By: Bishop Dr. Etta Mhoon-Walker, Ph.D., D. Div.
Thursday Devotion and Prayer. April 6, 2023.
“When Our Hearts Overflow”“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” – John 7:38
Have you ever met someone who claimed to be a Christian, but their walk didn’t match their talk? Is there a friend who loves to share the current gossip? Or perhaps you have found yourself complaining or grumbling about something in a less than God-honoring way. I think as Christians we openly admit that just because we love Jesus doesn’t mean we don’t still make sinful choices or say hurtful things. But we also can’t use God’s forgiveness as a means of cheap grace, giving us a free ticket to heaven while we still live controlled by our flesh on earth.
The tension lies somewhere between the two. Yes, we still experience the effect of sin on this side of Heaven, but we are a new creation in Christ. Jesus painted a beautiful word picture when He said “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” – John 7:38. When Jesus confronted the Pharisees, He said “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. [35] A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things” -Matthew 12:34-35. The Bible tells us, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” -Proverbs 4:23.
If what we say and do isn’t life-giving, then what is in our hearts? Maybe we are too full of entertainment. Does our diet consist of hours of social media, streaming binges, or overindulgence in food or drink? Perhaps we are overly ambitious. Do money, power, or status drive us? Or maybe our lives are too full of noise and distraction. Is it a struggle to find a moment to be with God over our kids, spouses, or friends?
These are challenges Christ’s followers face. However, steadfast belief in Jesus is followed by tangible transformation despite life’s challenges. Our desires will change as we find ourselves longing to know Him more. Our “diets” change as we meet with Him to listen and learn about Him from His Word. We begin to take in less of what the world offers and more of what God says is good. And as we do this, we get our fill of life-giving goodness and start overflowing it onto others.
It’s simply not enough to say we believe in Jesus. Changes follow this proclamation! We will desire to know Him more, and as we feast on His Word and obey His statutes our lives will be as He described. Out of our hearts will flow rivers of living water (John 7:38).
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for saving us from sin. Thank you for your forgiveness and for making us new creations. Thank you for the gift of Your Spirit and the power to change! Lord, forgive us when our words and actions misrepresent you to those around us. And Jesus, forgive us for filling ourselves with the wrong things more than we desire to fill ourselves with your truth. Help us to forgive those who offend us, Lord. We know how hard it is to deny our fleshly, human desires and obey you instead.
God, I pray for strength to desire the things that you call good. Lord, help us hunger for your Word, and godly community, and fight for time to pray and commune with you. Help us desire these things more than anything else. Jesus, I pray that as we take our fill of your goodness that you would cause us to overflow onto those around us. Lord, let our presence be like your presence to them. Let us refresh others and encourage them! Let us be like a life-giving river that points them back to you. In Your son Jesus’s name, I pray Amen.
