There is a Fountain

I hate commutes. Being raised in a small West Texas town, where everything was within a few miles of our home, ruined me! Most destinations were only a few blocks without traffic. Northern Virginia is just the opposite. I confess I struggle with grumbling and complaining almost anytime I venture too far from home. By the time I reach my destination, I usually feel like I a rag tossed to and fro in a washing machine.

However, Sunday mornings are different. I love the commute. We drive 20 minutes to church, and I relish it and look forward to it. Why? It’s my special time to spiritually breathe, confess my sins and breathe in the Gospel. While driving, the sins of the week and my inadequacies plague my thoughts. My behavior, my thoughts, my motives, how I responded to the children before getting into the car, all remind me of my need for a Savior and my unworthiness of being a Bible Study teacher and a pastor’s wife.

But, hallelujah, my thoughts don’t end there. By God’s grace, I remember the fountain, the fountain of my Savior’s blood.

His blood, which poured from His brow, His hands, His feet and His side, was not in vain It washed away my sin, and it continues to wash away my sin. It never stops flowing and never loses its power. Amazing!

Upon arrival at church, by God’s grace, I’m cleansed. Clinging to the cross, I’m guilt free and prepared to teach, eager to be a builder in God’s church.

My beloveds, because of Christ’s blood, you are free to serve without condemnation. Trust in Him and the work He accomplished for you at the cross. He said “it is finished” and He meant it.

Zech 13:1 In that day a fountain will be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for impurity.
I John 1:7, 9
.....And the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Highway to Holiness

My beloveds, we live in a wilderness. However, in the midst of it, there is a highway to holiness. Jump on it and head home! (Is 35:8)

There are many roads which will seem right in your own eyes (Prov 16:25), but don’t trust your heart or your mind. Dive in the scriptures and surround yourself with many wise counselors. Learn to listen and recognize God’s voice so that He may direct you in the way. He will be that voice behind you saying this is the way whether you go to the right or to the left. (Is 30:21)

This highway is a place where we abhor what is evil, cling to what is good. It’s where we seek to be unstained by the world. It’s where we join with other faithful pilgrims, studying the Word (our road map) and obeying it. It’s the highway home, to the city God has prepared for us.

But, be aware. The highway to holiness is not always easy. It’s the pathway of obedience. Just as Jesus learned obedience through the things which he suffered, so will you. (Heb 5:8) It will mean crucifying your fleshly desires and passions and saying “not my will be done, but Thine”. Remember, if you die with Him, you will also live with Him. If you endure, you will also reign with Him (2 Tim 2:11-12)

Strong Tower

Have you ever felt weak from Satan’s constant attacks? Proverbs 18:10 shows us the way to go by saying, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and they are safe.”

The name of the Lord is everything that God has made known about himself, not only his titles and attributes, but his covenant and promises. These things make up a strong, impenetrable, impregnable tower for all God’s weary people when they are being tempted by Satan.

He has revealed His name to give us rest anytime and anywhere. Inside this stronghold, God’s sheep are lifted above their enemies and fortified against them. As long as God’s followers know how to make use of it, God’s name is strong enough to protect them from the enemy. The richness of God’s wealth laid up in this tower is enough to be a continual feast and treasure to us. The righteous, by using faith, prayer, devotion to God, and dependence on Him, run into God’s city of refuge.

One example from the Bible is, when David is being chased by Saul, David thanks God in Psalms 18:1-3 for being his rock, fortress, and deliverer from Saul.

Whenever we are in a time of need, we can rely on the name of the Lord and be secure from the enemy’s arrows.

Adapted by Matthew Henry

Our Need for God's Word

Our neighbors found a deer that had been born only a few hours before and had been abandoned by his mother. They adopted him and called him Bullet. At first they had to force feed Bullet, because, although Bullet didn't know it, if he didn't drink milk, he would die.

That image reminded me of the verse in Psalms 42: 1-3 which says, "As the deer pants for the water, so my soul pants after you, O God." Although we don't know it, if we don't continually thirst after God's word, we will spiritually die and forget about God. But thankfully the Holy Spirit shows us that we, like Bullet, need food (God's Word), so that we begin to search after God's Word.
Andrew

Growing in Wisdom

Luke 2:52
And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men.

MH says:

Young people, as they grow in stature, should grow in wisdom, and then, as they grow in wisdom, they will grow in favour with God and man.

Are you looking for acceptance? Grow in wisdom. The benefits are endless when you increase your wisdom. Not only will you enjoy blessings untold, but your neighbor will benefit as well.

Your neighbor will benefit because you will have apt, timely words to encourage them, reprove them, or guide them. (Prov. 12:26)

You will benefit, because as God uses your wisdom in words and deeds, you will find satisfaction and enjoy good.
From the fruit of a man's mouth he enjoys good. (Proverbs 13:2). A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his words and the deeds of man's hands will return to him.. (Proverbs 12:14)

But that's not all.
Having wisdom stored up in your heart prevents pain and punishment. Proverbs 13:14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, to turn aside from the snares of death. Snares and landmines abound. But wisdom, is your guide out of them all.

The only way, my beloveds, to experience God's best and to walk in holiness is by pursuing, studying, and meditating on His Word, day and night. It will keep you from sin.
Ps 119:9-11
How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. With all my heart I have sought You; Do no let me ander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart That I may not sin against You.

When you stay in the Word and gather wisdom, you will escape harmful sin patterns. When you escape harmful sin patterns, you will grow in favor with God and man! Work out your spiritual muscles of wisdom and make them bigger!