When You're Thirsty

Every human being knows what it’s like to be thirsty. Thirst in it’s simplest form is the simple feeling of a need to drink something. Our bodies sense thirst several times a day, during meal times, exercise, and even when we sleep. Physically, the sensory manifestation of thirst is simply meant to be an indication of our bodies vital need for hydration. Sometimes, we immediately obey our thirst by reaching for a drink, other times-- we ignore it.   Because our bodies need water, when thirst is ignored, the consequences can be severe and even deadly.

As humans we thirst in a way that is far more concerning then our physical needs. Our souls thirst too. Inside each of us, deep in our hearts, God instilled a thirst for something more. Money can’t satisfy it. Relationships can’t quench it. Accomplishments can’t fulfill it. This natural thirst is meant to propel us to Jesus, the source of living water. The thirst inside you and I is not a suggestion, but rather, an alarming warning that the consequences for a dehydrated soul are serious, and potentially fatal.

Growing up in a Christian home I had been exposed to the gospel as early as I can remember. I understood God’s generous offer to me, salvation, peace, purpose, but-- I was still dangerously dehydrated. You see, I had made a habit of standing in the water, but never actually drinking it.

Think about this: In churches all over America, millions of people are knee deep in water, yet still dying of thirst. They are literally surrounded by the Living Water; sitting in pews, attentively listening to sermons, maybe even serving in their congregations.  Our souls cannot be hydrated by being in close proximity to other Christians. An inspirational book or convicting sermon is no more effective.  Jesus offers us Living Water, but we must decisively drink it. He alone can satisfy the thirst within. The problem is, we are often more apt to reach for temporary instant gratification versus soul hydration.

About three years ago I learned this lesson the hard way while running a half marathon (13.2 miles). Mile after mile I pressed forward determined to keep going even without adequate water.  Throughout the course I passed several water stations but was too focused on maintaining pace to slow for a drink. I began to feel dizzy. A dull headache began shortly thereafter. My lips were cracked, mouth dry, and body physically exhausted. At mile 12 I passed the last water station, glancing at the cups of Gatorade and water being offered-- but continuing towards the finish without stopping. What happened two turns from the finish line was tragic, but could have been much much worse, potentially fatal. I blacked out. I literally fell mid run sideways unconscious onto the pavement.

I awoke surrounded by a medical team asking me questions of which I was too confused and discombobulated to answer. I had blacked out from severe dehydration, and literally could not even remember my name. It took several gulps of water, and packets of salt (to help me retain fluids) to bring me back to a point of vital stability.

I share this story, because I see similar occurrences happening everyday in our churches. Believers exhausting themselves with busy schedules, committing continuously to serve, give and do --- even believers passionate about leading other thirsty sojourners to the Living Water. Far too often Christians are negligent about quenching their own thirst and the results of attempting life at such a pace is painful and disastrous.

Drinking of the Living Water requires us to stop and be still long enough to drink. On this course of life marked out for us there will be many times where regular maintenance sips will do. But then there are those other times, where we face a spiritual dryness, times in which we must be deliberately attentive to the longing in our souls. Get up fifteen minutes earlier to pray. Take in His word at scheduled intervals throughout the day. Memorize scriptures that speak to your individual circumstances.

The reality is you cannot lead others to water, nor ever hope to teach them how to drink, if you are not well hydrated yourself. You cannot encourage others to persevere in the Christian race or to turn to Jesus for their deepest needs, if you haven’t slowed down enough to let Him meet yours. You cannot give, what you do not possess. Drink up, Living Water for your soul is abundantly available and flows from the souls who obey the thirst.

John 7:38

Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, 'Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.'"

About the Author :

Christina Stolaas is a 30 year old who is addicted to Jesus, Coffee, and Running. She's a mom to four energetic kids who she adores, and wife to one wonderful husband of almost 10 years. Christina is a Sunday school teacher to youth, is actively involved in women's ministry and uses her gift of writing wherever God opens the doors!

Who Do You Say I Am?

