Water Rights
Water Rights
by Sara Beth What are the signs and symptoms of spiritual thirst? The signs and symptoms of physical thirst depend upon the individual and the temperature. These can apply to spiritual thirst. Exhausted past the point of sensing thirst , a person can die of heat stroke without knowing they needed water. As temperature increases, water loss increases — often not apparent to the person. In a hot place, a person doesn’t always sense that they are thirsty. Many have died because of their exhaustion —without knowing they needed water. They’re critically dehydrated yet unaware — as they succumb to heat exhaustion. Likewise, many are unwilling to admit they are spiritually thirsty. Some reject the idea of God because they believe it’s foolishness. Others are unwilling to believe and submit to God. Circumstantial pressure and trials, combined withindividual weakness or stubbornness are significant influences. The result of ignoring spiritual thirst — is a heart that’s all or partly: still, stagnant, empty, dissatisfied, weary, tired, exhausted, faint, bitter, fearful, proud, or doubting. • are ignorant about God: Isaiah 5:13, 32:6 • won’t admit there is a Creator God: Isaiah 48:21, 49:10 • unwilling to believe and submit: John 5:38-47 • won’t admit they are spiritually thirsty: Amos 4:8, Romans 1:20-22 Feeling a sense of genuine thirst Spiritual thirst is evidence of Father God drawing a person to Himself via Christ Jesus! God’s holy spirit prepares the way by 1) helping them sense their thirst, and 2) bringing the truth about Christ Jesus to them. These are necessary before they realize their need — and desire Him. We can therefore ask God to help others sense their spiritual thirst — and sense that God is real. • seeking to fill emptiness or heal brokenness • restlessness in heart • asking questions about life and God • reading the Word of God • listening & meditating on truth • ready to make significant life changes • taking new actions • changing life routines • shifting from non-action to action • showing up at a christian gathering • ready to respond to God’s grace Biblical examples of spiritual thirst ✓ Ethiopian Eunuch Acts 8:27-39 ⁃ thinking and seeking to understand ⁃ ready to take steps forward to grow in faith. ⁃ acquired a copy of the Word ⁃ reading the Word. honestly curious ⁃ sought to understand the Word ⁃ traveled a long way to worship ⁃ thrilled to meet a christian. asked genuine questions ⁃ believed the promises of God ⁃ got baptized ✓ rich young ruler Mark 10 ✓ Nicodemus John 3 ✓ the Athenians Acts 17 ✓ the Philippian jailer Acts 16 ✓ the Samaritan woman and her village John 4 How do we drink of God’s spiritual water? We must firstly see/feel and admit our thirst. Then seek the source of water that satisfies forever. Believe and humbly approach God for His water. Then commit and never let go of Him. Participate and enjoy this Life-sustaining relationship continually until death — and forever upon resurrection! 1. Admit need for spiritual water
“I’M DYING HERE” “I AM THIRSTY” Recognize my desperate thirst for knowing God. Aware that I’m separated from Father God, spiritual thirst motivates my search for God — which then leads/drives me to Jesus Christ. I admit and own my neediness and emptiness. Haggai 1:6-7 … you drink but are not filled … consider your ways Psalm 107:4-7 they wandered in the wilderness … hungry, thirsty, faint … then they cried unto the LORD2 Samuel 23:15 longing for a drink of water … from the well of Bethlehem! Matthew 5:6 blessed are those who thirst after righteousness — for they shall be filled Psalm 63:1 my soul thirsts for Thee in a dry land and thirsty land, where no water is Luke 13:3, 5 repent or perish John 4:23-24 worship in spirit and truth, for Father seeks such to worship Him. John 3:5 must be born of water and the Spirit John 16:13-14 the Spirit of truth will guide into all truth … shall glorify Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 10:1-6 example of all those who were fed water in the wilderness … yet displeased God Psalm 42:1-2 my soul thirsts for God, for the living God … when shall I come and appear before Him? 2. Eagerly desire water
“ I WANT SWEET FRESH WATER” Spiritual thirst propels us to take steps forward to grow in faith as God prepares us for commitment — drawing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. Cry out to God — the Source of … water. Seek spiritual connection with God. God will arrange circumstances to bring messages to us during our daily life: wrong phone number, overheard conversation, random video, awkward mixup at restaurant, bus-stop, grocery store, etc.! Deuteronomy 4:29 SEEK AND YOU SHALL FIND HIM if you seek with all your heart and soul. John 4:15 By His Holy Spirit, God helps us sense that He is real, that Jesus made a way for forgiveness, and relationship with Father. Decide to trust God. Choose faith in Christ . Choose to drink at Jesus’ table: 1 Corinthians 10: 21 and James 3:11-12 Jesus only felt thirst — when our sins were put upon Him. And rather than sweet fresh water — He was given vinegar. John 19:28, Psalm 69:21 Psalm 119:169-170 … O LORD give me understanding … Romans 8:16 Our spirit bears witness with God’s spirit — that we can cry, “Abba Father.” Psalm 86:6-8 in trouble, I call on you … will answer Jeremiah 33:3 call Me, I will answer — new things! Isaiah 44:3 I will pour water upon him that is thirsty Isaiah 41:17-18 when the poor and needy seek water … I the Lord will hear them John 4:13-14 physical thirst versus John 6:35 spiritual thirst—> shall never thirst again 3. Go to the Source of spiritual water
