RIVER OF LIFE

 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, 

and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; 

and man became a living being.

The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden, 

and there He put the man whom He had formed.

And out of the ground 

the LORD God made every tree grow 

that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. 

The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, 

and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Now a river went out of Eden to water the garden, 

and from there it parted and became four riverheads.

Genesis 2:7-10

In Genesis, the first book of the Bible, we see that after creating man, GOD made the garden of Eden and in it the trees to grow, including the tree of life. He also made a river to water the garden. Fruit from the trees would sustain the life of man and the river would water the trees and sustain them. The Tree of Life would sustain the spiritual Life of man.

In Revelation, the last book of the Bible, the Apostle John describes his vision of Heaven, the Tree of Life and the River of Life!

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. 

Revelation 22:1-2

 

The river of life is the life of the Spirit of GOD flowing from His very throne and the throne of the lamb of GOD - that is the LORD JESUS CHRIST.

The following vision of prophet Ezekiel is a picture of the River of Life flowing from the throne of GOD. 

Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; 

and there was water, 

flowing from under the threshold of the temple 

 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.
He said to me, 

"Son of man, have you seen this?" 

Then he brought me 

and returned me to the bank of the river.

Ezekiel 47:1-6

The above is the life of one who continues to grow and progress in the life of the Spirit until he or she is completely yielded to the leading and working of the Holy Spirit!

This Water of Life which is the very source of our spiritual life, has been made available to mankind by GOD through the LORD JESUS, Who came into this world in the form of man.

Jesus answered and said to her, 

"Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again,

but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him 

will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him 

will become in him a fountain of water 

springing up into everlasting life." 

John 4:13-14

We find ourselves in this water and the water is in us!

The Holy Spirit Who proceeds from the Father and the Son, when received into our lives, makes us spiritually alive and leads us in the way of Eternal Life.

 Then Jesus said to the twelve, 

"Do you also want to go away?"
But Simon Peter answered Him, 

"Lord, to whom shall we go? 

You have the words of eternal life. 

John 6:67-68

Our spiritual life is nourished by the words of life through the Holy Spirit.

And this is eternal life, that they may know You,

 the only true God, 

and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 

John 17:3

Blessings of the goodness of GOD will also flow like a river of Life to others, out of such a person who is filled and led by the Spirit! 

 

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

An individual who lives under the power and the leading of the Holy Spirit is likened to a fruitful tree which is planted by the river. 

In reality, the spiritual fruit that we bear is the Christ-like attitudes we carry and the life of good works that glorify GOD and bring blessing to others.

Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, 

will grow all kinds of trees used for food; 

their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. 

They will bear fruit every month, 

because their water flows from the sanctuary. 

Their fruit will be for food, 

and their leaves for medicine." 

Ezekiel 47:12

 Blessed is the man Who walks not 

in the counsel of the ungodly, 

Nor stands in the path of sinners, 

Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, 

And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, 

That brings forth its fruit in its season, 

Whose leaf also shall not wither; 

And whatever he does shall prosper. 

Psalm 1:1-3

 "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, 

And whose hope is the LORD.

For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, 

Which spreads out its roots by the river, 

And will not fear when heat comes; 

But its leaf will be green, 

And will not be anxious in the year of drought, 

Nor will cease from yielding fruit. 

Jeremiah 17:7-8

The book of life containing the words of life has the river of life flowing through from Genesis to Revelation!

And He said to me, "It is done! 

I am the Alpha and the Omega, 

the Beginning and the End. 

 will give of the fountain of the water of life freely 

to him who thirsts. Revelation 21:6

The Fountain of the Water of Life is freely available to us.

Let us come to the Fountain. 

Let us come to the River of Life.

Let us drink that we may live eternally!

_______________________________________________

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6xW1ATNGhc

Book of Life or the Lake of Fire!

 And I saw the dead, small and great, 

standing before God, and books were opened. 

And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. 

And the dead were judged according to their works, 

by the things which were written in the books.

