John 7:37-38

When I read the blog post for this week by my long time friend Betty Fedrick, I immediately thought of the song by Phil Wickham, “I’ve Got a River of Life.” The lyrics are: “I’ve got a river of life flowin’ out of me, makes the lame to walk and blind to see, opens prison doors, sets the captives free, I’ve got a river of life flowin’ out of me. Betty shares of a time in her life when the Lord clearly showed her the need for us to be the vessel for the living water to flow out of to those around us.

Keep reading to hear her testimony…

John 7:37-39 ” …Jesus stood up and cried out, ‘If anyone is thirsty, he should come to Me and drink! The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said will have streams of water flow from deep within him. He said this about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were going to receive…” The very Spirit of God within us, overflowing to the lost because of our belief in Jesus! Amazing!

There was a specific time in my life when I was really seeking the Lord for more of His Spirit, more faith and more of an opportunity to make a difference in the Kingdom. We were on a very special trip to Honduras — a trip I expected to see miraculous things happen. Over and over it seemed that I was in conversations that led to me motioning with my hands in a way to demonstrate the water rising up in us. Often, we discussed this need for the “living water, welling up to overflowing” to flow out of us. I felt like I was filled to overflowing with “living water” and that Jesus in me was meant to overflow, to splash on those around me. Several times throughout the trip the Holy Spirit would remind and reinforce His teaching. From the tiny earthen water pitcher I saw and bought in the hotel gift shop in San Pedro Sula to the pastor’s conference in Pena Blanca. As I was praying fervently in preparation for the Pastor’s Conference, I saw a vision of a beautiful waterfall representing the living water flowing. As the conference proceeded an artist stood in the corner painting. When the conference was over, and her painting was displayed I was amazed to see the painting was of a beautiful waterfall. What confirmation of the Lord’s message! To top it off, one of the last days of our trip we went on a field trip to an awesome waterfall! It was a very powerful spiritual experience. The Lord showed me so clearly His power and ability to flow in all circumstances. We worshiped the awesomeness of God as His Presence was so evident there that day.

So, this verse is special to me for a specific time and to teach a powerful lesson: that when we are filled with the love of God it will flow out of us and into those around us. There are many other scriptures that goes along with this verse and reinforces it. Take a look at these:

John 4:13 “But whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty again-ever! In fact, the water I give him will become a well of water springing up within him for eternal life.”

Matthew 25:35 “For I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink.”

Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, because they will be filled.”

Revelation 22:17 “Both the Spirit and the bride say, “come!” Anyone who hears should say, ‘Come!’ And the one who is thirsty should come. Whoever desires should take the living water as a gift.”

In Jesus we are filled with “living water”, the Holy Spirit of God. It wells up within us and overflows to everyone around us that is thirsty for Truth. The lost has the thirst. We have the Thirst Quencher. Overflow!!!

Betty