From the Crucible (by Pastor Linda Pugsley)

Are you a rain barrel or a sieve? Ever see a rain barrel? it doesn’t fill itself, it has to have a flow come to it. When full, there is plenty of water, sometimes to overflowing. But if you put a sieve on the same drain spout, the water would just leak out all over and never be there for you or for anyone else’s use. Do you know people like that? God’s flowing all the time, but they are never full of His Spirit or His love or His joy. They woefully complain that God doesn't flow to them. That’s because God is so wise. He never wastes anything and is not stupid. You’ll often receive His mercy, but He will not pour out His blessings, strength and understanding, etc., to a vessel with holes in it! Sin is the hole in your rain barrel! Stop poking holes with your disobedience. Plug up the holes with repentance and obedience to God’s directions and watch how you will be filled to overflowing; plenty for you and others, too. God says you will never thirst again! Oorah! (Psalm 23:5, Prov 3:10, John 6:35)  

---