Jeanie Martin Ministries

Question: Have you ever felt as though God has positioned you for failure, not once but multiple times?

Perhaps you’ve felt that you’ve done something unpleasing to God, and he’s put you on a shelf?

Surely this can’t be the god-kind-of-love that the Bible speaks of? God made a promise saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness” (Jere. 31:3). But this love felt different because of the challenges.

There was a time when I felt God had abandoned me and left me in an unfamiliar place. Even though He said, “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5), I became uneasy because I didn’t understand, and I could not put my finger on the problem.

Then I heard his voice say, “I’m not trying to hurt you.” In my mind, I remember thinking, “it sure feels like it.” But, I try never to speak to God in an ill-mannered way. At that moment, I wondered if I was having a “Job” encounter (Job 1:8). Did the devil have a hand on me? I was baffled because of the unknown.

MY TESTIMONY

At the beginning of my walk with Jesus, everything was lovely, and all things were working out for my good and God’s glory. Every day I looked forward to witnessing the love of God to people who were traveling along the same path. A casual stroll through the park was routine, I met so many interesting people while passing through. The favor of God was upon me, so I made a point to talk about Jesus and the free gift of eternal salvation at every opportunity. I could feel the fire of the Holy Spirit working inside of me and the passion that ignited me from within. Every conversation proved God’s authenticity.

After accepting the offer of eternal salvation, the recipient and I prayed the “Prayer of Salvation together. They received Jesus as their Lord and Savior with gladness of heart. I could feel the love of the Lord upon these new family members. I believed that upon acceptance, God’s love and the promises that He made are readily available to those who believe. I prayed that God was pleased with the work that He commissioned me to do. 

Not long after my confidence in winning souls proved positive, I felt in my spirit that God was doing something new. I knew that my assignment had changed. I was still going to minister the Word of God to lost souls; however, new responsibilities were being entrusted to me. I knew that greater challenges were just ahead of me that were mandatory for me to go through. The Christian life is rooted in developing Christ-like character by living a surrendered life. Although I was still being tested, I didn’t fully understand it at that time, I didn’t know the details of the challenges that were just ahead of me. However, later on, after the test, spiritually, I grew in wisdom and knowledge, and I understood why I had to go through times of testing.

Meeting By The Well

In the Book of John, Chapter Four, we’re told of a mandatory journey that Jesus had to take to Samaria in order to meet a particular woman. The Bible clearly states that it was necessary for him to take that route in spite of the prejudices the Jews had against the Samaritans.

Tired from the journey, Jesus sat down by the well. It was about the noon hour. Then a woman from Samaria came to draw water. It just so happens that Jesus was there at the precise time and the exact place where she came to fill her water jars. 

Jesus asked her for a drink of water. She replied, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me a Samaritan woman for a drink?” However, she was not aware of the connection Jesus was making with her. He wanted her to know that He knew her history, past, and present. Previously she had five husbands and was currently living with a man that was not her husband. After sharing that report, He had her full attention. As they conversated, her mind opened as He continued to sow spiritual seeds into her spirit. (*Please read The Book of John, Chapter 4, in its entirety.)

As I pondered on this story, I understood why I had to travel on the path that was chosen for me. It was time for me to mature in the holy things of God. This path took me through my first college course at “Holy Ghost Academy.” I learned a wealth of information as it pertains to God’s Kingdom. His Kingdom is not like the world’s systems. The world’s system requires accolades and degrees before you’re accepted as a qualified candidate for a position. It requires a large sum of money and various skills. However, in God’s Kingdom, the Holy Spirit is the wisdom of God, he is the teacher. He knows all things pertaining to life because he possesses the same characteristics as God. Romans 11:33 testifies that the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God is too wonderful for us to know. And best of all, God qualifies the chosen, and large amounts of debt do not follow. 

Well, how did Jesus know everything about the Samaritans woman’s personal life? Because He knew her when she was in her mother’s womb (Jeremiah 1:5). Jesus is God in flesh, sent by the Father not only as the coming Messiah but as the Savior. She didn’t know Jesus’s identity until he revealed himself to her, stating, “I who speak to you, am He. Shortly after hearing this, she left her water jars and went into the city and began telling people to come and see a man, the Christ (the Messiah), who knew about her past, and he still accepted her. You see, this woman was chosen as a witness to the townspeople. God qualified her, and with gladness of heart, she shared the knowledge that she received from the Messiah. Her destiny was changed.

The testimony of the woman at the well assures us that despite our inadequacies and the challenges that we encounter, nothing can stop God from reaching us. When people reject you, God accepts you, and having an encounter with him is guaranteed to change your life. He has a purpose and a plan, and He qualifies the called for the task at hand (Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 8:28).

Sometimes, the lessons may be painful or intimidating, “but dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:12-13). Believe me when I tell you that the lessons are far more profitable than the pain, and the rewards are richer. My life changed for the best, and I don’t regret drinking from the well that forever satisfies my thirst. Give your heart to Jesus today!

 

For more about Salvation and the Prayer of Salvation, click here

 

 

 

 

 

Broken Heart Image: Jeanie Martin Ministries; Photo: Jesus and the Woman at the Well / Source: Pinterest