STAY AT THE ALTAR: To Be, To Do
- LifewithJesus
- Nov 24, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: Nov 27, 2024
I will stay on the altar
To drink of the living water
Till I overflow
I will be satisfied
For this is what the nation needs
The above lines are from one of my favorite songs by Minister Dunsin Onyekan, and it speaks so much life to me and by the help of the SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD; decided to write on it.
To drink of the living water signifies an active choice to engage with God, allowing His Spirit to fill us. As we drink, we experience renewal, strength, and satisfaction that can only come from Him. It is in this sacred space that we find the fullness of life that Jesus promised—an abundance that transforms us from the inside out.
Till I Overflow speaks to the ultimate goal of our relationship with God. Just as a vessel that is filled to the brim will spill over, so too will our lives reflect the goodness of God when we are fully immersed in His presence. The overflowing is not merely for our benefit; it is for those around us. As we are filled with the Holy Spirit, love, joy, and peace naturally spill out into our families, communities, and the world.
I will be satisfied reflects our deep yearning for fulfillment in a world that often leaves us wanting. True satisfaction comes from knowing Jesus and experiencing His love and grace. When we drink from the well of living water, we find a contentment that transcends our circumstances.
For this is what the nation needs reminds us of our calling as believers. In a world filled with despair, uncertainty, and confusion, people are longing for the hope and healing that only JESUS Christ can provide. As we overflow with His Spirit, we become vessels of His grace, reaching out to those in need, and offering them a taste of the living water we have received.
Let's break it further down; The same way a vessel or bucket can not overflow unless they are full, the same way we can’t overflow until we are filled with the HOLY SPIRIT, power, light, understanding, love....
What you are filled up is what you overflow with; that’s why you need to stay at the Altar to first BE.
The journey of overflowing, being a blessing starts with us being transformed.
What am I being? What’s to be about?
The life of a believer goes beyond salvation; salvation is the beginning of our Christian faith and walk with GOD. The goal is to be transformed continually to be like JESUS.
We were predestined to be like JESUS CHRIST and that’s what ‘TO BE’ is all about.
Romans 8:29 NKJV
“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”
So the ultimate goal is To BE LIKE JESUS, in character, deeds, action, love, ways….in all to BE LIKE HIM.
And this is the journey beyond salvation. The process that makes you like CHRIST in experience. You can be saved and not transformed.
So, we stay at the Altar, to continually behold, drink from the wells of Living water, and learn from GOD. Let HIM teach us, minister to us, and slowly we become transformed, more like JESUS; equipped, and empowered for good works (our bellies flowing with living waters of love, light, power, miracles, peace, Joy…..
II Corinthians 3:18 NKJV
“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
Now why is it important to first BE?
The same way a vessel or bucket can not overflow unless they are full, the same way we can’t overflow until we are filled with the HOLY SPIRIT, power, light, understanding, love.
What you are filled up is what you overflow with; that’s why you need to stay at the Altar first rightly to BE.
The Encounter at the Gate Beautiful
Peter and John at the gate beautiful met a leper and told him to look at them, and then they said to him such as I have, I give you:
Acts 3:4 NKJV
“And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.””
Acts 3:6 NKJV
“Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.””
Peter and John said what I do have I give, you can only give what you have, they were full of the SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD, and the healing power of GOD flowed through them, they carried that anointing and that’s why they could heal the leper to the glory of GOD ALMIGHTY.
Let’s stop and reflect here:
I asked myself a question and it’s to reflect, What do you have to give? What do you carry as a Christian that can inspire people? Is it love, healing, aid, and peace?
Can they look to you and see the healing power of JESUS, the love of JESUS flowing through you?
That’s why you need to first BE, be full of light, love power, to overflow to nations, cos you only give such and as much as you have.
The journey of overflowing and being a blessing to others begins with our own transformation.
So we stay to drink of the living water to first rightly BE.
