THE FOUNTAIN

Today’s Reading: John 4

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).

This photo was taken in Caesarea Philippi, also known as Banias. The water originates from Mount Herman then flows into underground springs. It then makes its way down to the Galilee, into the Jordan River, and eventually to the Dead Sea. The water provided life to ancient Israel and still does today for modern Israel.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.

Key Verse: John 4:14

…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.

In the last nine verses, Jesus is back in Cana. Jesus said, “Go your way; your son lives,” and a fountain of healing water burst forth on the north shore of Galilee, about 18 miles away. The man’s son was healed. The woman Jesus met at the well in Samaria had been doing her best to quench her spiritual thirst for love and purpose in life. She’d had five husbands and currently was living with a man who was not her husband. When she believed in Jesus, an artesian well bubbled up with such satisfaction and joy that she left her water pot and rushed to tell others about Jesus, bringing many to Him. What began here in Samaria was continued later by Philip. Philip had four daughters who were prophetesses. Revelation 19:10 tells us that “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Philip and his girls were exercising New Testament prophecy, telling everyone about Jesus. Fountains of living water were springing up all over the place! Please read the sequel to Jesus’ visit to Samaria in Acts 8:5-17. Everywhere Philip and his girls testified for Jesus, there was new life. This is the primary ongoing sign of keeping filled with the Holy Spirit. Peter quoted the prophet Joel about this kind of prophecy. It was the birthday of the Church (Acts 2:16-18). Let the living waters erupt. Drink deeply and bring others to the fountain.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, I drink of You. My thirst is quenched. May I not keep this living water to myself. That would be so selfish. May I offer a drink to everyone I meet. Jesus, You are the “Fountain opened in the house of David for sin and uncleanness.” Amen! Thank You, Jesus, for fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 13:1.

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I was 18 years old when I rented a hall for Sundays and began a Sunday School. I realized that I would be a hypocrite if I didn’t do everything I could to give “the testimony of Jesus,” as I mentioned above. I would deceive myself if I claimed to be filled with God’s Spirit, even though other gifts of the Spirit were evident, if I were not a personal soul winner. That Sunday School has grown to become a fine congregation in the area today. I’ve learned that when the fountain flows in and through me, I have unbounded energy for service. Jesus had been hungry and sent His disciples to buy food. When they returned, He was no longer hungry. The flow of the fountain of God’s Spirit is physically strengthening. As the woman we read about was bringing the people of her community back to the well to see Jesus, He said words I am taking to heart every day. I believe Jesus pointed to those streaming toward Him, and that’s when He said to His disciples, “Lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest” (John 4:35). I make a new commitment to Jesus now…as long as I live, I will offer the living water to thirsty souls and work to bring lost souls, the harvest, to Jesus.

Yours for the full, free flow of the Living Water,

David

P.S. Norma-Jean, as a little girl, lived in the village of St. George, Ontario, for a time. She would tell me about the artesian well in the village to which people would come from as far away as Toronto to fill up their containers. When we moved to the area as a family, we often did the same. One day, I came to the well and found it was covered with concrete. Some government official declared it a health hazard. For 150 years people drank from it and no one ever reported illness. Throughout the centuries, religious bureaucrats have shut down the free flow of Jesus’ Fountain. For me, I’m going to keep digging new wells. How about you?