Rivers of Living Water

Written By Betty Predmore

John 7:31-53 (May 13)

We pick up where we left off yesterday, with Jesus teaching at the temple. It seems like the more he speaks, the more people begin to believe. After all, "would you expect the Messiah to do more miraculous signs than this man has done?" I mean...does it really get any better than THIS??

The more who began to believe, the more disturbed the Pharisees became. They sent some temple guards to arrest Jesus, who proceeded to remind them that he would be gone soon, returning to the One who had sent him. And no matter where they looked, they would not find him.

WHAT??? WHERE??? This puzzled the Pharisees as they tried to figure out where he would be going, and who he might be teaching when he got there. They sure didn't want those GREEKS hearing anything from Jesus.

At the end of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, "Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, 'Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.'"

Now that is quite an invitation! You can bet I would have been first in line! How about you?

Just hearing him speak these words caused many to declare that he was the Prophet they had been waiting for. Others affirmed that he was the Messiah. But there were those who still questioned. (Aren't there always?)

It didn't make sense because Scriptures had said that the Messiah would be born of the royal line of David, in Bethlehem. Jesus was from Galilee. (I guess they never received his birth announcement) So, this was just a puzzle they couldn't piece together, even though they wanted to believe.

I chuckle as I write this because it reminds me of a time when one of my kids got in a bit of trouble. My husband and I came home from shopping and there were burnt paper towels in the sink. Naturally, we had questions!

My son admitted to putting them there. We were horrified that he had been playing with fire while we were gone! I was grateful my house wasn't up in smoke.

Well...he had a story. And boy, was it a story! According to the "culprit", he spilled something on the carpet. He got some paper towels to clean up the mess and amazingly, he rubbed them so hard against the carpet that they caught on fire! (Talk about miraculous!)

This little pyro actually thought that was an adequate story. And as much as I would've loved to believe it, (much better thinking that than thinking he had been playing with fire) the pieces of that story didn't quite fit together. (Just so you know, he stuck to that story for months, even when questioned by outside family members. It was much later that he fessed up to playing with a lighter.)

We see the facts. We know what we know by what we see, what we learn, what we read. And for these people in Judea all they had seen and heard just wasn't fitting together.

But for those who believed (despite the puzzle being a little off whack), there was an opportunity to go to Jesus and drink of the Living Water. The thirst in their hearts was quenched by knowing and believing in what Jesus was saying. The reward was great.

Are you thirsty? Are you living life with the Living Water flowing through you? It is there for the taking, able to put out any fires that are burning in your life...even the ones that come from rubbing paper towels into the carpet.

Betty Predmore

Betty Predmore is a writer, blogger, speaker and ministry leaders. She is the founder of Mom-Sense, Inc., a ministry designed for mentorship, connection and service to women of all life circumstances. Through this ministry, women are encouraged and supported with scripture and life application. Mom-Sense helps women overcome life struggles through small group classes with biblical curriculum, individual counseling, bible studies, and other areas of support.

Betty also directs the Imperial Valley Life Center, which is a non-profit faith-based pro life women’s resource center. She has a passion for saving the unborn and supporting mothers through pregnancy and motherhood.

Betty loves to speak at events, sharing the love of Jesus with other women. She does this through practical life application mingled with God’s word, and sprinkled with humor. Having experienced a broken home, divorce, abuse, grief, single motherhood, blended families, and adoption, she uses the broken places and movement of God in her own life to share His word in an inspiring way. She enjoys sharing her blogs on social media as a way of reaching out on a broader spectrum. Betty has many speaking topics which can be found on her website: www.bettypredmore.com

As an author, she has had the opportunity to impact women and reach deep into their hearts with her words of inspiration and encouragement. Through Pondering Virtue and Whispered Grace, she has created wonderful tools for the woman who is seeking direction in her spiritual walk.

Betty serves on the writing team of A Wife Like Me, and is also a contributor to Moms Encouraging Moms and Gift of Thorns. Her blogs have appeared in several magazine publications throughout the years including Southern Faith Magazine, Purposeful Life, and Aspiring Woman Magazine.

While Betty thrives on her ministry opportunities, her greatest blessings come from being a wife to Jim and a mama to their wonderful collection of children, who bring joy, laughter, and an occasional tear to her days.


Previous

The Blame Game
Next

It’s Complicated