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| Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed on Him, "If you continue in My Word, then are you My disciples indeed; And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. [Jn 8:31-32] |
[Note:* Updated Dec 14, 2025: Added more info about pastor Zac Poonen, a man I already respect. My memory was jolted watching a video recently. I also recalled a few videos of his that I watched in the long-ago past. I do remember his sincerity (and the way he shot straight from the hip).
I recall him as a likeable and good teacher. However, not being committed (let alone surrendered to Jesus/Yeshua), I was easily distracted by other things and different teachers (some being false or worse), yet it also included being distracted from other true ones anointed by God as well].
The part about 'respect' will explain itself as I present the means by which this humble man has always lovingly supported himself and his beloved family, and what he is satisfied to take as work and wages. More of his personal info (wife and family) is added.
I also updated info that was outdated. This preacher sticks to the true gospel of Jesus Christ [Yeshua Mashiach]. Zac Poonen acts without exploit or coercion. You will not witness deception, manipulation of the gospel or scriptures taken out of context.
You will not hear false prophecies such as those heard by the certain false prophets within NAR, the prosperity gospel, the New Age and New Thought movements. Nor does not pastor Zac compromise or manipulate scripture for the sake of financial self-gain or popularity, such as the prosperity preachers and the teachers, and false prophets of NAR.
Instead, if you watch videos of his sermons, or interviews, and Bible studies, or read articles anywhere from mere days or to decades apart, all throughout you will see actions (and hear testimonies), or read words that consistently exalts Christ Jesus (focus is on Him throughout), and reflects integrity and love. You will hear truth and notice his respect for family, friends, congregation, neighbours, and strangers. (End of update) - BP]
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| Salvation paid for with Christ's blood. Died, was buried, and resurrected. He is soon returning! Day and hour not known - Jesus told people what signs to look for... [1Cor15:3-4;Mat 24:27,30,36] |
There is no rush anymore on my part to try and keep up with others. I used to put unnecessary pressure upon myself with the time it took separating fact from fiction, with research, and with organizing material because when it took too long, the thought was that I was letting the Lord and people down by not keeping up in this digital age. That is why I say, 'unnecessary' pressure.
Also, mainstream media [MSM] not always, but quite often, misleadingly dubs LIES as 'misinformation' and 'disinformation', in order to hide truth, (therefore, separating lies from truth), while at the same time mixing it in with actual 'dis' and 'mis' information. BULL-oney baffles brains!
I temporarily accepted the lie that I had to keep up, or risk disappointing the Lord (and readers). The adversary (Satan) often speaks in the first person, meaning he injects thoughts or sentences into our mind that we are absolutely positive that they are our own thoughts, but it is trickery. The devil is the instigator, whose agenda is to take our minds off of Christ.
Yes, deception can be that subtle. When we believe anything, even if it is only for a short time, then we were temporarily deceived. No one likes to admit that they fell for something that was not true. Pride is subtle also.
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. [2Cor 10:5]
Thank Jesus for sending the Holy Spirit. It is Him and His leading who I can thank for getting me back on track. He is worthy of full credit and acknowledgement. How many times over these past almost two decades on this blog (17 years - 2008) have I encouraged brethren that our work together is not a competition, it is team effort? We need each other, and we all need Jesus Christ.
It is working together harmoniously to achieve a goal (namely, to further the kingdom of God) with Jesus/Yeshua's help via the Holy Spirit. In truth, I just came through a bit of a spiritual slump, but praise God with a thankful heart, for good and true friends (who also happen to be brethren). It is worth being held accountable. It really a good thing!
Friends who not only pray, but also take time out of a busy, sometimes hectic schedule to send an encouraging email, with choice scriptures, are a gift from God and a treasure to protect. I love the Word of God.
No matter how many times we may read through the Bible, it is so rich that the right scripture at the right time [when our spirit needs uplifting and strengthening the most], the Word is so perfect in accomplishing its purpose that it truly is the wisdom and foresight of El Shaddai alone.
So shall My Word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. [Is 55:11]
(Just like the timing of God), when coming out of that slump, an email was received with a link that led to a video with a solid teaching of Pastor Zac Poonen. I fully intend to listen to more of his lessons and sermons. I remember now that years ago (perhaps 20?), a friend at that time had sent me a link to a video that first introduced me to Zac Poonen, which, back then, I found most uplifting.
