Springs of Living Water | June 2013

1 June 2013Springs of Living Water

June 2013Published by

Living Stones ChurchKalathilpady, Vadavathoor,

Kottayam - 686 010

Editorial Board

ContentsVolume : 3

[email protected]+919446542079

(for private circulation only)free of cost

Editorial

The Deceiver ofThe World is still HereBr. Jose Anathanam

My Church My HomeSini Deepak

The Need forDiscernmentMaya Mappy

Global Deception

Laugh for Life

Healing Testimony

2

3

6

9

12

16

Springs ofLiving Water

14


Man has always been a prey toSatan’s deceptions right from the

beginning of creation. God made man in Hisown image and likeness, and gave himdominion over everything on earth. (Gen: 1:26) God told Adam and Eve “The day you eatof the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,you shall surely die.”(Gen: 2:17). The deceivercrept in and said “Has God indeed said youshall not eat of every tree of the garden”. (Gen:3:1) “You will not surely die, for God knowsthat the day you eat, your eyes will open andyou will be like God” (Gen: 3: 4-5). Satandeceived Eve and through her Adam and tookaway the glory and authority given to man afterhe was created.

From that day onwards man has beenon the run to find out a way to regain his lostglory and authority. But, the fact remains, “Andaccording to the law almost all things arepurified with blood, and without shedding ofblood there is no remission.” (Heb: 9:22)When Adam and Eve realised they werenaked when their glory was gone, they triedto cover themselves up, with a fig leaf whichwas their own method covering up their sin.But God killed an innocent animal and usedits skin to cover man from his nakedness (sin).Man needs a redeemer to get him out of hissinful nature, who will shed His blood to payfor his sins. “Therefore there is nocondemnation for those who are in ChristJesus” (Rom: 8:1)

The ways of the world are weird. Man isstill running left right and centre after thesefig leaves. The word of God which is Jesushimself is the only way for mankind to get outof this sinful nature.

Who makes man followers of variousmen and women, when the word of Godclearly says “There is no salvation in any other,for there is no other name under heaven givenamong men by which we must be saved.”(Acts 4:12)

Who makes man resort to the help ofmen of past and present, who claim to berepresentatives of God, to mediate for themto be relieved of their sins and for receivingfavours, when the word of God says “For thereis only one God and one Mediator betweenGod and men, the man Christ Jesus”? (1 Tim:2:5)

Who makes man climb steep mountainschanting litanies thinking that this is anatonement for their sins when the word of Godclearly points out “Believe on the Lord JesusChrist and you will be saved, you and yourhousehold” (Acts 16:31)

Who makes man go on long pilgrimagesin search of God, thinking that God’s presenceis limited to a particular place or building, whenGod’s word tells us “God who made the wholeworld and everything in it, since He is Lord ofheaven and earth, does not dwell in templesmade with hands.”(Acts 17:24)

Who makes man make idols of variousmen and women and place them wherepeople gather for prayer and worship theseidols, when the word of God categoricallystates “You shall not make for yourself acarved image -any likeness to that of anythingthat is in heaven above, or that is in the earthbeneath or that is in the water under the earth”(Exodus: 20: 4-5)

Who makes man indulge in religiouscustoms and traditional practices like yearlycelebrations, spending large sums of moneythinking their sin will be forgiven with this whenword says “You make the word of God of noeffect through your traditions which you havehanded down. And many such things youdo.”(Mark: 7:13)

We do not have to search for an answer.The very same deceiver who appeared beforeEve in the Garden of Eden is still here makingmen at large involve in so many customs andpractices which are against the word of God.When we surrender to the word of God andabide by it,” we will be disciples of Jesus andthen we will know the truth and the truth willset us free” (Jn 8:31-32)

Georgy & Roshini

EDITORIAL


By Jose Anathanam

In various passages of the Bible theterm — “IN THE LAST DAYS” is

spoken of directly and indirectly. For thesake of the earnest seekers of this Truth, Igive below a few quotations. [ 2 Tim. 3/1, 2 Tim. 4/1-4, 2 Pet. 3/3, The whole chapterof Jude, Dan. 10/14, Dan. 2/28, Dan. 12/1-4, Heb. 1/1-2, Mt. 24/3]

THE LAST DAYS: — It is veryimportant to understand this term.

