then, he was raised and educated to become a leader. However, his life took a harsh turn when he defended a fellow Hebrew from an Egyptian beating. He killed him and tried to cover up the crime (Ex. 2:12), but was found out and then fled to live a hidden life for the next 40 years in the backside of the desert. Then one day, God spoke to him out of a flaming bush (Ex. 3) and told him that he was to do what seemed impossible—to deliver the Hebrew children from Pharaoh’s evil control. Moses was filled with fear, objected, and gave God excuses for why he couldn't do what God had said. Then God asked him a question, “Then the Lord said to him, ‘What is that in your hand?’ ‘A staff,’ he replied.” (Ex. 4:2 NIV).

Moses had a staff in his hand! It was a walking stick! It was merely a piece of wood! But it’s what God worked His power through to enable Moses to do miraculous things, like parting the Red Sea (Ex. 24:21).

So, what has God placed in your hands?

It doesn't really matter what it is, big or small; God can use it if you have the faith to allow Him to! (Heb. 4:2)

Therefore

“Commit your works to the Lord And your plans will be established.” (Prov 16:3)

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Col 3:17 KJV)

“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matt. 7:11 NIV)

Pray humbly 

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chron. 7:14 NIV)

Check your motives

“When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” (James 4:3 NIV)

“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” (Jer. 29:12 NIV) 

Pray at all times for all things

“Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.” (James 5:13 NIV)

 “Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made into a burden." - Corrie Ten Boom

“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:26 NIV)

It is wonderful that we can talk to God who chooses to hear us!

We are made righteous because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ. (Rom. 5:9). And, because of it, we can approach God boldly through the thing called prayer. (Heb. 4:16)

Prayer is having a conversation with God

“The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.” (Prob. 15:29 NIV)

“The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.” (Prob. 15:8 NIV)

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16 NIV)

 "Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the one who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference." - Max Lucado

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” (1 John 5:14 NIV)

The above verse is about praying according to God’s will. You do that by looking God’s Word to find out what it says about w. There are many passages of scripture on that topic. Here are just a few.

God’s will is for you to be thankful

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thess. 5:18 ESV)

God’s will is for you to be pure

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality.” (1 Thess. 4:3 ESV)

God's will is for you to be doing good

“For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.” (1 Peter 2:15 ESV)

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what  does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8 ESV)

God’s will is for you to walk wisely

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.” (Eph. 5:15-20 ESV) 

God’s will is that all people will be saved

“This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim. 2:3-4 ESV)

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” (Psalm 143:8 NIV)

What is love?

·      God is love - “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” (1 John 4:16 NIV)

·      Attributes of love - “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” (1 Cor. 13-4-5 NIV)

The greatest love

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13 NIV)

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 KJV)

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” (1 John 3:1 NIV)

Therefore

·      Bear with one another in love - “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Eph. 4:2 NIV) 

·      Love others because He loves you - “We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 5:19 NIV)

·      Be established in love - “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love.” (Eph. 3:16 NIV)

·      Be devoted in love -  “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (Rom. 12:10 NIV)

What they said about God’s love

“Though our feelings come and go, God’s love for us does not” – C.S. Lewis

“The nature of God’s love is unchangeable. Ours alternates all to readily. If it is our habit to love God with our own affection, we shall turn cold towards Him whenever we are unhappy.” – Watchman Nee 

“When the time comes for you to die, you need not be afraid, because death cannot separate you from God’s love.” – Charles Spurgeon

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (1 Tim. 2:1-2 NIV)

People behaving badly

It has been discouraging to watch the televised riots these days and observe the vitriol coming from unhappy people of political opinion behaving badly. A follower of Christ, however, should not be a party to this kind of behavior, and stir up conflict, but should instead pray for the leadership, no matter who they are. “A perverse person stirs up conflict.” (Prov. 16:28 NIV)

How should followers of Christ behave? 

“If my my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chron. 7:14 NIV)

Show respect to everyone even if you disagree with them 

“Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.” (1 Peter 2:17 NIV)

Seek peace by praying to the Lord for it

“Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” (Jeremiah 29:7 NIV)

God can change hearts

“The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.” (Prov. 21:1 NIV) 

“He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason; he makes them wander in a trackless waste. They grope in darkness with no light; he makes them stagger like drunkards.” (Job 12:23-25 NIV)

“To get nations back on their feet, we must first get down on our knees." - Billy Graham