By Pastor Ryan Stockstrom

Harvest Church

This past Sunday, as we gathered again for our Signs of Life series, I found myself struck by something deeply familiar—yet freshly powerful. We’ve been talking about spiritual growth—about what happens when someone genuinely puts their faith in Jesus. We’ve discussed the outward and inward signs that follow: changes in our thinking, our actions, our desires. Last week, we talked about pulling the weeds—those sins and distractions that choke out our spiritual progress. But this week? This week was all about water.

There are things we can do that fuel our growth—practices like reading Scripture, praying, investing in real community. They’re like nutrients for our spiritual growth.

But here’s the kicker: in the physical world, such as trying to grow plants, no matter how many nutrients we try to add, if we’re missing one key ingredient, nothing will grow. That essential element? Water.

In the plant world, water is absolutely vital. It fuels photosynthesis, transports nutrients, strengthens plant cells, and literally allows plants—and us—to breathe. The byproduct of a plant’s water use, is our oxygen!  No water, no plant, no life. Period.

And just like in the natural world, there’s a spiritual water we can’t live without.

That water, Jesus says in John 4, is knowing Him—more specifically, it’s knowing Him and the power of the Holy Spirit. When He spoke with the Samaritan woman at the well, He offered her “living water”—something that would quench her soul’s thirst forever. In John 7, He made it crystal clear: the living water is the Holy Spirit, God’s own presence poured into our lives.

As I studied this week, it hit me all over again: the Holy Spirit isn’t just a nice add-on to our faith. He is the water. Without Him, nothing grows. Without Him, the rest of it—church, prayer, Scripture reading—dries up. But with Him? Life flows. Transformation begins.

In Ezekiel 36, God promises to cleanse us with water and give us a new heart, placing His Spirit within us. Paul echoes this in Titus 3, calling it the “washing of rebirth.” The Holy Spirit refreshes, fills, cleanses, and empowers us. He is the source of spiritual vitality.

And then Jesus makes it deeply personal in John 14. He tells His disciples He’s sending an “Advocate”—Paraklˉetos (Grk)—a Helper, a Comforter, a Counselor. The Spirit will dwell with them and be in them. That promise isn’t just for the twelve—it’s for all who trust in Jesus. 

Here’s what the Holy Spirit does:

He Connects Us with God – Making spiritual truths come alive (1 Cor. 2:14).

He Fills Us – Not with chaos, but with boldness, joy, and the fruit of the Spirit (Eph. 5:18, Gal. 5:22-23).

He Empowers Us – To live and speak boldly for Jesus (Acts 1:8).

He Assures Us – That we belong to God (Rom. 8:15-16).

He Helps Us Pray – Especially when we don’t know how (Rom. 8:26-27).

He Makes God’s Love Real – Pouring it into our hearts (Rom. 5:5).

He Transforms Us – Little by little, into the likeness of Jesus (2 Cor. 3:18).

Here’s great news- the Holy  Spirit isn’t a bonus for the super-spiritual—He is the life source for all who believe in Jesus. Just as a plant will wither without water, so will our faith without the Holy Spirit.

So if you’re feeling spiritually dry, don’t just add more ‘fertilizer’—don’t just try harder. Start with water. Ask for the Spirit. Invite His presence. Let Him flood your life. He’ll empower your prayers, energize your Bible reading, and breathe life into your soul again.

As Jesus said, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.” (John 7:37)

May we be the kind of people who live deeply connected to the Spirit of God—the living water—flowing in and through us, bringing life wherever we go.

If you want more, please check out our website at harvestfrazee.org or give us a visit!  We’d love for you to join us on a Sunday at 10:00am.  God bless you. – Pastor Ryan