First and foremost, we mustunderstand that the Bible is God’s Word,that the Word of God is God Himself and itis this Word that became flesh and dweltamong us as Jesus. See (Jn. 1/1-4, 14).We must also understand that Jesusappearing to John in the island of Patmossaid “I AM THE ALPHA and the OMEGA,the Beginning and the End” (Rev.1/8).

Hence it is very important to know theTruth that God has no time limitations. Heis in eternity. That Jesus who is God, is thesame yesterday, today and forever (Heb.13/8). He is not limited by time for there isno time in eternity. Time is for those whoare here on earth. Hence the terms, “In the

beginning, in the end, THE LAST DAYS arefor us to understand as we are limited bytime.

Having understood this, we must askthe help of the Holy Spirit, to reveal to usas to when the LAST DAYS begin. For thislet us read Heb. 1/1-2. “God, who at varioustimes and in various ways spoke in timepast to the fathers by the prophets, has inthese LAST DAYS, spoken to us by HisSon, whom He has appointed heir of allthings, through whom also He made theworlds.” This verse should naturally makeus understand that THE LAST DAYS beganafter Jesus started preaching at the age of30.

If we keep this in mind, it will be easyto understand the various signs of THELAST DAYS. Those who did not understandmocked saying —- ”Where is the promiseof His coming? For since the fathers fellasleep, all things continue as they werefrom the beginning of creation.” (2Pet. 3/4). In reply, Peter’s letter says ”Beloved, donot forget this one thing, that with The Lordone day is as a thousand years, and athousand years as one day. The day of The

of THE WORLDTHE DECEIVER

is still Here


Lord will come as a thief in the night” (2 Pet.3/8, 10).

Since our subject here is “ TheDeceiver of the World”, we must alwayskeep in mind this one TRUTH; thateverything spoken about the activity of theDevil as deceiver, is from the momentJesus began to preach, when the last daysbegan and not just about the present time,when we are living on this earth; thoughwe may fear, that the last of the last daysis here, because the activity of the devil,who is called the deceiver of the world hasincreased even more. When Jesus spokeabout the last days, he warned about thedeceiver saying, “Take heed that no onedeceives you. For many will come in Myname saying, ‘ I am the Christ,’ and willdeceive many. And many will be offended,will betray one another and will hate oneanother. Then many false prophets will riseup and deceive many. False Christs andfalse prophets will rise and show greatsigns and wonders to deceive, if possibleeven the elect.” (Mt.24/4-5, 10-11, 24).

EVEN THE ELECT!! It is immediatelyafter speaking about the last days thatJesus said, “Heaven and earth will passaway, but my words will by no means passaway” ( Mt.24/35). Later, after theCrucifixion, Death, Resurrection andAscension of Our Lord, the Holy Spirit used

the apostles to speak and warn us of thisperil, viz. the deceiver revealed in variousparts of the New Testament. In all thesequotations the warning is about DestructiveDoctrines, False Teachers, False Prophets,False Apostles and false signs andwonders to deceive, if possible, even theelect. (See 2Pet2/1-3; 1Tim. 4/1-3).

In the book of Revelation, the devil isshown as the deceiver of the whole world.(Rev.12/9). The Greek word used for worldis KOSMOS which means the human race.It was the devil who deceived the firstparents. And the Holy Spirit uses TheApostle Paul to warn us when he writes tothe Corinthian Church saying, ”I fear, lestsomehow, as the serpent deceived Eve byhis craftiness, so your minds may becorrupted from the simplicity that is inChrist.” (2Cor. 11/3).

The entire human race is deceivedbeing the offspring of Adam & Eve (the firstparents). All those who have not obeyedthe Word of God are deceived accordingto James 1/22. Jesus even went as far asto tell the Jews who claimed to beAbraham’s descendants that their fatherwas the devil and hence they could notunderstand what He was saying and thatHis Word was not in them. (Jn.8/37-44).

Those who have not heard the Wordof God or those who after hearing the Wordhave not obeyed the Word are all deceivedand the devil uses such to deceive others.That is why the Apostles warned aboutdestructive doctrines, false teachers and,false prophets. Jesus Himself had warned

.....that everything spoken about theactivity of the devil, as deceiver, isfrom the moment Jesus began topreach, when the last days beganand not just about the present time,when we are living on this earth;though we may fear, that the last ofthe last days is here, because theactivity of the devil, who is called thedeceiver of the world has increasedeven more.

