Jewels from the River: The Purpose of the River Visions

Judy Bauman

www.thefathersloveim.org

June 30, 2010

The Purpose of the River Visions (Some practical advice plus a word from the Lord)

Earlier this month someone asked me the reason the Lord has been showing me the River visions. While I am unsure of the fullness of it, I do know that He wants each of us to quiet ourselves so that we can hear His voice no matter what is going on in the world around us. If by my going to the River causes you to realize you can go for yourself, then I see a greater purpose in sharing them.

I. SOME PRACTICAL ADVICE:

The best way I know to hear from the Lord is to spend time with Him and use a journal to record your interactions together. When you share your thoughts with the Lord, your worship, your questions, and perhaps what He is showing you in Scripture, it gives Him a chance to respond to you and the questions you have. A conversation is not just one person doing all the talking. Stop and hear what He has to say. Be sure to write what you hear Him say.

If you are angry, disappointed or have an offense against God or the church, you need to tell Him. It is difficult to interact with someone you don't trust. If you truly want to hear from the Lord, then you have to get honest with Him. Jesus has big shoulders to bear anything you have been struggling with and you are safe to share those things with Him! He already knows what is going on with you and in you, but the heart of the matter is for you to come clean to Him. You will likely be surprised at His loving response to you no matter how deep the offense that may have crippled your heart!

Quieting yourself is the best way to hear Him. Sometimes it can be difficult to get internally quiet. A tool I have used to overcome this is anointed instrumental music. It cannot be music to songs you know the words to or you will be thinking of the words (and maybe even singing along). This is a distraction to your purpose that you want to avoid! One CD I really like is, "Stir the Water" by Steve Swanson. This type of tool is especially important when you are first beginning to seek the Lord in this manner.

One point that is important is to know that the Lord reveals Himself in different ways to different people. He likes diversity! One man I know meets the Lord at the Well of His Presence. Others have reported being at a lake or the mountains. There are actually many places I have met Jesus but the River has seemed to be a launching pad for me. So let the Lord show you where you and He can converse. He knows your favorite meeting place!

II. A PERSONAL INTERACTION:

Recently I was sitting with the Lord with my journal and I asked Him if there was something He wanted to teach me. He said, "Of course there is, I am just waiting for your mind to come to a resting point." I thought I was being still; though my body was sitting still, I had a hundred things going through my head. We all probably tend to do that, but this has been a constant battle for me.

Sometimes we think that when a person has a mystical encounter with the Lord they are someone really special, but that is not true because in the Lord's eyes we are all really special. God is not one to respect one person over another. He wants all His children to hear His voice! It is our choice to come and listen and do what He shows us. He is always available to all who call upon Him. If the River visions prove to do anything, I pray they will provoke you to be still, listen for His quiet voice and then act upon what He shows you. Remember that it will always line up with His word and God's great love. Listen so you can see, see so you can hear, hear so that you know His voice; and in that knowing, who to follow as the days grow dark with a gross darkness. Arise I say! Arise, shine, for your light has come and the glory of the Lord rises upon you!

Interestingly, while writing this I am in the midst of organizing my journals so I can make better sense of all He has shown me. In my notes I found a prophetic word the Lord gave me on this very subject seven months after the visions began two years ago in July of 2008.

III. WHAT THE LORD SAID:

I Am gathering My church to the River. I Am bringing those who will lay aside their feelings of insecurity and get into a new realm of joy! I Am releasing joy! I Am releasing promises. All of My promises are "Yes in Christ" so the church will come into alignment with My will and say, "Amen" to their Father's glory.

Stand and behold the City of your God! Stand and behold the glory of your risen King!

Honor your King by receiving My joy and My promises because in Me you live and move and have your being. In Me you have everything you need. If you look to the kingdoms of this world, you will have what this world offers. But if you look to the Kingdom of your God you will never be disappointed because nothing is lost in My presence.

Take hold of My joy

Take hold of My promises

I Am with you wherever you go

AMEN!! May you be blessed in the Father's love at the River!

Judy Bauman