Let Rivers of Living Water Flow ... Unpacking John 7:38
- Anthony Speciale
- Nov 5, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Nov 21, 2024
Greetings,
Let Rivers of Living Water Flow
“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” — John 7:38
Unpacking John 7:38
Context of the Verse:
John 7:38 is spoken by Jesus during the Feast of Tabernacles (or Booths), a Jewish celebration commemorating God’s provision during the Israelites’ time in the wilderness. This festival included a water-pouring ceremony symbolizing God's provision of rain and His Spirit.
The Symbolism of Water:
Water in the Bible often symbolizes life, renewal, and the presence of God. In this verse, “rivers of living water” represent the Holy Spirit, who brings spiritual life and sustains believers.
The Condition: Belief in Jesus:
The verse begins with “Whoever believes in me,” emphasizing that faith in Jesus is the prerequisite for experiencing this living water. Belief involves trust, commitment, and reliance on Him.
The Outward Flow of Living Water:
The rivers of living water are not stagnant but flow outward, benefiting not just the believer but others around them. This reflects the transformative and outward-reaching work of the Holy Spirit.
The Connection to the Holy Spirit:
John 7:39 clarifies that Jesus was speaking about the Holy Spirit, who would be given after His glorification. The Spirit empowers believers, giving them strength, guidance, and comfort.
Abundance vs. Scarcity:
The imagery of “rivers” speaks to abundance. Jesus offers not a trickle, but a continuous, overflowing supply of life through His Spirit. This contrasts with the scarcity and emptiness often felt without Him.
Personal Transformation:
When the rivers of living water flow within, they transform the believer from the inside out. This transformation includes a renewed mind, softened heart, and Christ-like character.
Living Water in Old Testament Prophecy:
Jesus references the Scriptures, likely pointing to passages like Isaiah 58:11, Ezekiel 47:1-12, and Zechariah 14:8, which speak of life-giving water flowing from God’s presence.
An Invitation to All:
The phrase “Whoever believes” extends an open invitation. Jesus’ offer of living water is universal, available to all who come to Him in faith.
Rest for the Thirsty Soul:
Jesus’ words are especially meaningful for those who feel spiritually parched or weary. He promises refreshment and renewal for those who turn to Him.
The Eternal Perspective:
The rivers of living water symbolize not only spiritual renewal now but also the eternal life Jesus promises. Believers have an unending source of life that begins here and continues into eternity.
Sharing the Overflow:
When believers experience the living water, it’s not meant to be hoarded but shared. The flow of the Spirit naturally leads to sharing God’s love and truth with others.
Closing thoughts as I pray for those reading or hearing this verse today...
John 7:38 encapsulates the abundant, transformative, and outward-reaching work of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life.
By believing in Jesus, we gain access to an eternal source of renewal, strength, and purpose that not only sustains us but overflows into the lives of those around us.
Reflecting on this verse invites believers to embrace the fullness of life in Christ, live with a spirit of gratitude, and share His love with the world.
Jesus promises that through our faith, something extraordinary happens within us—a flow of “living water.”
This represents the Holy Spirit’s presence, bringing life, strength, and peace, not just to us but to everyone we encounter.
When we trust and believe in Jesus, His Spirit empowers us to be a source of life and hope to others.
Let’s believe deeply and watch as His rivers flow, refreshing our spirits and impacting those around us.
Be Relentless In Pursuit Of The Will
Which God Has Set Upon Your Heart,
Anthony Speciale
My goal is to motivate, educate, inspire and make a positive impact on your trading. Whether you're brand new to trading, or you've invested years into the craft -
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Getting Stopped Out And Reentering The Same Move
Welcome to today’s live session recap! I hope you’re having a productive trading day. In this post, I’m breaking down my trades from this morning in the crude oil market, where I navigated a high-probability setup with careful risk management. With election day affecting market volatility, today’s trading environment was challenging, but we identified and acted on a well-defined opportunity.
