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Gleanings From The Word

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  • Streams of Living Water

    Streams of Living Water

    A woodland stream with the text Streams of living water

    I love to walk by small streams, creeks and brooks. There are great places to relax and enjoy nature, and they often make me think of streams of living water.

    The Bible uses the phrase “streams of living water” as a picture of something deeply refreshing, life-giving, and never running dry. It points to God’s presence and Spirit flowing into a person’s life, bringing renewal, peace, and a sense of purpose. Just as water in a dry place brings everything back to life, this “living water” represents an inner fullness that satisfies the heart in a way nothing else can.

    Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” John 7:37:38

    And Yahweh will continually guide you, and satisfy your soul in scorched places, and fortify your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail. Isaiah 58:11

    Then he showed me a river of the water of life, bright as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, Revelation 22:1

    Those versions are only a sampling. The concept appears in many other places in Scripture as well.

    The streams are meant to overflow—not just stay within someone but pour out into the lives of others through kindness, love, and hope. The image is one of constant movement and abundance: not a stagnant pool, but a fresh, ongoing stream. 

    In simple terms, the streams of living water are about receiving something from God that continually restores you and then naturally spills over to bring life to those around you.

    What a powerful concept and beautiful image.

    My prayer this morning is that the streams of living water from God fill you afresh with the Holy Spirit. That the refreshing brings forth a harvest of Spiritual fruit and overflows from you and blesses the lives of everyone you encounter.

    Be blessed

    Kevin

    Don’t Judge Jesus by Christians

    Summary

    This devotional reflects on the biblical image of “streams of living water” as a picture of God’s Spirit actively at work within a believer—bringing continual renewal, deep satisfaction, and spiritual vitality. Drawing from both personal experience in nature and key Scripture passages, it emphasizes that this living water is not meant to remain contained but to overflow outward, expressing itself through a life marked by peace, purpose, and tangible impact on others.

    Key Takeaways

    God’s Spirit refreshes and sustains — like water in a dry place, it restores inner life and provides lasting satisfaction.

    The flow is meant to overflow — spiritual renewal is not private; it naturally extends into acts of love, kindness, and hope.

    True fullness comes from God alone — the “living water” meets the deepest needs of the heart in a way nothing else can.

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  • Don’t Judge Jesus by Christians

    Don’t Judge Jesus by Christians

    signs pointing to people and Jesus - Dont Judge Jesus by Christians

    I frequently meet people who have given up on Jesus and the church. They tell stories of hurt and disappointment. I can only say, “Don’t judge Jesus by Christians—He is not like us.”

    The chances are good that if you have been in the church for any length of time, you have been hurt, betrayed or disappointed. A Christian friend has behaved in a most unchristian way. A pastor has said something you didn’t like or gotten some detail wrong in Scripture.

    If that hasn’t happened yet, your turn is coming.

    Christians are not perfect. I often refer to us as a “bunch of messed-up people trying to follow Jesus.” We know we don’t have our acts together, and we need God’s help.

    If perfection were the benchmark to becoming Christian, none of us, including you, could get in. There was only one perfect human being, and they nailed Him to a cross 2000 years ago.

    Don’t judge Jesus by Christians. Don’t evaluate Jesus based on me. I’m on a good day, a very dim image of Him. You need to put your faith and trust in Jesus, not His followers. He never changes and will never fail you or leave you.

    Let me say it again, “Don’t judge Jesus by Christians —He is not like us.”

    Evaluate Him based on His claims and the changes you see in yourself and others. Sometimes that change is a tiny whisper, sometimes He moves mountains. Search honestly and put Him to the test.

    Don’t be content to rely on the impressions of others or second hand accounts of who Jesus is. Study the Scriptures and let the Spirit reveal Him.

    Others have left the church because they tried “Christianity and it didn’t work.” A Christless Christianity is an empty, powerless lie. It will never fulfill what you truly need.

    The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful  2 Timothy 2:11-13

    I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6

    Come to the cross with open arms, He is waiting for you. He will forgive your sins, make you into a new creation and begin your transformation into being everything He created you to be.

    Don’t let the failure of others keep you from the one who loves you beyond measure.

    Trust Him.

    Be blessed

    Kevin

    Streams of Living Water

    Summary

    Many abandon faith because of hurt caused by Christians, but that failure reflects people—not Christ, who remains faithful, unchanging, and worthy of trust. True faith requires engaging Jesus directly, not relying on flawed representations of Him.

    Key takeaways

    Expect imperfection in Christians. Hurt and disappointment in the church are common because believers are still unfinished.

    Judge Jesus, not His followers. He alone is perfect, unchanging, and faithful—unlike those who represent Him imperfectly. Don’t judge Jesus by Christians.

    Seek Christ personally and honestly. Don’t rely on secondhand impressions; test His claims through Scripture and experience.

    Christ remains faithful and transforms lives. 2 Timothy 2:11–13 and Philippians 1:6 affirm His faithfulness and ongoing work in those who trust Him.

    All contents, “Gleanings From the Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2026 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, “Gleanings From the Word.”

    Scripture quotations are from the Legacy Standard Bible® (LSB®), Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. 

    From Gleanings From The Word (Kevin Corbin, 2001– ), a Scripture-based devotional work.

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