Day: August 26, 2024

Christ the Source of Living Water

Early in His ministry, Christ issues
a challenge: Search the scriptures
for they testify of me (Jn 5:39).
Now His public declarations and
miraculous demonstrations serve
to confirm what the Old Testament
said would be true of Him. Using
the Jewish feast days as public
forum, Jesus declares Himself
as the Bread of Life (6:35),
the Sent One of God (7:28),
the Forgiver of Sins (8:11) and
the Light of the World (8:12).

Lord, You are our Source of Joy:
On the last day, the climax of the
festival, Jesus stood and shouted
to the crowds: If you are thirsty,
come and drink! For the Scriptures
declare the rivers of living
water will flow out from within.
When He said living water
He was speaking of the Spirit,
who would be given to everyone
believing in Him (John 7:37-39).
Therefore many from the crowd,
when they heard this saying, said:
Truly this is the Prophet. Others
said: This is the Christ (v40-41).

Father God, we remember and
echo Jacob’s words: I will not
let You go until You bless me.
Lord, You honour persistence and
our thirst will not let us settle for
a mediocre spiritual experience.
May the river of living water
flow freely in us so that we will
experience fully the joy that is
unspeakable. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Lord Jesus, we’ve received not only
Your salvation but also the promise
of Your Spirit poured to each of us.
You are our spiritual thirst quencher,
offering not just one-off drink but an
unending spring to meet our longing.
Lord, even as we believe in You,
we will never thirst again. And
even as Your life flow through us,
let it fill us with deepest joy. Amen.

Holy Spirit, flow through me like
a rushing river, filling me with
dreams and ideas from Your heart.
I want more than trickles of peace;
I want torrents of joy from You.
Help me Lord discern the difference
between my thoughts and Yours.
Let me not get stuck in trying to
analyse things; instead grant me
Lord the faith to believe. Amen.

Christ Given for God So Loved Us

Jesus’ ministry is not reserved for
the temple or synagogue. At any
time and in all places He is ready
with a word and a healing touch.
Nicodemus comes by night seeking
answers and finds second birth.
Samaritan woman comes seeking
water at the well and leaves to
tell her city about a source of
living water that will never run dry.
The paralytic at the pool finds even
38 years of lameness is no problem
to the miracle-working Son of God.
Jew or Samaritan, religious leader
or religious outcast, Christ Jesus’
compassion knows no bounds.

Lord, we’ll Respond to Your Love:
And as Moses lifted up
the serpent in the wilderness,
even so must the Son of Man
be lifted up; that whoever
believes in Him should not perish
but have eternal life (John 3:14-15)
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.
For God did not send His Son into
the world to condemn the world,
but that the world through Him
might be saved (John 3:16-17).

Father, Thank You for loving me
even beyond what I could imagine.
It amazes me that You would love
me even when I didn’t love You.
It amazes me that You Gave Your
Son to pay the ultimate price
so that I could have eternal life.
Grant Your love to flow thru me
so that even more people may
sense Your boundless love. Amen

Lord, thank You for Your grace
and the promise of eternal life:
the abundant life that begins
here on earth. Look forward to
being With You forever in heaven;
a much better place, of eternal
joy and where there’s no tears.
And also be reunited to loved ones
and friends who had gone before.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Jesus, it is hard to comprehend
love so great as Yours. You laid
down Your life so that I can live
forever with You. My response
to Your first loving me is to love
You wholeheartedly in return.
Help me Lord to lay down my life
for You in serving Your purpose
here on earth and thereby also
fulfilling my prepared destiny. Amen