There is a River

There is a River has been written to illuminate the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Christian's life. This River is the river of the Holy Spirit. Using the 47th chapter of the Old Testament book of Ezekiel as a backdrop, the word-picture of a river flowing from the temple of God is employed to explain Christ's intention for believers. Yet it is not necessarily meant as a study of Ezekiel's prophecy itself. Rather, the book's purpose is to explain the underlying principles of a healthy and dynamic life in the Spirit as outlined in the New Testament.

John's gospel clearly pinpoints the Holy Spirit's purpose—that of revealing the Lord Jesus to us, thus acting as a Helper and Comforter. But it remains a bit vague as to just how He goes about doing this. The apostle Paul is actually the one Jesus entrusted with explaining this mystery. In his letters, written while imprisoned in Rome, he includes several prayers for those privileged to be members of Christ's body—believers like you and me. These prayers all agree regarding what is of utmost importance for our lives. They are enormously telling as to Jesus' heart for His people. Just what exactly do they say?

First of all, they emphasize the importance of growing in the knowledge of God by means of revelation directly from Him—speaking through the Holy Spirit directly into our heart and mind so that we might actually know Jesus, not just about Him. There is a vast difference between the two. Secondly, "that we may walk in a manner worthy of Him, to please Him in all respects," all for the purpose bearing godly fruit in our life. God knows that this can only happen as we learn to commune with Him through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

This is what There is a River is all about. Pursuing intimacy with Christ using the principles explained in the Bible, both through the gospel and that depicted by Ezekiel's River, will add a dimension to your life in Christ you may never have thought possible. Learning to commune with Jesus on a daily basis is a joy with no equal.