Drawing from the Endless Well.. Craig Denison Ministries

 

Drawing from the Endless Well

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

The Christmas season is a powerful and unique time of year to remember that Jesus came to make a way for us to be near God. In his life, death, and resurrection, Jesus built a bridge between us and God allowing us to have continual, unhindered communion with our Creator. But God can’t force us into nearness with him. Even as believers filled with the Holy Spirit, we can choose to live as if God is still far off. So this Christmas season, may we choose to open our hearts to the living God that we might experience fullness of joy in his loving presence.

Scripture:

“If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” John 4:10

Devotional:

In John 4:7-15 we find a powerful metaphor illustrating God’s heart for his people:

A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, Give me a drink, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.”

We were created with an insatiable thirst for relationship with God. We were made to experience true rest and satisfaction in one place and from one relationship: intimacy with the Father. In Jesus we find what our hearts have been looking for from our first breath. In Jesus we find a pathway to the Father not formed by our exploration or wandering, but by his steadfast love and unceasing pursuit.

Jesus looks to you and me today and offers us life-giving water that satiates our most foundational thirst. He places within us “a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” He gives us clear, boundless access to intimacy with God that our hearts might overflow with rivers of his loving-kindness. And this love isn’t something we have to strive for. It’s not something we have to work to earn. Rather, it’s a free gift, like salvation, that we can simply open our hearts to and receive.

Take time today to receive what God so freely gives. Find rest and purpose in intimacy with your Creator. Cease your striving and open your heart to the God who’s loved you from the first. And drink deeply of the endless well of God’s steadfast love.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on God as your source of satisfaction and life.

“If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” John 4:10

“With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” Isaiah 12:3

2. Where do you need the life-giving waters of God’s presence today? Where do you need him to fill you up that you might operate from a place of overflow?

“For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.” Isaiah 44:3

3. Draw from the waters of God’s love. Receive his presence and find rest for your soul in his steadfast love.

“He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.” Psalm 23:2-3

When we live as those fulfilled by God’s goodness, we are positioned to see Heaven come to earth. Psalm 84:5-7 says,

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion.

The Valley of Baca was the driest place in the area. It wasn’t a place marked by springs or early rain. But when God’s people spend time following their hearts to his presence, or Zion, he makes what was dry and weary a place filled with life and health. He takes what was once desolate and makes it fertile and life-giving. Trust that as you spend time with the Lord he will make you an instrument of his kingdom. Trust that as your heart is transformed by his love that he will use you to transform the world around you. May you be a powerful instrument of renewal and redemption today as you live from a place of intimacy with your Creator.

Extended Reading: Psalm 84

What Do I Do With All of These Painful Memories This Christmas Season?..LYSA TERKEURST

 What Do I Do With All of These Painful Memories This Christmas Season?

