Day 29: 50 Days of Impact

Have you ever been thirsty? I mean so dry that your mouth is raw and hurting, the only thing that will satisfy is a tall glass of water. I am sure you have seen video of people in a dessert searching for water, only to have their hopes destroyed when they find a mirage. We wouldn’t give a thirsty man salt water, or vinegar, we would help them out with fresh water. So if we are spiritually thirsty whey do we stand by when people are quenching their thirst with things that don’t satisfy?

 

“Jesus knew that his mission was almost finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, ‘I am thirsty’ (John 19:28 NLT).

 

“”they offered me sour wine for my thirst”(Ps 69:21b NLT)

 

Here on the cross accepting the drink fulfilling the prophecy.  Another important aspect was to show that even on the cross after all the torture and pain he was fully human, with human needs. There is a group of people who believe that Jesus wasn’t fully man. They believe he was all supernatural and this death on the cross was just for show and didn’t cause him any pain or discomfort. To deny Jesus his humanity is to deny who he is.

This man who earlier had told the samaritan woman “but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst again” (John 4:14a NKJV), was now himself asking for water. The guards in their feeble attempt to help offered him a poor substitute for sour wine.

We thirst for more in our lives, and if we don’t ask the right person we will be given a poor substitute that won’t satisfy or restore our lives. We need to ask for water from the one who provides living water. Are there people around you thirsty for the water only Jesus provides? I am sure there are, unless you are living as a hermit somewhere in isolation, we are surrounded by thirsty people who are filling their thirst with all sorts of foul substitutes.  It is time that as believers we start sharing the gift of living water to those who need it.

Father, thank you for the living water you provide through Jesus. Help us to share this water and hope to those around us who are daily drinking poison and other substitutes that don’t satisfy. Let our lives reflect the love you have for them, let them see that you love them deeply and that they matter you. Show us that we need to love them as much as you love them. Amen

 

Day 32: Original 50 Days of Pray Revisited

Thoughts on Day 32: We become a people who will eat anything? Remember there was the group of confused people a few years back who we know use the phrase “drinking the kool-aid” or the reality shows that encouraged contestants to eat weird and gross food for money?  If you are told something should taste right over and over again you will start to think it really does taste good. If you were to truly take the time to understand what you’re digesting you may have second thoughts.

Of course, I am not really talking about food, but the reality is we have in general starting accepting things that really aren’t healthy for our world. Until we wake up and accept that the truth of Jesus love and sacrifice we can only expect it to get worse.

 

16 March 15

DAY THIRTY-TWO

“You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat. (Matthew 5:6 MSG)

I mean who likes to eat, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like a good meal. We work hard preparing and cooking the best meals for our friends and family. We wouldn’t serve just anything, would we? Ever come to the table, sit down to what looks and smells amazing, but you have a hard time eating because you spent the afternoon eating junk food? You were busy all afternoon satisfying your body’s craving for sugar, not anticipating what was going to be on the table for supper.

This is what we do to ourselves every time we come into Gods presence. Whether it be on Sunday’s, small groups or your own devotional time. We fill our space between these times with sugary treats that provide enjoyment to our bodies and then when we come for substance that God provides we aren’t that hungry for His awesome meal that He has prepared.

Today’s challenge is to put down some of your “sugary treats” and start getting hungry for “God’s meal” that He has prepared for you. Don’t be satisfied for things that won’t satisfy.

Dear Jesus, grow a hunger in us for the food You provide. Show us that the things we feed ourselves though enjoyable in the moment may be poisoning us in the long run. Your food is pure and will give us the necessary energy and nourishment we need to survive each day. Thank you for this. Amen