The sea gave up the dead who were in it, 

and Death and Hades delivered up the dead 

who were in them. And they were judged, 

each one according to his works.

Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. 

This is the second death.

And anyone not found written in the Book of Life 
was cast into the lake of fire. 

Revelation 20:12-15

If you are not in the Book of Life,

you will be in the Lake of Fire!

 But Simon Peter answered Him (JESUS), 

"Lord, to whom shall we go? 

You have the words of eternal life. 

John 6:68

 Blessed is he who reads

 and those who hear the words of this prophecy, 

and keep those things which are written in it; 

for the time is near. 

Revelation 1:3

The Bible, which has the Words of Life, 

has been made available to us.

Let us read these words, 

hear and keep them 

so that our names will be written in the Book of Life.

We will then be Blessed

and enter into Eternal Life in JESUS!

THIRST AND A LONGING

THIRST AND A LONGING

DRINK AND POUR OUT

 Now three of the thirty chief men went down to the rock to David, 

into the cave of Adullam; and the army of the Philistines encamped 

in the Valley of Rephaim.

David was then in the stronghold, 

and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.

And David said with longing, "Oh, that someone would give me a drink 

of water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!"

So the three broke through the camp of the Philistines, 

drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, 

and took it and brought it to David. 

Nevertheless David would not drink it, 

but poured it out to the LORD.

And he said, "Far be it from me, O my God, that I should do this! 

Shall I drink the blood of these men who have put their lives in jeopardy? 

For at the risk of their lives they brought it." 

Therefore he would not drink it. 

These things were done by the three mighty men. 

1 Chronicles 11:15-19

Like David, we have been longing for the water of life. 

GOD placed the Spring of Life in Bethlehem in His Son JESUS!

Like the Philistines, the enemy of our soul hinders us from coming to the well of the Water of Life. The whole world is under the sway of the evil one.

As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God.

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. 

When shall I come and appear before God? 

Psalm 42:1-2

Like the three mighty men, The Triune GOD - The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit - made a way for us to have this drink. 

The Father sent His only begotten Son into this world. He did not just 'Put His life in jeopardy' but willingly gave up His life and poured out His life blood for us.

The LORD JESUS passed through Samaria not only to get to Galilee from Judea, but also to meet with a sinful woman. He sat by the well in Sychar not only to request a drink of water, but more importantly, to reach out to the woman of Samaria and to offer her the Living Water! (John 4)

 Jesus answered and said to her,

 "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again,
but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. 

But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water 

springing up into everlasting life." 

John 4:13-14

The LORD JESUS Himself is the Living Water. His Life in us is Eternal Life.

Now hope does not disappoint, 

because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts 

by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 

Romans 5:5

 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, 

Titus 3:4-6

David, realizing the seriousness of the sacrificial act of his men, did not drink the water he had longed for! He poured it out to the LORD instead.

It is different with the sacrificial life blood poured out by our LORD. We cannot find spiritual life without drinking it. This means, receiving and taking into our life, the LORD JESUS. He enters our heart in the form of the Holy Spirit, Who is the Water of Life!

This life becomes a fountain in our innermost being as eternal life, now and for eternity.

Having received the water of life, like David, we must pour out our life to GOD for others. 

 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.

And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us 

and given Himself for us, 

an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. 

Ephesians 5:1-2

 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

The woman with the Alabaster flask of oil, the Apostle Paul and many others have set the example for us to follow.

 And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, 

as He sat at the table, a woman came 

having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. 

Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. 

Mark 14:3

Paul said:

Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering 

on the sacrifice and service of your faith, 

I am glad and rejoice with you all. 

Philippians 2:17

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, 

and the time of my departure is at hand. 

2 Timothy 4:6

Having experienced the amazing grace of GOD manifested in the cross of Calvary, we cannot but pour out our lives to the GOD of all grace. We can say with the Apostle Paul, 

 I have been crucified with Christ; 

it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; 

and the life which I now live in the flesh 

I live by faith in the Son of God, 

who loved me and gave Himself for me. 