APPROACH CHRIST “YOU HAVE WATER” and ASK “MAY I DRINK THEREFROM?” Spiritual thirst propels us to take steps forward to grow in faith. God prepares us for commitment — He draws us to Christ Jesus. Only Jesus can fill an empty heart. Believe in Christ. GO to Christ. Jesus is the door to Father’s Spirit. The water-master. The water gate. God provides water. BELIEVE God’s Word. ASK for this available gift of God. It’s your choice and your volition. Acts 16:30-34 what must I do to be saved?! Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ … John 6:35 he that believes on ME shall never thirst John 7:37-39 GO TO Christ Jesus and drink the LIVING WATER of God’s Holy Spirit John 4:10,15 Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not John 4:41-42 we believe because we have heard Him ourselves. He is indeed the Christ, the Savior John 3:27 only available from heaven Matthew 8:2, Mark 1:40-41 Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean Numbers 20:8 speak to the Rock for water and then drink (no incantations or live sacrifices or rituals) 4. Obtain water rights
A water right is a legal entitlement authorizing water to be diverted from a specified source and put to beneficial, non-wasteful use. Water rights are property rights, but their holders do not own the water itself. They possess the right to use it. COMMIT to do whatever it takes to gain legal access to spiritual water. Commit to life-long covenant of obedience to drink at Jesus table. Humble ourselves as a child unabashedly, matter-of-factly, going to a caring warm Father. Belief leads to repentance, which leads to commitment. Enter into Covenant with the Creator and Giver of Water. Confess and repent of sin. Desire forgiveness. Concede the full burden of your sins. Enter into the Kingdom of God. Take hold of Jesus as your Messiah. The absolute truth is that salvation is found in no one else. We don’t own the water itself, yet we can quench our thirst unlimited. You cannot purchase the water, YET it costs your soul, fealty, loyalty 100% everything. Commit your everything to God as He has committed His everything to you. Isaiah 55:1-9 no money needed. Luke 9:23-26 Deny yourself and Follow Me John 14:6 I am the way, the truth, and the life. no one comes to the Father, but by Me Revelation 21:6 gives to him that’s athirst … the fountain of water of Life FREELY Genesis 21:19 God opened her eyes — and she saw a well of water! Ruth 2:9 when athirst, go and drink from the designated source Isaiah 12:3 with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation 5. Maintain access to the water
Remember, water rights continue only as they are 1) only for beneficial non-wasteful use and 2) used regularly (unused water will be given to others; decreasing your access). Use it continually. Daily. ABIDE = constantly and continually use the water. Remain connected to the spiritual water. According to the covenant. NEVER LEAVE CHRIST. We never outgrow our need to receive. ABIDE means to dwell, tarry, not depart, be held or kept continually, to continue, to remain present, to stay, to settle, to inhabit. We are helpless like children. We need to receive what we cannot provide for ourselves. living, flowing, leaping, fountain. A SOURCE. Nothing else waters our soul. ETERNAL LIVING FOUNTAIN. How is it being used in your life? How are you managing this resource? 1 Thessalonians 5:19 quench not the Holy spirit Luke 18:17 receive it like a child. 1 John 2:3-6 walk as HE walked. keep His Word/commands. abide. John 15:1-11 I am the vine, ye are the branches — without Me ye can do nothing Proverbs 19:23 … shall abide satisfied 1 John 2:3-6 … walk, even as He walked Psalm 91:1-2 … abide under the shadow of the Almighty Psalm 61 … abide in Thy tabernacle forever Psalm 15 who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? Revelation 7:16-17 … shall thirst no more … living fountains of waters Nothing else will satisfy/quench our spiritual thirst
Famine = no food. Thirst = no water. Without water, we first become weary, and eventually after many days, we die of thirst. Noticing and thinking that “something is wrong”, “this doesn’t make sense” whether from hurts, trials, confusion, exasperation, frustration == thirsting for God! for His perspective! wanting to know why and how! “Call … I will answer…” said Christ Jesus our Master, Who administers God’s spiritual water. The thirsty — He satisfies! John 7:37 COME TO ME all who thirst, and drink Psalm 36:8-9 abundantly satisfied Revelation, 22:17 … let him that is thirsty come take of the water of Life freely You are thirsty. Christ Jesus has water!
1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body … and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.