Spring Wells

Just as Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords, so His Word is the Water of waters.

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John 4:14 – But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

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What is a “springing well?”  It is one in which the water comes not from a reservoir of water beneath the ground, but from a spring that lies hidden beneath the surface of the earth.  What does this say about the water of life that is within every believer in God’s kingdom?  Volumes, my friend, volumes.  But allow me to briefly address that well of water that in within you that is “a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”  Stop for a moment to singularly consider these words of Jesus regarding the life of God within every believer.  Consider what Jesus said.

The believer should “never thirst again.”  Yet how many believers today seem to be so dry in their walk, witness, and work for the kingdom of God?  This should not be, for within each believer is “a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”  If we were considering a well drawing from a reservoir, we might understand how some might eventually run dry.  But we are NOT considering a reservoir, but a “well of water springing up into everlasting life.”  Though it may seem redundant to say it again and again, it truly cannot be overstressed.  The life we have in us is ETERNAL.  The “well of water” we have in us is “springing up into everlasting life.”  This everlasting springing is ETERNAL!

And what’s more, this is an ETERNAL WELL that springs eternal bringing the life of God within every believer.  But this is NOT the “rivers of living water” of which Jesus spoke that do not spring up within us, but flow out from us.  Dear one, there is a difference between a “well” and “rivers.”  The “well” within us is certainly springing up bringing life, but there are also “rivers” that should be flowing out of us that flow forth with power.  A well will not turn the dynamos of a hydroelectric dam, but a river will.  Imagine what “rivers” will do.  And those “rivers,” if flowing unimpeded, will enable us to enjoy the life springing up from the “well.”  But we must have the “well” before the “rivers” begin to flow.  Make sure your spring is clear and springing up freely.  There is power waiting.

Manna for Today – John 4:1-26; Ephesians 5:26; Titus 3:5; Revelation 21:6; Revelation 22:1 & 17; Isaiah 12:3; John 7:38

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So the Well Is Deep

NOTHING from God is less than “good and perfect.”  The trouble comes from how we handle it.

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John 4:11 – The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?

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I’ve a question for you.  From where does “every good and perfect gift” come?  They all come “from above,” “down from the Father of lights.”  And since GodNEVER changes, it is His will to do that for you ALL the time, EVERY time.  If it doesn’t happen, it’s not God’s fault.  I see great implication in that as to the supernatural ability my Father has to supply “all my need.”  When I am at my deepest point of need, it is easily swallowed up by the depth of Father’s provision.  Oh how deep His provision must be that at man’s very best, God’s “good and perfect gift” ALWAYS “comes down.”

In the incident from our Text for Today, the Samaritan woman at the well in Sychar tried to use natural reason to correct Jesus, telling Him the well was deep, and He had nothing with which to draw water from the well.  Oh dear saint, He who made the water certainly has the capacity to bring it forth whenever, wherever, and to whomever it is needful.  And if you need it, He WILL bring it forth if you believe.  Do not fret if the well, the situation you face, the valley in which you find yourself, is deep. Yes, the well may be deep, and you may have not rope or vessel.  But if Jesus is there at the well with you, take heart.  Refreshing water is about to spring forth, and rivers are about to flow out of your belly.  With Him there is NEVER a shortage.

But guard yourself against one of the prevailing spirits of our age; that of PIOUS SUPERIORITY.  It is seen in fallen Christian leaders.  They put their thinking, plans, and desires above those of God.  This spirit is very cunning.  It manifests toward the believer the moment he fails to believe in God’s ability.  At that moment, he declares that God is impoverished.  While we know that any such notion is ludicrous, actions like those I describe shout to the world that the church is a losing cause and God has no real solution.  My friend, your troubles, circumstances, and situations in life may be deep indeed, but the depth of God swallows it all, leaving no trace of the difficulty that seemed so deep.  Your well may be deep, but His well is deeper, and it is with your joy that draw from His well of salvation, and drawing from His well will indeed keep your joy full. 

Manna for Today – John 4:1-26; Mark 11:22-24; John 14:12-14; John 15:7; Luke 1:37; Isaiah 55:6-13; Joshua 1:6-9; Psalm 42; James 1:17; John 7: 37-39

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NOTHING from God is less than “good and perfect.”  The trouble comes from how we handle it.

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So the Well Is Deep

 

John 4:11 – The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?

