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NIV is used unless otherwise noted.



W.A.T.E.R. - Eternal

 Willingly Accept Truly Eternal Rivers

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 4:14

John 4:14 is from the story of the woman at the well. She and I have a lot in common, as you’ll soon find out.
What is eternal life?

We trust in Jesus so that we may have eternal life.  Usually we understand this as a reference to a future time when we go to heaven. This is only a snippet of the all-encompassing meaning.  Eternal is not only future-oriented, with no ending, but also extends into the past, without a beginning point, and includes the present. So, when I receive eternal life, I enter into it here and now, forever and ever!
Eternal life is not merely a reference to time.  Eternal life is a person, embodied in the person of Jesus Christ, whom we are graciously enabled to know personally. Jesus prayed, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (John 17:3). Know Jesus and know eternal life!  Our lives often feel empty, worthless, and pointless.  Ponder those wilderness, desert times of drought; then simply call out His Name and experience eternal life now!
Will you?  Will I?
If the outcast Samaritan woman at the well received living waters in her state of depravity while having had numerous husbands, and was living with one who was not her husband, then so can I. I, too, have had more than one failed marriage. For years, I wallowed and hid in shame, doubting that God could ever use someone “like me”.  So many lies I believed about myself, some from self-condemnation, and some from those in the body of believers. Finally, after crashing and burning in complete brokenness, landing in the bottom of a very dark pit of despair and hopelessness, I was able to look up and see my loving heavenly Father reaching down to lift me up and receive me, completely accepted into His everlasting arms. No condemnation. He did it for me and He will do it for you. Let Him!
Heavenly Father, thank You for welcoming me to know Eternal Life right now in the person of Your precious son, Jesus. 
Karen Sims

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