As I look back over my last four articles I see why God selected this article to be last and now. God’s way is always the best way, even if we cannot see clear; time always bears out we must do things God’s way. Recently there has been a great stirring and excitement in many churches in America. I wish I could report it is from a great move of the Holy Spirit convicting us (that includes me) more and more of our sin, but sadly it is not. I wish I could report this great stir and excitement is from a great desire to send people to the nations as Jesus commanded us, but I cannot. Sadly America continues to slip further and further down the line from the top slot (in the 1950s) of sending missionaries to nations to now 16th place. I wish I could report there has been a great move of prayer and hearing the word of God drawing the church in America closer to Him stopping our drifting away from Him and His ways, but there is still a great famine in the hearing of the word of God in America. Not the preaching of the word of God, churches are on almost every corner, but of the hearing (understanding and acting) the word of God. No my friends sadly none of these things have caught the heart of the church in America, but what has caught the heart of the churches in America is the presidential and local elections all for the grand and coveted prize of winning political power so that a political system or party can do things the way they want to do things. And as a reward for those denominations who play along will have special influence and favor in seeing their views and belief’s enacted as law. But my friend God does not operate by the vote of man, but by His sovereign will and plan for a people and for a nation. When will the church of America realize this? Every election year the church corporately sells the Gospel message out for political gain and influence. We have made up organizations like: The Moral Majority, The Center for Moral Clarity, The American Center for Law and Justice, Focus on the Family, and others that squabble and in some cases fight over the letter of the law, for the churches’ rights, while neglecting the Spirit of the law. My friends, the law killeth, but the Spirit giveth life! When will we learn we must do things God’s way?
Yesterday in North Carolina was election day. I could not believe the excitement and clamor of the many Christians who wanted to vote and to have their political voice heard. Yesterday before and after church the topic of discussion was the winners and losers from the election. There is a spiritual truth that says, out of our mouths speaks our heart. If I want to know what you think is important I will allow you to talk and you will speak of those things in your heart that are important to you. How much of the message last night was received with our thoughts still on the election? The church in America is so caught up in earthly politics and why not the church is the biggest voting block in America, no wonder candidates will do and say anything to be able to speak at local churches and denominational conventions. The power and influence some denominations have is really scary. When will we learn to do things God’s way?
Paul too talks about an election but this is not about politics, but it does have to do with choosing, “Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. 5For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.” (1 Thessalonians 1:4-5) The word “election” here means: to choose or pick something out, to gather or join together for a purpose. When we hear the word “election” we think it is something we do, (we are so self-centered and selfish) but in reality the choosing and gathering together is a mutual joining together. God has elected us because He loves us, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) The word “commendeth” here means to elect or gathered us to Him. And because we see our need for God and His love for us we commend or elect ourselves towards Him. It is a wonderful picture of mutual commitment. Sadly the world does not see this picture of commitment, to many times the church has dabbled in power and influence pedaling, perverting what God was after, to reach a political end. When will the church in America learn to do things God’s way?
I will be honest I do not vote, why should I? Does not God know what He is doing? My friend, in Christ, we have moral high ground, we have the truth God’s precious Son, Jesus Christ. When we willfully remove ourselves from this moral high ground of the truth in God by wallowing in politics and campaigning we lose the high ground of truth. Before the election many Pastors encouraged their folks to get out and vote, well whether a Pastor’s should tell their folks to vote is between them and God, but if I was a Pastor I would NOT encourage my folks to vote, but to pray. It is far better, to discern God’s will, for my folks to enter into their secret prayer closet instead of into the secrecy of the voting booth.