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I’ve a question for you.  From where does “every good and perfect gift” come?  They all come “from above,” “down from the Father of lights.”  And since GodNEVER changes, it is His will to do that for you ALL the time, EVERY time.  If it doesn’t happen, it’s not God’s fault.  I see great implication in that as to the supernatural ability my Father has to supply “all my need.”  When I am at my deepest point of need, it is easily swallowed up by the depth of Father’s provision.  Oh how deep His provision must be that at man’s very best, God’s “good and perfect gift” ALWAYS “comes down.”

In the incident from our Text for Today, the Samaritan woman at the well in Sychar tried to use natural reason to correct Jesus, telling Him the well was deep, and He had nothing with which to draw water from the well.  Oh dear saint, He who made the water certainly has the capacity to bring it forth whenever, wherever, and to whomever it is needful.  And if you need it, He WILL bring it forth if you believe.  Do not fret if the well, the situation you face, the valley in which you find yourself, is deep. Yes, the well may be deep, and you may have not rope or vessel.  But if Jesus is there at the well with you, take heart.  Refreshing water is about to spring forth, and rivers are about to flow out of your belly.  With Him there is NEVER a shortage.

But guard yourself against one of the prevailing spirits of our age; that of PIOUS SUPERIORITY.  It is seen in fallen Christian leaders.  They put their thinking, plans, and desires above those of God.  This spirit is very cunning.  It manifests toward the believer the moment he fails to believe in God’s ability.  At that moment, he declares that God is impoverished.  While we know that any such notion is ludicrous, actions like those I describe shout to the world that the church is a losing cause and God has no real solution.  My friend, your troubles, circumstances, and situations in life may be deep indeed, but the depth of God swallows it all, leaving no trace of the difficulty that seemed so deep.  Your well may be deep, but His well is deeper, and it is with your joy that draw from His well of salvation, and drawing from His well will indeed keep your joy full.

 

Manna for Today – John 4:1-26; Mark 11:22-24; John 14:12-14; John 15:7; Luke 1:37; Isaiah 55:6-13; Joshua 1:6-9; Psalm 42; James 1:17; John 7: 37-39

Give Me to Drink

In you is a well of salvation.  For whom do you draw from it?

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John 4:7 – There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.

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When you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, He placed in you a well of living water that springs eternal from your spirit with the water of life.  if you it is understood to be eternal life.  how often do you draw from that well?  I know that I draw upon that well that is within me daily, and in fact, many times throughout each day.  Isaiah said it is “with joy” that we draw from that well, and that joy is released by faith via the words of our own mouth, they being our justifiers.

Now allow me a moment to present you a mental picture.  If I work hard, I perspire (sweat).  And if it is particularly warm when I am working, I sweat profusely, much of that sweat coming from my head, for that is one of the primary ways the Lord has designed the body to cool itself.  That sweat on the forehead evaporates, thus releasing heat from the multitude of capillaries located near the skin’s surface, thus having a cooling effect on the body.  Now consider this.  As a member of the body of Christ, when you work hard, does the head sweat?  Of course we understand that Jesus doesn’t sweat; He is God the Son and He knows how to live by faith.  But the imagery I want you to see is this.  When you draw water from your well of salvation, do you realize that as you are refreshed, the head is aware of it, and so enjoys the refreshing with you?

Too often, when we are working hard in the Kingdom we may feel as though we’re the only one who desires to be refreshed.  But as you partake of the water of life freely, drawing from the well that is in your spirit, springing up to everlasting life, our Lord is blessed.  In your times of refreshing, He joys over you with singing, is mighty in the midst of you, and rests in His love over you. So draw, my friend, draw.  Draw water continually from that well, and as you do, realize you are not drawing just for yourself. Your drawing brings great joy to your Master.  As you, a member in particular of His body drawing the water of life, He rejoices over you with great joy, being magnified in His strength through your refreshing in the earth. 

Manna for Today – John 4:1-26; John 4:32-38; Ephesians 1:15-23; Isaiah 12:3; Matthew 12:34-37; Romans 3:4; Zephaniah 3:17

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Do You NEED to Go – Part Two

In you is a well of salvation.  For whom do you draw from it?

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John 4:7 – There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.

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When you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, He placed in you a well of living water that springs eternal from your spirit with the water of life.  if you it is understood to be eternal life.  how often do you draw from that well?  I know that I draw upon that well that is within me daily, and in fact, many times throughout each day.  Isaiah said it is “with joy” that we draw from that well, and that joy is released by faith via the words of our own mouth, they being our justifiers.

