Preparation For Being Filled With The Spirit - Br. Zac Poonen

Where Christianity Becomes Profiteering by Br. Zac Poonen

Where Christianity Becomes Profiteering by Br.Zac Topic: Money Scripture(s): 1 Corinthians 9:12

Description: So few are giving these clear messages of warning of using the Gospel for financial profit.Br. Zac shares clearly from Scripture and the burden of the Holy Spirit how many in Christendom are making profit from the Gospel. He calls for brethren to be set apart from serving mammon in anyway in the work of the Gospel. http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/singlefile.php?lid=25569&commentView=itemComments

Two Reasons for Not Being Broken by Watchman Nee

Why is it that after many years of dealing some remain the same? Some individuals have a forceful will; some have strong emotions; and others have a strong mind. Since the Lord is able to break these, why is it that after many years some are still unchanged? We believe there are two main reasons.

First, many who live in darkness are not seeing the hand of God. While God is working, while God is breaking, they do not recognize it as being from Him. They are devoid of light, seeing only men opposing them. They imagine their environment is just too difficult, that circumstances are to blame. So they continue in darkness and despair.

May God give us a revelation to see what is from His hand, that we may kneel down and say to Him, "It is Thou; since it is Thou, I will accept." At least we must recognize whose hand it is that deals with us. It is not a human hand, nor our family's, not the brothers' and sisters' in the church, but God's. We need to learn how to kneel down and kiss the hand, love the hand that deals with us, even as Madame Guyon did. We must have this light to see that whatever the Lord has done, we accept and believe; the Lord can do no wrong.

Second, another great hindrance to the work of breaking the outer man is self-love. We must ask God to take away the heart of self-love. As He deals with us in response to our prayer, we should worship and say, "O Lord, if this be Thy hand, let me accept it from my heart." Let us remember that the one reason for all misunderstanding all fretfulness, all discontent, it that we secretly love ourselves. Thus we plan a way whereby we can deliver ourselves. Many times problems arise due to our seeking a way of escape, an escape from the working of the cross.

He who has ascended the cross and refuses to drink the vinegar mingled with gall is the one who knows the Lord. Many go up to the cross rather reluctantly, still thinking of drinking vinegar mingled with gall to alleviate their pains. All who say, "The cup which the Father has given me, shall I not drink it?" will not drink the cup of vinegar mingled with gall. They can only drink of one cup, not two. Such as these are without any self-love. Self-love is a basic difficulty. May the Lord speak to us today that we may be able to pray:

"O my God, I have seen that all things come from Thee. All my ways these five years, ten years, or twenty years, are of Thee. Thou hast so worked to attain Thy purpose, which is none other than that Thy life may be lived out through me. But I have been foolish. I did not see. I did many things to deliver myself, thus delaying Thy time. Today I see Thy hand. I am willing to offer myself to Thee. Once again I place myself in Thy hands."

TOTAL DEPENDENCE by David Wilkerson

“For the Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills . . . a land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it. . . . Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God . . . lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses . . . and when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied . . . then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage . . . and thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth” (Deuteronomy 8:7-14, 17)).

The Lord is speaking here not only to Israel but to us today. The purpose of their test in the wilderness was never in doubt: it was “that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end” (Deuteronomy 8:16). He had to teach Israel how to handle all the goodness He was about to pour out upon them. And God will test us the same way He did them.

You see, although the children of Israel were blood-secured and delivered, supernaturally guided and the object of God’s love and miracle-working power, they lacked one thing: They were not dependent upon God!

The blood can cover your sins, but it does not make you dependent on Him. Miracles can deliver you from Satan’s power, but they can’t make you dependent. You can be led by God and still not lean wholly upon the Lord.

God has to strip us of all self-assurance and destroy all that remains of self-righteousness, spiritual pride and boasting. He must (and He does) humiliate all who are destined to inherit His great spiritual blessings.

He will take a Saul of Tarsus—self-assured, self-righteous, consumed with a knowledge of the Scriptures, full of God’s zeal, ready to die for Jehovah—and strike him blind! Saul had to be humiliated before the world, led around like a child and waiting helplessly for days, until God moved. He was humiliated to a point of total dependence!

