Living Waters Flowing Out

Convicted - yet again.

Yesterday, I asked that you provide feedback to bloggers. To some extent, maybe a large extent even, this was a request for encouragement for me. Today, in a devotional by Oswald Chambers called Devotions for a Deeper Life A Daily Devotional, I am reminded that it's not about me.

The suggested reading is John 7:32 - 39, and is about living water flowing out. Oswald Chambers notes that Jesus says to "drink of me and out of you shall flow rivers of living waters". (John 7:38 KJV) Chambers points out that the focus of this is Jesus, not the river flowing out. That means that we must focus on Christ and let Christ work through us. We aren't supposed to look to see the flow, to find the "encouragement", to see results of OUR endeavors. That would take our focus off Christ and place it onto the work. The work is NOT our focus. Christ is. So in evaluating myself against this day's devotion, I discover that I have been focused on me.....again.

I will endeavor to write posts to the glory of God, for the confession of my transgressions, for my strength of Bible study for the transformation of self - for the glory of God, not for self. I will write posts to examine a subject, to examine how to bring Christ into greater focus, and the Bible into greater clarity. I won't write posts for myself any more, except as a way to get my focus on God, Christ, and self examination to be more Christ-like. That's a promise. When you read me losing focus, please admonish me. That is part of your job as a Christian! Gently, please.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

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