Now allow me a moment to present you a mental picture.  If I work hard, I perspire (sweat).  And if it is particularly warm when I am working, I sweat profusely, much of that sweat coming from my head, for that is one of the primary ways the Lord has designed the body to cool itself.  That sweat on the forehead evaporates, thus releasing heat from the multitude of capillaries located near the skin’s surface, thus having a cooling effect on the body.  Now consider this.  As a member of the body of Christ, when you work hard, does the head sweat?  Of course we understand that Jesus doesn’t sweat; He is God the Son and He knows how to live by faith.  But the imagery I want you to see is this.  When you draw water from your well of salvation, do you realize that as you are refreshed, the head is aware of it, and so enjoys the refreshing with you?

Too often, when we are working hard in the Kingdom we may feel as though we’re the only one who desires to be refreshed.  But as you partake of the water of life freely, drawing from the well that is in your spirit, springing up to everlasting life, our Lord is blessed.  In your times of refreshing, He joys over you with singing, is mighty in the midst of you, and rests in His love over you. So draw, my friend, draw.  Draw water continually from that well, and as you do, realize you are not drawing just for yourself. Your drawing brings great joy to your Master.  As you, a member in particular of His body drawing the water of life, He rejoices over you with great joy, being magnified in His strength through your refreshing in the earth. 

Manna for Today – John 4:1-26; John 4:32-38; Ephesians 1:15-23; Isaiah 12:3; Matthew 12:34-37; Romans 3:4; Zephaniah 3:17

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Do You NEED to Go?

Sometimes you WANT to go.  Sometimes you NEED to go.  Learn the difference.

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John 4:4 – And he must needs go through Samaria.

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The title of today’s Second Miler is a question that has been asked me all my life as far back as I can remember.  When as a child and later a teen, on more than one occasion when I wanted to go to a party or game or some other event, and it wasn’t convenient for my parents to take me, they would ask,  “Do you need to go?”  There were even occasions when my parents planned to go somewhere I did not want to go, and I would ask, “Do I need to go?”  One would think that by the time we became adults, we would understand the difference between WANTING to go and NEEDING to go, and deal with it.  Yet still today, after nearly seven decades of living, there are times I find myself wrestling with whether I NEED to go, or is it merely a strong WANT to go.  When we examine the contention between Jews and Samaritans, it would seem that if it were a matter of merely WANTING to do so, the Jew would avoid contact with Samaritans, and vice versa.

Yet for Jesus, we read that “He must NEEDS go through Samaria.”  The Scriptures are clear; God has ordained good works in which we are to walk.  It was the same for Jesus.  He always did those things that pleased His Father.  Waiting for Him in Samaria was a “Father-ordained good work,” and Jesus, regardless of the politics, religion, and social quagmires of His day, would not miss it.  There was a woman who had been married five times, and was presently living with a man not her husband, a woman who instead of drawing water in the cooler hours of the morning when all the other women came, had to come in the heat of the day (she was a societal outcast), a woman who desperately needed an confron-tation with her sin and lifestyle, who would be precisely where Jesus had positioned Himself to wait on her to bring to her the ministry she needed.  I can’t say He fully knew what He was face, but He WAS fully ready to obey His Father in meeting her need.

How about you?  Are you hearing the voice of Father?  Are you following His lead?  Are you preparing yourself to be a vessel of honor, sanctified and meet for your Master’s use?  Are you ready to wait in the “unpopular place” in the “heat of the day,” even while you are physically hungry, to address the “Samaritan” with whom Father has set a holy appointment?  Just remember, there may be nothing wrong with where you WANT to go, but it is a terrible choice to miss an appointment where you NEED to go. 

Manna for Today – John 4;1-26; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20; Isaiah 6; Ephesians 2:10

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Transition

Instead of fearing change, use your faith to allow the Lord to lead you in leading change.

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John 4:4 – And he must needs go through Samaria.

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Samaria was not a friendly place to Jews.  There were, in fact, feelings of hostility, even hatred between many Jews and the people of Samaria.  Yet Jesus, “must needs go through Samaria.”  Now note closely, the text does NOT say that Jesus “must needs go TO Samaria,” but “THROUGH Samaria.”  Allow me to be direct from the very beginning.  There are many places TO which the Lord can and will lead you in your lifetime.  Know that in these places, He has something for you to do that will honor and glorify Him.  But on your way TO where He leads you, there are likely just as many, if not MORE places, THROUGH which He will lead you on the way TO where He leads you.

