Rivers of Life

"He who believes in Me...out of his heart will flow rivers of living water" (John 7:38)

Jesus said that, if we have received His fullness, "rivers of living water" will flow out of us, reaching in blessing even "to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

Just think about that for a minute. You don't see the effects of this promise right now. And we really have nothing to do with this outflow because "This is the work of God that you believe in Him whom He sent" (John 6:29).

God doesn't always allow us to see how great a blessing we are to others.

Rivers are amazing to behold! A river is a persistent stream of water, overcoming all barriers. It goes steadily on its course until it comes to an obstacle. For a while the river is blocked, but eventually it will make a pathway around the obstacle. The river might drop out of sight for a while and then show up in another place even greater and stronger than before.

When we experience difficulties in our lives we get discouraged and sometimes dwell on the difficulty or obstacle that has appeared. It is at these times that we must pay attention to the Source, and God will either take you around the obstacle or remove it. The river of the Spirit of God overcomes all obstacles.

We must never focus our eyes on the obstacle or the difficulty. The obstacle means nothing to the river that will flow steadily through us if we will simply remember to stay focused on the Source. You must never allow anything to come between you and Jesus Christ. That includes emotions and experiences. Nothing must keep you from the one great sovereign Source.

Think of the healing and far-reaching rivers developing and nourishing themselves in our souls! God has been opening up wonderful truths to our minds, and every point He has opened up is another indication of the wider power of the river that He will flow through us. If you believe in Jesus, you will find that God has developed and nourished in you mighty, rushing rivers of blessing for others.

(Source: My Utmost For His Highest)