The Deceiver is here even in this timeto take away the focus of believersfrom Jesus and His Kingdom Workand turn their attention to the worldand teach people to do those thingscontrary to the Truth of God’s Word.

7 June 2013Springs of Living Waterabout false prophets in Mt. 24/24 andspeaking to the Churches in Revelation Hespeaks of False Apostles.

Now, who are the elect?As we all know, there is only one true

Church and that Church is the Body ofChrist (1Cor.12/27, Rom. 12/5, Eph. 5/30).

And what are the characteristics of thisone and only TRUE CHURCH??

Firstly, it is The Bride of Christ. Rev.21/9 speaks of the Bride of Christ for whomJesus will appear a second time as shewaits eagerly for HIM (Heb. 9/28) when Hewill appear in the clouds (Mk.14/62, Mt.24/30), and He will send His angels with agreat sound of a trumpet, and they willgather together HIS ELECT from the fourwinds, from one end of heaven to the other(Mt. 24/31).

Hence, we must understand as to howa person comes to belong to the Body ofChrist which is His Bride. The Apostle Paulmakes it clear when he says: “I havebetrothed you to one husband, that I maypresent you as a chaste virgin toChrist.” (2Cor.11/2). “In Christ Jesus, I havebegotten you through theGOSPEL”(1Cor.4/15). Paul, who originallypersecuted the Church, now, as a believerbelonging to the Body of Christ, haspreached and formed many local churches.He is now saying that he has betrothedthem to one husband who is Christ Jesusbecause they have obeyed the commandof Jesus in Mk.16/16 which says “He whobelieves and is baptised will be saved; buthe who does not believe will becondemned.” To become the Bride ofChrist, they first heard the Gospel, thenbelieved, then of their own free will gotbaptised.

The Second characteristic of this TrueChurch is they do exactly what Jesus did.(Jn.14/12). Jesus preached the Kingdomof God, healed the sick and cast out

demons. Our Lord said: “Believers will havethese signs; they will cast out demons inMy name. They will lay hands on the sickand they will be healed.”(Mk.16/17-18).

The Deceiver is here even in thesetimes to take away the focus of believersfrom Jesus and His Kingdom Work and turntheir attention to the world and teach peopleto do those things contrary to the Truth ofGod’s Word. That is why the Holy Spirituses Paul to write thus: “I fear, lestsomehow, as the serpent deceived Eve byhis craftiness, so your minds may becorrupted from the simplicity that is inChrist.” (2Cor. 11/3)

Hence the apostles warned aboutfalse teachers, prophets, apostles whomthe devil uses to bring in destructivedoctrines. Paul continues in 2Cor.11/4 asto one great deception when he says:” Ifhe who comes preaches another Jesuswhom we have not preached, or if youreceive a different spirit which you have notreceived, or a different gospel which youhave not accepted —— you may well putup with it! For such are false apostles,deceitful workers, transforming themselvesinto apostles of Christ.” (2Cor. 11/13).

Ignorance of God’s Word has helpedthe devil to deceive many through the agesand he will continue to deceive until the daywhen he is bound and cast into thebottomless pit. (Rev20/1-3, 7-10). The onlyprotection against deception is to hearthe Undiluted Truth of God’s Word,receive it and to live in the Word.

Ignorance of God’s Word hashelped the devil to deceivemany through the ages andhe will continue to deceiveuntil the day when he isbound and cast into thebottomless pit.


I give all glory and honour to the goodLord Jesus Christ for my church and

HIS call for me into HIS kingdom. I amtoday what I am because of HIM and Hisgrace.

I started attending Jose Uncle’s prayermeetings occasionally from 1996. Today Iam so grateful to God for bringing me alongwith my family to a true church since 2004.It was a turning point in my life. I would liketo say that my personal life and family lifehave become more blessed and contentedand fruitful by coming into this true churchof God.

By coming to Solomon’s Portico, Ihave come to know that a true church ofJesus Christ is built by human fellowship,love and spiritual unity and not with materialthings like stone or bricks. We are truly thebody of Christ and we are God’s building. Iwas also inspired to know that God whomade the entire universe does not dwell intemples made with hands but with

spiritually born again living stones that isUS because a building has no soul or spirit.So my God likes to have a personalrelationship and fellowship with HISpeople.

