Thirsting for God

Welcome to Real Life.  Last week, God was pursuing us as the “Hound of Heaven.” This week, he’s water to thirsty souls.

God Speaks Series | Thirsting for God | Isaiah 55:1-2

Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters.
Not long ago, a friend said, “I’m so thirsty for God.”  It made me wonder why I wasn’t thirsty for God.  I was walking with him.  But, I wasn’t longing for him. 

Soon afterwards, my life was thrown into a period of turmoil.  My parents’ health was rapidly declining. One thing after another was going wrong. I could barely catch my breath. By the grace of God, we all survived. Now, my world is beginning to calm.

… and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!
And I’m flat broke. I’ve spent all my strength. I’m tired and weak. I’m thirsty for God.

Come buy wine and milk without money and without cost.
So, I come, just as I am–poor and broken. A willing heart is all that's needed. God’s Spirit, his fullness, his satisfaction is not reserved exclusively for the strong, mature saint. Jesus’ invitation is to all, “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” [1]

Why spend money on what is not bread and your labor on what does not satisfy?
His door is always open. However, I don’t always enter. Life's busy. I am distracted and preoccupied with family, friends, work, chores, writing, ministry, entertainment …  Life's full. But, does it satisfy? Nothing and no one can fill my empty soul like Jesus. 

Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live.
I’m coming, Lord.  I need to stop running for awhile. I want to sit at your table and feast on your Words. Speak to me, Lord. I’m quiet and I’m listening. Fill my empty soul with your love, your peace, and your truth. I’m hungry for the Real Life you offer. I’m so thirsty for you.

Water for thirsty souls…
  • Drink in God’s words.  To read the rest of Isaiah 55, click here.
  • Pour out your heart to God in prayer.  He’s the best listener.
  • Sit quietly and meditate on how deeply God loves you. Let his love saturate your dry soul. “…grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”(Eph. 3:18b-19)
  • Worship the Lord in spirit and in truth.  “I Will Rise” by Chris Tomlin 
[1] Revelation 3:20 NLT

Comments

Post a Comment

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment!

Popular posts from this blog

Autumn in the Neighborhood | November 2017

Image
Welcome to Real Life . It's autumn in my neighborhood. Chilly. Dark at suppertime. Winter is on its way. Before creation naps in blankets white and grey, the leaves wave their vibrant farewell! He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV)
Read more

The Revelation of Jesus Christ | Revelation 1

Image
Welcome to  Real Life . I think I know someone. Then something happens - a crisis or joyful event - and I see that person in a whole new way. The Apostle John knew Jesus. He spent years at Jesus’ side. Then one day on the island of Patmos, John saw him in a whole new light.  John on Patmos John was one of twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. He was also one of Jesus’ closest friends on earth. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, John became a leader in the early church. He wrote five books of the New Testament: the Gospel of John ; a trio of letters titled 1 John, 2 John, and 3 John ; and the book of Revelation . The Gospel of John is his narrative of Jesus’ life. In it, we learn that Jesus is more than a prophet. He is God himself, the Creator of the world and everything in it, who put on flesh and came to earth to save us. [1] John wrote in order that we may believe Jesus is the Christ and by believing have eternal life. [2] In 1st John , we discover that “God is lo
Read more

In Loving Memory of My Sister!

Image
Welcome to Real Life . Like it or not, death is a part of real life. Theresa (Salva) Keeler September 8, 1957 - July 7, 2023 Theresa/Terre/Tess [1]  was my sister, my friend from the moment of my birth until her last breath. I don’t know how to live without a sister. I don’t want to learn. Yet, in the midst of my sadness, I am incredibly grateful God blessed me with a sister. In many ways, Terre and I were black and white. We did not look like sisters. We grew up sharing a room, and drove each other crazy with her messiness and my neatness. She was Miss Morning Sunshine. I crawled out of bed and growled. Bone deep, however, we were the same. Our foundation stones were cut from the same quarry. We were the daughters of Slovak immigrants who were fiercely proud of both their US citizenship and their Slovak heritage. Our father arrived on this continent in his thirties with little more than the clothes on his back. Our childhood was simple and carefree. My mother did not drive, so we walk
Read more