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Overview
We were not meant to live with dehydrated hearts... come and learn how to quench your soul.
"Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give will never be thirsty. The water I give will become a spring of water gushing up inside that person, giving eternal life." (John 4:13-14 NCV)
Like the woman at the well, we recognize our need for living water. We need moisture, a swallow of water, a long, quenching drink. But where do we find water for the soul?
In this renewing and life-giving program, Max Lucado leads us to the four essential nutrients needed by every soul.
Participant’s Guide (978-1-4185-3390-8) sold separately.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781418583989 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | HarperChristian Resources |
| Publication date: | 07/29/2008 |
| Sold by: | HarperCollins Publishing |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 33 |
| File size: | 342 KB |
About the Author
Since entering the ministry in 1978, Max Lucado has served churches in Miami, Florida; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and San Antonio, Texas. He currently serves as the teaching minister of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio. He is the recipient of the 2021 ECPA Pinnacle Award for his outstanding contribution to the publishing industry and society at large. He is America's bestselling inspirational author with more than 150 million products in print.
Visit his website at MaxLucado.com
Facebook.com/MaxLucado
Instagram.com/MaxLucado
Twitter.com/MaxLucado
Youtube.com/MaxLucadoOfficial
The Max Lucado Encouraging Word Podcast
Read an Excerpt
Come Thirsty Leader's Guide
Receive What Your Soul Longs For
By Max Lucado
Thomas Nelson
Copyright © 2004 Max LucadoAll rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4185-8398-9
CHAPTER 1
Week 1
Thirsting After Righteousness
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled."
—Matthew 5:6 NKJV
Introduction
Have you ever been in the mood for ... something ... to eat? You've got the munchies, and you're looking for a snack. The only problem is that you're not quite sure what will satisfy your craving. Something salty? Something sweet? Something chewy? Something crunchy? It's hard to put your finger on what's driving you to rummage through the pantry. Nothing looks good, so you slam through the cupboards and poke around in the back of the fridge.
Our souls are not so different. We get a restless yearning for... something. Our hearts are hungry. We are driven by a deep thirst. And so we cast about for something to satisfy our need. If we do not nourish our soul, it grows weak and weary. Deprived of sustenance, we become strained, stretched, and stressed. Scripture compares this desperate need with thirst. Are you thirsty?
1. Remember the children of Israel, wandering in the wilderness for forty years. They understood what it meant to be hungry and thirsty. "Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them" (Ps. 107:5 nkjv). How does Isaiah 29:8 describe the hunger and thirst of men?
"When a hungry man dreams, and look—he eats; but he eats, and his soul is still empty; or as when a thirsty man dreams, and look—he drinks; but he awakes, and indeed he is faint, and his soul still craves." (NKJV)
2. Yet God provided for the physical needs of those who called upon him for relief. The people's dehydrated bodies longed for water, and that is just what God supplied. Match up these promises for refreshment with their texts.
God supplies our physical needs, sometimes in miraculous ways. Yet there are times when that doesn't feel like enough. "You have planted much, but you harvest little. You eat, but you do not become full. You drink, but you are still thirsty. You put on clothes, but you are not warm enough. You earn money, but then you lose it all as if you had put it into a purse full of holes" (Hag. 1:6 NCV). We have food to eat and water to drink, but they do not satisfy the longing that pervades our soul. We are thirsty, but for what? Where should we turn for relief?
3. Unfortunately, too many try to quench that restless hunger and nagging thirst with things that cannot satisfy. What does Paul say will be the end of those who pursue their appetites for earthly things, according to Philippians 3:19? If we don't grasp the spiritual nature of our longing, we can too easily be lured aside by earthly things which cannot satisfy our thirst. "Whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things" (Phil. 3:19 NKJV).
Jesus told his followers, "Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be filled" (Luke 6:21 NKJV). What a wonderful promise! But moments later, he turned this statement upside down. "Woe to you who are full, for you shall hunger" (Luke 6:25 NKJV). Consider this. Those who are satisfied with what the world has to offer, no longer hunger and thirst after spiritual things. They opted for a shortcut. They settled for instant gratification. Those of us who continue to thirst after the living water only Jesus can supply will rely upon him right on into eternity. Our hunger will be satisfied in the very presence of God.
4. David understood the longing of his heart. He knew exactly what he was thirsty for.
* According to Psalm 42:2, what did David thirst for?
"I thirst for the living God. When can I go to meet with him?" (Ps. 42:2 NCV).
* To what did David compare his longing in Psalm 143:6?
David thirsted for God. "I lift my hands to you in prayer. As a dry land needs rain, I thirst for you" (Ps. 143:6 NCV).
* What did David do, in an effort to assuage his longing for God, according to Psalm 63:1?
