A fountain, river, or what?

Would you like a fountain (or a well) that's supplied with fresh, spring-fed water, 24/7?

Would you like this fountain to live in you?

You and I can have this.

Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." John 4:13-14

Maybe we would also enjoy rivers of living water that flow from our spiritual hearts.

This is also available all of the time.

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, Whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7:37-39

Or would we prefer something else to be in us and going out of us?

Knowledge?

Sounds good.

Let's remember though that knowledge puffs up but love builds up. 1 Corinthians 8:1

Wisdom?

Sounds good, too, because wisdom is the principal thing. Proverbs 4:7

However, let's remember that the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God the Father. 1 Corinthians 3:19

Shouldn't we seek for the wisdom that the Holy Spirit teaches? 1 Corinthians 2:13

Traditions of our church?

Since these may have been taught and practiced for many years, should they be good to have in us and shared by us?

These can't be wrong because so many have followed them for so long, right?

Paul wrote, Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, and they will turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths. 2 Timothy 4:2-4

Jesus said to religious leaders who followed traditions, Mark 7:1-5

"Rightly did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written:

'This people honors Me with their lips,

But their heart is far away from Me.

And in vain do they worship Me,

Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'

Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men."

He was also saying to them, "You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition." Mark 7:6-9

FOUNTAIN of WATER

If you choose a fountain (or well) of water from Jesus that springs up into everlasting life, how can you drink from that source and never have spiritual thirst again? John 4:10, 13-14

If we hunger and thirst for righteousness, Jesus said that we would be satisfied. Matthew 5:6

There's a washing of water with the word [the Bible] that could be a way to drink. Ephesians 5:25-26

We could meditate the word day and night to be doers of the word James 1:22 so that we can be successful. Joshua 1:8

How about if we worship the Father in spirit and in truth? John 4:23-24

Since He is the source of the fountain of water, Isaiah 55:1 to think about Him Isaiah 26:3 and His influence in life, Philippians 4:8 should help us taste and see that the Lord is good. Psalm 34:8; 1 Peter 2:3

We might have fellowship with the Holy Spirit 2 Corinthians 13:14 and drink of this Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13

RIVERS of LIVING WATER

If you choose to also have (we want both a fountain and rivers, don't we?) rivers of living water flowing from you, John 7:37-39 how can you get these waters to run?

Perhaps we need to know that these rivers are divine and are designed to help others.

In what ways?

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My [Jesus] witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth." Acts 1:8

The seven Spirits of God are sent forth into all the earth. Revelation 5:6

What qualities are in these rivers?

The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him [Jesus],

The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,

The Spirit of counsel and might,

The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. Isaiah 11:2

All of these from the Lord could help others.

Is there supernatural power in these rivers of living water of the Holy Spirit? John 7:37-39

These rivers can supply a word of wisdom, a word of knowledge, healing, miracles, edification, exhortation, and comfort [through prophecy], and more. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11; 14:3, 24-25

If the rivers of living water are in Spirit-filled believers, John 7:37-39; Acts 2:4; 8:14-17; 9:17; 10:44-48; 19:1-6 it might be that these are released when there's a DEMAND for what they can do.

It's clear from the Bible that the Lord Jesus Christ had the Holy Spirit without measure, that is, without any reduction of power, knowledge, wisdom, or any other divine ability. John 3:34; 16:15

He was anointed with the Holy Spirit and power Who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil because the Father was with Him. Acts 10:38

He healed all kinds of sickness and disease and removed evil spirits from people through this finger of God. Matthew 4:23-24; Mark 16:9; Luke 11:20

But in His hometown area, Jesus couldn't do many [or any] miracles there because of the residents' unbelief. Matthew 13:54, 58; Mark 6:5-6

Their unbelief stopped or hindered the flow of the rivers.

At another time, Jesus was teaching and religious leaders were in the audience.

"The power of the Lord was present to heal them," the Bible states. Luke 5:17

But there wasn't a DEMAND for that power so the rivers were NOT released to heal.

At times Jesus walked among crowds so that they were pressing into Him. Mark 5:24; Luke 8:42

But the rivers of living water did NOT always flow into the multitudes.

Why not?

NO DEMAND for it.

At other places, people sought to touch Him because power went out from Him and healed them all. Luke 6:19

A woman with a blood disease touched Jesus and was healed. Luke 8:43-44

Jesus said, "Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me." Luke 8:46

She made a DEMAND for the rivers of living water as she said within herself, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well." Mark 5:28

Others were bumping into Jesus in the crowd Mark 5:24, 31 but didn't receive the healing power.

If living waters are in us, maybe we can get these to run to help others when we testify about Jesus John 15:26 and glorify Him as the Holy Spirit does. John 16:13-14

Then if there's a need for any of His abilities in these rivers, we can encourage others to "Fear not and only believe." Luke 8:50

Maybe an act of faith could release the rivers --

And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, "Look at us." So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk."

And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. Acts 3:4-8

Or a command of faith could open the dam for the rivers --

There he [Peter] found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed." Then he arose immediately. Acts 9:33-34

And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, "Stand up straight on your feet!" And he leaped and walked. Acts 14:8-10

Or laying on of hands Hebrews 6:1-2 could be the Lord's way to bring healing rivers --

Jesus said, "They [believers] will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." Mark 16:17-18; Acts 14:3

The fountain of water is for us John 4:13-14 and the rivers of living water John 7:37-39 are to benefit others.

The Father blesses us and then others through us.

Now to the One Who is able to keep you from falling, and to cause you to stand, rejoicing, without blemish before His glorious presence, to the only God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time, and now, and for all eternity. Amen. Jude verses 24-25

Your thoughts?

R. Jason