  Galatians 2:20

 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, 

that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, 

holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

And do not be conformed to this world, 

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, 

that you may prove what is that good and acceptable 

and perfect will of God. 

Romans 12:1-2

Watch "There Is a River" by the Gaither Vocal Band

How do we live 'IN CHRIST'?

How do I live 'IN CHRIST'?

 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; 
old things have passed away; 
behold, all things have become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17

Our life begins 'In CHRIST' when we are born again and enter the Kingdom of GOD. JESUS comes into us in the form of the Holy Spirit and our life is committed to Him. 

 Then the LORD said to Noah, 

"Come into the ark, you and all your household, 

because I have seen 

that you are righteous before Me in this generation. 

And they went into the ark to Noah, 

two by two, of all flesh in which is the breath of life.

So those that entered, male and female of all flesh, 

went in as God had commanded him; 

and the LORD shut him in.

Now the flood was on the earth forty days. 

The waters increased and lifted up the ark, 

and it rose high above the earth.

The waters prevailed 

and greatly increased on the earth, 

and the ark moved about on the surface of the waters.

And the waters prevailed exceedingly on the earth, 

and all the high hills 

under the whole heaven were covered.

The waters prevailed fifteen cubits upward, 

and the mountains were covered.

And all flesh died that moved on the earth: 

birds and cattle and beasts and every creeping thing 

that creeps on the earth, and every man.

All in whose nostrils 

was the breath of the spirit of life, 

all that was on the dry land, died.

So He destroyed all living things 

which were on the face of the ground: 

both man and cattle, 

creeping thing and bird of the air. 

They were destroyed from the earth.

Only Noah and those 

who were with him in the ark remained alive.

And the waters prevailed on the earth 

one hundred and fifty days. 

  Genesis 7:1, 15-24

All the living beings with the breath of the spirit of life in them perished in the flood except those inside the ark.

The ark represents our LORD JESUS. Those of us who have the Spirit of GOD in us, need to enter in and remain in Him who is able to keep us from drowning in the flood of worldliness these end times! 

 For it is the God who commanded 

light to shine out of darkness, 

who has shone in our hearts 

to give the light 

of the knowledge of the glory of God 

in the face of Jesus Christ.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, 

that the excellence of the power 

may be of God and not of us. 

2 Corinthians 4:6-7

The light of JESUS shines through us as we closely follow Him with humility and selfless love. Thus we become His witnesses in this dark world.

Abide in Me, and I in you. 

As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,

 unless it abides in the vine, 

neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 

I am the vine, you are the branches. 

He who abides in Me, 

and I in him, bears much fruit; 

for without Me you can do nothing.

 "As the Father loved Me, 

I also have loved you; abide in My love. 

If you keep My commandments, 

you will abide in My love, 

just as I have kept My Father's commandments 

and abide in His love. 

These things I have spoken to you, 

that My joy may remain in you, 

and that your joy may be full. 

This is My commandment, 

that you love one another as I have loved you.

John 15:4-5, 9-12

When we enter into this relationship with the LORD, we are asked to abide in Him so that we might bring forth the fruit of the Spirit, that are the characteristics of a follower of the LORD JESUS. We abide in Him by learning about the LORD JESUS through the Bible, communing with the Holy Spirit and obeying Him. 

 As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, 

so walk in Him,

rooted and built up in Him 

and established in the faith, as you have been taught, 

abounding in it with thanksgiving.

Beware lest anyone cheat you 

through philosophy and empty deceit, 

according to the tradition of men, 

according to the basic principles of the world, 

and not according to Christ.

For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;

and you are complete in Him, 

who is the head of all principality and power. 

Colossians 2:6-10

As we enter into this new and eternal relationship with CHRIST, our values and priorities change. The mindset of the world is different to that of the Kingdom of GOD.

As we grow spiritually by studying the word of GOD, our mindset changes from carnal to spiritual. Our values change from worldly to heavenly. Our purpose and motives are for GOD's Kingdom. Our attitude is humility with selfless love, because our focus is JESUS.

