This One Tastes Like Jesus Juice
You’ve probably heard me say it before—sometimes the Spirit shows up like a sledgehammer, and sometimes like a still small whisper. And when it’s the Spirit’s sledgehammer, you know it. It's the kind of moment that knocks the wind out of you, flattens your ego, and sends you scrambling for the altar. But then… there are days where it’s the gentle whisper. The soft but undeniable presence of the living God reminding you He’s there. That He’s enough. That you’re seen.
Today wasn’t the sledgehammer. It wasn’t fire and wind. It was... Jesus juice.
And no, I’m not talking about red wine, Merlot, or any vintage from the hills of Galilee. This isn’t communion in the traditional sense, though it shares that sacredness. This was something deeper. It was nourishment for the soul. A spiritual hydration station in the middle of life’s desert. It was Jesus juice, and I knew it when I tasted it.
Let me tell you the story.
Easter Sunday and the Better Place
Today was Easter Sunday at the church I attend. Resurrection morning. One of those days where the room is full, hearts are a little more open, and even the most skeptical soul leans in just a little. There’s something about Easter that feels like a divine open house. Everyone's welcome. Everyone’s invited.
Our lead pastor stepped up, Bible in hand, smile in place. And before he even got into his main message, he told a story.
But before I get to that, let me tell you a bit about this pastor. Because context matters.
He’s not the loudest voice in the room. He doesn’t pace the stage like a motivational speaker. But when he opens the Word, there’s weight to it. He reminds me a lot of Andy Stanley—there’s conviction, but not condemnation. There’s truth, but it’s never wielded like a weapon. There’s boldness, but it comes with kindness.
And when he spoke today, he shared something I had just read a few days earlier. A quote from John Quincy Adams.
John Quincy Adams: A Dying Man’s Living Perspective
The quote goes something like this. A man once asked John Quincy Adams how he was doing. And Adams, elderly and worn from the years, replied with humility and wisdom:
“John Quincy Adams is well, sir, very well. But the house in which he lives is falling into ruin. At the moment, I shall move out and take up residence in a better place.”
Now pause with me. A few days ago, I had read that very quote. Alone. Quiet. Just me and the page.
And then, days later, my pastor shares it from the pulpit.
Coincidence? No chance. That was Jesus juice.
The moment he spoke it, something welled up in me. A quiet strength. A spiritual nod from the Holy Spirit that said, You see? I’m speaking to you. Stay the course.
It wasn’t a lightning bolt. It wasn’t an altar call. It was a quiet tear in the corner of my eye and a calmness in my spirit that reminded me—He’s close. He speaks. He connects dots we didn’t even realize were drawing a picture.
That’s the juice. That’s the flavor of eternity sneaking into your day.
The Living Bread and the Living Water
Jesus said in John 6:35:
“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
That’s the promise. But let’s be honest—how many of us still feel hungry and thirsty sometimes?
Because the truth is, while the gift is eternal, the experience of it is daily. It’s not a one-time sip of Jesus juice and then we’re good forever. It’s learning to recognize the spiritual refills in the everyday. The moments where God breaks through the noise and nourishes our soul in a way that no self-help book or good vibes playlist ever could.
The Still Small Voice of God
You know the story in 1 Kings 19? Elijah is worn out. Burned out. Hiding in a cave. He’s had enough. And God says, Come out, I’m about to pass by.
Then comes the wind. But God isn’t in the wind.
Then the earthquake. Still not God.
Then the fire. And again, no God.
And then… a gentle whisper.
That’s when Elijah pulls his cloak over his face and steps out. Because he knows—this is it. This is Him.
That whisper? That’s the Jesus juice. It’s the Spirit saying, You're not alone. You’re not off course. Keep going.
Three Ways to Recognize Your Jesus Juice
Let’s get practical. Because if you're like me, you don’t just want to feel something—you want to understand it. You want to know how to recognize the voice of God when it shows up in the quiet, not just in the storms.
Here are three ways I’ve learned to recognize my own Jesus juice moments—and maybe you’ll see yourself in these too.
1. When the Spirit Confirms What You Already Heard
God repeats Himself. Not because He forgets—but because we do.
How many times has something shown up in your life more than once in a short period? A verse. A quote. A song. A name. A feeling. And you know it’s not coincidence—it’s confirmation.
Like the John Quincy Adams quote. I read it alone in reflection. Then heard it from the pulpit days later. It was the Holy Spirit saying, That wasn’t just a nice thought. That was Me.
That’s why it’s so important to be in the Word. When you’ve been reading, praying, reflecting—Jesus juice doesn’t catch you off guard. It confirms what’s already simmering in your soul.
“The Helper, the Holy Spirit… will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26)
When He repeats it, receive it.
2. When It Nourishes You Beyond Emotion
We’ve all had emotional highs. Campfire conversions. Goosebumps during a worship song. Those moments are good—but they’re not the juice.
Jesus juice isn’t hype. It’s depth.
You know you’ve had it when it sticks with you. When it lingers. When you don’t just feel different, you live different.
It’s like the manna from heaven in Exodus 16. The Israelites didn’t need a buffet—they needed enough for that day. And every day, God provided. Fresh. Real. Enough.
Jesus juice moments don’t always come in the sanctuary. Sometimes they come on the drive home, in a quiet conversation, in your kids’ laughter, or when you reread a verse you’ve seen a hundred times and suddenly it explodes with new life.
3. When You Are Strengthened to Be Consistent
This one’s big. Because let’s be honest—consistency is hard.
Anyone can worship in the storm or shout on the mountain. But can you be faithful in the mundane? Can you still show up when no one notices? Can you still serve, still love, still give when your cup feels dry?
Jesus juice refuels you for the long haul. It gives you the quiet courage to stay the course, even when you’re not seeing results.
“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)
When the Spirit whispers and your soul feels refilled—not just hyped up but held up—that’s the Jesus juice doing its job.
Jesus and the Samaritan Woman
You want a biblical picture of Jesus juice? Look at the woman at the well.
She came for water. Left with life.
“Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.” (John 4:14)
He told her everything she ever did—not to shame her but to show her He knew her and still offered living water.
She ran back to her village, forgetting her water jar, shouting about a man who changed her life in a quiet conversation.
That’s it. That’s the power. That’s the Spirit.
Final Reflections: From the Sledgehammer to the Whisper
Some days, God will knock you down with truth. He’ll wreck you in the best way possible. That’s the spiritual sledgehammer. And if you’ve had that moment—you know.
But some days? He’ll just hand you a cup.
And in that cup is peace, presence, purpose. It’s strength without striving. It’s conviction without condemnation. It’s the gentle whisper that reminds you—you’re still His.
That’s Jesus juice.
So the next time you find yourself smiling at a song lyric, tearing up during a sermon, or hearing something twice in one week that speaks right to your soul—pay attention.
That’s not random.
That’s not luck.
That’s the Holy Spirit handing you a drink.
Take it in. Let it fill you. And when it does—go pour it into someone else.
Because the best part of Jesus juice?
It’s meant to be shared.
Pay attention & listen & share!
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