Encounter

In John 4, Jesus is traveling through Samaria and comes across a Samaritan woman at a well. He asked the woman for a drink and it came as a surprise to her. Soon she comes to realize who she just had an encounter with...

4:10
Jesus said, "If only you knew the free gift of God and who it is that is asking you for water, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water."

4:13-14
Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give will never be thirsty. The water I give will become a spring of water gushing up inside that person, giving eternal life."

4:15-18
Jesus told her, "Go get your husband and come back here." The woman answered, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You are right to say you have no husband. Really you have had 5 husbands, and the man you live with now is not your husband. You told the truth."

The woman comes to realize this is the Messiah she has been talking to. Many Samaritans came to believe Jesus was the Messiah because of this Samaritan woman. He even proved He was the Messiah by telling her He knew she had 5 husbands. She had been searching for a love to satisfy her and it's evident she was not finding it because she would go from man to man. But with one encounter with the living God, she was changed. She was so changed that she left that meeting, went back to town, and turned many hearts towards Christ simply by telling them of what He did for her and the life He offered. In verse 15, she even asks Jesus for the water of eternal life so that she may never be thirsty again. I remember my first real encounter with Christ. I had already been a believer, but never really just experienced His presence. I don't think I can even really explain what it was like except that God felt so close and so real. I felt him so passionately inside me. An encounter just makes it seem like all that I have believed before about God was just so much more real. This relationship is real; God is real and he wanted to encounter me. He wants to encounter all his children every single day. He is not a far-off God. What could be more proof that is God is alive than that of an encounter with him? And he doesn't even want it to be a rare thing. With every new day, God wants to speak with, walk among, and dwell within us. He is a relational God, just as we are relational people being created in his image. It's an encounter that can make a drug addict throw away the drugs in one moment. It's an encounter that can transform the porn addict because they've finally found the One who is all-sufficent. There is power in Jesus; life-chnaging power which sets God's children free. If you have never had such an encounter with God, ask him to come because he's waiting like a gentleman for your permission to enter. If you have encountered him, boy, is it monumental. Diligently seek his face with each new day asking God, "Father, what are you saying today? What do you want to reveal to me?"He will surely come; he is faithful.

John 4:23
The time is coming when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, and that time is finally here already. You see, the Father too is actively seeking such people to worship him.

Have a great week!
❤ Ariel Christine

Ultimate Romance

Songs of Solomon 4:9-10

My sister, my bride,

    you have thrilled my heart;

you have thrilled my heart

    with one glance of your eyes,

    with one sparkle from your necklace. 

Your love is so sweet, my sister, my bride.

    Your love is better than wine, 

    and you perfume smells better than any spice.

Songs of Solomon 8:6-7b

Put me like a seal on your heart,

    Like a seal on your arm.

Love is as strong as death;

    Jealousy demanding as the grave.

Love burst into flames

    and burns like a hot fire.

Even much water cannot put out the flame of love;

    floods cannot drown love.

I read this and my heart literally melts! It is melting right now... Isn't this the kind of confession of love every girl dreams to hear out of her Prince Charming's mouth? The kind of love that makes you feel like you're the most beautiful girl in the world and your lover could have no other desire above you. That you are the most treasured, most desirable, and most valued thing to your lover. And these words which I find myself so intoxicated by come to me straight out of God's holy word; even more so, they come straight from His heart. His love is so great that it like a hot flame in which floods of water cannot even put it out. It is as strong as death. How does that make you feel hearing all this? It makes me feel like nobody or no thing could love me more than Jesus does. In fact, His jealousy is demanding as death. He wants me. And to hear this makes me want Him. I do not think that an earthy man could even attain such a vast amount of love for me. This love also makes me feel complete in Him. When it comes to relationships, I've constantly been told to look for a man in which we will compliment each other rather than compete, because we are to be complete in Christ. And so I am; I feel that completion. He sees me as beautiful, lovely, ravishing, glorious, admirable, and as His. I am His and so are you. This is how He thinks of you, beautiful bride. You have trilled His heart! He wants to be as a seal on your heart. He wants to be the apple of your eye. He wants to be your everything. Chapter 5, verse 2 states, "I sleep, but my heart is awake. I hear my lover knocking. 'Open to me, my sister, my darling, my dove, my perfect one.'" He is at your door waiting for you to let Him in. He is a gentleman and will wait and wait and wait for you; love never dying and never ending, He waits for you. Will you let Him in?

