[Faith-talk] Fwd: Morning Thoughts for Monday, April 3, 2011

[Amy Ragain]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Stephen Smith <stevesmith1943 at me.com>
> Date: April 4, 2011 7:05:53 AM CDT
> To: Morning Thoughts 1 <stevesmith1943 at me.com>
> Subject: Morning Thoughts for Monday, April 3, 2011
> 
> Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.
> (Joshua 1:7, NIV)
> 
> - From Bible Promises for iPhone
> http://biblepromises.reigndesign.com/
> 
> Blessed Monday my friends, my loved ones!!  What a day of rejoicing this will be for those whose destiny is to love and serve our Lord and Savior today!!  I learned something yesterday that had escaped me for so very long.  When Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well, in the heat of the day, He had such an amazing and powerful impact on her that she left her waterpot there at the well, as she ran to the town to tell all about her encounter with the Savior of the world!  That waterpot symbolized her needs, worries, cares and burdens.  To have carried it during the hottest hours of the day symbolized her very great need, for most carried their water pots in the evening, when temperatures began to moderate.
> 
> The very words, spoken by the Son of God, so changed her perspective on life that she left the waterpot at the well, all of her worldly needs, desires, burdens, fears, worries and cares.  She ran to the town, filled with new life, energy, vigor, to tell everyone of her life-changing encounter with the Savior of her soul.  Reflect and think for a moment - would you be able to muster that same kind of courage?  Would I?  We meet the Savior every day in prayer, in reading of the Word, in listening to a sermon from a Godly preacher.  Are our lives so radically changed?  If not, I suggest it is because we have failed to allow the Holy Spirit work in our hearts as He Wills.  We have built a wall around our souls, not to keep out evil, but to keep out the very Will of God.  That stone wall around our hearts effectively blocks out the radiance, love, compassion, strength and courage God intends for all His children.
> 
> All of us, who have reached the age of understanding of right and wrong, good and evil, know very well that we are powerless against the enticements, excitement, and pleasure that sin brings into our lives for a season.  But those of us who have lived in that season for a period of time all too painfully acknowledge that the result of that life is death.  Death is by separation from all that would otherwise bring joy, hope, love, peace, long-suffering, and a true excitement for life itself!  This same power of love, which God has poured out on us is responsible for my friend Zach to venture into India with a team to bring Good News to those they encounter.  It is paving the way for my friend Tyler and his family to prepare for and be available to God for whatever missionary purpose He sets before them.  When I hear of their faithfulness, my heart is again stirred to leave my waterpot at the well, and rejoice in the opportunity God has given me to share the Good News of His Love, His Salvation from all the evil of this world!!
> 
> Blessings and love as you carry your waterpots, or not.
> 
> <3Steve:-))