I did not follow up with brother Zac at that time (and I am convinced he is a brother-in-Christ), as I was not well-settled in the Lord back then. I have believed in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit the majority of my life.
However, I am now wholly surrendered, and being fully surrendered really makes a big difference. I have moments, naturally, where I have to beat that old flesh back down into submission; we are to daily nail it to the spiritual cross.
The difference is because the fruit that comes [in time] with full surrender is [spiritual] maturity, increased discernment (which comes from familiarity with the Word, as well as our experiences), but also wisdom that is learned through trials and tribulations.
If we were church hurt by abusive leaders, or suffered consequences due to false doctrines, we gain a stronger and deeper appreciation of good, solid teachers.
Wisdom and the Holy Spirit help us to give up our 'independence' and lean wholly on the Lord like healthy grapes that cling to a healthy branch/vine (Jesus is the Vine). More exposure to wolves in sheep's clothing, false teachers, false prophets, and hypocritical Christians (like hard taskmasters, like the Pharisees), help and train us as well as teach us secure that appreciation.
When our heart is intent on seeking truth (always starting with Jesus because He IS truth), I believe the Lord protects and guides us by His precious and Holy Spirit. Time is running short, and good teachers have been hard to find. All of us have watched with heavy hearts as the revealing of sin in the churches has been uncovered. Yet it is a good thing; the Lord is cleaning house.
For the time is come that judgment begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? [1Pet4:17]
I don't think most of us realized the depth of hypocrisy and deception that had crept into the church through false brethren, demons, and other infiltrators until the Lord began revealing that which has been hidden, just as He promised.
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| Zac and Annie Poonen 1968 wedding |
Zac is 86 years old, formerly an Indian Naval Officer. He lives in Bangalore, India with his wife of 56 [almost 57] years. According to a quick search, he has been a Christian for 56 years. [Correction: almost 60 years; converted in 1966]
Zac Poonen and his beloved wife Annie are the parents of four sons, who are now adults with families of their own. Their sons are: Sanjay, Santosh, Sandeep, and Sunil. They are all born-again, Holy Spirit-filled Christians, and so are their wives.
The children and grandchildren are all believers as well. they all follow in the footsteps of Zac and Annie and attend the Christian Fellowship Church. How wonderful when the faith continues on throughout the family down the generations. Glory be to God!
He is apostle over New Covenant Christian Fellowship. Before anyone judges him on 'apostleship', he is not pretending to be as the original twelve who walked with Jesus/Yeshua the Messiah. Nor is he in the role described by prosperity teaching or NAR.
The original twelve (12) that Yeshua chose were presentative of the 12 tribes of Israel, but they were also appointed to train, to be witnesses for Jesus' ministry, and to go out [into all the world] to preach the good news (the gospel of Jesus Christ). They were to deliver possessed and oppressed people from demons, heal the sick, and for salvation (to bring them into the kingdom of God through faith in Jesus the Christ/Yeshua the Messiah).
Zac Poonen (from his biography) began serving the Lord (as stated, nearly 60 years ago), after he finished serving as an Indian Naval Officer. He is responsible for numerous churches globally. He is the preacher, as well as one of the elders [from a plurality] at the New Covenant Christian Fellowship in Bangalore.
He has written several articles extensively, and is also the author of 25 books, all of which are written not only in Indian, but also in English and other foreign languages.
He has not received royalties from any of his books that are published by Christian Fellowship Centre. All of Zac Poonen's materials [sermons and interviews] are available freely on YouTube and at https://cfcindia.com .ALL of his written work is available not only at the website (link) but at other various outlets, all of which is distributed at no charge.
Brother Poonen is a tentmaker by trade [just like the apostle Paul] He takes no salary for his services. As an elder Zac accepts no remuneration whatsoever for his work, and neither do any of the other elders at the church.
and because he [Aquila] was of the same craft, he abode with them, and worked: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. [Acts 18:4]
This is what I was referring to when I said Zac has my utmost respect. I marvel at the fact that he takes no money for ministering as a preacher, and takes no royalties from his books, when countless others are monetizing everything they do online these days. What Zac Poonen does is a rarity.
I am very grateful to the Holy Spirit who promises to set us on the path that leads us to solid teachers, who glorify Jesus/Yeshua, and exalt El Shaddai (Adonai) on high. At the same time, He will lead us to the place where we will discern, and learn to discern, the false ones.
