Matt Chandler, Lead Teaching Pastor at The Village Church started a series a few weeks back called “A Beautiful Design”. We have been, once again challenged to the core and challenge you to listen to the entire series. This week is the first of the series: “In The Beginning” (Part 1). Paul David Tripp, one of our favorite speakers, writers and teachers, and founder of Paul Tripp Ministries, challenges us this week from his Wednesday Word called “Dehydration”! Jeff & Cheryl Scruggs were interviewed last weekend, Oct 5th, 2014, at Hope Fellowship Church in Frisco, Texas. Join them as they share their heart.

Listen to Matt Chandler

“A Beautiful Design” (Part 1)

[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/105654882[/vimeo]

Paul David Tripp

Wednesday’s Word

DEHYDRATED

There are some verses that I wish weren’t on the pages of my Bible. I do believe that all Scripture is breathed out by God, inerrant and sufficient, but that doesn’t mean I can’t wrestle with some of the words that are written.

Take Psalm 42, for instance. “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” (Psalm 42:1-2)

I wish those two sentences weren’t in the Bible. Why? Because the Lord authored those verses knowing in advance that his children would experience spiritual dehydration.

I wish that I was never parched. I wish that when I met Christ, my soul would overflow with passion and energy forever. After all, Jesus said “whoever drinks of the water that I give him will never be thirsty again” (John 4:14). So why do I experience periods in my life of faith when I feel dehydrated?

If you’ve been a Christian for longer than a week, you should know that your experience is filled with bumps and bruises. In some cases, you’ll feel as if you have nothing left. That’s what Psalm 42 depicts: a deer desperate for a drink of water, even from a muddy puddle, because it can?t continue without refreshment.

Have you ever been there in your walk with God – lost, dehydrated, and wanting to give up? There are many things I could say about spiritual dehydration, but I?ll only give you two main points for this week.

First, your conversion provides no guarantee of the absence of spiritual dehydration. In fact, the Bible almost assures that your life will be filled with suffering. Some of the earliest disciples needed their soul strengthened and encouraged because they were facing many tribulations (Acts 14:22).

Second, Jesus experienced dehydration just like you. Jesus’ words of “I thirst” (John 19:28) are popular, but perhaps one of the most transparent moments of his earthly ministry came when he said, ?My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.? (Matthew 26:39)

There was a time when even Christ didn?t want to take one more step. But as the God-Man, he did what you and I couldn?t do: he continued on his own strength. Christ took all the steps necessary to Calvary so that when you and I have nothing left, we can rely on him for our strength.

If you?re experiencing spiritual dehydration, don?t be surprised – it?s part of the Christian life. And when you do experience debilitating spiritual weakness, rely on your Savior, who took the steps for you. His power is made perfect in your weakness.

In the following weeks, I’ll say more about this subject.

God bless

Paul David Tripp

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

What are some other verses that you wish weren’t included in the Bible?

Why does God weave verses of difficulty, suffering, and pain into The Good News?

In what ways are you – or have you been – spiritually dehydrated?

What should we do in the midst of spiritual dehydration? (NOTE: more on this in the following weeks)

How can you minister to others in the midst of their spiritual dehydration?
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Jeff & Cheryl Scruggs

Watch from Hope Fellowship Church, Frisco, Texas

[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/108022032[/vimeo]

So the holidays are over, relatives are gone, decorations are packed away neatly til next year. Stillness covers the walls of your home. You lay your head back against your favorite chair holding a cup of freshly brewed coffee. You contemplate the last month or so. So much hustle and bustle, so much rushing around to find the perfect gift, too much money spent (especially this year with the surge from the economic downturn).

Your mind wanders. You take a sip of “Joe” — You think about your spouse and marriage. Married 1 month, 1 year, 7 years, 30 years, you wonder where you two are. What kind of marriage do we have?

Many individuals evaluate the state of there marriage after the holiday season. They potentially forget where their marriage stood before Dec 1st.

2009 is a new year. Are there any changes you would like to see in your marriage this year? What are they? Have you done a self-evaluation of yourself and what kind of spouse you are? Are you Loving? Do you have Joy? Are you Peaceful? Have you lost Patience? How Kind are you? Gentle? Are you brimming with Goodness? Are you Faithful? Do you exude Self-control?

I am challenging myself on these questions this year. My desire is to see my marriage grow and flourish in 2009. How about you?