David compares his longing for God to that of drought-stricken lands, eager and desperate for the rains. "God, you are my God. I search for you. I thirst for you like someone in a dry, empty land where there is no water" (Ps. 63:1 NCV).
5. So what should we be hungering for? What should we be thirsting after? Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:6.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled" (Matt. 5:6 NKJV).
There's no denying the urgency of our thirst. We should heed it. We should drink. But when seeking to quench our thirsty hearts, we must be certain to drink good water. There can be no substitutes. If you are indeed thirsting after righteousness, then the Lord urges you to drink, and drink deeply.
6. Jesus tells us, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Matt. 6:33 NKJV). So, what is righteousness? Match up these passages, which give us a little overview.
Our first tendency in seeking righteousness is to try to do something. But the Lord is not asking us to do anything. We are called upon to receive what he has provided. "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us" (Titus 3:5 NKJV).
7. We need to cultivate a hunger and a thirst for righteousness, but we cannot achieve a righteous and godly life without divine assistance.
* What does God give to us, according to Psalm 24:5?
"He shall receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation" (Ps. 24:5 NKJV).
* God doesn't leave us to fend for ourselves. What does Psalm 23:3 say He will do for us?
"He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake" (Ps. 23:3 NKJV).
* What glorious promise do we find in Psalm 37:6?
"He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday" (Ps. 37:6 NKJV).
8. Throughout the New Testament, we are told that righteousness and right living are only possible by the grace of God. All we need to do is believe. Paul assures us that it is by faith that we are made righteous.
Romans 10:10: "We believe with our hearts; and so we are made right with God. And we use our mouths to say that we believe, and so we are saved" (Rom. 10:10 NCV).
2 Corinthians 5:21: "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Cor. 5:21 NKJV).
Ephesians 4:23, 24: You were taught to be made new in your hearts; to become a new person. That new person is made to be like God—made to be truly good and holy" (Eph. 4:23, 24 NCV).
Philippians 3:9: "Not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith" (Phil. 3:9 NKJV)
There is some danger that a gift so freely given can be taken too much for granted. We can become numb to our thirst for a time. We can sink into apathy and lethargy. Scripture uses hunger and thirst to convey a sense of urgency. We are dependent upon God. We cannot live without him. We need him. In order to keep those truths before us, we must cultivate our appetite for righteousness. Stir up your hunger. Heed your thirst. Drink, and keep on drinking!
9. Do we hunger and thirst after righteousness? Yes! So what can we do about it? Pursue it!
* What does Paul urge his son in the faith to pursue in 1 Timothy 6:11?
"Flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness" (1 Tim. 6:11 NKJV).
* What did Jesus do in order to make our pursuit possible, according to 1 Peter 2:24?
Set aside earthly distractions and satisfy your thirst with good things. "Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness" (1 Pet. 2:24 NKJV).
* Where can we turn for help in our pursuit, according to 2 Timothy 3:16?
We could not live for righteousness if Jesus hadn't borne our sins on the cross. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Tim. 3:16 NKJV). God did not leave us wandering and wondering what to do. Everything we need to know for righteous living can be found throughout the pages of his Word.
10. Jesus is the source of everything we need. He calls to everyone, urging them to come.
* What did Jesus call out to the people in John 7:37?
"Jesus stood and cried out, saying, 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink'"
(John 7:37 NKJV).
* According to Revelation 21:6, what does Jesus say that He will freely give?
"I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts" (Rev. 21:6 NKJV).
*Who is invited to come and drink, according to Revelation 22:17?
"The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let him who hears say, 'Come!' And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely" (Rev. 22:17 NKJV).
Conclusion
Do you remember the woman at the well? Jesus made an outlandish claim to her: "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life" (John 4:13, 14 NKJV). Like the woman at the well, we recognize our need for living water. We need moisture, a swallow of water, a long, quenching drink. But where do we find water for the soul?
Throughout the course of this study, we will be seeking out four ways in which our thirst can be satisfied. God's work. God's energy. His lordship and his love. You'll find them easy to remember. Just think of the word W-E-L-L.
Receive Christ's Work on the cross.
The Energy of his Spirit.
His Lordship over your life.
His unending, unfailing Love.
Drink deeply and often. And out of you will flow rivers of living water.
Prayer of the Thirsty
This is the prayer of the thirsty soul who has turned to the only Source of living water. It is the prayer of a heart ready to receive—to drink deeply from the well of God's work, energy, lordship, and love. Take the time each day to pray this prayer aloud. Learn what a vast resource God has made available to you. Make it the cry of your heart.
Lord, I come thirsty. I come to drink, to receive. I receive Your work on the cross and in Your resurrection. My sins are pardoned and my death is defeated. I receive Your energy. Empowered by Your Holy Spirit, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. I receive Your lordship. I belong to You. Nothing comes to me that hasn't passed through You. And I receive Your love. Nothing can separate me from Your love.
