FIRST THIRST

Friday night and Saturday our Alpha Course group had a “Holy Spirit Retreat.” Cissy and I got to host the Saturday sessions at our home.

In all we had four sessions, each with a DVD presentation followed by discussion, as well as eating three meals together.

Topics were:

“Who is the Holy Spirit?”

“What Does the Holy Spirit Do?”

“How Can I Be Filled with the Spirit?”

“How Can I Make the Most of the Rest of My Life?”

We were reminded that one of the great human cries is loneliness. The Holy Spirit helps us develop a meaningful and satisfying relationship with God. We looked at various Bible passages about the Holy Spirit.

Jesus spoke of the Spirit when he declared, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the Scripture said, `From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'”

After one of the sessions the group took an hour break for each person individually to meditate. As I sat by the creek I thought of the words of Jesus.

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.”

Then in the book of Revelation, Jesus tells of the invitation of the Spirit, “Let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.”

My prayer was, and is, “O Lord, create in me a thirst for all that You are and all that You have to give me. May I receive your Spirit and faithfully follow you and serve you in the world.”