How Thirsty Are You?

O God, thou art my God;

early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee,

my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty

land, where no water is;

Psalm 63:1

The church bulletin needed to be done, so along with the materials I had typed at home, I went to the church work room to get the job done. However, I also had another task in mind that needed done while our ancient copier coughed out the bulletin for Sunday. (I would venture to think that you probably didn't know that Noah had a xerox copier on the ark. I think we inherited it after it being passed down through the years.) Determined to clean out a cabinet, I went armed with my broom and dust pan ready for the task. It didn't take long but thanks to the dust flying, I thought I would die of thirst. That's always an exaggeration when someone says something like that, but I know what they mean.

 

Sometimes my physical thirst has been mandated. If the doctor orders I have lab work done, I'm usually told not to eat or drink anything after midnight. I ordinarily wouldn't drink or eat anything after midnight, but just knowing I'm not supposed to causes me to stir during the night with a desire for a drink of water. It's the same if one is going to have surgery. When I go hiking on a mountain trail, there have been times I left my bottle of water in the car and it's then I notice my strong thirst for a good drink of water.

There are folks or other creatures in the Bible who have gone through times of physical thirst.  God's people in the wilderness ran out of water and didn't see any prospect of finding any. God chose to provide water for them from a rock. In Psalms, we find a hart (deer) panting for the water brooks. In fact, David spoke of his personal thirst for God in the Psalms. Jesus is seen in Scripture on at least two occasions thirsting. He met a Samaritan woman by a well and asked for a drink of water from her. From the cross, Jesus cried, “I thirst,” that was a heart wrenching cry that just added to the agony of the hour.

I have been so blessed as I have looked at verses from Scripture that have to do with having a thirst for the spiritual. If we are honest, our thirst for God can ebb and flow but that's not what He intends. When Brian and I were engaged, I really wanted to see him more often during the week than I could, but because of distance, we saw each other only two or three times a week. I guess I could say that I really thirsted for time with him. God wants the same from us, a thirst for Him and He isn't satisfied with two or three times a week nor should we be.

“Soak” in some of the following verses with me as we evaluate where we are in our thirst for God and His Word. We are never meant to be “dry-as-dust” Christians so join me in a spiritual “look-see.”

John 7:37---In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink.

Matthew 5:6---Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Psalm 42:1,2---As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

John 4:14---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.

Isaiah 55:1a---Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters...

Revelation 7:16,17---They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

There are so many things in our day that can rob us of our thirst for God. Those things may not always be negative such as health problems, financial difficulties, family problems or psychological conditions. We can be just as distracted by positive things like social activities, hobbies, TV, travel, computer activities and any other such things that seem to demand our attention because they are necessary or fun. In it all, God can be so easily squeezed out.

When we feel a nagging spiritual thirst, it means checking our spiritual routine and what's been missing that would create that spiritual thirst in us. What have we neglected in our spiritual routine....time in the Word, seasons of prayer, faithfulness in church attendance and service and being the witnesses we are supposed to be. Let me add here that an overabundance of church activity will not quench spiritual thirst. Too many of those activities can serve only to wear us down if doing too much or if not doing what we do in God's strength.

There are times when my spiritual routine may be what I want it to be, not that I can't improve. I may be having a time of sweet fellowship with the Lord, but I have a thirst for even more of Him in my life. He loves to fill me with that Living Water that is refreshing, soothing and strengthening.

May we never be found dehydrated when it comes to the things of God, especially when He stands ready to fill us up with that Living Water that is always available to a thirsty follower.

 

                                              Fill my cup, Lord...I lift it up, Lord!

Come and quench this thirsting of my soul,

Bread of Heaven, feed me til I want no more--

Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole!

One Woman's Servant Spirit

Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:...

But made himself of no reputation,

and took upon him the form

of a servant...

Philippians 2:5,7

I made up my mind prior to our move here to Tennessee almost two years ago, to make only two or three really close friends. I love everyone in our church and feel closer to some than others. I grew to dearly love our pastor's wife Brenda and then Jody came into my life. Diane and Lowell were two people I couldn't get away from, not that I wanted to. They took Brian and me under wing from our first day at church. Both of them had grown up in this area, and were married 47 years. A friend told me Diane was a cheerleader in high school here in Townsend and that came as no shock to me. Even now, she was always bubbly with an almost constant smile that could light up the church auditorium. Physically, she was short but stood head and shoulders above so many others when it came to heart.

