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The whole world is trembling right now over the outbreak of terror and calamities happening throughout the earth. Every day we wake up to learn of another disaster. Some observers say we’re witnessing the beginnings of World War III.

First, terrorists blew up trains in Spain, and then masses died in train explosions in India. In Pakistan, a disastrous earthquake devastated entire towns, leaving thousands homeless, hungry and hurting. Multitudes in the Far East are still suffering in the aftermath of the tsunami.

When God birthed his church, he poured out his Holy Spirit on it. He baptized it in the Holy Spirit, filled it with the Spirit, and anointed it with the Spirit. And wherever the Spirit of God is present, there are clear proofs or evidences. Yet if these evidences aren’t seen, then the Holy Spirit isn’t present.

My question is, does the modern-day church show forth these evidences? Does your church? Is it moving in the power of the Holy Spirit? Moreover, does your life show these evidences? Are you living and walking in the fullness of the Spirit?

You've heard of the prayer of faith. I believe there is a mirror image of this prayer. It's a prayer that is based on flesh. I call it the prayer of unbelief.

The Lord knows we don't pray nearly enough. We don't weep before him as we ought. And, sadly, when many Christians do pray, their prayer is one of unbelief. Such prayer is totally unacceptable to God. In fact, Scripture says it's sinful in his eyes.

The apostle Paul assured the Thessalonians that they'd learned how to walk pleasing before the Lord. He told them, "Ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God" (1 Thessalonians 4:1). Paul then added this exhortation: "So ye would abound more and more" (4:1).
To abound means to increase. Paul was saying, "You've been sitting under sound gospel preaching. So now you have a solid foundation beneath you. Therefore, you ought to be increasing in grace in all ways -- in your faith, your knowledge, your love."

Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time (Revelation 12:12).

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are to be constantly aware that the devil is out to destroy us. Therefore, Paul says, we need to know as much as we can about the enemy's tactics and plans: Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices (2 Corinthians 2:11).

The three most common words heard among Christians in times of crisis are: "Lord, do something!" It is totally against our nature as human beings to stand still and do nothing when we face perplexing trials. In fact, waiting patiently for God to act is probably the most difficult thing about the Christian walk. Even devoted believers panic when the Lord doesn't move according to their timetable.

Recently I went to the Lord in prayer very heavy-hearted, laden down with many cares. I began to plead my case before Him:

“Oh Lord, I've never been so weary in all my life. I can hardly go on! My mind is so tired, I don't think I can get another message. You've got to come and help me with these heavy burdens You've put on me, in my ministry and in my life. I've got to have strength from You. Lord, please — help me!"

Then I began to weep. I was so exhausted the tears literally burst out of me. As I lay crying, I thought, "Surely my tears will move the Lord's heart!"

The apostle Paul was one of God's most faithful servants. And I believe there were three important motivations behind Paul's faithfulness: hope, love and fear.

Paul had a blessed hope of eternal life that motivated him to faithfulness. He also had a great love for Christ. In 2 Corinthians 5:14 he says, "The love of Christ constraineth us"— meaning, it constrained him to remain faithful to God.

But Paul's faithfulness was also motivated by something else: the reverential fear of the hour he would stand before the Judge of the world on Judgment Day!

The cloud, that misty covering that ofttimes falls upon God's people, is not a blot in God's handwriting. With Jesus, clouds come as a part of His train of glory. Clouds are really not our enemies; they do not hide His face; they are not warnings of an approaching storm. Once you understand that clouds are instruments of divine love, they should no longer be feared.

One thousand years ago, just about this time, the world faced it's darkest hour. According to Miller's Church History, the church was wicked, apostate, and very weak. In fact, it's very life was ebbing away. Mohammedanism was growing rapidly; Europe was being overrun by Hungarians who massacred multitudes; fear and violence were everywhere on earth. All mankind had become desolate and panic-stricken. There were multiplied calamities on all sides — terrible famines — indescribable disasters. Plagues and pestilences had killed countless millions.