The River of God: Brings Life, Healing, and Restoration

In the midst of life's challenges, it is essential to understand that as believers, we carry within us the river of God—a life-giving, healing flow that brings transformation. This river flows from the throne of God and the Lamb, and it has the power to change everything in its path. In this post, we’ll explore how the river of God brings life, healing, and provision, and how believers can access and share this flow with the world.

The Presence of God Dwells Within Us

One of the most profound truths of the Christian faith is that God’s presence is not something we have to search for. He lives on the inside of us through the Holy Spirit. In Romans 8:11, Paul reminds us, “If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies.” This means the same power that raised Christ from the dead is actively at work in us, bringing life and healing to our physical bodies.

We don't have to wait for a special moment to encounter God. As believers, the Holy Spirit abides in us (1 John 2:27), and we can recognize His presence every day. He is always with us, guiding us, healing us, and speaking to us. As we surrender to the Holy Spirit, we can live in His power and experience the fullness of life that Jesus promised.

The Will of God on Earth as in Heaven

Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). This powerful prayer reveals God’s desire for His will to be manifested here on earth. What does this mean? It means that the healing, peace, and joy found in heaven are also available to us on earth. In heaven, there is no sickness, no pain, no lack, and God’s will is that we experience His abundant life now.

The book of Revelation gives us a glimpse of this reality. In Revelation 22:1-2, John describes the river of life flowing from the throne of God, with trees bearing fruit and leaves for the healing of the nations. This image shows that God’s provision and healing flow directly from His throne, symbolizing His desire to restore and heal us.

Healing Flows from the Cross

God’s will for us is clear—He wants us to be healed and whole. Isaiah 53:5 declares, “By His wounds we are healed.” Jesus took the punishment for our sins and our sicknesses on the cross, making it possible for us to receive healing in our bodies, minds, and spirits. Healing is not just a future promise but a present reality that believers can access through faith.

Similarly, 1 Peter 2:24 reiterates that through Christ’s suffering, we have been healed. When we face sickness, we must stand on the Word of God and trust that healing is God’s will for us. Jesus didn’t die in vain—He paid the ultimate price to bring us salvation and wholeness.

The River of God Brings Provision

The river of God doesn’t just bring healing; it also brings provision. In Philippians 4:19, Paul assures us that “God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” When the river flows, it carries with it everything we need—whether it’s financial provision, peace, or joy. God is El Shaddai, the God of more than enough. Just as He cares for the birds of the air, He will provide for His children. When we trust in His provision, we are allowing the river of life to flow into every area of our lives, removing lack and filling us with abundance.

This provision is not just material but spiritual as well. Psalm 23:5 reminds us that God anoints our heads with oil, causing our cups to overflow. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we have more than enough—not just for ourselves but to share with others. The overflow of God’s blessings allows us to minister to those around us, bringing life and hope to a hurting world.

Becoming Carriers of the River

As believers, we are not only recipients of the river but also carriers. Jesus said in John 7:37-38, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” This promise is for every believer. When we drink from the well of the Holy Spirit, rivers of living water begin to flow out of us, impacting those around us.

This river is not just for our personal refreshment; it is meant to be shared. Mark 16:17-18 reminds us that as we go into the world, signs and wonders will follow. We will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover because the river of healing is flowing through us. As carriers of the river, we bring God’s life-giving power to a world in desperate need of healing, peace, and restoration.

Trusting in the Continuous Flow

The river of God is continuous. It never runs dry. Sometimes we may feel weary, but God’s river is always flowing. In Revelation 22:3, we are reminded that in heaven, nothing detestable or accursed will remain. That same truth applies to us on earth as we allow the river to flow freely in our lives, removing anything that hinders us and filling us with God’s presence.

When we are connected to the source—the throne of God—the river will flow in abundance. We don’t have to make it happen; we just need to yield to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to move in us. Whether it’s healing, provision, or peace, everything we need is found in the river of God. Let’s drink deeply from His presence and carry that river to the world.

In conclusion, the river of God is more than just a metaphor; it’s a powerful spiritual reality. It brings life, healing, provision, and restoration to every believer. As we recognize the river flowing in us, we are empowered to share it with the world, becoming carriers of God’s glory. Whether you need healing, provision, or a fresh touch of His presence, remember that the river of God is always available to you—flowing directly from the throne of grace.

Evangelist Gil Howard-Browne   www.revivaltimes.com 

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Here is the list of Scriptures referenced or used in the message:

List of Scriptures:

1. Matthew 6:10  

"Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."*  

   - Jesus declaring that it is God's will is for His kingdom and blessings, including healing and provision, to be manifested on earth today as it is in heaven.

2. Revelation 22:1-4  

"Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations."*  

   - This passage describes the life-giving and healing power of the river of God, that flows from the throne of God and through the Lamb (Jesus) and by extension the Holy Spirit Who is the third person of the Trinity of God.

3. Isaiah 53:5  

"But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed."*  

   - The verse explains that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross not only secured our salvation but also our physical healing.

4. 1 Peter 2:24  

"He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed."*  

   - This scripture reiterates the healing provided by Jesus' suffering and sacrifice on the cross.  He paid for our salvation and healing.

5. Romans 8:11  

"If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you."*  

   - The same river of life that flows in heaven, flows through the Holy Spirit.  When you receive the Holy Spirit to fill you, you have access to  the power of the Holy Spirit Who brings life to believers.

6. John 7:37-39  

"On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.' Now this He said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified."*  

   - Jesus’ invitation to come and drink symbolizes receiving the Holy Spirit, with the promise of rivers of living water flowing from within.

7. Philippians 4:19  

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."*  

   - This scripture is used to assure believers that God will provide for all their needs through His abundant resources.

8. Mark 16:15-18  

"And He said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation... And these signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.'"*  

   - This passage supports the believer's role in ministry, laying hands on the sick, and seeing them recover as the river of God flows through them.

9. Psalm 23:5  

"You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows."*  

   - This scripture reflects on the anointing of the Holy Spirit and the abundant overflow that comes from God’s provision.

10. Isaiah 61:3  

"...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."*  

   - This verse illustrates the transformation God brings—exchanging heaviness and mourning for joy and praise through His Spirit.