Salt Water & the Mirage

  • Pastor Rick Millikin
  • Apr 29, 2007
  • Series: Thirst

Salt Water & The Mirage

Our Thirst For Bad Habits

 “Thirst” Series Part 5 of 5

April 29th 2007

John 4:  13-15

Rick Millikin

 

Why Bad Habits?

 

Because it’s hard to change Patterns.

 

15  “Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me some of that water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to haul water.” John 4:15 (NLT)

 

 

 

WHY IS IT SO HARD TO CHANGE BAD PATTERNS?

 

Because I have had them so long.

 

15 The leech has two suckers that cry out, “More, more!”ï‚£ There are three other things—no, four!—that are never satisfied:  the grave, the barren womb, the thirsty desert, the blazing fire. Proverbs 30 15-16 (NLT)

 

Because I can identify with them.

 

Because they have a payoff.

 

Because Satan discourages it.

 

 

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you keep obeying my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 (NLT)

 

How Do I Cooperate With God and Change?

 13  Jesus replied, “People soon become thirsty again after drinking this water. 14But the water I give them takes away thirst altogether. It becomes a perpetual spring within them, giving them eternal life.” John 4: 13-14

 

Focus on changing one area at a time.

 

“Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.” Proverbs 17:24 (NLT)

 

 

Think about victory one day at a time.

 

The Lord’s Prayer: “Give us our food for today…” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)

 

 

Rely on God’s Will not will power.

 

“Can a leopard take away its spots? Neither can you start doing good, for you always do evil.” Jeremiah 13:23 (NLT)

 

“For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.” Philippians 4:13 (NLT)

 

 

Surround myself with people who will HELP me not HINDER me.

 

“As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend.” Proverbs 27:17 (NLT)

 

 

“I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.” Philippians 1:6 (NLT)

 

 

“Those who want to do right more than anything else are happy, because God will fully satisfy them.” Matthew 5:6 (NCV)