LIVING WATER- THE SOURCE OF TRUE LIFE

Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again. But whoever drinks of this water which I will give to him will never be thirsty for eternity, but the water which I will give to him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”  (John 4:13-14)

There is no way any creature on planet earth can survive without water.  Even creation without souls and wills need water to live, thrive and survive. Plants need it. Animals need it and mankind, who was made a little lower than the Angels definitely cannot live without water. Scientists say that the average human can go  days without food, not so with water. Dehydration or lack of water in the human body can lead to physical, emotional and mental problems according to doctors and scientists in both the private and public sectors. We see the effects of drought not just in third world countries, but increasing in an America which has not just abandoned a God but constantly shakes its collective fists at Him, refusing to humble ourselves and repent, turn from our wicked ways and be healed. Hence, spiritual dehydration can lead to a slow spiritually bankrupt life, which will result one day in eternal separation from the Creator. 

There's nothing like a high mountain stream. Crisp, clean and clear, it pours out of the words of heaven. At first it slips down an incline and glides clean over smooth rock, picking up speed and cutting its own path this way and that. The Lord knows even where that little source of life goes. He directs thirsty people to it. 

There's nothing like the taste of a high mountain stream. It has a natural sweetness and unique flavor which no bottled water manufacturer anywhere in this world could duplicate. It's the natural, original grace and goodness of God. 

There's no such thing as eternal life without Living Water. This living water quenches the spiritual thirsty that has plagued humankind since the Fall in the Garden. This living water, once you and I drink it, does not require paying a monthly water bill or stopping in the local grocery store for a bottle of Dasani.  Sine every human being since Adam and Eve sinned, was born spiritually dead in our sins. It is only the pure Grace of God reaching down from Heaven, looking at the Sacrifice of God the Son (Jesus Christ) which pulls us out of the bottomless pit. 

The majority of mankind would rather rebel like Moses and STRIKE the Rock rather than speak to Him and seek a right relationship with God, through Christ. (Scripture told us the rock which Moses struck, when he was specifically told to speak to it, WAS Christ  (1 Corinthians 10:4)). Jesus told us of the rich man who was in hell and he was in torment, yet he thirsted. Being conscious, he even sought a sip of water to cool his tongue. Why does this even have to happen when the cool, peaceful water of Life is completely FREE and available to everyone, everywhere (John 3:16)?!

Let's think about this next time up on the front range of the Rockies and the snow starts melting or hiking around Pine Mountain, Georgia...or the gorgeous Smokey mountains. Have you drank at the font of life? Why not?!

THE MEANING OF LIFE: PART 8 OF 12

                            A CHAPTER BY CHAPTER STUDY OF THE BOOK OF

                                         ECCLESIASTES......CHAPTER 8

                                               "RESPECT AUTHORITY"

As the book of Ecclesiastes continues, Chapter 8 throws us curve ball, which too many people have a problem processing - that is, how to respect authority. Everyone you and I know have no problems obeying the Law, from the local cop to the TSA agent at the airport. This is not what Solomon is dictating here, from the very Spirit of God Himself!

The structure of government, in essence, was set up by God to represent HIS government on earth and administer justice, compassion and direction. Now, what men from the communist dictators and others right up to the great American Founding Fathers have designed in the natural world, are their own systems. The closest system to the Freedom of the Bible which Christ has given is, is the American System - democracy and constitutional rights.

The key to understanding this chapter is not obey authority, so we can learn to obey God. The Bible does NOT say to obey orders that violate God's principles. This is a no-brainer. But the Lord does teach us to respect, pray for and walk in this Truth, which was sent to us, from Above. Therefore, please read this chapter and then watch the video teaching, if you will.

Ecclesiastes 8

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Obey Rulers

8 Who is like the wise man and who knows the interpretation of a matter? A man’s wisdom illumines [a]him and causes his stern face to [b]beam.

2 I say, “Keep the [c]command of the king because of the oath [d]before God. 3 Do not be in a hurry [e]to leave him. Do not join in an evil matter, for he will do whatever he pleases.” 4 Since the word of the king is authoritative, who will say to him, “What are you doing?”

5 He who keeps a royal command experiences no [f]trouble, for a wise heart knows the proper time and procedure. 6 For there is a proper time and procedure for every delight, though a man’s trouble is heavy upon him. 7 If no one knows what will happen, who can tell him when it will happen? 8 No man has authority to restrain the wind with the wind, or authority over the day of death; and there is no discharge in the time of war, and evil will not deliver [g]those who practice it. 9 All this I have seen and applied my [h]mind to every deed that has been done under the sun wherein a man has exercised authority over another man to his hurt.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF CHAPTER 8

THINK ON THESE THINGS - WEDNESDAY

A KINGDOM, A KINGDOM, A KINGDOM FOR HIM, OF COURSE....Part 1

The word "Kingdom" does not carry much weight in today's society. Because of the abuse of monarchs and dictators towards their people, since time began,  us westerners do not care much for kings and kingdoms. In fact America was founded when the oppressive British Empire and King George 3 were both kicked out of here in the American War of Independence.