Here’s an example.  When the Lord wanted me to go TO Tlaxcala, Mexico, I had to go THROUGH Charlotte, North Carolina, Mexico City and Puebla, Mexico, and Santa Ana Chiautempan, Mexico before I could get TO Tlaxcala, Mexico.  It is keenly important to the believer that he/she learn the difference in the places THROUGH which the Lord leads from the places TO which He leads.  We must be prepared to go to and leave the places THROUGH which we are led, and just as prepared to remain in the places TO which we are led.  And it is just as true that the Lord can lead you TO a place FROM which He can lead you TO another later.  My journey in ministry has been (thus far) teacher to prophet to pastor, and now apostle.  I remained in the role of pastor for 28 years, the last several of which were in direct preparation for an apostolic role that is now fully underway.  In life, in your walk with the Lord, expect change.  In fact, there is only one issue in which you should expect NO change, and that’s with God.  At the same time, the gauge for change should always be, “does this draw me closer to the Lord?”  If not, don’t move.  If it does, move, whether TO or THROUGH, MOVE! 

Manna for Today – John 4:1-26; Romans 12:1-3; John 17:17; Psalm 37:23; 2 Corinthians 3:18;    Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8

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Let It Shine

Whether right or wrong, you will be persecuted.  You may as well do right.  At least get rewarded.

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John 4:1-3 – When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.

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Stop for a moment and think of what I write to you.  It makes no difference in this world whether you do right or wrong; you will be judged for it, criticized for it, castigated for it, and even hated for it.  If what you do is wrong, you can be assured you will be PAID for it.   If what you do is right, you will be PAID for it, but more than that, you will be REWARDED for it.  i can only speak for myself, but I would much rather be both PAID AND REWARDED than simply PAID.

Now consider further the words of Jesus in our Manna for Today.  The Lord desires that we, His people, do right things at right times for right reasons, and He has a reason for that.  He has commanded us that we are to let our lights shine, to walk in the light as He is in the light, to walk in the light of His Word, that the works we do may be clearly seen by the people all around us in our lives.  This is not just church people in the church-house on Sunday, but all people wherever we are whenever we are there.  He wants our works to be of such profound nature, such life-altering power, such honor and grace that when men at any level of living see them, they give glory to our Father in heaven.

Here’s a thought.  I once had a man say to me, “Don’t preach to me.  I’m a Christian and my faith is private.  It’s none of your business.”  My response to him was both quick and Biblical.  “Sir, you may very well be a Christian, and while your faith may be to you very personal, it is by NO means private.  You are to let your light so shine that men, and that includes me, may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”  NOTHING in Scriptures point us to a private faith.  It is to be completely public.  That is why “being a witness” is all about living, not going from door to door on Saturday.  And it should indeed be personal, for you do indeed have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.  So since it’s NOT private, LET IT SHINE!

Manna for Today – John 4:1-26; Matthew 5:16; John 10:32; 1 John 1:7-9

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You Can’t Hide It

All you can really hide is “doing nothing.”  You cannot hide “doing something.”  Someone sees.

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John 4:1-3 – When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.

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Over nearly 46 years of ministry, one of the great lessons I have learned is that if you are DOING something, especially if it is creative, productive, or in any way life-changing for the better, you can’t keep it a secret.  You may keep it private for a while, but sooner or later (and likely sooner) it will become the purview of public scrutiny.  Sadly, it is at that point that one generally receives more input from the critics and harshly judgmental than from those who give affirmation to what is being done.

Often Jesus, having performed a healing or miracle, would wish His action to remain unpublished, but typically even then it would be quickly noised abroad.  Often He would find it difficult to be alone with Father, or to simply rest.  Even when He specifically told someone He had healed to remain silent, they would, immediately after leaving His presence, tell almost everyone they encountered what Jesus had done.

It is no different for you.  If you are doing something good and right for the kingdom of God, no matter how discreet you try to remain, you can’t hide it.  Before you know it, someone will be talking about it, and that will often be a critic or someone who is looking for a way to drag down the testimony of the Lord.  And if you’re engaging in activities that are contrary to your profession of faith, don’t be deceived.  It can and will be found out, and once discovered, it will surely be noised abroad.  Saint of God, when you’re DOING whatever it is you’re DOING, make sure you don’t mind if someone else tells about it.  Live and speak in such a manner that you wouldn’t mind what you SAY or DO being revealed in print tomorrow, or revealed on television, radio, or social media.  You can’t hide it.  And PLEASE receive wise counsel here.  Jesus had a number of reasons for sending His disciples forth two-by-two.  Whenever possible, always have someone with you who can share in accountability with you as to where you are, whom you see, to whom you speak, and to whom you minister.  Remember, the world if full of critics seeking to ascribe motive and intent to you that have nothing to do with you, but only as a device of the wicked one to ruin your testimony, bring you down, and injure as many in the Kingdom as possible.  Once again, as it regards every facet of your life, remember – as children OF the light who walk IN the light, YOU CAN’T HIDE IT! 

