THURSDAY August 18, 2022

Rivers of Living Water

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
John 7:37-39

Before Christ died, and before the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, Jesus spoke of the power Holy Spirit becoming like a swift-running river in the life of a believer. Have you ever seen a forceful, flowing river? It is exploding with power! That is what Jesus said His disciples would have!

Sadly, I do not see the evidence of His power in many believers’ lives today. Where is the fruit of joy, love and care, in acts of kindness toward others? Is there genuine evidence of the fruit of the Spirit in your life as described in Galatians 5:22, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control? I believe we need a good examination of our lives––fully and completely.

In John 14:15-17, Jesus continued to explain to His disciples how the Holy Spirit was going to dwell within them:

“If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”

Jesus also gave a deeper understanding of the Spirit’s work in their lives: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you” (John 14:26).

The Holy Spirit dwells within our hearts. We have the eternal Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity, who has been with God the Father and Jesus Christ since the beginning––before the world existed. Can you grasp the importance of the Holy Spirit’s work in your life?

The Cross grants us position, the Holy Spirit gives us experience.
~Watchman Nee~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!