IS THE RIVER FLOWING?
My dictionary tells me that an Artesian Well produces a constant supply of water rising to the surface, Jesus uses this picture in the life of the Believer. When we are born again the Holy Spirit enters our life, Jesus calls it our spiritual birth John 3:6 NKJV That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. It is one thing for the Holy Spirit to enter into us, Then Jesus says AN ARTESIAN WELL (the Holy Spirit) can begin to flow out of us
John 7:38 NKJV He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
John 7:39 NKJV 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.
I would suggest some things have got to happen after the Holy Spirit comes into our life for the river to start flowing.. Jesus says in verse 37 COME TO ME AND DRINK.
The Holy Spirit’s indwelling should produce a THIRST us, so the first question we must answer is.
AM I THIRSTY?
We need to maintain our thirst, so that the more we drink, the more the river can flow out of us. If you are not feeling thirsty then we are encouraged to ask God, and it is a prayer he will swiftly answer. Amen
I believe there is another key we must learn if the Holy Spirit is going to continue if the to flow through us.
THAT IS TO LEARN TO LIVE THE SURRENDERED LIFE.
It would seem to me, this is something that we need to learn, over a lengthy period of time, and the quicker we learnt to do it, the more the river will flow, as the moment we are not living in surrender the river stops flowing.
There is an interesting story in Genesis 26:18-22 NKJV And Isaac dug again the wells of water which they had dug in the days of Abraham his father, for the Philistines had stopped them up after the death of Abraham. He called them by the names which his father had called them.
Also Isaac’s servants dug in the valley, and found a well of running water there. But the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen, saying, “The water is ours.” So he called the name of the well Esek, because they quarreled with him. Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over that one also. So he called its name Sitnah. And he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So he called its name Rehoboth, because he said, “For now the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.”
Then he went up from there to Beersheba. And the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham; do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for My servant Abraham’s sake.” So he built an altar there and called on the name of the Lord, and he pitched his tent there; and there Isaac’s servants dug a well.
We can learn a lot from this story regarding keeping the well/river flowing. The Philistines had blocked up the wells that had been dug by Abraham. Interestingly, the very first well was in Gerar which means “circle”. If one is going around in circles, he has no vision or goals.
SO WE NEED TO SET GOALS/PRIORITIES
If necessary sit with your Mentor and together you can set realistic goals in your walk with God.
Abraham had named the wells, and this is significant.
The first well is called Esek which means contention/rebellion (the opposite to unity)
Amos 3:3 NKJV asks the question Can two walk together, unless they are agreed? Of course the answer is no, again, we must walk in unity with the Lord.
SURRENDER KEEPS THE RIVER FLOWING
The 2nd well is called Sitnah which means hatred, there is a multitude of situations that arise that can produce anger, unforgiveness, hatred in our hearts, and the river stops flowing, I am so glad we can ask the Lord to put into our hearts more and more His Agape love. There are many times and situations where we are not capable of loving, but with God’s help, we can love like Jesus, and the river will keep flowing.
Isaac’s servants kept moving and dug another well, which was called Rehoboth, which means ENLARGEMENT, God in every way wants us to be enlarged,
In our walk with Him
In our marriage
In our ministry
The servants moved on again and dug another well called Beersheba which means Oath or Covenant. Covenant making, Covenant reaffirming and Covenant keeping was an important practice in Old Testament days. e.g David & Jonathan 1 Samuel 18:3 NKJV Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul, we read they reaffirmed their Covenant numerous times, and even after Jonathan’s death, David maintained the Covenant in the way he reached out to Jonathan’s crippled son,
As well as the keys expressed above, there is one more I want TO share with you in conclusion.
REGULARLY. DAILY, PRAY & WORSHIP IN UNKNOWN TONGUES
THIS WILL KEEP THE RIVER FLOWING
JUST DO IT
