I’ve heard it said that by the time you feel thirsty, you are already beginning to dehydrate. Depending on activity and location, one can die of dehydration. So,what are the first signs? Thirst, less frequent urination, dark-colored urine, fatigue, dizziness, and confusion.
Are you tired, even after a good night’s sleep? Has confusion left you walking in circles? Have you tried something to satisfy your thirst? Maybe iced tea, Powerade, or Coke? Yet there is a thirst in your soul. There’s nothing like a cool glass of water; how about some of that living water?
“For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.”(Jeremiah 2:13)
“But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst…” (John 4:14)
“In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:37-38)
Very few people do not have a smartphone. Most of us are connected to our phones. I had to get my phone’s battery replaced and wondered how long I would have to be without my phone. We can hardly imagine life without one. We like to think we are staying connected to people we care about. Hmm, really?
Do you find yourself texting more and talking less? When was the last time you went over to a friend’s house? We enjoy the company and leave feeling satisfied and connected.
It seems technology is being used to distract and divide. I want to go back to some old paths. Instead of getting a coffee at a drive-thru Starbucks, let’s visit a friend and have a cup of joe.
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
I don’t want to try doing this alone. I want to be connected to Jesus. Get your Bible, a cup of coffee or tea, and let’s reconnect to the best friend we’ve ever had.
A long road trip with children can start with much excitement. After a few hours, it’s, “How much longer?” Soon to follow will be,“I have to go to the bathroom.” Then the real aggravation sets in: “He’s touching me,” or “He’s looking at me.” Oh, my word! Now there is a detour. I thought this was going to be an exciting and joyous ride.
Much like our walk with God, we have our course set and our promise in hand. You were once ecstatic about what God told you and where you were going. Now five, ten, or twenty-plus years have passed. You have settled for humdrum and think,“Maybe I heard wrong.”
“Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.” (Daniel 10:12)
Let’s replace Daniel with your name. God heard you years ago; things are still in the making: “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)
Perhaps you got discouraged and detoured off course. That reminds me of Peter in John 21:3. Jesus had not yet risen from the dead, and Peter went back to fishing. Was he looking to go back to his old life? No, I don’t think so; he was going back to the place where he had his first encounter. I would venture to say it would do us good to return to that first love.
“But hold fast what you have till I come.”(Revelation 2:25 NKJV
“Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.” (Genesis 6:22) ‘No doubt Noah loved God in an evil corrupt world.
The Bible says Noah was a preacher of righteousness. He was concerned about souls and made them a way to escape.
How sad that the animals responded to the call of God to come aboard the ark, yet only eight souls survived the flood.
It was 120 years after God spoke to Noah to build the ark to save his family. (1 Peter 3:20) Then seven days before it rained,God said, “...come thou and all thy house into the ark…” (Genesis 7:1) God gave the world a space to repent, seven more days. Then God shut the door.
I know it’s been years since Jesus said He is coming back. I feel the last days have already begun. I don’t know exactly when it started, but he is giving the world seven years of tribulation to repent. He is still calling, “Come!”
Noah got his family to come inside the ark. This is a universal call; will you join in and give an invitation?
“In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” (John 7:37)
“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” (Revelation 22:17)
How long has it been since you have been back home? Whether it’s your parents’, grandparents’, or childhood home, there is something about returning home when you have been gone for a while. When you get to a certain landmark, your emotions are triggered, and anticipation grows. I’m almost home now.
“So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.” (Mark 13:29)
The prodigal feels it, many are getting fearful, and others are homesick. Let us make the midnight cry like Paul and Silas in prison when everyone’s bands were loosed. We are in a time of revival. “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet…”(Isaiah 58:1:1)
“…Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” (Revelation 22:20)
Ludwig Van Beethoven learned to play music at a very young age. At his first recital, he was only six years old. He became an amazing violinist, pianist, and composer. One of his best-known pieces of music is his Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Opus 67, also known simply as “Beethoven’s Fifth Sympathy” (see link below).He was already going deaf when he composed it.
So how did Beethoven compose music when he was close to total hearing loss? I believe he knew music so well he could hear it in his mind. Much like we can hear a loved one’s voice or laughter even after they have passed from this life.
The Lord is still speaking to us today. May we become so familiar with His voice that we can hear it amid chaos, confusion, and even calamity.
Is your hearing impaired? Get your Bible, and read awhile. Play it on your phone, and listen to some preaching.
”He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” (Revelation 2:11)
Is it still a secret if you tell someone? Some people are like a book –they are easy to read. Others are somewhat mysterious. If someone confides in you, they trust you.
