Stream In The Desert

Christianity is sometimes referred to as a stream in a desert. It can refresh and soothe our soul.

I didn’t feel this way until I stepped out of formal religion during a very rough time in my life. I went to church to find comfort and hope during this horrific time, but the formality and routine of my religion left me empty and searching for more.

My search was satisfied when I was introduced to Evangelical Christianity- a stream in my dry, empty and hopeless situation.

I was fortunate to have a girlfriend who was Evangelical Christian- a term I knew nothing about. She told me about her church and that she loved her pastor and the Bible. This was odd to me, I never heard anyone talk about loving their church. Her enthusiasm for her church and reading he Bible made me curious enough to purchase my first ever teaching Bible (in 2002) and attend her church. I have never been the same.

The most profound thing that I learned almost immediately was that the Lord had conditional blessings to bestow on those who followed His ways. My religious upbringing never taught about God’s blessings for obedience- maybe I would have made better choices in my 20’s!

The Kingdom Of God is The Stream in Our Desert

The Kingdom of God is the stream that provides for us. In order to understand the Kingdom, we must first understand that there is a different culture to learn. We can equate the Kingdom to a foreign country- there is a new language and a new way of doing things. It’s a lifestyle that needs to be learned and assimilated into our lives.

The starting place to learning anything about the Lord and His kingdom is the Bible. It’s a supernatural book that can speak to each of our specific situations and convict us of what we should do. The Bible isn’t something to “get through” it is a book to read slowly, study, meditate on and allow the Holy Spirit to interpret the words we are reading.

We cannot live in the world in opposition to the “instruction manual” without setting our lives up for major catastrophe, just like we cannot hold an electric saw by the blade. The “manufacturer” -our heavenly Father- actually knew what He was doing when he wrote the user manual of life.

When we repent of sin- meaning we choose to live life free of sin – the Holy Spirit will  empower us to accomplish this superhuman feat. This is called being born of the Spirit- or born again.

Born Again- The Source of Our Stream In The Desert

Being a “born again Christian” is the source of our stream in the desert yet many people don’t seem to understand the term. Being born again is different than when we are born of our human mothers. When we emerge in this world we are “born of the flesh” and our bodies “the flesh” will grow up. Our spirits on the other hand, remain immature and ignorant until we choose to read the Bible. This is the beginning of being born of the Spirit. Then we have a choice. Do we remain as we are or to step out of the worldly way of living and allow the Holy Spirit to direct our lives.

Choosing to be born of the spirit is a life that follows the teachings in the Bible such as: following the Ten Commandments, turning the other cheek, forgiving, trusting the Lord to do what He says He will do,  having no idols, putting the Lord on the pedestal of our life and stepping out of a lifestyle of sin.  (we will still sin- but it won’t be our lifestyle.)

Choosing to live in God’s Kingdom is a protected life. God created the world and when we stay on His path we are protected. His limited path guides our choices to those that will build up our lives, keep us healthy and even provide for us. I’m not talking about the prosperity Gospel. I’m talking about a loving Father who provides for all His children who listen to Him. His provision is more than living expenses, it includes healing of disease and every good and precious gift. Living in the Kingdom is a blessed life- no other way of living even comes close. It is a stream that never runs dry.

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,

  he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and mercy will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.(Psalm 23)

The benefits for being a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ are truly a stream in the desert. It is the only way to enjoy the abundant life that we read about in the Bible.

Food For thought,

Lisa