I was working on some devotionals about a week ago, and I heard this question, "Who do you say that I am?" And I began to meditate on it, really thinking about the moment Jesus asked this of His disciples.  (Matthew 16:13-17 NLT)

(13)When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (17)Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.

Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do men say that I am?"  In other words, "What's the word on the street?" And they began to say, "Some say you're John the Baptist.  Some Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." Then He turned to His disciples and He asked them, "But who do you say that I am?"

"Okay, You've told me what everybody else is saying, but, who do you, you who walk closely with Me. You who talk with Me.  You who've seen me do miracles."

Who do you say that I am?

One of His disciples, Simon Peter, responded "Thou art the Christ!  The son of the Living God!"

(17)Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. (NLT)

I feel like Christ is requiring that we all answer this question, "Who do you say that I am?" 

When you look at your life, everything about your life, who are you saying, and, I'm not talking about with mere words, that He is?

What are your actions saying?  What are you thoughts saying?  Who do your responses say that He is?  When you remain in sin? Who are you saying that He is? When you procrastinate in the things of God and walk in fear. Who are you saying that He is?  Think about your life.  Reflect on that question. 

Because whether we want to believe it or not, our lives speak.  Is your life "speaking" truth or a lie? In this hour,  those who walk closely with God, their very lives must declare to the world, This is who Christ is.  Everything about our lives, our good works, our holy lifestyle, our walk of righteousness, love, and joy, should truthfully declare,  "This is who God is."

Who we say He is should be different from who the world says He is.  People should be able look at your life and see the Father because the Father has been revealed to you.

Your life will say who He is.  Just as when Jesus walked the Earth.  He came declaring the Father.  Revealing and interpreting Him in the Earth. He came manifesting the very glory of God in the Earth. 

When another disciple named Philip asked Him to show them the Father, Jesus asked him, "Have I been with you all of this time, and yet, you don't know me?" Jesus told Him, "If you've seen Me, you've seen the Father."  This is why we are in the Earth.  That through our lives, God may be seen, revealed, made known and declared to this dying world. 

When Jesus ended His earthly ministry, He prayed a prayer in which He told the Father, I have manifested your name in the Earth."

 (John 17:6 AMP)

I have manifested Your Name [I have revealed Your very Self, Your real Self] to the people whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, and You gave them to Me, and they have obeyed and kept Your word.

This must be our desire and focus.  That each day, we live before God and man in such a way, that Christ, the real Christ is manifested.  And, in order for us to do that effectively, we must know Him.  We must have a divine revelation of who He is, just as Peter did. And divine revelation does not come from any human being. An intimate knowledge of who He is can not come from man. 

Man can tell you all day long who they think He is. But a divine revelation can only come from God.

It's all about knowing Him for yourself, so that you can declare and proclaim Him to everybody else. 

Prayer:  Father, may my life declare truthfully and loudly who you are to the world. May the world continually look at my life and be pointed towards you. 

***

About the Author: Pamela Bell

Pastor Pamela Bell is a passionate, lover of God, who desires to see God's people walk in the knowledge of who they are in Christ. She resides in Mobile, AL and serves as an Elder at her church, Gulf Coast Christian Center. Pastor Pamela enjoys reading, spending time with friends and all things chocolate.

Spring Cleaning Your Marriage

Longing to see the first robin, I looked out my window everyday in hopes of an early arrival of spring.  It has been such a long, bitter cold winter here in South Dakota.  It began with 3 feet of snow in October, 2013 and it's still snowing as of today into the first week of May.  So as you can see, after 8 months of winter weather, I have certainly longed, more than ever, to see that first robin.  But it has felt as though it will never come. 

There are many times in our lives when love, happiness and contentment seem that they too, will never come.  Hatred, depression and restlessness overwhelm us.  Satan is great at using these emotions against us.  He uses them when we’re single and more so when we’re married.  Because of this, we find ourselves longing for something better. 

Unfortunately, we look out our window into the world to fix problems within our marriage.  We refuse to let Jesus our Lord and Savior be our guide.  We hold on to certain Hollywood ideals of what marriage should be.  Like the idea that married couples never have sex.  If they do, it’s only for a holiday, birthday or because the hubby was a good boy and took the trash out.  Comedy shows have made this the norm, so now, too many couples think it’s funny to joke about how little they respect each other’s needs.  Then before they know it, the bleakness and cold of winter enters their marriage.  And just like those long winter months it’s hard to endure. 

