Today's Passage - John 4:8-10

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english John 4:8-10   (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."   The woman has a question in her mind: "You are a Jew. How can you ask me for a drink?" She is still under the control of the prevailing cultural tradition of that time, because Jews do not associate with Samaritans; she is also under the control of her status, because she is a woman with sin, and is not accepted by her society. In reality, we often let our situations and traditions limit us as well, so that we are not able to enjoy the abundant life that God promised. Yet, Jesus answered her: "If you knew, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." If you knew earlier, done this earlier, then you would have received the benefits earlier!    Brothers and sisters, if you knew the salvation of Jesus Christ earlier, you would not have been bounded by sins all those years and your heart not been set free. If we knew earlier, we would have received the salvation of Jesus earlier, being able to be fully satisfied in God's love and enjoying the freedom and joy in Christ. May God help us to know earlier, seek earlier, so he can give us the grace earlier. If you knew the gifts of the Holy Spirit earlier, then you would not have been depending on your own strength to live out the Christian life. By depending on the gifts and power of the Holy Spirit, we can be victorious in our everyday life, proclaiming the works of the Enemy had been destroyed, and possessing joy every day. May the Holy Spirit work with you so that the miracles of God may follow you!     Not only so, if you knew the joy of service, you would be able to not let those troublesome and tiring things hinder you. You would courageously and joyfully embrace the mission that God has given you. Also, you would experience the victory of God as you serve every day, seeing people's life being changed, and finding joy rising up in your heart! If you knew the importance of family, you would not neglect your family. You would spend time to take care of your family, bringing your family before God so that the whole family can serve God together. "If you knew."  However, many times we have anxieties and fears in our hearts. As a result, we are afraid to move forward and are unable to experience the abundant riches of God's grace. May God help us, once again to say to him: "O Lord! I am willing to seek. May you grant me all kinds of your grace!"       Pray with Pastor Tong           Dear Lord, please forgive me. In the past, I often have anxieties and fears in my heart, so I cannot receive your promises. Please have mercy on me and grant me all kinds of your grace. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!