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

O Come All Ye Faithful..Gina Smith

 O Come All Ye Faithful

By Gina Smith

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” – Luke 2:8-12, NIV

How can you have joy when life is hard? How can you have joy when so many people are suffering? It is possible if you learn what it means to have biblical joy. Over the past several years, as a result of some difficult circumstances, God has had me on a journey of coming to the end of the resources I tend to cling to. He has been showing me that I often find more joy in my purpose and in the things that He has provided than in Him, who is the provider of these good things. He has been teaching me what it means to find joy in spite of my circumstances.

James 1:2-4 says: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

The word “Testing” refers to a positive test intended to make one’s faith “genuine.” The result of the test is steadfastness, which is a life of faithful endurance amid troubles and afflictions. Genuine faith! Endurance! Perseverance! These are the things that are being produced in us during difficult times! It’s easy to think that a life without some form of difficulty is the norm, but the Bible tells us the opposite!

John 16:33 tells us: “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

 What are the things that he told them so that they might have peace? In the chapter before (John 15), the reader is told to abide. “If you abide in me I will abide in you…apart from me you can do nothing.” We must abide. Draw near. Listen to Him. Rest in Him. If we abide, we will have peace. He doesn’t say, “if you abide, you won’t suffer! ” He says, “you will have peace.”

We find rest when we abide in Christ and His promises, Word, and grace. Choosing to abide during difficult times helps to wean us from the things that we cling to. God wants to wean us from the things that we look to that bring us joy, and for us to find our joy in Him. The losses and suffering that we face are God’s way of helping us to find our joy in Him alone.

In the same way, the Psalmist states in Psalm 131:1-3, “My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty. I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.”

We must cooperate with God’s ability to bring peace. We must do our part. We must choose to quiet and calm our souls and focus on God.

So, how can I have joy this Christmas season...

“..put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.”

Joy can be present when I calm and quiet my soul and when I put my hope in the Lord.

Intersecting Faith and Life:
Christmas is a time for the faithful to gather around the manger and allow our hearts to fill, and burst, with joy when we remember why Christ came. The familiar Christmas hymn, "O Come, All Ye Faithful," draws us into the Christmas story found in Luke 2:8-16. It invites all of God's faithful to come. Abide in Christ, the One who is "Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing."

Worship Him, the Christ who came to live on earth as a sign of God's kingdom, who died on the cross for our salvation, who was raised from the dead, and is now in heaven and is ready to come again and complete his work of establishing God's kingdom. Abide in Him. Adore Him. And you will find true joy.

Let’s pray:
Father, You have given us the best gift. A gift that is better than anything that I could possibly focus on and try to find joy in here on this earth. You gave Your gift of love that came to earth in the form of a baby born with no sin. I want to take time to abide in You and adore You, finding my joy in You alone. Please enable me to be faithful. Amen

O Come, All Ye Faithful

O come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him,

O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation;
O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God,
Glory in the highest;

See how the shepherds,
Summoned to His cradle,
Leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze;
We too will thither
Bend our joyful footsteps;

Lo! star led chieftains,
Magi, Christ adoring,
Offer Him incense, gold, and myrrh;
We to the Christ Child
Bring our hearts’ oblations.

Child, for us sinners
Poor and in the manger,
We would embrace Thee, with love and awe;
Who would not love Thee,
Loving us so dearly?

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be glory given;
Word of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing.

 

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 Understanding this Christmas. ..Meg Bucher

 A Prayer for Understanding this Christmas.

By Meg Bucher

“Like newborn babies, you must crave spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.” - 1 Peter 2:2-3 NLT

The Holiday Season brings an expectation of family, friends, and shared experiences which lead to happy memories and cherished traditions. Though this is true for so many of us, it’s not true for all of us. The holidays can add pressure to people who have not experienced what many claim as normalcy for this time of the year. In the verses above, we are reminded of the importance of spiritual maturity. As we grow up in our faith, God is faithful to provide wisdom and insight into each individual situation. This is how we learn to see from His perspective. 