But why do we endure long winters?  Because we know that winter will pass.  It may still be cold and even snow again but we are renewed and invigorated just the same with the longer days approaching.  We begin our spring cleaning throwing away old and worn out items.  Opening the windows and letting the fresh air of spring in.  Dusting, vacuuming and cleaning everything in sight.  When the house is spotless it is a great feeling of accomplishment and self worth for our hard work. 

Spring cleaning your marriage is no different and it begins with you.  If you’re longing for something better start by spring cleaning your idea of marriage.  Ask yourself…

Have you truly opened the door wide for Jesus to come in to be your Lord and Savior?  Do you let His word guide your marriage through life’s most difficult hours?  If not, do so today for there is no guarantee for tomorrow. 

We can read in James 4:14 (NASB) Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. 

How do we let Jesus in?  Acts 2:38 (NASB) Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Do you understand and communicate with your husband about his needs and yours?  This means talking about sex because your needs are not the same as his.  You must keep an open mind and understand that the marriage bed is undefiled.  That means you are allowed to enjoy it and become one with each other. 

1 Corinthians 7:3-4 (NASB)  The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband.  ⁴ The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.

Do you feel sex between a wife and husband is God given or do you use it as a weapon to get what you want?  We see this idea of marriage on television all too often.  The wife is mad so she snaps her fingers and tells her husband, “none for you tonight!”  The “husband in the doghouse” scenario should never be done in a marriage. 

1 Corinthians 7:5 (NASB)  Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 

In the scriptures we can read that sex between a husband and wife is a commandment to be held in love, kindness and respect.  To do so otherwise separates us from God.  The attitude of using sex as a weapon disrespects our husband as head of the house and the wife is certainly not being in submission to him as the scriptures teach.   

Love, happiness and contentment only comes when Jesus is our source of guidance, not the popular opinion our friends or of Hollywood.  Choose to be happy.  Look for reasons to be together rather than reasons you should separate.  

It is never too late to do a little spring cleaning.

About the Author :

Anna Henderson is a southern girl at heart from Alabama. She is a dedicated preacher’s wife and mother of two. Anna has a passion for writing and art and loves to use these talents most in teaching Bible classes.

Stay in Your Lane

 

I was listening to a sermon the other day by Bishop T.D. Jakes and he said something that rang so true and deep; “It’s not your business who God blesses.”  Often in our walk with God we can become sidetracked by the blessings others may receive that we have decided they either don’t deserve or the question, “Why not me God?” begins to consume our mind.  “But God, didn’t you see how they treated me?  And you are going to bless them?”

We need to stop acting like others blessings are our business and that we are the authority on to whom and how those blessings are handed out.  We must stay in our own lane on the highway that God has given each of us to travel on.  “And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it.”-Isaiah 35:8.  I don’t care how tattered or broken your lane may be or how much better someone else’s lane may look compared to ours.  Our lane and what we do in and with it are of great importance. 

 

Problems with focusing on others lanes (and blessings):

*Rubbernecking at someone else’s lane can cause an accident in your own lane.  Distractions are detrimental, that’s why they are one of the most used tactics by the enemy to derail us.

*Often the test comes when you watch someone else being blessed, especially if you think it’s someone undeserving.  How you react shows the true condition of your heart.

*Often what looks like a blessing, may not be. 

*You do not know every detail of that person’s life.  We only see snapshots while God sees and knows all.

 

How to stay in your own lane:

*Prayerfully ask for your calling/purpose to be revealed.  Many times we get consumed by what others are doing simply because we don’t know how we fit in the puzzle of this life.  When we don’t have clarity or vision we become focused on what others are doing instead of what we are supposed to be doing.  We must go to God and ask Him to reveal that to us.

