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Dear Shiloh Family,

What is it that makes people drive for miles to view a flood, or the aftermath of said torrent? There is a respectful awe at the sight of waters out of banks or rivers raging with power exponentially greater than normal flow.

Regardless of the reason, folks will stand and gawk as the life savings of their neighbors are relocated downstream. Daredevils inevitably will wade into waters not fit for most species of fish, and rednecks near and far will drive past “Danger, high water” signs in vehicles that ride on floating balloons…while screaming to their buds, “Hey Y’all, watch-iss.” First responders frequently place their lives in peril to rescue foolish souls who thought they could handle the power of raging flood waters.

I detoured several miles out of my way, and lost an hour of time to take a drive through the I-40 gorge in Ashville, NC.
I couldn’t believe my eyes to see sections of mountains, solid rock, melted like butter. It was humbling to drive through the remains of towns that were no longer there…completely obliterated.

However, many of us recreate, meditate, culinate, and congregate around the flood waters of TVA reservoirs and rivers. Our homes are powered by hydroelectric turbans, and many of our everyday stapples of life are transported via the intricate chains of locks and dams. We fill our pools, wash our vehicles, and bathe in redirected, recycled rivers and streams. And when we are parched with thirst, we simply turn on the faucet for a cool drink of refreshment.

Job 12:14-15: 14 Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening. 15 Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up: also he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth. KJ

Job understood that man couldn’t change what God had created. The armies of Pharoh discovered that a watery grave awaited those who ignored God’s hydro crush. Noah warned a deaf generation about the judgement of righteous rain.

On the other hand, Jesus promised a well of living water springing up into new life…a life filled with His Holy Spirit, and Pentecost ushered in that promise with a rushing, mighty wind.

Unfortunately, many have abused that precious gift and have failed to recognize its awesome power. Through idle talk, false teachings, and prideful selfishness, their lives and families have been torn asunder by an offended Spirit. Even more troubling is the fact that often the innocent are caught up in the flow. I’m just glad that the Spirit who lives within is greater than the presence of evil on the outside.

Psalm 144:7-8: 7 Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children; 8 Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood. KJV

When we turn our face toward heaven, we begin to realize that the Spirit of the living God who lives in us has the power to crush our enemies, judge the unrighteous, and keep our boat afloat during the longest storm. When God allows His Spirit to overflow the banks of our hearts, we, and others can bask in the waters, allow it to clean up our daily lives, and thrive as it powers up our homes, churches, and families. It will even become sweet sustenance to our dry and thirsty souls.

Finally, one glorious day, all the those who have been redeemed by the blood and changed by the Spirit will be as one heavenly symphony with the sound of many waters. The song will be one the Angels cannot sing, and it will be a song preceding the greatest supper ever spread. John revealed it like this; 
 
Revelation 19:6: 6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. KJV

And by the way, when those waters, the waters of the Holy Spirit, get out of banks, people will flock to see what’s going on. They will come to enjoy the fellowship, but most of all, they will come to be cleaned by the presence of a Holy God and His wonderful spirit. They will yearn to be baptized in the spiritual and physical pools. They will come to the river. 

Psalm 46:4-5: 4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. NKJV

The Holy Spirit is given to us, lives in us, flows through us, and repeats itself as it spills onto others. 

God bless you all,
Pastor Derrell