Christ Magnified In Our Bodies by Leonard Ravenhill

Christ Magnified In Our Bodies by Leonard Ravenhill Topic: Obedience

Description: Asked why he was used of the Lord so greatly in China, Hudson Taylor replied, 'God had looked long for a man weak enough, and He found me.' He takes the weak things of the world to confound the mighty. Spiritual wisdom does not come with years; neither does maturity. The key to both is obedience. Whatsoever He saith unto YOU, do it. Source : http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/singlefile.php?lid=1&commentView=itemComments

The Secret Of Devotion by Zac Poonen

The Secret Of Devotion by Zac Poonen Topic:  Scripture(s): 1 John 2:15, Luke 16:13

Description: When Christians find themselves gravitating to the world, it is because they have not yet found a satisfying life in Christ. Have you experienced the "expulsive power of a new affection"? Brother Zac shares ways to kindle a true hunger for Christ by meditating on how much He suffered for you on the cross, getting into fellowship with those who have a fervent love for Jesus, giving up whatever takes away your hunger for God, and others. Source: http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/singlefile.php?lid=7242&commentView=itemComments

Keeping the Unity of the Spirit - T. Austin-Sparks

Strive earnestly to guard and keep the harmony and oneness of the Spirit in the binding power of peace. (Ephesians 4:3 AMP)

Oneness in Christ as a Body fitly framed together is what is portrayed. How is this perfect unity reached? By all that is individual and personal being left, by the Lord being the focal center, and by our giving diligence to maintain the unity in that way; keeping all personal things out, and keeping Christ and His interests always in view.... This is not visionary, imaginative, or merely idealistic, it is very practical. You and I will discover that there are working elements of divisiveness, things creeping in amongst us to set us apart. The enemy is always seeking to do that, and the things that rise up to get in between the Lord's people and put up a barrier are countless; a sense of strain and of distance, for example, of discord and of unrelatedness. Sometimes they are more of an abstract character; that is, you can never lay your hand upon them and explain them, and say what they are; it is just a sense of something. Sometimes it is more positive, a distinct and definite misunderstanding, a misinterpretation of something said or done, something laid hold of; and of course, it is always exaggerated by the enemy.

How is that kind of thing to be dealt with in order to keep the unity of the Spirit? Rightly, adequately on this basis alone, by our saying: "This is not to the Lord's interests; this can never be of value to the Lord; this can never be to His glory and satisfaction; this can only mean injury to the Lord." What I may feel in the matter is not the vital consideration. I may even be the wronged party, but am I going to feel wronged and hurt? Am I going to stand on my dignity? Am I going to shut myself up and go away, because I have been wronged? That is how nature would have it, but I must take this attitude: "The Lord stands to lose, the Lord's Name stands to suffer, the Lord's interests are involved in this; I must get on top of this; I must get the better of this; I must shake this thing off and not allow it to affect my attitude, my conduct, my feelings toward this brother or sister!" There must be the putting aside of that which we feel, and even of our rights for the Lord's sake, and a getting on top of this enemy effort to injure the Lord's testimony. That is giving diligence to keep the unity.... Life is by unity, and unity can only adequately be found in Christ being in His place as the One for whom we let go everything that is personal. We might not do it for the sake of anyone else. We might never do it for the sake of the person in view. We do it for His sake, and the enemy is defeated.

By T. Austin-Sparks from: All Things in Christ - Chapter 8

Romans 8:5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

Romans 8:5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

So those who are according to the flesh now set their minds on the things of the flesh. How do you know whether a man is according to the flesh? It is not primarily by his external actions we can be deceived by that. You know a person can go to church to the meetings and pray and read the Bible and fast and even be involved in missionary activity and be a full-time worker but if his mind is set on the things of the flesh, the question is where is your mind ? If your mind is on the things of the flesh then you are in the flesh, whatever religious activity you may be engaged in. Those who are according to the Spirit that means those who follow the Holy Spirit. How do you know that whether you're following the Holy Spirit? Their mind is set on the things of the Spirit. So you can know whether you're following the dictates of the flesh or following the Holy Spirit by seeing where your mind is set. Not your mind is tempted but where is it set, what do you choose? There may be thoughts of temptation the flash into your mind every now and then, that means nothing. Where is your mind set? That is the important question. 

http://www.cfcindia.net/vbvaudio/Romans/04_Romans_Ch6-1_Ch6-23.mp3 - Br. Zac Poonen

Knowing And Finding The Will of God by Jim Cymbala

Knowing And Finding The Will of God by Jim Cymbala

Scripture(s): 1 Samuel 23:1-5, Acts 16:6-10, Isaiah 9:6, Colossians 3:15  

Description: In this study, Pastor Cymbala gives Biblical illustrations of how God led King David and the Apostle Paul in their decisions. God provides the same leading today as we face forks in the road of life. As you listen allow God to speak to your heart and open your heart to depend on Him more to guide you in every decision in life.

