Yet Another Year of Choices

By Barbara Dahlgren

One of my favorite scriptures is Psalm 118:24: “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” That means every day is a brand new gift from God. Each new day is full of opportunities and possibilities. It’s another chance to hold loved ones near, to enjoy creation, to praise and worship God. And we are commanded to rejoice and be glad IN it – not in spite of it or after it’s over – but IN it!

There’s no denying that some days are good and some are not so good, but there is always some positive aspect to be found. Our job is to search it out! Far too many rob themselves of appreciating today by living in regret of yesterday and fear of tomorrow. Let’s face it – yesterday is gone and there is no guarantee for tomorrow, so today is all we have.

So how can we make the most of each and every day the Lord has made and given to us. Here are few suggestions…

• Be glad! Find something, anything to be happy about! (Psalm 118:24)
• Rejoice! Give God praise and worship no matter how you feel! (Philippians 4:4)
• Be thankful! Find something, anything to be thankful for! (Colossians 2:6-7, Psalm 95:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:18)
• Stay in constant communication with God. Say short prayers all day long. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
• Laugh at least once every day! (Proverbs 17:22)
• Notice and enjoy a little of God’s creation. (Psalm 8:1-4)
• Think good thoughts and the best of others! (Philippians 4:8)
• Don’t worry or fear! Worry and fear cannot solve problems. (Philippians 4:6a, Psalm 56:3-4)
• Turn problems over to God! (Philippians 4:6)
• Trust God! Whisper the words “I trust You Lord” often. (Proverbs 3:5, Psalm 34:8, Psalm 62:8)
• Keep minds focused on Jesus! (Isaiah 26:3, Hebrews 12:2)
• Savor God’s love. Nothing can separate us from God’s love. He is with us always. (Romans 8:38-39; Matthew 28:20)
• Remember, it’s not about us; it’s about God. So do everything for His glory. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Consider this… This is the day that the Lord has made. If we do any of the above suggestions, we should be able to rejoice and be glad in it!

One final thought…

Today is the first day of the rest of your life, so don’t screw it up!

Yet Another Year of Choices

By Barbara Dahlgren

Abraham Lincoln was president during one of the  most trying times in our nation – the Civil War. According to several books written about Lincoln, when a man approached him and said, “Mr. President, we trust during this time of trial in which the nation is engaged, God is on our side, and will give us victory.” Lincoln replied: “Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side. My greatest concern is to be on God’s side…”

Lincoln refused to picture the North as entirely virtuous in the Civil War, nor the South entirely evil. He knew each was fighting for a cause they believed in. In his second Inaugural Address in 1865 he said, “Both (North and South) read the same Bible and pray to the same God…” He knew the outcome was in God’s hands. He knew God’s perspective is not always our perspective. God sees everything and we don’t.

Lincoln had profound spiritual perception – which is remarkable considering he never professed to be a Christian. Lincoln attended but never joined a church. He was disillusioned by organized religion, but he never denied the truth of the Scriptures. He read the Bible throughout his life, quoted from it, and made use of biblical images. It is said he knew much of the Bible by heart. He pointed our country to God and continually asked for prayers. He was not a theologian, but he openly acknowledged the sovereignty of God and he was wise enough to see the subtle difference between God being on our side or us being on God’s side.

How many of us want to be on God’s side? Academically, we probably all do. Emotionally, if we are totally honest, most of us want God to be on our side. We want God to back us up, continually deliver us, and think like we do. We may pray, “Thy will be done,” but in our hearts we want God to give us what we yearn for. Far too often we seek for God’s will to align with ours when we should be praying for our will to align with His.

Being on God’s side means we believe and trust God even when He doesn’t give us what we want. A good illustration of this is found in Daniel 2. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down to the golden idol because they knew there is only one true God. As a result, King Nebuchadnezzar had them thrown into a fiery furnace.

They didn’t say, “God is on our side. He will protect us.” No, in essence they said, “We are on God’s side. We know that the God we serve is able to deliver us, but even if He chooses not to, we still won’t serve your gods or worship your golden image.”

