There Is a River

“There is a river that flows from deep within.  There is a fountain that frees the soul from sin.  Come to the river.  There is a vast supply.  Come to the fountain that never shall run dry.” (David Sapp, author)

 “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, ‘If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.’

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”    ~  John 7:37-38

As I listened to the song above written by David Sapp earlier this afternoon, I just began to praise God that Jesus is the answer to every need we have.

“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters,
and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat;
yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread?
and your labour for that which satisfieth not?
hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good,
and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
Incline your ear, and come unto me:
hear, and your soul shall live;
and I will make an everlasting covenant with you.”  ~  Isaiah 55: 1-3

Are you spiritually hungry?  Come.  Are you spiritually thirsty?  Jesus beckons you to draw close to Him.

Are you angry?  Come.  Are you fearful?  Come.  Are you unsure?  Come anyway.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” ~  John 14:6

I saw this quote a while back and thought it was very poignant:

“If you’re feeling far from God, guess who moved?”

Jesus is as close as the mention of His Name.  He said if you “Draw nigh (near) to me; I will draw nigh (near) to you.” ~ James 4:8

How do we really get to know the Creator of the Universe, the Almighty God?  By spending time in His Word and prayer.  It is simple, and yet so often evades us.  That is how He reveals Himself to us and shows us how to walk out this Christian life.

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” ~ Hebrews 4:12

The Word of God is unlike any other book.  It is a living book (John 1:1).  On the one hand, it convicts; and, on the other hand, it soothes our very soul.  I love how God truly meets us at our point of need.  He knows what we need even before we utter a word.  He knows all things after all.

Is life beating you up a bit?  Come.  Press in to God.  I am confident if you humble yourself before God, He will minister to your soul.

Is everything in life peachy keen?  Come.  Praise Him for His majesty and splendor, and the great and awesome things He has done.  And don’t forget to lift someone else up in prayer who may need God’s help today.

Have people in the church disappointed you?  Come.  Has it been a while since you’ve prayed? Come.  Is your faith weak or nearly non-existent?  Come anyway.

I love this powerful truth:

“There is nothing you or I could ever do to make God love us more or less.”

Know why?  Because it’s not about us!  It’s all about grace, my friend.  God’s grace.  His matchless and awesome grace.

God loves each of us so.  He loved you enough to die for you and take your place, so that we could be reconciled to Him and live with Him eternally.  All it takes is faith the size of a mustard seed (which is the smallest seed).  If you have just a little, it’s okay.  He turns our little into much!

I just want to encourage you to draw close to God today, my friend.  He is the friend that sticks closer than a brother, the One who will never fail you.  He can do anything, but fail.

Prayer:  “Dear God, I open my heart to you today.  Please forgive me of every sin and wash me clean.  Help me to live every day for you.  Fill my heart with your peace, joy and hope, I pray.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”