Based on “Under His Influence – Emptied and Filled”
by Pastor Mark Balmer;
8/29-30/09,
Message #MB387;
Daily Devotional #3 -
“Open the Faucet”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): The Christian life is different than most. God, who is holy, calls His children to a lifestyle that causes people to see Him reflected in their lives. Paul wrote about our responsibility in our calling.
Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness." In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. (2 Timothy 2:19-21)
Many of us have incredible potential for good.
We even see glimmers of this in our lives sometimes. But the reason we don’t see it more often may be because we have some of those ignoble stains that need to be removed before we can fully experience the fullness of God in our lives.
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): “Whew, I’m glad that’s over. The preacher just talked about sin, and it made me feel really uncomfortable.”
Have you ever thought or said this?
I know I have.
I have been to both extremes as a Christian.
There have been times when I have felt so close to God that I know He was stopping by my room just to speak to me. There have been other times when I have just stumbled along without any sense of direction. I guess it is easy to guess which way was more fulfilling. I am sure many of you have had similar experiences.
Can I tell you a secret?
We make decisions based on what we want most.
If we want to be filled to overflowing, then we have to remove everything that wars against God’s Spirit in our lives.
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. (Galatians 5:16-17)
This cleansing process may not be enjoyable, but it will be profitable. If we want to be fully satisfied, it will take a filling of God’s Spirit.
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): Jesus offers something called the water of life. This offer is for people to drink spiritually from the ‘living water.’
One of the benefits of this drink is the presence of a fountain in the heart of everyone taking the drink (John 4:10-14).
We truly don’t understand how important that imagery was for the people listening in Jesus’ day. In a dry, arid environment water was extremely important. You were fortunate to find a well here and there.
As a matter of fact, most of the towns in the Middle East were originally built around a reliable water source.
Jesus said He would install a fountain in everyone who has taken a drink of this living water of life. We have a fountain of ever producing spiritual water. Picture yourself as a faucet. A faucet either restricts or facilitates the flow of water.
Our flesh is the faucet.
If we do not empty ourselves, then we end up restricting the work of God in our lives, but if we cleanse ourselves from the influence of our selfishness, then look out world!
The power of God will be able to flow without any hindrance.
Cultivating (Additional Reading): Acts 2
TCH
