Carey Kinsolving
Proverb 10:11 says, “Like a fountain of water, the words of a good person give life.”
“I think this Proverb means that you are always walking with a big pot of water over your head. Jesus will pour that big pot on your head when you are ready. That special water is called Living Water,” eight-year-old Tori said.
I can guarantee that Tori’s interpretation will not be found in any Bible commentary, but it provides food for thought or, in this case, water for a bath.
The word ‘baptise’ comes from the idea of immersing one thing into another so that the two are identified with each other.
Divine Union
Anyone who drinks the Living Water believes in Jesus as Saviour and is placed immediately into Union with Christ. This dry baptism is called “the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5).
If the words of the good person contain the Living Water of the gospel, Tori’s water pots contain symbolic application.
However, Hanah (6), offers another interpretation, “Whenever somebody wants to ride my bike, I can say Ok.”
Try looking at requests as opportunities instead of intrusions. Be grateful that someone thought enough of you to ask for something.
Happy Words
Six-year-old Kelsey feels happy whenever her parents say kind words to her.
Like yeast that makes dough rise, parents’ encouraging words leaven their children’s lives to develop character assets that lead to success.
Just a few words at the right time can make the difference between success and failure. Like little flowers, children yearn to bask in the sunshine of life-giving words from loving parents.
According to Morgan (8), you can trust people who are always nice to you, and always tell you the truth.
“It is like water, very cold water, and you know it will be good to drink. But if someone does not tell the truth, then you cannot trust him. It is like water that you know is hot, and it will not be good to drink.”
Hot Water
Talking to liars is like drinking hot water on a hot day.
It is refreshing to talk to someone who always tells the truth, but talking to a liar is exhausting. It takes a lot of work to figure out if you are being deceived. Skilled attorneys charge high fees to prove that someone is lying.
“To live, you must have water. You would die without water. If you do not have encouraging words in your life, or someone to build you up, you will probably die of loneliness,” Chelsie said.
After Jesus had fasted for 40 days, Satan tempted him to turn stones into bread.
Jesus resisted by quoting Scripture: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4; Deuteronomy 8:3).
God’s Words
Have you ever considered speaking the Word of God to someone for encouragement?
Make sure you speak it to yourself first.
If your life does not reflect the spiritual reality to which the Scriptures point, quoting Bible verses to others may sound hollow.
According to twelve-year-old Kristin, a good person gives advice and encourages you when you are down.
“They lift you up and give you life. You should always try to lift people up or give them life just like water. Water gives plants life. A good person gives life when they encourage you or gives water to you for life.”
Think about this: Jesus promised a reward for a cup of cold water given in his name.
Think about the reward for speaking encouraging words in his name.
Carey Kinsolving is an Auckland based storywriter and the above is a part of ‘Kids Talk about God’ distributed by Creators Syndicate. To access free, online ‘Kids Color Me Bible’ books, ‘Mission Explorers’ videos and all columns in a Bible Lesson Archive, visit www.KidsTalkAboutGod.org. To read journey-of-faith feature stories written by Carey Kinsolving, visit www.faithprofiles.org; Copyright 2014 Carey Kinsolving
