Good morning -
You can usually smell it before you see it. A stagnant pond is a murky greenish-gray color with the putrid smell of decaying organic matter. At one time it teemed with life as water flowed in and as plant life flourished, but the inactive waters were eventually depleted of life-giving oxygen and deprived plants and fish eventually died and decayed.
A stagnant pond is an odd illustration for spiritual condition but it is uniquely used by the prophet Zephaniah:
"I will punish the men Who are stagnant in spirit, Who say in their hearts, 'The LORD will not do good or evil!' (Zephaniah 1:12)
God is displeased to be considered the God of inactivity. Such is the view of an agnostic: he or she believes that God exists but is detached and removed from His creation.
While most of us would quickly disassociate ourselves from the title of agnostic, the phrase, "stagnant in spirit" may be uncomfortably descriptive. The Living Waters that once flowed through our lives with energy and life may have presently diminished to a stagnant pool. That which remains is but a memory of past vibrancy and spiritual vitality.
The good news is that this moment offers us the opportunity for renewed life. The common theme of God's disfavor in the Old Testament is always eclipsed by His offer of future restoration. Both themes are designed to invoke an immediate response from those who are receptive.
"Therefore wait for Me," declares the LORD ... "For then I will give to the peoples purified lips, That all of them may call on the name of the LORD, To serve Him shoulder to shoulder." (Zephaniah 3:8,9)
The Lord calls to us to wait upon Him; to consider our spiritual condition and our need for Him. As we call out to Him with full recognition of our need and condition His is quick to cleanse and heal.
I pray that the Living Waters are flowing like a mighty river in your life today, but if the true reality is that the waters have diminished to a stagnant pond you can be assured of the possibility of new life and vitality as you come before Him with your need. Our Father has provided us with His Son to be the source of life-giving waters:
"whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." (John 4:14)
Drink deeply today.
Pastor Steve
You can usually smell it before you see it. A stagnant pond is a murky greenish-gray color with the putrid smell of decaying organic matter. At one time it teemed with life as water flowed in and as plant life flourished, but the inactive waters were eventually depleted of life-giving oxygen and deprived plants and fish eventually died and decayed.
A stagnant pond is an odd illustration for spiritual condition but it is uniquely used by the prophet Zephaniah:
"I will punish the men Who are stagnant in spirit, Who say in their hearts, 'The LORD will not do good or evil!' (Zephaniah 1:12)
God is displeased to be considered the God of inactivity. Such is the view of an agnostic: he or she believes that God exists but is detached and removed from His creation.
While most of us would quickly disassociate ourselves from the title of agnostic, the phrase, "stagnant in spirit" may be uncomfortably descriptive. The Living Waters that once flowed through our lives with energy and life may have presently diminished to a stagnant pool. That which remains is but a memory of past vibrancy and spiritual vitality.
The good news is that this moment offers us the opportunity for renewed life. The common theme of God's disfavor in the Old Testament is always eclipsed by His offer of future restoration. Both themes are designed to invoke an immediate response from those who are receptive.
"Therefore wait for Me," declares the LORD ... "For then I will give to the peoples purified lips, That all of them may call on the name of the LORD, To serve Him shoulder to shoulder." (Zephaniah 3:8,9)
The Lord calls to us to wait upon Him; to consider our spiritual condition and our need for Him. As we call out to Him with full recognition of our need and condition His is quick to cleanse and heal.
I pray that the Living Waters are flowing like a mighty river in your life today, but if the true reality is that the waters have diminished to a stagnant pond you can be assured of the possibility of new life and vitality as you come before Him with your need. Our Father has provided us with His Son to be the source of life-giving waters:
"whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." (John 4:14)
Drink deeply today.
Pastor Steve
posted by steve @ 8:54 AM
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