Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ (Library of Spiritual Classics, Volume 2)

This is the best book that I have ever read. Madam Guyon clearly explains how to have a deeper experience of God and how to grow spiritually.

I've been buying these for my church's bookcase. The college students have been taking them which was a bit surprising at first. They like Brother Lawrence, too. So there is hope for the world.

So by diligently seeking the Lord and applying the things in this book in supplement to the Word of God, I find that I am more at peace in many circumstances, and that I now seldom feel alone in daily life? I don't dread, have anxieties, worry, or enter into strife as much anymore. In practicing abiding in the Lord as diligently as I can throughout the day, as described in this book ETDoJC, I perceive the Lord's Presence more acutely, I sense that He is literally with me and so close and available. I feel a more genuine love for Him growing within me that I can't yet fully describe? I've only been reading this particular book for a month, in supplement to the Bible. And since October, I've been trying to be faithful to steward my heart in this posture of prayer. I will say this, because the enemy is cunning ---do not allow the enemy to confuse you and get you to cease all verbal prayer. There is power in opening your mouth; declaring in prayer, just endeavor to be led by the Spirit of God when you pray. The Word of God is what stands as your foundation. This book is to assist you into living life totally yielded to God in every area; try not to misconstrue what Guyon is describing to exuse you offering your mouth and voice unto God verbally in prayer, especially if you feel Him leading you. I also encourage you to approach the reading of this book, how you would approach your preparation to read the Word of God by praying beforehand; meaning, though the words of this book seem simple at face value, you'll miss a lot of revelation hidden, if you don't humble yourself and ask the Lord to give you eyes to see, and a heart to understand as you read. You need His help to assist you in understanding on a deeper level how to follow Him in this way. Also, this book is pointless to you, if you have zero plans to implement what's written; this isn't a one-and-done read of "literature". I have re-read & re-read this book within the last 30 days and am still garnering great nuggets to further apply and tweak in my walk with the Lord by His Grace. "In all labor there is profit, but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury." Prov. 14:23 Super blessed by this book 🙌🏾

Guyon has given the church a spiritual gem. And this gem has been mostly hidden... hidden by years of religious junk that is void of life-changing power! She writes of what many call "the deeper Christian life" when it is truthfully... the normal Christian life. Unfortunately, it is this Christian life that most believers never mature and grow up into.Guyon calls believers to learn a new way of prayer and a new way to read Scripture. This new way will ultimately lead us to experience the depths of Jesus Christ.Guyon recognizes that man is tripartite or trichotomous in nature. Meaning... man is composed of spirit, soul(psyche), and body. It is in the spirit of man that we meet Christ. It is through the denial of our soul-life (i.e. will, emotions, intellect) that we learn to meet with God in the spirit. The spirit then governs the soul and body as Christ intended in divine order.It is through abandonment and pressing through the "spiritual dryness" that we shall take hold of a deeper experience with Christ. Discerning the activity of your spirit vs. your soul... will allow you to come to Christ in the way he has placed before us. It is by turning inward to Christ that we discover his life in us."When your soul is once turned toward God---the God who dwells within your spirit---you will find it easy to keep turning within. The longer you continue to turn within, the closer you will come to God and the more firmly you will cling to him." p.54Many believers are led astray by external activities of the soul for years before they ever take seriously the spiritual things spoken of in this book. This is a common occurrence... but it is not normal and it never should be accepted as an inevitable delay of Christian maturity.Guyon writes, "If a new convert were introduced to real prayer and to a true inward experience of Christ as soon as he became converted, you would see countless numbers of converts go on to become true disciples."She goes on to say, "the present way of deaing only with external matters in the life of the new convert brings little fruit. Burdening the new Christian with countless rules and all sorts of standards does not help him grow in Christ. Here is what should be done: The new Christian should be led to God. How? By learning to turn within to Jesus Christ and by giving the Lord his whole heart." p.117This book is about how this happens. I have not read a more practical book about Christian living. I highly recommend this book to those who have exhausted themselves by attempting to live like Christ in the soul-life.For more of a thorough teaching on the tripartite nature of man... please read, "The Release of the Spirit" and "The Spiritual Man, vol.1" by Watchman Nee.I recommend the following books:The Release of the SpiritThe Spiritual Man (3 volume set)The Centrality of Jesus Christ (Works of T. Austin-Sparks) Volume OneThe Pursuit of God: The Human Thirst for the Divine

Have received this wonderful bookThis my 4th copy. I give them to my friends.Intimacy with Christ 🙏

I had been a devout Christian (Protestant) for over 35 years when I first encountered this book. Having been influenced early on by the writings of Hudson Taylor, Hannah Whitall Smith, and others, I thought I had a deep faith and understanding. Then I began reading this book a small chuck at a time, digesting what she said, taking time for the type of prayer she talks about...and my faith walk and experience became more like the one described in John 14-16!! The promised presence and guidance that would reside within us by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit became reality.God brought this book into my life (as He does!) at just the right time, for challenging family problems, health issues, and bouts of cancer ensued. I don't know how I would have fared without this deeper experience and faith. Now, people remark on my peace, strength, and faith in light of stage 4 ovarian cancer - a usually fatal diagnosis. He iS good!