FAMINE OF THE WORD

One thing about getting older is you now have the opportunity to look back at the past. Now it is important to know there is no past or future, but the here and now. Our past is over we cannot change things we have done or have not done and our future depends on what we have done in the past and the here and now. This is why our here and now must reflect godliness and truth. We must be about our Heavenly Father’s business as He conforms us into the icon (image) of His precious Son Jesus Christ. If we desire our future to be in God we must have our here and now reflect godliness and truth. As I look back to the past my thoughts are always engulfed with the things of God. As far back as I can remember going to church, family devotions, going to youth camps, praying, reading the Bible have all been a critical part of my life. My Mom and Dad did their job in training me in the things of God. Solomon shares this important truth, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 2:6) A note of encouragement to the parents who have “trained up” their kids and they have walked away. Please note the scripture says, “and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Parents please give your kids time to get back on track, “when he is old” let him get old and see what happens then. Please parents give your kids grace. Grace does not know when to quit. Grace never gives up or says enough, but gives more and more. Please cover them with your prayers their earthly and spiritual life hangs in the balance and please give them more grace.

One thing I remember of the past (that is seldom if ever seen today) was the raw, heart-felt, spirit-filled preaching of the word of God and the power it produces. I can remember services that would go on and on, yet no one wanted the service to stop. The Spirit of God was rich and full, people would run down to the altar without an invitation to repent and for prayer. The presence of God was electrifying, miracles were a common occurrence in an atmosphere of expectation and need. Today, in most American churches, this is not the case. Most church services in America consist of; three fast songs and a slow one, take up the offering, hear 20-30 minutes of self-help preaching, a brief invitation for prayer, and then off to their favorite cafeteria for lunch. Most people come to church to be seen and to network instead of wanting to see what God will do in their midst. Time and the day’s activities is a factor in their ability to receive the word of God. When I listen to radio and taped messages of the preachers and teachers of days gone by I find such a depth and understanding that far surpasses me and others today. This depth and understanding comes not out of an ability to speak or know the Bible, but out of a commitment and dedication to God. Sadly my friend I include myself in a group of NOT as committed and dedicated as the past. I so want to change in this area. I have purposed for 2008 to be a time to go back to Bethel and shore-up my altar before God.

In Amos we read, “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: 12And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.” (Amos 8:11-12) Please note it is the Lord sending a famine in the land “of hearing the words of the Lord.” Now many would say, God would never do that, well my friend the Scriptures are quite clear, because of their hard hearted, greedy selfish spiritual condition they did not have the ability in God to hear His words. Today many in the church (in America and around the world) “run to and fro” from one conference to the next conference looking for God’s word, but only find the words of men and an emotional driven feeling. When the “true” (“true” = taking something from the physical and projecting it into the spiritual realm; like Jesus being the “true” bread of life) word of God comes to us we are brought down into a low place before Him. We will not want to sing and dance or shake our fists. Oh no, when God’s word really comes to us, it kills us, but at the same time makes us alive. “The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. 7The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.” (1 Samuel 6:6-7) Please notice our direction; the way up is really down. If we desire to go up to God now while on earth and to Heaven some day, we must first go down in our thoughts, ways, intentions, and desires. And please notice why the famine of the word was sent by God, “Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail, 5Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit? 6That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat? 7The LORD hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works.” (Amos 8:4-7) This is the message in most churches in America and some around the world. Today many churches pervert the word of God through a deceitful message of God’s love and grace and a giving to get message that “swallow up the needy” and a “falsifying the balance by deceit” or turning the truth of God’s word into a lie. And why? All out of greed, lust, and selfishness. Jesus told us, “to occupy” till He comes, but the church is occupied with making money. The spirit and faith of most churches today is a spirit and faith of greed and doing works not for God, but for self-glory and self-praise.

It is no wonder Jesus said, “I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8) I thought how could this be with all of the churches around the world? Jesus saying, “shall he find faith on the earth?” (This scripture gives me cause and concern) Well now I can see how this verse can be true. Year after year I see less of God’s word, Spirit, and power on earth. Year after year I see less of the manifestation of God’s power projected around the world in service to mankind. Why should we spend money on missionaries, vehicles, and food when all we have to do is beam a satellite link message into homes around the world telling them; how Jesus loves them, all about their anointed ministry, and offer them the latest over priced gift. This type of message and projection to the world is the famine of the word Amos was talking about. It was true then and my friend it is true today. There is nothing new under the sun.

