The Living Water

"Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:13,14

I lived in a neighborhood in Birmingham that had "Watched" and been "Warned" of many a tornado. Every "tornado season" we ended up in the dining room portion of our basement (our safe place). For many years it seemed that every time we ran to the basement I was suffering with Strep (I was diagnosed with this lethal malady all throughout my childhood and into my teen years).

Mama and Daddy would prepare our beds on the floor with lots of warm fuzzy blankets and pillows. They were sure to have flashlights and a battery operated radio to keep up with the roaring lion (storm) that was making its way to our area. As we all nestled in close and got comfortable it never failed; I needed water! I thought I might perish if I didn't get just a sip of cool liquid to calm my aching throat. I would not be able to rest until I knew I had a glass of H2O to quench my dying thirst.

One or the other of my parents would risk their safety and run up the stairs to our kitchen to grab a glass for me so that I could rest (or let them rest).

I have heard so many testimonies of people who walked through their salvation experience at a young age because they were afraid of dying and going to hell. Their relationship with the Lord did not begin with love but with fear. Two opposite emotions.

To start your Christian journey with fear of hell is one thing but to stay in that mindset is keeping your relationship at an immature level. As love for God increases through connecting with Him on a personal basis fear is driven out.

Love is who God is (Romans 5:5).

Love is why God died (John 15:5).

Love is what God does (John 17:26).

Love is what God demands (John 13:34).

Love begins and ends with God. He doesn't know how not to love; and He knows everything.

God's love is primary; our love is a response to His eternal love for us (1 John 4:19).

It all comes down to love with Him; always!

~Every time you see a sunrise or sunset. God is saying, "I love you".

~Every time you look into your baby's face. God is saying, "I love you".

~Every time you feel at peace in life. God is saying, "I love you".

~Every time you think of Jesus on the cross. God is saying, "I love you".

~Every time life isn't going how you expect. God is saying, "I am with you and I love you".

The Lord provided the way for us to be in fellowship with Him everyday and to have eternal life. We need only to drink from the Living Water and love Him and one another (John 6:35).

I love you & He loves you more!

Lord, You are the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by You (John 14:6). May we seek and serve You in love and know that our eternity is secure, not in fear but in faith. Amen.