The life of Christ DAY 12: John 7:1-23 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. This phrase suggests that the “living water” will be within the believer. It will not be poured out by a priest on the altar as was done at the Feast of Tabernacles; it will arise and flow miraculously from within the believer. (NT student manual) The events in John 7 occurred in Jerusalem during the Feast of the Tabernacles. This feast, which the Lord has commanded the children of Israel to observe since the time of Moses, included several symbolic rituals or rites. At the time of Jesus, one of these was the priests drawing water from the pool of Siloam and pouring it out in the holy place of the temple- symbolic of a God pouring out His Holy Spirit among the people. As you read John 7, notice what Jesus taught that related to this symbolic activity. If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. (John7:17) We have to go through that same process if we want to gain that same kind if commitment. Sometimes we try to do it backward. For example, we may take this approach: I will be happy to live the law of tithing, but first I need to know that its true. Maybe we even pray to gain a testimony of the law of tithing and hope the Lord will bless us with that testimony. It just doesnt work that way. The Lord expects us to expects us to exercise faith. We have to consistently pay a full and honest tithe in order to gain a testimony tithing. This same pattern applies to all the principles of the gospel. -Bonnie L. Oscarson, Be ye converted October 2013 General Conference “We acquire a testimony of the principles of the gospel by obediently trying to live them. Said the Savior, ‘If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine’ [John 7:17]. A testimony of the efficacy of prayer comes through humble and sincere prayer. A testimony of tithing comes by paying tithing. … I testify that if you continue in the purposeful process of searching for and accepting spiritual light, truth, and knowledge, it will surely come. By going forward in faith, you will find that your faith will increase” (“Lord, I Believe; Help Thou Mine Unbelief,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2003, 22) How has the Holy Ghost been like a source of “living water” for you? How might you increase this flow of “living water” into your life? To gain eternal life there must be a rebirth -Ezra Taft Benson youtu.be/CDACgLvhskg
Posted on: Sat, 22 Nov 2014 06:07:28 +0000
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