Family is important. We are all purposefully placed by a purposeful God. It’s not always easy to find or embrace those people. For multiple reasons, we often have trouble connecting with each other. If we consistently turn outward to see each other, God will faithfully allow us to see our families and friends as He does. Being a part of the family of God is the precious gift we all get to embrace this Holiday Season, no matter what our memories, traditions, or expectations are. Being God’s children is an awesome reality we are all welcome to receive through Christ Jesus. 

Let's pray for the spiritual maturity to turn to Him and grow up in His truth and wisdom.

Father, 
We know You place people around us purposefully, but we don’t always like those people! They are not always the ones we want to spend time with. Please help us to see them through Your eyes, Father. For those who have difficult family dynamics, can You reach in as only You can and heal odd angles and mend old conflicts? Can You blanket families in forgiveness and compassion so they can enjoy each other’s company this Holiday Season and beyond?! 

Father, for those of us who do not have family around for the holidays, can You reach down in comfort and help us to reach out to the community You have surrounded us with? Give us the courage to connect and share our time and our holidays with those You have faithfully placed around us. 

Lord, cover our homes with peace this season and always. Join together families who have been separated by conflict and years of unforgiveness and bitterness. Heal friendships that have been split apart by misunderstanding and hurt. Heal in a miraculous way, God! You can! And we pray You are willing, this Holiday Season, to make it obvious the miraculous healing is by Your hand. 

Work through us as You will, Father. Let us open our doors and set our tables in great expectations of the fellowship You will bless us with this season. Bless every meal and mealtime conversation. Help clarify miscommunications and motivate apologies. Father, we pray for miraculous reconciliation between families, friends, and relationships this Holiday Season! And we pray every single movement of Your Spirit upon our lives brings You glory! Let it bring people to believe in You, Jesus. 

Help us to set aside extra time to spend in prayer, worship, and Your Word so our hearts are ready and prepared for every and all conversation and opportunity to love others in Your Name, Jesus. 

Give us the spiritual maturity we need to love You and each other obediently and willingly. 

In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

 

When Your Heart Grows Three Sizes..Home Word

 When Your Heart Grows Three Sizes

Home Word

This devotional was written by Jim Liebelt

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26

In Dr. Seuss's classic Christmas tale, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the Grinch suffers from having a small heart. The source of his heart problem is his lack of understanding the meaning of Christmas. As the story goes, the Grinch tries to put a stop to Christmas, but in the end, he comes to understand what Christmas is all about and his heart grows three sizes! This heart change makes a big difference in his life.

I'm not sure what Dr. Seuss' intentions were when he wrote the story back in 1957, but it certainly comes across as a Christian parable to me that parallels the change that takes place in a person's life when he or she comes to understand the true meaning of Christmas: the birth of Jesus, God's Son, who was born to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). When the light of the Good News of Jesus dawns upon the heart of a person, God replaces the old heart of stone, with a new, fleshy heart - and a new person emerges. As the Apostle Paul wrote, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17)

"Welcome Christmas - While we stand - Heart to heart - And hand in hand." It might just make all the difference in the world.

Holy Child of Bethlehem, 
Descend to us, we pray; 
Cast out our sin and enter in; 
Be born in us today!

We hear the Christmas angels 
The great glad tidings tell; 
O come to us, abide with us, 
Our Lord Emmanuel! 
(from O Little Town of Bethlehem)

We celebrate Christmas because of the power Jesus brought to change our hearts.

Going Deeper: 

1. Give an example of a time when you changed your mind about something. 
2. How did the words or actions of others influence your change of heart? 
3. Towards the end of the story "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," what happened that caused the Grinch to change his mind about Christmas? What lessons might we learn from the story? 
4. How has understanding the true meaning of Christmas made a difference in your life?

Family Time: Gather your family together and watch the classic half-hour Christmas cartoon, How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Then, using the content above, lead your family in a discussion about how Jesus has the power to change our hearts.