Devotions
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SPRING OF WATER Springs of water have played significant roles in the history of Kansas, both for Native Americans for European settlers along overland trails and yet today by present generations. The Waconda Spring (also known as Great Spirit Spring) was known to and regularly visited by Native Americans, Alcove Spring was a well-known stopping place on the Oregon Trail and numerous Flint Hills Springs. As a teacher of survival training for numerous years I depended upon springs and artesian wells as a source of fresh water. However, as we all know, sometimes our best laid plans can be found amiss. On one such occasion of a five day survival camp at which you take no food, water or shelter, I was astonished to find the spring I had always depended on was no longer flowing, leaving myself and the trainees dependent upon small stagnant pools of water along a dried up stream bed. Did we survive the five days, Yes, and with God’s help the outcome was surprisingly well done by all. We find in the book of Isaiah 58:11 these lesson for our spiritual survival: The Lord will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. God’s spring of living water far exceeds our desire for natural food and water but supplies an inner thirst for our spirit that only God through His Son Jesus Christ can quench. “But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14 Moses was faced with a similar experience while leading the children of Israel through their wilderness survival when the Lord spoke to Moses, saying “Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals.” However, as do we all on occasion, try to strike a rock as it were by our own will and strength, rather than speaking what the Lord, the solid rock, the corner stone upon whom we depend for true living water directs us. Even though Moses brought forth the water from the rock, it was his way and not by the Lords direction. He chose not to believe and by that unbelief he did not hallow the Lord in the eyes of the children of Israel. The spring within us may yield water but until we honor God, trust in His Word and act upon it as he directs for our life we may find the water like my survival trainees to be stagnant bitter water, rather than precious sweet living water. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? James 3:11 Search your heart. Which spring of water are you seeking? The one that just quenches your thirst and desire for the moment, or the spring of living water that refreshes and renews your life in Christ for Eternity? May God speak to you as you seek Him for the Spring of Living Water in your life and your family. God Bless and keep you in His care and Grace. Pastor Jerry Photo by Stephanie Klepacki on Unsplash
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AuthorNotes from the Staff @The Woods Archives
March 2023
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