God speaks through the simple things, and when we pause to listen, we are blessed,.
As I looked out a window, I saw a bird land on our fountain, and take a drink. I’ve seen this little blue fellow stop by several times. He’s a California Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma californica), and I’ve dubbed him “Scrubby.” As he perched by the bubbling fountain, he looked at me for several seconds, and this simple event carried my thoughts to the term “living water,” since my previous post featured this same fountain. (See my post entitled, “The Fountain,” August 31, 2020.) I wrote about the fruit of the Spirit, which He cultivates within us, reforming our hearts into the likeness of Christ.
The water in my little fountain receives fresh water every day, and the exchanged water flows onto my cherry tree and garden, so it’s not wasted.
In Western culture, we tend to look at the concept of “living water” as our thirst for Jesus, or righteousness through the flow of the indwelling Spirit. The Hebrews of Jesus time would have interpreted this phrase to mean all have access to approach God, without the need to pay for a ritual bath in a mikveh, and ceremonial cleansing to enter the temple. This was a revolutionary concept. The “living water” meant water flowing continuously in and out of the mikveh, or a spring of water.
“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” (John 4:14, ESV.)
Many churches speak of their emphasis on evangelizing and growth, but it seems to me most say little about the development of Christian character. Perhaps one reason some churches have discouraging success in evangelism is we don’t look like the Jesus we are asking others to trust.
We’ve all heard of Christians individuals described as having great faith, as if they can rely on the amount of their faith for their salvation. I don’t believe God is impressed by the quantity of our faith; it waxes and wanes like the moon.
In Matthew 17:19-20, Jesus spoke of faith:.
“Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked, ‘Why could we not drive it out?’ He answered, ‘Because of your little faith [your lack of trust and confidence in the power of God]; for I assure you and most solemnly say to you, if you have [living] faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and [if it is God’s will] it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you’” (AMP.)
I haven’t seen many flying mountains, except for videos of the Mount St. Helens eruption of 1980, and as far as I know, no one’s faith made that happen. Instead of trusting in the amount of my faith, I’d rather trust in the object of my faith, Jesus. He is trustworthy and true, even when my own heart deceives me. He knows how weak I am in my deepest valleys.
“For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust” (Psalm103:14, NKJV.)
This is the promise of Christmas. He came to us, and now His Spirit indwells us when we believe in Him with all our heart, and call upon His name. He lights our path and never leaves us, even when our faith is weak. He honors even a mustard seed of faith, because of His compassion, mercy and love toward those who believe and trust in Christ. In Romans we read:
“The Spirit of God not only maintains this hope within us, but helps us in our present limitations. For example, we do not know how to pray worthily as sons of God, but his Spirit within us is actually praying for us in those agonising longings which never find words. And God who knows the heart’s secrets understands, of course, the Spirit’s intention as he prays for those who love God” (Romans 8:26-27, PHILLIPS.)
Mary probably didn’t know how to pray about Gabriel’s message to her, and all the things she had seen and experienced. Yet, God heard her unspoken prayers, and answered them.
“But Mary treasured all these things, giving careful thought to them and pondering them in her heart” (Luke 2:19, AMP.)
The Word gives me assurance of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and when I see the fruit of the Spirit growing in me, I gain more understanding of the scripture that tells me I am a “new creature in Christ.”
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17, KJV.)
I intend to look further into the nine characteristics of Spiritual fruit. I hope to gain a deeper understanding of this assurance of Christ’s work within me. In the coming weeks, you’re invited to join me, as I post new entries here.
What better time to begin a study of the blessings of Christ in us, than the time when we celebrate His birth, Emmanuel, God with us.
Joy to the world!
Selah.