The River of Life

Steve Stewart's picture

Then he led me back to the bank of the river. 7When I arrived there, I saw a great number of trees on each side of the river...Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live. (Ezek 47: 6,7,9)

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 2down 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. (Rev 22:1,2)

The Ontario Gleaners is a non-profit organization that is committed to feeding the hungry in the developing world. They do this by receiving vegetables and fruit from local farmers and de-hydrating them for distribution. The result is an extremely nutritious dried soup mix that can be easily shipped. Once it is received, water is added and a small bag becomes meals for about 60-70 people. A single barrel carries enough food for over 6,000 meals.

Twice now the Gleaners have generously donated meals to Impact Nations for feeding children in Haiti––over 180,000 in all. The second shipment is arriving this week and will provide daily meals to 350 school children that we work with in two different villages. People have given to Impact Nations to cover the cost of shipping to Haiti, and carting the food to the schools. (For the Bouvier school, we have to ship it by mule train!)

Several weeks ago, the Gleaners’ director, Shelley Stone, asked me if Impact Nations did any feeding in Nicaragua. I was delighted to tell her about our partners and friends, Osvaldo and Rossy Bonilla. We have been working with them for 5 years now. Their ministry, El Shaddai, feeds about 1,400 children, 2-3 times a week, in 7 different villages. We have worked with them in building a feeding center, and providing funds for food. 

So, a few weeks ago Shelley went down to Nicaragua to look at several sites. She spent a day with Osvaldo and Rossy. Here is a really good slide show that Shelley made of her trip. About 80% of the pictures are of the work that Oswaldo and Rossy and their team are doing. 

For those of you who are thinking about joining us for the upcoming Journey of Compassion to Nicaragua, the slide show will give you a good feel for what you will be a part of.

Now, what do the scriptures at the top of this article have to do with all of this? 

Obviously, both Ezekiel and John were shown a very similar vision. The river is a picture of the life that flows in the midst of Kingdom activity. Wherever the Kingdom goes forward, there is life––

  • Everything will live
  • There will be large numbers of fish
  • Ongoing fruitfulness
  • Healing

Rivers are formed when various streams flow together. This is another sign of authentic Kingdom activity: it is not parochial or exclusive. Like Jesus, Kingdom activity always unites and includes, celebrating what God is doing through each one; religion stakes out its own territory, defining itself and those around it. Moving in the creative, unifying, others-honoring rhythm of the Kingdom brings the fruitful, abundant, irresistible life that Jesus promised. Just as a tree is known by its fruit (Mt 7:20), so is authentic Kingdom activity. 

It is exciting to see the tens of thousands of lives that have been impacted and transformed over the past few years. Likewise, it is deeply satisfying to know that this has only happened as various ministries and individuals have come together in order to declare and demonstrate the unsearchable riches of Christ and His Kingdom.

Let the river flow.

And now...enjoy the slide show.

Blessings,

Steve Stewart

 

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Contributing Strands Worksheet

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 8 Pages

An extremely easy-to-use prayer counseling worksheet to use yourself or for a counselor to use as he works with a client. It guides you through the seven prayers, ensuring that you are asking the right questions, covering all the key bases, and recording what the Lord is saying and revealing through vision. Download free here.

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Overcoming Blocks and Hindrances to Hearing God's Voice Tract

Overcoming Blocks and Hindrances to Hearing God's Voice Tract (10-pack)

by Mark Virkler | 1 Page Tract | Bundles of 10

A one-page review of how to overcome some of the main stumbling blocks to hearing God's voice. Normally the four keys of stillness, vision, spontaneity and journaling will allow you to daily hear God's voice (plus, of course, submitting it to your spiritual advisors). However, if this is not working, then these are the most likely causes, and the things to do to overcome them.

(This tract is sold in bundles of 10 for $1.00.)

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Prayers That Heal the Heart Cards

Prayers That Heal the Heart Cards (100 pack)

Wallet size cards for hand outs

Sometimes you just want to put something into someone's hand that will point them in the right direction. You know they are hurting, and you want to help. This Prayers that Heal the Heart wallet size card is perfect to leave for people to pick up, or to hand to people.

To receive up to 25 free, do not add to your cart! Just choose a quantity of "Free Gift #2" at checkout. To purchase more than 25, add to cart here.

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You Can Hear God's Voice Tract

You Can Hear God's Voice Tract (10-pack)

by Mark Virkler | 1 Page Tract | Bundles of 10

A simple review of the four keys to hearing God's voice, on one single page, front and back. Easy to hand out to another to get them interested in hearing God's voice. Nice for your own personal review.  This tract can be downloaded freely, or purchased for 10 copies for $1.00.

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7 Step Healing Model Cards (100 pack)

by Mark Virkler

Request up to 25 of the 7 Steps wallet cards FREE with every order you place! (Excluding download-only orders.) Just specify how many you would like when checking out in the shopping cart. 

To receive up to 25 free, do not add to your cart! Just choose a quantity of your "Free Gift" at checkout. To purchase more than 25, add to cart here.

Price: $5.00
Hear God Through Your Dreams cards

Hear God Through Your Dreams Cards (100-pack)

Wallet size cards for handouts

Request up to 25 of the dreams cards FREE with every order you place! (Excluding download-only orders.) Just specify how many you would like when checking out in the shopping cart. Spread the good news that God is still giving wise counsel through dreams at night, and His counsel is free!

To receive up to 25 free, do not add to your cart! Just choose a quantity of your "Free Gift" at checkout. To purchase more than 25, add to cart here.

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This workbook provides you copies of 125 PowerPoint utilized in From Oppression to Victory training. If receiving training in a group, we highly recommend that EVERY member of the group have their own copy. It offers you the following four benefits:

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LEARN Hearing God's Voice for Healing

Mark and Patti Virkler | Workbook containing 276 PowerPoint slides | Retail: $5.95

This is a printed set of 276 PowerPoints that walk you through the teaching of our book, Hearing God’s Voice for Healing. There are three PowerPoint slides down the left side of each page, and the right side is space to write your own personal notes, reflections, journaling, and insights.

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LEARN How Do YOU Know?

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 40 pages

This Life Enrichment And Review Notebook follows the audio/video series exactly, allowing you to see the key points being made and fill in answers as you go along. Writing notes always deepens the learning experience. In addition you will be encouraged to write out key Scriptures and hear what the Lord wants to say to you personally through two-way journaling exercises.

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LEARN Overflow of the Spirit Workbook Cover

LEARN Overflow of the Spirit

50 Pages | by Mark Virkler and Charity Kayembe

This 50-page LEARN Workbook is designed to be filled in while listening to the audio/video teaching on Overflow of the Spirit. Mark and Charity have teamed up again to create a training series on how to easily manifest the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit. It took us several years to break through all the confusion and present a clear, simple understanding of how to release the nine-fold manifestation of the Holy Spirit everywhere you go and with everyone you touch. It is not hard! It can’t be since these are gifts of the Holy Spirit, not things you have to work for.

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