Setting the Stage: Market Context and Setup
Today’s session revolved around crude oil. Election day can add a layer of unpredictability, and this was evident in the choppy price action we saw. Gold emerged as a stronger mover, while crude oil displayed a more contained rally with potential for continued strength. My focus was on a precise setup that had both high probability and low risk, following my established trading plan for a morning trade opportunity.
The Trade Breakdown
This morning, I executed two trades based on the same setup, employing a re-entry strategy after an early stop-out.
The initial setup showed up on my chart around 8:40 AM as the price moved back through the rolling VWAP (Volume Weighted Average Price). This move was significant as VWAP often serves as a key level of market equilibrium. Seeing the price start to come down through VWAP, I recognized a prime shorting opportunity and entered a short position.
Trade One: Early Exit on Stop Adjustment
Upon entering, I was careful with my stop placement, moving it slightly into profit territory to protect my position. While this adjustment was meant to reduce risk, it also meant I got stopped out prematurely. This early stop-out resulted in a small profit, just enough to cover the trade’s cost. Although I didn’t capture the full potential of the move on this first entry, it allowed me to limit my downside in a somewhat unpredictable session.
Confidence in the Setup and Re-Entry
Despite the initial stop-out, I still had strong conviction in the trade’s integrity based on my analysis. The market structure supported a continued downside, so I decided to re-enter the same short setup. With volatility picking up, the price quickly moved in my favor, and this time I let the trade run closer to my target without prematurely adjusting my stop.
This re-entry trade reached my profit target at 71.75, netting 10 ticks along with a small gain from the earlier stop-out. Altogether, it wasn’t a massive win, but in a volatile market like today, it was a solid example of controlled, risk-managed trading.
The Importance of Following the Plan
Today’s experience highlighted the value of sticking closely to my trade plan. I was able to take a step back after the initial stop-out, assess the setup’s viability, and confidently re-enter based on my analysis. One key takeaway for any trader is the importance of maintaining a structured approach. Even with minor setbacks, following a disciplined trade plan can keep you on track and help you achieve consistent results over time.
Why Low-Risk, High-Probability Trades Matter
Trading isn’t about big wins every day; it’s about managing risk and positioning yourself for sustainable, gradual growth. By choosing low-risk, high-probability setups, you create the conditions for consistent, manageable gains while limiting exposure to market uncertainty. This approach, which I find to be most effective, aligns with the long-term goals of profitability and account preservation.
Final Thoughts: Stay Disciplined and Follow Your Plan
In summary, today’s trade demonstrated how a disciplined, high-probability approach can lead to profitable outcomes even in choppy conditions. Despite the unpredictable nature of an election day market, a well-defined trade plan and careful risk management allowed me to secure gains without overexposing myself.
For those interested, I’ve included a recording of the first trade in this blog post. Unfortunately, the re-entry trade happened too quickly for me to capture on video, but I’ve outlined both entries in detail. Feel free to reach out if you have questions or want to discuss the trade further. As always, stay disciplined, follow your plan, and keep trading smart.
Stay informed, stay focused and stay disciplined ! ! !
Thank you for reading, and I look forward to seeing you in our next session . . .
God bless, and have a wonderful day!
If you have any questions or need further guidance, please don't hesitate . . . info@specialeanalysis.com May the markets be ever in your favor!
Happy Trading,
Speciale Analysis
About the Author:
Anthony Speciale is a seasoned market analyst with over 13 years of experience trading. Through his platform, Speciale Analysis, he offers in-depth market analysis, interpretation, and expectations designed to help all types of traders, at every skill levels reach their full potential.
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NOTE: Trading involves significant risk, and it's essential to approach it with a well-defined strategy and a disciplined mindset. This blog post is intended for educational purposes and should not be considered financial advice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a professional before making an financial decisions. For further risk related information, please refer to: www.specialeanalysis.com/disclaimer
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