- araratchurch
- Mar 27, 2024
- 4 min read
“And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.“
Revelation 22:1-3 NKJV
During the Babylonian captivity, the prophet Ezekiel was given a guided tour through a new Jerusalem and a new temple. At one point Ezekiel sees water flowing from under the threshold of the temple and becoming a great river.
“Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar. He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway that faces east; and there was water, running out on the right side. And when the man went out to the east with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the water came up to my ankles. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through the waters; the water came up to my knees. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through; the water came up to my waist. Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep, water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed.“
Ezekiel 47:1-5 NKJV
Ezekiel’s guide then informs Ezekiel concerning the function of this river.
“When I returned, there, along the bank of the river, were very many trees on one side and the other. Then he said to me: “This water flows toward the eastern region, goes down into the valley, and enters the sea. When it reaches the sea, its waters are healed. And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes.“
Ezekiel 47:7-9 NKJV
Yes, this river brought life to whatever it touched.
It isn’t a far leap to see how this river, flowing from the right side of the temple, could be compared to the flow of water and blood from Jesus when he was pierced with the spear of a Roman soldier.
The blood of our dear Lord has provided healing for our body, soul, and spirit. And—through Him—we can receive His precious Holy Spirit Who ministers the new life now made possible through our salvation.
The Holy Spirit of God is the River of God. The Holy Spirit was poured out on us by Christ.
“But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.“
Titus 3:4-7 NKJV
This River is Who Jesus was referencing in John 7: 37-39 (see Day 11).
Over the last few days we have discussed just a few of the benefits of being indwelled by the Holy Spirit of God. Indeed, God’s precious Holy Spirit connects us to the dynamo of God through which we can walk NOW as children of God.
Just as Ezekiel’s river progressed from shallow to deep, so our walk in the Spirit must progress from limited knowledge and limited submission in the new believer (ankle deep), to becoming that which moves us along and lifts us up and away from our old, unchanged ways of being and doing.
Remember, the degree to which the Holy Spirit has access to our lives is also the degree to which we can be led by the Spirit and have His fruit manifesting in our lives. As well, the power of the Holy Spirit will not be manifested in an unsurrendered life.
In our opening scripture we see a river flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. This is not a different river but is the River of the Holy Spirit of God, the life-giving Spirit prophesied by the prophets coming before Jesus, as well as Jesus, Himself (as we discussed earlier).
Child of God, launch out into the River! Allow the Holy Spirit of God, the River of God, to guide you now, heal you now, bring life and peace to you now! Let Him take you all the way home!
“There is a river, and it flows from deep within
There is a fountain, that frees the soul from sin
Come to this water, there is a vast supply
There is a river, that never shall run dry” (“There is a River,” Bill & Gloria Gather)
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- Mar 26, 2024
- 4 min read
“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. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.“
John 14:26-27 NKJV
“Shalom” is a Hebrew word basically meaning peace. But the thing is, it doesn’t reference just any kind of peace; it references perfect peace. It references a peace coming from being made whole, nothing lacking, everything as it should be.
Now, you may hear that definition of shalom and wonder how perfect peace could be possible in this fallen world through which we are passing.
Well, the fact is that the only source of perfect peace comes from God through Jesus Christ.
Indeed, the prophet Isaiah spoke prophetically of the One Who would bring this kind of peace.
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.“
Isaiah 9:6-7 NKJV
Only the Prince of Peace could bring perfect peace.
We know that the night on which Jesus was born, the heavenly host gave an announcement, foreshadowing what God would do through Jesus Christ.
“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Luke 2:14 NKJV
Yes, through the work of Jesus Christ we can have peace with God!
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.“
Romans 5:1-2 NKJV
“For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.“
Colossians 1:19-20 NKJV
But, does peace with God translate into a daily sense of being undisturbed, a daily sense of perfect peace? Well, that would be impossible if Jesus had not—along with providing for our peace with God—made a way for us to receive the One Who would minister His peace to us, even in this world.
