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What Well Are You Drawing From? Faith Filled Friday

7/12/2012

16 Comments

 

The only one that can truly satisfy the human heart is the One who made it.

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Have you read Jeremiah 2 before? It's one of those in your face verses. But I love those really since I'm a give it to me straight kind of person.

"But my people have exchanged their Glory for worthless idols. Be appalled at this, O heavens, and shudder with great horror," declares the LORD. "My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water." Jeremiah 2:11-13

To hear God say to the heavens, "Be appalled... shudder with great horror..." you know what He's talking about is a pretty big deal.

When we turn to our own source for life, it's a big deal because it means turning away from Him and that is idolatry. We can't depend on two things at one time. Either we are drawing from one well or another.

I am pretty sure the summer of 2012 will always remind me of sulfur. The first half of our summer we were leading ministry projects in Durango Colorado and our bath water reeked of sulfur. (And let me tell you how fun bathtime is when your kids are screaming at the top of thier lungs "IT STINKS!!!" the entire time. sigh). Now we are in south Jersey stay at Austin's brothers house (which is awesome!) but his well water also reeks of sulfur. And I am reminded of how so often we drink out of wells that stink but for some reason don't switch which well we are pulling from.
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Sometimes we know we are pulling from the wrong well/looking for life in other things besides Jesus. But sometimes we don't. After all the heart is decietful above all things right. So decietful it can trick even us.

That is why the fruit of the Spirit is so awesome. Because the fruit of the Spirit can only be just that, fruit of the Spirit, not fruit of trying really hard. It's silly to think an apple grows because it trys really hard. It's also silly to think that if we just keep trying and practicing and working on it, we will be more patient or more loving or kind or self-controlled. The fruit of the Spirit comes out of our hearts which then comes out of our mouths as we are living dependant on the Lord.

There are so many ways the Bible talks about this concept:
* Remain connected to the Lord as a vine does to a branch
* Rely on His strenth and empowerment
* Abide in Him
* Remain in Him
*Walk by the Spirit
and it goes on and on. But however you choose to say it, the reality is that we need Jesus to live His life through us. And that can only happen as we yield to Him.

But back to why the fruit of the Spirit is so awesome. Because it is a temperature gauge of our hearts. Are you drawing from a wrong well? Are you trying to get life from another source besides the Lord? You'll know by looking at your attitude. Right now, at this moment and the previous have you been patient and gentle? Have you been self-controlled and joyful? If not, you've got your bucket in the wrong well and it's time to take it out and put it in the right well.

But how?
It's just a matter of admitting it to the Lord and yielding to Him. Just the same way we came to Christ in the first place through admitting our failure to measure up to perfection and yielding to Him, is the same way we walk with Christ. Confess and surrender.

The Christian life is not a bunch of rules and make others live by. It is a dependance on the Lord, yielding to Him .It's a moment by moment thing, not a once in a lifetime thing, just like we need water on a daily basis.

"But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life... Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." John 4:14, 7:38

I know I talk about this a lot and I hope I always do. It took me 10 years for this concept to really sink in so I don't want to grow weary from repetition fatigue.

So a question for you, today, right now in this moment, what well are you drawing from? Are you looking to other things besides the Creator for life? Are you drawing from another well to find satisfaction, admiration, adventure, adoration, affirmation, acceptance, approval etc...?
How do you know?
If so, why not admit it to God and surrender to Him right now?
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And did you see this video? It's a great example of depending on the Lord and getting to see Him come through. (And I just think they're cute!)
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Faith Filled Friday Blog Hop Link Up

We exist to glorify God, to display His heart and character. And I just love how we are all uniquely built to do that. So every Friday I want to give you, uniquely designed by God, an opportunity to link up your thoughts on God, art, baking, photography, parenting, marriage, writing or blogging and more if they tie into or display the the Lord somehow. 

So go ahead and link up below by clicking the link below and following the prompts. Please just let your readers know by including a link at the bottom of your post (or somewhere on your side bar) or put my button code (found on my side bar or the Faith Filled Friday Tab) so they can find these other great people glorifying God and we can continue to grow as a community. Thanks!    

And in effort to encourage others in their writing by faith, please take a minute to comment on the two posts linked up before you.    
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Who do you know that would be encouraged by this?
16 Comments
Laura Rath link
7/12/2012 12:42:47 pm

Love this post Laura! I think sometimes we don't turn from the stinky well because it's what we know, and what we know is easier to deal with than change. But through Jesus, we can change wells, and when we are tempted to turn back to the stinky well, God gives us a way out of temptation. We can draw strength from Him to make the change. Amen!
Blessings,
Laura

Reply
Laura
7/12/2012 12:47:40 pm

So true Laura! I'm just so amazed at God... that He would give us a way out and then give us the ability to take it when we depend on Him for strength. Just wow.

Reply
Amber link
7/12/2012 01:01:26 pm

So great!!! Have you read the book "The Well" by the lead singer of Casting Crowns? It goes along with this post perfectly. And their song "Come to the Well" does as well. I do love that we just need to remain in Jesus-remember His love and what His sacrifice did, receive our life from Him, be filled with the Holy Spirit and those fruits flow out of us effortlessly. We decrease, He increases, we die, He lives. When it is His grace, His strength in us, He gets all the glory! Praise Him!

