Conversations that Count: Challenge

"Meanwhile the disciples were urging Him, saying, 'Rabbi, eat.' But He said to them, 'I have food to eat that you do not know about.' So the disciples were saying to one another, 'No one brought Him anything to eat, did he?' 

"Jesus said to them, 'My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work. Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, life up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest. 

"Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal; so that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this case the saying is true, 'One sows and another reaps.' I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored and you have entered into their labor'" (John 4:31-38, NASB).

Sometimes, I think it can take me a while to see an opportunity to share my faith. I live in a huge city, and I can run across so many people in a day. There are so many things to do in a day, and most of the time, I truly enjoy doing them. How long do I take a moment, though, to pray and notice others around me who may need God? This is a question I'd like to ask myself more regularly.

Even though we may be slow learners at times, take heart in knowing that God is love, and love is patient and kind. We have a wise and all-knowing Father God who knows what's going on inside us as well as in the world around us. We can come to Him with our prayers, knowing that what is asked in faith will be heard.

Let us pray that God opens our eyes more and that he helps us be aware of people who may not know Him yet. Let us pray that we can encourage others and help them see God, who loves us and wants to transform our lives for the better, into a deep, real relationship with Him.

Study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).

Conversations that Count: Celebrating Conversion

"So the woman left her waterpot, and went into the city and said to the men, 'Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not the Christ, is it?' They went out to the city, and were coming to Him...

"From that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, 'He told me all the things that I have done.' 

"So when the Samaritans came to Jesus, they were asking Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. Many more believed because of His word; and they were saying to the woman, 'It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world'" (John 4:28-30, 39-42; NASB).

The inspiring thing to me about this woman is the way she responded to meeting Jesus. She clearly had been changed. She had met the Promised One, and when she realized it, she was thrilled to share about Him with others.

What a joyful moment! She was filled with joy at the thought that this could be the Messiah who had come to save. I pray that we have joy like that.

Let us pray we remember the purpose in sharing our faith with others so that one day, they will meet Christ and have joy like that, too. We can pray others also find joy in knowing who God is and what He's done for us all on the cross and through the Resurrection. May we all find joy in knowing just what it's like to have this relationship of reconciliation and fellowship with our wise Maker and Savior.

Study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).

Conversations that Count: Confession

"The woman said to Him, 'I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.'

"Jesus said to her, 'I who speak to you am He'" (John 4:25-26, NASB).

I would have loved to see the look on this woman's face when Jesus told her that He is the Messiah. Do you remember the first time you realized and received Christ as the Messiah, the Lord who came to earth to save the world?

Jesus made a confession of His identity. Where are our roots, and where do we get our water?

Our confession as believers was made to Christ to receive forgiveness, that we are sinners in need of God. We can make this same confession to others, that God has since forgiven us from our sins and our debts were paid on the cross for those sins. Now, we aren't perfect - we are still human. As believers, God is still working in us. Yet, God has given us this forgiven, new life with Him as a part of His family. He walks with us, guides us and helps re-align us as we continue our relationship with Him.

This Easter season, you may get the chance to invite someone to church. It may help you start a conversation on where your hope is from. We can live with hope and peace because we know and believe that Christ loved us, died for us and forgave us. His forgiveness has covered us, and that is what makes the cross so wonderful. A cross is a symbol of death and condemnation, but Christ turned it into something beautiful as He paid the price for our sins and suffered on one.

No matter where we are at the moment, as believers, we know that having this mended relationship with God is the best thing we have going for us. We have a God who is always there for us, who loves us unconditionally and who suffered in our place, taking victory over sin's hold. Our strength and peace comes from Him, even in challenging or tough situations.

Let us share our faith in Him, His love for the world and how He came to save it. Our confession has helped us, and it could help someone else as well.

Study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).

Conversations that Count: Change

"'Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.' 

Jesus said to her, 'Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 

But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth'" (John 4:20-24, NASB). 

At this point in the story of Jesus talking with the woman at the well, Jesus could have gone into a lengthy conversation about the differences in their religious practices. Instead, He changed the conversation from one about religion into one about the relationship she could have with the Father.

There were many differences between Jews (like Jesus) and Samaritans (like this woman) in that day. Samaritans had some practices that were uncommon to Jewish folk, and some customs and ways they worshiped God were different. Yet, Jesus decided to continue the conversation and focus the discussion on this woman's relationship with God.

If someone does not know Jesus as their Savior, then how would they follow Him?
If someone does not genuinely believe that God is who He says He is, then should they be expected to love God?