This Week's Prayer Requests ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________
Memory Verse
"Jesus stood and cried out, saying, 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'"
— John 7:37, 38 NKJV
Suggested Reading for this Week from Come Thirsty by Max Lucado:
* Read the Introduction of Come Thirsty: "Meaghan"—As you read through "Meaghan," her story will sound strangely familiar. As this introduction unfolds, we discover a young woman who is thirsting for something real.
* Read Chapter 1 of Come Thirsty: "The Dehydrated Heart"—Unless we are drinking deeply at the well of God's supply, our hearts become dehydrated—dry, depleted, parched, and weak.
CHAPTER 2Week 2
Grace Blockers
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God."
—Ephesians 2:8 NKJV
Introduction
Your heart is thirsty, so you make your way to the water fountain of God's grace for a drink. You've been there before. It's an abundant source of living water. Crystal clear streams forever flowing into shining pools at the foot of the throne. Drinking deeply of God's grace is just what your soul needs right now. The recollection of its plentiful supply and satisfying coolness quickens your step. But as you draw near, you're astonished to find a handmade sign taped crookedly to the fountain's edge. "No swallowing, please. Taste, but don't drink." You look around, wondering if this can be a prank—someone's idea of a joke. Shrugging, you dip into the cooling water, but only enough to wet your lips. And so you turn back, your disappointed heart still longing for refreshment.
Does such a sign sound absurd? It should. But that's what happens when people try to place limitations on God's grace. They block up the fountain of grace. They monitor our every sip. They stand by with arms folded, directing us to swish and spit, when all the while God intended us to drink, and drink deeply.
1. Let's start with grace—unmerited favor. What does the New Testament teach us about the grace of God that is extended toward us? Match up these truths with the verse in which it can be found.
2. What good is grace if you don't let it go deep? Look at these verses, and more specifically, look at the words used to describe God's grace.
Romans 3:24: "Being justified freely by His grace" (Rom. 3:24 NKJV).
Romans 5:20: "Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more" (Rom. 5:20 NKJV).
2 Corinthians 9:8: "God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work" (NKJV).
Ephesians 2:7: "That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:7 NKJV).
1 Timothy 1:14: "The grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant" (1 Tim. 1:14 NKJV).
Abundant. Free. Sufficient. Rich. God's grace is excessive—more plentiful than our need. In fact, it is all we need. But there were those in the early church who tried to staunch the flow of grace. They wanted to impose limits. They tried to control it. They molded it to fit into their traditions. They redefined it to suit their purposes. And they deceived God's people by touting it as truth.
3. What new rules did some try to impose on Gentile believers, according to Acts 15:1? "Then some people came to Antioch from Judea and began teaching the non-Jewish believers: 'You cannot be saved if you are not circumcised as Moses taught us'" (Acts 15:1 NCV). How outrageous! There is no commandment of God that says, "Thou shalt be circumcised, or thou canst become a Christian." They tried to adapt grace to fit into their traditions, and received an apostolic rebuke for it.
4. The Galatian church also ran into problems. Paul was astonished by how far off track they had been lured.
Galatians 1:6, 7: "God, by his grace through Christ, called you to become his people. So I am amazed that you are turning away so quickly and believing something different than the Good News. Really, there is no other Good News. But some people are confusing you; they want to change the Good News of Christ" (Gal. 1:6, 7 NCV).
Legalism. Grace blockage. It's thinking that your Heavenly Father might let you in the gate, but you've got to earn your place at the table. God makes the down payment on your redemption, but you still have to pay the monthly installments. Heaven gives the boat, but you've got to row it if you ever want to see the other shore. They don't allow you to receive God's work. They try to tell you to earn it.
5. Grace, by definition, excludes our efforts to earn it. Why does Paul say that grace cannot come by works in Romans 11:6?
"If by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work" (Rom. 11:6 NKJV). If grace had to be earned, it couldn't be called grace. As another translation puts it, "If they could be made God's people by what they did, God's gift of grace would not really be a gift" (NCV).
Grace by faith is one of Paul's most adamant themes. "People cannot do any work that will make them right with God. So they must trust in him, who makes even evil people right in his sight. Then God accepts their faith, and that makes them right with him" (Rom. 4:5 NCV). One way, and only one. By grace, through faith.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Come Thirsty Leader's Guide by Max Lucado. Copyright © 2004 Max Lucado. Excerpted by permission of Thomas Nelson.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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Table of Contents
Contents
Come Thirsty Reading Plan, xi,Prayer of the Thirsty, xv,
Introduction, xvii,
Week 1: Thirsting After Righteousness, 1,
Week 2: Grace Blockers, 19,
Week 3: Redefining Prayer, 37,
Week 4: Choosing Peace, 55,
Week 5: Abiding in God's Love, 71,
Week 6: If God Wrote You a Letter, 87,