When the Water Runs Out

When I was in the Middle East earlier this year, I learned that the country was "water poor." Because there's no source of fresh water, it's in short supply, and is a truly precious commodity there.

You don't leave the water running when you brush your teeth. Actually, you use bottled water for brushing. Showers are quick and not always daily. Sometimes, there's no water for showering at all. Swimming pools? No. Water games. Not a good use of the tiny amount of water they have.

After what seemed like two weeks of steady rain here, the water shortages in the Middle East seem a distant memory. Recently, though, I saw a post by a friend on the other side of the world. They were thrilled about a renewed source of water.

Their city water had been out for more than two weeks. Imagine that for a moment. No showers. No baths. No watering plants. No washing cars. I don't know what they did about clothes, but I suspect using the washing machine was out, too.

When the water came back on, there was considerable rejoicing, because they had a first-hand understanding of the value, and preciousness, of water.

Like the Samaritan woman at the well, they longed for a water supply that would never run dry. (Leanna Paraphrase coming up.) When Jesus offered her water, she looked at Him and laughed. "You don't even have a bucket. How are you going to give me water?"

Jesus just smiled. "If you knew who I am and what I offered, you'd beg for my living water. It will satisfy your deepest thirst. With it, you'll never be thirsty again." 

"I need some of that," she told Him, and she was right. We all need some of that.

Something really interesting happened then. "You can have all the living water you want, but you need to deal with your sin." 

Those first few drops of refreshment during her conversation with Jesus were enough. She didn't waste a moment. That sin-scarred Samaritan woman raced to her town, dealt with her sin, told everyone about Jesus, and invited them to meet her Water-Giver. 

If we were truly thirsty for living water, we'd do anything to have it, too. The problem comes when we try to quench our thirsty with the refreshment the world has to offer. Busyness. Stuff. Position. Power. Prestige. Family. Kids and their activities. They all offer a degree of satisfaction, but it's transient. 

Only Jesus offers the thirst-quenching water that endures. 

Are we thirsty for refreshment, renewal? 

Does an aching desire in our soul need quenching? 

Maybe it's time for the living water that never runs dry. Let's turn to Jesus and let Him wash and fill our empty place with water that always satisfies.

We can having living water. All we have to do is ask.

"Jesus answered and said to her, 'If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, "Give me a drink," you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." John 4:10 nasb
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In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: Gaining a Blessing By Praying for Peace

If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Jordan, the digital world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

Or you can mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.

Comfort, Convenience, and Christ

Constrained by the skin-wrapped limits of humanity, Jesus was tired, so He sat down by the well of Sychar to rest while His disciples went into town to purchase lunch. (John 4:6)

You probably know what happened next. The Samaritan woman who'd had five husbands came to draw water from the well. Jesus engaged her in conversation, and, in the course of their chat, offered her Living Water. He described this Living Water as eternally thirst-quenching, eternally renewing. 

She seized on the offer. "I want some of that," she told him. She wanted it "so I will not be thirsty, nor come all the way here to draw." 

She didn't want transformation of her soul, or to change her lifestyle, or forgiveness of her sins. She wanted comfort (no more thirst) and convenience (no more trips to draw water from the well). 

She sounds a lot like us, doesn't she? 

We, too, love comfort and convenience, but that's not why Jesus came, and it's not what He promised. 

In fact, He promised difficulty. The Holy Spirit would come, He told His disciples, and convict us of our sin. He'd lead us in paths that would be risky and difficult. We would have many struggles, but Holy Spirit would help us. 

On my recent trip to Colorado, the "group rate" hotel was both comfortable and convenient. The rooms there are large and beautifully appointed. The beds are super-comfortable. They give you fresh-baked cookies when you check in. It's a great place to stay.

I've stayed there before, but, this time, I stayed in a low-star hotel for $30 less a night. It was a missionary-budget rate. I'm content to have a cheap hotel now because I know that I'll walk on streets of gold later. 

The comforts of this world will end when we step into eternity. Looking back, they'll seem so little in comparison to heaven's riches and glory. 

Comfort and convenience are not bad, but they can draw our eyes away from Christ. That was the temptation the woman at the well faced, but Jesus offered more. He gently confronted her sin and drew her to a new (and transformed) life. When she accepted His offer, the inconvenience of the well didn't matter at all.

Today, let's look at our own priorities. Do we want comfort and convenience, or are we willing to accept less to serve Christ more? 

Let's take our eyes off ourselves and put them on Jesus. Let's ask how we can serve, instead of what we can get. Let's allow such transformation that we'll be willing to tell everyone, as the Samaritan woman did, "Come and see this Jesus who gave me living water and changed my life."