Source : http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/singlefile.php?lid=25470&commentView=itemComments

The Centrality & Supremacy of Jesus Christ - John Piper

John 1:47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

John 1:47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

If Jesus can say about you and me , an Isrealite in whom there is no guile / no hypocracy , not prefect, not sinless but no pretence. That is what we need to hear first of all. Nathanael was not even converted, he was not born again, he hadnt come to a life of victory over sin but he got free from pretence /hypocracy/guile, and that is the first step. Jesus choose/call such people even today what is he looking for ,freedom from hypocracy and guile , has he find that in you, freedom from hypocracy / guile / pretence. He who have ears to let him hear. Does he find freedom from hypocracy ,guile and pretence in you as He did in Nathanael? Then you and I have hope.

(http://www.cfcindia.net/vbvaudio/John/01_John_Ch1-1_Ch1-18.mp3 - by Br. Zac Poonen)

Prone to Wander - Lord I Feel It by Shane Idleman

The Secret - Pastor Jim Cymbala

What was the secret that Jesus knew and that all Christians must know? Let's find out what we must do and how it will bless and protect our lives. Luke 22:31-34, 39-46

http://www.holydesperation.com/sermons/TheSecretJC.mp3

AT THE BREAKING POINT by David Wilkerson

Pastors have written to me expressing their concern for parishioners who are giving up. “Good, honest Christians are so overwhelmed by guilt and condemnation that it causes despair. When they can’t live up to their own expectations, when they fall back into sin, they decide to give up.”

Growing numbers of Christians are at the breaking point. Few Christians would even dare to entertain thoughts of quitting on their love for Jesus, but in despair they consider giving up on themselves.

Some ministers today preach only a positive message. To hear them tell it, every Christian is getting instant answers to prayer and receiving miracles; everybody is feeling good, living well; and the whole world is bright and rosy. I like to hear that kind of preaching because I really desire all those good and healthy things for God’s people. But that is not the way things are for a great number of very honest, sincere Christians.

No wonder our young people give up in defeat. They can’t live up to the image created by the religion of a carefree, rich, successful, always positive-thinking Christian. Their world is not that ideal; they live with heartbreak, hour-by-hour crises, and family problems.

Paul talked about trouble: “We were pressed out of [burdened beyond] measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life” (2 Corinthians 1:8).

Positive thinking will not make these problems go away, and “confessing” that these problems do not exist does not change a thing. What is the cure? Here are two absolutes that have brought me great comfort and help:

God loves me. He is a loving Father wanting only to lift us out of our weakness.

It is my faith that pleases Him most. He wants me to trust Him.

“I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies” (Psalm 18:1-3).

YOU NEED THE HOLY SPIRIT by David Wilkerson

In order to be a good soldier in the service of our Lord Jesus Christ, it not enough to just be saved. There is much more for you: You need to be baptized with the Holy Ghost!

In Paul’s time, some believers didn’t even know there was a Holy Ghost. “He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since you believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost” (Acts 19:2). These people were saved, but it is clear they were not filled with the Holy Ghost.

I believe we are saved through the power and ministry of the Holy Ghost. But Scripture tells us that in addition to this, there is also a baptizing, an infilling that the Holy Ghost does.

Jesus did not send His disciples into the world until they had been baptized with the Holy Ghost. The disciples had pure hearts and faith to heal the sick and they were witnesses to His resurrection. They were even willing to die for Jesus, so what more could there be?

Clearly there was more! “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Do you really want the Holy Ghost? You have to be convinced this is for you. You must come to the place where you know you are nothing, have nothing, and can do nothing without the power and leading of the Holy Ghost.

Every hour of the day, multitudes worldwide have read of this promise in the Bible or have heard it preached. So they have cried out in prayer and been baptized with the Holy Ghost.

“And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh . . . I will pour out in those days of My Spirit” (Acts 2:17-18). He is yours for the asking: “How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?” (Luke 11:13).

