Living water

Recently I was reading the scripture in 2 Timothy 1 v 4,6-7 , This was a letter from Paul to Timothy – his protegee, encouraging him. He had trained him up to take the gospel to the Gentiles and I guess Timothy was having a blip, thinking he couldn’t do this on his own but needed his mentor Paul to be beside him. But Paul’s words were enough for him to carry on

I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted, and I will be filled with joy when we are together again. This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gifts God gave you when I laid hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:4,6-7 NLT

How many times do we panic and freak out thinking we just can’t do what God is calling us to do? This is where we need strong spiritual support from church leaders, friends strong in the faith, mentors, all who are at the end of the telephone, open to receiving e-mails from us, spending time with them in church. Again, it’s Paul who writes to the Philippians telling them,

For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.

Philippians 4:13 NLT

We are all human and all have human weaknesses. But again, he reminds us that we are not on our own. God doesn’t expect us to sort everything out by ourselves because Christ, through His Holy Spirit is always available to strengthen us, help us, direct us, inspire us. So, the next time we feel inclined to give up we need to remember these scriptures and repeat them over and over until we really believe that because God loves us so much, He wants to help us in every situation.

Once we have been refreshed in our hearts, our minds and our bodies we can remember the verse in John 7 v 38. Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Festival of Shelters (Succot or Feast of Tabernacles). He was speaking loudly to the crowds saying ‘If you are thirsty come to me. If you believe in Me come and drink! For the Scriptures declare Rivers of Living Water will flow out from within’. He was speaking of the Holy Spirit who had not yet been given to them because Jesus had not yet entered into His glory. Wow just think – if we have Jesus living in our hearts, we have the Holy Spirit in us to give us the power, wisdom and strength that we need, whenever we need it, flowing like a river of living water!

: Terry Walmsley :