When I write a blog, I don't like getting personal, spending time on one individual, but in this case, it's just different. Diane went to Heaven this last Saturday morning. It was so very sudden...an aneurism in the brain. For all I know, this ball of energy and enthusiasm had no major physical problems. It was so quick...so sudden...and from a human standpoint, so devastating. She and her hubby had gone to Georgia to finish up some work on a house there. Lowell returned home...alone.

We started our ladies Bible study last week. On the Sunday before, Diane told me to be sure to save her the materials from that first session so she could stay caught up and that she would probably be back for this weeks session. Diane dearly loved the Bible study group but that came as a result of her love for God's Word that she faithfully taught to children in Sunday school and the Wednesday evening children's program. When we finished one Bible study series, she would ask a day or two later, “When do we start the next study?” She loved the learning and teaching process that came because of her love for the Lord.

I don't believe we are to put people up on pedestals. It can be a very long fall from the top of one of those things. However, I do believe we are to learn from other seasoned Christians who have a testimony that is proven. The Bible tells us that younger women are to learn from older ones. In this case, the older woman (me) learned much from the younger (Diane) in this brief time we had together.

Proverbs 10:7a says: “The memory of the righteous is blessed...” If you were to look in my one Bible in particular, you would see a list in the margin next to that verse. There you would see listed 18 names, names of women who have gone on to Heaven, women I have loved, admired and learned from.

Grace encouraged me to write. She saw some small smearings of ability, I guess, in that area of my life.

Carolyn taught me what it was to be godly and a business professional all in one.

From Doris, I learned something about the sweetness of a meek and quiet spirit.

I could mention others on that list but won't; however....

today, I added Diane to that list.

I don't believe in living in the past. However, I don't mind revisiting this list. There should be a gratitude in all of us for those who have gone before us, who have taught us so much and who have contributed through their godly influence to whatever positive qualities there might be in us.

When thinking of Diane and her influence on me (and I'm sure others), one word popped into my mind right away....SERVANT. Many women in churches want to do the convenient and attractive things. A genuine servant doesn't mind cleaning the church bathrooms even when no one knows they are doing it. They are willing to jump in and do the unlovely that no one else wants to do. They are encouragers in the toughest of times.

When I had my bad fall in October into the church basement, I was taken right away to the emergency room. Pretty quickly I was taken to have an MRI done to check my head and neck. When wheeled back to my “cubicle” in the ER, there she stood...Diane. I was a bloody mess (pardon being graphic). She stood at my right side, holding my hand, helping the nurse clean me up, and patting my arm wherever she could find a place on it that wasn't torn up. Diane always had a smile, quick sense of humor and she was so loving and comforting that it can't be described. When I look back to that horrible day and evening, I think of Diane, one of God's servants willing to do the unlovely but it seemed to come as natural to her as breathing.  That evening, she was “Jesus with skin on.”

Every church dinner, of which we have many, found Diane in the kitchen. She could be found organizing the food tables, serving, doing the dishes and cleaning up the mess. Diane was my substitute pianist. It wasn't something she relished doing. She kept telling me that playing for a service wasn't her forte but she was willing to do that for me on the one Sunday I had to be away. With many emergencies that occurred in our church, Diane would be there or call to check on folks.

I love Philippians 2:5-8 as I view those verses as being about the clearest photograph in words about Jesus that we can find in Scripture. If we are to be like Jesus and having His mind, being a servant is going to be a part of that process. Among other things, the very Son of God came among us to serve. That has always been amazing to me...from Heaven to earth, to serve. Diane isn't the only servant I've come across in my lifetime. I am blessed to find myself in the presence of others right now. One of the highest honors we can receive is to bear the title of servant. Servants are servants because they love Jesus and because they want to be more like Him with every day. Diane never wanted attention for herself. Anything she did was for God's glory.

So, my thanks to Diane for the lessons she taught me when she didn't even know I was looking. There are women watching you and me all the time when we aren't aware of it.

I'm just one person who has learned and benefited from this dear servant of God. May her influence be multiplied many times over in those of us who remain.

