Hunger & Thirst #4

Letting The River Run
What Being Filled Lets Us Do For Others

We all want to be filled with the presence and power of God.  We know now that we can attain that by having a passion and appetite for God and His ways.  He wants to fill us with his wisdom and righteousness so we can be in perfect harmony with him.  However, he also has another reason for filling us.  By looking at two conversations, we can find out what that other reason is:

Getting filled first

John 4:4: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

In Jesus' interactions with the woman at the well, he outlined to her the revelation that a new covenant was coming and He was the One bringing it.  He also let her know that what he was offering was more satisfying and filling than any other pursuit or desire.  The water Christ was giving was the Holy Spirit and it was going to revitalize and complete anyone who allowed it in to their lives.

Pouring it out

Fast forward a couple of chapters and Jesus is teaching in the temple.  Suddenly he stands up and says exactly what he told the woman at the well:

If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. (John 7:37)

However, he added a new wrinkle to this living water speech:

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.  (John 7:38)

This meant that not only were we going to be filled with the things of God, but something was going to come out of us.  Many interpret this to be the evidence of speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance, which is accurate according to verse 39.  However, it also means that we will be able to pour out something once God has poured into us. 

Even better, he called it rivers and not just river.  This indicates that God's power and presence will flow out from us into every area of our lives.  The places we go, the people we see, the things we do.  All of this can be positively affected by the Spirit of God in us when we let it flow out of us. 

Let Your River Run

Christ described the water inside us as rivers of living water.  This indicates that we will have the opportunity to bring life into areas that are dead.  People who have become hopeless, apathetic or distant towards God and others will be renewed by the power that dwells in us.  Situations that once seemed hopeless will not only be resolved but they will bring forth in abundance.  Look at the example below:

Situation:  Your child has fallen away from serving God.  They have chosen to live a secular lifestyle rather than coming to church or pursuing the things of God on a daily basis.  They have quit every ministry they were involved in and show no interest in returning

Letting Your River Flow:  You start with prayer and fasting.  Focusing your prayers and sacrifices on the need for your child's redemption, you don't tell God what needs to be done.  However, you simply request God do something to bring them back into relationship with Him.  Next, you interact with them as much as they will let you. Pray before every interaction that God will lead you in what to say and how to act.  Let the Holy Spirit talk with your child instead of their fleshly parents.  Remember, they are completely out of relationship with God and this is the may be the one opportunity God has to speak with them.  Make it count.

What will happen after is completely up to the child.  Regular interaction with the Holy Spirit will make their flesh uncomfortable and will battle with the spirit that is leading them away from God.  Not relenting in your love and pursuit of them, though, will ensure they have every opportunity to get back in the streamline of God. 

Service:

Try what we discussed about in the example with someone in your life.
Whether they have fallen away from God, never known God, or in perfect harmony with God
pray for the Holy Spirit to guide and speak through you in every interaction
God may have something important to say to them today and He may want to use you as his vessel.  Don't miss your chance to be used.