2 Cor 6 / 16 “For you are the templeof the living God”.

The message that really touched mewas the importance of having a personalrelationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.John 17 / 3 “Now this is eternal life thatthey may know you the only true God andJesus Christ”.

I have heard my spiritual fatherpreaching this scripture for many hours -to hear about Jesus is good, to know aboutJesus is good but to experience JesusChrist is the greatest gift one can have inlife. This message opened my eyes toexperience Jesus as a reality, as also therealization of the importance of ongoingrepentance and a daily walk with Jesus.

Sini Deepak


God used my spiritual father and otherelders in the church to break and mould me.

When I attended my first retreat atUpper Room, Kanjirapally, Jose Unclecalled my name from the stage though hedidn’t know me personally. Then heprophesied the word of God over my lifeJeremiah 29 / 11 “For I know the plans Ihave for you declares the Lord, plans toprosper you and not to harm you, plans togive hope and a future”.

At that time I could not understand thefull meaning of that scripture but today Iknow God has a definite call on my life andthat is the reason HE has planted me inthis Church. To fulfil my call in Jesus ChristI need a true shepherd on this earth. Wemust always realize that God has ordaineda spiritual father and he uses his rod tocorrect and guide us just like Moses whowas the deliverer for the Israelites out ofEgypt. As a spiritual daughter I have to fullyyield to his correction and guidance. TheWord of God which I received from thechurch led me to repentance to forgive andlove others and thereby lead a life in ChristJesus.

From the church I came to know thatthe Bible is not only a book but Christhimself and HE is the Word of God (Rev19/

13) so I can contact God and experienceJesus daily. Then gradually God startedusing me as a worship leader and apreacher though I was not trained or taught.God used my spiritual father and otherelders in the church to help me stand as avessel for Jesus.

The first thing the Lord taught me wassubmission. God’s protection and coveringcomes when we have a true accountabilityto the church and its leader. It is soimportant to check the depth of ourrelationship with our church. I truly believethat to guard the anointing and otherspiritual and material blessings in our life;we have to be submissive to our spiritualfather. During the course of the ministry, Icame to know that I can never misuse myrelationship with my spiritual father. Themeasure of accountability you keep to yourspiritual father on earth is the samemeasure you will have with the father inHeaven. Matt 7 / 2 “And the measure youuse, it will be measured to you”.

The purpose of divine order is agapelove and unity in Spirit and in mind. In mypersonal life, when I started to truly agreewith the call of our church, I began to seemy life changing. I have alsowitnessed instant healings and miracles

....that a true church of Jesus Christis built by human fellowship, loveand spiritual unity and not withmaterial things like stone or bricks.

....to hear about Jesus is good, toknow about Jesus is good but toexperience Jesus Christ isthe greatest gift one can have inlife.


when I shared the same Sunday messagesto outsiders. Ps 133/ 1 – 3 tells us that unitybetween the brethren brings the anointing.It is only in the church that the Lordcommanded the blessings and eternal life.Anointing will only flow from the shepherdto a sheep just like the anointing oil runningdown from Aaron’s head, to his beard, andthen to his garments which represents thechurch.

As spiritual people, we will have tohave a deep relationship with the HolySpirit. Anointing is for a purpose. God willgive HIS Spirit not only for personal spiritualgrowth but also for the church. Anointingwill stay and increase only if you respectthe anointing on other fellow members inthe church. It is so important to honour theiranointing because the same Holy Spirit isworking through them but in different ways.

Furthermore, I was taught to check myrelationship with other church members.Unless I have a genuine relationship withmy brother or sister in the church I cannottake my position as a true Christian soldier.No king can win a war by himself but heneeds an army. “Individually we are Onedrop but together we can be anOcean”. God’s ministry is not to glorifymyself but to glorify Jesus Christ alone.

God’s protection and coveringcomes when we have a trueaccountability to the church and itsleader.

God’s call on our life cannot be achievedindividually but only through a group ofpeople who are spiritually born again.1 Cor12 / 21 “The eye cannot say to thehand, I do not need you and the headcannot say to the feet, I do not need you”.Intimacy with God and intimacy with in theChurch are very important. When we breakthat relationship, disunity and strife canoccur. Let us encourage and appreciate ourchurch. We should see the goodness ofour church because it is our home. Itrepresents the eternal home in Heaven.

