Tuesday, March 19, 2013

THE HOLY SPIRIT - LIVING WATER

My next few blog posts will be thoughts and messages on the Holy Spirit that  I have shared with the local assembly God has placed us in.  I pray they will be a blessing to you.

John 7:37-39  In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, nad drink. He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified)

The above Scripture took place during the Feast of Pentecost. It was considered the great feast day, the Feast of First fruits. This is the very day of the feast on which the Holy Spirit would be given to the world a bit later.

Jesus made an announcement about the Holy Spirit. Jesus was the talk of the town. He made a great and profound statement about the Holy Spirit. Let's look at some reactions to Jesus some of the folks who attended this feast had.
John 7:15 ...How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?
John 7:31 ...When Christ cometh, will He do more miracles?
John 7:46 ...Never man spake like this
John 7:48 Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on Him?

If any man thirst... What an invitation to whosoever will! Notice to whom this invitation was given. Not to those who have prayed and fasted long enough. Not to those who have prayed through – or prayed loud enough. Not to those who have repeated phrases of praises enough. Not even to those who have recently participated in the Lord's Supper or been baptized. This invitation was given to those who are thirsty!

How wonderful it was for Jesus to express it in this manner. Some reading this blog might not know how to get religious enough. Some might not be able to reform enough. Some here might not understand theology enough. But everyone knows how it feels to be thirsty. Do you thirst to know that the guilt is gone? Do you thirst to know that the record is clean? Do you thirst for fellowship with God? Do you thirst for a closer walk with Jesus?

The instructions Jesus gave for receiving the Holy Spirit were not complicated. Quite the opposite it true, in fact. Jesus said, Let Him come unto Me, and drink. It can't get much simpler than that! Jesus didn't say, “Let Him come unto me and shout, pray, sing, sweat or even praise.” He said, “Come and drink” To receive this refreshing water, come to Jesus and drink. Consider the call by Isaiah, Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price (Isaiah 55:1). Consider the last invitation in the Bible. It's found in Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely

What is meant by “come unto Me and drink”? To come to Him is to believe on Him. To come to Him is to trust Him. To come to Him is to receive Him. Note that the requirement for receiving the Holy Spirit is the same as that for receiving Jesus. Upon receiving Jesus as our personal Savior, the Holy Spirit comes into the life of the believer.

There's an inner fountain that flows when the Holy Spirit indwells us. Look at these words of Jesus, Out of his belly (innermost being; spirit man) shall flow rivers of Living Water. You see, we are not to be cisterns, but rather rivers. A cistern is an artificial receptacle for water. Cisterns don't flow...rivers do. Wrap your mind around this, if you will. As believers, we are not like the Dead Sea...but a great river. We are not like a swamp...but a refreshing stream. The figure of rivers contrasts with that of a fountain (John 4:14) illustrating the difference between one's new birth and one's experience of the overflowing fullness of the Spirit-led life

What will flow in these rivers? The fruit of the Spirit will flow in these rivers (Galatians 5:22). The compassion of Christ will flow in these rivers. The power of the Holy Spirit will flow in these rivers. He leads us and guides us into all truth. He comforts us. He empowers us to live a victorious Christian life. He gives us power to be effective witnesses to others. Faith will flow in these rivers

Those who are satisfied by Jesus will themselves become channels of spiritual refreshment for others. How deep do you want to go with God? There's no shortage of His Spirit. The real question is How thirsty are you? Are you thirsty? Come to Jesus and drink! The Holy Spirit is yours!

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

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