So what is the answer? In the Books of Acts, Luke gives us the model for how the church (not only in America) is to handle political and social issues. Please let me set the stage; James the brother of John had already been put to death by the sword and Peter has been taken captive, placed in prison, and guarded by four squads of soldiers. (Acts 12:1-4) Verse five is where we will start, “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.” (Acts 12:5) Now the Bible does not say it, but maybe the church was counting on another means maybe politics to release James. I am sure they were quite surprised when James was put to the sword, well now they have our beloved brother Peter. Here in verse five we read, “but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.” Here is the beginning of the template; prayer. The church was not out there protesting, picketing, trying to get the people to rise up and storm the prison to free Peter, or trying to see how many people they can get to boycott businesses, but they were on their face before a holy God. What happens when we get serious with God? “And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.” (Acts 12:7) God shows up and begins to do things His way. His ways are never our ways. Our logic is to mass an army and attack or riot and loot, but God’s logic is to be quiet and when the guards are asleep mysteriously hide us in front of the enemies eyes as we walk through the prison. After God makes a way of escape He always provides a place of protection, “And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. 13And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. 14And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. 15And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.” (Acts 12:12-15) Please notice what the people were doing at Mary the mother of John’s home, “where many were gathered together praying.” The end result of doing things the way God does things. ”But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.” (Act 12:16) God’s ways are always though an open door and always astonishing. My friend the beginning and ending of God’s way is always through prayer. There is no other way.
Ever since the early 1960s American began changing. I am sure before then there was a slipping from her godly moorings, but in the early 1960s with the open rebellion of her youth towards authorities, a free love no commitment towards the family, the woman’s liberation movement, the civil rights movement, and all of the other anti-God movements, America really began to change for the worst and as the people more and more bought into this new enlightened world philosophy sadly so to their relationship with God changed. No longer was America a humble country that looked for guidance and leadership from the God of her fore fathers. No longer did the people of America believe the Bible was the inspired and holy word of God. No longer did the people do things God’s way, but like sheep strayed from God’s commandments and divine spiritual principles, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way;” (Isaiah 53:6) What have we gone astray from? From the pathway back to the heart of the Father and please notice, “we have turned every one to his own way” not God’s way. My friend this will never do. For America to become well and strong again we cannot count on our government to make it happen. The only one who can heal our land is God and God will heal our land only when we get before Him in prayer, His way of doing things. The words the Lord spoke to Solomon is as much true and from God today for America as it was for the folks in 2 Chronicles, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14) But you know what? I do not believe the church of America believes this verse. I believe the church in America is trying “to heal their land” through politics and pleasure seeking, prayer is too tough and too time consuming, politics is quicker, easier, and our flesh can get stroked and applauded. We can build great big sanctuaries and arenas and fill them with people in the name of doing God’s will. Yeah, we can make money and control people. But, prayer requires us to take the humble and low place like Jesus and give so that others may receive.
Yesterday in North Carolina was election day. I could not believe the excitement and clamor of the many Christians who wanted to vote and to have their political voice heard. Yesterday before and after church the topic of discussion was the winners and losers from the election. There is a spiritual truth that says, out of our mouths speaks our heart. If I want to know what you think is important I will allow you to talk and you will speak of those things in your heart that are important to you. How much of the message last night was received with our thoughts still on the election? The church in America is so caught up in earthly politics and why not the church is the biggest voting block in America, no wonder candidates will do and say anything to be able to speak at local churches and denominational conventions. The power and influence some denominations have is really scary. When will we learn to do things God’s way?
Paul too talks about an election but this is not about politics, but it does have to do with choosing, “Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. 5For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.” (1 Thessalonians 1:4-5) The word “election” here means: to choose or pick something out, to gather or join together for a purpose. When we hear the word “election” we think it is something we do, (we are so self-centered and selfish) but in reality the choosing and gathering together is a mutual joining together. God has elected us because He loves us, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) The word “commendeth” here means to elect or gathered us to Him. And because we see our need for God and His love for us we commend or elect ourselves towards Him. It is a wonderful picture of mutual commitment. Sadly the world does not see this picture of commitment, to many times the church has dabbled in power and influence pedaling, perverting what God was after, to reach a political end. When will the church in America learn to do things God’s way?
I will be honest I do not vote, why should I? Does not God know what He is doing? My friend, in Christ, we have moral high ground, we have the truth God’s precious Son, Jesus Christ. When we willfully remove ourselves from this moral high ground of the truth in God by wallowing in politics and campaigning we lose the high ground of truth. Before the election many Pastors encouraged their folks to get out and vote, well whether a Pastor’s should tell their folks to vote is between them and God, but if I was a Pastor I would NOT encourage my folks to vote, but to pray. It is far better, to discern God’s will, for my folks to enter into their secret prayer closet instead of into the secrecy of the voting booth.
