We started a tradition that seems to be really enjoyed by the staff at Zion and we are so thankful. Two times a year we do a “Spiritual Retreat” for our staff. It started as a half day event. Then we were ask to extend it to a full day. Then we were ask to extend it again. So, it has been one and a half days but this time it was about 2 days with the second half day showing the Jesus film. We do the retreat 2 times a year during the holiday for children so that the staff is more available and we hire a “sitter” for the 4 little ones.
This holiday we had the theme of “Living Water.” John 4: 14 says “but whoever drinks the water I give Him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
There was prayer, songs of praise, speakers and activities and food!
Some staff even shared their testimonies.
We were given challenges to carry the “Living Water” to others. Even with challenges, God asks us to go and proclaim His word to all the nations. Don’t let anything or any one hold you back. If you spill too much water, some might never hear or know. Don’t let Satan hold you down, discourage you or push you back.
Are you a pastor trying to save the church with your “plastic” or are you a bad guy trying to squelch the church or are you the church sticking together trying to carry the Word, the Living Water, to the people???
God has ask us to get into the water. Step out in faith. He is calling us to “get our feet wet.” Then when we are in the water, He wants us to continue to go deeper. Go deeper in our faith, in our trust, in our knowledge and our belief. It will get harder but God will never leave us or forsake us. Stick together with others of the faith and encourage each other. Sometimes we may even need to be carried.
Never give up! Don’t let Satan get in your way or slow you down. Hold on to God and He will see you through!
Revelation 22: 1-2 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