They may divulge some painful past experiences. One is moved with compassion by these shared wounds that were inflicted. You feel connected, and it’s easy to pray for them, especially if you’ve experienced somewhat of the same.
Secrets are truths we keep from being exposed. We guard them, conceal them, hide them. We keep them hidden, afraid we will be judged or rejected. For some reason, the truth is more difficult to face than keeping it secret.
Some things need to be kept secret. Look at Samson, for example. And Esther kept the secret that she was a Jew until the plot against her people was revealed.
God has some secrets He desires to share. God was about to destroy Sodom when he said, “Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do…” (Genesis 18:17)
“The secret things belong to the Lord our God…” (Deuteronomy 29:29). He wants to tell you His secrets. Can He trust you?
“And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.” (Isaiah 45:3)
I can’t think of a better place to hide something than in the dark. If it seems you have been groping in darkness, it’s time you tell God ALL your secrets.
“Hast thou heard the secret of God?” (Job 15:8)
Share your secrets, He may share a secret with you.
I once was young, but now I’m getting older. How do you know you are getting old without stating your age? When your sentence starts with, “I used to …” Yes, you had more strength, more stamina, and more hair. However, now you have more wisdom. What I used to call lazy, I now call“energy conservation.”
The adversary is ruthless. He looks for weakness and goes for it. Sometimes, it’s just little jabs that don’t hurt too much but take a toll on you.
We have the Word of the Lord, “The sword of the spirit.” (Ephesians 6:17)
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”(Hebrews 4:12)
Since I tire out a little quicker than I used to, maybe I shouldn’t waste time trying to fight battles on my own. You would think I would quit listening to the enemy of my soul. The Sword of the Lord does no good if I leave it in its sheath.
Let’s wield the Sword of the Lord and defeat our enemy
How do you feel about servers? (waiter or waitress)
A good restaurant always warmly greets people as they enter.
F: Friendly – We want someone friendly to be our server. Even if someone else does a good job, this server makes us feel good because they are friendly.
A: Attentive – We like it when a server sees our needs without us having to flag them down for a refill. If you are eating something messy, they bring you extra napkins. They will describe the entrees if you’ve never eaten there, as they know what they serve.
S: Speedy – We want a server who is aware of the time and doesn’t waste it. Your food is delivered while it’s still hot, not sitting on the counter getting cold. They are quick to respond to your needs.
T: Thoughtful – The server brings young children a cup with a lid on it without you asking. They know if a child needs a booster or a highchair, and they may even get you a wet paper towel or a wet wipe if needed.
Since I once worked as a waitress, I can relate to the servant. Many times, a servant’s role is disparaged. On the other hand, being a server can be rewarding. It’s not a glamorous job, but it can be a great experience.
Jesus showed us how to be servants by example. Mark 10:44-45, Philippians 2:7, John 13:1-15
F: Friendly – Our churches are like restaurants. People come because they are hungry. The first thing we need to do when they walk through the door is to greet them with a friendly smile. They could have gone to any church, but they are with us,and we are glad. We want them to KNOW we are so happy they are here, like the wonderful aroma of good food; may they smell the sweet aroma of praise to our God.
They might not understand the menu (i.e., the Word of God). We desire to help them get what they are hungry for. We have what they need: Love, understanding, caring friendship, and people who will help them find what they need in Jesus
A: Attentive – We need to discern their needs. They might be unaware of their own needs, other than that they need God. We need to be watchful when they are ready to place their order, so to speak. Timing is everything — too soon, they will clam up; too late, we missed it.
S: Speedy – We need to respond quickly. We don’t know if they will be back again. We must try to reach them. “Quench not the Spirit…” (1 Thessalonians 5:19). Move quickly when the Lord speaks to you, or you’ll talk yourself out of obeying.
“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:2-4)
T: Thoughtful – If they are alone and you click with them, sit beside them. Anticipate their needs. Do they need a tissue, a handshake, or a hug? Always a warm,genuine smile. Rebecca served the camels water, and we know she took many trips. I probably would have served Issac’s servantand left him my bucket thinking, “He’s lucky he can use my bucket and water his own stinky camels.” (I need a little more of a servant spirit.)
When Jesus went to Gethsemane, the Bible says, “he went a little farther.” We need to give them what they haven’t found at church before. Visitors should never walk out our door after service without someone telling them, “I’m so glad you came.” At MyChurch, we are here to serve.
The Warrior’s Heart Cry 