What and How are you being Poured into?(This is part two of the series, enjoy.)
Psalm 62:8 NIV
“Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge”.
Isaiah 44:3 NIV
’For I will pour out water on the thirsty land, And streams on the dry ground.
I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring, And My blessing on your descendants”
Romans 5:5 NIV
“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Do you see the invitation from God in those verses? As we enter in as Sons and Daughters, we receive from Him, He pours into us all we need through the Holy Spirit. Remember to be poured out, we’ve got to first be poured into!
Pour is defined as: is to send (a liquid, fluid, or anything in loose particles) flowing or falling, as from one container to another, or into, over, or on something.
Pour into or out: is to give a lot of to something, with the idea of making it successful, or too freely express something.
Ok now we have a definition.
Imagine a Beautiful Pitcher of water on a table, that holds your attention. Now you are that lovely pitcher who at this exact moment is full to the brim with enough liquid to satisfy the thirst of those at the table. You are prepared, ready and waiting, to be poured out.
But we know that every pitcher left in the “pour out” position can’t stay full for long!
For again ‘you can’t pour from an empty glass’ right?
Right, an empty pitcher needs refilling, for water to pour into the waiting vessels.
This is true for us. We need to be constantly refilled, nourished, sustained, refreshed and topped up by encounters with Holy Spirit, Jesus and God, and by His Word, so that we can keep being poured out for them, to others.
Now whose job or responsibility is it to stay filled up? If you’re at a restaurant it’s the waiter’s job to ensure your vessel is always filled up, if you’re at a friend’s home it’s the host’s job, if you’re hosting at home, then it’s your job to ensure the vessels of your guests are topped up and filled up to the brim with refreshing liquid.
Are you getting it? It’s your responsibility first and foremost is to stay filled up by being with God in His presence and in His Word, listening to Him and asking Him questions.
So how do we stay filled up, and live the abundant life, day in and day out?
In Luke 5 we see this phrase “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” this shows us Jesus who is God, knew how important and essential it was to take retreat and pray so that He could be filled up and given instruction by His Father.
We know the result, Jesus was refreshing and inspiring to be around, everyone wanted to be close to Him to Be in the Room with Him to receive from Him. His cup was full and always flowed over onto others. He is our model, our go too, our Lord and Saviour, our friend.
We follow Jesus. For He knew the VIP of being filled up, living in the abundance and overflow that’s poured into Him by His Father, stayed plugged into the Power of God, the Holy Spirit.
What did He do? ABIDE! Jesus knew how to Abide as a Son, and when, where and why to abide. I’m wondering do we.
Let’s leave it there and touch on Abide and boasting in our weaknesses in part 3.
Challenge time: Grab some space free of distractions, and your journal and go be with the Lord, record what He says.
1. Ask the Lord, what is actually pouring into me? (write down what He says to you)
2. Ask the Father, with the things that are pouring into you, are they life giving or not life giving? (Once again write down what He says to you)
3. Now with each point that He has shown you that is not life giving ask Him what He is willing to exchange it with. Maybe say a prayer like ‘Father I give you ________(one of the point that is not live giving ) what are you going to give me in return ? (write down what He says ) Then repeat for other points that He has shown that are not life giving.
The amazing and mind-blowing thing about God is He is always wanting to exchange to give the increase He hasplanned for us.
4. Choice time: Do you want to accept an exchange? Do you want to put down what’s not working, and pick upwhat He’s shown you will work, for the increase He has for you?
If so, maybe pray a simply prayer like “Father I choose to give you (what You’ve shown me that isn’t life giving that pouring into me) ________ and I pick up (what You’ve shown me is life giving and ask that it fills me in greater measure)_____ so I may have the increase You planned for me, and share it with others.
Remember: what the Lord shows, reveals and pours into us, is never just for us, but for the benefit of others, so all may experience the Good News of Jesus.5. Give Him Thanks. 6. Cut loose and have a Dance Party and/ or Time of Worship where God gets all the Glory, Adoration and Praise from your heart.
Father we thank you for Your goodness and faithfulness to us Your Sons and Daughters. We pray that as you pour into us a hunger to be with You more and in Your Word, we will go on to teach and ignite to others the same hunger to be with You and in Your Word. In Jesus name. Amen
Craig and Winnie Patten
Itinerate Pastor/Apostolic Leaders
Encounter Ministries
I would like to thanks our Editor and Co writer of this part of this series. Paula Blackie we honour you for all you are and do in editing theses messages, the input in our messages and helping equip the saints for their ministries through our ministry !
