“Praying on the Mountain (Fellowship) — The Hidden Life VS Going Downward to Take Root (Bearing Fruit) — The Life in the Depths”

 

“Praying on the Mountain (Fellowship) — The Hidden Life VS Going Downward to Take Root (Bearing Fruit) — The Life in the Depths”

Matthew 14:22–23“He made the disciples get into the boat… and He went up to the mountain privately to pray. And when evening fell, He was there alone.”

Psalm 42:7“Deep calls unto deep at the sound of Your waterfalls; all Your waves and billows have passed over me.”

Isaiah 37:31“The remnant… will again take root downward and bear fruit upward.” 

Category	Praying on the Mountain — Hidden Life	Going Downward to Take Root — Life in the Depths
Meaning	To be alone with the Father, remaining in the secret, unseen foundation of life (Matt. 14:23; 6:6).	To let the divine life root deeply in Christ so that the outward expression is solid and lasting (Isa. 37:31; Col. 2:6–7).
Reason	Jesus left the crowd and the excitement of the miracle in order to be one with the Father and secure His presence (Matt. 14:22–23; Luke 6:12).	Without a deep life, we cannot reach others’ depths; without roots, believers cannot endure trials (Psa. 42:7; Matt. 13:5–6).
Distinction	Invisible, on the mountain, in secret fellowship with the Father; focused on inner supply and hidden strength.	Underground, unobserved, producing spiritual solidity so that the life can bear fruit.
Explanation	Jesus went up the mountain alone, apart from the crowd and even His disciples, to remain one with the Father (Matt. 14:23). Believers are instructed to enter their inner room and pray to the Father in secret (Matt. 6:6).	“Deep calls unto deep”—only deep experiences can touch another’s deep part (Psa. 42:7). The stony-ground believer grows quickly but withers because he has no root (Matt. 13:20–21).
Purpose	To gain the Father’s heart, presence, and guidance so that every work flows from the hidden place.	To give depth, endurance, and stability so the believer may bear lasting spiritual fruit (Isa. 37:31).
Examples	Jesus, after feeding the five thousand, withdrew to the mountain to pray (Matt. 14:22–23). Jesus prayed the whole night (Luke 6:12).	The “good earth” receives the word deeply (Matt. 13:23). Believers grow by absorbing Christ in the good land (Col. 2:6–7).
Application	Learn to leave the crowd, noise, family, friends, and earthly affairs; practice spending time alone with the Lord on a “high mountain.” Practice secret prayer (Matt. 6:6).	Spend morning time absorbing Christ; allow Him to deal with hidden sins, anxieties, and worldly distractions (Matt. 13:22).
Interrelationship	Mountain prayer provides the hidden foundation.	Rooting downward makes that hidden life become visible fruit. Both form a complete kingdom life.
Burden	God desires a people who meet Him in secret, not those who remain in outward activity alone.	God desires believers whose inward depth matches their outward appearance.
Prophetic Speaking Direction	Speaking should come from the secret place so that it carries weight and the Lord’s presence.	Prophetic speaking should rise from deep experiences, not mere doctrine.
Conclusion	Without the hidden mountain life, there is no power or presence.	Without deep roots, there is no fruit; without depth, we cannot touch others. Both are indispensable.
Expanded Scriptures	Matthew 6:6“When you pray, enter into your private room… and pray to your Father who is in secret.” Luke 6:12“He went out to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God.”	Matthew 13:5–6, 20–23“…because they had no root, they withered.” “The one sown on good ground… bears fruit, a hundredfold, sixtyfold, thirtyfold.” Colossians 2:6–7“…having been rooted and being built up in Him…”

 

Key Points Summary

1.      The hidden life produces inward supply; the rooted life produces outward fruit.

2.      Mountain prayer forms intimacy with the Father; deep rooting forms stability in life.

3.      Only deep experiences can touch deep needs—“deep calls unto deep.”

4.      The secret place and the deep rooting together form a mature kingdom living.

 

*Consulte la Capacitación Internacional de Ancianos y Hermanos Responsables de mayo de 2025: Tema general: Mateo, capítulos 5-7 - Aspectos sumamente importantes - Semana 5: El pueblo del Reino tiene experiencias personales de oración, se comunica con su Padre Celestial en secreto y experimenta el gozo secreto del Padre.

