Monday, November 30, 2009

Living Water

I have fountain in my house. It is a woman from the old country who is pouring water out of her jar. She reminds me of the story in John 4:1-26 of the woman at the well. I can imagine this woman coming to the well, having no idea that she would have an encounter with the Creator of the Universe.



She had made bad choices in her life and was bent under the load of her sin. She was coming to the well at a different time than anyone else. Perhaps it was because she was just running late, or perhaps she hated to face the accusing stares from the other women. She did show up at the 6th hour which was noon. No one was there but Jesus.



With compassion and love, Jesus tells her of the Living Water, Himself, which will fill her every need. He says, "everyone who drinks this well water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:13-14. When she accepted the water He had to offer, her life took on a whole new meaning and purpose.



There are times when I come to Jesus and ask for living water, believing in my heart that He can, but my mind says "will He?" Listen to the words of Oswald Chambers. "When we get into difficult circumstances, we impoverish His ministry by saying - "Of course He cannot do anything, and we struggle down to the deeps and try to get the water for ourselves. Beware of the satisfaction of sinking back and saying - 'It can't be done." You know it can be done if you look to Jesus. The well of your completeness is deep, but make the effort and look away to Him"



Know that as deep as your well is...grief, sin, dis-obedience, cares, concerns, anxiety, doubt, fear, needing to forgive someone, etc...His provision goes deeper still. He is the Almighty God. He can and He will provide if you abandon yourself to Him.



Sometimes we just need to get alone and have a good talk with Him. I heard a story of a young girl that used to wake up in the morning smooth her bedspread out and say "Jesus, come sit here with me and let's talk." I have experienced these wonderful moments of conversation with my Savior and I have come away with His peace, joy and the freedom that I have received from diving into the Living Water.



I pray that at your Christmas table you won't forget the water; let it remind you of His presence.



His - Joni

8 comments:

Unknown said...

It's up and running!! Hurray!

Stephanie said...

Joni-
It was so nice to run into you today. I always am encouraged by you and your thoughtfulness. What a great idea to have this blog. I look forward to reading it more! Thanks for sharing from your heart! May God bless you and your family this CHRISTmas season!

Kristen said...

Thank you Joni - for your words and your insight.

Mary Ellen Durr said...

Joni,

Joni

It is wonderful to read this from clear out in California. It is also wonderful to be part of your family, ie. Aunt and Uncle. We bless you and pray for Lewis and Joyce every day. Hope you get the email I just sent to you. Love to you all, and may God Bless your work.

Aunt Mary Ellen & Uncle Bobbie

Scott said...

This is wonderful Joni! Thank you loving us ladies and spending time creating this blog. I look forward to reading the posts to come and was blessed by this first post.

katie henbest said...

yay mom! you are my hero!

Dámaris said...

Thanks Joni for taking the time to do this. You words are always encouraging and full of wisdom. I too look forward to reading more. God bless you! ♥

Shawna said...

Thank you for sharing your heart! I needed this reminder today! Love ya!