My friend please understand this is not an article slamming the church, but a wake-up call and challenge to us all to get back on track so that we can do what God has asked us to do. I am afraid like in Jesus’ day we have turned the church into a den of thieves. Let us turn away from the prosperity and grace, without consequences for our actions, doctrines. Let us open our heart and our spirit to the “true” word of God. Let us not go after the water and bread of life of this world, but seek the “heavenly bread” from above. Let the famine of hearing God’s words in us be satisfied only by “every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

FAMILY: ONE OF GOD'S GREATEST GIFTS

Well, we just had another wonderful Christmas at our home. Dave, Kristin, and Caleb stayed with us for a few days, Jeff and Connie visited everyday and then Christmas day we all enjoyed gift-giving and dinner. Karen and I do not do Christmas in the traditional way; trees, decorations, and such, but we do like giving our kids gifts. God started all of this gift-giving, before the foundation of the world was laid. "For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten son." Giving is at the heart of the Gospel. Please hear me, if God cannot teach you to be a giver then He cannot use you. Dan, Sarah, Abigail, and little John live in Panama City, FL and enjoyed their Christmas this year together, they were with us for Thanksgiving what a wonderful time we all had, and Joshua was with Jenna his girl friend and her family. As I watched FOX News they would tell of all the Christian pilgrims who traveled to Bethlehem this Christmas. I thought to myself what a waste of time Jesus is not there anymore. Jesus is not a baby in a manger, but is now seated on the right hand (a place of honor) of the Father, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2) Jesus is no longer a poor little defenseless baby, He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And someday (I believe soon) He will be coming in the clouds of glory, with His heavenly host, as our coming King and will judge the nations. "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." (Revelation 19:11-16) Then I thought, they left their families during one of the most important family times of the year to see a place where they THINK Jesus was born.

The longer I go in life the more I realize I know little about life. But my friend there are a few truths I have learned. The first and greatest truth is Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tell me so. This is the greatest and most important truth we can learn about life. If we can learn this truth all other truths will flow correctly from this one. We will be well adjusted knitly joined together with our brothers and sisters in the Lord (and with those in the world who do not know Him) able to come to completion and find fulfillment in our lives. The second truth is if we have God and our family we can face anything in life. Yes that is right if we have God's precious Son Jesus (as the chief cornerstone of all of our relationships) and our family we will be able to endure anything life throws at us. The older I get the more I appreciate my family. They say the older you get the smarter your Dad and Mom become. My Dad is 82 and my Mom is 77, I cannot imagine how smart they will be when I am 60. My Dad is filled with years of wisdom and knowledge and my Mom is still so precious and sweet to me. Our kids and their families are so special to us. The older we get the more we do not want them to leave when they come home for a visit. But I know this is not God's plan for them. We had our day-to-day time while we were raising them. But now we have visits and all of those precious memories to keep us going. Of all of God's wonderful gifts He has given me, second only to the Holy Spirit and salvation, is my sweet-heart and wife Karen. What a blessing Karen and been to me. She has been strong when I was weak and weak so that I could be strong. She gave me four wonderful children. She has cooked and cleaned and love me for over 28 years. How she has laid her life down for us all in the family. Oh God help me to be a better husband and father to my wife and family. Family: one of God's greatest gifts.

CHRISTMAS IS NOT MERRY AND HAPPY FOR EVERYONE

I would like to share a very serious topic this time of year. During the Christmas and New Year season everyone, especially Christians, are suppose to be "merry" and happy, well did you know the Christmas and New Year season is the number two time of the year when people, including Christians, commit suicide? Only spring time when all the trees, bushes, and flowers are blooming and all is alive do many people, including Christians, take their lives. My friend, suicide is a bad way to introduce yourself to God. Just this last week I have heard of three people who took their lives and one was a dear Pastor friend I have known for many years. When I heard the news today I knew God was dealing with me to write this article. Now most articles like this one usually goes off on a tangent; they committed suicide and now they are in hell mode, but I am not going to go there nor should anyone else. My friend God is the judge and jury, He alone is God and gets to make the final call on Heaven or hell. Anyone that steps in otherwise is operating in great presumption and on dangerous ground of judgment themselves. Who could put someone in hell? Oh my friend I wish no one would go to hell, but we know many many people will end up there. Jesus said, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction (translated separation in hell), and many there be which go in thereat:" (Matthew 7:13) Let us do what we must do to prevent us and our family members from going to hell.

What I would like to do in this Blog entry is to look at a reason why one would commit suicide when there is so much to live for and encourage you to be your brother's keeper during this time of the year (and all year long) by taking time to talk with your family and friends, if you notice something not quite right. We all have friends and family and kind of know them, maybe not everything about them, but kind of know them in many ways. If we see them doing or saying something out of character stop and take some time to make sure they are okay. Cain asked God, "Am I my brother's keeper?" Well my friend the answer to that question is yes. We must always be compassionate and understanding, especially during this time of the year, with our friends and family. We must never be in a rush to complete our Christmas shopping list or to busy to attend some religious church activity while over looking the needs of our family and friends. Always remember, the hallmark of us being called a Christian (or little Christ) is our love for our brothers and sisters. "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him." (1 John 3:16-19)

When I think of people that commit suicide the over riding thought is loss of hope. Hope is the element in God between faith and charity (love). "And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity." (1 Corinthians 13:13) We may have all faith and love, but if we have lost "hope" we have lost our heart to endure. And if we lose our heart all is lost. Hope is what keeps us going in the face of bad situations and circumstances. We can lose our faith and even our love and still make it, but my friend is we lose our "hope" all is in danger of being lost. We must guard our "hope" with all diligence. Paul said well, "According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death." (Philippians 1:20) "Hope" provides in us an expectation for the future and a coming to an end of fulfillment in our lives. Oh my friend we must guard with all fervour the "hope" in us. Lastly our "hope" in us is Christ also in us and our "hope" of glory. "To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:" (Colossians 1:27)

During this holiday season please let us be senitive to the Holy Spirit and to the needs of our brothers and sisters. Let us remember not everyone may be "merry" and happy as you and let us look for the opportunity to share the real Christmas story; Jesus Christ the "hope" of the world.

