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Is it possible for righteous, godly, Spirit-filled Christians to become so low and downcast, they feel they can't go on - and they come to the brink of giving up?

Think about it for a moment. I'm talking now about believers who are close to Jesus - who know His heart and mind, have done battle in prayer, have experienced His miracles, have seen victory after victory in their lives. Such people are dedicated to the Lord's work. They present themselves daily as living sacrifices.

God's purpose for every one of His children is that we surrender to the reign and rulership of the Holy Spirit:

"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit"(Galatians 5:25).

In other words, "If He lives in you, let Him direct you!"

In this message, I want to show you two things: 1) What it means to walk in the Spirit; and 2) How you can obtain such a walk.

I have not yet fully arrived in this glorious walk -- but I am gaining ground!

A few weeks ago I asked those on our mailing list to write to us and tell us about their church. In other words, if yours is a good church, tell us about it — or, if your church is in a difficult time, tell us why. I requested that no one name their church or pastor, and that the information given be without gossip, rancor or bitterness. I simply wanted to take the spiritual pulse of America's churches.

The whole world is frightened, perplexed and confused! Even the saintliest Christian must be wondering about all the fast-moving prophetic events that are rapidly unfolding.

I know that believers all over the world are asking themselves a question that I, too, am wondering: Are we in the last decade of human history?

”For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

"Yea, truth is fallen in the street, and equity [holiness] cannot enter.Yea, truth faileth: and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the Lord saw it, and it displeased Him that there was no judgment" (Isaiah 59:12-15).

The prophet Isaiah said, Truth is fallen in the streets — the door is being closed to holiness — and those who want to follow the Lord wholly are becoming victims because of soft preaching.

"He maketh wars to cease..." (Psalm 46:9).

What welcome news to the child of God shattered and torn by warfare in the soul: He maketh wars to cease. Blessed relief; the battle in my soul is His battle, and He alone can end it. My loving Father will not permit the flesh or the devil to bully me into defeat.

My war is clearly defined by James, who wrote:

"From whence come wars and fightings among you? Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?...Ye fight and war..." (James 4:1,2).

God has determined to accomplish His goals here on earth through men with weaknesses.

It is possible for any Christian to lose control of his or her spirit. Whenever this happens the result is confusion, strife and conflict: “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls” (Proverbs 25:28, KJV). The image is of a total loss of control.

The prophet Ezekiel received a vision of a tiny stream trickling out of the Temple in Jerusalem.  This trickle of water began at the throne and flowed past the altar, through the Temple court, under the east gate of the city, and finally into the desert.  As the water flowed, it intensified, growing deeper, wider, and swifter.