24 lines
4.4 KiB
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24 lines
4.4 KiB
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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<div class="head">Day By Day By Grace</div>
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<div class="subhead">Bob Hoekstra</div>
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<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020">March 10</div></div>
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<h2>Another Picture of the Fullness of the Spirit</h2>
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<div class="block"><i>"If anyone <b>thirsts</b>, let him <b>come to Me</b> and <b>drink</b>. He who <b>believes in Me</b>, as the Scripture has said, <b>out of his heart</b> will flow <b>rivers of living water</b>." But this He spoke concerning the <b>Spirit</b>.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jhn',7,'37-39');">John 7:37-39</a>)</div>
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<p>These words from Jesus provide <b>another picture</b> of what the <b>fullness</b> of the <b>Spirit</b> is all about, as well as how to walk in that spiritual abundance. His remarks are addressed to those who are thirsty: <i>"If anyone <b>thirsts</b>."</i> In this spiritual context, thirst can speak of the painful dryness that often accompanies need or lack. Pressures, responsibilities, busyness, disappointments, and preoccupation with earthly matters can dry out the soul of man. Corresponding to this need, thirst can refer to the eager yearning after those heavenly blessings that refresh and restore our inner life. Such thirsty conditions apply to all of us at various times.</p>
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<p>Jesus tells us exactly how to remedy such thirst. <i>"<b>Come to Me</b> and <b>drink</b>."</i> We are to bring these needs to the Lord Jesus Christ and <b>drink</b> of <b>Him</b>. So often, we attempt to satisfy such thirsts by drinking at other wells. Thirsty people around the world attempt to find relief through education, work, religion, politics, entertainment, money, drugs, and more. They all encounter the truth that our Lord revealed to the Samaritan woman at the well. <i>"Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jhn',4,13);">John 4:13</a>). We must take our spiritual thirsts to a person, to "the Person," the Lord Jesus.</p>
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<p>Yet, how do we drink of the thirst-quenching resources of Jesus? He indicated the means in the next phrase: <i>"He who <b>believes in Me</b>."</i> When we bring our dry, thirsty needs to Jesus and <b>believe</b> that He can meet those needs, we are drinking from what the Lord alone can offer. We <b>drink</b> of <b>Christ's resources</b> by <b>faith</b>. Jesus included this insight earlier in His discourse on the bread of life. <i>"He who <b>comes to Me</b> shall never hunger, and he who <b>believes in Me</b> shall <b>never thirst</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jhn',6,35);">John 6:35</a>).</p>
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<p>Unquestionably, Jesus will always satisfy legitimate thirsts that are brought to Him. Yet, there is more available here. The spiritual water that Christ provides <b>also</b> works <b>within</b> the thirsty soul. <i>"The <b>water</b> that I shall give him <b>will become in him</b> a <b>fountain</b> of water <b>springing up</b> into everlasting life"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jhn',4,14);">John 4:14</a>). This Holy Spirit supply develops abundant life within the trusting heart. Ultimately, this fountain that grows within flows outward to others. <i>"<b>Out of his heart</b> will flow <b>rivers of living water</b>."</i> Dry, thirsty hearts that come to Jesus in faith, not only find satisfaction for their thirst, but eventually pour out life in the Spirit to others.</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Lord Jesus, You know the thirsty places within my life. I bring them to You now. I believe that You can meet these needs. I open up to the work of Your Spirit to quench the thirsts deep within my heart. Lord, I praise You for the expectation I have that You can turn my dryness into torrents of living waters to bless others, in Your name, Amen.</div></div></div>
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<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020"><a href="./devotions/daybyday/03/0309.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
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<a href="./devotions/daybyday/03/0311.html">Tomorrow's Reading</a>
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