YOU NEED TO ASK MY WIFE

A few days ago I was talking with a fellow on the phone about some life insurance for Karen and I. I am not sure if we need some, but with our international travel schedule we thought if God calls us home it would be good for the kids to have something to take care of our bills and something left over for them. As I talked to the fellow I could discern he was man of the Bible, but he was being coy not wanting to offend me by cramping truth down my throat. I have met some Christians that in their zealousness to share God's word they get carried away and really do more harm then health. Sharing the word of God must be done with wisdom, patience, and longsuffering. These Christians really puzzle me, just like the Christians who sport a fish or a license plate that says something like, "To Blessed To Be Stressed" or "God is My Co-Pilot" (now that person is really confused, God should be doing the driving) on their car or the ones who have a bumper-sticker ministry to world. All of that outward show does little to expose the true inward work of the heart. God is more concerned with our character and integrity than how many things we can put on our car, how well we can sing or play an instrument, or even how good we can preach. God is always after in us a humble, pure, and soft heart condition. We must remember God is not too concerned with what we can do for Him, but He is very concerned about how we do things for Him. Do we do things with the right motives and with the right intentions?

Anyway back to the insurance salesman. I came right out and asked, "are you a Christian" and he responded, "I do not know you will have to ask my wife." Now I really like that answer. You know men we can say we are a Christian and fool everyone, but the one person we cannot fool is our wives. We can tell everyone how holy and mighty in God we are, but our wives really knows for sure. Our wives see us in our times of weakness and victory. They know almost all things. I know now why Solomon, the wisest and richest man in the world, could say, "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life." (Proverbs 31:10-12) and after being married to Karen for over 28 years. I can see how blessed I am to be married to the very best woman in the world. She gave me four outstanding children and has always kept a clean and Godly home. I thank God for her every day and her Christian witness before me. On our last trip to Turkey when my B/P was significantly elevated she really encouraged me. So the next time someone asks you if you are a Christian before you answer stop and think what would my spouse answer.

IT'S NOT MY BIRTHDAY

Yesterday I went to Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune to get my hair cut. I really enjoy going to the Base and rubbing shoulders with some of America's greatest heroes. It was my turn and I took a seat in the chair. A very nice Korean lady asked me how I wanted my hair cut and I told her. They were really busy so small talk was out of the question. Finally, I asked are you ready for Christmas? She stopped and looked at me and said, what's a matter you I am Korean I don't celebrate Christmas, any way it's not my birthday, it's Jesus' birthday. I was shocked she was right. All I wanted to do was make conversation and boy did I get a lesson from God. I wonder why we give each other presents on Jesus' birthday? That would be like me getting presents on your birthday. Do you know no where in the Bible did Jesus or anyone else say to remember His birth. I wonder why we spend some much time, money, not to mention the stress involved in doing something that is not important to Jesus? All of this present buying does not make much sense, but it does make good business cents. Where did we go wrong? Did you know Christmas was not observed by the major American denominations; Presbyterians, Baptist, Quakers, Methodists, and Congregationalist until the end of the 19th Century. In colonial New England this religious disapproval extended to actually making the holiday illegal with celebration punished by a fine. Ah, but the store keepers and money changers got their way and now Americans spend billions of dollars (of which most do not have) in about an one month period (27 Nov. to 24 Dec.) of time.

I am afraid many Christians have missed the mark with respect to non-Christian traditions like decorating trees, a custom which the Bible clearly forbids, "Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. 3For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. 4They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not." (Jeremiah 10:2-5) and all of this gift-giving, (when it is not our birthday) which became important to the middle class as a custom and status symbol also in the late 19th century. What have we done? Yes, it is true the Wise Men gave Jesus gifts two or three years after His birth, but does that mean we must buy gifts every year for our family and friends? And please remember, the Bible never put the Wise Men at the manger the night of Jesus' birth with the Shepherds. This too is portrayed wrong every year doing the many Christmas pageants. What are we doing? Now here is the rub, if we are keeping Christmas by decking the halls, trimming the tree, and buying presents, were are not keeping the real meaning of the birth of Jesus Christ. Jesus came not to live, but to die. His sole mission was to do the will of His Father and that was to die a horrible death for the remission of our sins so that we may have His eternal life. Jesus is not looking for an IPOD, wide screen TV, or latest Internet toy for His birthday, but is looking for the gift of our heart in obedience to His words and desires we come to an understanding where we can identify with His death not His birth. "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:" (Romans 6:3-5) If we are not "baptised into His death" (not His life) we will never "walk in newness of life," we will never experience His resurrection life. My friend this is the real Christmas story, not all of the traditions and customs we do today. If we do not keep this truth in our heart our Christmas time will be a sham and all we do will make us a hypocrite. It is no wonder people in world like the Korean barber want nothing to do with the American Christmas. Earlier I said Jesus never asked us to celebrate His birth, but do you know, He did ask us to observe or remember His death. "And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come." (1 Corinthians 11:24-26) It is the death of Jesus we must keep. It is His sacrifice, the breaking of his body and shedding of His blood, we must remember to have His "newness of life."