*Appreciate and be grateful for what God has blessed you with.  When we begin to shift our focus to the positives, our whole outlook changes.  We will embrace life more as well as what we have been blessed with.  “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”-Hebrews 12:1

*Fix your lane!  If you don’t like it, fix it!  Figure out what it is you don’t like about the current condition of your lane and start the steps to fixing it.  Remember, though, that Rome wasn’t built over night and change takes time.

*Be aware of what and why someone else’s lane (and blessings) triggers a reaction in you.  Also, go to God quickly with it and ask for forgiveness so that a seed of bitterness does not take root.   

*Start praising God!  Praise Him for what He has done in your past and for what He is doing now in your life!  Speak life over your life using God's word.  Allow His word to consume your mind, heart and soul.                                                                                                                  

 

All things are possible (Luke 18:27)

It will be worth it (Romans 8:28)

I supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)

I will never leave or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)

You are accepted (Ephesians 1:6)

I have great plans for your life (Jeremiah 29:11)

You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)

You are Bold (Proverbs 28:1)

As always, every one of you is important to the kingdom, so put your crowns back on, throw your shoulders back and act accordingly to what God says about you!

 

***

About the Author: 

Leilani Glassmyer is a single mom to a beautiful 4 year old little girl. She is in love with the Creator of the stars. Her mission is simple yet so big, to encourage and bring Jesus to all in need. To bring hope by loving people, writing, photography, music, poetry/spoken word and meeting people right where they are. Gods Grace is her air.

He Can Take It

Psalm 55:16-17, 22 (The Message)

“I call to God;

    God will help me.

At dusk, dawn, and noon I sigh

        deep sighs—he hears, he rescues. Pile your troubles on God’s shoulders—

    he’ll carry your load, he’ll help you out.”

In this generation of having it all together, vulnerability is seen as weakness. It is not so easy to pour out our guilt, shame, weaknesses, and insecurities to the  people closest to us, talk less to God whose standards are so high they’re hitting the roof.

We usually don’t take our fears, hurts and scars to God and even when we do, we sugar-coat and tailor-fit it so much that the real pain and message is lost. We put up a perfect performance in our relationship with Him.

Vulnerability calls for intimacy. When we let go of the façade and emotional shield, we are calling out to God, baring ourselves to him. We are telling Him we trust Him enough not to hurt us with our most sensitive information. It is okay to pour it all out before God. It is okay to go before God weak and helpless and ashamed. Get it off your chest. Raw. Uncut. God can handle it. He can take it.

We are not supposed to be grumbling, sniffling and depressed people. But life presents us with unexpected curves. We feel like throwing in the towel and giving up. The closest people don’t understand our trials. People leave our lives and some betray us. I’ve been in situations where I could not verbally articulate what I was going through. Tears were the order of the day.

Colossians 2:13-15 (The Message) is so precious to me:

“God brought you alive—right along with Christ! Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ’s cross. He stripped all the spiritual tyrants in the universe of their sham authority at the Cross and marched them naked through the streets.”

If God has disarmed, beaten, booed, jeered and publicly paraded every principality and power raging against me; every sickness, family issue, failing grades, heartbreak and depression, why am I the one bearing the shame?

Why is the thief being paraded on the street and you, child of God, blood-bought and blood-justified, run to hide, cowering with your head between your knees?  Jesus died for you and every weakness, every past, every scar, every mental torment, every sickness, every sin, every inability, every contrary principality against you. He stripped them of their power and made a public show of them!

Sometimes, we honestly don’t feel that way. Life gets too hard. Hebrews 4:15 (HCSB) lets us know:

“For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at a proper time.”

One liberating and satisfying truth is that Jesus understands. He really does. The last thing He desires of us at any low point in our life is to hide from Him. When Peter was sinking, he called out to Jesus. This is very unlike most people today. We hide and pretend when we are sinking. We wet our pillows at night and plaster a smile on our faces at dawn.

I love King David. He wasn't perfect; he sure had his own issues. but man, God loved David! There was intimacy between him and God. There was no pretense, no hiding, no shame in his relationship with God.