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego knew what it meant to be truly and wholeheartedly on God’s side. They knew God could deliver them, but if for some reason it wasn’t His will that they be delivered, that was okay with them. Only God knows what His perfect plan is in our lives. Only God can bring it to completion.

Consider this… We can learn a lot from Lincoln’s statement: “Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side. My great concern is to be on God’s side.” May we always believe and trust God. May we always seek to be on God’s side.

One final thought…

Here is the rest of Lincoln’s quote: “My greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.”

Yet Another Year of Choices

By Barbara Dahlgren

In Romans we are asked a rhetorical question, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (Romans 8:35)

Truthfully, nothing can separate us from Christ’s love, which is revealed as we read further in this passage: “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:35-39)

We cannot be separated from God’s love because He loves us regardless. He loves us whether we are good or bad, whether we win or lose, and whether times are smooth or rough. Whether we believe it or not, God loves us! He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for us. Jesus Christ died for us while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8) and there is no greater love than to die for someone. (John 15:13) So God loves us. It’s a given. No matter what happens, God loves us.

As Christians, perhaps the more important question to ask is whether or not we will still love God when hardships come? Don’t kid yourself into thinking Christians are immune from trials and distress. Hardships are a given in life whether we are saints or sinners. The Christian life was never promised to be without difficulties. Will we love God during the bad times as well as the good?

Our Biblical forefathers must have thought about this as well. Here are some of their conclusions:

Habakkuk: “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.” (Habakkuk 3:17-18)

Micah: “Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.” (Micah 7:8)

Job: “Then said his wife unto him, ‘Dost thou still retain thine integrity? Curse God, and die.’ But he said unto her, ‘Thou speak as one of the foolish women speaks. What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?’ In all this Job did not sin with his lips.” (Job 2:9-10)

My favorite example is Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. When faced with the possibility of being burned alive, they basically said they knew God was able to deliver them. However, if God chose not to deliver them, it was okay with them. (Daniel 3:16-18) They would love and praise God no matter what He decided to do.

Consider this… Loving and praising God is not so much about good times or bad times, or when we win or lose. It’s about loving and trusting Him no matter what. After all, that’s the kind of love He gives to us!

One final thought…

God loves you. Others may think you are a jerk – and you may very well be, but God loves you anyway.

Yet Another Year of Choices

By Barbara Dahlgren

Menelik II was an intelligent, dynamic African ruler who lived from 1844 to 1913. He established the nation of Ethiopia and is remembered for preserving the freedom of his people by defeating a major Italian military expedition. He strengthened his kingdom through expansion and modernization.

Legends tell us that Menelik II believed the word of God had curative powers. When he felt ill, he would actually eat a few pages of scripture. This seemed to work quite well for him. Then in 1913 he had a stroke and prescribed himself a strict diet of first and second Kings. He survived the stroke but died of a bowel obstruction shortly afterwards – probably caused by excessive amounts of paper in his intestines. If he had read the book of Kings instead of literally eating it, he might have learned something and lived in the process.

Ezekiel and John were given specific instructions from God to literally eat a scroll or two. However, we don’t see any other prophets, disciples, or apostles doing the same thing. It would give a whole new meaning to the Last Supper. However, the Bible often uses the image of eating as a metaphor for studying God’s Word. Jeremiah said that when God’s Word came to him, he “ate” it. (Jeremiah 15:16)

2 Timothy 2:15 commands us to study the Bible. Metaphorically speaking, we should devour it like a healthy meal. In our hearts, we know that spiritual food is better than physical food. After all, man wasn’t meant to live by bread alone but by every Word of God. (Matthew 4:4) The scriptures were given by inspiration from God to help us understand doctrine, correct us, instruct us, train us, and equip us for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) The Thessalonians were commended for searching the scriptures daily. (Acts 17:11)

We know this, but the sad fact is that most of us don’t even read our Bibles daily, much less study them. However, we rarely go a day without eating because we know our physical bodies cannot survive without physical food. Not only do we eat daily, but the health conscious among us strive to eat a balanced diet. Menelik II found out the hard way that too much of the wrong kind of fiber could be hazardous to your health.

One’s spiritual life cannot survive without the spiritual food found in the Bible. Listening to TV preachers, reading devotionals, and attending small group meetings are great but should not be substitutions for daily drinking in God’s Word. Not only should we be “eating” the Bible daily, but in a balanced way. A spiritual diet of all prophecy will not make a healthy Christian.