OTHERS MAY: You CANNOT -by G.D. Watson

If God has called you to be really like Jesus He will draw you into a life of crucifixion and humility, and put upon you such demands of obedience, that you will not be able to follow other people, or measure yourself by other Christians, and in many ways He will seem to let other people do things which He will not let you do.

Other Christians and ministers who seem very religious and useful, may push themselves, pull wires, and work schemes to carry out their plans, but you cannot do it, and if you attempt it, you will meet with such failure and rebuke from the Lord as to make you sorely penitent.

Others may boast of themselves, of their work, of their successes, of their writings, but the Holy Spirit will not allow you to do any such thing, and if you begin it, He will lead you into some deep mortification that will make you despise yourself and all your good works.

Others may be allowed to succeed in making money, or may have a legacy left to them, but it is likely God will keep you poor, because He wants you to have something far better than gold, namely, a helpless dependence upon Him, that He may have the privilege of supplying your needs day by day out of an unseen treasury.

The Lord may let others be honored and put forward, and keep you hidden in obscurity, because He wants to produce some choice fragrant fruit for His coming glory, which can only be produced in the shade. He may let others be great, but keep you small. He may let others do a work for Him and get the credit for it, but He will make you work and toil on without knowing how much you are doing; and then to make your work still more precious He may let 

others get credit for the work which you have done, and thus make YOUR REWARD TEN TIMES GREATER when JESUS COMES.

The Holy Spirit will put a strict watch over you, with a jealous love, and will rebuke you for little words and feelings or for wasting your time, which other Christians never feel distressed over. So make up your mind that God is an Infinitely Sovereign Being, and has a right to do as He pleases with His own. He may not explain to you a thousand things which puzzle your reason in His dealings with you, but if you absolutely sell yourself to be His love slave, He will wrap you up in Jealous Love, and bestow upon you many blessings which come only to those who are in the inner circle.

Settle it forever, then that you are to DEAL DIRECTLY WITH the HOLY SPIRIT, and that He is to have the privilege of tying your tongue, or chaining your hand, or closing your eyes, in ways that He does not seem to use with others. Now, when you are so possessed with the living God that you are, in your secret heart, pleased and delighted over this PECULIAR, PERSONAL, PRIVATE, JEALOUS GUARDIANSHIP and MANAGEMENT OF the HOLY SPIRIT OVER YOUR LIFE, then you will have found the vestibule of Heaven.

-G.D.Watson (1845-1924).

SOURCE: Faith, Prayer, & Tract League,

Tract #76; Grand Rapids, MI 49504.

Total Dependence Upon God by Zac Poonen

The Gospel Of Christ's Glory By Bro. Zac

A Wonderful Ministry of Transformation from Glory to Glory - Bro. Zac

We read in 2 Cor 3:18 But we all with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord , are being transformed into the image, from glory to glory, just as from the Lord the Spirit. Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart (2 Cor 4:1). Apostle Paul speaks about a wonderful ministry of the Holy Spirit that transforms us from glory to glory by showing us the glory of Jesus Christ. In 2 Thes 2:14, Apostle Paul says "And it was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ". Apostle Paul was so gripped by this gospel that he not only experienced this ministry, but he wanted to lead the other Christians into this wonderful ministry of gaining the glory of Christ.

We are exhorted in Heb 12:1-2 to run the race fixing our eyes on Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our Faith. The Holy Spirit shows us the beauty of Jesus. When Jesus was on earth, He spoke much about the Father. Jesus said in John 16:13,14 But when He, the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on his own initiative, but whatever he will speak; and he will disclose to you what is to come. He shall glorify me; for He shall take of mine and shall disclose it to you. If you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you will glorify Jesus and talk more about Him. The Holy Spirit will reveal to you the hidden things of Jesus. If you are interested only in external aspects of Christian life, you will see only the external aspects of Jesus like the miracles he did when he was on earth. If you are a Christian who values the inner life, you will have a desire to know about the inner life of Jesus, when he was on earth. You will have a desire that your inner life should correspond with your external life.

In Heb 5:7 it is written about Jesus that in the days of His flesh, he prayed with loud crying and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death and His prayer was heard because of his godly fear. Jesus was not praying that he should be saved from physical death. Jesus did not want to have one wrong thought even for a second. He did not want to sin even once in any area. Jesus did not have even an atom of love money. Therefore he prayed, because he was in desperate need to be saved from spiritual death. If your child is about to die, you do not need an exhortation to pray; you will pray desperately from the heart. If you are weak, you will automatically pray. The reason why you do not pray to be saved from sin is because you are pretty strong.