My friends, it is time for the Church of Jesus Christ to stand for the truth and stop all of this gift-giving and Christmas idolatry. The stores have made enough money on us. For the truth to be known, our greed and our self-life wanting to get is at the center of gift-giving. My friend people are dying and going to a Christless eternity in hell while we frolic in the yule tide season singing songs and wrapping presents, and it's not even our birthday.

DRIFTING AWAY

We just finished Thanksgiving what a wonderful time we had with most of our family for dinner and of course the pictures. Walter Beuttler said the Holy Spirit is like a camera, He always tells the truth and one can not lie against it. As I was reviewing the pictures I shamefully noticed I have drifted away from the once bronze god-like physique I had in my younger years. This drifting away has been slow but a deliberate process over time. Two pounds here, another pound there and before I knew it I had tipped the scales beyond my healthy limits. I am now going to the gym and pushing away from the table sooner. Now here is what surprised me; until I saw the pictures of my fat body I thought everything was okay. I thought I looked fine, after all my clothes fit. I eat mostly fruit and vegetables, and only get off my vegetarian diet sometimes. It really never caught my attention like it did last week. I thought everything was okay and I was moving well, but in truth I was fat and over weight and needed to change my direction for some time from drifting away. I have been blind to the truth. Funny when I was younger I was always heavy and lost over 120 pounds, then God opened up the Navy to me, but even when I was really skinny and emaciated looking I thought I was fat and needed to lose 5 more pounds. I was blinded by my routine and caught up in the rituals of losing weight to the point my face and chest was sunk in and I looked really bad. As I look at both experiences, I know the skinny Dave is better than the fat Dave, but in both cases I was blinded and deceived myself from the truth. Just like the Church of the Laodiceans, “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” (Revelation 3:17) Many Christians believe this verse pictures the world Church of today, well I am not so sure about that. I have seen the Church around the world, and my friend many Christians are paying a great price, some with their lives, for the Gospel they know the truth, but if any truth is to be found in Jesus’ words I would say this verse fits me at times and the Church of America all too well. I too thought all was well, I needed nothing, but in truthfulness I was sick and blind. And, this my friend comes from a slow deliberate drifting away.

I am afraid many Christians who have put their eternal life in a denominational “once saved always saved” doctrinal belief will be sadly surprised when they stand before the Lord. Now please understand I strongly believe as long as we walk with the Lord and allow Him to have His way in our lives, through His dealings and judgments, nothing can remove us out of His hand no nothing. But, if we turn our backs on God and choose to walk away from His mercy, precious saving grace, and love we will receive the fruits of our actions. Many Christians would say once really saved someone would never turn their back on Christ, well the Bible is full of names of people who started off in God (once really saved) and then walked away from the truth. Over my many years I have known many Christians who have walked away from God, their names and faces still haunt me. My friends there are consequences for our choices and actions in God. The Bible is full of examples like in Act 5:1-11 with Ananias and Sapphira’s disobedience to the word of God. Paul too knew such people, “Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.” (1 Timothy 1:20) and “Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: 15Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.” (2 Timothy 4:14-15) They both embraced the truth of Jesus’ words, but in the end Paul had to deliver them over to Satan. Please my brother take heed.

Today we live under God’s grace, but if we turn our backs on God’s grace and longsuffering mercy, even if we walked the isle at some point in our lives, God will have to judge us not with His unending grace, mercy, and loving Spirit, but by the law and my friend the Bible says, “the law killeth, but the Spirit giveth life.” When we adopt such a doctrine we are often blinded to the great need in our lives and opportunity for God to work in us so that we will be able to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, as Paul encouraged us. After all I am saved, why do I need to; read my Bible, go and give to the church, pray, be obedient to God’s word, when I die I will go directly to heaven and live with God forever and ever anyway, well . . . not so fast my friend. This type of thinking does not even pass the common sense test; getting something very wonderful when you do not play by the principles. God is sovereign, the final judge, and will do that which He wishes to do, but let us not put our eternal hope and life in the interruptions of Bible verses by men, that make up religious doctrines of men, but in the precious blood of Jesus Christ and His saving power.

