Growing in Faith
|
Posted: May 13, 2023
Author: Kerry Lytle John 7:38, New King James "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." |
|
The old saying goes, “What’s down in the well, comes up in the bucket.” And it is true. Your mouth speaks what is in your heart and spirit. If the Spirit is there, unquenched and working, then we will glorify the Lord. If we have quenched Him, then our human nature will speak.
What’s down in your inner self is what comes out when you are in conflict, stressed, or angry. When your values or beliefs are challenged or affirmed, you will discover what is “down in the bucket.” Your first response shows the condition of your heart, mind, and attitude at the time. Matthew 12:34 (NLT) says, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."
Our words, our ways, and our choices are all a reflection of our heart. What we say and do is a result of our focus. A heart that is full of God will be seen, heard, and bless others. A heart filled with evil words, thoughts, and desires will lead to difficulties, destruction, and death.
There are two important questions to ask yourself: First, is the well of your heart contaminated or poisoned? Second, do your words (even online) or actions hurt others, or get you in trouble?
How can we make sure our well is full, but not only full, but full of the Living Water, which is Jesus. We can’t draw water from an empty well. We must fill our thirsty soul with the fresh and pure Word of God. So, how can you make sure that you have the pure Living Water in your "well"?
The key to having the Living Water and the satisfaction of the soul that the Lord has designed for us is to be near Him, in His presence. You can’t “get” the satisfaction in His hand without being close enough to hold that hand.
What are some of the ways we draw near to God? First, being in the truth about ourselves. The woman at the well (John 4:5-30) knew she needed saving and the forgiveness of her sins. God is near to the humble, so being truthful with ourselves and God about all that we lack is the first step to drawing near to Him so we can access the Living Water.
Secondly, being in the truth about who God is. The woman at the well agreed with God as He revealed Himself to her. Sometimes we challenge the Lord’s Word, sometimes we even disagree and disregard it. When we reject His Word, we reject the truth that functions as a pipe for that Living Water to get into our hearts.
Thirdly, remaining in the truth. The woman at the well did not pick up her water jug and go home to her old life unchanged. She acted on the truth she now held in her heart and we see her life take a significant turn.
Sometimes, we let a spiritual truth sit out in front of us but do not take it in. She took it. She drank the Living Water. Scripture sits at our fingertips, and we are challenged daily to take it up and drink it in....filling our wells.
I hope and pray that the Lord will meet you at your “well” today. That you would be filled with the truth about who God is and who you are to Him in such a profound, personal way that you want your well filled with nothing else.
Let's make sure we have the Living Water filled in our bucket today!