Thank you Father for the influence of godly people in our lives. Thank you that they were teachable and that through their learning, I have benefited. I keep my eyes fixed on You knowing You are the ultimate Teacher. Thank you for Jesus...the ultimate Servant. Help me to have His mind. Amen.

The Blessing of Distractions

But Jesus called them unto him, and

said, Suffer little children to come unto

me, and forbid them not: for of such

is the kingdom of God.

Luke 18:16

Most people don't like distractions, but they are all around us and take a variety of shapes and sizes. Most distractions that come our way look like people...that's because they are people. These people don't mean to cause any confusion and may not mean to distract. They just want our undivided attention no matter what they see us doing.

There are several distractions that really bother me a great deal, such as...

• Phone rings while I'm trying to complete a project.
• Someone wants to talk when I'm watching a really good TV program.
• When someone sees me reading a book, they may want to tell me the how the story ends.
• Someone interrupts me when I'm teaching a Sunday school lesson.
• Out with hubby, driving in the mountains and we have car trouble.
• An animal runs out in front of my moving car. Fortunately I've never hit an animal.
  

 

We all know there are distractions but what is a distraction. A distraction is something that draws ones attention from an object of focus. A distraction is a bump in the road or a burp in the course of life but always untimely.

We read of any number of distractions in Scripture. People we read about there were not immune from them. Since the beginning of Genesis all the way through Revelation, there have been distractions.

• Eve had what turned out to be an unwelcome visitor in the Garden of Eden.
• Moses was tending sheep and suddenly a bush caught on fire.
• David went out on his balcony to catch a breath of fresh air and came across a real distraction on a nearby balcony in the form of a beautiful woman bathing.
• Daniel was praying at a window and was arrested.
• Saul was headed to Damascus where he hoped to round up a bunch of Christians to persecute when a bright light distracted him and he was never again the same. On that day, he even underwent a name change and became known as Paul.
• Peter was up on a roof and a dream distracted him...a dream of a huge sheet with all types of animals on it. 
  

 

Think of all the distractions Jesus faced:

• Little children ran to him, climbing on Him because they were drawn to Him.
• He was asleep in a boat that was tossing and turning in a horrible storm and the frightened disciples woke Him up.
• Four friends lowered a disabled friend down through a hole in the ceiling of a house where Jesus was teaching, hoping their friend could be healed. (When was the last time someone made a hole in your roof and lowered a stretcher down through it?)
• When a 12 year old boy, Jesus remained behind with the priests in the temple talking with them when His parents interrupted the learning time.
• The Scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees were always interrupting Jesus' teaching.
  

 

We've all been there and I'm afraid I have usually regarded distractions as negative events. Distractions for the most part aren't intentional. People just feel they need an answer or just need the attention of someone. We all tried to teach our children to not talk when grownups are talking. We've asked them to not talk to us while we were on the telephone. So, we've concluded that distractions are necessary evils in the course of life but what do we do with them.

 

Several years ago, a dear friend taught me about a spiritual practice of hers. She said that when she first wakes up in the morning, one of her first prayers is asking the Lord to allow only those people He chooses to cross her path that day. She includes in that, any event...the usual or the unusual. She said that as a result, when something negative in nature comes her way, she automatically regards it as something from the Lord. She views people in the same light.

 

Distractions in the form of people probably reveal a need of some sort. That person may need ministered to in some way, so God may interrupt our day with an opportunity to serve Him and help another person. We would probably be less irritated if we could view distractions as opportunities in disguise, as opportunities for service or to get our minds refocused where they should be.

 

Interruptions are distractions, but whether we speak of interruptions or distractions, I have to wonder how many of them have been Divine Appointments that I have missed, but that God intended me to handle in those moments. Sometimes it would be hard to tell the difference. If my day has been dedicated to God, I feel I should think in positive ways more than negative ones with regard to the various people or things that appear in my life in the course of my day. 

 

I wish we could realize that we are on this earth to be servants and ministers...God's representatives...Jesus with skin on. Whether saved or unsaved, there are people who need us. They need our encouragement, advice, help in any number of ways and yes, definitely need our prayers and at times, even our tears. I'm not saying that we should ignore our daily responsibilities. That would not honor Him. There have been times when I've taken on too much that in many cases, I wasn't meant to get involved in. The Holy Spirit will guide and direct what He wants us to do and when He wants us to do it. I get on overload when I haven't asked the Lord to direct my day. God knows what you and I can reasonably handle and be effective. Bathing our day in prayer will always be helpful and meaningful. When viewed from God's perspective, no distraction or interruption should be considered a “whoops” in our day. God NEVER says “Whoops” nor should we as we walk through our day, whether we be interrupted or distracted.