But whoever keeps His word,
truly the love of God is perfected in him.
By this we know that we are in Him.
He who says he abides in Him
ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
1 John 2:5-6

 Children, obey your parents in the Lord,
for this is right. 
Ephesians 6:1

Now, therefore, 

you are no longer strangers and foreigners, 

but fellow citizens with the saints 

and members of the household of God, 

having been built 

on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, 

Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone,

in whom the whole building, being joined together, 

grows into a holy temple in the Lord,

in whom you also are being built together 

for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Ephesians 2:19-22

 "I do not pray for these alone, 

but also for those 

who will believe in Me through their word;

that they all may be one, 

as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You;

that they also may be one in Us, 

that the world may believe that You sent Me. 

John 17:20-21

Entering the Kingdom of GOD means we are also entering into a relationship with the world wide group of followers of the LORD JESUS which represents the Body of CHRIST on earth.

 

We must become a part of a local Church where the Scriptures are taught accurately, so that we may grow in CHRIST. We learn from older believers and their journeys of faith. We are molded in our character and grow spiritually as we relate with love and patience to others within the Body of CHRIST and with wisdom to those outside.

We learn to abide in His love by keeping His commandment to love one another as He has loved us.

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, 

some prophets, some evangelists, 

and some pastors and teachers,

for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, 

for the edifying of the body of Christ,

till we all come to the unity of the faith 

and of the knowledge of the Son of God, 

to a perfect man, 

to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 

that we should no longer be children, 

tossed to and fro 

and carried about with every wind of doctrine, 

by the trickery of men, 

in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 

but, speaking the truth in love, 

may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-

-Christ-- from whom the whole body, 

joined and knit together 

by what every joint supplies, 

according to the effective working 

by which every part does its share, 

causes growth of the body 

for the edifying of itself in love. 

Ephesians 4:11-16

As we grow and mature spiritually, it is important that we step in to serve in the local assembly, according to the specific nature of our calling. This will be identified by the leadership of the Church and there will be a confirmation in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. We should serve humbly and be committed to such a ministry for the edification of the Body of CHRIST.

 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, 

that the Lord, 

having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, 

afterward destroyed those who did not believe.

And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, 

but left their own abode, 

He has reserved in everlasting chains 

under darkness for the judgment of the great day;

..But you, beloved, 

building yourselves up on your most holy faith, 

praying in the Holy Spirit,

keep yourselves in the love of God, 

looking for the mercy 

of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 

  Jude 1:5-6, 20-21

When we travel on the streets of a city, we are protected inside the vehicle. Similarly, we are kept protected in CHRIST throughout our journey on earth. The Holy Spirit in us will teach and help us to remain in JESUS CHRIST until the end.

 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing 

in the heavenly places in Christ,

just as He chose us in Him 

before the foundation of the world, 

that we should be holy 

and without blame before Him in love,

having predestined us to adoption as sons 

by Jesus Christ to Himself, 

according to the good pleasure of His will,

to the praise of the glory of His grace, 

by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved.

In Him we have redemption through His blood, 

the forgiveness of sins,

according to the riches of His grace

which He made to abound toward us 

in all wisdom and prudence,

having made known to us the mystery of His will, 

according to His good pleasure 

which He purposed in Himself,

that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times 

He might gather together in one all things in Christ, 

both which are in heaven and which are on earth-

-in Him. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, 

being predestined according to the purpose 

of Him who works all things 

according to the counsel of His will,

Ephesians 1:3-5

If then you were raised with Christ, 

seek those things which are above, 

where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.

Set your mind on things above, 

not on things on the earth.

For you died, 

and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

When Christ who is our life appears, 

then you also will appear with Him in glory. 

Colossians 3:1-4

And now, little children, abide in Him, 

that when He appears, we may have confidence 

and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 

1 John 2:28

https://youtu.be/rn9-UNer6MQ?si=EebJQ2W1tiH2iQCm