AS A BIRD WANDERS

Every time I surf past those women preachers and teachers on Christian TV I wonder why those ladies in the audience don’t have anything better to do with themselves. Why aren’t they home taking care of their families? Ladies as much as the world tries to deny the truth, as the Bible teaches, our first calling and our first responsibility to God is our family. Sadly the women’s liberation message of the world has crept into the church and now has a strangle-hold deceiving women to the truth. Believe it or not at the heart of this deception is a spiritual authority problem. Almost all of the problems we face in life are spiritual authority problems. Satan had no problem with pride, but he did have a problem with wanting to exalt himself in spiritual authority over God. The end result of a wife out of spiritual authority ends with a domineering wife and an emasculated husband which is rebellion to God’s word. The Bible says, “Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.” (Genesis 3:16) What woman wants to walk in the truth of this verse? Not too many women today that I know. Oh I do know someone, “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.” (Proverbs 31:10-11) I know I don’t measure up, but I am trying. You can finish reading down to verse 31 to see just how you stack up. For those married ladies who have secretly not submitted to their husbands in their heart are following after an unscriptural and ungodly example looking for something else to satisfy them.

In Proverbs we also read, “As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place.” (Proverb 27:8) The Lord brought this scripture to my attention and showed me these ladies that wander from their nest and flock together are like the “bird that wandereth” leaving her place of safety, provision, and opening her self and her family to a whole heap of troubles. There is nothing worse than a woman running off to some conference leaving her kids with a babysitter for what, to hear some other woman preacher or teacher. Now don’t get me started on having to pay money to hear someone speak. It almost sickens me (I am sure it does God) when I see advertisement in front of churches announcing this famous preacher or teacher is coming and if you pay $25 or $50 you can get tickets, but if you pay $75 you can get seats up front. The Gospel message is not for sale! Now it seems to me we ought to stay home and mind our own business, raise our own kids, and not go traipsing off looking for what God has already established in the home to satisfy us. Anyway are women suppose to be running around preaching? I do not see this example in the Bible. Paul tells us, “But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 11Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 15Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.” (1Timothy 2:10-15) Not too many ladies like these verses either. This women’s lib thinking crap, you don’t have to stay home go out and be somebody is in direct opposition to what the Bibles says. This thinking is self-seeking and rebellious. Now if you have to work I am not speaking to you. But, I am speaking to those women that put themselves and their careers ahead their family and do not have to. They have kids at home, yet they want to work, sadly it is all about them. Many would say I have to work to help provide for our family. Not true, learn to live within what your husband makes and enjoy the riches and treasures from the family store house. Dave and I lived well below the American norm when our kids were small, but oh the joy we had. Oh the joy I felt just to be there when our kids came home from school and to help them with their homework. Before to long your kids will be grown and out the door. You will have plenty of time to work then if you want. Instead of running off to some conference to hear some preacher or teacher we should be running the other way, back home. Have you ever checked out the bottom line of some of these famous women speakers? This is insane. This should show you it is all about the money, favor, and look at me. And worse yet, you are not even growing in God. If you want to grow in God; read your Bible, do what you are suppose to do, raise your own kids with a love and with mercy teaching them what is right, take care of your husband, that’s a good start. The Prophet Micah’s words still ring true today, “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8) Please do not be like the bird who wandered from her nest. Sadly we also see she wandered from her place of spiritual authority. The highest calling for a woman is to be a wife and mother, so my mother-in-law always said and she is right. So, if I have offended you good! If the shoe fits don’t wear it, change it. We have to want to change. True Christians (the humble ones) know where I am coming from and will not be offended. Written by Karen Stahl

FOLLOWING PEACE WITH ALL MEN

Someday when we make it to heaven we will have many questions answered. I do not think they will be answered one by one like we ask and someone tells us the answer, but we will know by the Spirit of God. While I was pastoring in Germany I would attend a pastor’s prayer breakfast hosted by a huge German non-denominational church in Stuttgart. I enjoyed the time of fellowship until some of the pastors started to weasel word their way by self-seeking invitations to come and speak at others churches. That was enough for me. So I told the host pastor what was going on and begged his leave. He said he understood (he was always a very gracious man) and asked for us to stay in touch which we did. But one day before this all happened a French pastor took a seat across from me and just glared at me while we enjoyed the traditional pretzel, meat, cheese, and beer breakfast. I do not like the taste of beer so I drank coffee. The longer we ate the more he glared until he spoke. In English, as he leaned back in his seat, he told me an American pastor told him we will speak English in heaven, what do I think? Well, I quickly beseeched (one of six words for prayer in the Bible) the Lord what to say, not wanting to further anger the French pastor and said, I do not think we will speak in heaven. He then leaned forward in his seat and said tell me more. I said, I think we will communicate through the Spirit. He really like that and offered me a piece of his buttered pretzel, I made a new friend. In Acts the Bible tells us not to worry about what to say, when the time comes the Holy Spirit will give us the words to say by the Spirit if we have an ear to hear what the Spirit is saying. I have had many friends say the first thing they want to ask Paul, since he was not married, what was “the thorn in the flesh.” Even if we did ask and Paul would answer I do not think I would ask that question. I feel pretty sure many folks ahead of us have already asked him this question and if it was me I would be tired of answering it. But if we take a critical look at Paul’s life we may be able to maybe answer this question before we get to heaven and if we get it right it will help us make sure we make it to heaven. Something to know about me, I am not into heaven. Oh I am going to go and hope and pray I see you there, but I am not into heaven I am into Him. Where ever He is tis heaven to me. Anyway what is God going to do if all of His children run off and go to heaven? Who will be down here on earth to do His will as it is done in heaven? I think the church corporately today needs to get a renewed glimpse of men suffering in hell (now that will really work a desire for mercy and grace in our lives so that we can extend them to friends and even our enemies) and let God take care of us going to heaven.

