Spring Of Living Water

"I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and He who believes in me will never go thirsty. " (John 6:36) "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." (John 7:38)

I have been reading the book of John lately, and OH! how blessed and thankful I am to have invited Christ into my life and become a Christian, knowing that I have been given a spiritual life which will live on in a relationship with God forever. How magnificent it is to me that He is the bread of my life! How my heart breaks for the unsaved! There are so many people who reject God's word, and who think they are alive, but in the spiritual world they are dead. This death is from a lack of spiritual nourishment and separation from God. I love to re-read the verses in this book declaring that salvation is free for anyone who will receive it. Whenever I am down in spirit from issues at work, home or even my health, there is no one who can supply the sweet comfort and assurance that I receive from God. Through grace, He has given me hope and the promise of eternity. I look forward and eagerly await the opportunity to share God's eternal promise to everyone searching for this spiritual nourishment.

"I am the resurrection of life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this? (John 11:25-26)

Faith in Jesus Christ alone is the only way to receive the gift of eternal life. By becoming a Christian, we are invited to become a part of God's family. And being born into God's family means we have inherited the greatest gift of all...eternity! I can look forward to eternal life because Jesus promised it to all who believe and have faith in Him. He is preparing a place for us to spend eternity with Him. It gives me hope when I battle daily situations in my life on earth, because no matter what happens on earth...God is in control! In a world of problems, evil, and disappointments, Christ calls us to endure in our faith and wait for His return to bring us everlasting peace.

"In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you; I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." (John 14:2-4)

When we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior, we are strengthened and nourished by His words, and empowered by His Holy Spirit. Eternal life is a spring of living water within us flowing out and giving us confident assurance for our future. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to live in all believers, and I do believe and trust that I have no need to fear the present or the future because of His promise for eternity. The most satisfying venture on my human journey, is knowing that at the end of this road there will be cause for thanksgiving and celebration! :) :)

I Walk In Freedom

"Now the Lord is the spirit, and where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." (2 Corinthians 3:17)

Freedom is the result of God's infinite and eternal love, and when we are children of Christ we have the freedom to celebrate His love and live a full and joyful life. It's so exciting to grow in the Lord and experience freedom to truly love and serve others! The most gratifying thing for me is to care for each other and minister to someone's mind, heart, and soul by living my life as an example for all to see. Sometimes it takes every bit of discipline and energy I can muster to share my time and a positive attitude (especially when I am not feeling very positive myself!) with family and friends, but through prayer and conversation with God, He directs me and gives me strength to be a blessing in someone else's life. I feel blessed and complete when I can nourish a friend, my family, or co-workers with words or actions and boost their confidence and/or brighten their day.

"In Him (Christ) and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence" (Ephesians 3:12)

By trusting Christ, I know that I am loved and accepted to freely live for Him. It is a privilege knowing I can approach Him with freedom and confidence and experience the joy of becoming the person I am meant to be. By continuously seeking God's salvation and trusting what He has planned for me, I know that I am free to walk about in freedom. God already knows my every thought (!), and yet He wants me to talk to Him honestly and share every moment of my day with Him. He encourages me and gives me strength and freedom to look beyond my own problems and focus on other people's needs instead. The result is a "win-win" situation because it takes my mind off of my needs and situations and leaves me a feeling of great satisfaction to be of service to someone else.

"I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to Your commandments." (Psalm 119:45)

I want to live my life in a way that glorifies God, and I pray that He will continue to provide me the opportunity to lead others into the freedom that can be found in knowing Christ.

Nourishing Fellowship

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25)

My heart and soul requires a daily dose of fellowship. Without the support of other believers, I am more vulnerable to the stresses of life and the attacks of the enemy. Fellowship is a gathering of people who come together to worship and give thanks to God, and also to encourage and build each other up. Not only is it important for me to boost others up, I have a vital need to be boosted too! :) I know that I gain strength when I pursue daily activities and interactions with others. We give each other strength when we encourage and stay focused on the Lord, and it also helps us stay on course so that we won't be tempted by the trappings of the world. It's important for my well being to seek ways in which I can encourage and support others just as God encourages and supports me.

"For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them." (Matthew 18:20)

As Christians, we can't live in isolation. We need one another, and should gather regularly with other followers of Christ anywhere and everywhere as often as we can. It makes us stronger if we try to be of service and help in meeting our loved one's needs. Without the continuous nourishment of fellowship, not only can we not be a benefit to others, but we ourselves become starved of the benefits that come from being in these blessed relationships. Family and friends are our most valuable assets, and the encouragement we give each other is what helps us to push through to the finish line, win the race and fulfill God's purpose in our lives!

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." (I Thessalonians 5:11) 

So let's all be sensitive to each others need for encouragement, and offer supportive words. Let's all get involved in fellowship with one another, cherishing every moment and being thankful to God for the opportunities. After all, we will all spend eternity together! :)