Devotional for the Week 8 Nov 2004

This Week's Devotional | 2004 Devotionals | 2005 Devotionals

Devotional For the Week 8th November 2004

For Those Who Thirst

Scriptural reference: John 4:10-14

Water to the soul
No matter how bland and tasteless water might seem to be, we NEED it! Studies have shown that nothing gives refreshment to the human body like that which water alone can give, without other fancy ingredients. In the very same way, we need the Water of Life which Jesus gives to our souls.

People who church-hop seeking ‘sugary flavoured drinks’
Yet there are many in their spiritual lives who prefer ‘flavoured drinks’ to water. They act or think that they are spiritual but actually are not drinking from God’s fountain of life. Such people are in danger, for they chase not after the Word of God, nor His Spirit, but after preachers, church music, environment or recognition. They don’t stay too long in a single church. Once they’ve grown sick of the flavouring, they move on to the next flavor of the month. But beware of sugary, extra-flavoured gospels. Our bodies work doubly hard to process sugars and other additives. With its deceptive softness, sugars make the soul comforted and sweetened but invariably weaker, causing the recipient to lose his taste for plain, pure water. When you seek a decorated version of God’s truths, you drink not from His fountains but the world’s.

People who lust after the world seeking ‘alcoholic highs’
And then there are those who seek after ‘alcoholic highs’ or high experiences to keep them pepped up, for life to still possess meaning for them. They seek after the thrills in life, jumping off high cliffs, riding fast cars, making lots of quick money and living equally fast and superficial relationships that last no more than a single night, or week. They lift you high up into dizzying heights, but are unable to sustain their altitude. And when the effects begin to wear off, they are left with none of the pleasurable highs of alcohol but all of the upsetting effects of a hangover the next day.

The effects of not drinking enough water
The above people don’t know they are dehydrated from heat exhaustion or heatstroke. They experience confusion and dizziness so much so, that they may not know the direction in which they are heading in this Christian journey. They experience ‘cramps’, an inability to flex their muscles and limbs to the full extent or not have great agility do the tasks God made them to do. They experience difficulty in ‘breathing’. If the Bible is the Scripture that is God-breathed and man survives by every breath from the mouth of God, these people are in danger of suffocation from a lack of the Word of God. If neglected, dehydration ends in death.

For example, King Saul, in the Book of Samuel, right after he fell out of favour with God, gave himself over to sin repeatedly. He involved himself in severe bouts of jealousy, murderous moods and even in necromancy – the calling up of the dead. He was dehydrated, confused, experienced cramps and difficulty in breathing from the severe lack of God. He died infamously.

Shouldn’t we care the very same way for our spiritual health?

When the going gets tough, drink MORE!
My friends, have you felt lethargic in your work, in your daily life? Have you felt like you can’t go on anymore in your Christian life? Have you felt like you just don’t feel passionate anymore about God? If so, I’d like to say that you are suffering the repercussions of dehydration, from prolonged deprivation from the spiritual waters of God.

Only the water that comes from God can satisfy our thirst and wet our throats and rejuvenate us. And to get refreshed, we have to drink. Open up your heart today to Him and only Him, coming back to His basics, reading His word, praying, worshipping and serving Him. God will refresh and restore you.

- by Ps Joel Yong

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This Week's Devotional \| 2004 Devotionals \| 2005 Devotionals Devotional For the Week 8th November 2004 For Those Who Thirst *Scriptural reference: John 4:10-14* Water to the soul No matter how bland and tasteless water might seem to be, we NEED it! Studies have shown that nothing gives refreshment to the human body like that which water alone can give, without other fancy ingredients. In the very same way, we need the Water of Life which Jesus gives to our souls. People who church-hop seeking ‘sugary flavoured drinks’ Yet there are many in their spiritual lives who prefer ‘flavoured drinks’ to water. They act or think that they are spiritual but actually are not drinking from God’s fountain of life. Such people are in danger, for they chase not after the Word of God, nor His Spirit, but after preachers, church music, environment or recognition. They don’t stay too long in a single church. Once they’ve grown sick of the flavouring, they move on to the next flavor of the month. But beware of sugary, extra-flavoured gospels. Our bodies work doubly hard to process sugars and other additives. With its deceptive softness, sugars make the soul comforted and sweetened but invariably weaker, causing the recipient to lose his taste for plain, pure water. When you seek a decorated version of God’s truths, you drink not from His fountains but the world’s. People who lust after the world seeking ‘alcoholic highs’ And then there are those who seek after ‘alcoholic highs’ or high experiences to keep them pepped up, for life to still possess meaning for them. They seek after the thrills in life, jumping off high cliffs, riding fast cars, making lots of quick money and living equally fast and superficial relationships that last no more than a single night, or week. They lift you high up into dizzying heights, but are unable to sustain their altitude. And when the effects begin to wear off, they are left with none of the pleasurable highs of alcohol but all of the upsetting effects of a hangover the next day. The effects of not drinking enough water The above people don’t know they are dehydrated from heat exhaustion or heatstroke. They experience confusion and dizziness so much so, that they may not know the direction in which they are heading in this Christian journey. They experience ‘cramps’, an inability to flex their muscles and limbs to the full extent or not have great agility do the tasks God made them to do. They experience difficulty in ‘breathing’. If the Bible is the Scripture that is God-breathed and man survives by every breath from the mouth of God, these people are in danger of suffocation from a lack of the Word of God. If neglected, dehydration ends in death. For example, King Saul, in the Book of Samuel, right after he fell out of favour with God, gave himself over to sin repeatedly. He involved himself in severe bouts of jealousy, murderous moods and even in necromancy – the calling up of the dead. He was dehydrated, confused, experienced cramps and difficulty in breathing from the severe lack of God. He died infamously. Shouldn’t we care the very same way for our spiritual health? When the going gets tough, drink MORE! My friends, have you felt lethargic in your work, in your daily life? Have you felt like you can’t go on anymore in your Christian life? Have you felt like you just don’t feel passionate anymore about God? If so, I’d like to say that you are suffering the repercussions of dehydration, from prolonged deprivation from the spiritual waters of God. Only the water that comes from God can satisfy our thirst and wet our throats and rejuvenate us. And to get refreshed, we have to drink. Open up your heart today to Him and only Him, coming back to His basics, reading His word, praying, worshipping and serving Him. God will refresh and restore you. *- by Ps Joel Yong*
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