We know the Lord will give those who have gone astray an opportunity to repent and turn back to Him. He keeps a watchful eye. He knows the heart. People can deceive others; and sadly, sometimes we can deceive ourselves, but that is usually if we are trying to burn both ends of a candle (compromise).
We may fool others, but we cannot fool God! Let me be perfectly clear here. I most certainly would never put anyone on a pedestal and cause them to undergo the undeserved humiliation of being some kind of idol.
I will not fall into the trap of idolatry again (there was a time shamefully I did). Thank God for opening my eyes to my sin, but even more so, for the opportunity to repent, and for forgiveness. It was long ago, but sin is sin.
Neither would I put brother Zac Poonen under the pressure of living up to some kind of ridiculous manmade 'high standard'. No one, no teacher, no pastor--no one person is perfect, andto but we allow ourselves to be taught SOLID doctrine, not doctrine of demons, or lukewarm, whitewashed gospel messages.
Then, we share -- we share to help a brother, a sister - and glorify our King, our Jesus. Before I move on to the quick message I plan to post, I would like to share a couple of nuggets, courtesy of preacher Zac. Allow Jesus to providentially answer your prayers. He will.
First Nugget
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| God's Word is a real treasure purified gold |
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace. [Rom 6:14]
Brother Poonen said it took him 56 years of struggling as a Christian before he discovered a simple secret. And that's just it. If we can just allow ourselves to be taught by others, instead of thinking we have to have all the answers, this walk can be so much easier. Pride can be so subtle.
Zac said that for most of his Christian walk he carried a heavy burden. To cut to the quick and to put it simply, he read the above scripture as a command rather than a promise.
Here is the difference, as he explained it. [I hope I can do it justice; he explained it so eloquently] Brother Poonen said that most often we tend to depend more upon our flesh more than on the Holy Spirit.
Sin "should not be" master over you - is how most of us read the above scripture. Zac admitted that that is how he himself read it all those times, for all those years. It was a verse Zac struggled with because "should not be master" caused him to put it in the perspective of a "command".
Bro Zac continues: "But when we read it as "sin shall not be" master over you - it is a promise - a promise of God!" "Do you see the difference?" he asked. Lightbulbs turned on in my head too, but for a different reason. I will explain shortly.
When the scripture [Rom 6:14] is read as a 'command', it is a heavy burden one must carry. It is something that we, as a person, have to do. That was the point that Bro Poonen was emphasizing.
However, when we receive it as a promise, it is something that God says HE will do for us. It is saying that God is not abandoning His sheep to any hardship the scripture (or the devil) may put on us through misunderstanding. He removes the burden. Grace, it is the grace of God when it goes from a command to a promise.
Now I will explain. (This is part of the update added to this article because I did not think of it originally, but I thought it should be included.) It was understood how Zac Poonen's interpreted the verse, and the lesson he gleaned from it through the power of the Holy Spirit.
It was then that his sharing the scripture with others struck me as wisdom and motivated me to further share his keen insight here, in case someone else was struck with the same problem, which can very likely happen indeed.
We are not under the LAW; we are under grace. Zac says the meaning of 'law' means that we are going to try and overcome sin by our own struggle...a never-ending, wearisome struggle (heavy laden).
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| Heads up? Oh no, umm, I am just hanging out... |
A heavy burden lifted in the light of differentiating between a 'command' and a 'promise'; the law versus grace. Jesus did indeed set us free, on so many levels. Praise be to God!
Whether it is in the translation, I do not know because the KJV (King James Version) Bible is written in old English, which may be the reason it caused Brother Poonen to understand the scripture as he did. I personally did not struggle with the verse that way, but that is likely because English is my first language.
If others struggle, then his explanation would be wonderfully helpful. For that reason, I chose to publish it here. even if it can set even one soul free, then, mission accomplished, all to the glory of God, and thanks to Zac Poonen.
Come unto Me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. [Mat 11:28]
Just as Jesus/Yeshua promised. He gives us rest. One thing we gained in the Garden of Eden (along with a fallen nature) is our "independence". We can do it, we say!
We do not need someone else when we can manage something just fine on our own. Right? Or can we? If God pulls the rug out from under us (pulls the carpet of pride we float around on, high above everything else like some kind of a magic carpet, over the heads of people below us...oh, oh!)