So what is the answer? In the Books of Acts, Luke gives us the model for how the church (not only in America) is to handle political and social issues. Please let me set the stage; James the brother of John had already been put to death by the sword and Peter has been taken captive, placed in prison, and guarded by four squads of soldiers. (Acts 12:1-4) Verse five is where we will start, “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.” (Acts 12:5) Now the Bible does not say it, but maybe the church was counting on another means maybe politics to release James. I am sure they were quite surprised when James was put to the sword, well now they have our beloved brother Peter. Here in verse five we read, “but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.” Here is the beginning of the template; prayer. The church was not out there protesting, picketing, trying to get the people to rise up and storm the prison to free Peter, or trying to see how many people they can get to boycott businesses, but they were on their face before a holy God. What happens when we get serious with God? “And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.” (Acts 12:7) God shows up and begins to do things His way. His ways are never our ways. Our logic is to mass an army and attack or riot and loot, but God’s logic is to be quiet and when the guards are asleep mysteriously hide us in front of the enemies eyes as we walk through the prison. After God makes a way of escape He always provides a place of protection, “And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. 13And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. 14And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. 15And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.” (Acts 12:12-15) Please notice what the people were doing at Mary the mother of John’s home, “where many were gathered together praying.” The end result of doing things the way God does things. ”But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.” (Act 12:16) God’s ways are always though an open door and always astonishing. My friend the beginning and ending of God’s way is always through prayer. There is no other way.
Ever since the early 1960s American began changing. I am sure before then there was a slipping from her godly moorings, but in the early 1960s with the open rebellion of her youth towards authorities, a free love no commitment towards the family, the woman’s liberation movement, the civil rights movement, and all of the other anti-God movements, America really began to change for the worst and as the people more and more bought into this new enlightened world philosophy sadly so to their relationship with God changed. No longer was America a humble country that looked for guidance and leadership from the God of her fore fathers. No longer did the people of America believe the Bible was the inspired and holy word of God. No longer did the people do things God’s way, but like sheep strayed from God’s commandments and divine spiritual principles, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way;” (Isaiah 53:6) What have we gone astray from? From the pathway back to the heart of the Father and please notice, “we have turned every one to his own way” not God’s way. My friend this will never do. For America to become well and strong again we cannot count on our government to make it happen. The only one who can heal our land is God and God will heal our land only when we get before Him in prayer, His way of doing things. The words the Lord spoke to Solomon is as much true and from God today for America as it was for the folks in 2 Chronicles, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14) But you know what? I do not believe the church of America believes this verse. I believe the church in America is trying “to heal their land” through politics and pleasure seeking, prayer is too tough and too time consuming, politics is quicker, easier, and our flesh can get stroked and applauded. We can build great big sanctuaries and arenas and fill them with people in the name of doing God’s will. Yeah, we can make money and control people. But, prayer requires us to take the humble and low place like Jesus and give so that others may receive.
Please mark my words well my friends. God gives leaders to a nation after the hearts of the people and then raises us these leaders to fashion the nation as a vessel for honor or dishonor. America was fashioned for honor by God to spread not liberty and democracy to the world, but the wondrous Gospel message. Liberty and freedom are a by-product of the Gospel message. Unless America humbles herself, prays (God’s way of doing things), seeks His (God’s) face, and turns from her wicked ways back towards God, I believe God will continue to raise up America, but this time America will be raised up as a vessel of dishonor for all the world to see. “Fear not my little children,” thus sayeth the Lord. “I will always have a remnant to establish my heart and ways in the land of the living. Draw near to Me and I will draw near to you, then and only then can I deposit my life into you,” thus sayeth the Lord. Written by David Stahl
1 comment:
Peace be with you my brother!
I believe that it will be wiser if the brethren would pray before they go to vote. This way the Lord will guide theyre heart.
You need to hear God's voice first. Let's stop doing things just by the way we feel, LET'S LET THE LORD TO LEAD US.
I know you are a leader, and you will always be an example for your people. For that you will always have to be EXTREMELY careful on WHAT you say, and HOW you say things, because the Lord will hold you responsible for WHERE AND HOW you led your sheeps!
We need to listen to the Lord, because the end is coming soon!
May the Lord Bless you and keep you!
Peace be with you!
A sheep
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