Faith!

            In the 1800’s men were making their way across deserts to California in covered wagons and on horse-back.  They were willing to take the risk of intense heat, barrenness, and little water to get to the land of promise.  The story is told of one such man who was crossing the desert when he ran into trouble and was dying of thirst when he spotted a pump near an old abandoned shack.  He had no water to prime the pump, but he noticed a jug of water near the pump with a note attached.  It read, “There is just enough water in this jug to prime the pump, but not if you drink some first. This well has never gone dry even in the worst of times.  Pour the water in the top of the pump then pump the handle quickly.  After you have a drink, refill this jug for the next person.”  He stood their thirsty and hot, wandering what he should do.  To follow the instructions and prime the pump without first taking a drink would be an exercise of faith. 
            This is the kind of faith the Bible speaks of.  It requires that one stake his life on the promises of God.  If the man follows the instructions, he takes the chance of pouring out all of the water and getting none to drink, if the pump should fail.  So, he must trust that the message is right.  He must act in trust, without first receiving, and must believe that the message is true. 
            The man decided to trust the note, so he poured the water into the pump.  Vigorously, he began to pump the handle, when suddenly out of the spout gushed cool, clear water.  The note was true.  His act of faith kept him alive.  Filling the jug for the next traveler, he went on his way rejoicing. 
            There comes a time in everyone’s life when they are thirsty for more than natural sustenance.  Their soul cries out for something fulfilling, satisfying, and supernatural.  Some people go on long trips in search for that something.  Some gorge themselves with pleasures never to find what it is they are craving.  But, there are few who turn to God and His Word with a ready heart to do whatever it takes to receive that satisfaction of a lifetime. And yes, they find their ticket to abundant life!  And, speaking personally, they are never the same.        The message reads, “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink.  He that believes on Me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37-38).  This is a simple act of faith.  Faith is central to life.  For example: a person goes to the doctor whose name he cannot pronounce and whose degree he cannot verify.  The doctor gives him a prescription he cannot read.  He takes it to a pharmacist, waits in line, and trusts him to be able to read and fill the prescription.  The pharmacist gives a chemical compound that he does not understand.  He takes it home and downs the pills according to the instructions on the bottle.  All of this is done in trusting and sincere faith.  This is the integral compound to life.  And it takes the element of humble faith to please God.     For more information you can visit us online at www.JoyChristianMinistries.com

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