"but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." John 4:14 nasb
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In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: The Bear That Jesus Sent

I'll have an update on the Sam's Kids Boot Project with tomorrow's post.
#Jesus #livingwater 

Settling for Stagnant

Like many of my age, I grew up with the King James Bible. Even now, it's the easiest version for me to memorize. The language, however, occasionally stumps me. 

My most recent "stumping" came from a passage in Zephaniah, in which he refers to men who are "settled on their lees". The NASB translated the word as "stagnant in spirit." 

From the original language, the word means to be "congealed", "thickened" or "curdled", rather than fluid and flowing. 

Think for a moment about things that are stagnant or curdled. Muddy swamps. Spoiled milk. Clotted blood. No movement. No activity.

Now read Zephaniah's words: 

And it will come about at that time that I will search Jerusalem with lamps,

And I will punish the men who are stagnant in spirit, who say in their hearts, 

'The Lord will not do good or evil.'" Zephaniah 1:12 nasb

God will intentionally search until He finds those who are so stagnant in their faith that they have become no better than a muddy swamp or spoiled milk. They have lost the fervor of their love for God and no longer find Him pertinent. 

They think He will not move. 

They assume God will do nothing in response to their sin. Nothing in response to their prayers. Nothing in response to any repentance they might offer.

Does that sound familiar? 

I fear that the church in this country is filled with people who struggle with stagnant spirits. People who have seen the routine of church attendance without power for so long that they no longer believe more is possible.

Being stagnant in spirit, however, is a choice we make. It comes as a result of prayerlessness, faithlessness, and sinfulness, and carries a terrible price. Zephaniah describes the failure of vineyards, the desolation of homes, the punishment of God.

We cannot bear fruit when we allow our spirits to stagnate, but there is a solution. 

When we repent and turn back to our Lord, He floods us with living water that leads to refreshment and a return of the joy of our salvation. We can, once again, be fruitful and multiply.

Today, let's take a look at our own hearts. Are we becoming stagnant in spirit? Have we begun to doubt that God can or will move? 

God is still on His throne, so let's stop settling for stagnant and get rid of the sludge. 

Let's open our Bibles, kneel before our Lord, and ask for an infusion of Living Water. Let's allow Him to restore our hearts and open our eyes to His workings all around us. 

"As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, the living God. Psalm 42:1-2a
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photo courtesy of freeimages.com

In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: Accepting the Salvation of Surrender
Here's the link to the worldwide prayer guide: The Prayer List
#disciple #livingwater #stagnantspirit

The Problem of Rocky Soil

Other seed fell on rocky soil, and as soon as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture.

Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away. (Luke 8:6, 13 NASB)

The soil for today's consideration is rocky soil. Rocky soil is great for allowing drainage, but bad for holding water. In an arid land with little rainfall, rocky soil is deadly for seeds. In this particular soil, there is enough nourishment and moisture in the soil to allow sprouting. If extra water were provided, the seed could likely make it to fruition. Without extra care, however, the sprout will wither and die. When the withering begins, there is a point where an infusion of water can still revive the plant, but the window of opportunity is small. 

Jesus compared the seed that fell on rocky soil to those who hear the word of God, receive it joyfully, and are full of enthusiasm about their salvation. They do not develop firmly anchored roots, however, and succumb to temptation when it comes. 

They are like a withered seedling in desperate need of water. Used to symbolize a variety of things in Scripture, water likely symbolizes the Spirit of God here. In John 7:37-39, Jesus speaks of living water by which men would never thirst again as a description of the Holy Spirit. Knowing that, the reason for the withering becomes apparent, doesn't it? The new believer embraces his new-found faith with enthusiasm but never allows the Holy Spirit to help him grow or help him resist temptation. Without the aid of the Spirit's indwelling, it is impossible to have victory over sin, as he soon finds. 

Once withering begins, an infusion of the Spirit can bring refreshment to his soul and joy back to his heart. Unfortunately, that early foray back into the "old life" can be very difficult to leave. I'm not sure we, as the church, have done all we should to help new believers access the Spirit-aid they need to grow to fruition. 

What about us? Have we allowed the withering to begin in our own lives? Are our loved ones "withering"? 

Pray today that we and our loved ones will get still before The Lord and allow Him to send streams of Living Water to refresh our souls. 

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Link to last night's post (first in the Praying for Terrorists series) is here: http://leannahollis.blogspot.com/2014/06/praying-for-terrorists-ayman-al-zawahiri.html

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Hauling Water

You can't live without water. Neither can cows or horses or goats or chickens. I could give you a mountain of statistics about it, but I'm out of statistics right now!