LYSA TERKEURST 

“Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” Ephesians 4:7 (CSB) Do you ever find yourself defining life by “before” and “after” the deep hurt? The horrific season. The conversation that stunned you. The shocking day of discovery. The relationship you hoped would go the distance, but it didn’t. The day your friend walked away. The hurtful conversation. The remark that seems to be branded on your soul. The day everything changed. That marked moment in time. Life before. Life now. Is it even possible to move on from something like this? I deeply understand this kind of defining devastation in such a personal way. I also know how the Christmas season can magnify all of that pain. People who are no longer a part of our lives are missing from holiday traditions. Ornaments and photographs that should bring joy stir up feelings of grief instead. Memories that were once sweet now serve only to widen the chasm between what was and what is. So what are we supposed to do with all of these mementos and memories? The ones where there was some good there at one time, there were some beautiful things, and there are some good memories even if the good turned bad and an ending was absolutely necessary … Do we go through our homes and throw everything out? Is there a way for us to walk away holding on to our integrity? Is there a way to let someone walk away from us without hating them? Is there any way for a bad goodbye to be a “good” bye still? It’s interesting that the original phrase in the late 1500s was “God be with ye.” The contraction of that phrase was “Godbwye” which eventually became “goodbye.” I’ve recently sat with the thought of goodbyes being more of a sending off with God rather than a slammed door, a contact deleted and a puddle of angst. Is it possible for a goodbye to be more than a good riddance with a huff of disgust? I wonder. When Jesus watched the rich young ruler walk away, what was the look in His eyes? (Matthew 19:22) I wonder. When Peter denied Jesus and abandoned Him just before Jesus went to the cross, what was the goodbye like? A goodbye Jesus surely whispered through a busted-up body and a broken heart? (Mark 14:71-72) I wonder what it was like when Judas, with a heart full of betrayal, kissed Jesus’ cheek, sold Him out and then ended his own life. (Matthew 26:47-49) How did Jesus say goodbye? I’ll never really know on this side of eternity. But I have a thought. I think Jesus said goodbye the same way He lived all the days before the hurt, betrayal, rejection and abandonment. While the relationships certainly changed, He didn’t let the goodbye change Him. He let people walk away without letting go of who He was. Even when people turned on Jesus, He didn’t let a goodbye turn Him into someone He was never meant to be. And while I’ll be the first one to admit I’m nowhere close to the purity and perfection of Jesus, I also don’t want goodbyes in my life to make it look like I’ve never spent any time with Jesus at all. I haven’t been great about this in the past. But I’d like to get better. Friend, can I whisper something I’m learning? Staying here, blaming that person and forever defining your life by what they did will only increase the pain. Worse, it will keep projecting out onto others. The more our pain consumes us, the more it will control us. And sadly, it’s those who least deserve to be hurt whom our unresolved pain will hurt the most. We can’t edit reality to try to force healing. We can’t fake our way into being OK with what happened. But we can decide that the ones who hurt us don’t get to decide what we do with our memories. Our lives can be a graceful combination of beautiful and painful. We don’t have to put either definitive label on it — it can be both-and. Maybe that’s part of what’s hard about moving on: the letting go. But what if it’s possible to let go of what we must but still carry with us what is beautiful and meaningful and true to us? And maybe this less-severe version of moving on is what will ease us to a place of forgiveness, allowing God’s grace for us to flow freely through us like today's key verse talks about. (Ephesians 4:7) There’s been enough trauma. So because I don’t want anything else ripped or stripped away, I need to decide what stays and what goes. This is what I need. This is what I want. I’d like a little more “God be with you” in my goodbyes. Some of the memories of what happened will probably always be painful and not good at all. But the thought of “God be with you” has really stuck to something good in my heart. And it’s sneaking into my thoughts and my processing and even my conversations as Christmas is approaching. And then the other night I literally just closed my eyes and pictured Jesus’ hands. I mentally started placing all the memories, one by one, into His strong, carpentry-calloused, nail-pierced, grace-gripped hands. I asked the Lord to help me whisper “God be with you” over each memory. It didn’t settle everything yet. But it was a start, and I believe that Jesus is working in me and healing my heart. I want this for you, too, however this translates within the context of your pain, those pictures, those memories, those times of togetherness. This isn’t easy, sweet friend. But let's determine today that we don't want to let pain write our future. God, You understand so very personally and deeply the heartache of watching someone You love walk away. As I look back at what was and look ahead at what will be, I know You are a refuge and safe place to process my feelings. Thank You for being so close to me during this time. I am looking to You and believing that today I can take some steps forward and whisper “God be with you” to those who have left wounds in my heart. This isn’t me saying I’m OK with what they did — I know You will eventually hold them accountable for their sin. But it is me saying I want to fully live again. You can bring eventual good in all things, and today I trust that You absolutely will. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Our Prince of Peace..Dr. Charles Stanley

 Our Prince of Peace

Dr. Charles Stanley

Isaiah 9:6

The Christmas rush is here. There are plans to make, gifts to buy, and parties to attend. Sometimes these activities leave us exhausted and cranky—instead of peace and joy, we may feel inner churning because there’s too much to do. Or perhaps this time of the year brings nothing but sad memories and loneliness. Unrealistic expectations and conflicts with loved ones often leave us depressed and discouraged.