The Word of God which I receivedhelped me to discover who I am in Christ.Today I have a Heavenly Father whom Ican trust always. I know that my God hasa Father ’s heart and HE answers.Jeremiah 33 / 3 “Call to me, And I willanswer you”. HE can heal, deliver, forgiveand restore us through our Saviour LordJesus Christ. May the Holy Spirit help usto love Jesus and also to love each otherand stand for one another.

I pray that my church and my familygrow in Christ in the days to come and meetHIM when HE comes to take HIS bride inHIS second coming and we all will meetHIM in HIS time. Amen.

“The eye cannot say to the hand, Ido not need you and the headcannot say to the feet, I do not needyou”.


The greatest and most needed giftwe are to receive from the Lord in

these last days is the gift of discernment.The word of God clearly says in these lastdays many will be deceived to follow falseprophets and false teachings and they willbe tossed to and fro and carried about withevery wind of doctrine by the trickery of manin the cunning craftiness by which they liein wait to deceive (Eph 4:14).

We need to first of all understand thetruth that the whole world is under the powerof the evil one who is the deceiver and thesource of all deception (1 John 5:19).Hence we need to know the truth fromGod’s word to set us free from deceptionand to protect us from error. The word ofGod says even the elect will be deceivedin these last days (Mk 13:22, Matt24:24). Those who think they are standingought to be careful (1Cor 10:12). Thereforethis calls for the need of discernment. Weneed discernment because there is adeceiver.

What is discernment? It is asupernatural or spiritual instinct or

THE NEEDFOR

DISCERNMENTjudgement regarding impulses or what youfeel regarding words and actions as towhether they originate from God or fromanother spirit. E.g. In Matt 16:16-17 we seeJesus asking the disciples as to whom theysay He was. Peter replied saying Jesuswas the Christ the Son of the living God.Jesus commended him saying that thisrevelation originated from God, whereaslater we see the same Peter trying todissuade Jesus from going to the cross(Matt 16:22-23). These words originatedfrom Satan and we see Jesus rebuking himsaying “Get behind me Satan”. From thesame person came word, one originatingfrom God and the other from Satan. Oneshould not be too confident that one willnot be deceived. If the disciples who walkedcontinuously with Jesus could be deceivedhow much more can we be!

We can even see how concerned Paulwas about the saints at Corinth when hesays in 2 Cor11:3 ”but I fear lest somehowas the serpent deceived Eve by hiscraftiness, so your minds may be corrupted

Maya Mappy


from the simplicity that is in Christ.” Thisdeception is something that that beganright in the Garden and is still going on eventoday in a greater degree. The word of Godsays to test the spirits as to whether theyare from God or from any other source.(I John 4 :1) Beloved, do not believe everyspirit, but test the spirits, whether they areof God; because many false prophets havegone out into the world. Again it says(1 Thess 5:20-21) Do not spurn the giftsand utterances of the prophets but test andprove all things until you can recognisewhat is good; to that hold fast.

The elect must know and they mustlearn to discern the spirits, until they doknow what is of God and what is of Satan.We have the responsibility to guardourselves. Many fall into deceptionbecause of the lack of the knowledge ofthe truth. Hence we see the prophet Hoseasaying in (Hosea 4:6) my people aredestroyed for lack of knowledge. That’swhy the primary safe guard againstdeception is knowledge of the truth.

How can one discern the will of Godor how can you become a person withdiscernment? (Rom 12:1-2) speaks ofthree important things or criteria neededfor sound discernment of the will of God.

1) Present your bodies as a livingsacrifice holy and acceptable to God.This calls for offering your membersas implements of righteousness (Rom6:13).

2) Do not be conformed to this world.Unless and until we are separatedfrom the world, meaning unless westop conforming to the norms, values

and patterns of this world system orin other words - fashioned after andadapted to its external and superficialcustoms, we cannot have the godlydiscernment we ought to behaving. Why? Because this world isunder the power of the evil one. Ifanyone loves the world the love forthe Father is not in him (1 John2:15) and if one loves the world he isan enemy of God (James 4:4). Henceseparation from the world is one of thegreatest criteria needed for sounddiscernment.

