More Water & Spirit

Still pondering on the water and spirit thing.  Living waters are on my mind today.  What is living water as opposed to dead water?

Living water is moving -- like a brook or a river -- bringing life to fish and water creatures, graceful trees on its banks, and perhaps even being used for drinking water.  Living water has both an inflow source and an outflow ... it continually replenishes itself and in so doing gives of itself.

Dead or stagnant bodies of water receive water coming in but have little or no outlet.  The water just sits and becomes filled with algae and overgrowth of aquatic weeds.  It may be a nice quiet place for a canoe ride but not so good for swimming, definitely not for drinking and fish cannot survive in its oxygen starved atmosphere.  It takes but does not give.

In John 7:37-38 Our Lord, speaking of the Spirit of God, 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. (Amplified Bible)

So, from us should flow rivers of living water ... water that is fresh and clean and good for its intended purpose, bringing help and hope and comfort to those around us just as the living water flowing from under the feet of God in New Jerusalem.

"THEN HE showed me the river whose waters give life, sparkling like crystal, flowing out from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the broad way of the city; also, on either side of the river was the tree of life with its twelve varieties of fruit, yielding each month its fresh crop; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing and the restoration of the nations. There shall no longer exist there anything that is accursed (detestable, foul, offensive, impure, hateful, or horrible). But the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall worship Him [pay divine honors to Him and do Him holy service]. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. And there shall be no more night; they have no need for lamplight or sunlight, for the Lord God will illuminate them and be their light, ..." (Revelation 22:1-5)

When others look at our lives or come into contact with us do they find healing and refreshing?  Are we a light and a blessing?  Have we made sure there is nothing foul or offensive or impure in our actions?  I still have work to do ... but with God's Spirit at work in me I will make progress.

Blessings,