Drink Deep!

John 4: 14

“…but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."

I have a friend who completely redid her family farm homestead.

One day during a tour, she showed me the large cisterns in the basement area. I had never seen one before.

The difference between a cistern and a well, is that a cistern doesn’t have a steady, consistent, water supply.

One thing that makes a cistern work great, is that it should never leak.

As the water is removed from a cistern though, the water supply runs low.

On the other hand, water that’s removed from a well, just gets fresher and even sweeter.

When I lived in Pickett, the water from our well was really sweet.

Most people don’t know what I’m talking about, when I talk about sweet water.

Here’s a few good questions…Are you a well, or a cistern? Do your walls leak, when trouble comes?

When your supply runs low, do you trust in the One who brings the supply, or do you trust in your bank account?

Our church has fewer people in it than it used to, and my guess is that in 2015, our supply might be lower than in some years.

This much I know…we will trust in the Supplier—and not in the supply!

What our God brings, is always sweet to the taste, and His wellspring, always gives consistent supply… 

Holy WOW!

Galatians 2: 20

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me…

 

The Apostle Paul quoted some really cool verses of scripture. Some of them we use every day, and some we even misuse.

I’ve been preaching on… Philippians 4: 13 for a number of weeks—another really cool sounding verse.

 

Seriously though, how many people in the church of Jesus Christ, have been crucified with Christ?

Crucifixion suggests death to the old life.

 

How many people in the church you go to, have launched their lives into a reckless walk with Jesus?

When I read the works of Jesus, and of St. Paul, I often reflect to myself… “Holy WOW”!!

 

Who can you name by name right now, that walks a… “Holy WOW”, faith walk with Jesus?

It should be the kind of person who has totally abandoned themselves to the work of the Gospel.

 

I remember when I first entered the ministry, I was totally hot on fire to do the work of God.

If I’m really honest with myself today, I’m not sure that could be said about me right now.

 

The watching world of unbelievers, would call this kind of person, completely mad.

Would you say you’re in a reckless pursuit of the things of God?

 

There’s no mistaking a person, crucified with Christ.

It shows up in what they live for…  

Almost?

Acts 26: 28 (NKJV)

Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian."

I wonder if you can, “almost” be a Christian?

There almost seems to be some interest in King Agrippa—but we know that almost, is only good for horse shoes and hand grenades.

So is it possible for a person to…“almost” make it Heaven?

I think we all know the answer to that question, but believe it or not, some folks don’t.

I wonder how many people during the week, just go through the motions, without engaging in a real relationship with Jesus?

Those are the same people who could be in for a big surprise someday.

The great preacher, John Wesley confessed in 1741, that he lived most of his live, almost believing in the work of Jesus.

So if John Wesley could confess that, what might we confess?

Christians should follow Jesus, because they love Him, and we should then trust Him enough to follow.

The fact is though, we want to follow Jesus on our terms, and not His.

Jesus is the deal, friends.

It’s not Jesus and something else—it’s Jesus flat out.

The problem in American church Christianity these days, is that everyone knows we should follow Jesus no matter what—but the sad point is, most don’t… 

Cry out!

Psalm 18: 6

In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help.

Do you ever get to the point, where you cry out loud to God?

These days, it seems more and more the norm, than it is the unusual for me.

When it comes to the things of God, I wonder if I’m just very hard to please?

I need God to help figure me out—which only God can do.

When it’s the worse, is when I have taken eternal Kingdom chances.

You’d be surprised how many people today, never take an eternal chance for the Kingdom of God.

Step out in faith, and you can bet the devil will be hard pressing you at every point.

Often times, I have to admit that I forget how much he hates me.

King David had a habit of crying out to the Lord.

Do you cry out to the Lord in distressing times? I know I do.

I think I might have hurts that truly keep me hostage.

I’m a Pastor, and I should be stronger, and I certainly should have it more together than the next person.

If it’s all the same to you, I’m just going to keep crying out to the Lord for help.

It seems that keeping company with the likes of King David, is a pretty safe place to be…

Offering the best!

Acts 3: 6

Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."

Often times when we meet people in need, our first inclination is to give them a hand out.

Peter met a guy one day, who was begging for anyone to drop a few coins in his cup.

Peter didn’t give him any money, but what he gave this man, was worth so much more.

Debbie shared this with me last night as I prepared to write this devotional…

“Givers need to set limits—because takers rarely do…”

Most would argue that this quote actually goes totally against what the Gospel preaches.

Amazing that even the disciples turned down some specific, spoken requests.

Maybe we should learn to look past what a person is asking of us, and identify what they truly need.

I preached on this verse some time ago, and for some people, the worst thing we can do sometimes, is write out a check.

                                    

So if we teach a person to fish—then maybe they will be able to eat for a lifetime?

Obviously, we should never loan a person money, who intends to fund their sinful lifestyle.

I have learned to give until it hurts, and it’s taken me some time to establish limits.

Maybe instead of handing a person a bag of groceries—or a gift card—we should offer them Jesus.

Let’s face it—He’s our very present help, in times of trouble…and with Jesus, there is no limit to His transforming power…

Be completely honest!

Proverbs 10: 18

He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.

If any of us are completely honest, this verse probably speaks to every person within ear shot of this devotional.

I wonder how many people have purposely flattered, the very person they can’t stand.

If we were standing before God, how many of us would be forced to confess the slander of another person?

Seriously, in the end, who really wins?

During moments like these, can we say that we all have pure motives?

I mean, why would any follower of Jesus, detest anyone?

Is there anyone you’re holding animosity toward?

Are holding onto to a wrong, committed against you—or could there be even the slightest bit of unforgiveness in your heart?

Every person I know of, including me, could be within eyelash from standing in the very presence of God.

How would God look at these issues?

Maybe we should keep short accounts, like the Bible suggests that we should.

I know there are people at this very moment, that wouldn’t cross the street to talk to me.

Maybe we should keep the length of the spirit of sin, as short as possible.

So who do you need to go to today, to make the wrong, right?

Perhaps today would be as good a time as any, to actually pick up the phone

Get over it!

Psalm 10: 4

In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.

I’m having the honor of leading a few ladies from church, in a Bible study on Monday’s mornings.

Yesterday, we finished secession 2.

A question I posed during the week 1 session, was this…

“Is it possible that you have more pride than you have humility?”

Some ladies actually answered “No”, to that question.

Now it could be that these certain ladies are as humble as one could be.

Maybe I’m the only one who has a prideful streak?

Maybe I’m the only one who has a big issue with pride?

I have met people who’s strongest suit, is holding onto grudges like no other I know.

They wouldn’t forgive those who sin against them, if that person were lying on the death bed.

Who do you need to forgive today?

Who needs to hear those precious words… “I forgive you”.

Before we can answer “No” to that pride question, we had all better look pretty deep within…