When I think of drifting away my mind and heart often goes back to a very tragic story that happened at Christliche Gemeinde Stuttgart, our church in Germany. Tony, a Nigerian brought his wife and daughter to our church during the early years. Tony was very soft-hearted, really loved his family and the Lord. I could see in him a genuine desire to be used of God. He was very obedient and would do anything I would ask the first time without asking allot of questions. As time went on our church grew and we started a men’s fellowship. I asked Tony if he would pray and talk with his wife to see if he would feel comfortable in leading the men’s fellowship. In time he came back to me (I knew he would say yes) and said yes he would be honored to led the monthly men’s fellowship. At first he did outstanding; coordinating activities within the church and sharing the word of God, his heart was open and God was filling it, but as time went on he began to change. It was not over night it was a slow gradual change. The only way I can describe it was a slow and steady drifting away from where he began. I continued to watch and pray for him. One day at church I spoke to him about next month’s meeting and he really got ugly with me, I was shocked. I scheduled some time and Pastor Joe and I went by his home for a visit to see what was going on with him and his family. Never forget, when married, God’s call to you is to your family also. Well, we discovered Tony had become great friends with another Nigerian in the church named Osita. Now Osita had some seminary Bible training in Africa and was full of himself and doctrine. Rarely did Osita ever say anything good about anyone he was cynical, mean-spirited, and seemed to enjoy manipulating people a sign of great ambition. As time continued Tony drifted further and further away from Pastor Joe and I and even stopped coming to church. Two times in a two week window the Holy Spirit sent me by Tony’s home to see what was going on. Both visits Tony rejected me unless I would sit with him and watch TBN Christian TV, his new church. Osita had convinced him he does not need to attend church services and help out, oh no all he needs to do is watch TBN. Osita had poisoned Tony heart towards God, His children, and us. Tony did not guard his heart from the lies and deception of Osita which in the end may have cost him his soul. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23) The word “Keep” here is translated; to guard, observe, or give heed and is the word used by God to give Adam commission Adam into service and give him some responsibility. “And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” (Genesis 2:15) Adam’s job was to “keep” or guard, observe, or give heed the garden. I wonder what Adam was to guard or “keep” the garden from? Tony did not keep his “heart with all diligence” and allowed Osita’s words to steal the issues of his life. Not only did he drift from his walk with the Lord, but his relationship with his wife suffered to the point he was beating her so bad she could not be seen in public and his work attendance also drifted to the point he was sacked. A third time the Holy Spirit sent me to his home and a third time I was rejected. As I was leading his home (in my spirit) I felt the Holy Spirit saying, “take your hands off and I will deal with him.” About two or three weeks later I received a call from Pastor Joe and we went to Tony’s home to rescue his wife and baby from his abuse. Their home was trashed and Tony was drunk on the floor. His family stayed with us for about a week and then moved to another city for safety. From time-to-time I would see Tony walking on the road and would stop to talk, but his thoughts were crazy it seemed he had lost his mind. Then one day Pastor Joe called and told me, “Our brother Tony had committed suicide by hanging himself.” I am glad God is the final judge and knows all things, but my friend there are consequences for our actions and words.

My friend let us please take heed, be on our guard, and keep from drifting away. Paul teaches us, “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip (or drifted away in the Greek). 2For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;” (Hebrews 2:1-3) To be honest this sad story of Tony is a vivid reminder to me for I can see in my life so many areas I am drifting away in, so many areas of my Christian walk I need to anchor myself again. Now the Lord is still real to me and His presence still goes with me, but I can see my dedication to fasting, prayer, and studying the Bible has lessened since when we first went to Germany. I can see areas in my life where I must repent or about face. Paul sums it up well when he says, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which was first began to be spoken by the Lord . . . ” The neglecting is not on God’s part, but ours. Our drifting away is nothing more than us neglecting a great salvation, which is much more than having our sins forgiven. My friend let us stop this drifting away from God and draw near to Him while there is still hope, salvation, and life. Written by David Stahl.

EVANGELIZING THE WORLD THROUGH DISCIPLESHIP

Well Karen and I made it back save and sound from Turkey. What a wonderful time we had while in Istanbul. I am always impressed by how our many friends around the world lay their lives down for us and this trip was no exception. I wish I could go into names, but for security reasons on their behalf we must honor their request to keep their names a mystery, God knows them anyway and will reward them justly. While we were driving across the big bridge that connects Istanbul Europe with Istanbul Asia (Istanbul is the land bridge between Europe and Asia) Karen asked me what do I think Paul would think of Turkey today. After some thought I replied, I believe he would be happy and sad. I believe Paul would be happy to know there are many people in the world today praying for and a few living in Turkey to ensure this wondrous Gospel message of the Jesus Christ will go forth no matter what. Paul too would know nothing can stop or separate us from the love of God, "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39) But, on the other hand I believe Paul would also be sad. Today Turkey is a Muslim nation (99.9 of the 20 million population hold to the Islamic faith) and his hard work and effort sharing the Gospel message in the past has been rejected. After all while in prison Paul wrote many of his New Testament Epistles to churches, he help establish, localed in cities in Asia Minor or what we know today as the Country of Turkey. I would think Paul would be very disappointed to learn the word of God that he and others so painstakingly planted into his present day culture and civilization has been overcome by religion, traditions, rituals of men, and self-indulgences. As I think about it maybe present day Turkey is a reflection of futuristic America. We too seemed to have allowed the word of God slip through our fingers, after it was once delivered to us. The church of America seems to value prosperity and ease with worldly praise and power projection. Our Christian TV networks televise services from our mega-churches all in the name of Christianizing the world, well that was not Jesus' idea of "Go ye therefore and teach all nations." Jesus' idea of evangelizing the world was through discipleship, one-on-one sharing of the Gospel message. "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:20) These were the words Jesus commanded the disciples with, to go forth into all the world and my friend they are still true and even more relevant today. We must not allow Jesus' words to fall to the ground in our generation. He is depending on us to keep them alive in all the earth, so that many people from all nations will have the opportunity to come to personal knowledge of the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

