I hear this. The world is a stage right now. The enemy has his plan but he does not have God’s playbook. The enemy knows his final destiny. How the plot unfolds will be revealed. The enemy is still plotting and planning even though he has been exposed on so many levels. But God is a God of suddenly. He turned the money changer’s tables suddenly, he turns the storm and the tide with one word. Yet the enemy still believes he can have his way. Keep your eyes open. It will turn suddenly. See what God will do.
copyright Laurie Marks Vincent - please do not copy or reprint without permission
What does it mean to have rivers of living water flowing within you? In John 14:6 it says that Jesus is the truth, the life, and the way and no man can go to the Heavenly Father unless it’s through Jesus. The redemption Jesus brought us when he died on the cross and then rose to life from the grave, is also life for us. When we have the living water that Jesus offers, it means that our thirst for the things of this world is satisfied by the abundant life Jesus gives us. We no longer need the things of this world to bring us happiness. They are only temporary. His living water brings us peace, confidence, and strength when we are weak and joy in the midst of difficult times. We have kingdom benefits because we are Children of the Most High God (Romans 8:17). As a result, this living water flowing within us is also eternal. One day, we will finish our earthly journey and go to live with him forever. If you need this living water, the first thing you must do is ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins. No matter how dark they are, he will take them away. Then, invite him to live in you and through you and to walk with you daily. A relationship with him that grows to know him more is what keeps the living water flowing through you every day. He is the living water.
“But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.” ~ Matthew 6: 33 (AMP)
This scripture holds so much basic truth! Along life’s road, situations and circumstances no doubt become difficult and overwhelming. When we try to take care of them before really looking to the Lord first, we can really mess things up. It can cause more strife and fill us with anxiety. We need to stay on the road to peace. Everyone worries, but it’s what we do with that worry that makes the difference in the final outcome. We try and work it out, and wonder how we’ll pay that bill, but the Lord God has already given us the answer; “seek first his kingdom and righteousness”.
When we put his plan first, then all these things we worry about will be taken care of. This doesn’t mean that we can just sit back on the side of the road and close our eyes to the situation. In order to seek God’s way, which is perfect, then we must understand that it is important to surrender. Wave the white flag and layout our concern humbly at his feet. We must place them in his care and ask him to lead us. As we surrender then he can begin to put his perfect plan in place to meet your need. So how will God work it out? That’s where trust and walking by faith must be your focus now. Perhaps he will start to motivate you and put an idea in your mind. You’ll begin to take some steps in the right direction. As you do your part, he will lead you. In any case, there is always room for miraculous provision at the final hour. Never put God in a box. He is never too late and he can do anything to get you out of a “jam”. It doesn’t matter that we have messed up. It doesn’t matter how big the situation is. God always has a way to help us through. Even if we find ourselves suffering the consequences, there is always reconciliation, recovery, and healing, for the little and big things in life. God even knows before you ask. While you think you may have delayed God’s plan, he has already calculated the lost time into his perfect plan. It will come together in a divine way if you give it to him and put him first in the situation.
“Give them all, give them all to Jesus”… you may have heard that song? If you make the choice to put God first in everything, “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness”, his promises are true and he will always take care of you. This can be a short or long journey and so don’t forget to praise him along the way.