“He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said; out of [him] shall flow rivers of living water.” (Jo.7:38).

It is interesting to note that Jesus did not say: “He that believeth in Me shall realize the blessing, of the fullness of God;” but rather, He said: “He that believeth in Me; out of him shall escape everything he receives.”

Christ’s teaching here, is the opposite to self-realization…to achieving our potential…to becoming morally perfect.

The main purpose of Jesus is not the development of our personality; but, Jesus does have the goal of making us like Himself; and the main characteristic of Christ is self-sacrifice, and the giving out of whatever we receive of Him.

If I believe in Jesus Christ; it is not a case of what I have gained, or what I will gain. It is what Christ pours through me that counts. It is not a case of God making me into some beautifully rounded grape; but that He squeezes the sweetness out of me.: Philippians 2:12 “…Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

In a truly converted Christian, the source of the will, is a divine source: “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” (Phil.2:12). You have to “work out” with a passionately devoted focus and prudence, whatever God has worked in. You don’t work your own salvation; you “work it out.” Because it’s in there. Christ is in there; “both to will and to do.”

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“ When you give yourself wholly to the Lord, great changes will be wrought in you. You will have such a love for the truth, that wherever you go you will bear witness to the Lord's power. He will give you a genuine testimony to bear. He will pour out upon you His grace and power, and you will enter a new and living way.

Christ's righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rearward. Your words and works will be ratified in heaven. As you work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, God will work in you to will and to do of His good pleasure. Power to overcome will be given you. When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.”

Spiritually, how can I ever precisely measure my life by “success?” My life can only be measured by what God pours through us; and how can we measure that?

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." {#1Pe 5:7}

It is a happy way of soothing sorrow when we can feel—"HE careth for me." Christian! do not dishonour religion by always wearing a brow of care; come, cast your burden upon your Lord. You are staggering beneath a weight which your Father would not feel. What seems to you a crushing burden, would be to him but as the small dust of the balance. Nothing is so sweet as to

Lie passive in God’s hands,
And know no will but his.

O child of suffering, be thou patient; God has not passed thee over in his providence. He who is the feeder of sparrows, will also furnish you with what you need. Sit not down in despair; hope on, hope ever. Take up the arms of faith against a sea of trouble, and your opposition shall yet end your distresses. There is One who careth for you. His eye is fixed on you, his heart beats with pity for your woe, and his hand omnipotent shall yet bring you the needed help.

The darkest cloud shall scatter itself in showers of mercy. The blackest gloom shall give place to the morning. He, if thou art one of his family, will bind up thy wounds, and heal thy broken heart. Doubt not his grace because of thy tribulation, but believe that he loveth thee as much in seasons of trouble as in times of happiness.

What a serene and quiet life might you lead if you would leave providing to the God of providence! With a little oil in the cruse, and a handful of meal in the barrel, Elijah outlived the famine, and you will do the same. If God cares for you, why need you care too? Can you trust him for your soul, and not for your body? He has never refused to bear your burdens, he has never fainted under their weight. Come, then, soul! have done with fretful care, and leave all thy concerns in the hand of a gracious God.

“Commit…trust….and God worketh!” (Ps.37:5).