Jesus learnt the scriptures between the age of 5 to 12 which helped him later on to overcome temptations. Jesus was not lazy, but was diligent to know the scriptures by listening attentively to his parents at home and in the synagogue when the scriptures were read. Jesus did not know the scriptures automatically from birth. Take this as a challenge to know the scriptures from an early age. For Jesus, God was the most important person during his life on earth.

It says in 2 Cor 3:13 that Moses put a veil over his face. Do you know what was happening to that glory on Moses' face under that veil? As time went on it was becoming less and less. He put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel didn't see that which was becoming less and less. There are a lot of people today in whose hidden life the glory is becoming less and less. When you put on a mask, you pretend that everything is alright when it is not. When we are no longer honest about our inner life, we can start to pretend and then we have to put a mask over our life. When we pretend that we are more spiritual than others, we cannot see the glory of Christ. Without a mask, we can see the glory of Christ. Let us strip away the mask. In the New Year, let us turn to the Holy Spirit. We don't have to hide anything in our hidden life. Jesus never came with a veil over His face, because in the new covenant this veil is taken away. In 2Cor 3.16 it says "When you turn to the Lord the veil is taken away." Now when we look at the glory of the Lord's face in God's word, the Spirit (2 Cor 3:18) changes us from one degree of glory to another so that the glory increases day by day.

In 2 Cor.4:1 Paul continues to describe his ministry. "Because we have received this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart." (We don't get discouraged). We also refuse to get discouraged because we keep our eyes on Jesus and we think of the tremendous ministry God has given us." In 2 Cor 4:2 Paul says "We have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God." There must be nothing in your life that you have to hide because of shame. If there is something to hide, confess it, and set it right before God.

Let us take the blame for all our failures. Without blaming any one else like Adam. Let us trust the Lord to give us the fruit of purity, humility and to have a passion to know God's mind through the scriptures.

In 2 Cor 4:5 Apostle Paul said, we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord and ourselves as your bond servants for Jesus' sake. Let us proclaim Christ Jesus as Lord and also let us be servants of others.

May we let the Holy Spirit show us the beauty of Jesus in this New Year and transform us more and more to the likeness of Christ.

Compilation: Are you hungry?

Compilation from holydesperation.com. Speakers like Paul Washer, Leonard Ravenhill, David Wilkerson, Zac Poonen, Michael L Brown and others.

WHERE ARE ALL THE GODLY SHEPHERDS? by David Wilkerson

God told the prophet Jeremiah, “As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and the Levites that minister unto me” (Jeremiah 33:22). He was saying, “I give you this covenant promise that I’m going to increase the holy priesthood that will shepherd my multiplying flocks.”

You may wonder, “Where are all the godly shepherds the Lord promised us? Where are they pastoring? Are you saying we can find their righteous churches in any city, town or village? There aren’t enough Bible schools and seminaries in the world to even begin to fulfill this incredible prophecy. I know the Lord is raising up a host of godly young ministers but surely they are few and far between.”

How will God do this? We find the answer in the book of Revelation: “Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father” (Revelation 1:5-6). God has made us all His priests! Everyone who has been washed in the blood of Jesus is a member of His royal priesthood.

The apostle Peter echoes this in 1 Peter 2:5: “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5). God has called us to be priests who minister to Him.

You see, the Lord’s concept of “church” is much different from ours. We think of church as being a ministry to people. It is a place where all the needs of God’s people—spiritual, physical and emotional—are met. Of course, that is all part of what makes up a church. But the true Church, according to Scripture, begins with ministry to Jesus Christ. His concept of the Church is anyplace there is ministry to Him.

THE FULLNESS OF THE GLORY OF GOD by David Wilkerson

The radiance that emanated from Moses’ face and heart was the result of his having seen only a little of the fullness of God’s nature (Exodus 34:29). Even so, when the Israelites saw the change in Moses’ countenance, they knew he had had a supernatural experience. His sister, brother and the others exclaimed, “This man has been face to face with God. He has gone beyond” (see Exodus 34:29-35).

Today, we have something far more glorious than even Moses had. We actually touch and handle God’s glory. “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life” (1 John 1:1).

John is saying here, “God revealed the fullness of His glory to us in Christ. We saw His glory embodied in a person and we talked with Him. We even touched Him!”