The popular worship song "Something About that Name" has a line in it which goes "kings and kingdoms will soon pass away..." What kings? What kingdoms? Well, in bible terms, these are words used to mean the Rulers of the countries of this perishing earthly system. 


This leads us to the final phrase in our indepth two week daily study of the LORD'S PRAYER, which the Lord Jesus gave to show us how to prayer.

Matthew 6: 8-13:

Our Father in heaven,
      Hallowed be Your name.
      Your kingdom come.
      Your will be done
      On earth as it is in heaven.
      Give us this day our daily bread.
   And forgive us our debts,
      As we forgive our debtors.
    And do not lead us into temptation,
      But deliver us from the evil one.
      For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

The Coming 1000 year Kingdom on earth is God's way of transition from this horrible fallen earthly system to the Eternal Realm.  This will happen after the coming Tribulation and the Wrath of God, on the pagan kings, leaders, presidents and dictators of this world who rejected the Lord Jesus. 

The progression from the natural to the supernatural state, of believers who have now been raised in Christ, re-establishes the ORIGINAL Order of things, when God created Adam and Eve. 

HIS IS THE KINGDOM. HIS IS THRONE.

WORSHIP CHRIST THE KING AND HIM THE KING, ALONE. 

Pray this with me:

FOR YOURS IS THE KINGDOM: Lord, You are Ruler of the Universe. At creation all the morning stars sang together and the Angels shouted for joy, even Satan before he tried to take over in Heaven.  Father, he is the prince of this world and what a sick, perverted, evil and corrupt world it is. But his time is coming. You said to my Lord “sit at My Right Hand and I shall make Your enemies a footstool” When Your Son returns in righteous power and majesty, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Thank you Father, for Your Majesty for You alone are Holy, Holy, Holy, oh Lord God Almighty. The whole world is full of Your Glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

(image by google images)

THINK ON THESE THINGS - MONDAY

PEARLS FROM PERIL

GUEST WRITER: LYNN MOSHER

What is a natural pearl? 
Most of us know how pearls are made. When a foreign substance invades an oyster, the intruder slips into the mantle tissue of the mollusk, causing irritation. It is somewhat like the oyster getting a splinter. “The oyster’s natural reaction is to cover up that irritant to protect itself,” as one source states.

As a natural reaction to this, the oyster secretes a substance known as nacre to envelope the foreign invader as a part of its self-protection. The nacre is secreted over and over creating layers around the irritant to make it smoother. 


Over time, the layers create a shiny pearl of various colors (white, pink, black, red, blue and green). Pearls reach their full size over an average span of three years. Thus, the reason for their worth.

What is a cultured pearl?

Cultured pearls develop much in the same way. However, while natural pearls develop without human intervention, cultured pearls are cultivated through human manipulation, depositing the irritant within the mollusk.

What is a peril? 

The dictionary defines peril as something that causes an exposure to injury, loss, or destruction, grave risk, jeopardy, or danger.

Is there an irritant in your life, something that has attempted to destruct your life or invade your spirit? Has some circumstance, trial, or grief surrounded you, threatening injury or loss?

Some of our troubles emanate from our own human manipulation like the cultured pearl. We then try to cover them over by our own efforts. This usually results in the problem remaining as grit stuck in our craw rather than becoming a pearl.

However, some trials develop without our intervention. Like the irritant of the natural pearl, they just slip their way into our lives.

The Lord takes all our perils, all those irritants and trials, hurts and heartaches, losses and griefs, and covers them over with His balm. He pours out the oil of His Spirit, layer upon layer, upon our souls and spirits until we have “beauty for ashes” and “the oil of joy for mourning.” (Isaiah. 61:3)

I don’t think it is any coincidence that the gates into heaven are each made of one gigantic pearl. (Revelation. 21:21) God has taken all the perils, trials, and tribulations from the beginning of time and molded them into the pearly gates.

We shall enter those portals of pearl, passing through and leaving behind all that has grieved us throughout our lives, leaving our tears outside the gate and entering into the fullness of joy.

Just as someone once said, “Nearly all God’s jewels are crystallized tears,” so all our perils are encapsulated pearls.

How long has it taken to make a pearl out of your irritant, your hurt, your peril? Are you still waiting for your pearls from perils? Hang on; it takes time. In God’s timing, all your troubles will be transformed into worthy pearls.

A pearl...a healed wound, born out of affliction. Are there any pearls in your life?

(Image by Google images)