Over 11 years ago I was asked to start writing a column for women in our organization’s monthly newsletter. There is no doubt in my mind that it was Holy Spirit-inspired because of what transpired after the third article was written.

I've always had a desire to help women walk closer to God in the midst of their "stuff," in their relationships and through the hard places--spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally. But after that third article, I became a little desperate.

Concern that I would have nothing more to say (and would say it anyway) was weighing on my mind, so I went to the Lord and said, "How can I do this every month? I've already told them everything I know!"  He heard my heart and answered me directly through His LIVING Word in Ezekiel 47:12:

Wow! This Scripture is talking about the River of God. Wherever the River goes, everything that moves will live (vs.9) because the water flows from the Sanctuary--the Holy Place--His Presence.

The Lord was promising me that every month I would have something fresh and alive to say because it wasn't going to be about my own supply of human knowledge or wisdom. It was going to be about His Spirit, His River of Life flowing directly from His Sanctuary, and I was one of the trees that would bring forth His fruit. As you can imagine, I grabbed on to that Scripture with my whole heart, and I still do!

One thing about a moving river is that it stirs up and disrupts everything in its path.  All debris is moved out of the way as the River rushes on. When we say, "Come Holy Spirit," He does come--and on His terms--as a refiner's Fire and Purifier of gold and silver to purge away the dross. He wants to bring our actual experience and behavior up to the level of our declared testimony of faith in His Blood to cleanse from all sin and unrighteousness.

So don’t be surprised or discouraged by the fiery trials and pruning process of our Heavenly Father, the Vinedresser. We must not be afraid to allow His work to take place. It is so worth it! As our loving Father, He has promised that when we humble ourselves under His mighty hand, He lifts us up, fills us up afresh with that same Living Water, and transforms us more and more into His Image, by that same Spirit that dwells in us (I Cor. 3:18).

Our writing and the fruit of our lives in ministry to others is not of ourselves--it never will be of ourselves, so we must let go of the striving to bring forth fruit and just abide in Jesus every moment so the fruit can grow and His Spirit can flow. In John 15:4-5, Jesus said:

 "Abide in Me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.  I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."

So, men and women of God – His authors and scribes – hear what the Spirit is saying to you as you read this today. You are no different from me or anyone else when it comes to having access, through Christ, to the very Sanctuary of God--to experience the River of Life (His Spirit) flowing in from His Presence and out through your life and your manuscripts. I John 2:20 says:

"You have an anointing from the Holy One..."

You can do whatever He asks of you--clothed in His righteousness and anointed by His Spirit! In fact, many times, the things God calls us to are impossible in the natural and, therefore, can only be accomplished if He does flow through us. That's the way He wants it, so He gets all the glory -- and He has promised that as we believe Him, He will flow through us. 

You know He's been drawing and preparing you. Can you turn aside from things that would distract and spend some time with Him today? Let's nurture that precious relationship. Let's draw close so we can hear His heart; and let's believe the words Jesus spoke about us in John 7:38& 39:

"He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart (innermost being) will flow rivers of living water...This spoke He of the Spirit..."