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  RIVERS OF LIVING WATER
  by Zac Poonen
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Summary: To experience the power of the Holy Spirit, we must acknowledge
our need, confess our dryness, and ask God with thirst and faith.

Topics: "Holy Spirit", "Spiritual Renewal"
Scripture References: Psalm 42:1, Mark 11:24, John 7:37, Acts 2:33, Revelation 22:1

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DESCRIPTION
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Zac Poonen preaches on the imagery of the Holy Spirit as a river flowing
from the throne of God, emphasizing the baptism in the Holy Spirit as
being immersed under this waterfall to have rivers of living water flow
from within. He contrasts the struggle of the average believer to a
hand-pump, drawing only a few drops of blessing, but encourages turning
to the Lord in our dryness to experience abundant blessings. Poonen
highlights the importance of acknowledging our need for the Holy
Spirit's power over engaging in theological debates, stressing the
necessity of thirst and faith to receive this baptism.

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CONTENT
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The Holy Spirit is pictured in the New Testament as a river flowing from
the throne of God and falling to earth (Rev. 22:1; Acts 2:33). To be
baptised in the Holy Spirit is to be immersed under this waterfall.
Jesus said that all those who thirsted could come to Him and receive the
Holy Spirit so that rivers of living water could flow out from their
innermost being (Jn. 7:37).

The experience of the average believer, however, is more akin to the
hand-pump - a life of struggling and pumping up a few drops of blessing
from a dry heart. Yet it need not be like that. If our dryness would
only drive us to the Lord, things could be different. To have rivers of
blessing flowing out from us to all who come in touch with us is the
will of God for our lives.

The first step towards this is to acknowledge our need. Many believers
are caught up in foolish arguments about words. But it is power that we
need, not correct terminology. What is the use having our terminology
right, if we are as dry as a bone? It's far better to be honest and to
come to God, confessing that rivers of blessing are not flowing out
through us. Having taken that first step, we can then trust God to grant
us what we ask for.

All we need in order to be baptized in the Holy Spirit are thirst (an
intense desire, born out of a great longing to glorify God) and faith
(the absolute confidence that God will give us what He has promised).
Let us ask then, with thirst and with faith, for this power, and God
will not deny us our request.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/zac-poonen/rivers-of-living-water/
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