Today we not only see the fullness of the glory of God but it now abides in us. His glory shines forth in our hearts: “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6).

Paul is saying here, “Jesus Christ, God in flesh, embodies all that God is. And since we know God is goodness, love, mercy, grace and long-suffering, we also can be assured that this is the nature of Christ. Since Jesus lives in our hearts, we know that the glory of God isn’t merely out in the cosmos somewhere. No, the fullness of His glory is in us, through the presence of Christ!”

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11). Who is this grace? It is Jesus Christ—full of mercy, kindness, love!

“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (verse 12). Paul is telling us, “This grace that abides in you is the revelation of the goodness of Christ. And if you will abide in Him, His revelation will instruct you in holy living!”

Br Zac Poonen's meeting at Trivandrum - January 25th Saturday, 26th Sunday

Please see the details of br Zac Poonen's meeting at Trivandrum.

Venue - Sathyan Memorial Hall (Opp Museum), Trivandrum

Date  - January 25th Saturday, 26th Sunday

Timing - 6:30PM - 8:30PM

Also you are welcome to view this meeting's LIVE streaming, if you are outside Trivandrum. Kindly check

http://www.cfcindia.com/web/mainpages/home_page.php

Quenching the Fiery Darts of Satan by Paul West

Paul warned Timothy that everyone who endeavored to live a godly life would suffer persecution (II Timothy 3:12). Undoubtedly, the bulk of this persecution comes not only from physical entities, but from spiritual ones as well. That’s because we wrestle not against anti-Christian governmental authorities and belligerent people who oppose the gospel, but against invisible powers and principalities, against wicked spirits in high places who seek to control our minds and distort our thought patterns (II Corinthians 10:3-5). Indeed, the powers of darkness are just as active and influential here in North America as they are in communist nations and other countries closed off to the gospel.

In the game of chess, one player makes a move and the other opponent then reacts to the move with a strategy of his own, usually in defense or attack. The same can be seen in the spiritual realm. Paul, for instance, was very clear about his intentions to forgive a man so as to not allow Satan the advantage of entering into his own life (II Corinthians 2:10-11). He explained this was because he was not ignorant of Satan’s devices. Paul knew the moves he had to make in order to safeguard his soul. He knew that as long as he harbored unforgiveness toward any person, the powers of darkness would have an advantage over him. And so he followed the direction of the Holy Spirit and forgave the man in question. Satan’s entry into Paul’s life was blocked! 

God’s Word shows us how to prevent the powers of darkness from taking advantage over us. In fact, the Bible not only shows us what we are to look for, but how to respond to Satan’s schemes when we are attacked. When we submit ourselves to the defensive directions God’s Word, the Holy Spirit alerts us to every attack of the enemy and equips us with the grace we need to overcome in the moment of our testing. This grace is given to all those who humble themselves and bow their will to the power of the cross (James 4:6).

By humbling ourselves, we allow the Lord to break us. The Word of God says that we are like vessels (2 Timothy 2:20-22). And when a vessel is broken, light begins to shimmer through the cracks and shards. The inside of the cup then becomes exposed as the light shines in and out of it. And with this light, we begin to see how the powers of darkness move and the tactics they so often use to beset us.

To defend ourselves from their schemes, God gives us several pieces of spiritual armor. Above all, He gives us what the Bible calls the “shield of faith” (Ephesians 6:16). Shields, like all other pieces of armor, are defensive. They are used to deflect arrows and block sword thrusts. In this case, we are told that Satan has “fiery darts” which he hurls at us in battle. These darts are poisonous impulses and corrupt suggestions which seek to enter our minds and paralyze our walks with God. Darts can come in the form of unforgiveness and grudges, sexual lust, the love of money, the cares of the world, the fear of the future, religious pride, accusations and criticism. These flaming darts are aimed at the mind and seek to penetrate our thought life. If they enter in and stick, the fire they bring ignites into blazing strongholds and we become consumed with depression, defeat, fear and doubt. This is Satan’s consuming fire.

The Lord has decreed that it is often necessary that we go through these fiery trials (I Peter 4:12), as the purpose for them is to break us to the point where we able to receive His grace and be a ministry of life to others. But before this can happen, we must first suffer many defeats, and these defeats are designed to crush our pride. During these defeats we learn that we are not strong enough to quench Satan’s darts in our own power, and that simple faith, void of any kind of human willpower or determination, alone is the victory (I John 5:4). But what is this victorious faith based upon?