How can Jesus be our Prince of Peace when our expectations and traditions fight against the tranquility we desire? To understand why Jesus was given this title, we must first understand what it means. First of all, God’s Son did not come to do away with all conflicts—not yet, anyway. One day He will return to earth and rule as King in an environment of external harmony, but that was not the purpose of His first coming. So while we’re on earth, we’ll have trouble (John 16:33).

When Christ left heaven to become a human baby, His goal was to bring us peace with God by reconciling us to the Father. His death on the cross paid our sin debt in full, and our relationship with God is restored. Now He offers us divine peace—an inner serenity that fills our hearts and minds no matter what is going on in our circumstances.

Is your life characterized by a quiet assurance that guards your heart and mind all day long (Phil. 4:6-7), or have stressful circumstances left you feeling depressed or agitated? Try setting aside time each day to fix your eyes upon Jesus. Then let Him heal your heart and calm your spirit.

5 Ways God’s Christmas Gift Keeps on Giving.. Lynette Kittle

 5 Ways God’s Christmas Gift Keeps on Giving (John 3:16)

by Lynette Kittle        

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”– John 3:16

Growing up the first Scripture verse I remember memorizing is John 3:16. I loved hearing it and repeating it to myself and all who would listen to me recite it.

It not only tells of the very first Christmas present ever given, the gift of Jesus, but also assures me of God’s love, where Jesus came from, and God’s purpose in sending Him.

Considering God’s priceless present to the world, the holiday season is an opportune time to share with family, friends, and those around us, 5 ways God’s Christmas gift keeps on giving:

1. The Gift of Love

Love does not exist outside of God. He is the only source of love because God is love (1 John 4:16). 1 John 4:19 states how God first loved each one of us. Before any of us were able to choose to love Him, He loved us.

John 3:16 assures us that in the history of the world, not one person ever, has been unloved by God.

2. The Gift of Purity

Titus 3:4-5 describes how, “the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared” for the washing away of sin. As 1 John 4:10 states, “He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

No matter what sin has been committed, God is willing to forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Through God’s Christmas gift, sin is washed away.

3. The Gift of Salvation

Matthew 1:21 tells the story of an angel coming to Joseph stating, “She [Mary] will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”

Salvation is good and pleases God “who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3,4). As Romans 10:13 asserts, “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 

4. The Gift of Living in Love

God’s gift enables us to love one another. 1 Thessalonians 4:9 states through God’s example of loving us, we are taught how to love each other. God urges us in His word to,“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10).

We can know and rely on the love God has for us, and when we live in love, we are living in God and God in us (1 John 4:16).

5. The Gift of Life

God’s gift brings new life, causing old things to pass away (2 Corinthians 5:17). Colossians 1:27 tells us of “the glorious riches of this mystery,” which is Christ living within us.

God’s gift of life comes with eternal benefits as promised in 1 John 2:25, “And this is what He promised us—eternal life.”

His glorious Christmas gift to the world has eternal benefits to all who receive Jesus as written in 1 John 5:11, “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.”

A Prayer for a Silent Night..Alicia Searl

 A Prayer for a Silent Night

By Alicia Searl

"Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28

Silent Night, a beloved Christmas carol with humble beginnings that dates back to 1816. Written by a young priest in Germany after a longstanding war and fall in political and social status, this song was inspired when he took a walk one cold winter night, noticing the stillness and peacefulness of his little town.

Since then, it has been picked up by multiple composers and performed in churches all across the world, from quaint churches in small towns to the largest of cathedrals, and even presenting it to the King of Prussia. All that to say, there is a beautiful message intertwined between the beautiful words in this song. It touches each of us on a different level and in an intimate way. Calling us to pause and take notice of what a silent, peaceful, and calm. It does something to our weary souls.

Silent Night. Holy Night. All is calm. All is bright.

These words are easy to utter, but truly being silent and seeking His holiness in a season that is wrapped and consumed with pressures and demands to do more, be more, get more, can drive us to a place of unforeseen busyness and even disappointment. Unfortunately, the end result can steal our peace.

