Amazing Miracle in a River

This isn't the river, but looks almost exactly like the one we walked

Walking with my wife along a bridge over a river, I looked down the 30-foot drop and saw a couple of fish lazily swimming in the water. Getting some inspiration from the discovery, I talked her into going to the end of the bridge and walking down near the river, in hopes of catching a glimpse of another fish or two.

Knowing fish spook easily, we gingerly and softly walked about 10 feet from the edge of the river.

As we went further up the river, without seeing any fish, suddenly I spotted a big one not far away; seeming to float on the top of the water. It didn't take long to see that we were in for an extraordinary experience.

After just another step, we saw more fish, and as we continued to walk, we saw fish after fish - hundreds of them - scattered along the river, from bank to bank. Never had I seen such a sight, and as a matter of fact, after enjoying that scene for about a three-block area, we went home and didnt' think much about it.

But once there, it seemed a nudge from the Holy Spirit caused me to understand this wasn't just any ordinary event we had been engaged in, but one that was extraordinary.

When thinking on it, I realized all the fish were spaced at exact intervals along the river, and when looking at one, it rolled on its side as if giving a salute.

The scripture in Romans 8:18-20 came to mind afterwards, as I was reminded that the creation eagerly waits for the manifestation or revealing of the sons of God.

To the day I die I'll believe the fish were paying homage to the Lord Jesus Christ within us.

Romans 8:18-20 (NASB)

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope.

Knowing Christ - It's Everything

"... those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. (Romans 8:14)

There was a time in the far past when God called Israel his firstborn. The implications of that are staggering in that it has a relationship and similarity to when Jesus was recognized as the only begotten Son of the Father. Now there is a difference of course, but the identification of Israel as His firstborn has the same love and relationship attached to it.

That is extremely important because what is called Christianity, overall, has went the way of officialdom and formality, rather than a close love relationship with Christ Himself.

God stands by His people on the basis of this intimacy. Once it turns outward, as it does with the majority of those that name Christ, God can no longer give Himself to them that say they take His name.

Let's back up a moment though and understand that this intimacy is recognizable by those that keep the commandments of Christ. Jesus Himself said if you love me, keep my commandments. So intimacy and passion for Christ will always lead to becoming like Him, which is really what it means to obey His commandments.

After all, how many people outwardly adhere to the commandments of Christ and yet inwardly are full of sin and corruption? They are legion, as anyone that has the power of observation and interacts with those proclaiming Christ know.

The first letter of John confirms this, saying those that are true believers will walk as He walked. How did He walk? He had the sole goal of communing with and doing the will of the Father. By extension, that means we are not to walk in a sin-filled life, but one that is full love, joy and peace in the Holy Spirit. That's part of what it means to be filled with the spirit. It's being intoxicated with God in a way that who He is in character begins to take shape within us. That's obeying His commandments. After all, the commands of God are always to lead us to Christ Himself, who comes to abide in us and transforms us into His image.

This can only be done inwardly in fellowship with Christ. It's an experience; not simply trying hard to adhere to the letter of the law or scriptures, which inevitably always leads to failure and frustration.

If we want to count for something in Christ while living in this world, this is the only way to go. Christ, while God, is still a living being, and His purpose for creating us was so we could spend our lives in fellowship with Him and one another. This fellowship with Christ is intimate and within, working its way out to others who bear the life of Christ within them as well. That is the fellowship we are to have with one another.

Everything we are is related to being practical sons of God. Being sons of God means we are to know Him within. There is nothing more intimate in regard to man than that experiential reality. Even the one-ness between a husband and wife pales before it.

As for the outworking of that? Whatever it is God would have us to do, He will be there with us as long as we aren't official or outward Christians, but are of the tribe that seeks to live a life centered in Him. That center resides in our innermost beings, and is something that must be cultivated on a daily basis.

This is what Jesus was talking about when referring to the different types of ground the word, or really Himself, is planted into. The ground is the key because the seed that is Christ is perfect. Our job is to open ourselves up to being good ground so the seed can take root and grow. The ground and the seed can only be one under those circumstances.

There is nothing we can't do when retaining and remaining in that place of openness to Christ no matter what life brings us. This is why Paul taught us to admonish one another daily so a root of bitterness wouldn't spring up.

We need to watch over and challenge one another not to allow ourselves to become hardened within, as there would then be no way for the perfect seed of Christ to be close in a way that transforms us into what He is like.

Ultimately this is what produces the outward form of religion, which looks holy outwardly, but inwardly is dry and dead to Christ. We are called to something much higher than that, and it all begins and really ends, with Christ dwelling in our innermost being by the Spirit.

This is why we are told that it is Christ in us which is the hope of glory.