“The Shallow Can Never Touch the Deep; The Outward Can Never Touch the Inward”

 

“The Shallow Can Never Touch the Deep; The Outward Can Never Touch the Inward”

Psalm 42:7 — “Deep calls unto deep at the sound of Your waterfalls; all Your waves and billows have passed over me.”

Category	The Shallow Can Never Touch the Deep; the Outward Can Never Touch the Inward
Meaning	Spiritual depth can only be touched by depth. Shallow experiences, outward behaviors, or emotional impulses cannot reach true spiritual reality. Only what comes from the deep within can touch another’s deep and respond to God’s deep.
Representations	1. Shallow: emotions, outward excitement, intellectual knowledge, visible expressions. 2. Deep: roots, hidden experiences before God, revelation, inward dealings. 3. Outward: acts, talents, zeal, external performance. 4. Inward: life, motives, spiritual reality, secret fellowship with God.
Reasons	1. Depth is a matter of life, not knowledge. 2. God’s deep calls unto deep (Ps. 42:7). 3. Without root, one cannot endure trials (Matt. 13). 4. Hidden life is the source of real spiritual strength (Isa. 37:31).
Purpose	1. To lead believers to grow downward before upward. 2. To enable them to truly touch God and the deep of men. 3. To become those who supply life, not merely stir emotions. 4. To ensure outer ministry has real inner foundation.
Explanation	Deep calls unto deep (Ps. 42:7): • Only deep responds to deep. • If one does not speak from depth, he may move emotions but cannot touch the spirit. Roots and leaves (Matt. 13; Isa. 37:31): • Roots are unseen; leaves are visible. • With leaves but no roots = shallow soil; cannot withstand testing. • One must “take root downward” to “bear fruit upward.” Hidden vs. exposed life: • Those with only outward display but no hidden dealings have no roots. • Shallow utterance can never reach the deep of others.
Examples	1. Psalmist (Ps. 42:7): spoke from deep experiences. 2. Paul (2 Cor. 12:2): third-heaven experience kept hidden for fourteen years; a rooted man. 3. Shallow soil (Matt. 13): no root, withers under the sun. 4. Some ministers: can excite emotions but cannot impart life because message is not from the deep.
Application	1. Build a hidden life before God. 2. Live more in the spirit, less in emotion and outward display. 3. Seek deep supply from the Lord, not merely knowledge. 4. Minister from revelation, not talent. 5. Practice rooting downward through meditation and quietness before God.
Burden	1. Many Christians today reveal much but hide little; have leaves but few roots. 2. God wants people who can touch His depth and touch man’s depth. 3. The church needs vessels of life, not merely successful outward ministers.
Prophetic Speaking Guidelines	1. Speak life, not mere doctrine. 2. Speak from what God has wrought in your inner being. 3. Aim to touch the spirit, not excite feelings. 4. Let every word be brought from before God.
Key Scripture	Isaiah 37:31 — “The remnant… shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward.” Matthew 13:5–6 — “Some fell on rocky places… and because they had no root, they withered away.” 2 Corinthians 12:2 — Paul’s third-heaven experience, kept hidden for fourteen years.

 

Conclusion: 

l   Only deep can respond to deep.

l   The shallow cannot touch the deep; the outward cannot reach the inward.

l   Only rooted ones can endure trials and truly supply the church.

l   No outward ministry is real unless it springs from inward depth.

