Do you desire to be used by God for Kingdom purposes? It is one of my greatest desires. I want to know the Lord completely and be shaped into His likeness so I can share His love and mercy with all I know and meet. In fact, the goal of my ministry, Righteous Relationships, is to lead others into an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ through prayer and the study of God’s Word.
In Matthew 28:19 Jesus commands us “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” You cannot teach what you do not know. In order to be able to share the Good News of God, you must first know it yourself. Colossians 3:16 says “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” We must become students of the Word of God. If not, the enemy will use our lack of knowledge against us. When we become students of the Word, we catch Satan’s every attempt to twist it and we use it to defeat him [Matthew 4:1-11]. We must drink deep [John 4:10].
At prayer yesterday my friend, Lucy, shared a story about her childhood. She told of growing up on a farm and getting water from the pump out back. Lucy told how it always tasted so cool and refreshing and she loved it. Sometimes, however, when she would try to get water, the pump wouldn’t work. She would have to prime the pump by pouring a pitcher of water into it as she pumped. Once the pump was primed, the water would flow freely.
Dear ones, this is how it is with each of us. If we are to go forth and proclaim the Good News, and pour out living water, we must first be filled ourselves. We cannot give what we do not have. We must spend consistent time with the Lord so He can “prime the pump” and fill us up so there is plenty to pour out for others. As we feast on the Word of God we come to know Him intimately. Our spirit communes with His Spirit and we are filled with all we need to minister to those He brings before us. We witness out of the overflow.
John 7:38 says “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” We become a vessel in the Master’s hand and speak life into others. It is not our own words we speak, but those of the Father [Matthew 10:20].
Are you thirsty? The master is waiting.