Overflowing!

Colossians 2:6-7So then just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught and overflowing with thankfulness.”

Today Jackie’s heart and mine overflow with thankfulness as we think on how God has blessed us with the staff, leadership and people of Bethany Church. Thank you so much for remembering our anniversary, the card and the gift that you presented. We love you and it may sound crazy – but we like you too. (I’v heard people say, “I may have to love you, but I don’t have to like you.”)

I don’t know what the future holds for Bethany, but it appears that the Lord is preparing us for a visitation. Though He loves visiting with us but is goal is to dwell with us forever.  So our assignment on earth is to establish a resting place whose foundation is LOVE. I’m of the opinion that you have been doing a pretty good job in the love department. So may I say from Jackie and I, “Thank you for accepting that assignment, loving Jesus, loving one another, and loving us.”

It all reminds me of a story I read years ago: There was a man who got lost in the desert. After wandering around for a long time his throat became very dry, about that time he saw a little shack in the distance. He made his way over to the shack and found a water pump with a small jug of water and a note. The note read: “Pour all the water into the top of the pump to prime it, if you do this you will get all the water you need”.

Now the man had a choice to make, if he trusted the note and poured the water in and it worked he would have all the water he needed. If it didn’t work he would still be thirsty and he might die. Or he could choose to drink the water in the jug and get immediate satisfaction, but it might not be enough and he still might die. After thinking about it the man decided to risk it. He poured the entire jug into the pump and began to work the handle, at first nothing happened and he got a little scared but he kept going and water started coming out. So much water came out he drank all he wanted, took a shower, and filled all the containers he could find.

Let’s keep priming the pump at our “little shack” Bethany through choosing the water of praise, worship, thanksgiving, prayer, service, and obedience centered in His Love and we will not only have enough to satisfy our needs, but there will be extra to go around. God’s Spirit is more than a pump – He is a Mighty River! God bless you guys.