River Streams

by Paul Hughes The difficulties and challenges we have gone through in the past are not to condemn us, but to be seen as a valuable education through which we can strengthen others for the Kingdom of God. (Titus 2:11-15a; Exodus 19:3-6; 1 Peter 2:9; 1 Chronicles 29:1-3; Luke 22:31-32; 1 Peter 5:10; 1 Thessalonians 1:8-9; Acts 3:19; Ephesians 2:8-10)

by Paul Hughes Jesus' resurrection empowers us, through the Holy Spirit, to stand again in hope and in the victory of living out the new life he has given us—especially in not being swayed by what people think of us but living confidently, like Jesus did, only by the Father's directives. (Romans 6:3-8; Colossians 3:1-4; Acts 10:34-35, 42-43; Mark 14:27-15:3; Hebrews 13:8)

by Paul Hughes God speaks to Abraham. Abraham responds immediately. God called us all to walk in the faith of Abraham, irrespective of how much we see and no matter how great the mystery is that is before us. (Hebrews 11:1,6; Genesis 12:1-4; Hebrews 11:8; Genesis 15:1-6; Genesis 17:1-13, 22-27; Hebrews 4:2; Romans 10:8-9)

by Heidi Hughes Nothing can separate true sons and daughters from the love of God. Sometimes God allows our identity to be tested, but this is so we find our ultimate acceptance in him and not in what others think of us. (Romans 8:31-39)

by Heidi Hughes Living in the light means walking in love, and not being afraid of the dark. (1 John 1:1-5; 1 John 2:8-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5; John 12:35-36, 46; 2 Corinthians 3:16-18; Ephesians 5:1-2; John 3:19-20; John 8:11-12; 1 Peter 1:5-10)

by Heidi Hughes Heidi encourages us to find every opportunity to serve one another in love in the power of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 20:27-28; Romans 7:6; Ephesians 4:15-16; 1 Corinthians 12:25; Mark 9:41)

by Paul Hughes Walking out the call of God, like Jeremiah did, has no room for fear or undue focus on feelings. Obedience to God is always accompanied by the beautiful truth that God is with us--no matter how hard things may seem. (Jeremiah 1:1-19; Matthew 7:24-27)

by Heidi Hughes The Kingdom of Heaven does not consist of merely operating in signs and wonders, but is all about relationship with the intimate God of the universe. The Kingdom of God primarily consists of walking in the character of God, especially as revealed in the beatitudes in Matthew 5.

by Heidi Hughes God is calling us to get into a deeper relationship with him as Father, throwing off fear and receiving the truth of our adoption as his sons and daughters. (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:4-6; John 17:20-23; Matthew 18:1-5)

by Paul Hughes Becoming a river involves experiencing primary encounters with God, and knowing him. It does not settle with mere secondary imitations of encounters that others have had. (Matthew 7:21-29; 1 Timothy 4:1, 6; 2 Timothy 2:1; 1 Peter 4:10; Psalm 103:7-8)

by Heidi Hughes • (Ephesians 4:29, Philippians 2:14) Becoming a river involves releasing life-giving words. We grieve the Holy Spirit when we let wrong words flow. Good words impart grace to those around us.

by Paul Hughes • (Ezekiel 47:1-12) God invites us to experience the river of the Holy Spirit, however complete freedom only comes when we're in over our heads and surrendered to the flow.

by Paul Hughes • (John 4:1-15, 7:37-39) When Jesus invites us to drink living water, he's offering much more than salvation. He's inviting us to be so filled up that we become rivers of living water to those around us.

by Randy Maas • (Matthew 8:1-27) Jesus is willing to give us his authority over nature, sickness and demons. We just need to be obedient in following him.

by Paul Hughes • (John 1:16, Isaiah 43:16-19) On the eve of a new year, God offers newness to us; A new understanding of our identity in him and new opportunities to serve in releasing his power and love.

by Paul Hughes • (Isaiah 30:18, John 1:9-12, Revelation 3:20) To receive Jesus means to accept the fullness of who he is. That requires more than a one time decision. It takes a daily surrender to his Lordship so that we can continually increase in our experience of who Jesus is.

by Heidi Hughes • (1 Peter 5:5-11) When the enemy comes around looking to cause trouble, there's a biblical strategy to not letting your emotions misdirect you and to win every battle.

by Paul Hughes • (2 Corinthians 4:4, Matthew 3:8) We need to be activated into the practical realization that we have the mind of Christ. How do we become established in that new mindset? In a word, repentance.    

by Paul Hughes • (2 Timothy 4:5-8, 1 Thessalonians 5:8) We're becoming headstrong in a good way when our mind is wrapped with hope: the confident expectation of the goodness of God.

by Paul Hughes • (Ephesians 6:13,17 Romans 12:1,2) Becoming headstrong can also have a positive implication. Paul exhorts us to put on the helmet of salvation, an ongoing establishment of knowing God's wholeness in every part of our being, so the we can become strong.