Cherrapunji

Building One Another - Vol. 12, No.10
Dear Friend, Have you ever heard of Cherrapunji, India? The Guinness Book of World Records calls it the wettest place on earth. During the monsoon season Cherrapunji can receive nearly a yard of water a day. Imagine that! A Mr. Yule called attention to Cherrapunji in 1841 when he reported that during five successive days, thirty inches of water fell every twenty-four hours. [1] Amazing! Now consider this pivotal word from Jesus: "On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, 'Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink.' As the scripture has said, 'Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.' Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified." John 7:37-39* Jesus intends you to be a Cherrapunji of the Holy Spirit! "Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water." The Holy Spirit indwells, lives in those who trust in Jesus. As you open your life to the Spirit of God you will discover the Spirit’s desire is to fill you, surge through you, cascade out of you! This is not something you necessarily “feel” but rather know to be true because you trust the Lord who promises the Spirit to those who trust him by faith. Of course, when you resist the Spirit and engage in behaviors you know are not holy, the Spirit still indwells you, but the blessed influence on your life and actions is diminished. In that case, instead of being filled with the Spirit you have “quenched” the Spirit. Turn to the Lord who loves you, open yourself the filling of the marvelous Spirit of God, and be a Cherrapunji of the Spirit! [1] Axexander Frater Chasing the Monsoon (New York: Henry Holt and Company 1992) p. 254.
With joy - E. Stanley Ott Copyright 2013 E. Stanley Ott *Scripture from the NRSV.
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