PRAYERS THAT REALLY WORK

POST SCRIPT NOTE: This Blog concept is quite different to our newsletter and other writings. In this entry, I would like to lay a foundational overview as to how I would like to use our Blog. I plan to daily (but will slip when we travel to the nations) input some thoughts as the Lord deals in our lives, current happenings with our family and with Beholding His Glory, all mixed in with some articles I will write. So, let us please step off together and see how God uses this Blog to ever keep His wonderful Son Jesus Christ before us. As we behold His glory we will be changed into the same glory, not all glory, but only the glory we can behold of Him. Please let us keep this verse prayerfully, "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3:18) How much of God's glory can you behold? At the measure of what you can behold of God's glory you can become that same measure, no more no less.

THOUGHTS TO CONSIDER: I have changed the picture for our Blog this month to support our time in Istanbul, Turkey. In Nepal the Buddhist write their prayers on colored flags and find the highest place in the wind hoping their words will fly off the flags and find their way to the heart of their god, well I do not believe this system of prayer really works. In Turkey they have asked me to teach on prayer what an impossible task. I will be honest, I do not know how prayer functions. I hope the Brethren in Turkey will not be too disappointed, but prayer is beyond my feeble understanding. God took me all the way to Hyderabad, India to teach me this lesson. It seems the longer I go with God the less I know and understand of Him. I believe that is the way God has things divinely arranged. For if we know and understand too much we will not be very useful, it is far better to move in faith not in what we know and understand. I think this is what Paul was teaching us, "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." (1 Corinthians 13:12) The same "dark glass" that is in both verses is what we look deep and long into to find our spiritual way, God certainly has a sense of humor. He leads us into the light through looking into a "dark glass" like prayer. One thing I do know about prayer is; it is an anchor that holds us and not an anchor we can hold to in troubled times. It is one thing to say I have Jesus, but it is a far better thing to say Jesus has me. I can and have let go of Jesus, but He will never let go of me unless I want Him to. This truth, this anchor of prayer holds us sure and firm not based on what we have done, but based alone on who He is and what He has done for us. I look forward to our time in Turkey and to what God plans to teach us. Written by David Stahl.

BROKEN AND POURED OUT

One of the greatest works God can ever do in our lives is to reveal His Person to us and how much we need to be changed into the image (icon) of His dear Son Jesus Christ. BUT, my friend there is a price you will pay for this revelation. To now the power of God you will pay a price. To know God's presence you will pay a greater cost and a different price. And to know God's Person it will cost you everything. This price begins when God can break and pour us out for His use. Please enjoy the article on this topic.