Before we answer this, we must first understand that the Christian life is both a battle (2 Timothy 2:3-4), and a rest (Matthew11:28-30; Hebrews 4:10). This seems like a paradox! When we realize the war has already been won on Calvary (Colossians 2:15), we can think there is nothing for us to do now but to sit back and relax and enjoy life. But this is not so. We still find ourselves in the midst of a campaign where the forces of darkness battle for our minds and seek to vex our souls. This is because when Jesus defeated Satan on the cross, Satan was not destroyed. The power for him to tempt God’s children and the possibility for them to fall into sin was not done away with. Satan was still allowed to keep his grip over the world’s system the same as he always had since Adam and Eve ate of the fruit in the garden. The significance instead would come to those who were predestined to have their “old men” slain in Christ before the foundation of the world, and be installed with “new men” who would no longer be slaves to sin, but fashioned in the image of Christ (Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:4, 2 Timothy 1:9).

But this is blessed transition not available to the unconverted. Satan still has control over the children of the world, for they are his own (John 8:44). He has blinded his own children to the truth of the gospel (II Corinthians 4:4), so they would remain enslaved to his obedience (2 Timothy 2:26). Indeed, the whole world is in the grip of the wicked one (I John 5:19). But God’s children, blood-ransomed, are no longer in his grip!

Though God’s children may indeed fall into sin, theirs is no longer a habitual practice like the children of the devil. This is because God’s children have a “new man” living in them, a quickened spirit, made in the image of Christ (II Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:24), and this “new man” does all he can to prevent Satan’s fiery darts from polluting the mind, for he has replaced the “old man” who has been killed by God (Romans 6:6). The “new man” installed in his place is not a slave of the devil, but rather a slave to the righteousness of God (Romans 6:18). Like Jesus, his only will is to obey his Father (John 4:34). But, as we see from scripture, this “new man” must be systematically fed and strengthened by God’s Spirit (Ephesians 3:16), lest a fiery temptation overwhelm us and we succumb to the deceit of sin.

The Holy Spirit gives us a great lesson in spiritual warfare through the account of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness by Satan. Notice that Satan came to Him with these suggestions: “Turn the stones into bread” and “Jump off the temple” and “Worship me for riches and fame”.

The first temptation sought to draw out the principle of self, to induce Jesus to use God’s power on Himself autonomously. Jesus struck back with the context of the scripture rightfully re-aligned upon God and rebuffed him. The second temptation sought to draw out a carnal assumption – jump and the angels will catch you - based upon spiritual pride. Again Jesus fired back with scripture dispelling the assumption and elevating God back to His place of sovereign reverence. Seeing he could make no headway with the Son of God, Satan then catered directly with raw appeal to the flesh: worship me and the world is yours. He uses the exact same method with us!

If Satan realizes he cannot twist scripture to his advantage, he will seek other ways to win us. Many believers who are well-versed in sound theology are nevertheless in bondage to internet pornography. Others run after money and worldly success and think they can still love and serve God, despite all their knowledge of Greek and Hebrew acquired in seminary. Satan’s flaming arrows enter their minds, and there they stick, laying down poisonous roots and blinding their victims with the smoke. In truth, so many scholars and pastors and theologians who can properly dissect God’s Word with exegetical precision are yet inwardly defeated and thus totally ignorant of the enemy’s devices!

If we are to quench these darts with the shield of faith, we must understand the object in which our faith is invested. In this case, the object of our faith is the blood of Jesus (Romans 3:25).  Yes, faith in the power of the blood of Jesus Christ is the shield that quenches the fiery darts of the wicked one. If we can understand the full advantage God has afforded us through the blood of Jesus, we will see the quenching shield come up at once! Every dart can then be quenched, and we will escape each satanic attack of the mind unscathed, just as Daniel escaped the fiery furnace with not a single thread of this garment singed.