Songs of Solomon 4:7

My darling, everything about you is beautiful, and there is nothing at all wrong with you.

Know today how loved you are!

❤ Ariel Christine

Completion.

After hearing about the events taking place in the Colorado theater, my heart became heavy with sorrow. My sympathy and prayers go out to the ones hurt and their family members. Who could have known the thoughts and feelings behind that young man and his actions? Was he angry? Hurt? Looking for fame? Looking for a title to bring meaning to his life? We do no know. Except we do know there is a reason for every action. Every person longs for something. There is desire in our hearts. It could be for companionship, love, money, success, etc. We desire and want, and when that desire isn't being fulfilled we feel incomplete. Some desires which are fulfilled don't even quench the aches. Let me say today that there's an ache and longing in each and every one of us that only One can fill. Only can we be complete in Jesus and satisfied in life. Why is that? God is the author of life. The alpha and omega. He created us and the desires in us. He also created us like him, and he has a need for relationship with his children. I once heard in a book that there is a spot in God's heart that only you can fill. As a Father longs for his children, so we long for our Father cause we are made in his likeness. And when we come to know him we find our identity, purpose, and wholeness. What a worldly riches we have tried to submit our life to achieving and finding satisfaction in, cannot be compared to the one moment we come in contact with God Almighty and he tells us who he has created us to be. He even reveals what he has called us to do which are great things; things beyond our wildest dreams! A life in Christ is a life complete. Simply as that. To make it even greater: not only is it complete, but what burdens and stains you carry He will wash away in one second. Such freedom there is available to us! Is there not a greater thing to give your life to? Is there not one thing greater you could think of that would complete your life? I'd say not a thing or person in this world even holds a candle to my savior, Jesus Christ.

If you have come to know this completion and freedom in Christ, I imagine you agreeing with a hearty "amen." If not, my suggestion for you is to ask God who you are created to be and what has he created you for. Even ask him what he thinks of you! I'm positive he thinks so highly of you and ever so longs for you. He wants you to find yourself in him and feel that completion. When you find it, I promise it'll bring rest to your soul and joy into your life. A joy unlike never before. He is so very good. And such a lover. Get ready for gallons of love to be poured out on you!

Colossians 3:12a
God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you.

Have a great weekend! God bless.
❤ Ariel Christine

You Are Making Me New

The song Beautiful Things came out on Gungor's 2010 album. I'd say this is probably a more well known song and it's one of my favorites! As I was listening to it today, a particular line stuck out to me...

You make me new, You are making me new

So what? I've always heard the song over and over; why is something sticking out to me now? The word "making" was continuously running around in my head. He is making us new. Still making, still creating, still working on us. It makes sense though. We are constantly being worked on by God within us to perfect our salvation. Philippians 2:12-13 mentions that we must keep working on our salvation with "fear and trembling because God is working in you to help you want to do and be able to do what pleases him." It even makes sense that God is still working on us because as humans we have weaknesses. We are not perfect; there is fault. Thankfully God has grace to cover that. There is grace for our mistakes and failures. Hebrews 4:15-16 reads, "For our high priest is able to understand our weaknesses. When he lived here on earth, he was tempted in every way that we are, but did not sin. Let us, then, feel very sure that we can come before God's throne where there is grace. We can receive mercy and grace to help us when we need it." One of my most favorite things to remind myself is "Where I fail, God still prevails." When we can no longer go on, he can. We are masterpieces constantly being molded and formed by Christ within. It reminds me of the verse in Jeremiah where God ask if he can mold and shape Israel like the clay in the potter's hands. We are clay in the Creators hands. Think about it: everyday He is inside us doing something new, bringing revelation to mind, conquering fear and the enemy, capturing our hearts, giving us grace, and so much more! I fall in awe of Him more and more with each new day. How thankful I am; Papa has never given up or quit me. He is constant and always the same. His grace is always available to us. Oh, how wide, deep, big, and extravagant his love is for us! He wants to be within us to make us new! To be new so we can be set free and live in complete redemption! And rest assured if you have ever turned away or fallen down, his arms are still open to you! He is always waiting because he simply loves you.