We think of being broken and poured out our minds often go to many scriptures that speak of God humbling and breaking us into a place where His Holy Spirit can work in our lives, truly making us fruitful in God. Now my friend if you serve Him long enough He will do this and more. One of my favorite scriptures in the Bible is, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 25He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.” (John 12:24-25) This is the work God desires to do in our lives, kill us so that He may be able to live through us. I find the longer I go with God the more I see my weaknesses and inabilities. It is strange, the longer I go with God the less I want to go for God. When God first started to use me in traveling the world to minister I was fearless, nothing stopped me, I would endure anything, but now within me I do not want to go. It is not my increasing age or health concerns, but is an ever increasing glimpse of my inability to go and do for God. I will be honest, it is frustrating to me. On one hand I do not want to go to the nations, yet on the other hand I know I must go. I am getting a better understanding and glimpse of the revelation of what Jesus told Peter, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.” (John 21:18) Please notice in both (John 12:24 and 21:18) the double imperative; “Verily, verily” often translated “most assuredly” meaning there is no other way. This way is God’s everlasting way to do what God desires in our lives. The word “girdedst” here is translated strengthened, “When I was “young” or maybe immature, unskilled in God as a Christian I strengthened myself . . . but when I became “old” or mature, seasoned in God’s dealings and judgments I stretch forth my hands and another or others strengthened and carried me to places or poured me out in places, I did not want to go. The longer we walk with God the more He will take us to the hidden secret places of darkness in Him so that we can be strengthened in the inward man and know Him the more. These places are fearful to us and we do not want to meet Him there. “And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.” (Isaiah 45:3) My friend if we desire to be used by God we cannot be whole and well all of the time, living in victory every minute of the day as some teach, we must be broken and poured out so that we will be useful to God. Why even a wild horse is not useful until they broken for the saddle or harness. Like wild horses many Christians run around in the spiritual realm doing and saying whatsoever they want to do without any understanding and restraint causing problem after problem for themselves and others. In Proverbs we read, “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” (Proverbs 29:18) The word “vision” here is often translated from the Greek as limitations and restrictions, “Where there is no limitations or restrictions, the people perish . . .” If we really want to be used by God He must be able to break us and get us to live under the restrictions and limitations of His word for our lives. Sadly, I can now see the self-strength and self-ability I have moved in. Oh if I could only go back and redeem those times. Not that God did not use me and His will was not accomplished through me, He did and it was, but now I can see the difference and why some things happened the way they did. When we started Christliche Gemeinde Stuttgart, our church in Germany, I foolishly thought all of my America friends, all of my friends in my office and in my neighbors would join. How surprised I was when I asked them and they said no. I could not believe it. Even my Christian friends said no when I asked. They said, we are Pentecostal, Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, etc. we do not want to be associated with a Christian Church we are very happy with our denomination. I see now for our church to be a successful in God I had to be broken hearted from even my Christian friends and poured our of denominational teaching to be free to teach the word of God. I did not understand why I had to be separated from my American Christian friends, but if not there would never have been Eritrea and her Dad Kahsay. Eritrea was a very beautiful lady from the country of Eritrea and like most Africans living in Germany life was very difficult, jobs were rare, and harassment from the German government was almost a daily routine. And like most attractive African woman in Germany Eritrea turned to prostitution to survive. Her Dad Kahsay was heart-broken he felt not only did he lose his daughter when she turned to prostitution, but he also lost his country whom he named his daughter after. Well the Lord is good, Eritrea was invited to our church by a Ghanaian fellow, she gave her life to the Lord, her life began to change, she was serious about her conversion. You know when we are serious about what we say God will honor His word and our effort then change will happen in our lives. Her Dad saw the change in her life and came to church a few times to see what was going on. Finally, after three or four times at church he stood up and said, "I had to come to this church to see what power it was that changed my daughter Eritrea’s life and gave me my country back, now I too want this power" and he accepted Christ as his personal Savior. Today they are still a family serving God at Biblische Glaubens Gemeinde. Eritrea is now married and teaches Sunday School. Kahsay has made many contacts around the world for me to go and preach this glorious message of the Lord Jesus, this same message that transformed his life from darkness into the kingdom of light. Even to this day Karen and I have very few friends. But, I did not understand why must I be broken and poured out, why I could not have many friends to fellowship with, but now I see this walk with the Lord is a narrow way, not much room on the narrow way for many friends. The broad way has much room for many friends, the narrow way is full of separation, restrictions, and limitations, but it leads to the life of God. “Enter ye in at the strait (narrow) gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14) Do you know why “few there be that find it?” Many would say it is a hard thing to understand like the Disciples said, “Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?” (John 6:60), but this is not sure. Many do not find because only a few are looking. All that look will find. All that are “truly” looking for the truth of the Word of God will discover it. I hear Pastors say, “we like having fun at church.” Fun at church? Church is not to be a place where we are entertained and having fun. Going to Church is serious, it is a time when the Body of Christ comes together to hear the word of God from a broken vessel, praying one for the other, a time when we collectively as a local assembly of like believers stand before a holy God knowing He is God and we are not. It is not a time to run around networking with each other, but a time to listen to thus said the Lord. These Pastors who likes to have fun at church have little revelation of who God is and how He operates. Being broken is a work of God in our lives (if we allow Him) where He Himself will break us of bad habits, bad motives, and bad attitudes that are not sin, but will keep us from communion with Him. And there is a pouring out unto emptiness where God Himself will (if we allow Him) empty us or pour us out of the world, out of relationships that prevents us from growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord, out of religion, denominationalism, and church activities. Over the last 40 plus years I have been involved in so many church activities that if I did not really know I would swear they were of God, but in the end, I saw they were just man ordained rules and regulations that satisfy our religious flesh keeping us in bondage from really knowing God and His ways. We must never come under this yoke of man’s rules and regulations no matter how holy or spiritual they look. I have found the more spiritual and holy things look on the outside, the less of God is really moving in it. Often we see people laying prostrate on the alter or bowing down, but in reality it is look-see-pigeon (a Chinese expression), something for the people to do. One day I saw a lady (who everyone said was so spiritual) bowing down and raising her hands to heaven and bowing down again. This went on for about 30 minutes while the choir sang, she was a member of the choir. I thought this to be odd and inquired of God and felt in my spirit the Lord saying she has a Jezebel spirit in her. In time she was found out by causing division that split the church and even influenced some couples to separate and divorce. Remember, if it looks look a duck, acts like a duck, sounds like duck, and walks like a duck in God it may be a chicken. My friend let us be broken and poured out for the Master’s use. This process often is a painful process, but God must be able to work in our lives. The more we allow God to break us and pour us out from vessel unto vessel the more God will be able to use us. I hear many pray, God use me well the beginning of being used by God is this breaking and being poured out process in our lives. At the same measure God can break us at that same measure God will be able to use us no more no less. One Sunday I was speaking at a Pentecostal Freewill Baptist Church in North Carolina after the service an usher handed me a note, it read,” I by chance stopped at this church today and your words were the reason. Your few words stood for great purpose, your few words expressed explained years of shunned pain. I can accept now I am broken for a purpose. I will let the Lord use me for I am broken and I will not self-pity because I am broken, I am blessed. Thank you so much, God bless.” Our brokenness is seen not in our actions, but in our response and obedience to Him. Written by David Stahl.