3) Renewal of one’s mind is also neededto have sound discernment whichmeans one must have a fresh mentaland spiritual attitude which is in linewith God’s Word. This calls for aconstant renewal in the spirit of one’smind. If one’s mind is not renewed hecannot discern which is from God andwhich is not. The unrenewed mind iscontrolled by the world system and bySatan and hence it can/will distort orcorrupt true discernment. The carnalmind is enmity against God, for it isnot subject to the law of God norindeed can be (Rom 8:7).

If we have these three things in ourlife, the word in Rom 12:2 says that thenyou will know and can discern theacceptable and perfect will of God. If oneis willing to prepare oneself in the aboveways, God will give him the gift ofdiscernment (1 Cor12:10). In today’sscenario this is a much needed gift toprotect one from becoming a prey to the

If the disciples who walkedcontinuously with Jesus could bedeceived how much more can we be!

The elect must know and they mustlearn to discern the spirits, until theydo know what is of God and what isof Satan.


so called philosophy and intellectualismand vain deceit and from following thetraditions of man and disregarding theteachings of Christ (Col 2:8).

HOW TO DISCERN A TEACHING

Since there are many false prophetsand false teachings in this world one needsto know how one can discern a teachingas to whether it has its source from the Godof truth or from the Father of lies. We seeJesus warning us in (Matt 24:4) saying becareful that no one misleads you deceivingyou and leading you into error.

There is but one basic principle fortesting the source of all doctrines, thoughts,teachings and beliefs held by believers aswell as unbelievers, and that is the test ofthe revealed word of God. All revealed truthmust be in harmony with the written wordof God. All the teachings originating fromthe deceiving spirit:

1) Weaken the authority of the scriptures

2) Distort the teaching in the scriptures.

3) Add to the scriptures the thoughts ofman. If one does so, God calls him aliar (Proverbs 30:6)

4) Put the scriptures entirely aside. Theultimate aim is to hide, distort, misuse,or put aside the revelation of Godconcerning the CROSS OF CALVARYwhere Satan was defeated by Jesusand freedom obtained for all his

captives. Satan tries to lighten or evennullify the power, victory and work ofthe cross through his false teaching.

The test of all thought and belief is itsharmony with the written scriptures in itsfull body of truth and the attitude towardsthe cross and sin.

Another important way by which wecan be protected from deception is byplacing ourselves under the authority of thetrue church and being submitted to itsleadership. The gates of hell shall notprevail against the true church but canattack a lone believer. Why do we need thecounsel of elders? (Proverbs 11:14) “Where there is no counsel the people fall,but in the multitude of counsellors there issafety”. A new believer is not familiar withthe ways of God and his senses and mentalfaculties are not trained by practice todiscern good from evil and hence can easilyfall into error due to the lack of theknowledge of the depth of the truth of God’sword (Heb 5:13-14). For this reason he issafe in counsel of elders of his church.

Hence we must pray. Teach me OhLord to discern your will. This is the bestprayer that God likes to hear. Read (1 Kings3:7-14) where we see Solomon praying foran understanding heart so that he coulddiscern between good and evil. God notonly gave him what he asked for but alsoriches and honour. Therefore may this beour prayer to God to give us a discerningheart so that we too might know thedifference between the truth and error andthus be protected from deception in all itsforms in these last days. May the good Lordbless you. Amen.

The ultimate aim is to hide, distort,misuse, or put aside the revelation ofGod concerning the CROSS OFCALVARY where Satan was defeatedby Jesus and freedom obtained forall his captives.


In Matthew 24 Jesus makes an effortto warn His Disciples against

widespread deception in the end-time. Inno less than five verses in this one chapter,Jesus touches on the subject of deception.As a matter of fact, this is the very first thingHe mentions in His reply to the disciples’question about the last days. Thus we canconclude that deception will be a majorproblem facing the church in these lastdays. In the light of this fact it is simplyunbelievable that some Christians do notseem to pay attention to this problem. It isas if they think that being deceived is a veryremote or unlikely possibility. And yetJesus makes such an effort to warn us.