Manna for Today – John 4:1-26; Matthew 5:16; John 10:32

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Boundless (Part Five)

When God says “boundless,” He means “boundless.”  Embrace it, employ it, enjoy it!

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John 3:35-36 – The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.  He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

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If you believe on the Son, you have everlasting (boundless) life.  But look at the opening words of our Text for Today.  “The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand.”  As a believer, who are you?  You are, in the New Covenant, a member of the body of Christ, a joint-heir with Christ, and hold the power of attorney to use the Name of Jesus to do the works He did and greater.  To me, that sounds like a “boundless” life.  With that in mind I can write with absolute integrity, when God says “all things,” He means “all things.”  There are three actions believers should take on that opening statement.

We need to EMBRACE IT!  By that I mean, we must believe it, and believing it, take hold of it as belonging to us, for it does.  It is God’s sworn oath to His Covenant people.

We need to EMPLOY IT!  That means to go to work with it; act on it; obey it; make it the corresponding action portion of our faith that makes it clearly known that our faith is alive and vitally powerful.

 And we need to ENJOY IT!  The Scriptures declare that Father has given us “richly all things to enjoy.”  Once again I boldly declare, “When God says “to enjoy,” He means “to enjoy.”  So it is time, my dear fellow believer, to step AWAY from the things we have allowed to hold us back.  It is times to step INTO the light of the Word and accept its truth.  It is time to step UP to your place of authority and exercise it.  It is time to step ONTO the stage of this world to demonstrate who our God has made us to be.  It is time to step OVER current boundaries and begin to occupy until Jesus comes.  And it is time to step BEYOND anything we have thought possible, for our God is indeed able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all we ask or think, according to the power (His Word) that is at work within us.  It is surely time to step INTO AND LIVE OUT that to which we have been called . . . a trulyBOUNDLESS LIFE!.  

Manna for Today – John 3:22-36; Luke 11:13; Mark 11:22-24; John 14:12-14; John 15:7; John 16:23; Ephesians 4:29; John 17; 1 Timothy 6:17

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Boundless (Part Four)

As a Christian, you have divine right to the boundless gift of Holy Spirit.

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John 3:34 – For since He Whom God has sent speaks the words of God – proclaims God’s message – God does not give Him His Spirit sparingly or by measure, but boundless is the gift God makes of His Spirit!  (Amplified Bible)

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In, at this writing, 46 years of ministry, I cannot tell how often I have looked into the face of one or more believers when it suddenly dawned on them that they had not been fully or truly informed of a Biblical truth that could have tremendous impact on their daily lives.  I have seen the overwhelming joy when one learns that healing is provided in their redemption, and realizing it, received their healing, especially when that healing was from some truly devastating disease of condition.  I have likewise seen it when believers received the revelation that Holy Spirit baptism is theirs for the asking, if they will but believe.  I have witnessed this response in many places in the United States and many other nations; Peru, Jamaica, Mexico, Zambia, and more.  It was in Peru that I learned to say to a group of pastors, “Si Dios lo ha dicho, esta establicido.”  That means, “If God said it, that settles it.”  I saw that what I was teaching was kicking very strongly against their traditions.  It was evident on their faces.  But when they embraced that truth that God’s Word is not dependent upon their traditions, but that their traditions must bow to whatever the Word of God declares.

Today I pray that the look on faces when great revelation comes, finds its way to your face.  As a child and heir of God, joint-heir with Christ, ambassador of the Lord, and king and priest over whom Jesus is King, Lord, and High Priest, you have rightful complete, full, and uncompromised access to that boundless gift of Holy Spirit that was resident within and upon Jesus in His earthly ministry.  As Father sent Jesus forth, so you and I have been sent forth in this age.  And bearing the power of attorney Jesus has bequeathed to you, you have the right and responsibility to exercise that authority in this earth in full ambassadorial function.  Think on these things, meditate upon them, settle them in your heart and mind, and prepare yourself to arise each and every day to walk in your earthly ministry in the full potential of the “boundless gift God makes of His Spirit to and for you, all for His glory. 

Manna for Today – John 3:22-36; Luke 11:13; Mark 11:22-24; John 14:12-14; John 15:7; John 16:23; Ephesians 4:29; John 17

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