Consider this… If we are what we eat, I recommend we “eat” our Bibles. Not the way Menelik II did, because it did not reap a healthy result. “Eat” your bible the way Jeremiah did. “Thy words were found and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.”

One final thought…

There’s an old saying: Garbage in; garbage out. It came from the computer world indicating that when poor or incorrect input occurs, a faulty output is produced. The same can apply to our bodies and minds. So be cautious about what your body and mind feed on so each can produce the right result.

Yet Another Year of Choices

By Barbara Dahlgren

One of my favorite movies is The Wizard of Oz. I love it! Dorothy spins over that rainbow and lands on top of a wicked witch. Then the lovely Glinda floats down like a beauty queen to ask Dorothy in a wavery voice, “Are you a good witch or a bad witch?” Dorothy is perplexed. “I’m not a witch at all,” she says. “Witches are old and ugly.”

“Tee-hee-hee,” the Munchkins titter. The elegant Glinda replies, “They’re laughing because – I am a witch.”

Things aren’t always what they seem, are they? Consider if someone were to ask you, “Are you a good Christian or a bad Christian?” Is a bad Christian anomaly? Aren’t all Christians, by virtue of just being Christian, good? If that were true, books like When Bad Christians Happen to Good People by Dave Burchett wouldn’t have to be written.

Christians who try to shove religion down another’s throat in the name of Christ miss the mark of what Christianity is all about. The Bible says to be ready to give an answer to those who ask. (1 Peter 3:15) No one wants to ask an obnoxious Christian anything. Maybe that’s why they feel the need to preach their version of Christ to all they meet. Some want to convert people to be like them rather than leading them to encounter the risen Christ.

Nor should we be trying to spiritually psychoanalyze someone else. Telling people who have problems, sickness, or trials that they are suffering because God is punishing them or they are sinning or they are not close enough to God is not comforting nor is it biblical. The greatest apostle of all, Paul, had severe trials and a thorn in the flesh God didn’t remove. Was he not close enough to God???? Well, if he wasn’t, none of us will ever be.

Are Christians perfect? Of course not! But the errors should come more from stumbling and falling in the process of becoming like Christ (walking the walk) rather than merely forcing others to share their point of view on Christianity (talking the talk). As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Who you are speaks so loudly, I can’t hear what you are saying.” People should know a Christian by how they live, how they treat others, their love of God, and the fruits of the spirit manifest in their lives.

How does the Bible say you can recognize a disciple of Christ? “By this all will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35) 1 Peter 2:15 says, “…by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.”

Consider this… Should we be able to talk the talk? You bet! How else will you know what and why you believe? But more importantly, if you want to win souls for Christ, you better walk the walk. If you walk the walk, people are going to be more inclined to hear what you have to say. This may be one way to tell the good Christians from the bad.

One final thought…

What we do can speak so loudly that others won’t be able to hear what we are saying.

Yet Another Year of Choices

By Barbara Dahlgren

Moses was a meek man. God chose him to lead Israel out of Egypt. He parted the Red Sea. God gave him the Ten Commandments. Those in the campground who occasionally caught a glimpse of Moses as he passed would probably say, “There he is. That’s Moses. He’s the one. He’s God’s servant. He’s a great and mighty man.” But what if the only time they saw him was when he was so upset he struck the rock. Would they think, “What an angry man! How could God use him?”

David was a man after God’s own heart. He sought God’s will in his life. With Godly confidence, he slew the giant, Goliath. He wrote the Psalms. God chose him to replace Saul as king. When David walked through his kingdom, people might have caught a glimpse of him and said, “There he is. That’s King David. He’s God’s servant. He’s a great and mighty man.” But what if the only time they saw him was when he was having a secret rendezvous with Bathsheba? Or when he gave the command to send her husband, Uriah, to the front lines of battle to be killed? Would they say, “What an unjust man! How cruel and insensitive he is! How could God ever use him?”

