MEDITATION:
Written by Laura Banning, a Bible Study instructor and author.
So we are back in Montana for the summer. We are living here in a small log cabin alongside a river, the Swan River. And as I look out at that river and see all of the activity surrounding it, I think of the verse John 7:38-39. “Anyone who believes in Me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” When He said “living water,” He was speaking of the Holy Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in Him.”The picture Jesus uses for life in the Holy Spirit is that of a river. Rivers are mentioned 150 times in Scripture, often as a picture of spiritual life, and for good reason. Israel was a desert, so a river to the children of Israel was grace. A river is life. If a river flows, life flourishes. If a river dries up, life dies. So it is with you and me and the Holy Spirit. As I look out the window and reflect on this, I see it as a beautiful analogy for how the Holy Spirit works in our lives … The Swan River is always flowing. It never stops. Yes, sometimes it’s higher and flowing faster than other times. And yes, there are rocks and obstacles in the way; but the river never stops flowing. This is a picture for how the Holy Spirit works in our lives. He is always working, all of the time whether or not it seems like it or feels like it. It’s true. We have a choice as to whether or not we will stay in the flow of His work, or not. He calls us to stay in His River. He calls us to stay in the flow of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. And as we do this, He will change us into the person that He made us to be! “The only way to become the person God made you to be is to live with the Spirit of God flowing through you like a river of living water.” (John Ortberg) I came across a verse in Psalms: “You give us drink from the River of Your delights.” (Psalm 36:8) What a great picture this is for us. Jesus calls everyone who believes in Him to come and drink freely from His “living water”. We receive this living water from the indwelling Holy Spirit, as we meditate on His Word and listen to Him. And then He tells us that rivers of living water will flow from our hearts.
PRAYER:
Written by Evangeline Paul Dhinakaran, an international speaker and author.
Loving Lord Jesus, help me to humble myself under Your mighty wings that I may receive Your healing touch in my mind, body, and soul. Please enable my soul to prosper that Your healing waters may flow. like rivers of living water from me to others. In Your matchless name, I pray. Amen.
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