  

*Please refer to the May 2025 International Elders and Responsible Brothers Training: General Topic: Matthew Chapters 5-7 - Extremely Important Aspects - Week 5: The Kingdom's People Have Personal Prayer Experiences, Contacting Their Heavenly Father in Secret, and Experiencing the Secret Enjoyment of the Father.

“The Locked Garden vs. the Shut-Up Well and Sealed Fountain”

 

“The Locked Garden vs. the Shut-Up Well and Sealed Fountain”

Song of Solomon 4:12-13: "My sister and my bride are a locked garden, a closed well, a sealed spring; the sprout you planted has become a garden of pomegranates, bearing beautiful fruit..."

Aspect	Locked Garden	Shut-Up Well & Sealed Fountain
Meaning	The believer wholly separated and reserved for Christ, not open to the public; spiritual beauty is for Christ alone.	Well = the Spirit as life supply; fountain = God as the source. Being shut/ sealed means these experiences are exclusively for Christ.
Symbolism	A garden for beauty and enjoyment, not a public park. Symbolizes a life seeking Christ’s pleasure, not man’s applause.	The well and fountain represent the inner supply and source of life. Their being closed shows a hidden, intimate enjoyment with Christ.
Reason	A deep spiritual life requires inward separation, not openness to worldly influence; avoiding defilement (Num. 19:15).	If the well/fountain is public, the inner supply is misused. True delight and satisfaction must be preserved for Christ’s private enjoyment.
Distinction	Emphasizes the “whole living” being locked for Christ.	Emphasizes the “inner source and supply” being shut and sealed.
Explanation	The garden is private; the believer’s beauty, fruit, and fragrance are not for display.	The fountain (God as the source) and the well (Spirit’s supply) are deep inward experiences kept private for Christ.
Examples	• A life not showing off spirituality. • Private fellowship with Christ not displayed to others.	• Deep enjoyment of God in prayer without publicizing it. • Spiritual experiences first being reserved for the Lord.
Application	• Practice hiddenness and quietness. • Serve without seeking praise or outward attention.	• Do not display spiritual experiences. • Keep inward enjoyment for the Lord; avoid using them to attract people.
Inner Relationship	The locked garden is the believer’s outward living being sealed.	The shut-up well and sealed fountain are the inner source being sealed. → Together they form a complete “hidden and deep” spiritual life.
Burden (Ministry)	The church lacks deep, hidden living; believers are often too exposed. Need deeper rooting and inner dealings.	The Lord desires believers who reserve their deepest enjoyment for Him alone.
Prophetic Speaking Guidance	• Encourage exclusive living unto Christ. • Speak on separation and inward purity.	• Emphasize Christ as the fountain and source. • Encourage more secret, personal fellowship with the Lord.
Conclusion	Represents a believer wholly for Christ—hidden, deep, exclusive.	Represents the inner life-supply and enjoyment exclusively for Christ; brings satisfaction and rest to the Lord.
Expanded Scriptures	Numbers 19:15: "Every open vessel, without a lid, is unclean." Song of Solomon 1:16b: "We have made green grass our couch." (Foreshadowing the Lord and His beloved enjoying each other's company and rest.)	Revelation 22:1: "He showed me a river of living water, clear as crystal, flowing out of the throne of God and of the Lamb." (The Spring)  John 4:14: "The water I will give you...will become in him a spring of water..." (The Well) Matthew 6:6: The Father who is in darkness will repay (hidden life).

  

Key Points Summary:

1.         Locked Garden = the believer wholly reserved for Christ; a hidden, separated, inward life.

2.         Shut-Up Well / Sealed Fountain = deep spiritual source and enjoyment reserved only for Christ.

3.         True spiritual beauty is for Christ alone, not for display.

4.         Inner supply and spiritual satisfaction must remain hidden for Christ’s enjoyment.

5.         Deep spiritual life requires inward sealing, separation, and avoidance of outward display.

6.         Christ finds rest and satisfaction in such believers.

 

*Please refer to the May 2025 International Elders and Responsible Brothers Training: General Topic: Matthew Chapters 5-7 - Extremely Important Aspects - Week 5: The Kingdom's People Have Personal Prayer Experiences, Contacting Their Heavenly Father in Secret, and Experiencing the Secret Enjoyment of the Father.

