Gospel of John

“Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

John 4:13, 14

To most Americans, clean running water is often overlooked as a blessing. Here are a few facts to give us a better perspective on the need for water worldwide.

- 3.575 million people die each year from water-related disease. (1)

- 98% of water-related deaths occur in the developing world. (1)

- 884 million people, lack access to safe water supplies, approximately one in eight people. (2)

As you probably know, many organizations have been created in order to travel through the developing world and drill new wells to provide clean water for villages. Although we could certainly send cases of Aquafina around the world… instead it is a much better idea to drill for new, clean water sources that will provide water for years to come!

Jesus uses an analogy in the Gospel of John about providing water that will quench our thirst forever. As athletes, we understand thirst a little better than most people. I never knew what thirst was until I was given a water break after two-a-day practices or track conditioning. In those times of thirst, nothing could satisfy like cold, clean water. Jesus tells us, through his water analogy, that he offers us something that will completely satisfy all our needs and desires.

My challenge this week is to think about the things in our lives that we use to fill ourselves up. Are we grabbing for an Aquafina every time we feel lonely and defeated or is there a well deep within us that satisfies all our needs.

- Matt

1. World Health Organization. 2008. Safer Water, Better Health: Costs, benefits, and sustainability of interventions to protect and promote health.

2. UNICEF/WHO. 2008. Progress on Drinking Water and Sanitation: Special Focus on Sanitation.

Gospel of John

“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.”

John 3:19

A few weeks ago I heard this charge given to a group of men:

Let’s say that tomorrow you wake up and commit yourself towards not judging anyone. You get dressed for work, grab a bite to eat in the kitchen and jump into the car. I am willing to bet that by the time you get to work, you have failed to not judge. Maybe you make it two blocks down the road until someone cuts you off and you find yourself muttering words about the driver of that car. Or maybe you pull up to a stoplight and notice someone driving an old, junk car that hasn’t passed an E-Check in three decades and you find yourself instantly judging the driver. Whatever the case… you won’t make it very far on your own efforts.

Can you relate? On our own, we are incapable of living life free from sin. In fact, once we realize how hopeless we truly are, I think there are generally only two options.

The first option is to continue living life like we always have. On this path we may try to succeed a few more times on our own, but eventually we lose hope and justify sin in our minds as acceptable. At the end of our lives our best bet is to cross our fingers and hope for the best.

The second option is that we fully understand the ugliness of sin. Sin is detestable. We know that alone we are no good. Understanding that we are sinful gives us a reason for a savior.

My challenge this week is to think about which category you relate to most. Realizing that we are completely defenseless on our own against sin is hard to face sometimes but the Bible has great news for those of us that are tired of trying alone.

“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.” John 3:16

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

- Matt

Gospel of John

“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.”

John 3:16

Over the weekend, Joe Coffey told a story from the book of Mark about a man with leprosy. The man came to Jesus and at his feet he begged, “If you are willing you can make me clean.” Pastor Coffey began to explain what the two imperative parts of being a savior are. They included that the savior must first be willing and secondly must posses the power within to actually save. If either ingredient is missing, the savior seizes to exist.

John 3:16 is a common verse, but it talks about the power of beliefs and the power of a true savior. If you already believe Jesus is your savior, than let us never forget what Jesus did for us and the joy that is found in being forgiven. If you are asking the question, why do I need a savior? Then I encourage you to check out the link below. Jesus is willing. Jesus is enough.

http://hccvideo.com/ipod/040410.mov

-Matt