The increased danger of deception inthe end-time, derives from the simple fact

Global

that Satan’s efforts will reach maximumlevel in the last days. Because of that, anangelic voice from heaven warns thosewho dwell on the earth:

‘Woe to the inhabitants of theearth and the sea! For the devilhas come down to you, havinggreat wrath, because he knowsthat he has a short time.’(Revelation 12:12)

What the devil seems to be aware ofmany Christians do not seem to take anynotice of. In the very same chapter Satanis described as

‘that serpent of old, called theDevil and Satan, who deceivesthe whole world.’ (verse 9)

Deception‘....that deception will be a major problem facing

the church in these last days.’

(Taken from the book ‘AS IN THE DAYS OF NOAH’ written by Johannes Facius)


It seems to me that the main featureof Satan’s activity in the end-time is that ofdeception. His most common appearancein the last days is as ‘the deceiver of thewhole world.’ One can almost call that hisend-time title. When the devil is thusmobilising his deceiving spirits against thechurch it is incredible to hear that somespiritual leaders claim that there is no needto worry. To say that there is no reason tofear deception is to say that believers bydefinition, are totally immune to spiritualdeception. Against such folly stands thewarning words of the Lord Jesus, the Headof the church. Deception is not only verypossible; it is quite likely. As a matter offact, if God did not put a time limit on thedevil’s offensive, all of us would probablybe fooled in the end (Matthew 24:22-24).

In Matthew 24:4 Jesus issues Hiswarning:

‘Take heed that no one deceivesyou!’

This is a clear exhortation not to takethis matter lightly, or to think that we arebeyond any danger. Another doubtful pieceof theology says that we should trust morein God’s ability to bless us than in Satan’sability to deceive us. Therefore we shouldhave no fear of deception when we plungeinto the spiritual universe. But deceptionis not a matter of the respective abilities ofGod and the devil. It lies in another place;the nature of fallen man. The Scripturessay that the human heart is sick. We allhave a potential for sin and deception, andeven if we are able to trust God and nottrust the devil, we know that there is no waywe can ever trust ourselves. Thus we need

to be on the alert constantly to uphold ahealthy respect for the deceiver of the wholeworld.

Truth or Fables

Another area of deception in the end-time is found in 2 Timothy chapter 3:

‘For the time will come when they willnot endure sound doctrine, but accordingto their own desires, because they haveitching ears, they will heap up forthemselves teachers; and they will turn theirears away from the truth, and be turnedaside to fables.’ (verses 3-4)

This word is spoken in the context ofthe imminent coming of the Lord Jesus(verse 1) and so we can assume that thetime that Paul prophetically sees here is theend-time. In the last days there will be anunwillingness to ‘tolerate sound andwholesome instruction’ as the AmplifiedNew Testament puts it. People, and we aretalking about God’s people, will no longerbe interested in the truth. They will haveitching ears. The Amplified adds ‘forsomething pleasing and gratifying.’ Truthis not interesting, because it makes claimsand is often painful. People do not want

It seems to me that the mainfeature of Satan’s activity in theend-time is that of deception. Hismost common appearance in thelast days is as ‘the deceiver of thewhole world.’ One can almost callthat his end-time title.


THAT SERPENT IS SO CONVINCINGAND YOU KNOW I CAN’T RESIST APPLES

that. They want something exciting andsensational. Something that satisfies theirfeelings. Truth cannot provide that, soinstead people are willing to listen to whathere is called ‘fables’. The Amplified adds‘myths and man-made fictions.’ In otherwords something unreal, something fromthe mystical spiritual world. To say it veryplainly: something occult! For that is whatpeople are going to get if they givethemselves over to fables. ‘Man-madefictions’ - something that has no basis inreality, but is linked to the spiritual world.Fantasies - the product of man’s incredibleimagination. There are hosts of religiousspirits who are mobilised in these last daysto deceive God’s people into all kinds of

mystical spiritual adventures. All becausethey have turned away from the truth andhave become preoccupied with their ownselfish desires. God’s people seem willingto tolerate almost any kind of spiritualexperience, without being willing to test itaccording to the written word of God. Inthis way multitudes of Christians will bedeceived and deluded in the last days ofthis age.

Jesus said:

‘See, I have told you beforehand!’(Matthew 24:25)

May we take heed of the Lord’ssolemn warning!


Laugh for Life

A priest dies and is waiting in line at thePearly Gates. Ahead of him is a guy who’sdressed in sunglasses, a loud shirt, leatherjacket, and jeans.

