John 7:37-38    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.  Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”

On "the great day", the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, when water would be ceremoniously carried from the pool of Siloam to the altar and poured out as a drink offering to the Lord, and the people would pray for rain so that the crops would be good, and also for outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Jesus stood up.

In one bold statement, He claimed to be the Messiah, the One who came to save His people.  What does that mean for you and me?  It means that if we also believe in Jesus, we will also have this living water, not hidden inside us, but flowing out of us.  Do people in your life experience living water flowing out of your life?

2 Chronicles 20:12  O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

Have you ever felt so overwhelmed that you didn't know where to turn?  The Christmas season can do that to us if we aren't careful.  When you feel yourself getting into trouble, when you do not know what to do, follow this advice.  Keep your eyes on Jesus.  Let Him be your strength and your comfort when there is no where else to turn.  He will take care of you.

Joel :32a   And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Way back in the book of Joel, the time was prophesied when God would pour out His Spirit on us.  And everyone who calls on Jesus will be saved.  Why is this important?  Because John recorded that the time is short.

Revelation 22:10 & 20    And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.   He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!


We don't know when Jesus will return.  Are you ready?

Hebrews 13:8   Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

That is very good news!  He will never change.  He will always be with you, loving you, caring for you, and guiding you.

John 8:12   Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

And that will never change.  Walk in His light today.

Joel 2:13   "And tear your heart and not merely your garments.” Now return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in mercy And relenting of catastrophe.​And tear your heart and not merely your garments.” Now return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in mercy And relenting of catastrophe.  (NASB)

What breaks your heart?  Do you hurt by the things God cares about?  Are you willing to be changed into the person God wants you to be?  As the Message puts it:  Change your life, not just your clothes.​

Isaiah 26:3-4  You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

As the story goes, a ship was wrecked in a furious storm and the only survivor was a little boy who was swept by the waves onto a rock.  He sat there all night long until, the next morning, he was spotted and rescued.
“Did you tremble while you were on the rock during the night?” someone later asked him.  “Yes,” said the boy.  “I trembled all night – but the rock didn’t”

Who is your rock in times of trouble?

John 6:66-69   After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?”  Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

Jesus had just said that He is the bread of life, and that the bread He offers us in His flesh.  What a hard saying!  So when others walked away, Jesus asked His disciples if they wanted to leave, too.

Peter gave a great answer.  Where else would we go?  Where else could we ever find the words of eternal life?  Besides, we know that you are the Messiah, the One sent by God.  

What would your answer be?

2 Chronicles 12b   We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.

Have you ever been there?  Things just haven't gone your way.  There is hurt, there is pain, and there is uncertainty.  You just don't know what to do.  What is the best way, and what is the right thing?  Keep your eyes on God.  Trust Him to show you the way.  What will happen when you do?  The same thing that happened for the king in this passage.

Verse 17:  You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.”

And that is exactly what happened.  Trust Him with today, and with all your tomorrows.  He will be with you, too!

1 Peter 4:8-9   Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Have you ever thought about how love and hospitality go together?  Without love, hospitality is just doing what you think you should.  Without hospitality, love has no outlet and no evidence.  We love because we were first loved by God.  The practical outcome is that we love others and give ourselves for their good.  In other words, we practice hospitality because the love of God is flowing through us.  Does that define you?

John 10:4-5, 10   The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Isn't it wonderful?  Jesus knows your name.  And He gave His life for you.  That is why we follow Him.  That is why we listen for His voice.  Do you recognize His voice?  Are you listening?  Are you following?