Wednesday January 19

So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers.

They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."

John 4:40-42

Don't knock it until you try it. See for yourself. Don't take somebody else's word for it.

You might not guess that these phrases are right up the gospel alley, but they are. Jesus wants you to have a personal encounter with him. He doesn't want you to have to rely on someone else's experience. It's true: the belief that these Samaritans had upon the woman's testimony was real and genuine. The fact that once they heard for themselves their prior belief paled in comparison doesn't negate the first belief. It just doesn't compare to it.

In other words, you may be a believer now because of what you read or what you heard. That can be real belief. But if you want to take your faith to the next level, make it personal with Jesus. Take him at his word. And see for yourself what he is all about.