Saint Peter addresses this cool guy, ‘Whoare you, so that I may know whether or notto admit you to the Kingdom of Heaven ? ‘

The guy replies, ‘I’m Jack, retired airlinepilot from Houston.’

Saint Peter consults his list. He smiles andsays to the pilot, ‘Take this silken robe andgolden staff and enter the Kingdom.’ Thepilot goes into Heaven with his robe andstaff.

Next, it’s the priest’s turn. He stands erectand booms out, ‘I am Father Bob, pastorof Saint Mary’s for the last 43 years.’

Saint Peter consults his list. He says to thepriest, ‘Take this cotton robe and woodenstaff and enter the Kingdom.

‘Just a minute,’ says the good father. ‘Thatman was a pilot and he gets a silken robeand golden staff and I get only cotton andwood. How can this be?

‘Up here - we go by results,’ says SaintPeter. ‘When you preached - people slept.When he flew, people prayed.’

Three old men went to see God.

The first old man, an American, asked Godwhen his country would come out ofrecession.

“100 years” God said.

The American started weeping profusely.”Iwill not live to see that day”.

The second man, a Russian asked God,“When will my country becomeprosperous?”

“Fifty years” came the reply.

The Russian too started weepingprofusely.”I will not live to see that day”.

Finally an Indian asked God, “When will mycountry become corruption free?”

God started weeping profusely.”I will not liveto see that day.

Q. What kind of man was Boaz beforehe married Ruth?

A. Ruthless.

Q. What do they call pastors in Germany?

A. German Shepherds.

Q. Who was the greatest financier in theBible?

A. Noah. He was floating his stock whileeveryone else was in liquidation.

Q. Who was the greatest female financierin the Bible?

A. Pharaoh’s daughter. She went downto the bank of the Nile and drew out a littleprophet.

Q. Who was the greatest comedian in theBible?

A. Samson. He brought the house down.

Q. Which servant of God was the mostflagrant lawbreaker in the Bible?

A. M o s e s .He broke all 10commandmentsat once.


God blesses us when we giveHim His due.

I was neverconscientious about givingmy tithes to the Lord and sowe used to have severalunnecessary expenses. Wewere in and out of hospitalswith different kinds of trivialillnesses; our car needed allsorts of major and minor

repairs and other sundry unforeseenexpenses kept cropping up out of the blue.

In November 2012, I began to getserious about tithing and regularly gave GodHis due. It was then that I began toexperience His protection and supernaturalprovision. The first sign was that quiteunexpectedly we started getting rent from oneof our tenants who hadn’t paid for six months.

The next miraculous thing happenedwhen we decided to paint part of ourhouse. That’s when we got a letter from thebank. When we read it we were in for a realsurprise! A fairly large amount had beencredited to our account!! That was justsufficient to paint our ENTIRE HOUSE!! Tothis day I have no idea from where this moneycame into our account.

Now I know when we give our tithes tothe Lord, He takes care of us.

All glory and honour to my Lord andSaviour Jesus.

Asha

I was in tears when I came for lastSunday’s worship service due to a severe painin my knee. On Thursday evening it wasswollen and so painful that I could hardly walk.

However during theYouth meeting I felt asthough Someone washolding my knee tightly. Itwas only later that I realizedthat it was my Lord. I forgotmy pain and suffering andas I began to worship myLord Jesus, He healed me.

Jesus revealed to methat He heals us when weworship Him.

I praise and thank you Jesus.

Nimisha

Thank you LordI was in my12th standard in the last year. I

was so aprehensive that myexam results will be verybad, since there were manyunexpected questions fromoutside the syllabus forPhysics and English. But Iwas throughly encouragedwhen Jose Uncle prayed forall students who were ap-pearing for exams. On the8th of last month when the

results where announced, I could not believe,I had 97% marks.Besides, till 9th standard I managed to scrapethrough with difficulty in Chemistry. One Sun-day Jose Uncle announced in the Church thatthere is a girl here who is worried about thesubject Chemistry and from that day onwardsthe worry is gone. I accepted that announce-ment in faith. From that day onwards I havebeen scoring 98% and above for all the Chem-istry exams I have written. All Glory belongsto the Lord.

Anoopa Ann Thomas



Documents

Springs of Living Water | June 2013