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Respite For the Weary
So often, we as believers choose to go through our days with parched souls. The well of water is available; it's pure and refreshing, but we choose to live life on the run. His water REVIVES the soul, but we pass by it-- there's just no time to linger in his love. Or maybe, we choose to drink culture's kool-aid instead; the sugary drink is luring, but then it leaves us wanting. Until we understand that nothing will quench our thirst like his living water, our souls will remain parched.
The little girl in Christmas Morning has another mystery to unwrap! What will it be?
After dancing to the music box of joy (see previous post: https://www.respitefortheweary.com/post/the-making-of-christmas-morning-the-third-gift), the little girl sits down to open up... a beautiful crytstal goblet. And guess what? This goblet in not empty! Not only that, it is never empty! As a matter of fact, the goblet is full to overflowing! (By the way, Acacia, the illustrator of Christmas Morning, envisioned this picture in her head and then beautifully illustrated it for the book. I'm so thankful for her thoughts because the picture I originally had in my mind was so limited; I simply saw the little girl daintily sipping out of the goblet. But Acacia's picture is so much more accurate! It portrays abundance! This particular illustration ended up speaking into all the other pages of the book, giving Christmas Morning a "Narnia" feel.)
The name of this gift is: the goblet of living water. And as you can surmise, it is symbolic for the water that Jesus gives us through his word and his Spirit.
So often, we as believers choose to go through our days with parched souls. The well of water is always available. This water is pure and refreshing, but we opt out and instead live life on the run. His water revives the soul, but we decide that there's no time to linger in his love. Or maybe, we are drinking, but we choose culture's kool-aid instead; as a result, we are actually more depleted than revived. Until we understand that nothing will quench our thirst like his living water, our souls will remain parched.
Hear Jesus' plea:
“Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14
Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters... Isaiah 55:1
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 that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:2-3
As the deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. Psalm 42:1
For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. Isaiah 44:3
How will we answer his plea? Will we take a sip, then another, then another, until we are so filled up that we become an overflowing vessel of his hope and truth to all those around us? This is God's desire for you and me.
Open up the gift of his living word. No need to live with a parched soul when each one of us has been invited by our Savior to drink in his abundance.
Friday
Picture: House (living with lights on!)
Scripture: Psalm 36:8-9; Psalm 40:8-10; Matthew 5:14-16; 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:
Envision a house on a hilltop at night with all the lights on and many people visiting inside. Much like this picture, our faith in God is not only a strong refuge for us, but it is also a place for others to draw near so they can experience the light and love of Christ in the things we say and do.
What are reasons that might keep you from shining your light for Him (ex. busyness, fear, discomfort…)?
Who are some people in your daily life in which you want to shine your light for the Lord? Name them and write practical ways in which you can do so.
Write a prayer using the above verses as a reference.
Wednesday
Picture: House (cornerstone to completion)
Scripture: Isaiah 28:16; Isaiah 54:11-14; 1 Corinthians 3:11-16; 1 Peter 2:4-5
Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:
Synonyms for the word “cornerstone” are: centerpiece, mainspring, core, heart. Cornerstone is the main stone that holds the two joining walls of the house together. From this secure place the house is built, brick by brick. Likewise, our spiritual cornerstone is Christ, in which all things stem from Him as we build our lives.
What are practical ways in which you can keep Jesus as the centerpiece of your daily life?
What are some hallmark “bricks” that have been laid in your life, recently or in the past, in
relation to decisions made based on God’s word?
Write a prayer using the above verses as a reference.
Monday
Picture: Body (the Head/the mind)
Scripture: Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:16-18; Colossians 2:8-10; Romans 12:1-2;
1 Corinthians 2:16
Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:
Today’s focus is both on the Head and the mind. First think about the knowledge and power of a any king or president over his country and people. He is the head of state, but it is the people’s choice to follow his rule or to rebel. Likewise, Christ has sovereign control over each of His children individually and also His church collectively; however He gives each on of us a free will to make decision to obey or disobey His love-based rulership. Jesus, the Head and the perfect Ruler implores us to transform our minds to think like Him, and as a result, behave like Him.
When you make decisions, both small and big, do you take it to the Lord your Ruler in prayer? Explain a time in which you did or did not take this route.
Does God’s word dictate the things you say and do? Give an example in which a particular Bible verse (or biblically-based thought) came to mind and you choose to obey/disobey.
Write a prayer using the above verses as a reference.
Thursday
Picture: Sheep (assembled in a flock)
Scripture: Micah 2:12; Luke 12:32; Psalm 100:1-3; Acts 2:1
Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:
Take a minute to think about a protective shepherd gathering his whole flock together. He counts each one, but also enjoys the whole. Likewise, our Shepherd loves each one of us individually, but He also loves to see His cherished people as a collective group. He is faithful in all His ways and His pasture is good.
Are you a part of a ministry or church in which you are being lead in His truth? How does this group of believers encourage you?
Is there someone who you could prayerfully consider inviting to join in with this current body of believers? Write their name here, and at God’s prompting, follow through with the invitation.
Write a prayer using the above verses as a reference.
Friday
Picture: Sheep (following the Shepherd)
Scripture: Psalm 78:52-54; John 10:1-18; 1 Peter 2:25
Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:
In your mind’s eye, see and hear a shepherd calling out to his sheep, and the sheep immediately responding to it. See the sheep willingly follow their protector and provider. What an example to us from these trusting sheep! May we take this picture to heart when thinking of our Good Shepherd, who lovingly gave His life for each one of His children.
How well do you know the voice of your Shepherd? Explain.
Do you consider the choice path of your Good Shepherd to be trustworthy? Keep in mind His sacrificial love. Explain.
Write a prayer using the above verses as a reference.
Wednesday
Picture: Body (hands/gifts to serve)
Scripture: Isaiah 58:6-11; Matthew 25:35-40; 1 Corinthians 12:11-20
Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:
Close your eyes and see someone serving in some way, whether it’s helping to build a building or volunteering at a nursing home or making a meal for a family in need. The focus today is using our many different gifts to be the “hands of Christ” in our service to the orphan, the widow, our neighbor, or anyone the Lord puts in our personal path. Quiet service might get overlooked by our culture, but it never gets overlooked by God. He is so pleased when we love one another through acts of mercy.
Can you recall a time when the body of Christ, whether it was one person or many, came to your side and served you in time of need? Explain.
Is there a specific people-group in which you feel God has called you to serve? What are ways in which you do so?
How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. Proverbs 16:16
Dear Lord,
Help us to crave your greater things more than the world's lesser ones. Change our heart's desire from chasing the fleeting treasures of prosperity to pursuing the lasting riches of wisdom and understanding. Your word is full of bountiful blessings; may we get rich in it today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.