#1352. GOD HAS DIVINE APPOINTMENTS FOR US (22/9/25)
- Matt Beaney
- Sep 22
- 5 min read
Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) as we begin our new vision series, Rivers.
In John 7, Jesus promised rivers of living water flowing from within those who believe. In John 4, we see that promise at work as Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at a well. This was a divine appointment, showing that God leads us to people who seem far from Him — even those we might find it hard to love.
You can listen to this devotional below
‘”Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”’ (John 7:37–38)
Our vision, based on this text, is:
Bringing people to Jesus: Myself, One Another, Our Community.
This week we’re focussing on Our Community — our call to be missionaries wherever God has placed us.
'Now he had to go through Samaria. So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. )’ (John 4:4-9)
1. A lesson for divided times
Like in Jesus’ day, we live in a world of deep divisions, often amplified by the hostility of social media. In His time, Jews and Samaritans had a long-standing rift, much like the polarisation we often see in politics today. It was into this context that Jesus stepped with love and grace.
Notice how John pairs this story with Nicodemus (a respected Jewish leader) in the previous chapter. By doing so, he makes clear that Jesus came for both the ‘religious’ and the ‘outsider.’ All alike need the living water He gives.
When John notes that ‘Jews do not associate with Samaritans,’ he highlights the radical nature of Jesus’ request to drink from her cup — an act that crossed social and religious boundaries. It reminds us that the people we find easy to get on with, and those we struggle with, are equally in need of the gospel.
2. God gives divine appointments
John tells us, ‘Now he had to go through Samaria.’ Geographically, He didn’t have to - but spiritually, He did. The Father had a mission for Him there.
This was a divine appointment: for her benefit, and for the lesson it teaches us. God wants His living water to flow into the desert places of people’s lives, often through us. But this means stepping outside our comfort zones and being open to the Spirit’s leading.
When was the last time you felt the Spirit nudging you to speak with someone or go somewhere that made you nervous? That’s often the place where God’s mission is at work.
3. A simple lesson from Jesus in evangelism
Notice how Jesus begins: not with a sermon, but with a simple request for a drink. The river of life that would soon flow to and through her to her community began with a trickle of kindness and humility from Jesus.
By asking for her help, Jesus showed respect and broke through barriers. She was shocked — probably the first time a Jewish man had spoken to her kindly. Jesus used that moment of surprise to draw her into spiritual truth.
There’s a lesson here for us: sometimes receiving help or simply listening well is the most powerful way to open the door to gospel conversations.
Response
Do we get drawn into creating or fuelling division? How can we instead seek to be peacemakers in a divided world?
Do we believe the gospel is for all people, even those we find hardest to love?
Are we willing to cross boundaries, to value others by listening well or even receiving help from them?
Will you ask the Spirit today to lead you into the divine appointments He has prepared?
Community Group Notes
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
This may well be your first Community Group for some time so feel free to catch up and connect, as you feel is best.
Alternatively, you might want to use this starter:
How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
Rivers, Vision Series, #3
On Sunday, we continued our vision series, Rivers. Our vision at CCP is:
Bringing people to Jesus: Myself, One Another, Our Community.
Our vision is derived from Jesus' invitation to come to Him from John 7:
'On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”' (John 7:37-38)
How does bringing 'myself' - our personal life of worship and studying God's Word - lead to filling and overflowing with the Spirit?
Our goals regarding this first - 'myself' - aspect are:
1. Daily devotion – We encourage every member to set aside quality time each day in prayer and worship, engaging with God through the Bible, and asking to be filled with the Holy Spirit. As a starting point, 20 minutes with the ‘Come to Jesus Daily’ Devotional (blog) can help establish this rhythm: https://www.communitychurchputney.com/biblestudy)
2. Word-sharing culture – In our Community Groups, our regular icebreaker is: “How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you?” This keeps God’s Word central and helps us encourage one another in daily devotion.
Prayer: Pray for one another, and for the church, to be a people whose personal relationship with Jesus reflects the worth and greatness of God.
How does bringing 'Myself' and 'One Another' to Jesus lead to bringing 'Our Community' to Jesus?
Our goals to help us to bring our community to Jesus are:
1. Keep evangelism at the heart of our groups – In every Community Group gathering, we will share, pray, and plan around how we are serving, investing, and inviting (SIV) our friends, neighbours, and community.
2. Focus together each month – At our monthly SIV Week, we will give special time to praying and planning how we can serve, invest, and invite more effectively.
3. Multiply for mission – We are committed to planting a new congregation in Roehampton, extending the reach of the gospel into this community.
4. Strengthen pathways to faith – In 2026, we will grow our Alpha ministry, making it our primary way of helping people explore Jesus and take steps of faith.
Prayer: Pray for one another and our church, that we would become more effective at 'SIV' (Serve, Invest and Invite) and pray that the fruit would be amazing Alpha Courses.
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