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Encouragement for Today - Sept. 21, 2006

 

September 21, 2006

 

Encouragement for Today

 

Principle 1

 

“Stop Being Thirsty!”

Luann Prater, Proverbs 31 Speaker Team Member    

 

Key Verse:

John 4:15, ”Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” (NIV)

 

Devotion:

It was June in New Orleans and I had never worked so hard in all my life.  The trade show was exhausting, the heat excruciating, and sleep non-existent.  My plane landed and I arrived home at midnight only to be awakened at 6 a.m. with a phone call from my daughter.  She was in labor and 5 hours away.  With eyes propped open I drove to the hospital, saw the birth of my first grand-child and stayed for a week to help. 

 

The following three weeks I was severely sick.  My system shut down from dehydration.  The IVs dripped and brought life back to my thirsty body.  It seems during my haste to get the jobs done, I had neglected my thirst.  Day after day my body sent signals that I ignored so I could take care of the next task- until I collapsed.

 

Jesus sends signals offering life-giving water and yet we live thirsty lives.  God longs to give you an abundant life and He lays out six keys to finding it in the fourth chapter of John.

 

The Question: Will you trust Me? The woman responds as we often do, pointing out the improbability of the situation: But You are a Jew, I am a Samaritan.  We don’t even use the same dishes and you’re willing to drink from my jar?  Jesus broke all the rules.  He breaks through the barriers we set up.  We are never good enough, but Christ crosses over and reaches us.

 

The Gift: Ask and you will receive.   God longs to give us the gift of eternal life and His Holy Spirit to counsel and guide us.  She couldn’t get past the notion that this was too good to be true. We also try to figure it all out;

  what it means to truly accept the full range of experiences offered by this free and gracious gift of life in Him.

 

Get Real!  Go get your husband.  He gives her the opportunity to be honest.  Stop wearing the mask and put down the shield that’s been protecting the truth about your life.  Confess it, because He knows it anyway.   Experience freedom from your past.

 

Change!  The spring of life, living water, will bubble up inside you and satisfy your desire for a different kind of life.  You will never have to search for fulfillment from an outside source again-  not in your husband, your job or your kids. 

 

Believe:   Believe not in rituals, religion, or the lies of the world, but only in Him.  In our culture today it’s hard to know what to believe. Society seems to say, “You believe in your god and I’ll believe in mine.  I’ll make my own path.”  Christ is compelling her to stop listening to the lies that hold her captive. 

           

Worship in Spirit & Truth: Worship takes place in the heart, in your spirit.  The Greek word for spirit is pneuma or to breathe. Every breath is a gift of life from our Father.  Let’s give it back to Him in worship.

 

Do you have a dehydrated heart?  Jesus invites you to drink from His living water and experience the abundant life He longs to give you.

 

My Prayer for Today:

Lord, I don’t want to be thirsty anymore.  Fill me with Your life-giving Spirit for I long to worship You with every breath I take. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

Application Steps:

Pray.   Ask God to reveal those dry places in your heart that keep you thirsty.

Read: John 4

 

Reflection Points:   

What is keeping you from drinking in the life-giving water?

 

Who around you needs a drink?

 

Why am I so hesitant to accept this free gift from Jesus?

 

When will I stop being thirsty?

 

Power Verses: 

James 4:8, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.” (NIV)

 

1 Corinthians 12:13, “Each of us is now a part of his resurrection body, refreshed and sustained at one fountain – his spirit – where we all come to drink.” (The Message)

 

Revelation 22:17, “The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.” (NIV)

 

Additional Resources:

Who Holds the Key to Your Heart? by Lysa TerKeurst

 

Becoming a Woman who Listens to God  by Sharon Jaynes

 

What Happens when Women Walk in Faith  by Lysa TerKeurst