To Drink of the Living Water
What does it mean to drink of the Living water?
Who is the Living water?
The living water is the SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD.
The living water is the Holy Spirit. Jesus extended the offer to everyone (“anyone” in John 7:37 and “whoever” in verse 38).
Remember the story of JESUS and the Samaritan women at the well?
John 4:10, 14 NKJV
“Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.””
The light that comes with the continuous knowledge and revelation of who JESUS is life everlasting.
John 17:3 New International Version
Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
John 7:37 NKJV
“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.”
John 7:39 NKJV
“But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”
So when we stay to drink of the living water, it assures us that we’ll be satisfied
I’ll be satisfied
Satisfaction is the state of being content, the feeling that one’s needs or wants are met.
So in this world, where it's always one thing after the other; whether it’s a job, relationships, marriages, peace, finances, or different situations; in our world today where Satisfaction seems to be a rare condition; can we ever be satisfied and if yes, how?
John 6:35 answers this:
“And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.”
John 6:26-27 NKJV
“Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.””
Gotquestions summarizes it
Life is simplified when we recognize that our purpose is simply to reflect the glory of God in the unique ways He designed us to shine (1 Corinthians 10:31; 2 Corinthians 5:20). When we make it our goal to live for Christ, the result is a satisfaction that carries into eternity. Even when earthly needs or wants clamor for attention, our souls know this state is temporary and our eternal satisfaction is just ahead. “You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Psalm 16:11; cf. Matthew 6:19–21).
So when we stay to drink of the living water, it assures us that we’ll not only be satisfied but also overflow to nations.
This is what the nation needs.
Why? To see JESUS REVEALED, JESUS GLORIFIED.
Romans 8 tells us that “The entire universe is standing on tiptoe, yearning to see the unveiling of God’s glorious sons and daughters!”
“For against its will the universe itself has had to endure the empty futility resulting from the consequences of human sin. But now, with eager expectation, all creation longs for freedom from its slavery to decay and to experience with us the wonderful freedom coming to God’s children.”
Nature, creature isn’t what it’s supposed to be, we have so much hurt, pain in the world, natural disasters, nature working against itself; that’s why the world needs us, they need light, they need JESUS.
And for this; you need to abide in JESUS to be able to bear fruits, good fruits, that your light shines for the world to see your good works of love, light, joy, peace and the glorify GOD in HEAVEN. JESUS REVEALED, JESUS GLORIFIED.
Luke 4:18-19 NKJV
““The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.””
John 15:4-5 NKJV
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
Also Matthew 5:16 NKJV encourages us; “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
And it’s the SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD, GOD HIMSELF that works in us to do and will of his good pleasure
Philippians 2:13 NKJV
“for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”
Why?
Philippians 2:15 NKJV answers this; “that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,”
People's destinies, healing, and lifting are dependent on you; BE A LIFE-GIVING SPIRIT; Stay, wait, and drink from the well of living waters.
Imagine if the lame guy never met Peter and John at the gate Beautiful?
BE A LIFE-GIVING SPIRIT.
In summary; Staying at the altar, drinking deeply from the well of living water, and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us are foundational to fulfilling our purpose as light-bearers in a world that desperately needs to see Christ.
Start well, yes, but still stay, abide; and be the light this world needs, so help us GOD; Amen Amen🙏
Prayer
LORD I thank you for it is you that works in me do to and will of your good pleasure; I ask for the continuity grace, the grace to continue LORD, to continually behold, to continually look unto you, unto the goal of being like YOU all around; as I am Lord, help me to be a blessing to all around me. Help me Lord to have the diligence, dedication, sacrifice I need to stay and abide in you continuously; to be a life giving spirit LORD to a world that is hurting; help me be a light to my world, for people to see YOU through me and in me; in my action, deeds and words LORD.
LORD HELP US BE A LIFE-GIVING SPIRIT.
This we pray and ask in JESUS name, Amen🙏
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