Due to a severe miscommunication, I am dealing with a small crisis. Frozen pipes at the barn. All my animals have to have water, so before work this morning, I took my big walking stick and broke up the ice in all the waterers, poured hot water in, and got everyone situated for the day. 

With today's low temperatures, I've dreaded the evening trip to the barn all day long, but it had to be done. You guessed it. All the automatic waterers are more frozen (if that is possible) than this morning. I would have used my hammer to break up the ice this evening, but it is in my truck and the door is frozen shut. There is just so much frozenness I can deal with in one day, and I've reached my limit for today, so I'm back to my big walking stick with the very cute green tree frog carved at the end. The frog has taken a beating tonight, but I have once again broken up the ice. The tree frog didn't do all the work, though. The ice was so thick that I have alternated beating the ice with pouring boiling water on it. I've had quite a one-woman production line going here tonight! The boiling water worked great, but hauling it in my garden wagon to the barn is a perilous project, and it has taken gallons and gallons. (Read that many trips back and forth). Have I mentioned that it is 14 degrees outside?!?!

At last, I have had plenty of exercise for today, possibly burned a gazillion calories, and all the animals have fresh water. They may burn their tongues if they don't wait a few minutes, but no one is going to be dehydrated tonight! You may be wondering why I have worked so hard, but chickens can't cross the road for a cup of cocoa. Neither can the rest of my crew. Water is vital. They can't survive without it, and dehydration in these temperatures can be deadly. 

The H2O I've been hauling tonight is critical for life, but the Living Water that our Lord provides is even more essential.  

"Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'" (John 7:37, 38 NASB)

What a wonderful thing! Rivers of living water flowing forth from those who love Jesus to provide life-giving refreshment to all who thirst.  It is precious liquid indeed, and no hauling is required, so drink deep, friends!

Digging, Ditches, and Water

I finally bought a greenhouse. Well, it's going to be a greenhouse. Thanks to Charles Wood who told me where to look, I have a very affordable kit that is pretty close to my dream greenhouse. I think. I won't know for sure, of course, until it is assembled. 

I picked it up today and, naturally, had visions of moving into it this afternoon. Ryan opened the boxes and spied some white paper. "Oh good! Instructions!" He said. I was busy walking off my site and pulling up some weeds that were in my way. "Mom, you might want to look at this first step here," he said. "Why?" I asked. "Well," he said, "It starts with a hole and moves to filling the hole with gravel. It looks like kind of a lot of gravel."  He was exactly right. We needed a 10 ft x 12 ft x 5 inch hole that was smooth and level in the bottom, with a significant amount of pea gravel, before the first piece could be assembled. I grabbed two shovels and we got started. 

After 30 minutes or so, I was beginning to whine, and to see that I could very well still be digging the hole when Spring arrived. I had an almost-respectable hole started when Ryan said, "Where is the door on this thing?" I indicated the end closest to my house. "How are you going to get your water hose in there from the hydrant?" he asked. "Oh, Ryan, I'm just going to run it under the back wall."  I had everything planned. "Umm. I hate to tell you this, but that's not going to work. The back wall is going to be down in the ground.  We can run the water hose around to the front and through the greenhouse I guess." Immediately, I saw the problem. I had positioned the greenhouse as close to the water source as possible, but without any way to get the water inside. 

I wanted to cry. Well, actually I did, but just a little. That canyon we had just dug was in the wrong place! There was nothing to do but move twelve feet back and start over. After a few shovelfuls of dirt, I realized I was not going to make it. I would have to have help. I called my hay man, who pretty much knows everything about farm stuff, and he told me what piece of equipment I needed and who owned it. Help is coming at 7am tomorrow! 

Here's where my problem began. For beautiful plants in the greenhouse, access to water is critical. I understood that, and wanted to be close to the hydrant. My first site was very close to the water. The problem was that I wanted the water source to be unobtrusive. My solution was to hide it in the back where no one would see it. Unfortunately, the only way to access the water was to give it a priority position. 

It sounds a lot like the Christian life, doesn't it? Access to Living Water is not optional, but we certainly have a tendency to keep our faith "out of sight" if possible, don't we? Can you see Jesus willingly accepting the "back of the greenhouse" position? Me either. Living water, the Spirit flowing through us, is so vital that we need to be sure we position ourselves for easy access and availability to His Spirit, so that He can flow unimpeded through our lives. As we approach this new year, let's commit to getting our Christian life in order. The most important things need to be in first place, especially the Living Water of the Spirit.  Forget about being unobtrusive. Where's the fun (or fruit) in that? Place Him in the priority position, where His effect on your life will be obvious to everyone you encounter. Allow Him to work through you as He desires. He might just surprise you with a more productive life. You won't believe how good the fruit will look when the Spirit flows!