The picture our Lord described here is not that of a simple stream of water, but an overflowing fountain. Continue to “be filled” ( Ephesians 5:18 ) and the sweetness of your vital relationship to Jesus will flow as generously out of you as it has been given to you. If you find that His life is not springing up as it should, you are to blame— something is obstructing the flow. Was Jesus saying to stay focused on the Source so that you may be blessed personally? No, you are to focus on the Source so that out of you “will flow rivers of living water”— irrepressible life ( John 7:38 ).

We are to be fountains through which Jesus can flow as “rivers of living water” in blessing to everyone. Yet some of us are like the Dead Sea, always receiving but never giving, because our relationship is not right with the Lord Jesus. As surely as we receive blessings from Him, He will pour out blessings through us. But whenever the blessings are not being poured out in the same measure they are received, there is a defect in our relationship with Him. Is there anything between you and Jesus Christ? Is there anything hindering your faith in Him? If not, then Jesus says that out of you “will flow rivers of living water.” It is not a blessing that you pass on, or an experience that you share with others, but a river that continually flows through you. Stay at the Source, closely guarding your faith in Jesus Christ and your relationship to Him, and there will be a steady flow into the lives of others with no dryness or deadness whatsoever.

Is it excessive to say that rivers will flow out of one individual believer? Do you look at yourself and say, “But I don’t see the rivers”? Through the history of God’s work you will usually find that He has started with the obscure, the unknown, the ignored, but those who have been steadfastly true to Jesus Christ.

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September 7, 2010

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

I woke up this morning and yesterday morning with the words to a contemporary Christian song rolling around in my head; “He’s not mad at you, He’s not disappointed. His love is greater than all your wrong choices”. (Come As You Are Pocket Full Of Rocks).

I was beating myself up a bit wondering what I did or could have done to have stopped the flow of living waters.

And God says…”You could not do anything to stop the joy and abundant life except to stop believing and trusting in Me. You are mine, and nothing can separate you from Me. You can however, stop experiencing the day to day joy and an abundant life if you believe the lie that you are undeserving because of something you did or did not do. My love and my grace cover you forever.

Trust, rest in Me and let My love flow from you to others. You will experience the joy and abundant life when you simply focus on Me. The joy and peace I give you becomes a river, as you give your life away to others.”

“Focus on Me and then others. This is how to live the abundant life and experience fountains of blessings”