The history of this hymn reminds us to step away from it all and open our hearts in a way to receive the gift of stillness. May you find time to seek the silent moments this season, where you are met with our Holy Creator. Let that beautiful interaction allow you to lean in and rest, prompting you to praise Him for His faithfulness and rejoice in His Son’s birth!

Let’s pray:

Father God,
We come to You with weary but humble hearts full of thanksgiving. You are a kind and gracious Father, with such unspeakable love for us, giving Your one and only Son to take on our sins so that we can have a life with You outside this one (John 3:16).

Lord, I lift up those that are in need of rest. Those that are craving a silent night. I lift up the mom that is striving to make special memories for her children, only to become overwhelmed by the stress of it all. I pray for the parent rocking a fussy baby to sleep in the wee hours of the morning, in need of much physical rest. I pray for the dad crunching the numbers wondering how he is going to financially afford all the items on his child’s Christmas list. My heart and prayers go out to the lonely grandparent missing her children and wishing she was closer.

O Gracious God, You know each and every one of us intimately and our dire situations that pull us away from You. Please remove the distractions, heavy burdens, and demands, and grant us Your peace. Replace the fallacies with Truth found in Your Word. Give us grace and space in our schedules to meet with You and be refueled by Your tender love. Make room in our hearts to receive that precious gift of stillness and silence.

We stand upon Your promise to extend rest for not just our physical, mental, and emotional well-being but to meet us and grow us spiritually as well. This is not just a gift we want to receive at Christmas but year-round as You extend Your mighty hand to those in need, calling us to take hold.

When we become weighed down by the burdens we carry, we are so thankful for your Son, Jesus. Jesus reminds us that His yoke is light and to place our trust Him (Matthew 11:28-30). Yet, we often overcomplicate Your message and fail to see how You step in and offer a safe refuge (Psalm 46:1). You may not take away our burdens but through Your strength, You make them manageable for us to carry (Philippians 4:19). 

Please open our hearts and minds to accept the image of Your pure rest when we fall into the patterns of this World and become consumed with things that keep us restless. Things that keep our minds swirling all night. When we do this, we fail to recognize the nature of Who You are, and it distracts us from the good You are doing.

Thank you, God, for offering us a silent night in the gift of Your precious Son, as well as an invitation to call upon You to meet with us intimately. You deserve our thanks and praise.
Amen.

A God Who Gives..Lynette Kittle

 A God Who Gives

By Lynette Kittle

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” - John 3:16

Although the enemy of God is at work to deceive people into thinking He is a stingy, closed hand, withholder of everything good and wonderful thing life has to offer; it couldn’t be farther from the truth. It’s all a lie, just lying propaganda from the father of lies. John 8:44 describes who is behind these untruths. “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

As James 1:17 describes, God is the perfect giver. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

He is the One who has given us His all, to the point of Jesus laying down His own life to save us. “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters” (1 John 3:16). As John 15:13 explains, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” John 15:13

What Does God Give Us?
When the enemy tells us God is keeping His blessings from us, we want to remind ourselves how He gives abundantly to us, as 2 Corinthians 9:8 describes, “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

Below are ten ways God gives to us to help remind us of His generosity, especially when we’re struggling, thinking God is withholding good things from us.

1. God gives His life. “Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7).
2. God gives Salvation. “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people” (Titus 2:11).
3. God gives freedom from the penalty of sin and death. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

4. God gives His Spirit without limit. “For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit” (John 3:34).
5. God gives His peace. “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
6. God gives His friendship. “And the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,’ and he was called God’s friend” (James 2:23).
7. God gives whatever we ask. “But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask” (John 11:22).
8. God gives victory. “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”(1 Corinthians 15:57).
9. God gives strength. “The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace” (Psalm 29:11).
10. God gives power. “You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to His people. Praise be to God!” (Psalm 68:35).

Intersecting Faith and Life:
This week make a list of all the ways God is giving to you. Keep it in your phone, or post it on your mirror, to remind you each morning to remember and appreciate God’s generosity to you. If you feel like you’re at a loss for what to write, copy the ten ways above to help remind you and encourage you.