In what ways can we "bring water" to those in spiritual deserts? Verse Focus: Isaiah 41:17-18 “The poor and needy seek water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. I, the LORD, will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. I will open rivers on the barren heights, and springs in the middle of the plains; I will turn the desert into a pool of water and the dry land into flowing springs.” Recognizing Spiritual Thirst Today • People all around us are “parched”—lacking hope, peace, purpose, or truth. • Spiritual deserts show up as addiction, anxiety, cynicism, broken relationships, or indifference to God. • God’s promise to supply water invites us to become channels of that supply. Jesus, the Living Water • John 4:14: “Whoever drinks the water I will give him will never thirst.” • John 7:37-38: “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. … From within him will flow rivers of living water.” • Our role is never to manufacture water; it is to pass along what we have received from Christ. Ways We Can Bring Water • Share the gospel plainly—good news is “like cold water to a weary soul” (Proverbs 25:25). • Offer Scripture at the right moment; God’s Word is “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12). • Speak life-giving encouragement—“Let everything you say be good and helpful” (Ephesians 4:29). • Pray with people on the spot; prayer taps directly into the fountain. • Serve practical needs (meals, childcare, rides); love with deeds, not words only (1 John 3:18). • Create spaces of worship where hearts can encounter God’s presence (Psalm 63:1-2). • Mentor and disciple; walk with someone through Scripture and life (2 Timothy 2:2). • Practice hospitality; a welcoming table often softens hearts for living water to flow. • Stay available; sometimes the greatest gift is simple, patient presence (Romans 12:15). Strengthened by Promises • Isaiah 58:11—God makes us “like a spring whose waters never fail.” • Matthew 10:42—Even a cup of cold water given in Jesus’ name receives reward. • Galatians 6:9—“Let us not grow weary in doing good.” These assurances keep our own wells from running dry as we pour out. Take the First Step Today Notice one “thirsty” person God places in your path. Draw from the living water Christ has given you, and let it flow—through words, actions, and genuine love—until their desert starts to bloom. |
    |