Four Ways to Drink of the Living Water

En Gedi, Israel

En Gedi is an oasis in the Judean desert. The source of the waterfalls is a spring that has flowed hundreds of years and brought refreshment for people in the Bible–David, King Saul and others. Living water seems to flow from the throne of God.

When Jesus talked to the Samaritan woman at the well He said, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water” and “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:10, 13-14). He was not talking about physical water but spiritual fulfillment.

Jesus is the spring of living water. He knows our deepest need–the need to know Him, to know His love, to love Him and others. He said, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them” (John 7:37-38).

THINK ABOUT IT

So how can you and I drink of this living water today? Consider these four activities:

1. We come to the Spring of Living Water when we read God’s Word. The Bible is God’s love letter to His people. He quenches our thirst day by day. Fresh water is new every morning for us to drink of and use during the day.
2. Prayer is another way to drink of the Living Water. We build a relationship with our Lord by talking with Him as a Friend. And if we pay attention, we might hear His voice speaking to our hearts.
3. Our friends may offer us a sip of Living Water with words or encouragement, a Scripture verse or by helping us through troubling times.
4. Praise and worship are great opportunities to experience floods of Living Water.

God’s Spring of Living Water is always available. Drink often. Drink deeply.

PRAY ABOUT IT

Heavenly Father, thank you for Jesus, our Spring of Living Water. Prompt us to come and drink often, especially in our times of great need. Thank you for your faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Don’t Pray Like Them

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Jesus taught His followers how to pray saying, “Do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matthew 6:5-8). This Scripture raised questions with me as a young woman. I get the part about not praying to show piety, but for a long time I wondered why I needed to pray if God already knew what I needed. The answer came by spending time reading the Bible and devotions. I learned about the character of God and how much He loved me, that He wanted me to be in a relationship with Him.

Following the Scripture above is the Lord’s Prayer. See if you can find one personal pronoun.

Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours in the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, Amen.

THINK ABOUT IT

Jesus taught that prayer is not about us but about Him and others. Does that mean that it’s wrong to pray, “Thank you, Jesus,” or “Help me, Jesus”? By no means! Although our purpose as Christians is to love God and others, God wants to have a relationship with us. When we speak our hearts in prayer, we can be very personal, and when we pray from our hearts in personal ways, we discover how personal a relationship with God is. He loves us and cares about what happens to us. He sent His Holy Spirit to comfort, counsel, teach and lead us in His ways.

PRAY ABOUT IT

Heavenly Father, help us to learn more about You so we can know Your amazing love. Teach us to pray in a way to establish a personal relationship with you. Amen.