Our Blog
Water from the Lord’s House
“Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar” (Ezekiel 47:1).
As a young Christian, I never wanted to miss a church service. I felt the need to be there for Sunday school, morning worship, the Sunday evening service, and Wednesday night prayer
meeting. In fact, it felt like I needed to be there all the time. Our pastor always encouraged us to be faithful to God’s house. He said that we would miss out on a blessing if we were not consistent in our attendance. How true! I found this out the few times that I was not there! Indeed, I had missed out on a blessing.
Ezekiel was led to follow the water coming out of God’s house. The further he went, the deeper the water became. Even so, the deeper we go with the Lord; the greater are the blessings from above, richer are the insights from His Word, and victorious are the spiritual battles which end with Christ at our side. He alone is the “water of life,” but it is up to us to step into the water. (James Baker)
Step into the water
Wade out a little bit deeper
Wet your feet in the water of His love
Step into the water
Wade out a little bit deeper
Come join angels singing praise to the Lamb of God
--L. Kirk Talley
Go deeper with Christ; He was lifted high for us.
This devotional is the Tuesday, April 5, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.
The Water of Life
Lesson 6 - April 10, 2016
Focus Text: John 4:7-14; 7:37-39; Revelation 7:15-17
Central Truth: The "living water" supplied by Christ abundantly satisfies the thirsty soul.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to state how one can obtain the living water.
Lesson Outline:
- The Living Water (John 4:7-14)
- The Invitation to Drink (John 7:37-39)
- No More Thirst (Revelation 7:15-17)
Prayer – Lesson 5, The Price of Free Salvation
Heavenly Father, help our teachers to impress upon their students how great a price Jesus paid for our salvation. May we all then live in gratitude for His love! Amen.
The Shame of the Cross
In "Word Focus" Darrell Grim writes:
Bearing his cross (v. 17). It was the custom that four soldiers were detailed to each cross, and they were under the command of a centurion. The cross was usually carried by the one who would soon be nailed to it. In many cases his arms were tied to it. Normally they took the longest route and through the most crowded streets to attract the most public attention. This had a twofold purpose. First, it was a deterrent to others inclined to break the law. Second, it gave opportunity for anyone who had evidence in behalf of the condemned to come forth. Whether these customs were followed in the case of Christ’s crucifixion is unknown.
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2, KJV).
Discussion: As followers we are to take up our cross daily and follow Jesus. What does this say then about the "shame" we may endure as a result of carrying our cross for Jesus?
Source: Jesus, Son of God: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 28.
Teaching is Not Grandstanding
Everybody likes a good show, right? Another temptation we face as teachers is to put on a show to entertain our students. No, we might not call it such. But the intention is the same. How does this happen?
Sometimes, the teacher is trying to engage the curiosity of their students. So they launch off into a highly animated one-person skit. The class is entertained, but other than telling their friends what an enjoyable class they had this Sunday, are not prepared to live any differently. At other times, the teacher may be so animated by a certain topic that they put on a show, even unintentionally, expressing their frustration, disgust, etc. with the issue at hand. Again, the students may applaud the teacher for voicing their own irritation. But the end effect is a rant.
Passion in teaching is important; how can you use passion to reinforce the lesson, instead of replacing the lesson?
The Savior Dies
But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water (John 19:34).
Jesus, the blood and water flowing from your side speak to us the surety of your death and
the blessings that flow to penitent believers.
The blood and water speaks of the two great benefits which all believers partake through Christ Jesus. They are justified by his blood and purified by the cleansing stream of Calvary. They both flow from the pierced side of our Redeemer. To Christ crucified we owe merit for our justification, and grace for our sanctification.
And, your legs were not broken. These soldier thought they were in control but were in fact fulfilling prophecy, "that the Scripture should be fulfilled, a bone of him shall not be broken"; referring to Psalm 34:20, "he keepeth all his bones, not one of them is broken; and again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced."
Isaac Watts give us these words from his song When I Survey:
See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
Jesus, I want to be at my best for you this day. (William Cook)
This devotional is the Friday, April 1, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.
Bremner Cross by NPS / Jacob W. Frank is licensed under CC BY 2.0