This time of year is a blessing, when we get fresh veggies from the garden, and while I was enjoying some tomatoes, cucumbers, squash and so on, it got me to thinking about spiritual nourishment.

And all of the marvelous things in the Word that feed us and give us strength. So for the next few weeks we'll be talking about this topic, and tonight we're going to start with living water.

When we are born again, our spirits are made alive, made a new creation, our candles are lit. Therefore we can now be aware of God’s presence and talk and walk with Him.

Now we all know that the body needs food and drink to survive. We can survive approximately 3 days without food OR water, and a little over 40 days without any food. In many nations of the world, people exist on a near starvation diet, that clouds the thinking and brings diseases.

We also know that mentally we need to "feed" our minds and emotions to keep them alive. Children that are raised with an adequate diet, but no emotional or mental stimulation do not thrive. People who do not feed their minds and emotions with nutritional thoughts and feelings are not sound either.

Lucy - Right-o, OldTimer. There are lots of flabby Christians, too.

For example, someone who feeds their mind and emotions on pornography will end up sexually warped and possibly become a sex offender. Someone who feeds their emotions negatively, with anger, hatred or thoughts of violence, for example, could possibly end up as a murderer.

And the Bible speaks to the need of renewing your mind and emotions with the Word, learning heavenly patterns of thought and feelings instead of earthly ones. Even without the spiritual dimension, obeying the Word will give you a healthy and pleasant soul life.

But tonight we want to talk about feeding your spirit. Did you know that your spirit needs to be fed? If you don’t feed it with spiritual food, it will be malnourished and you will not live a victorious Christian life.

Just like our physical bodies, our spiritual body needs faith food DAILY to survive and grow. And if you eat 3 or more times a day to feed your physical body, to maintain health and strength, how many times PER DAY should you feed your spiritual man?

Lucy - I'm just starting to eat right, and what a difference it makes!
seaturtle - yes, and that spiritual life will result in the healing of our associations with God, other Christians and the physical world around us too

An article in the paper today said that although 91% of Americans own an average of THREE versions of the Bible, most do not read it! 2/3 of Americans do not know the names of the 4 gospels. And more than 50% don't even know 5 of the 10 commandments. There is spiritual food in their homes, and most are dying of starvation!

†K - We are very guilty of having a spiritual language but not a really believing

Sadly, a lot of Christians ignore this important nourishment. And just like you don’t wait until you are injured or ill to feed your physical body, you shouldn’t wait until you have a spiritual crisis to "cram" spiritual food in for strength.

I know that I used to let a lot of "busyness" interfere with my spiritual life, and it was a struggle to spend even 15 minutes per day with the Lord. Needless to say, my spiritual growth was minimal. The truth is, I was looking at it as a "duty" instead of a "necessity". But now I find it a joy and make it a integral part of everyday living.

Lucy - OldTimer, I have this problem with the families of my Sunday school kids. They say they don't have time, but they always know what's going on with the most popular TV shows.

Well Lucy we ALWAYS MAKE time for what we think is important. Somehow you need to get across to these kids that the Bible is important and relevant to their lives than TV!!!

†K - Many people who call themselves Christian use them as the 10 suggestions
Lucy - It helps immensely to be in love with the one the Bible is all about.

Think about what needs that TV is meeting or pretending to meet in this children's lives, and then relate those needs to the Word. For example, most TV shows are about good vs. evil ... that is certainly a Biblical topic! And most have a hero or superhero - show them that Jesus is the MOST super hero, the ULTIMATE fighter against man's worst enemy. Hope that helps.

Lucy - That's a new thought for me, OldTimer. I'll plug that one in.

So our spirits need to be fed. But how can you feed something you cannot see? What kind of "spiritual diet" should you be on? Well the Bible has a lot to say about this.

First we want to talk about Spiritual Drink, and we won't get to all of it tonight, then Spiritual Food, and then "spiritual junk food" - what is NOT nutritious.

When Jesus went through Samaria and stopped at a well to get a drink, He met a woman there and witnessed to her about living water. What exactly is living water and why would she be interested in it?

Did you know that there is "living water" and there is "dead water"? The Dead Sea in Palestine is a good example of dead water … water flows into it from the Jordan River, but doesn’t flow out. Also the area is desert, and the extreme heat evaporates the water so that the Dead Sea doesn’t overflow.

This also concentrates the minerals in the water so nothing can live there. It is heavy, dead and poisonous to drink. Another example of "dead water" is a stagnant pond. Again there is no outlet, the water is full of impurities and bacteria and is not safe to drink.

Festuss® - Its the Living Word of God, for we are begotten by the Word.

"Living water" is water that is pure, clean and life–giving in a physical sense. In Biblical times, "living water" was an artesian well, or a spring flowing with pure water, that was not only safe to drink, but easy to get to.

