The Dead Sea

DCC Devotional: “The Dead Sea”
By Jeremy Vess

The Dead Sea is a fascinating body of water. Its high salinity and lack of outflow serve as a powerful metaphor for the spiritual life. Water flows into the Dead Sea, but it has no outlet, leaving it lifeless. In the same way, many Christians have a steady inflow of God’s Word but lack any outflow of ministry or service, leaving their spiritual lives stagnant and unproductive.

James 1:22-25 (NKJV) challenges us:
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

Hearing the Word without applying it makes us like the Dead Sea—full, but lifeless.

God’s design for His followers includes both receiving and giving creating a  balance of inflow and outflow. If we only receive, we dry up spiritually. If we only give without receiving, we risk burnout. Jesus modeled this perfectly, spending time in prayer and communion with the Father before ministering to others.

In John 4:31-34, Jesus explained this balance:
“My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.”
Jesus found sustenance in doing God’s work, even when physically tired. His encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well brought life to her and renewed Him.

Years ago, I had the opportunity to speak with a man named Ken Helser, who has been a musician, artist, and minister for many decades. He shared a story about conducting weekly meetings with young adults, where he regularly poured into them from God’s Word.

One week, after returning home from a long ministry trip, he felt completely depleted and considered canceling the meeting. By the time everyone arrived, it was too late to cancel. Exhausted, Ken told his wife, “I just feel so depleted and empty right now—I have nothing more to give.”

His wife encouraged him, saying, “Just go and let the Holy Spirit conduct the meeting. Be willing to receive.”

That evening, Ken opened up to the group, admitting he had nothing to give. One by one, the young adults began sharing revelations God had given them that week, pouring life and encouragement back into him. By the end of the meeting, Ken felt more rejuvenated than he had in years.

He told those young people, “You have poured life back into me tonight.”

He also told me, “Whatever you do in life and ministry, make sure it is ‘life back to you.’”

Application:

To thrive spiritually and avoid stagnation or burnout, we must maintain a rhythm of receiving from God, giving to others, and staying connected to the Body of Christ through fellowship:
1.Receive Regularly from God
Spend time in prayer, Scripture, and worship. Let God pour into your spirit so you have something to give.
2.Act on What You Receive
Share what God has given you. Teach, encourage, serve, or simply live out His Word. An active faith is a living faith.
3.Prioritize Fellowship
Fellowship with other believers is essential to staying spiritually healthy.
•Encouragement: When you’re weary, others can lift you up.
•Accountability: Fellow believers help keep you focused on Christ.
•Mutual Edification: As Ken experienced, others can share insights and revelations that renew and strengthen you.
Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us:
“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together…but exhorting one another.”
4.Assess Your Spiritual Flow
Ask yourself:
•Am I only receiving without acting on what I’ve learned?
•Am I giving so much that I feel drained?
•Am I investing in and receiving from fellowship with other believers?

Conclusion:
Being a producer in God’s Kingdom doesn’t mean endlessly giving without renewal. It’s about living a life where receiving, giving, and fellowship are in harmony. When we keep this balance, we bless others and find fulfillment ourselves, experiencing the joy of walking in God’s design.

Reflect today: Are you a producer, a consumer, or both? And most importantly, are you walking this journey alongside other believers? Let God guide you into a fruitful, balanced, and connected life that reflects His purpose.