Dear Father...I give this day to you. Whatever it is...a phone call, someone dropping by the house, an accident or the electricity going off...may I regard the events of my day to be under your control. Holy Spirit, guide me...I give my day to you knowing that under Your leadership, I will consider any person or event a Divine Appointment. May I stay in close communication with You. I love you.....Amen

You're Invited to a Party

Woe is me, for I am undone....

Isaiah 6:5

Join me. I don't give or attend these parties very often but they come my way, usually because of my own doing. Many times, this kind of party becomes a very private one, with me the only one in attendance. Here's a sample invitation:

You Are Invited

to a

Pity Party

Where: Anywhere you happen to be.

   When:  Anytime....anywhere

                                      Date: Most any day, week or month of the year

                                                 Bring: Large box of Kleenex

                  No RSVP necessary...in fact, you can have your very own pity party!

What is pity? It is usually a sympathy and sorrow aroused by the misfortune or suffering of another person. That can be a healthy thing to feel for others. However when that pity turns inward becoming self pity, it can be toxic. Self pity is a horrible thing to endure even for a moment. It is the highest form of pride because one's mind rests only on self and what that inner self is feeling and suffering. When not put in check, one can take on the mentality of a victim and when at that point, is very difficult to work through, although with God, nothing is impossible.
 

What are some things that may cause this negative introspection in us. Causes can run the gamut from A to Z. And those things won't necessarily be the same for every person. Some of those things can usually fall into one category....loss (job, loved one, romantic relationship, etc.). Other things may involve financial difficulties, disappointment of some kind (and this can be a biggie) and even misunderstandings. I know the negative things that push buttons in my life so I try to be aware of the onset of those things so I can get a grip on them before they get a grip on me.
 

Job had a good life. He was a wealthy man and well respected. He had a wonderful family. Job was so dedicated, he arose every morning presenting sacrifices for his children just in case they had cursed God. This put him in the position of being the priest of his family. His life was very blessed with money and livestock...life was good. Satan didn't have any admiration for Job and with God's permission, put Job through the testing of a lifetime. For the most part, Job ended up losing everything. His children were killed, but his wife lived. After he lost his health, even his wife suggested that he curse God and die...talk about support.
 

We read through the book of Job and see with no thanks to his friends, he ended up in the pit of despair. He got to the point of even regretting that he had been born. Been there? I have known women who have been there. Some have rebounded from their feelings but some seem to wallow in the despair for months and perhaps years. 
 

What is the opposite of self pity?.....gratefulness. Sounds odd doesn't it. When in the pit of despair, it doesn't seem the time to be grateful. Gratitude takes ones mind off of self and onto others or focuses us on the good things that God has done for us. It takes practice but it works.
 

Even when we don't feel like it, we can force ourselves to think on the things God has given us. Keep counting and perhaps even list those things on a piece of paper...keep going...think. This will be a very difficult thing to do but it's the best shovel we can find that digs us out of that abyss of self pity. Listed are some things for a start:
 

Personal salvation

Life itself

Good health

God's grace

Family

Income

Food to eat

Holy Spirit

Own copy of God's word

Freedom to worship

Living in a free country

God's provision

Transportation to take you where you want to go

Nice weather

Clothes to wear

God's love
 

Feel better yet? Well there are more things to add to that list. Even some of those things listed above may not be the most ideal in your life, but there are those that do. Staying in Scripture is a huge help for me. I have those Scriptures marked that I can go to immediately when those tough times begin to set in. We can cry on every shoulder we can find in these times of self-pity but the only shoulder we should run to is our Lords. He tells us, “Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” That's an open ended offer from the One who is the only One who can give us a complete, long-lasting time of rest. Forget the pity party...His offer is the best thing we could ever take advantage of.

For pity sakes, cancel that party, put that Kleenex box back on the shelf and walk in a spirit of gratitude.

Dear Father...Times of pity seem to sneak up on us so quickly but can hang around for the longest time. Help me to run to Jesus first thing and to trust you in my every circumstance. I