Water Flows As One Body
T. F. Tenney

1.	Water Resources in War
•	Water resources have rarely, if ever, been the sole source of violent conflict or war. 
•	Yet it has been one of the major players in many wars. 
•	In fact, there is a long and highly informative history of conflicts and tensions over water resources, the use of water systems as weapons during war, and the targeting of water systems during conflicts caused by other factors.
2.	Unity
•	It is amazing to think something on which all life forms depend can cause such division. We all need it, no matter our race or nation, yet somehow it seems we cannot As one man said, unite about it. 
•	We unite over "Find a river our need for it. Do you realize that approximately 70 build a bridge percent of the human body is and get over it." made up of water? 
•	Yet, we cannot unite over the boundaries of it. Instead of bridges to each other, we build barricades over an essential ingredient to all of our existence.
•	"Unity" seems elusive over such a pertinent need actually over many needs, both spiritual and physical. As one man said, "Find a river build a bridge and get over it."
•	There is unmistakable power, anointing, and blessing that comes with unity. Psalm 133 shows us this: "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell in unity!
•	It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; as the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore." 
•	This text mentions the oil of anointing went down to the skirts of Aaron's garment. It invites the simple question: What good is an anointing if it does not reach the place where we walk? 
•	Anointing just in our head, where we articulate it, is not sufficient. It must be in our feet, where we walk and live. The skirts are the closest part to the earth. Unity must come to earth. We must get it out of the clouds!

3.	Growth
•	Dew brings growth even though it comes silently and unnoticed. 
•	We cannot always depend on the rain to come, but we can depend on the dew. Growth comes out of consistency. 
•	The anointing is wonderful. However, we must have with it the dew of consistency. 
•	The psalmist said dwelling together in unity and harmony is like the anointing oil; it gives power. It is like the dew; it gives growth. Power and growth come out of unity. 
•	The spiritual life is a bridge over which man may cross and find God. 
•	It is a bridge over which he may cross and enhance his fellowship with his fellow man and his brothers in Christ. 
•	This is the work of unity and restoration—bridging the breach. Paul said, "Ye which are spiritual, restore such an one" (Galatians 6:1). There is such a definite need among us for building bridges. 
•	We have so many barricades placed in the way that we cannot have revival and unity, we cannot reach out to those in need, and why we cannot erect that much-needed bridge. 

4.	Overcoming
•	Paul said, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear" (II Timothy 1:7). 
•	One translation says, "He has not given us the spirit of frustration." It is not God's desire that the job He has called us to do frustrates us. 
•	He wants us to be overcomers. I John 5:5 states: "Who is he that over cometh the world, but he that believeth." 
•	Overcoming is not some spiritual abstraction, but a personal, triumphant capability. What we need is a sanctified sense of superiority—a knowledge and acknowledgement of our abilities in God. 
•	We can overcome the pressures the world thrusts on us by believing. By believing what? That His Word is true and that unity is the way. 
•	I want to be a bridge builder.
•	I want to reach out to hurting people, even those with whom I might disagree on some ideas and issues. 
•	Thank God for the rights we have as Americans to disagree—free speech, freedom of religion. These liberties are not taken for granted. Yet, in the Spirit we must be one.

5.	Fellowship
•	We need to return to the true sense of fellowship, a true sense of brotherly love, a true sense of community understanding. 
•	Could it be in this affluent society we have apostatized to little religious islands where everyone builds his own kingdom and does his own thing? 
•	Have we forgotten Paul's admonition that by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body?
•	There is one great head of the church, the sovereign, the Lord Jesus Christ. He built a bridge from the halls of heaven to the horrors of earth. 
•	He condescended and communicated, not because we were worthy, but because He loved. We must have the same burden our Founder had and that is a burden to reach out.
6.	Be Holy
•	To think this great and Holy God would come to us. 
•	What is true holiness? Someone has said, "The aim of holiness is to 'be holy as He is holy' Yet some would have us be holy as they are holy. 
•	True holiness will include, yet extend beyond, the clothesline to the lifeline. It reaches beyond mere legalism and spiritual pride, and manifests love, compassion, patience, and humility.
•	"Be ye holy, for I am holy," saith the Lord. As holy as He is, God is still yet a bridge builder. 
•	What good would it do to build a bridge with one end sticking out over nothing? God knew He had to communicate with something, someone, somewhere. 

7.	Fellowship in Unity
•	He chose us. I must be like Him building bridges and not barricades—always working toward unity.
•	I believe God loves with a special love that man who has a passion for the impossible. The Lord is not simply interested in nibblers of the impossible, but grabbers of the impossible through faith in Him. 
•	I think we have scriptural ground for praying for a last day outpouring of the Spirit. The prophet stated the former rain was moderate. Did not that indicate the latter rain would be greater than the former? 
•	The glory of the latter house shall be greater than the glory of the former. Unity will bring this to pass. Faith sees the way out of deep waters, God brings men into deep waters, not to drown them but to cleanse them. Revival is the only answer to the dilemma of our world.
•	 There is nothing that enhances it like a true conception of fellowship in unity.
•	Paul wrote, "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now" (Philippians 1:3, 5). Fellowship is one of the most valuable assets of the Christian journey. 
•	Miles or circumstances, which might separate us from one another physically, cannot deter the fellowship of the Spirit we feel with one another through Him.
•	Paul used the word "fellow" in a variety of combinations with respect to different Christian experiences and services. 
•	He speaks of fellow-citizens (Ephesians 2:19), fellow-heirs (Ephesians 3:6), and fellow soldiers (Philippians 2:25).
•	 He also mentions fellow prisoners, fellow servants and Titus is referred to as "my partner and fellow helper" (II Corinthians 8:23). 
•	At times the vigil is lonely, the hours are long, and the battle is torrid; but thanks be to God who giveth us the victory and unity when we work on fellowship.
•	If we are going to be like Him, and be in His image, we must walk in unity. We must constantly throw off the inherited nature of Satan and become more like the second Adam, It is a process. 
•	A piece of fruit is perfect and mature in each stage bud, blossom, nubbin, and fruit. It is not what it is going to be but it is perfect in its particular state.
•	As we all strive toward unity with Him and with each other, there is a promise found at the end of Psalm 133: "For there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore." Not only is it "good and pleasant for brethren to dwell together in unity" it receives the blessing of God!
The above article "Water Flows As One Body" is written by T. F. Tenney. This article was excerpted from chapter five in Tenney's book Water from an Old Well.
The material is copyrighted and should not be repainted under any other name or author. However, this material may freely be used for personal study or purposes.