Hindrances In The Realm Of Daily Living

There is one more area of life in which this hindering work may be found, and that is that the flow of the Spirit may be checked by inconsistencies in the daily life. 

The question which constantly faces us is whether or not we want to know the free flow from the well within. 

Do we want that springing up of living water, of which the Lord Jesus spoke? 

Do we want that, as He promised, rivers of living water shall flow out from our inner life? 

If we do, then we must always give serious consideration to anything which may serve as a blockage. 

Any disobedience, yes, any reservation in obedience, from our side will be sure to hinder the flow from God's side, acting as a deterrent to the Holy Spirit in our lives. 

We can never know the well springing up and the river flowing out if at any point where God has revealed His will, we fail in the matter of obedience.

This well is choked by disobedience to the known will of God.

It is choked and blocked by inconsistency of walk. 

The Lord wants more than mental agreement with His Word; He expects to see it working out in practical terms. 

He is concerned with how we spend our time, how we manage our financial affairs, how we behave both alone and before others. 

He watches us in the home and at our work, as well as in our fellowship activities, always looking for a walk worthy of the gospel which we believe and preach. 

Not that He desires us to have a narrow life. Far from it! 

The Spirit has come to bring enrichment and fulfilment to us. 

God's command to us, though, is that we must not quench the Spirit nor must we grieve Him...

In other words that we do not allow any rocks, stones or rubbish to accumulate as a hindrance to the springing-up well. 

We need to watch the practical expression of our daily life and so avoid a quagmire of suppression, whereas God provides for a well of water springing up into eternal life.

~T. Austin Sparks~

Causes Of Heart Wanderings~Imperceptible Inroads Of Satan

Heart wanderings from God are almost imperceptible at first.

There are slow degrees of the leakage of grace, almost imperceptible inroads of temptation.

The Devil insinuates himself in soft, silent ways and through unguarded avenues, and in such an assumed celestial raiment, that before the soul is aware, he has well-nigh captured the magazines of the heart.

A little spiritual laziness and little tonings down of self-sacrifice are like the coming of gray hairs.

The Bible speaks of a certain one who had "gray hairs... here and there upon him, yet he knoweth [it] not."

The loss of property and of health have the same imperceptible beginning as backsliding from God.

~G. D. Watson~

The Proud

                                                   
Proud professors and proud worldlings. 

All who unduly value themselves, and despise others.

All, who are too proud to submit to the righteousness of God...

Or to bow to be saved in the same way, by the same grace, as the thief on the cross, or the immoral woman.

All who in the pride of their hearts reject the gospel...

Put away the invitations of the Savior...

And refuse to be reconciled to God.

All who despise the poor saints, on account of their poverty...

Or any of the Lord's little ones, on account of their infirmities.

The proud always exalt man, insult God, yield to Satan, and grieve the Holy Spirit.

God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

~James Smith~

"NOAH'S ARK"

HE wiped out every living thing that was on the surface of the ground, from mankind to livestock, to creatures that crawl, to the birds of the sky, and they were wiped off the earth!

Only Noah was left, and those who were with him in the ark! 

And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark. Genesis 7:23

Finally, the frightful morning began! 

The heavens gathered blackness. 

Angry tempests conflicted in the skies.

The lightnings flashed over the world! 

Word was spread, that Noah and his family had entered into the ark.

The ungodly then began to fear!

Before long, floods of water poured from the sky.

Some now began to turn their eyes towards the ark; others stood doubting; others still dared to scoff!

The waters go on to increase. 

The rivers fill and start to overflow.

The waters begin to rise in the streets. 

Some flee into their houses; others, more intimidated, hasten to the hills!

Others are now convinced, and with dreadful fright, are seen wading towards the ark!

The fountains of the great deep are now broken up! 

The waters rise more rapidly, and begin to rush with impetuous force.

With difficulty they stand against the stream. 

They struggle for their lives to reach the ark!

Thousands come...some wading, some swimming, some sinking, some hanging onto the ark with the grasp of death...all screaming for admission!

But it is too late!

Time was, when the ark was open and they might have entered in...but that time is past!

Where are now those tongues which derided the enormous vessel and the man who built it?

Now what do you think of him - who for more than a century has borne the character of a fool and madman!

They would give a thousand worlds to be in his condition now!

Those nearest to the ark, cry and plead for admission, but in vain!

The waters roar! 

The ark is lifted up!  

They sink and are seen no more!

By this time, every wretch on earth is thoroughly convinced.

Hear their cries from the tops of the houses, which are answered by wails from those on the hills.

See the multitudes who have fled to the mountains.

How like frightened sheep they crowd together! 

Now the waters, roaring and foaming, have reached their feet!

They flee up to the highest ridge - but the floods pursue them there!

Some are able to climb the lofty oaks and the waves overtake them there!

They flee to the highest branches, and for a moment have time to reflect on their former madness: 

How could I disbelieve the Lord's prophet?

Where is now the ark which I scorned?

Where am I going? O eternity! eternity!

What a dreadful God have I despised!
 
On the topmost bough, the impetuous torrent sweeps them away!

Their hold is broken and they sink to rise no more!

The ark floats by and sails over the heads of the revilers and persecutors!

Only that blessed family in the ark are safe!

The same terrors will seize an unbelieving world when Jesus comes again!

As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

Mat 24:37  But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Mat 24:38  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

Mat 24:39  And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

~Edward Griffin~