Someone once joked, "For every woman to be healthy, she needs water, food and compliments." Though obviously meant to be funny, this statement, as with all jokes, contains an element of truth. The wellness of all women, men and children depends on food and water to sustain our bodies and meaningful relationships sustain our hearts—as well as a vital relationship with Christ, the living water and bread of life, to sustain our spirits. These needs persist from the womb to the tomb.

Nonetheless, too often we become so focused on caring for our natural bodies that we neglect our emotional and spiritual health. In addition to getting in our eight glasses of water daily, we must remember that spending time in the Word of God, prayer and fellowship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are our spiritual water. We need to drink from these things every day, consistently. And even then, we should still be thirsty and constantly seeking more of Him, more of His Spirit. I want to say out loud, "I am thirsty for more of God!" Even though I know I am in Christ and I already have all of Him, because I am His child, I want more.

Hear the words of Jesus:

On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water." By this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believe in Him would receive. For the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified (John 7:37-39).

Whenever I read this vibrant passage of Scripture, I find myself asking, "How can anyone preach the abundant life of His kingdom as if there is no Holy Spirit? And how thirsty must America become before we recognize the overwhelming need for rivers of living water to flow across our nation?"

I'm not just talking about the revival that God is bringing to America and the world. God has given the church a mandate to be the revival today. God is ready for us—co-heirs with Christ and emissaries of His Spirit—to be and become His living water. Just as we must be intentional about our water intake and nutrition, we must take time to cultivate a vital relationship with the Holy Spirit and renew our minds to His truth. Only then will we be effective for the kingdom of God. We should meditate on who He is and what His presence means in our lives:

1. This Holy Spirit is the promise of the Father, given to all who believe (Acts 2:39).
2. The Holy Spirit is the gift of God (Acts 2:38).
3. The Holy Spirit is given to those who ask (Luke 11:13).
4. The Holy Spirit is given to those who obey Him (Acts 5:32).
5. The Holy Spirit is given to those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they "shall be filled" (Matt. 5:6).
6. Come before your heavenly Father as His beloved child (Matt.18:3). To a child, the world looks huge and awe-inspiring. They are filled with wonder and faith.
7. Just as parents give their children their language as an evidence of their heritage, knowledge, communication, and power, the Holy Spirit gifts us with a holy language to communicate with His Spirit (Acts 2:4).

Today I want to ask you, Are you thirsty in your spiritual life? Is there a thirst in your heart? If so, the answer will be found in and through the Holy Spirit. He will fill and satisfy your needs. He will pour out living water that will leave you feeling refreshed and renewed.

If you have any questions about being filled by the Holy Spirit, please e-mail me at [email protected].

You are beautiful. I see Jesus in you!

Have an awesome week!

Mikel French has challenged spiritual awakening all across America, where many celebrations extended into multiple weeks, and has conducted celebrations in France, Sweden, Russia, Romania, Poland, Ukraine, Moldova, Serbia, Germany, South Africa, Malawi, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Haiti, Japan, Singapore, India and Thailand. He conducted an outreach celebration in Manila, Philippines, reaching 200,000 teenagers with the Book of Hope. Through the generous support of partners, he has presented the message of Jesus Christ to millions of people in the nation of Russia through televised citywide soul-winning celebrations. Mikel considers it an honor to assist in conducting the annual pastor's conference, where thousands of pastors from Russia's 11 time zones come for training, teaching and equipping. Mikel and his wife, Marsha, reside in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

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