Unclogging the Wells of Sin in our Lives...

I have been really enjoying the "Revived by His Word" initiative hosted by the General Conference, which is seeking to get people back into the daily reading of the Bible. I've read the Bible through from cover to cover once before. (Like probably 15 years ago!) Since then, I've just focused on studying here and there focusing on one book at a time or a specific topic of interest. However, with this new initiative, I thought I'd take part and in the process seek to memorize the themes of each chapter as we go along.

Wow - what a blessing! I've been learning so much…anew…

However, when we covered Genesis 26, last week, I really appreciated some thoughts that my friends Pastor Morris, and Pastor Page shared. They were so good, I wanted to share them on my blog.

Read Genesis 26, then enjoy the commentary below!

"Water is essential for life. In this story, the enemies of Isaac are constantly trying to cut out his water supply--but God continues to provide life-giving water for His people. While I was reading this story in Genesis 26, I remembered the words of Jesus when He cried out in the Temple courts, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink" (Jn 7:37). Jesus will provide life-giving water for our souls. He will sustain us in a dry and thirsty land. But there's more. "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water" (Jn 7:38). When we are connected with Jesus, the water of life will flow through us by His Spirit to bless the lives of those around us! What an amazing thought. The great God of heaven who provided water for Isaac and his family will provide life-giving water for our lives today! No wonder the prophet Isaiah cried out, "Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters!" (Is 55:1)." - Derek Moris

"As I think of the wells of water being filled up with dirt and other things causing the water to no longer be accessible, I think of a powerful sermon by Elder H.M.S. Richards about "Cleaning Out the Wells." He uses an illustration, that is not too uncommon in our churches, of a local church leader who was always creating problems in the church by his seemingly unconverted actions and negative attitudes. One day the Lord led someone to challenge him to clean out the wells of his spiritual life by confession and repentance. When he was able to do that later on he became again a positive help and leader for God's church again. Same story in Acts chapter one. There we see the early Christians gathered in the upper room for ten days confessing their sins and "cleaning out the wells" so they would be of one accord. Soon the baptism of the Holy Spirit could come on them to move forward in Christ's mission to reach this world for Him. I need time regularly to wait on the Lord to convict my heart of wrong motives, unChristlike behaviors, and other sin that clog up the well in my life. I want to be able for my Jesus to be able to use me powerfully by His Holy Spirit to reach those around me! Lord help me to let you clean out the well so the water can flow powerfully!" – Jerry Page

And that is my prayer as well!

Lord, please clean out the well of my heart that your Spirit may flow freely in my life and out to others!