Reply
Laura
7/13/2012 12:24:46 am

I don't think I've herd it Amber... Buty memory doesn't really work with songs and movies, so I can be sure. Sounds awesome though, I'll have to look on YouTube for a video. And I just love how you said that! We die, he lives. I'll be thinking about that today.

Have a good break from blogging. :)

Reply
Kaye Swain link
7/12/2012 01:01:39 pm

What cutie pies! And what great points you've made. I especially appreciated your comments, "The Christian life is...a dependance on the Lord, yielding to Him. It's a moment by moment thing, not a once in a lifetime thing, just like we need water on a daily basis." Amen and AMEN!!!

Reply
Laura
7/13/2012 12:26:43 am

Thanks Kaye!

Reply
myheartsmission link
7/12/2012 09:13:26 pm

Love this post!
This is something God has been speaking to me about lately- a continual remaining and drawing from Him- to stop trying to use my own resources but to invite Him into each moment.
I feel like I am relearning how to live in so many ways- I have started to pray (and REALLY mean it for the first time) Lord, may I wait in hope and trust until you move me.
Thank you for this encouraging post- confirming the Truth God keeps speaking into my life and heart. God bless you, my sister in Christ.

Reply
Joe Pote link
7/12/2012 09:16:03 pm

"Right now, at this moment and the previous have you been patient and gentle? Have you been self-controlled and joyful?"

I love how you put this, Laura!

I'm learning to use my own bad attitudes as a sort of litmus test. When I approach God for help in a situation I am very frustrated with, God usually starts with showing me where my own heart has gone astray.

Thanks for sharing!

Reply
Deanna link
7/12/2012 10:33:28 pm

"Right now, at this moment and the previous have you been patient and gentle? Have you been self-controlled and joyful?"
OUCH!
Thank you for tugging at my heart with these truths!

Reply
Mary Beth link
7/12/2012 11:06:09 pm

It's silly to think an apple grows from trying hard! So True!!! I've lived a lot of life trying hard. I'm just beginning to really understand what it means to let go and abide in Christ.

Mary Beth

Reply
Chelle link
7/12/2012 11:44:18 pm

Laura,
Hope you and your family are enjoying your vacation....Durango and S. Jersey, both places I've been and can relate too...even the stinky water. "Confess and surrender." You say that like it's easy? I've been dealing with surrender lately...I've got confession, it's just that we type A personalities get capacity confused with not needing to surrender everything...and then everything goes awry. I cannot tell you the number of times I've told the Lord in prayer (or at least thought)..."I've got this, Lord, but there are other areas where I need you..." Was I serious??
Thanks for this post, and as always, for hosting Faith Filled Fridays, for your gracious friendship and feedback.
Continued peace and good to you and yours.

Reply
Laurie Collett link
7/13/2012 03:53:01 am

Praise God that He is the living water and that we need never thirst again! Bud sadly, it is easy to return to the polluted waters of the world that never satisfy.
Thanks for the great post and for hosting the linkup.
God bless,
Laurie

Reply
ro elliott link
7/13/2012 06:30:49 am

First time linking up...oh my those precious boys...let the children lead us. Great post...learning to abide...being not doing transforms a heart...being in an abiding relationship...growing in a loving trust...will transform our hearts...not doing things for God...doing to get. this has been a journey for me...but the freedom I have experience makes me thirst for more...blessings to you~

Reply
Diane link
7/13/2012 01:35:23 pm

Just today I was thinking how easy it is to exchange something that is really unimportant for God. Thanks for helping me to chew on this a little bit more.

Reply
Ed Ross link
7/13/2012 01:45:22 pm

HI Laura! Great thoughts here - always needing to be reminded that He alone is my source - especially when crisis or storms assail. I read here that you're in my neck of the woods - South Jersey - we're in Vineland. Where are you visiting? Thanks so much for hosting - and for your ministry. You are always an inspiration.

Joy and Shalom!
Kathy & Ed Ross

Reply
JoAnne Potter link
7/14/2012 02:05:48 am

Oh, I like this:
"the fruit of the Spirit is so awesome. Because the fruit of the Spirit can only be just that, fruit of the Spirit, not fruit of trying really hard. " No further comment necessary.

Reply



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  • Home
    • Ministry Resources for Women >
      • Beholding Him Freebie
    • Contributors
    • Statement of Faith
  • Blog
    • Ministry >
      • Evangelism {Win}
      • Discipleship {Build}
      • Living Missionally {Send}
    • God's Word >
      • Bible Study
      • Prayer
      • Devotionals
      • Bible Studies
      • Apologetics
    • Relationships >
      • Marriage
      • Singleness
      • Dating
      • Family
      • Friendship
    • World >
      • Social Justice Issues
      • Internet & Social Media
      • Politics
      • International
      • Science Revealing God
    • Life >
      • Image & Idenity
      • Health
      • Fashion
      • Food
      • Organization
  • Bible Study Resources
  • Prints
  • Stickers
  • Quiet Time Journals
  • Courses
    • Discover God's Calling
    • Women's Ministry Training Promo
    • How to Study the Bible
    • Women's Ministry Training Course
    • Growing in Your Faith Mini Course
  • Retreat
  • Video Bible Studies
    • Matthew
    • John
    • Galatians
    • Philippians
    • Know your Purpose
    • Creation Reveals
    • Ministry
    • Heart Growth
  • You Are Unshaken Book
    • Unshaken Groups
    • You Are Unshaken Launch Team
    • You Are Unshaken Paint Party
    • Unshaken Freebies
  • Shop