Drinking From and Digging Wells

Hello and God's Peace!
It is time for the weekly email and blog of encouragement! Please enjoy this article which was written by Pastor Orval Wirkkala. Orval is also on the Foreign Mission Board and I have shared his writings with you in the past. May God Bless your week! John

"Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:15-21)"

As we bask in the joy of the knowledge as well as the experience in our hearts of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, we continue our journey through life, thanking our God for the visitations of His Spirit that He showered upon us during this time of remembering and reflecting upon His great love for us. A love that John describes in his first epistle: "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." 1 John 4:10 During these refreshing times in our lives, we come to better understand the words that were spoken by Nehemiah long ago when he told his people, " The joy of the Lord is your strength." As we are refreshed as well as renewed in strength, we receive new motivation and power to plant and water the Word of grace to others.

Recently we had a missionary speak at our church and he spoke of this matter. Referring to one of the Psalms, he mentioned that those who traveled through the dry country in the ancient world would dig wells so that they could drink, not only for themselves, but so that those coming after them could also drink of the thirst quenching water. He then compared this with Christ, Who is the Well of Living Water, relating of the blessing that we receive from the previous generations who have drank of the Living Water and have faithfully looked to bless the next generation through providing for the opportunity for them to drink of Christ. In like manner, as we drink from the wells that have been provided for us, may we also be mindful to continue to make provision for the future generations who will come after us, beginning now.

In the verses which are at the beginning of our writing today, the Apostle Paul wants to help us to "see" the blessing of being called by grace; the glory that we have today as well as in the future and of the immeasurable power of grace that He wishes to "be" in us so that we may bring the Gospel of Christ to others. Lord, please give unto us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of You through your Son Jesus Christ.

Pastor Orval Wirkkala