Based on “The Answer to Thirst” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 11/8-9/08,
Message # 2464; Daily Devotional #6 - “Channel of Blessing”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31) God is Sovereign, and He steers the course of our lives in ways that seem best to Him. Even when times are tough and the journey is rough, we can be assured that the Lord always cares for His people. We can be sure of His leading, care, and love. He is more than enough for our needs. Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." (John 6:35) Faith and complete dependence on God is the carrying force that helps us navigate through life.
Planting and watering the seed (Growth): As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? (Psalm 42:1-2) Christ followers are the salt of the earth. The Lord divinely purposed that we will expand His kingdom here on earth by His Spirit. You are the salt of the earth. …But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. (Matthew 5:13) We can only be effective as ‘the salt of the earth’ if we constantly draw from God’s Living Water. There will always be periods of thirst and drought while journeying through life. The Lord alone is the hope of our contentment and joy in all we do. Satan readily offers various physical things in attempts to satisfy our spiritual needs: more money, a bigger house or truck, the perfect spouse, and a lot more. The Lord alone completely satisfies every need and always brings us to the point where we thirst no more. Physical assets can never satisfy spiritual needs or emptiness. For this cause, Christ came to redeem us unto Himself. After we have become sons and daughters, tasted and seen that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8), God will use us to draw men to Him.
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. (Psalm 1:2-3) God created us with a thirst for Him, so our desires will be to Him alone. God is the source of our fulfillment, our purpose in life. Are you a channel of blessing; is the love of God flowing through you? Let God’s Living Water flow over your soul today and renew your strength in His presence every day. May the Lord help us to be all He wants us to be! Amen.
Cultivating (Additional Reading): Psalm 1; Exodus 17:1-7
LO
Calvary Chapel of Melbourne; 2955 Minton Road; W. Melbourne, FL 32904; 321-952-9673
All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.