This woman needed a life change, but Jesus saw that this would happen through a relationship with Him where she finds her life in God. Our faith in Jesus, this relationship we have with God and the Holy Spirit's power from Him is what enables us to grow and mature in living for Him. Let us approach others with this same consideration, helping them see the importance of a relationship with God made possible by the lovingkindness and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).

Conversations That Count: Concern

"'Go back and call your husband,' He told her, 'and come back here.'

'I don't have a husband,' she answered. 

'You have correctly said, 'I don't have a husband,' Jesus said. 'For you've had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.'

'Sir,' the woman said. 'I see you are a prophet'" (John 4:16-19, NASB).

Jesus showed He cared for this woman by taking time to listen to her. He built openness and trust out of this care. At this point in the story, she didn't quite see yet that He was the Messiah. Yet, He was taking note of who she was individually and then addressed her needs.

In the movie, The Blind Side, Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy showed concern for a high-school aged boy, Micahel Oher. The movie is based on a true story and the book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis. This couple "went big" as they showed concern for Oher, offering kindness to him, seeing potential in him and later adopting him. In the movie, Leigh Anne pointed out that Oher was teaching her, and you can see how this couple acted with sincere hearts and a cheerful spirit. The couple even wrote a book together, In a Heartbeat: Sharing the Power of Cheerful Giving. Oher went on to be an Ole Miss student and football player, and recently won Super Bowl XLVII with the Baltimore Ravens (more at www.nydailynews.com).

A need may not be physical, but showing someone you care by listening to them and showing concern can go a long way. It contributes to building a genuine relationship. Concern can display the love that we can have because of what Jesus has shown us and because of the Holy Spirit who transforms the lives of believers.

Study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Photo courtesy of Gotham Books, found in the photo gallery, "Michael Oher - Beating the Odds" at www.commercialappeal.com.

Conversations That Count: Curiosity

"Therefore the Samaritan woman said to Him, 'How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?' (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 

"Jesus answered and said to her, 'If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.' 

"She said to Him, 'Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep; where then do You get that living water? You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself and his sons and his cattle?' 

"Jesus answered and said to her, 'Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; 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.' 

"The woman said to Him, 'Sir, give me this water, so I will not be thirsty nor come all the way here to draw'" (John 4:9-15, NASB).

There is something about a great storyteller. It is a special talent, I think, but then again, we can learn some things from them. For example, Dr. Seuss tends to stir up curiosity and the imagination of his readers as he gives characters names such as a "Wump" and "Mr. Gump," and then writes about a cat in a hat and a fox in socks. These words have kept many reading in search of just who those characters are.

In John 4:9-15, we can read how Jesus sparked this woman's interest at the well as he used the term "living" water. I can see her wondering something like, "What's this crazy man talking about?" She decided to ask this man what He meant.

Through this, Jesus got the opportunity to share about eternal life found through Him, the Messiah, who was sent by God. This "living" water metaphor helps explain how there is something that can satisfy us more than water. Water for the body is needed, but God satisfies and brings life on a deeper and a longer-lasting level. Words like "thirst" and "springing up" helped Him explain how much greater this water satisfies than physical water from a well.

By using the word, "living," Jesus invited curiosity into His conversation. Today, we can help draw others into the story of God by using metaphors, examples or even using ourselves as a curious character. We can speak truthfully and still use vivid, relevant words to help explain the amazing, saving grace we have found in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

Study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).

Conversations That Count: Common Ground

"...and Jacob's well was there. So Jesus, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, 'Give me a drink.' For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food" (John 4:6-8, NASB).

A common thirst, a common need. When Jesus met this woman at the well, He knew they were from different cultures but picked up on their common desire for water. Being God and man, Jesus knew she needed more than just water - she needed a better relationship with God. So, Jesus took this opportunity to start a conversation with her.

In this, we learn how we can look for ways to start a connection with others and opportunities to share who Jesus is with others. When we come across others, we can ask ourselves, "What do we have in common?"

We are unique people, and yet -

• We live in the same world. What's going on around us? 
• We are all human and have struggles in some way or another. Have you had a similar struggle as someone else? 
• Most importantly, we have the same God who desires a restored relationship with His creation. Does the person know this? 

Lord, help us keep our eyes open for ways we have common ground with others. Give us the words to say, if we're able to connect and share something about You with them. Thanks for taking time to help us know You more. Amen.

Study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Photo from bibleplaces.com.