AFTER THE VICTORY

We often are inspired when we read about the great men of the Bible and of their victories, but that is where we often stop reading. Now please understand I am not bad mouthing these great men of God nor am I exalting myself over them, oh the grace of God that saves and keeps me, but the truth my friend is God expects us to continue in the faith and in obedience to the end. Paul gives us this admonition, “If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;” (Colossians 1:23) It matters not the last victory God has worked in our lives or what we have done lately for God, but rather are we grounded, settled, and not able to be moved out of the way of faith. I have heard sermon after sermon preached about the great men of God, but seldom do we hear of what happened to them after the victory. And again, please understand I am not criticizing. But, what did they do after God used them in supernatural ways? God intends for us to begin and end in victory. This is a critical revelation we must have. Only God can bring us from sure defeat into victory, and we must stay in the victory Christ has won for us to do the will of His Father. “In Christ,” is where victory in God is found. We must come to a spiritual place in Him to where we see this. When we move out of this place of victory, through sin or coming short of the glory of God, we will experience loss in our lives and the work of God in us and out from us often will be destroyed and lost. We must not allow this process of death to take root in us. Here are a few examples:
King Jehoshaphat a great and mighty King who got it right for awhile, “for the battle is not ours, but God’s,” but after the victory over the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, because of his ungodly relationships, the Lord, “broke his works.”
The Victory:
“Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.” (2 Chronicles 20:17)
After the Victory:
“And after this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah join himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who did very wickedly: 36And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Eziongeber. 37Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish.” (2 Chronicles 20:35-37)
Samson the first Judge of Israel, a mighty man of strength and valor, but after the victory because of his love for ungodly women he lost his sight and the anointing of God on his life. Ultimately it cost his very life to complete his purpose (Judges 16:28-30).
The Victory:
”And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands. 15And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith. (Judges 15:14-15)
After the Victory:
“And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he hath shewed me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought money in their hand.” (Judges 16:18) and “But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house.” (Judges 16:21)
Elijah a mighty Prophet of God who held the rain at his words (I Kings 18:41-46), who had a personal revelation of God (I Kings 19:11-12), but after the defeating the 450 Prophets of Baal was on the run and in hiding from Queen Jezebel for fear of losing his life.
The Victory:
“Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God. 40And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.” (I Kings 18:38-40)
After the Victory:
“Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. 3And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. 4But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.” (I Kings 19:2-4)
Jonah another wonderful Prophet of God. God commanded Jonah to go to Nineveh and cry against this great city because of their wickedness (Jonah 1:2), but instead in disobedience he went to Tarshish (Jonah 1:3). God prepared a great fish to transport Jonah to Nineveh to proclaim salvation to the people, he did and they were saved, but in the end Jonah resented the people whom he proclaimed liberty to.
The Victory:
“And Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown. 5So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.” (Jonah 3:4-5)
After the Victory:
“Then said the LORD, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night: 11And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?” (Jonah 4:10-11)
In 1 Corinthians Paul shares some insight in why the Scriptures go into great detail to explain the shift from victory to defeat, “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 12Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:11-12) These stories of great victory and then great defeat are written so that we can learn from their mistakes and not follow after them. There is a spiritual principle in our lives we must be aware of; we are to be learning and ever learning, but most (I too many times) sadly are in the school of life in God and learning, but never learning, those lessons that will enable us to grow in the Lord as He intends. Paul warned Timothy of this, “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 3:7) Now victories in God are great and wonderful and we must never over look or trivialize them, but what happens next after the victory is probably more important to God to our understanding of Him and for our Christian testimony than the victory. In all of the stories in the Bible God is trying to reveal truth, from His perspective to us, and teach us about His character and nature. There is a message for us if we look with spiritual understanding to see what God through His Spirit is saying. In the third Chapter of Revelations, Jesus told the Churches, “he who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit is saying” so too today. Please allow me to share some thoughts taken from James 1:6-9 that will help us stop our slipping from victory to defeat. “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. 9Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:’ (James 1:6-9) There are three points from these verses we must look at. “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed." The first point is we must allow God to teach us how to control our emotions. The opposite of faith is emotionalism not fear. All of the afore mentioned fellows and other great men in the Bible like King David seldom were in control of their emotions. They were ruled by their five senses. Music and dance seemed to play a big part in their lives. We must be very careful in this area. The next point, “For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” We must have single vision like the dove. Our focus must be God’s focus. We must know where we are going and how we are going to get there. If not we will be “unstable” or inconstant (fickle, not steady, changing often) and restless in ALL of our ways. Now when the Bible says “all” it means ALL, not some things or only in the point in question, but ALL things, even the things of God. And lastly, “Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:” It is when we are in the humble and low place God can promote and exalt us into a position of importance. God always humbles the exalted and exalts the humbled. The way up is down. If we desire to spent eternity with God our direction is not upward in God, but downward in Him. And, the lower we allow God to take us the higher God will exalt us. I heard TV preacher say, we must be rich in our spirit, well this is wrong thinking from wrong teaching. Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) The word “poor” here means spiritually bankrupt where we see no value in our self. The poorer in spirit we become the richer in God we can become.
Well my friend let us not look at the victory, but to the time after the victory, when we can be found faithful and be approved for the next victory. Please know the opportunity for defeat or victory in God soon will be coming our way. My friend after the victory it is best to take the admonition of James, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:” (James 1:19) qualities needed before and after a trial, sound wisdom indeed. Written by David Stahl.