So Jesus was telling the woman at the well that SHE should have been asking HIM for living water. Of course, He meant in a spiritual sense.

John 4:11-12 "Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?"

Lucy - Isn't it exciting that yes, He was greater!

The well in Samaria may have been clean water, but it had to be drawn out of a deep well. If you’ve ever tried to draw water out of a deep well, you know what hard work that is!

The woman, from a physical standpoint was VERY interested in finding out where a spring would be located that would allow her to obtain water without drawing it out of a well.

Isn't that like us? Always looking for the easy way out? Always in a hurry, not wanting to wait on God? Not wanting to do things God's way, but impatiently seeking an "easy out"?

She was also curious as to who Jesus was, that he knew more about living water that her ancestor Jacob, who had dug the very well she was standing beside, and had drawn water from it himself.

John 4:13-14 Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

Jesus’ reply shows that the living water he was referring to was of a different sort than the woman was used to. The water from Jacob’s well only quenched one’s thirst for a while, then one had to drink again.

Jesus said that the living water that He brings quenches our thirst forever, and more than that, becomes a spring within him welling up to eternal life. Believing on Jesus opens up our way to eternal life, like an ever flowing, purifying, thirst-quenching stream within us.

I get amused at times at the "soft drink wars" that go on TV – you know "Coke is the real thing" (it ain’t) and become a part of the "Pepsi Generation" (whatever that means!). To sell maybe 5 cents worth of water and artificial flavoring and other chemicals for 75 cents and up a serving, and to make that artificial stuff seem appealing, you gotta wonder what kind of advertising geniuses are out there.

Now I’m not preaching against drinking soft drinks. Just stating that what is promoted as being "thirst quenching" isn’t – the thirst always comes back. What they want you to do is become habituated to their product so you’ll keep buying. It is NOT living water.

Also our culture is seeped in alcohol … it’s promoted as bringing happiness and friendship and joy. It doesn’t. If you don’t have those things already, alcohol can’t help. It is also NOT living water.

seaturtle - living water seems to be the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, leading us to faith and repentance. and to live life in the fullness of the gospel
Festuss® - Amen,OT

Let’s look at what Jesus said to her again. "IF YOU KNEW" Jesus said… Oh how many are perishing because they do not know Jesus – the giver of living water, the bringer of eternal life! Most of the people in our land know Coke and Pepsi, but how many know of the living water from Jesus Christ?

Lucy - After you drink the real thing, you kick yourself after every time you choose not to.

Amen Lucy, when the living water has quenched your thirst, nothing else really satisfies!

We’ve accepted all kinds of substitutes for water – and have paid a high price for them. But they don’t bring health or quench our thirst. And the newest craze is "bottled water" – people actually PAY for the most abundant substance on earth!

Isaiah prophesied about this great well of salvation … the saving power of the living water in Jesus Christ. With this living water we draw strength and joy and courage from the Lord.

So if you are fearful, if you feel weak, alone and sad, if you are wallowing in despair and have no songs of joy, let me recommend to you this well of salvation, this living water from Jesus. Believe on Him and take a long, deep drink!

Lucy - And we give it back to Him. Isaiah 12:4-6 talk about exalting His name, crying out and shouting about Him! Great chapter, OT!

Again Jesus cries out that He is the living water – this time to the Jews at the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles. This feast was celebrated to remind them of living in tents in the desert during the Exodus from Egypt, and how God took care of their needs, especially for water in a dry and trackless land.

The same God who provided thirst quenching streams of living water in that desert way back then, sent Jesus to provide living water for all men for all time. As the Jews were meditating on God’s faithfulness in the past, Jesus is proclaiming God’s present and future provision.

Lucy - He even made them go without water for 3 days, so He could heal bitter waters for them, and show He was their healer!

And Jesus makes clear that your spirit drinks of this living water by believing on Jesus. Having faith in him is a long cool drink of eternal life that gives life to your spirit.

Festuss® - Wasn't Jesus the Rock that, that Water came from?
†K - Amen Christ is constant living water like Hebrews 13 :8 says

I've never been to the Holy Lands, but I've seen many videos and read many books about them. Unless you've been in a desert situation, you have no idea how precious water is!

†K - Try going to Arizona Texas or New Mexico desert is desert

And even more than this, the living water, the Gift of God, is actually the Holy Spirit taking up residence, making Himself a home, in your spirit. The flowing water springing up from within you, nourishing your spirit comes from the Holy Spirit as you allow Him to fill you.

Lucy - Well, the Spirit had actually been given several times, but not for keeps, right?
†K - After Christ's Ascension He sent the Holy Spirit to be here for keep’s
Lucy - The Holy Spirit came upon lots of people in the OT, and even on John the Baptist’s parents, but didn't stay to indwell them.

