Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Monday November 2, 2009 and we are continuing our studies in the book of John, please read chapters 4-5 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-november-2

Today's Message: A Child of God
Being a child of God has nothing to do with race or religion, being a child of God is all about accepting in and believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior.

Many people mistakenly believe that a person has to be a certain race, religion, or act a certain way to be a child of God. The truth is this, while we are all created by God there are simply many who choose not to believe in and accept Him into their lives. However, He chooses those whom He knows will believe in Him to be His children, every human being on this earth can be a child of God. Jesus taught His disciples that every person has a right to be a child of God. Jesus sat down at Jacob's Well while His disciples went to the village to buy food. It was there that He met a Samaritan woman. “Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.” - John 4:5-9. All Samaritans were despised by the Jews. Consequently, our Lord surprised her by asking for a drink of water.

He continued talking with her, showing that He was free from Jewish prejudice, “Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. …....Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.” - John 4:10,13-18. Undoubtedly, the Samaritan woman was astonished at the words of Christ, He revealed Himself to this woman as the fulfillment of her great spiritual need, for she was thirsty for something that neither her religion nor the world could satisfy. “Living water” is reminiscent of metaphors used in the Old Testament which contrast the continuously available and refreshing spiritual resources of God with the temporarily satisfying nature of the things of this world. Earthly water only satisfies temporarily. Spiritual water that Jesus offers satisfies eternally. The temporal satisfaction provided by earthly water is analogous to the temporary satisfaction one obtains from the things of this world. Once a person becomes dependent upon the things of this world for happiness, that person is a slave to the emotional stimulation afforded by them. Only the eternal, spiritual living water of Christ can provide a person with a hope and purpose for life that transcends the temporal nature of the things of this life.

This is a great example for how we are to witness. Instead of constantly being on the defensive, our witnessing should be structured in such a way that it helps others recognize their spiritual need. As a result of this one encounter, the circle of Jesus’ ministry expanded to embrace many who would believe in Samaria. Jesus was and is the Savior of Jew and Gentile alike. Just because salvation is to come from the Jews did not mean that Gentiles were not to benefit. “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.” - I Corinthians 12:12-14.

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Lord, I confess that there are times when my spirit becomes stagnant after I veer off course and am pulled into the murky waters. Draw me to the cleansing fountain of Your saving blood which flows from the cross of Calvary. It is there that springs of living water quench my thirst and invigorate my spirit so that I am refreshed in the Holy Spirit and renewed in my resolve to follow You all the days of my life. In Jesus' Name I pray........Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed day/night
God Bless You,
Christina

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Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Saturday October 31, 2009 and we are completing our studies in the book of Luke, please read chapters 23-24 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-october-31

Today's Message: Do You Know?
God's Word tells us that we can know for sure that we are saved. Do you know for sure?

As we continue to read about salvation through the Gospels, we learn more and more what salvation truly is. It's easy for us to believe someone who tells us that when we call on Jesus as our Savior we are saved by His blood, but it much harder to believe once saved, always saved. Many religions stress that we must continue the work of Christ or be baptized to keep our salvation. However, this can not be further from the truth and is proven time and time again that one does not have to be baptized or even live righteously to keep his/her salvation. It is a gift given by the grace of God and does not return void. “but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:” - II Timothy 8b-10.

As Jesus was being crucified two other men were being crucified also, Jesus was hung in between the two thieves. “And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.” - Luke 23:32,33. On one cross was a hardened criminal who sank deeper into sin and defied and railed upon the Savior. On the other cross was one who, although a criminal, defended Christ. “And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” - Luke 23:39-43. The second man knew Christ really was and repented that very second. He did not have time to get baptized, he certainly had no time to show any works. He just called on Jesus to save him and joined Him in heaven. There is no reason to doubt that this thief was a great sinner and deserved to die, but he was suddenly saved.

Christians rejoice in the cross of Christ, for it was there that He paid the price for our redemption, not by works, but by our faith in Him. “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” - Galatians 2:16. And we rejoice also in the resurrection of Christ, for it assures us of our heavenly home with Him. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” - Titus 3:5-7. This is the great and glorious hope of every Christian, the comfort at the graveside of a loved one, the victory that removes the sting of death, and the anticipation that we too shall be made heirs with Jesus. It is wonderful to know we have been forgiven of all our sins and have the assurance of soon being with Christ, but until that time, we can praise Him that we have been set free from Satan, hell, and the power of sin. Never let a person, priest, or pastor tell you that you are not saved or can lose your salvation. ALL are saved who call on the Lord Jesus as their Savior. Even if you committed the worse sin ever after you accepted Jesus as your Savior you can not lose your salvation. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:23.

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Lord Jesus, You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. You have given us the road map to follow through the guidance of Your Holy Scriptures. You have established that Your way is the only way to eternal life. It is the only way that we can have victory in our walk here on earth and the assurance of a victorious eternity in heaven. Though Scripture describes the Christian’s walk as being a straight and narrow path it certainly has steep inclines and its route will also take me through deep valleys.  If I wander off-course I’m grateful for Your Holy Spirit who reminds me of my commitment to follow You, once again calling me to my heavenly destination. In Your Name, Jesus.......Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed day/night
God Bless You,
Christina

Need More Inspiration?
Visit: I'm Following Jesus!
http://www.readytofollow.com/

Missed A Lesson?
Go to: Daily Bible Study
http://www.readytofollow.com/daily-bible-study

Learn About Salvation Only Made Through Jesus Christ
Go to: I'm Ready to Get Saved
http://www.readytofollow.com/salvation