Elijah was a renowned prophet. He communicated with God. He passed God’s words on to the people. He called fire down from heaven. He humiliated the prophets of Baal. When people caught a glimpse of Elijah in the countryside, they would be in awe of him. “There’s Elijah,” they might whisper. “He’s a great and mighty man. He’s a true servant of God.” But what if the only time they saw him was when he was fleeing from Jezebel or hiding in the cave for fear of his life. Would they say, “What a chicken! He’s a wimp. How could God ever use him?”

How could these great servants of God be parting the Red Sea, killing a giant, calling fire down from heaven one day and be angry, unjust, and frightened the next? The answer is simple. They were human. And therein lies the problem if we try to make idols out of Christian leaders, or friends, or relatives, or anyone. They are all human. They will eventually disappoint us.

Maybe that’s why God tells us not to compare ourselves among ourselves or not to judge others. (2 Corinthians 10:12; Matthew 7:1) We must look to God foremost. Then we must look for the good in those who strive to serve and obey Him.

Consider this… How can we truly know the “whole” of a man when we only see one small part of him? Only God sees a person in all his seasons of life.

One final thought… Here is one of my favorite fables…

The Tree in All Its Seasons

Once an ancient Persian king wanted to discourage his four sons from making rash judgments. At his command, the eldest made a winter journey to see a mango tree. Spring came and the next eldest was sent on the same errand. Summer followed and the third son went. When the youngest boy returned from his autumn visit, the king called them together to describe the tree.

The first said, “It looks like a burnt old stump.”

The second disagreed, “It was lacy and green.”

The third declared, “No, it had blossoms as beautiful as a rose.”

The fourth said, “You are all wrong! It has fruit like a pear.”

“Each is right,” said the king, “for each of you saw the tree in a different season!”

Yet Another Year of Choices

By Barbara Dahlgren

Are you religious? People make a huge error thinking that Christianity is a religion. It’s not so much a religion as it is a lifestyle. Religion is what you believe, but Christianity is something you practice. It’s something you do.

When people become followers of Christ (i.e. Christians), their lives are no longer their own. (1 Corinthians 3:23) They automatically become witnesses! (Acts 1:8) Others look carefully at the Christian lifestyle, so Christians are actually witnessing for Christ whether they want to or not. We Christians have quite a responsibility. What kind of witnesses are we?

Christians are the salt of the earth. (Matthew 5:13) Are we full of zest for the life we are called to live?

Christians are the light of the world. (Matthew 5:14) Do we light a candle in this world or do we curse the darkness?

Christians are friends of Christ. (John 15:13-15) Do we understand the meaning of friendship in our relationships? Can we keep a confidence?

Christians are not under the law but under grace. (Romans 6:14, 15) Do we know when to make an issue out of something and when to let it pass?

Christians are partakers of the sufferings of Christ. (2 Corinthians 1:2-8) How do we handle trials when they come our way? Christians aren’t promised a life without thorns or thistles.

Christians are a letter. (2 Corinthians 2:2, 3) When people read what is written on our heart, do they know more about a loving God?

Christians are a sweet aroma. (2 Corinthians 2:15, 16) Do we smell of fragrant perfume or reek of body odor? Do we need a spiritual bath?

The main reason people do not become Christians is because they know one. By the same token, the main reason people do become Christians is because they know one. Maybe we should ask, “How do people feel when they are around me? What do people see when they look at me?” I’m not talking about perfection but reflection.

When we look in a mirror, do we see wrinkles? Baggy eyes? Double chins? Scars? God doesn’t see that and He wants us to see what He sees…a reflection of Himself. (2 Corinthians 2:15,16) Do we reflect the fruits the Holy Spirit or the works of the flesh? (Galatians 5:19-25) When people look at us, do they see a glimmer of the reflection of God?

Do we profess to be religious? That may not be enough. For example, John said that saying you love God but not showing it to your neighbor puts you on dangerous ground. (1 John 4:20) On the other hand, doing something for others is the same as doing it for God. (Matthew 25:24-46)

Consider this… You’ve heard it said a million times, “You have to walk the walk, not just talk the talk.” Remember, religion is something you believe, but Christianity is something you DO!

One final thought…

Religion talks the talk, but Christianity walks the walk!

