Water of Life

The hot, dry weather we often experience in west Texas reminds me of when I lived in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Alamogordo is nestled near a beautiful mountain range but in the edge of a desert. This barren desert is the home of magnificent sunsets, colorful cacti and exotic wild life. Although it is beautiful in its own way, the one dominating factor in this environment is the absence of water.

But go north from Alamogordo, still in the desert, and soon you will be in the little city of Tularosa, where green lawns, colorful shrubs and tall trees are abuandant. The difference: a small river brings water from springs in the nearby mountains. This life-giving water is allowed to spill over to irrigate lush gardens and lawns, creating a veritable desert oasis.

Many of us often find ourselves facing the arid realties of life. Sometimes our spirits just seem to dry up much like a cactus plant in a New Mexico desert. We may feel as dry and parched as this year's hot, dry west Texas wind.

Remember, God offers his gift of thirst quenching spiritual water. Jesus said to the woman at the well, "Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:14 (KJV)\

Separating Grain from Chaff

It was a windy day in west Texas—just the kind of day my parents needed. I was only a small boy, but I remember the smell of grain, and the harsh thrust of hot wind on my face.

I was fascinated to see how my parents separated the grain from the husks. Placing grain and husks in a large canvas sheet, together they tossed the entire contents lightly into the air. As they did so, the unwanted chaff caught in the brisk wind and blew away. The grain, being heavier, fell back again into the sheet to be utilized as something of value.

This boyhood experience brings to mind the analogy in Psalm 1:4: “The ungodly…are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.”

A person without God is subject to destruction by the winds of adversity. But stability of purpose is found only in a true relationship with God.

FEAR OF THE DARK

As a teenager, I worked for a short time as a dishwasher in a small café. It was summer and I was staying with my sister and her family. My shift ended at ten P.M. Usually my sister would drive me home.

Sometimes she was unable to come for me and I would walk home. The darkness did not bother me. But as I neared her home, I would begin to be afraid. The closer I got, the more apprehension I felt, until I would be literally running to the door.

This fear I felt as a teenager reminds me of how we sometimes feel as we face the struggles of life. There are times when our fears overwhelm us. That’s when we must run to safety—the safety of God’s protection.

It’s good to realize He is with us, always.

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9 (KJV)

FAITH

When I was young and in seminary, friends told me about running out of money when it was still a week until payday. But they realized they would be all right, because they had enough food to get them by, except for one thing: they needed bread to help their small store of food last until payday.

They said they prayed for an answer. Later one of them found two dollars lying on the floorboard of their car. This was enough to purchase the bread they needed to tide them over until payday. My friend said, "I didn't know whether God would really hear our prayers, but He did!" This was small faith. But God honored their prayers.

And Jesus said unto them . . . if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Matthew 17:20 (KJV)

A MAN’S LIFE

Tony had just graduated with a University degree and had completed his first week at an architectural firm. For the first time in his life he was financially secure. Now, at last, he knew he should feel successful and fulfilled. But something was lacking.

He rummaged around in his desk until he found the long-unused Bible his parents had given him. He turned through the book, scanning the familiar verses. He smiled as he read Psalm 100. Certain phrases stood out: “Serve the Lord with gladness . . . come before his presence . . . we are His people . . . enter into his gates with thanksgiving . . . be thankful unto him . . . for the Lord is good.”

Could that be the answer? Tony knew it had been too long since he had allowed the presence of God in his life. A new resolve came to him: he would find a church where, once again, he could “enter into His gates” to worship.

“Thank You, God,” he whispered.

SEPARATING THE GRAIN FROM THE CHAFF

It was a windy day in west Texas—just the kind of day my parents needed. I was only a small boy, but I remember the smell of grain, and the harsh thrust of hot wind on my face.

I was fascinated to see how my parents separated the grain from the husks. Placing grain and husks in a large canvas sheet, together they tossed the entire contents lightly into the air. As they did so, the unwanted chaff caught in the brisk wind and blew away. The grain, being heavier, fell back again into the sheet to be utilized as something of value.

This boyhood experience brings to mind the analogy in Psalm 1:4: “The ungodly…are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.”

A person without God is subject to destruction by the winds of adversity. But stability of purpose is found only in a true relationship with God.

A NEWBORN BABY

When our son was eight, he became excited because he was going to become an uncle. Then one day when he came home from school he was met with the casual greeting, “Hi, Uncle David.” Talk about excited!

Later when we all had our first look at the new arrival, no one thought to tell David it is normal for a new baby to look red and wrinkled, and tiny babies cry often. After David had watched the baby for a while and had listened to his howls, he turned to us with a mischievous grin and asked, “You mean I’m an uncle to that?”

Everyone loves a baby, but no one would want a baby to fail to grow and mature. The Bible compares new Christians to newborn babies, but it also says that the new Christians are to grow and develop through Bible study.

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. I Peter 2:2 (KJV)