In our opening scripture, we see that Jesus promises the disciples that He is not leaving them forsaken. No, to the contrary, He was going to send the One Who could minister His peace to us daily.
Our part in receiving and maintaining the Lord‘s perfect peace in us is to allow His Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts.
“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.“
Romans 8:6 NIV
As well, we must turn over those things that are of concern to us, to the Lord through prayer.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.“
Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV
When we make a habit of taking what causes us to be tempted to fear and lose our sense of the Lord‘s peace, to Him in prayer, we can have unbroken, or perfect peace. And, if we don’t know how to pray for those things causing us anxiety, the Holy Spirit will help us.
“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.“
Romans 8:26-28 NKJV
If God has given you His precious Holy Spirit, sent to minister to you those things provided by Christ, and you know that all things are working together for your good, how can you not be at peace?
Child of God, don’t go one more day devoid of the Lord’s gift of peace operating in your life through the presence of His Holy Spirit. When the Prince of Peace rules in your heart, and in your life, perfect peace can be your state of being.
Peace to you. Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- Mar 25, 2024
- 4 min read
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.“
John 10:10 NKJV
Jesus’ brothers had gone to Jerusalem to observe the Feast of Tabernacles. Jesus delayed leaving, only going up after they were gone. Somewhere in the middle of the feast, Jesus showed up in the temple and taught there. Then, on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus shocked the crowd by standing in their midst and declaring something they understood very well.
“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 NKJV
You see, every day of the feast, the priests would descend from the Temple Mount, down to the Pool of Siloam, where they would draw water in golden pitchers. Then they would make the ascent back up to the Temple Mount, pour out the water before the Lord, all the while, quoting Isaiah 12:3.
“Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation.“
Isaiah 12:3 NKJV
In making a direct parallel between Himself, and the scripture they had been quoting, it was clear Jesus was proclaiming Himself to be the source of that salvation.
As well, remember, the Feast of Tabernacles was for the purpose of reminding the Jews of their time spent wondering in the wilderness. Yes, during the feast they were to remember the goodness of God, and His provision during those 40 years. Now, part of that provision was water being provided from a rock, after they had grumbled to Moses about their thirst.
“So Moses cried out to the Lord, saying, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me!” And the Lord said to Moses, “Go on before the people, and take with you some of the elders of Israel. Also take in your hand your rod with which you struck the river, and go. Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.” And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.“
Exodus 17:4-6 NKJV
Again, the connection to what Jesus was saying about water flowing out from Him, and to the rock from which water flowed to refresh the people in the wilderness, would not have been lost to the people hearing Jesus’ words.
In fact, the direct connection to what Jesus was offering, and did provide, to the provision God provided in the wilderness, would later be noted by the apostle Paul.
“Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.“
I Corinthians 10:1-4 NKJV
The bold statement Jesus made on the last day of the feast, caused some people to see Him as Who He was claiming to be, but others to be offended that He would presume to be the One they had been looking for.
“Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly this is the Prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?” So there was a division among the people because of Him.“
John 7:40-43 NKJV
But, Jesus was and is Who He said He was. He is the Rock of our salvation. And, when we ask Him for His water, we receive life-giving water, the Holy Spirit of God, the Promise of the Father.
“And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.””
Acts 1:4-5 NKJV
People strive to find ways to live longer, and, as well, look for ways to put more life in their living. But the fact is, only Jesus, only our connection to Him by way of His Holy Spirit, can bring a sense of satisfaction in our life now, and everlasting life in the life to come.
In our opening scripture we see Jesus, while speaking of Himself, as being the Good Shepherd, declares that His purpose is to bring abundant life for the sheep of His fold.
Child of God, make no mistake, there is no truly satisfying life outside of Jesus Christ. He has offered us access to life-giving water, the Holy Spirit of God. Why should we continue to seek from the things of this present world, what only He can give?
Oh, come to Him now! Ask of Him now! Be refreshed by His Spirit now! And be assured of life eternal!
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!