Yet Another Year of Choices

By Barbara Dahlgren

Recently I heard a radio preacher tell people it was a sin to drink alcoholic beverages. He cited death statistics for drunk drivers, scriptures focusing on wine being a mocker (Proverbs 20:1), alcohol being the root of our problematic society (Proverbs 23:31-32), and drinking leading to drunkenness (Isaiah 5:11). These are all true. Being drunk is bad. It’s condemned in the Bible. It’s a sin.

However, not all who choose to drink should be lumped in with drunkards. This preacher failed to mention that the majority of scriptures mentioning fermented drink take a positive view, not a negative one.

For example, fermented drinks were used:

• In offerings (Exodus 29: 38-41; Numbers 28:7)
• For tithe paying (Deuteronomy 18:4)
• In worship (Matthew 26:27; 1 Corinthians 11:25-26)
• In celebrations (Genesis 14:17-20, John 2:1-10)
• To gladden a person’s heart (Psalms 104:14-15)
• In the Lord’s supper (Matthew 26:29; Mark 14:25; Luke 22:18)
• For thanksgiving and honor to God (Proverbs 3:9-10)
• As blessings (Genesis 27:28; Joel 2:19, 24; 3:18; Amos 9:13-14)
• For medicinal purposes (Proverbs 31:6; 1 Timothy 5:23)

Fortunately, the speaker had the good sense not to say the wine mentioned in the Bible was not really fermented but just grape juice. Plus, he didn’t say, as many do, that when Jesus turned the water into wine it was a “watered” down wine and not potent.

However, he did try to slam dunk his thesis with my two personal favorite reasons not to do anything – abstaining from all appearances of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22) and not causing someone to stumble (Romans 14:20). These are great scriptures people emphasize out of context when they want biblical backing for their point of view.

Does he not know that from the inception of Christ’s birth, Christianity has been steeped in “appearances” of evil by the world’s standards? A virgin gets pregnant giving the impression of immorality. Christ drinks wine leading some to call him a drunkard. Christ associates with sinners, offending many. Christ wastes costly ointment to wash His feet that could have been sold to help the poor. The list could go on and on.

And as far as causing someone to stumble, read all of Romans 20. It is the deliberate action of flaunting one’s belief in someone’s face that causes the offense. It’s that “in your face” action that God warns against. A drinker could easily trip into this pitfall, but so could a non-drinker with an “I’m more righteous and holier than thou” attitude because he chooses not to drink. The kingdom of God is not about meat or drink. (Romans 14:17)

Christianity misses the mark when it doesn’t give the freedom in Christ for people to make these decisions. We can’t rewrite scripture to say, “You have heard it said in the Bible that wine is okay to drink within moderation and drunkenness is wrong, but verily I say unto you, that all drinking is wrong and a sin.” That is not what the Bible says.

Is all this rhetoric leading up to a license for us to go “tie one on” for the Lord? I think not. The point is: if you are a Christian who chooses not to drink alcoholic beverages, do not condemn another Christian who chooses to drink them. If you are a Christian who chooses to drink alcoholic beverages, don’t condemn or flaunt it in front of Christians who choose not to drink.

Consider this… Is it a sin to drink wine and such? Not according to the Bible! But drunkenness and gluttony are. And here are some other sins to watch out for: judging others, condemning others, being quick to call someone a sinner, and setting up your standard as God’s.

Now, I’ll drink to that! (But I won’t tell you if I’m having wine or grape juice!)

One final thought…

Here are a couple of quotes. They might have been said in jest, but there may be an element of truth in them.

“Wine is constant proof that God loves us and wants to see us happy.” ~Benjamin Franklin

“Whoever drinks beer, he is quick to sleep; whoever sleeps long, does not sin; whoever does not sin, enters Heaven. Therefore, let us drink beer.” ~Martin Luther

Yet Another Year of Choices

By Barbara Dahlgren

Recently I heard a radio preacher tell people it was a sin to drink alcoholic beverages. This minister seemed pretty well-versed in the Bible and has a fairly large following. Yet I found his message disconcerting. It always bothers me when Christians try to support personal beliefs biblically. This tactic tarnishes the credibility of the Christian community.

