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Gleanings From The Word

Tag: Holy Spirit

  • The Gospel – Spreading Joy

    The Gospel – Spreading Joy

    Johnny-jump-up (viola tricolor) has a lot in common with the gospel

    If you’ve known me for any length of time, you likely know that my favorite flower is the Johnny-jump-up (Viola tricolor). It seeds prolifically, pops up in unexpected places, grows in rough conditions and brings a smile when you see one. It reminds me in many ways of the gospel, bringing joy.

    Only God knows how many gospel calls have gone out (He sows prolifically). The gospel is seeded through the words of the Bible. The life of Christians calls people. Our testimony calls people.  The Holy Spirit calls out the good news of the gospel in ways we can only imagine. Like Johnny-jump-up seeds, the gospel is being sown everywhere, bringing joy as it grows.

    The gospel takes root in what we might consider the hardest of soils and the worst of conditions. It’s sown into the hearts of the enemies of God, people who love their sin, and people who had no idea that they needed a savior or who at times rejected the concept entirely.

    It happens unexpectedly. Even you and I were transformed by the power of the gospel and God’s incredible, unending grace. The Lord died to cover our sins and bring us to life.

    When the gospel takes hold, the person is changed forever. It’s a beautiful sight to behold. The newborn is far from perfect yet (what newborn is?), but they are undeniably changed.

    A sinner is forgiven. An enemy is now an heir. A former slave to sin is welcomed into the Kingdom of God.

    I have to rejoice and smile every time I see or hear of the gospel bearing fruit. I know it isn’t just me. The Lord rejoices and all the angels in heaven do as well.

    Yahweh your God is in your midst, A mighty one who will save. He will be joyful over you with gladness; He will be quiet in His love; He will rejoice over you with joyful singing. Zephaniah 3:17

    I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:7

    In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Luke 15:10

    My Johnny-jump-ups bring temporary smiles and joy. The fruit of the gospel brings everlasting rejoicing.

    Let us do our part to sow seeds of the gospel and rejoice when we see what the Lord does with them.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God) 

    Be blessed 

    Kevin 

    Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone) 

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    SUMMARY

    The Johnny-jump-up becomes a picture of the gospel: spreading unexpectedly, taking root in hard places, and bringing lasting joy wherever God causes it to grow. Just as the flower thrives in unlikely conditions, the gospel transforms sinners through God’s grace and produces eternal rejoicing in heaven and among believers.

    KEYPOINTS

    ·  The gospel spreads widely through Scripture, Christian witness, testimony, and the work of the Holy Spirit.

    ·  God causes the gospel to take root even in hardened hearts and impossible circumstances, transforming lives completely.

    ·  Every repentance and changed life brings joy not only to believers, but also to heaven itself.

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    This might be the best news you’ve ever heard. You may also like “Spread of the gospel”

  • 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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