Like all my posts, it's not just to you I'm writing this but to myself. I need to hear and practice the truths as well, just like today!
There is another photo choice over at the bible verse photo section.
I have never seen a deer panting for water but having a dog that pants after exercising; I always picture this verse, especially on a hot day when he gulps down water. I wonder if God made dogs this way – that they have to pant to cool down and regulate their body temperature (as well as jumping in water to cool off) so we are constantly reminded of what our attitude should be towards God; our fibre of our being, our every thought and longing should be panting after God always thirsting after Him.
In John 4:14 Jesus says He can quench that thirst that only he can satisfy. Some people try and put out that quench with career, sex with many different people, drink, drugs and for a time it may work but only God can give the permanent fix, so they never need to be hungry or thirsty looking elsewhere for satisfaction that will never truly satisfy.
As Christians that deep eternal thirst is quenched but in our everyday lives, we always should be seeking God out, desiring/thirsting after Him for a deeper and deeper relationship with Him. It’s an ongoing relationship, and we need to be constantly filled as Ephesians 5:18 tells us. (In the original greek ‘be filled’ means "keep on being filled constantly and continually.") It’s not a one time thing.
Even if you don’t have a dog, you can imagine animals in a desert, that their soul-thinking each day is to find a watering hole and hope that it’s safe to drink and other animals aren’t lying in wait ready to attack. I once saw a documentary about prey animals that just wait by the watering hole because they know every creature has to come there for a drink and they knew it was easier to hunt lying in wait at the hole.
Sometimes we let other things come in the way and make excuses. “I want a closer walk with God but I don’t have time as I’m busy with my children or at work, I'll do it soon.”
Or it will be a spiritual attack - the evil one and his demons can see the potential of what could happen if you got closer with God, spending more time with Him or do a ministry God has put in your thoughts. They know your weakness and what temptations you have given into in the past be it business, or excuses, whatever it is expect opposition! Factor that in but don’t let it stop you!
The bible says that Satan is like a roaring lion. The lion may be the king of the jungle but the lion is no king in our Christian lives. We have one who is far greater, more powerful so stop feeling defeated. Our watering hole is God, He is right there. He has no problem in keeping away prey animals (our own excuses or outside forces) but we have to want to come to the watering hole, and to thirst after that watering hole. We know that nothing is going to taste as good as that water, but we don’t let ourselves get waylaid.
If you want to know if you are that thirsty for God, ask yourselves what your priorities are. Then look at what time you give to your priorities - that won’t lie. Your time will show you your priorities. So are you like your dog after a hot day walking or an animal in the desert – are you that thirsty? Are you that thirsty for God?
In John 4:14 Jesus says He can quench that thirst that only he can satisfy. Some people try and put out that quench with career, sex with many different people, drink, drugs and for a time it may work but only God can give the permanent fix, so they never need to be hungry or thirsty looking elsewhere for satisfaction that will never truly satisfy.
As Christians that deep eternal thirst is quenched but in our everyday lives, we always should be seeking God out, desiring/thirsting after Him for a deeper and deeper relationship with Him. It’s an ongoing relationship, and we need to be constantly filled as Ephesians 5:18 tells us. (In the original greek ‘be filled’ means "keep on being filled constantly and continually.") It’s not a one time thing.
Even if you don’t have a dog, you can imagine animals in a desert, that their soul-thinking each day is to find a watering hole and hope that it’s safe to drink and other animals aren’t lying in wait ready to attack. I once saw a documentary about prey animals that just wait by the watering hole because they know every creature has to come there for a drink and they knew it was easier to hunt lying in wait at the hole.
Sometimes we let other things come in the way and make excuses. “I want a closer walk with God but I don’t have time as I’m busy with my children or at work, I'll do it soon.”
Or it will be a spiritual attack - the evil one and his demons can see the potential of what could happen if you got closer with God, spending more time with Him or do a ministry God has put in your thoughts. They know your weakness and what temptations you have given into in the past be it business, or excuses, whatever it is expect opposition! Factor that in but don’t let it stop you!
The bible says that Satan is like a roaring lion. The lion may be the king of the jungle but the lion is no king in our Christian lives. We have one who is far greater, more powerful so stop feeling defeated. Our watering hole is God, He is right there. He has no problem in keeping away prey animals (our own excuses or outside forces) but we have to want to come to the watering hole, and to thirst after that watering hole. We know that nothing is going to taste as good as that water, but we don’t let ourselves get waylaid.
If you want to know if you are that thirsty for God, ask yourselves what your priorities are. Then look at what time you give to your priorities - that won’t lie. Your time will show you your priorities. So are you like your dog after a hot day walking or an animal in the desert – are you that thirsty? Are you that thirsty for God?
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