Get the appReflections On The Gospel Of John Sample
LET THE RIVERS FLOW As I read and studied Scripture recently, I came across a very interesting fact about the Jordan River that flows through the nation of Israel. The Jordan River is actually connected to two bodies of water; on the northern end there is the Sea of Galilee and on the southern end there is the Dead Sea.
Since thirty-five percent of the water in the Dead Sea is comprised of dissolved salt minerals, there are no fish or any other normal marine life in or near this body of water because it is deadly to most living things; therefore, this body of water is only suitable to certain forms of bacteria and algae that have adapted to this harsh environment.
The shores of the Dead Sea are characterized and coated with layers of salt crystals. And even though salt has qualities that are beneficial to us, the primary point to remember here is that life is not sustainable in this environment because there is no outlet that allows water (or life) to also flow out.
When I read this I thought about our lives as believers, and how each one of us would characterize ourselves based on the above mentioned bodies of water. Do we receive God’s Word and then allow the life-giving power of God given through the Holy Spirit to flow through us, or are we like the Dead Sea, holding everything in but never releasing anything out.
As believers in Christ, we are to be dispensers of the Blessing that we have freely received” (MAT.10.8)!
In other words, the gifts, talents, and resources that God blesses us with are not designed to be heaped and just stored up for ourselves; but are to be used, shared, and released to bless others so that they too will become beneficiaries of this new flowing life. Releasing and giving is key.
Jesus said, “He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water” (JHN.7.38, Amplified Bible).
When we release what we have, God continues to supply more (LUK. 6.38).
Remember, our faith must be moving, alive, and active; otherwise it is dead and of no use to anyone (JAS.2.26). So, don’t become stagnate; as you receive, let God’s life-giving power flow from you each day.
Since thirty-five percent of the water in the Dead Sea is comprised of dissolved salt minerals, there are no fish or any other normal marine life in or near this body of water because it is deadly to most living things; therefore, this body of water is only suitable to certain forms of bacteria and algae that have adapted to this harsh environment.
The shores of the Dead Sea are characterized and coated with layers of salt crystals. And even though salt has qualities that are beneficial to us, the primary point to remember here is that life is not sustainable in this environment because there is no outlet that allows water (or life) to also flow out.
When I read this I thought about our lives as believers, and how each one of us would characterize ourselves based on the above mentioned bodies of water. Do we receive God’s Word and then allow the life-giving power of God given through the Holy Spirit to flow through us, or are we like the Dead Sea, holding everything in but never releasing anything out.
As believers in Christ, we are to be dispensers of the Blessing that we have freely received” (MAT.10.8)!
In other words, the gifts, talents, and resources that God blesses us with are not designed to be heaped and just stored up for ourselves; but are to be used, shared, and released to bless others so that they too will become beneficiaries of this new flowing life. Releasing and giving is key.
Jesus said, “He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water” (JHN.7.38, Amplified Bible).
When we release what we have, God continues to supply more (LUK. 6.38).
Remember, our faith must be moving, alive, and active; otherwise it is dead and of no use to anyone (JAS.2.26). So, don’t become stagnate; as you receive, let God’s life-giving power flow from you each day.
Scripture
About this Plan
This devotional plan provides a different perspective on faith in the life of the believer utilizing Scripture references from the Gospel of John to challenge readers to change the way they think about everyday practical living. Faith is better classified as a verb; therefore, it must be alive and active to promote real change and lasting transformation.
More