I scribbled this across my Bible where Psalm 55:16-17, 22 is located: it’s okay to jibby jabber to God! That scripture also assures me that when I call out to God, He will rescue me. But I need to tell Him exactly how I feel, exactly what I need. David cried to God morning, afternoon, and evening. In distress and depression, God kept hearing him.

Your burdens whether physical, emotional, financial, family-wise, career-wise, health, academics should be taken to God’s “throne of grace with boldness so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at a proper time.” He can stomach it. Bonus: He has promised to take care of you! He will not permit you to slip or fall. God has got you!

About the Author: Ayotola Tehingbola

A lover of everything words and fine paper, Ayotola is pursuing Jesus in education, youth ministry, women empowerment, and public speaking. Her life's message is centered around breathtaking lifelong intimacy with God, refinement of individual character and finding and fulfilling God's plan for one's life. You can find her at her personal blog: ayotola.wordpress.com

Don't Look Down

I am so happy that the weather is finally warmer. My runner's high arrived a little early this year, so I have been looking forward to warmer weather since early March. It's been so nice to come home from a busy day, throw on some shorts and a tank, lace up my shoes, and bolt out the door in order to satisfy the thirst of my inner-runner.

I go to school in the city, so I run in some pretty crowded areas of the city at times as well. I absolutely love people, but I've always felt awkward running past strangers who run in the opposite direction as I do on the same sidewalk. I usually stare straight ahead or look down with each stranger in passing in order to avoid the so called awkwardness.

Half-way through my 7 mile run this past Thursday,  I randomly remembered something I heard on the radio a couple of weeks ago. The spokesperson was talking about the opportunities that we all have each day to be Jesus to someone, even if that's just through a simple smile in passing. I smiled to myself and also reminded myself in those few moments that we aren't called to be comfortable. Rather, we're called to step out of our comfort zones (Or, in my case, run out of my comfort zone). What a beautiful, wonderful, marvelous piece of Truth. I am so thankful God placed it on my heart in the midst of that run. Instead of looking down or staring straight ahead with each stranger in passing, I gave each one a smile for the rest of that run. I'll continue to do that for my runs from this point on as well. Showing kindness through a simple expression of a smile truly works wonders.

It doesn't matter if you get acknowledgement in return or not. What matters is that you showed someone a smile-something they may not have seen or received that day- and that smile showed them a glimpse of Jesus-you gave them a godly touch. The only one who should be looking down is Jesus, because he smiles down on us everyday. We are called to look up. We miss out on so much when we look down. Next time you go to the store, the park, out for a run, or anywhere out in public, look around you! Look up. Admire the creation and the community that surrounds you, and don't take it for granted. Acknowledge it. Embrace it. All of this is here for you, and it was made by the Source of a godly touch indeed. Hold on to this Truth, and walk forward in His grace today, tomorrow, and always.

I want to challenge you to offer someone [or many someones] a godly touch each day from here on out. It won't only have an effect on the receiver, but the giver as well (hey, that's you). I promise.

"The power of a godly touch. Have you known it? The doctor who treated you, or the teacher who dried your tears?  Was there a hand holding yours at a funeral?

Haven’t we known the power of a godly touch? Can’t we offer the same?

Some of you use your hands to pray for the sick. If you aren’t touching them personally, you’re writing notes, calling, baking pies.  You’ve learned the power of a touch.

But others tend to forget. Our hearts are good; it’s just that our memories are bad. We forget how significant one touch can be.

We fear saying the wrong thing, or using the wrong tone or acting the wrong way. So rather than do it incorrectly, we do nothing at all.

Aren’t we glad Jesus didn’t make the same mistake? Jesus touched the untouchables of the world. Will you do the same?" -Max Lucado

Be blessed today and always, ladies.

* * * 

Author: Emily Townsend

 

Emily Townsend is a 20 year old southern girl who has a heart for loving Jesus, loving others, and serving the world. She is currently pursuing a career in ministry as she continues to fall madly in love with Jesus by the day. Emily is also a lover books, coffee, koalas, Pinterest, Pilates, and weddings. Her daily dose of life consists of a little bit of coffee and a whole lot of Jesus. You can also find her blogging on her personal blog The Joy of My Joy.