Water; for most Americans is
resource of abundance, so much so that we turn on the spigot without a
thought. A readily accessible drink of
clean water seldom occurs to me as a thing for which to be grateful. Can you imagine walking for 30 minutes to a well
and carrying water from that source back to your dwelling? There are millions of people in our world who
do just that. In some cities, particularly
on the African continent, even the municipal water supply is unreliable, unavailable
for days at a time.
Water is critical to our life! A person can survive weeks without
food but the human body starts to shut down in 3 days without water. We are
more than 60% water. It lubricates our joints, flushes toxins and waste out of
us, and is a key to health. Perhaps next
time you take a long drink of fresh, clean water you will offer God thanks for the
supply.
Jesus spoke of ‘living
water’ in His sermons and talks. John tells us about an encounter with
a woman whose soul was parched. She had tried to find life in multiple
relationships, knew something of spiritual matters, but was still thirsting. As the Lord Jesus conversed with her at that
well in Samaria, He said “Everyone who
drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give
him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring
of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:13-14, NIV) Her response
makes me smile. She was eager to find this source of water so she would not
have to make the trek to the well every day. How natural her desire. But, when
Jesus redirected her to spiritual truth, she found eternal life, a soul-satisfying
drink of the Spirit.
Do you love the Presence of
God with an intensity similar to the thirst you feel on a hot Summer day? Do you even recognize the thirst, or do you
sense some longing, only to try to satisfy it with stuff, with entertainment,
with achievement? “Come and Drink!” Jesus invites. When
we raise our hearts to Him, turning our face to Heaven, He promises a
refreshing drink of the Spirit. In worship, in expectation, we find Him. The Psalm
paints a vivid picture for us. “As the
deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul
thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?"
(Psalm 42:1-2, NIV)
On another occasion, “Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “If
you are thirsty, come to me! If you believe in me, come and drink! For the
Scriptures declare that rivers of living water will flow out from within.”
(When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit.”) (John 7:37)
How I love this promise. Not only will the Spirit quench my thirst, He
will make me a fountain from which a thirsty world can find refreshing. Yes, those who are dying, alienated from the
Lord, who are slaves of their lust, greed, Self, or stuff – can come alive like
a desert that blooms with life after a rain – when the Spirit is poured into
their lives.
Would you join me in praying to
drink of the Living Water and then to become a source of renewal in this spiritually
barren world? There are many who are consumed with hate, whose love for
Self is so all-consuming that they are like a hot, dry wind. Let’s make it our heart’s desire to be the
people who overflows with the water of the Spirit. Ah, may our
Christianity make us much more than just ‘nice’ people. May He make us
life-giving, vital, creative, holy, and beautiful sources of Life!
The preacher, Joel, said that
a day would come when God, the Holy Spirit, would live in us! “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on
all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream
dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and
women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days." (Joel 2:28-29, NIV) We live
in that time! This is the age of the Spirit. On the day that the Church was
born, after Jesus’ ascension into Heaven, the Spirit fell and those who
received Him were ecstatic, speaking in unknown languages, and rejoicing with
such abandon that some accused them of being drunk. Peter explained - "this is that which was spoken by the prophet
Joel." (Acts 2:16, KJV)
Christian friend, we need renewal of the Spirit, to drink deeply of the Spirit. Will you pray today for His overflow in your
life?
Here is a word from the Word.
"Don’t drink too much wine. That
cheapens your life. Drink the Spirit of God, huge draughts of him. Sing hymns
instead of drinking songs! Sing songs from your heart to Christ. Sing praises
over everything, any excuse for a song to God the Father in the name of our
Master, Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 5:18-20, The Message)
Oh, Lord, give us of the
blessing of Your Spirit that we may be refreshed and overflow with your
life-giving water. Amen.
__________
(a beautiful song, a prayer, listen at this link)
There's nothing worth more that will ever come close
No thing can compare You're our living hope
Your Presence, Lord.
I've tasted and seen of the sweetest of loves
Where my heart becomes free and my shame is undone
In Your Presence, Lord
Holy Spirit You are welcome here
Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere
Your glory God is what our hearts long for
To be overcome by Your Presence, Lord
Your Presence Lord
Your Presence Lord
Your Presence
Oh God how we love Your Presence Lord
Let us become more aware of Your Presence
Let us experience the glory of Your goodness (Lord)
Bryan Torwalt | Katie Torwalt
© 2011 Capitol CMG Genesis
(Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Jesus Culture Music (Admin.
by Capitol CMG Publishing)
CCLI License # 810055
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