Now I’m not suggesting we take tequila shots every time we see the word “winebibber” as we read the Bible. Although, this might encourage some to search the scriptures. However, to condemn those who drink a glass of wine with dinner goes to the other extreme. And that’s a problem – because people tend to go to extremes. Many who drink aren’t satisfied unless they are drunk; many who don’t drink aren’t satisfied unless they convince others they shouldn’t drink either. We tend to make our standard God’s standard. We think what we like God likes – whether it be music, clothing, hairstyles, food, or drink. Thus we make God over into our image, instead of the other way around.

God has given us many blessings. But every blessing can be a curse if not used properly. The following can be blessings or curses, depending on how they are used: food, sex, money, and even wine, beer, and other forms of fermented beverages. Not everyone who eats is a glutton. Not everyone who has sex is an adulterer, fornicator, or pervert. Not everyone who drinks is an alcoholic. The sin lies within abuse of the blessing, not the blessing itself. Why else would wine be spoken of as both good and bad in the same texts in 1 Samuel 1:14, 24 and Joel 1:5, 10?

Martin Luther summed it up well when he said, “Do not suppose that abuses are eliminated by destroying the object which is abused. Men can go wrong with wine and women. Shall we prohibit and abolish women? The sun, moon, and stars have been worshipped. Shall we pluck them out of the sky?”

There is nothing wrong with drinking alcohol for the right reasons such as medicinal purposes, celebrations, or to “gladden the heart.” (1 Timothy 5:23, John 2:1-10, Psalm 104:15-16) Drinking is not a sin; drunkenness is.

Consider this: Choosing to drink or not to drink alcoholic beverages is a personal choice not condemned by God. However, judging one who makes this choice is! (Matthew 7:1-5)

One final thought…

Others will judge you if you choose to drink or choose not to drink. So whatever you choose to do, do it for the right reason. That won’t stop people from judging you, but you’ll sleep better at night.

Yet Another Year of Choices

By Barbara Dahlgren

I do not function well in hot weather. Growing up in the Mississippi River area, I am very familiar with hot weather. It’s not so much the heat that gets me; it’s the humidity. Some people perspire or glow in hot weather. Not me! I sweat! I mean really sweat.

Whenever it gets hot, I always think of the expression “hotter than hell.” I don’t know how hot that is, but if I can’t take the 100-degree temperatures, I don’t think I will function well there. So I want to avoid it at all costs.

When it gets really hot, nothing seems to quench my thirst like water. I don’t want soda or juice. I just want refreshing cool water. I want to jump into the water. I want to pour water on my head. I want to mist a little water on my face. I want to drink water. I just want water.

Water is an amazing substance. We all know that it is an essential element to life. Our body mass is more than 60% water. Every cell, tissue, and organ needs it to function. We can live longer without food than water. But did you know the following? A 1% decrease in water in our body makes us thirsty. A 5% decrease will cause a fever. An 8% decrease will cause our body to turn blue and we won’t be able to produce saliva. If we have a 10% decrease, we won’t be able to walk. A 12% decrease results in death. Is it any wonder that the Bible is full of analogies about water?

Some people get ill from being dehydrated, not knowing that all they need to do is drink some water. Our souls can get dehydrated as well. Our souls need living water, and it is there for the asking.

When the Samaritan woman came to draw water from the well in John 4, Jesus told her that He could give her “living water.” (John 4:10-14) He told her that those who drank her well water would thirst again, but those who would drink of His “living water” would never thirst again.

She implored, “Sir, give me this water.” (John 4:15) She was a wise woman. She recognized a good deal when she saw one. Later on Jesus said, “If any thirst, let him come to me and drink” and He went on to say that if you believe in Him, He will give you this “living water!” (John 7:37,38)

Of course, this is a spiritual analogy but we are spiritual in nature, not just physical. Our bodies have need of physical water, but our souls have need of this “living water.” This “living water” is ours for the asking. Just ask and believe.

We are told in Revelation, “…let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”

Consider this… We are probably going to have more hot days ahead – a lot more! I don’t know if they will be “hotter than hell.” I do know that there is no need to endure unbearable heat when we can easily ask for a drink of “living water.”

One final thought…

Only “living water” can quench the thirst of a parched soul.