Today I came across the same Scripture verse in two of my morning devotionals, John 7:38. I do not believe in coincidence, so I took some time to study the surrounding verses, as well as commentaries on these verses. I prayed for the words to write so I could explain how this verse spoke to me; perhaps in a way in which you can also relate.
John 7:38 is Jesus speaking as He says, “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them”. The preceding verse states, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink”. I fully embrace and believe the Word spoken by Christ in these two verses. What an amazing gift. What an eternal promise; one upon which we can confidently rely. Jesus is the well of life-giving water we are invited to come to. We are encouraged to drink and drink so that the same rivers of living water flow from us. This river, the Holy Spirit, is within each of us and Jesus exhorts us to let It pour out upon the world around us.
When I ignore my time in God’s Word, I find myself dry inside. Instead of flowing water I feel more like puffs of dust are spewing out of me. This does not mean the Holy Spirit is no longer living inside of me. I know without a doubt that I am sealed with the Holy Spirit and that I am guaranteed a heavenly inheritance (Eph 1:13-14). What it does mean is that I am ineffective to the world around me because I am not filled with a fresh supply of God’s Word and His living water.
I would not be as effective each day without my coffee. Every morning, I must refill that cup. It is the same for me with needing to refill each day with a fresh supply of Living Water from God’s Word. With my coffee in me I have more energy and focus to give and with the Word freshly in my heart and mind I have more to offer others than my own, limited opinion.
“Heavenly Father, I pray that I choose to spend time in Your Word daily so that I have a fresh supply of Your life-giving water within me. I pray that You provide me opportunities each day to let Your rivers flow through me. Lord Jesus, when I am simply blowing puffs of dust out of my mouth remind me that it is only through time spent in Your Word that I can be filled with flowing rivers. I ask for Your courage and Your strength to let those rivers freely flow in every situation I encounter. I Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.”
WITHDRAW weekly devotional
Author Kami R. Lobner
“Writing has always been a gift to me from God. There is no better avenue for me to communicate the true depths of my inner most thoughts and feelings. I was encouraged by my family and friends to write…anything…but to just write. So, I prayed about what to write and felt a calling to write daily devotionals. God has used my gift to put on paper what His Scripture means to me; my hope is that what I write hits a chord with those who choose to read the devotionals. I often include a short prayer in the devotionals I write. These prayers are meant to encourage and perhaps challenge us to pursue God’s Presence through scripture reading, meditating on God’s Word, bible studies and fellowship with other believers.
God has been good to me and to my family. I sincerely hope something God led me to put on paper provokes a thought in you or perhaps is that “little thing” you were needing to hear. None of these writings are from me, but from God and His gentle guidance to put thought and prayer on paper.
May God truly bless you!”