As already mentioned, the Christian life is both a battle and a rest. The battle is in keeping our eyes upon Jesus Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), and the rest comes from exercising the faith He authors in the sanctifying work of the blood of His cross. When we understand what “justified by the blood” means, our inner man suddenly finds divine strength to resist the enemy (Romans 5:9). To say we are “justified by the blood of Christ” means that we are made perfect in the sight of God by virtue of our faith in that promise. It’s that simple. When you are weak enough, you will come to see this truth, believe it, and then find your rest. Satan will not be able to harm your mind anymore with his darts, for you will have light on the eternal measure of God’s unconditional love for you and your position of blessed sonship in the Risen Savior through His holy blood (Romans 5:5; 8:38-39). And if you sin, there is no condemnation when you humble yourself and confess the sin. In that very moment, the blood of Christ cleanses you completely (I John 1:7). Faith in the blood restores you to a state of perfection. It doesn’t merely cover your sin, as you cover a stain on a carpet. If it only did this, Satan could pull back the cover anytime and still accuse you. No, the blood cleanses the stain to where it is gone forever, with no trace, as if the stain never occurred. This is how God can say, “Your sins I will remember no more” (Hebrews 8:12). Do you have faith for this? Be it unto you according to your faith!    

As soon as the Holy Spirit alerts our conscience to any kind of invading danger from the enemy, we are required to do three things: Firstly, we must resist the initial impulse. This can be difficult and we will undoubtedly suffer to some extent in the flesh even when our inner men are strong, but by doing this we follow in the example of Christ our Forerunner! (1 Peter 4:1)  Secondly, we must quench the impulse with the faith that Satan was defeated on the cross, and that the blood of the Son of God imputes to us a state of impeccability before the Father (2 Corinthians 5:21). As a result, there will be no more satanic condemnation to the conscience (Hebrews 9:14). This is the testimony of the blood we use to overcome the powers of darkness (Revelation 12:11). And finally, we must unsheathe the sword of the Spirit and rebuff Satan’s attack just like Jesus our Forerunner did with “It is written.” As Jesus was, so are we to be in this world (I John 4:17).

If Satan hurls a fiery dart tempting you to be unforgiving toward someone who has wronged you, after you quench the dart, counter his attack with a scripture like: “Be kind and forgive one another, as God has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32). If you are tempted with a dart to be selfish and greedy, you can counter it with “Let each of you look not only on his own interests, but the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4). If you are tempted to be superficially judgmental in spiritual matters, counter the dart with words of Jesus Himself: “Do not judge by appearances” (John 7:24). If you are tempted with money: “But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction” (I Timothy 6:9). Fear of an uncertain future: “Be anxious for nothing” (Philippians 4:6). If you are tempted to be envious of unbelievers living in the lap of luxury, you can use these verses to swing back: “Do not envy the wicked” (Proverbs 24:1) and “My feet had almost stumbled, for I was envious of the boastful” (Psalms 73:23).

For every dart Satan hurls, you have the shield of faith in the unlimited power of Christ’s blood, and the sharp sword of scripture to repel his attack. But, dear soldier, the initial responsibility to resist is always begins with you.

     So fight the good fight of faith! Amen.

Source - http://understandingmortification.wordpress.com/2014/01/08/quenching-the-fiery-darts-of-satan/

The Way of Love – Amy Carmichael

The way of love is never an easy way. If our hearts be set on walking in that way we must be prepared to suffer. “It was the way the Master went; should not the servant tread it still?" It is possible that we may be enclosed in circumstances which drain natural love, till we feel as dry as grass on an Indian hillside under a burning sun.

We have toiled for someone dear to us, but never knew it as toil. We have poured out stores of health never to be recovered, but did not know it, nor would we have cared if we had known it, so dearly did we love. And all our hope was

that the one so cherished would become a minister to others. But it was not so. And then unwillingly we became aware of a strange unresponsiveness in the one for whom nothing had seemed too much to do, of a coldness that chilled, a hardness that pushed away as with hard hands the heart that had almost broken to save that life from destruction.

Then (but only those who have gone through such a bereft hour will understand) a fear worse than any pain has us in its grip: is the love of the years slipping from us? "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" - is that fading from our memory? "Love never faileth" - is love failing now? Shall we find ourselves meeting lovelessness with lovelessness?

In such an hour a poem, now many years old, that expressed a desperate prayer, burned into words: Deep unto deep, O Lord, Crieth in me, Gathering strength I come, Lord, unto Thee. Jesus of Calvary, Smitten for me, Ask what Thou wilt, but give Love to me.

Yes, ask what Thou wilt—any hopes, any joys of human affection, any rewards of love - but let not love depart. Nothing ordinary is equal to this new call; nothing in me suffices for this. O Lord of Love and Lord of Pain, abound in me in love: love through me, Love of God.

Source - http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=51160&forum=45