Brigette Wagner Ministries

“…My cup runs over”  Psalm 23:5

Have you ever run out of gas?  If you have, then you know how horrible it feels.  I remember many years ago running out of gas on my way to school one day.  I was driving early in the morning on some back roads in SC.  ”Without warning”, my car car engine stopped.  I began to panic as I maneuvered my car to the side of the road.  In examining the dashboard for “clues” as to why the engine had stopped, I discovered that I had run out of gas.

In those days, cell phones were not as easily accessible as they are now.  So, I began walking to class.  Thankfully, a college professor gave me a ride to school and my mother helped me later in the day with my “empty tank” situation.

I love the gas feature on my current car.  It tells me how many miles I have left to drive before reaching “0″.   Trust me, I know that my car will make it to “0″.  But I don’t want to find out how far it will go on “0″ before it stops.

As children of God and workers in His Kingdom, we also run ourselves down to “0″ sometimes.   God wants us to use our giftings, anointings, talents, and skills for His glory.  His Word says that we are to be “salt” and touch people’s lives in many various ways.  However, we also have to use wisdom and keep a close check on our “gauges”. 

We may fool ourselves into thinking that we are making a difference for Him, but friends, if we are “running on empty” then we have absolutely nothing to give into the lives of others.

 As I sat at the piano this morning singing and worshipping, the Lord brought this old song back to my memory (written by Richard Blanchard).  It was a blessing to me.  I hope it blesses you, as well….

Like the woman at the well I was seeking
For things that could not satisfy;
And then I heard my Savior speaking:
“Draw from my well that never shall run dry”.

Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up, Lord!
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul;
Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more–
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole!

There are millions in this world who are craving
The pleasures earthly things afford;
But none can match the wondrous treasure
That I find in Jesus Christ my Lord.

Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up, Lord!
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul;
Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more–
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole!

So, my brother, if the things this world gave you
Leave hungers that won’t pass away,
My blessed Lord will come and save you,
If you kneel to Him and humbly pray:

Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up, Lord!
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul;
Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more–
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole!

He WILL fill your cup!  He WILL fill it to overflowing!  It simply takes a deliberate act of “lifting up your cup” to the Lord, being willing to remove the “unhealthy things” in your life, and allowing Him to pour out His Spirit over your daily decisions and activities.

*Photo above taken from www.photobucket.com

  2 Cor 3:6-18  says, “He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit, for the letter kills but the Spirit gives life.”

Covenant.  What is covenant?  Where did the term come from?  How can it be explained?  Is it important in our lives?

There’s much to learn about covenant and the importance it has in our lives.  Covenant in the Old Testament was ”a set of promises with rules and conditions, whereby an agreeable or profitable relationship may exist between two parties. A covenant can be the express will and testament of one party, by which the other party, if compliant, gains an inheritance.” (taken from www.simplybible.com)

Covenant was made between God and man when God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, thereby setting the “law” or “letter” in place for His people.

Covenant or “contract” was made between two people when they were doing business together and required each person to pierce their hand or wrist and mix their blood to “seal the deal”.

In the Old Testament, when one entered into covenant, he/she  basically promised to abide by a set of rules and regulations.  But God sent Jesus into this world to deliver us from the old covenant and bring life through the new covenant.

2 Cor 3:6-18  says, “He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit, for the letter kills but the Spirit gives life.”

The old covenant resulted in anger, punishment, and even death.  The new covenant extends peace, forgiveness, grace, and life.

You see, we enter into covenant with our spouses, children, friends, family members, etc.  But my friends, let me be very clear - our most important covenant relationship is the one we have with our Heavenly Father.   He ALWAYS gets our first, our best, our loyalty, our commitment, and our obedience – above all other relationships! 

It is through Him that we are saved, called, and destined for His purpose.  Galations 3:26-27 reminds us that “…by faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God.”  It’s the blood of Jesus that flows freely to you and me so that we can walk in covenant with the Most High God.

There have been times in my life where I’ve had to choose between my loyaly to a friend and my loyalty to the beliefs and convictions that God has embeded in my spirit.  It’s never easy to make that choice, especially when you love someone.  But it’s the ONLY choice if we want to walk in complete obedience to the will of God and His covenant with us.

NEVER should our covenant with another person come before our covenant with our Lord!

Hang in there, Friends!  Christ came to give us abundant life.  When you accepted Him as your personal Savior, you entered into the greatest covenant known to man.  You are covered by His blood, saved by His grace, and guided by His Almighty Hand!

~Picture above taken from www.freefoto.com