2nd Corinthians 12:9-10
But he said to me, "My grace is enough for you. When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you." So I am very happy to brag about my weaknesses, insults, hard times, sufferings, and all kinds of troubles for Christ. Because when I am weak, then I am truly strong.


Have a lovely night!
❤ Ariel Christine

Finding Rewards in Revelation

Revelation 3:11-13
I am coming soon. Continue strong in your faith so no one will take away your crown. I will make those who win the victory pillars in the temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, that comes down out of heaven from my God. I will also write on them my new name. Everyone who has ears should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.

In the first few books of Revelation, the Lord addresses 7 churches in Asia. With each one he mentions this: He sees the things they do (whether good, bad, or both), discusses the victory for those who are faithful or the need of repentance for those who are sinful, and each address has the phrase, "Every person who has ears should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches" stated at the closing.  For those who are faithful and obedient to Jesus, He will give them a victory. This promise of victory is repeated over and over in multiple ways through out the addresses to the churches. Chapter 2 verse 7 mentions that those who win the victory will be given the right fruit from the tree of life which is in the garden of God. In 2:17 a new name will be given to those who also win the victory. Further along in chapter 2, it is also mentioned that the Lord will give them power over the nations and an iron rod to rule with. 3:15 reads, "Those who win the victory will be dressed in white clothes like them. And I will not erase their names from the book of life, but I will say they belong to me before my Father and before his angels." And finally in the end of chapter 3 it says, "Those who win the victory will sit with me on my throne in the same way that I won the victory and sat down with my Father on his throne." Our God has such a passionate desire for us to come out victorious. The only way for that victory to happen is through Christ. Jesus says He is the way, the truth, and the life. In 2nd Timothy 2:11-12 it reads, "This teaching is true: If we died with him, we will also live with him. If we accept suffering, we will also rule with him. If we refuse to accept him, he will refuse to accept us." This victory comes from Christ alone and is available to anybody as long as they call upon the name of Jesus; to die to their old, sinful-selves and be created new in Him. Only then can one become a pillar in the temple of God, be given an iron rod to rule the nations with, and eat fruit from the tree of life! What an extravagant life that is! Life with Christ is promised to be full and completely satisfying. My life is definitely a testimony to this. The journey I have been on with Christ has been so fulfilling and rewarding; it bring wholeness into my heart. Plus, there's still more adventure to come! He is the one person in my life who I have never, ever been hurt by or will ever be. He is constant when everything else around me has become insanity. And to read His holy word hearing of the promises which one can receive if choosing to live in obedience makes me desire to strive harder at living a life pleasing to him. My hope today is for you to read this and be consumed by the thought of his extreme promises for both you and I. See, hear, and know the promises of God for those who are faithful to him. They're wildly rewarding and worth fighting the good fight of faith.

Happy Monday!

