Edited Well Of Living Waters

If you have already read my study A Well Of Living Waters and appreciated it, I would encourage you to read the last half, starting from Jeremiah 31:12 on. I rewrote it and added much more to it.

I wanted to further develop the contrast between the righteous drinking of the living waters and the wicked whose waters were drying up. When I was first working on the study, I noticed those passages (and listed the references), but was more focussed on the living waters flowing forth. However, now I have decided to dig a little deeper into this theme as well, and present these contrasts both together.

I hope this study is a blessing to you. If you are willing, please pray for the Lord to give me wisdom as I study His Word and put studies and messages together. I sure could use it and would really appreciate it.

It was pointed out to me that my message on John 3:16: The Gospel In A Nutshell did not mention the resurrection of Christ, therefore did not "present the complete Gospel." The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ is something I preach on regularly. This message was based on the notes I put together for preaching at the Gospel Mission. I only have about 7-10 minutes to speak, so sometimes it is hard to go much further than I have stated. It was not a deliberate oversight, and it was something I probably did touch down briefly on (I say probably, because I normally do, but I do not remember all I said that day - except for what I had in my notes). Then I typed these notes up that night when I got home, adding a few more Scripture, but not developing it more. I attempted to clarify this point in #4 above - hopefully it is better now.

Thank you for your interest in this blog. May the Lord richly bless you.

Of How Much More Value Are We?

1) Sheep. 

Matthew 12:11-12 And He said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.

Many times in Scripture believers are compared to sheep, and many wonderful applications are made. Then Jesus states that we are so much better than a sheep! If men care for sheep, even so, God's love for us is so much greater! He will rescue us, seek and save us (see Luke 15:4-7; Matthew 18:11-14), have compassion on us (Matthew 10:36), and bring us into His fold (through faith in Christ - John 10:16). 

Luke 12:31-32 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is the Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 

2) Sparrows. 

Matthew 6:25-26 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 

Matthew 10:29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. 

God cares for all of His creation, but He considers us of so much more value than anything else on this earth. Several places in the New Testament and the Old Testament, God compares the believer to sparrows. As God knows the number of all the sparrows, and knows the number of hairs on each of our heads, so too He knows all about us, and cares for each of us. 

Luke 12:6-7 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

God will not forget His children! They are of infinite value to Him! 

The Lord meets the needs of all His birds, even so He will meet all your needs! (See Luke 12:24) Are you casting all your care on Him? He does care for you! 

If you are saved, you will only be at home in the presence of God - despite whatever comforts and attractions the world may offer you. (See Psalm 84:1-4) 

3) Lilies. 

Luke 12:27-28 Consider the lilies how the grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is today in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will He clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Matthew 6:28-30 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin. And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 

As our Heavenly Father clothes the flowers of the field, so He clothes His children. We need not fear or worry about our daily needs - we simply need to have complete confidence and trust in the Lord to provide them, and faith in the promises of God stored for us in His Word! 

Like the other two comparisons above, God's children are also referred to as lilies in the Song Of Solomon. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Lily of the Valleys, and we are as the Lily. (See Song of Solomon 2:1-2. Also see the comparison in Hosea 14:5) 

Song of Solomon 2:16 My Beloved is mine, and I am His: He feedeth among the lilies. (Also see 6:2-3) 

The Lord delights to fellowship with His children. Are you taking time out each morning to seek Him first? Are you seeking His righteousness and His will for your life each day? 

Matthew 6 and Luke 12 are wonderful passages to read and meditate on - especially when you are fearful and fretting about your daily needs. Your Heavenly Father wants you to trust in Him and not be afraid. Go claim some promises today!

If you have never placed personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, trusting in His finished work on the cross of Calvary and received Him as your Saviour, then you cannot claim these wonderful promises until you do so. Please carefully read the following Gospel tract in order that you may clearly understand what the Bible teaches about how to be saved (according to the Bible): God's Simple Plan Of Salvation.

October 26th/04
Jerry Bouey

For a list of studies that use the Song of Solomon as the springboard:

Song Of Solomon

How Much Do You Value God's Word?

How Much Do You Value God's Word?

If we were honest, most of us would have to say that we don't value God's Word nearly as much as some of the believers living in Bible times, nor as much as those prophets (the holy men of God) whom He used to write His Word.

Do we value God's Word more than gold, silver, or riches?

Do we esteem God's Word more than our necessary food?

Do we rejoice in hearing the Word of the Lord, rejoice in hearing His voice speak to us through the pages of the sacred Scriptures?

Do we value God's Word as much as King David and the other Psalmists?

Psalms 19:7-10 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Like the Psalmist who penned Psalm 119, do you:

- hide God's Word in your heart (verse 9)

- believe it (verse 66)

- choose it (verse 173)

- keep it (verses 8, 17, 22, 33, 34, 44, 55-57, 60, 63, 67, 69, 88, 101, 106, 115, 129, 134, 145, 146, 167, 168)

- meditate on it (verses 78, 148)

- remember it (verses 16, 52, 55, 83, 93, 109, 141, 153, 176)

- long for it (verses 20, 40, 82, 123, 131, 174)

- delight in it (verses 16, 24, 35, 47, 70, 77, 92, 143, 174)

- rejoice in it (verses 111, 162)

- hope in it (verses 49, 74, 81, 114, 147)

- take comfort from it (verses 50, 52)

- yea, in fact love it (verses 48, 113, 119, 127, 140, 159, 163, 165, 167)?

Psalms 119:14 I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.

Psalms 119:30-32 I have chosen the way of truth: Thy judgments have I laid before me. I have stuck unto Thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame. I will run the way of Thy commandments, when Thou shalt enlarge my heart.

Psalms 119:54 Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.

Psalms 119:97-100 O how love I Thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through Thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for Thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep Thy precepts.

Psalms 119:103 How sweet are Thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Do we value God's Word as much as the Patriarch Job?

Job 23:11-12 My foot hath held His steps, His way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of His lips; I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.

Do we value God's Word as much as the Prophet Jeremiah?

Jeremiah 15:16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

Do we value God's Word as much as King Solomon (the New Testament church/believers are pictured in the inspired song he wrote), John the Baptist and all those that truly know Jesus' voice?

Song of Solomon 2:8-10 The voice of my Beloved! behold, He cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills. My Beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, He standeth behind our wall, He looketh forth at the windows, shewing Himself through the lattice. My Beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, My love, My fair one, and come away.

Do we leave the hustle and bustle of this busy world behind and spend time with the Lord, listening to His voice speaking to us through the Word of God? Is His voice (His Word) precious to us?

John 3:29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth Him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

John 10:3-5, 27 To Him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear His voice: and He calleth His own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when He putteth forth His own sheep, He goeth before them, and the sheep follow Him: for they know His voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me:

Do we value God's Word as much as the Gospel writers and Jesus in His temptations?

Matthew 4:4 But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Do we value God's Word as much as the Apostle Peter?

1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

2 Peter 1:3-4 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

God's Word contains in it all that we need for our spiritual life. It is to be our counsel, our comfort, our hope, our spiritual food, our song, our delight, our nourishment for daily growth. Is it yours?

God wants you to hear His voice through the Scriptures.

Are you listening?

How much do you value God's Word?

Written September 18th, 2004
Jerry Bouey

While the above study looked at how much we valued God's voice - His Word - the following study gives the opposite side of the coin - How much does God value hearing our voice?

Arise, And Come Away

For a list of studies that use the Song of Solomon as the springboard:

Song Of Solomon