"He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.” John 7:38 NIV

"Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us." 1 John 3:24 ESV

There is a River that flows

within every believer.

It knows neither limit or bounds

nor respects the elements or man.

"When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness of Me, and you will bear witness also.." John 15:26 ESV

It is the Spirit of God Himself,

sent to abide within us,

pulsing through our very

thoughts and hearts.

"Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts." 2 Corinthians 1:22 KJV

It is the river

of Living Water,

the Spirit of Adoption,

and the Earnest of our Salvation.

"He gives me living water and I thirst no more." John 4:14 KJV

A River that abides

in those of the Body,

who did drank of it,

to thirst no more.

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17

It pours forth as a fountain of life,

eternal in flow and freedom,

where one grows in spirit and purpose,

and be to loved unconditionally.

End

Reflections:

Excerpt from the Hymn "The Friend"**

Written by Gertrude of Hellfde, Germany - 1330AD

The Fountain for the souls that thirst,

The cup that runneth o’er—

The Lord Who gives the longing first,

Then stills it evermore—

He told me of a River bright

That flows from Him to me;

That I might be for His delight

A fair and fruitful tree.

*Living Waters - Hebrew: "mayim chayin". Also "chaiyim mekor": fountain of life.

** Hymnary.org/The Friend - translated by Francis Bevan: Hymns of Ter Steegen and Others (Second Series), 1899

Rik Charbonneaux is a retired NE Iowan who loves all of God's Word and all of His creatures.