 

“Those Who Cover the Root, God Protects VS Those Who Expose the Root, God Does Not Protect”

 

“Those Who Cover the Root, God Protects VS Those Who Expose the Root, God Does Not Protect”

Mark 1:44 “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest…”

Mark 5:19 “Go home to your friends and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.”

Mark 5:43 “He strictly charged them that no one should know this…” 

Category	Those Who Cover the Root  — God Protects	Those Who Expose the Root  — God Does Not Protect
Meaning	Keeping spiritual experiences, power, revelation, and hidden life with God inwardly; preserving the spiritual root.	Making spiritual experiences, revelations, and abilities public prematurely; exposing the root.
Reason	God protects what is hidden in Him—real spiritual roots and inner life. Covering prevents satanic touch.	Exposure invites pride, the flesh, and satanic attacks, producing dryness and loss of protection.
Distinction	Covering = preserving depth; sharing only under God’s leading.	Exposing = sharing for self-glory, curiosity, or without divine guidance.
Explanation	- Paul hid his heavenly vision for 14 years and only spoke “out of necessity” (2 Cor 12:1). - Hiddenness produces depth; the deeper the root, the safer the life.	- Exposure turns testimony into “news,” losing the treasure (Nee). - The more one exposes, the more death enters the work.
Examples  (Biblical)	- Paul: 14-year vision hidden until necessary (2 Cor 12:1,5). - Jesus repeatedly charged those healed not to tell others (Mk 1:44; 5:43; 7:36).	- David numbered the people, exposing self-strength; plague came (2 Sam 24). - People testify to glorify their own “faith,” losing healing (Nee).
Examples  (Spiritual Lessons)	- True roots are always hidden before God (Watchman Nee).	- Using experiences as advertisement brings spiritual death (Nee).
Application	- Guard inward experiences; share only for others’ benefit. - Maintain hidden life in secret with the Father (Matt 6:6).	- Avoid boasting or publicizing spiritual achievements. - Never share everything—only what God allows.
Interrelationship	Covering → Protection → Deeper Life → Effective Testimony	Exposure → Attack → Dryness → Death in the Work
Burden	Preserve hidden life so God can continually work in us.	Warning: Exposure opens doors to satanic attacks and loss.
Prophetic Speaking Guidance	- Speak from spirit, not from self-promotion. - Testify only for building others.	- Avoid turning testimony into performance. - Never use God’s work as advertisement.
Scripture  References	2 Corinthians 12:1 “It is necessary to boast, though it is not profitable; but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 12:5 “Of such a one I will boast, but of myself I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.” Mark 7:36 “The more He charged them, the more widely they proclaimed it.” 2 Samuel 24 (Summary) David numbered the people; judgment came upon Israel and seventy thousand died. Matthew 6:6 “When you pray, enter into your inner room… your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

Key Points Summary:

1.      True spiritual “roots” must remain hidden.

2.      Testimony is proper only under God’s leading.

3.      Exposure invites satanic attacks.

4.      Hiddenness preserves life, depth, and divine protection.

5.      God protects those who hide themselves in Him.

 

Conclusion: 

Covering is divine protection; hiddenness preserves life and depth in God.

Exposure removes protection; the root becomes vulnerable and attacked.

  

*Please refer to the May 2025 International Elders and Responsible Brothers Training: General Topic: Matthew Chapters 5-7 - Extremely Important Aspects - Week 5: The Kingdom's People Have Personal Prayer Experiences, Contacting Their Heavenly Father in Secret, and Experiencing the Secret Enjoyment of the Father.