❤ Ariel Christine

Need vs. Want

Think about this... If somebody needed your help, how would you feel? Like you're helping, giving your input, maybe a little bit of significance? What if that person really wanted you? They wanted you around, they love your help, you are a desire to them! Now how much better do you feel?? It's the same with the Lord. Without Christ, we are shameful, dirty, unknowing of our worth and value. We cannot come before the Father holy and pure without Christ. We cannot get our salvations through our own attempt. We need Jesus. We absolutely need Him. Romans 3:23-24 reads: "All have sinned and are not good enough for God's glory, and all need to be made right with God by his grace, which is a free gift. They need to be made free from sin through Jesus."And it is sweet music to His ears when we call upon His name for help.

The Lord loves when you NEED him. But what's really special is when you tell him you WANT him. He loves to know you desire him to come. It's more than a need. Our Father desires us, too! He desires us so incredibly much, and when we say "yes" to him he is well pleased to dwell within us. But the crazy part is that in all reality, God does not need us. He is all-powerful. Why were we created then? Well our God is a relational God; he craves relationship and so Adam was made and then more and more children. And when sin entered into our lives, the Father was so desperate to get us back that he sent his very own Son, Jesus, to the earth to be killed so we could be joined with God once again! God loves us so incredibly much and we are the apple of his eye; the very core desire of his heart! To desire God as much as he desires us is such a celebration to him. He does love when we need him, but he really LOVES when we want him! I think it would be that way in any relationship! We love when we are wanted by others; it causes us to feel loved! Our relationship between God and us can be reflected in our relationship with one another. The Father has shown his love to us and we can love others with that very same love. So much love floating around!

Know today that you are extremely desired by God. Let him embrace you and don't be afraid to then wrap your arms around him. Tell him he is more than a need; he is a want. That he is a must-have to you! Oh, he loves to hear you speak to him in such passion pursuit of his love.

Songs of Solomon 2:14b
Show me your face, and let me hear your voice. Your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.

Have an incredible Thursday!
❤ Ariel Christine

Win the Battle of Your Mind

Romans 8:31

If God is with us, no one can defeat us.

I think one of the hardest things to deal with in the Christian walk is our thought life. Everything around us affects how we choose to think, how we feel, and how we view the world. What we watch and hear also tumbles around in our minds. If you think about it... how much daily goes into your mind? What all do you take in? The mind is a very complex thing to behold, yet it was created by God and can glorify him. For me, thoughts of fear and failure constantly creep up on me. The enemy will try ruthlessly to throw those thoughts in my way. He wants me to think I can't do it, I'm not good enough, or I will just continuously fail and get nowhere.

But fear not for we have a greater power on our side. The ultimate power, in fact, that places the enemy under his feet. Through Christ we are set free of sin and the enemy no longer has his grasp on us! Romans 6:14 states, "Sin will not be your master, because you are not under law but under God's grace." We are no longer slaves to sin because Christ has set us free and we now live as redeemed children of God! So yes, were under God's grace and it drives Satan crazy. He still tries to pull us down and break us apart continuously. Whenever I feel those thoughts creep back into my mind, I immediately renounce them out loud. I proclaim, "Fear, you have no place in my life. Get out of my mind now! Failure, you have no place in my thought life. Be gone now!" There is power in our words; power that Jesus Himself has placed within us. We are vessels of His glory and power; walk in that authority He has given you! Know today that the enemy has no place in your life! And at times if you see him even anywhere close to you, rebuke Him in the name of Jesus and declare your freedom in God's kingdom! Tell your thoughts to obey Christ. The things the enemy tries to speak into your mind, you have power to tell them they, in fact, are the powerless ones! God is for us and wants us to be prosperous. Surrender your thought life to him if you ever feel the enemy is attacking it. Ask God to place his own thoughts in your head and the lovely thoughts that he thinks of you; that he may fill every open nook in your mind with thoughts of him.

2nd Corinthians 10:4-6
We fight with weapons that are different from those the world uses. Our weapons have power from God that can destroy the enemy's strong places. We destroy people's arguments and every proud thing that raises its self against the knowledge of God. We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ.

We are set free!

❤ Ariel Christine