REFRESHING, LIVING WATER

How does God’s refreshing affect our lives in practical ways?

REFRESHING OF OUR CIRCUMSTANCES

When God refreshes our circumstances, He changes old patterns that may involve our marriage, our finances, our work. He may expose unhealthy spending patterns and convict us to change them. He may even lead us to seek financial counseling that can help us replace bad patterns and teach us to be wise stewards.

He may want to disrupt old patterns in our marriage, patterns that keep us stuck in unloving ways. Our Father is ready to refresh us with abundant grace every time we need it. This kind of refreshing deals with our circumstances.

CORE REFRESHING

Then we have core refreshing — refreshing that goes beyond our circumstances to renew our souls, our lives, our inner being. This kind of refreshing flows not just into us but out of us. It fills us with joy for our marriage; for tithing and giving freely; for facing difficult relationships with hope and courage and energy.

In short, core refreshing causes us to anticipate every moment of life with Jesus. It stirs in us a heart that says, “I’m fully alive, not dreading the day. I’m thrilled to follow You, Jesus. You have made me bold, not fearful. Let me use this vast overflow of life for You!”

BRING IT ALL TO HIM

What is flowing out of you right now? Unbelief, grumbling, fear? Or faith, hope and love? Just as He did at the festival in Jerusalem, Jesus shouts to you to bring Him your unbelief, your bitterness, and your fear. He wants to replace it with contentment and contagiousness, to move you from emptiness to fullness.

He has promised, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart’” (John 7:37-38, NLT).