Pull that rug out from under us and see how independent we are. lol (I jest, but it is not always funny which I can attest to that as well.)
But we are under GRACE; then 'grace' is going to help us overcome sin. That does not mean we compromise or slip in and out of sin at will (greasy grace). God forbid!He says, so if you are weary and heavy laden (sick and tired of being defeated and wondering why), the Lord invites us to come to Him. This teacher, Zac Poonen explains it splendidly. Hopefully that helps someone else if they are struggling the way it helped him.
The pastor stated that he had discovered throughout the years that there are only a certain category of people who really enter into the Spirit-filled life of overcoming. And not only overcoming, but empowerment for service. He insisted that it is open to everyone, to all of us, but not everyone enters in.
He said most Christians never enter into it, even before they die, which saddened him. It is an hour long video, which I have not watched in full. Nevertheless, if you would like to hear him explain how to lessen this struggle, he speaks far more eloquently than I do. The lesson is contained within the first 10-15 minutes if you would like to check it out. Under Grace Zac Poonen (struggled for 56 years, then discovered a secret)
Be a Zero
One other quick nugget, from the same teacher (Zac Poonen). It has to do with being nothing. Sounds depressing, hey? lol
He made a list of things important to people, things high up in life to them. They are:
wealth,[0] beauty,[0] position,[0] personality,[0] education,[0] sports,[0] intellect[0]
Whatever you strive for, whatever is important to you, people put great value on those things, some material, and other things being what they are strong in. Many believe they are the most qualified and desire to lead.
This going to be the Reader's Digest [condensed] version.
Bro Zac said, "No! We need to become zeros."
He reminds us that a zero is nothing. It is absolutely of no value. No matter how many you put together, no matter how strong it looks when they are all huddled together, a whole group of zeroes is still that - zero.
They are of no value or worth UNLESS something GREATER than a zero is put in front of it. Only when something greater is placed BEFORE the zero, or comes FIRST, only then does the zero have value.
Therefore we have to become zeroes, and something GREATER than us has to come FIRST. Jesus has to be first. The whole bunch of us zeroes becomes something of exponential value and worth when Jesus is placed BEFORE us!
When we become zeros, and put Christ Jesus (Messiah Yeshua) first, then we have value; our worth increases. Without Him, we can do nothing [nothing of eternal worth and value]. With Him, we are valuable, refined as silver is refined, and purified as gold is purified.
I am the vine, you are the branches: He that abides in Me, and I in Him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without Me, you can do nothing. [Jn 15:5]
I thought that was another nugget of gold from brother Zac Poonen and wanted to share it with people.
I Beckon You
This word was posted back in 2022. I am led to post it now.
I pray it blesses you.
I beckon you – I am calling, come deeper. I am doing a good work in you; for I am the Potter. My vessels of honour are being prepared, as all things align to My will. Those who heed My call are the ones who will do My will. Great shall be the reward. Selah
The season of consequences has ended; it has been
served in full. The hour of silent suffering comes to an end. All these years I
have encouraged you by reminding you that one day is as a thousand years to
Me, and that My timing is not as yours.
Now the appointed time arrives. Yet as little
children, My people are impatient. Let all unfold decently and in order, for
all My promises are true. Come deeper and stay in the presence of My glory for
a while, and the peace and power to wait will be your portion,
as I give it freely to those who trust and wait upon
Me.
Come to Me and I will answer you in ways that you
would not expect, but will know it is from Me.
Behold you among the heathen,
and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days,
which you will not believe, though it be told you. [Hab
1:5] NKJV
https://crossinthewilderness.blogspot.com/2022/12/deep-calls-unto-deep.html
And do
not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him
who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
And Abraham
called the name of that place Jehovah Jireh: as it is
said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen. [Gen
22:14]
And Moses
built an altar, and called the name of it, Jehovah Nissi: For he said, Because the LORD has sworn that the Lord will have war with
Amalek from generation to generation. [Ex
17:15,16]
Immanuel –
Emmanuel
Isaiah 9 (garments
rolled in blood – [vs 6] unto a child is born, Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace
My people,
trouble comes from within the country, controlled by the 'greater' outside the
nation. The harlotry and witchcraft of those who hide in darkness, who
hide in secret, has not gone unnoticed by Me
for His glory alone
Bonita dovesofthevalleys4@gmail.com




































