Focus On Being A River Rather Than A Reservoir
Focus On Being A River Rather Than A Reservoir | August 28, 2023
According to hydrologic studies, Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the United States, stretching 112 miles long. The lake has a total capacity of 28,255,000 acre-feet of water, a shoreline of 759 miles, and a maximum depth of 532 feet.
In contrast, the Missouri River is the longest in the United States. It rises in the Eastern Centennial Mountains of the Bitterroot Range of the Rocky Mountains of Southwestern Montana. The Missouri flows east and south for 2,341 miles before entering the Mississippi River north of St. Louis, Missouri. The Missouri River flows entirely through the United States, crossing seven states: Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri.
The flow of The Missouri River and most of its branches is incredibly diverse, with the minimum flow being 4,200 cubic feet (120 cubic meters) per second and the maximum 900,000 cubic feet (25,500 cubic meters) per second.
While reservoirs serve a vital purpose, we should focus on being like the Missouri River when it comes to our application of Scripture, particularly Jesus' words in John 7:37-38 which state, "On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.' "
During the Jewish Festival of the Tabernacles, the people would construct temporary booths made of branches and other materials. On the last day, their traditions called for water to be poured over the top of the structures, symbolizing both God's refuge and the provision of water during the wilderness experiences of their ancestors. On this exact day, Jesus invited those to come and believe in Him. Jesus used the water metaphor to represent belief, which was highly relevant given the context.
He said we need to receive the living water He provides for our souls and then let it flow out to others who have parched souls.
We should also take this approach with every other blessing God gives us. We are blessed to be a blessing for His kingdom plan. If we live with this in mind, I believe God will bless us in significant ways and trust us with more work.
In contrast, the Missouri River is the longest in the United States. It rises in the Eastern Centennial Mountains of the Bitterroot Range of the Rocky Mountains of Southwestern Montana. The Missouri flows east and south for 2,341 miles before entering the Mississippi River north of St. Louis, Missouri. The Missouri River flows entirely through the United States, crossing seven states: Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri.
The flow of The Missouri River and most of its branches is incredibly diverse, with the minimum flow being 4,200 cubic feet (120 cubic meters) per second and the maximum 900,000 cubic feet (25,500 cubic meters) per second.
While reservoirs serve a vital purpose, we should focus on being like the Missouri River when it comes to our application of Scripture, particularly Jesus' words in John 7:37-38 which state, "On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.' "
During the Jewish Festival of the Tabernacles, the people would construct temporary booths made of branches and other materials. On the last day, their traditions called for water to be poured over the top of the structures, symbolizing both God's refuge and the provision of water during the wilderness experiences of their ancestors. On this exact day, Jesus invited those to come and believe in Him. Jesus used the water metaphor to represent belief, which was highly relevant given the context.
He said we need to receive the living water He provides for our souls and then let it flow out to others who have parched souls.
We should also take this approach with every other blessing God gives us. We are blessed to be a blessing for His kingdom plan. If we live with this in mind, I believe God will bless us in significant ways and trust us with more work.
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2023
August
Good Decisions Require Discernment Live By God's PowerPraying For Real ComfortGetting In Rhythm With GodAvoid Self-Righteous PrayersKeep Your Promises With GodMercy Leads To HappinessAddress Any Self-Righteous AttitudesPraying With ConfidenceHow Does God See You?Turn Away From Whatever Gets You StuckStop Talking About Your ProblemsOur Prayers Reach God's EarsStress Management Starts In The MorningFollowing ChristNavigating The Darkness Of This World Measure God's PromisesLittle Light Of MineGet Your Priorities In OrderPraying Without Results Can Be ToughYou Can Overcome DoubtPray ContinuouslyRescue-Me Prayers Practice Inward KindnessTrust God's TimingSurrender My AgendaFocus On Being A River Rather Than A ReservoirGod's Gracious CoveringYou Are Never Out Of God's ReachSeek God With No Strings Attached
September
Rise Above Your AngerGod Is Fully Aware Of Your AdversityAll The Days Of My LifeBalance Rest And LaborStrive To Always Be SincereBreaking The Habit Of WorryPrayer For Students And SchoolsAn Antidote AnxietyTrust God And Leave The Results To HimDeclareSeek God For Strength Fatigue Makes You Vulnerable To Temptation Put The Work Of Waiting Into MotionTrust In God Leads To Blessing Are You Teachable?BelieveMeditate On Scripture To Manage StressThink Through Your Actions Get Back On God's PathOur Father Who Art In HeavenHallowed Be Thy NameYour Kingdom Come, Your Will Be DoneGive Us This Day Our Daily BreadForgive Us Of Our SinsLead Us Not Into TemptationDeliver Us From The Evil OneFor Yours Is The Kingdom And The Power And The Glory Forever. AmenGetting Out Of Your Mental PitYou Can Have Unshakable FaithKeep Short Accounts With God
October
God Of The Final SayStop Making Excuses And Start Making Adjustments God Acts On Behalf Of Those Who Wait On HimWaiting On God For DirectionGod's Perfect FaithfulnessWaiting Can Wear You OutGod's Refuge Is Your UmbrellaGod's Cover 4 DefenseRemove Negative Labels Live By God's PowerPraying For IsraelDiscouragement Is CurableGarbage In, Garbage Out Seeking God's BlessingMake Sundays Sacred We See A Battle, The Lord Sees Our Victory Refuse To Throw In The Towel God's Timing Is Trustworthy Be Miracle-MindedShake Off Negativity Keep Doing What Is RightMaintain An Active Church MembershipBe An Anyway Type Of PersonDetest Evil, Cling To Good Encouragement is oxygen for the mind.Kindness Will Reward YouCombine Prayer And ActionOvercoming Evil With Good Decisions
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