Up until Jesus was glorified, the Holy Spirit had come upon certain individuals for certain tasks, but He had not come in His fullness, He had not been "poured out" on all flesh, until the Day of Pentecost. And Jesus said that the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, when He came, would abide or dwell or live with us forever!

I Corinthians 12:13 For we were all baptized by [with, in] one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

Paul states that we were baptized by the Spirit into one body – the Body of Christ. Baptism means to immerse, so in a spiritual sense when you came to Jesus you were dipped into this living water and became part of His Body.

seaturtle - by convicting of sin and righteousness, that righteousness that comes from the efficacy of the sacrifice of Christ alone

And we are all given of one Spirit to drink, so as you yield yourself to the Holy Spirit, and continue to drink the living water, you are continually filled and replenished.

Festuss® - First, we have to hear the Word, then Faith is Born, after this we believe, then we receive His Spirit, a lot like the natural birth,

Revelation 21:6 He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.

Amen Lucy, the Spring of Living Water is sufficient to quench our spiritual thirst and keep us clean. AMEN

Lucy - Amen, OldTimer, and praise God for it!

That's right K, and the point of these series of lessons is to nurture, feed, and nourish the spirit as we do our minds and bodies.

ptl3 - It helps us to want to stay free of sin

ptl3 that's a good point! As the living water nourishes us and satisfies our thirst, our craving for sinful things diminishes! Thanks!

One of the last promises in the Bible is the free gift of living water. And this promise depends on you coming and drinking. Otherwise, it is free and without cost, a well of water springing up within you to eternal life.

Lucy - Let's get up early every morning and answer that whispered "Come!"
†K - God is the creator of all and everything has water in it there was an articles that said even rocks had some moisture
ptl3 - Yes, I thank God that He is continually working on me and cleaning me with the water.

Praise the Lord who always overflows our cup! He gives an abundant, luxurious, OVER supply of all we need!

Lucy I love it! Thanks! Next time we'll talk about MILK ... so be here!

Lucy - Milk! I like that one! We are to thirst for the Word like a baby wants milk, right! I've had 3 babies, and let me tell you, they want their milk when they're small.

Yep they sure do ... and we need our milk for strong spiritual bones and teeth - and growth ... but more next time on that.

†K - Those babies like all babies start with milk then they mature to soft foods and finally meat
ptl3 - I just want to let you know what a blessing the bible study notes have been to me. I take them to work and study them during the day, and I have been fed all week. I thank God that I found this bible study it is a answer to prayer, because I was getting week in my walk with the Lord. When I not able to be here I just copy the notes and I use them to feed my spirit.

Thank you ptl3! It is our prayer that they be a blessing and help believers grow in Christ. And we appreciate your presence and comments. ptl3, let us know anytime if you have any special topics you'd like to study, K? And that's for all of you - we want to help you all in any way we can ... so if you have pressing questions, don't be afraid to ask.

Something I saw in my dr's office: TODAY is a gift from God. That's why it's called THE PRESENT!

†K - I have been thinking lately that it is not just the water that is in us from having the indwelling Holy Spirit but also that we need to be IN Christ submerged in that River

Right K like spiritual submarines, when we are submerged in Christ we are invisible to the enemy! Being buried with Him in baptism is the same as being submerged. and when we are in Christ, when we are clothed in His righteousness, then spiritually that's how we appear to the enemy... as hidden in Christ.

ptl3 - Amen,I thank God that I'm hidden.

It's when we begin to assert self and try to battle the devil with the weapons of the flesh that we get into trouble. It's when we step out of HIS strength and try to walk in ours that we get beaten up. We can enter into sin and we can step out from under His protection if we chose to do so.

sourceQ - satan did!
ptl3 - That is very true, I've walked without him and I'd rather walk with Him, it is much easier.

Sometimes we get impatient with HIS pace and try to do things in our own strength. We set ourselves up for trouble when we do that.

Yota - that is true old timer

We don't lose our freedom of choice when we are born again... we must choose to obey, chose to feed on the Word, chose to be led of the Spirit. If it were automatic, then most of the New Testament would be unnecessary.

ptl3 - When we walk on our own it leads to defeat and when we walk with the Lord, it leads to victory.
†K - I told someone the other day that presumption is a sin it is listed many places - I believe that when I get in a rush I am presuming that I know better then a Sovereign God

The New Testament tells us that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.... And to be led by the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. And to put off the old man of sin and put on the new man in Christ.

Although God chose John the Baptist before birth, he still could have said no. Judas did. Jesus chose him, but he ultimately chose satan. And Paul made it clear that he continually had to choose the Lord over his flesh, he said he beat his body into subjection LEST he become a shipwreck - he acknowledged the possibility that he could chose NOT to follow God.

Deuteronomy 30:19 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live

John 3:16 For God so loved that world that he gave his only begotten Son that WHOSOEVER believeth on Him should not perish but have eternal life.