OUR DAILY BREAD             Friday, January 27, 1995
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READ:  John 4:1-15

                  GENEROUS RECEIVERS

            "How is it that You, being a Jew
         ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?"

                         - John 4:9

In today's Bible reading, we see Jesus weary, hungry,
and thirsty.  He was just as human as we are.  He was
also God and could have met all His own needs.  But
Jesus didn't insist on doing everything without the
help of others.  On this occasion He graciously (and
no doubt gratefully) allowed His disciples to go and
buy food while He sat by the well to rest and wait.
And when a Samaritan woman of questionable character
came to draw water, He did what many of us might
hesitate to do -- He asked her for a drink.

For years I missed an important lesson in our Lord's
vulnerability, until He taught me, through a friend,
the subtle selfishness of not letting others help us.
One day this friend tried to do a kindness for me
and, as usual I resisted.  In frustration she said,
"You know what?  You're an UNgenerous receiver!"

Instantly I saw it!  Quite rightly, I had always
tried to live by Jesus' words, "It is more blessed
to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35).  The trouble
was, in the name of being unselfish, ** I ** always
had to be the giver.

Others desire to experience the blessedness of
giving, but we often frustrate their giving by
refusing their help.  Let's learn to be generous
receivers -- just like Jesus.

                                -- Joanie E. Yoder

        O to be like Thee!  Lord, I am coming
         Now to receive the anointing divine;
       All that I am and have I am bringing --
      Lord, from this moment all shall be Thine.

                                -- Chisholm

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           THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
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      Be as gracious in receiving
         as you are in giving.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Exodus 38-40

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Our Daily Bread, Copyright 1995, used by permission of
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