John 4: Lifewater

"Obey Your Thirst" .... Sprite's tag line and encouragement to fill yourself with their product. 

"Obey OUR Thirst"... Our tag line in much of life, isn't it?  I mean we consume and purchase about anything.  

If you want an iPhone, buy it or get as a gift for your birthday.  If you want an education, take out loans.  If you want to tell someone right away you are thinking of them; text 'em or Facebook 'em.  If you need a pick me up it won't take long to buy it, drink it, or seek out that person.  "Obey OUR Thirst" is often our lifeline.

But eventually we always come back again and again asking, "Why am I so dry/parched?"

These "Obey Your Thirst" items are like well water... Yes they are useful at times, but eventually leave you dry.  So we try something new or a new fad or new friends or a new relationship and we are dry again and even more thirsty than before.

This is the same pattern we see at Jacob's well in John 4.  The Samaritan women was in the same pattern of "obeying Her thirst". In a dialogue with her Jesus says, "You are right in saying, 'I have no husband'; for you have had five husbands, and one you now have is not your husband..." (17, 18). Whether you have been with multiple partners like this woman or whether you have tried to quench your thirst time and time again by "obeying your thirst".  Jesus' provides Life-giving water.

Jesus meets us in the deepest, most raw parts of our lives. He meets us in the place we are most wounded. Jesus' Water- John 4:14...”is life-giving water in you!”…

Life-giving water replenishes not just when you were brought to faith, but continually. It’s the spring that never runs dry. Jesus' water is physical, here are three ways.

• Baptism brings a New Life and the Holy Spirit.
• The Community of Believers tangibly serve one another and the world.
• The Holy Spirit is our liaison bringing physical and spiritual healing).  Jesus' water is useful; it is replenishing and even Quenches the Soul.

Nutritional Label for "Life-Giving Water":  Replenishes and Refuels, when you spend time with God (prayer, worship, devotion, serving,see yourself as he sees you). The effect is an Overflowing in your life to others.  So once you get filled how is the overflowing into others lives. 

Application:  Let's thank and praise God for replenishing us and give thanks and praise for the ways He is using us.  Spend some time giving thanks to God for the way the gift of life He's given you and the ways He is overflowing through you specifically [if you can't answer it then consider how the Holy Spirit is calling you to overflow; tell a friend how you see the Holy Spirit overflowing in their life; or ask a friend what they see in you] And no it is not bragging, it is thanking God for His work in your life; we call that worship!!