Category: Daily Prayer

This is a very different time for all of us. There are real concerns in our world, but we must not let those fears lead us to despair. Let’s all pause, pray, and persevere through our current trouble. Listen to rational voices that call us to care for each other, not the “every person for themselves” panic. Trust in God and those who are striving in His name to prevent the spread of illness. Follow the precautions that are being recommended and help protect the most fragile among us. Check on each other in love and remember that isolation to prevent the spread of infection does not have to mean being out of touch. Above all, trust in God, know He is with us in everything. Here is our reading for today, Psalm 95.

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.

We may worship differently this morning and our world may seem a fearful place, but God cares for us and will hear our prayer.

Loving Lord, be with us in our distress. Bless those who are ill, calm our fears and lead us to the comfort only You can provide. Amen.

Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers. They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”
John 4:39-42

Jesus knew that God loved everyone, and that all people needed to be brought to His truth. He went to Samaria, a place that Jews normally avoided, with a twofold purpose. By reaching out to them, Jesus showed them they were included in God’s plan of salvation. He also taught His disciples that this was the way they were to share His love.

Jesus always set the example for us to follow. He gave us two important instructions, often called the Great Commandment and the Great Commission – love God and neighbor, and make disciples of all the world. In this visit to Samaria He demonstrates both.

Jesus still calls us to the same action. He didn’t say it would be easy but He said it was necessary. By our obedience to these, we can know the joy of being in relationship with God and each other, sharing the love He first shared with us.

Heavenly Father, we are amazed that You choose us to help fulfill Your purpose. Bless us to be the face and the voice of Your love to everyone. Amen.

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.