A Minister’s Testimony by Michael Mooney, Exec. Elder
When I was in the Army, the drill instructors used to come through the battalion every few hours and announce “drink water!” Being stationed at Fort Benning GA, the heat was often intense. Whether or not we regularly replenished ourselves with water could be the difference between whether or not we lived to see tomorrow. I know this may sound a little over the top, but we actually had 3 soldiers in our camp die from heat strokes. For this reason, the sergeants were making sure to remind us to “drink water” to keep us
alive.
alive.
It is interesting to consider also how this life experience easily communicates a spiritual condition. I am reminded of when Jesus stood up and cried out:
If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (John 7:37-39, ESV).
In ministry I experience those times where I become tiered, weary in well doing, and lose the joy of my life’s purpose. Then I begin to wonder, “where is the Lord?” Almost every time this happens I can trace it back to becoming “busy” and forgetting to “drink water.” My spirit has been neglected and is not thinking clearly under the heated conditions of life.
I have often looked at John 7 and checked it off as a one-time experience thinking, “the Spirit has come, and I have received Him
as a believer.” While this perspective is not far from the truth, it lacks the depth of what Jesus was saying. When my body needs water, I do not only drink it once. No. I drink it every day. When my soul is needing refreshment, my experience is far from one who has “rivers of living water” flowing out. Rather, it is dry and lacking the joy of living.
as a believer.” While this perspective is not far from the truth, it lacks the depth of what Jesus was saying. When my body needs water, I do not only drink it once. No. I drink it every day. When my soul is needing refreshment, my experience is far from one who has “rivers of living water” flowing out. Rather, it is dry and lacking the joy of living.
My conclusion is that as a minister, I must take upon myself the responsibility to drink water, and to also remind those around
me to drink. Further, rivers of water should flow out of me so that there is plenty to offer the thirsty who have been wandering though dry and weary lands.
me to drink. Further, rivers of water should flow out of me so that there is plenty to offer the thirsty who have been wandering though dry and weary lands.
How do I do this? I remind myself regularly to press into the Spirit. Realize that He is with me and is my helper. Sometimes I have to move beyond how I feel, and offer the sacrifice
of praise and thanksgiving. We “enter his gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name!” (Psalms 100:4 ESV). This is how I drink from the cup that overflows (Psalms 23).
of praise and thanksgiving. We “enter his gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name!” (Psalms 100:4 ESV). This is how I drink from the cup that overflows (Psalms 23).
Elder Mooney,
Thank you for this post! Over the last several weeks I have had the need to replenish my body with water w/electrolytes…this is an excellent article filled with truths. I view NACM as a drinking well filled with encouragement, peace, love, joy and friendships. The NACM site has become a important part of my prayer life, meditation moments and a place to quench my thirst to receive a word from the Lord!
To God be the glory! For what you have done; again, I just want to thank you for your time and efforts. You make God smile
One thing that I have found that refreshes me and instantly brings me into the Spirit is Worship. I am blessed to play an instrument and able to bring an offering to our God.
It is so very easy to become dry in times of trials and physical stress. Thanks for these timely reminders to drink!
Responding to "A Minister’s Testimony" by Michael Mooney, Exec. Elder . . .
Thanks for your post on the necessity for water . . . both natural and spiritual.
Some "facts" that I picked up online:
As a general rule of thumb, a person can survive without water for about 3 days.
In addition, humans can actually survive crazy amounts of time without any type of food, liquid or otherwise, as long as they still have adequate water. Depending on health and body size, it's estimated that a healthy person can last between 30 and 40 days without eating a single bite.
Survival experts apply the "rule of threes" to lasting without essentials. You can go about three weeks without food, three days without water, three hours without shelter, and three minutes without air.
We need water . . .
"Let Your Living Waters by Ntokozo Mbambo
Let Your living water flow over my soul,
Let your Holy Spirit come and take control,
Of every situation that has troubled my mind,
All my cares and burdens on to you I roll.
Father, Father, Father."
Once again, thanks Exec. Elder Mooney for your post.
Peace and Grace and Blessings from David Ramkumar. ❤️?
I find meditating in His Word – praying certain Scriptures that remind me of abiding in Him, as well how much He loves me and desires fellowship with me – greatly quenches the thirst of my spirit for the Lord. It's all part of "seeking Him, seeking 'His Face', with all your heart and mind, which He promises and loves to reward (with His Presence). We cannot minister what we don't ourselves have, so if we're depleted spiritually our ministering will reflect that. Fruitful relationships and impacting ministering is an overflow of being well hydrated in the Living Water.
Amen! Amen! And Amen!