I have been told Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was his poor eye sight due to his Damascus road experience being blind (Acts 9:18) with scales. I do not know, but if I had to guess I would guess no. Others say his “thorn in the flesh” was not having a wife and he burned (1 Corinthians 7:8) with lust, again I do not know, but if I had to guess I would guess no. If I would have to guess I would probably say his “thorn in the flesh” was enduring the emotions and feelings of his flesh when people he deeply loved and respected utterly rejected him. In the Book of Acts verse 19:10 we read where Paul poured two years of his life and the word of God into the churches in Asia, but then we read and why Paul instructed Timothy, “Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 13Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 14That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. 15This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.” (1 Timothy 1:11-15) Can you imagine spending years of pouring the life of God into people and having them turn their backs on you? I can and most pastors today can. But what made it even worse was Paul possessed a very special God-given revelation of God that no man has ever had. This precious gift of God (like Jesus Christ) was rejected and Paul knew it. The deeper the revelation of God we have the more we must be dealt with by God and it seems the more people will turn their back on them. God will not trust a man with a deep revelation unless they can be broken and made useful for the Master’s purposes. It is easy to see who has been broken they are the one everybody is beating and slandering and who opens not their mouth. When I was putting together a teaching God gave me on Spiritual Leadership, God really dealt with me on enduring the “contradiction of sinners;” where the flesh of others strike hard at our heart to cause us to stumble and fall out of the way God has for us to go. The writer of Hebrews (I believe to be Paul) sits this before our heart and eyes to consider how Jesus endured, “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. 3For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” (Hebrews 12:2-3) Now Paul knew hardships and endurance, “Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.” (2 Corinthians 11:22-27) But what Paul is talking about in Hebrews 12:3, is an ache and a pain that touches deep in our heart and can even sear our spirit needing the grace that only God can provide. This I believe was the “thorn in the flesh” Paul beseeched God to remove from him three times. “For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. 7And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8For this thing (a thing is not a person or demon) I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:6-10) Paul knew he would be a fool to glory in the truth of God’s “abundance of the revelation” so he took pleasure and even gloried, “in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” We see this also in the book of 2 Corinthians when the Church of Corinth was restored. ”And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all. 4For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.” (2 Corinthians 2:3-4) and then in verse 11, we see why Paul felt this way and his motive, “Less Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” (2 Corinthians 2:11) which is the same thought image Paul used when he described (2 Corinthians 12:7) “the messenger of Satan to buffet me.” The willingness of Paul to endure hatred, malice, misunderstanding, and wrath was just unbelievable. Yet I feel sure he felt every stinging word and unwarranted rebuke. No matter how deep our revelation of God is our fleshly emotions and feelings are still alive and must be dealt with by God and us. As Paul was writing to the Church at Corinth he said, “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.” (2 Corinthians 12:15) Paul was saying, the more I love you all the less you love me. But Paul knew he had to be willing to lose his self-interest in the church for them to come to the truth contained in his words. With this deep understanding how could a person or demon move Paul out of the way? Now that all sounds very spiritual, but the revelation of truth always shines a simplistic light and takes us down lower in heart where Jesus is. All that Paul went through (like maybe some today) the beatings, the hunger, the perils, the nakedness, and the rest he endured, but the hole in his heart was like a cancer that ate away at his spirit to the point he asked God to remove it, but God said, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” What grace? Was it the grace of salvation? I think not Paul was already saved. Was it the grace of more strength from God to endure more infirmities and afflictions? Maybe, because we all need to be strengthened the more in the inward parts so that we can be conformed into character and nature of Jesus Christ, but here I think not. 2 Corinthians 2:4 gives us the answer, “For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.” It was out of “much affliction and anguish of heart” and “with many tears” we like Paul might know the truth and grace of God. The truth and grace of God Paul needed (just like many of us today) to fill the hole in our heart and dry the tears from our face. How can we get this grace? Now there is a big difference between the grace that comes with salvation and the grace of God that touches and heals our inward being. The grace of God for salvation is free for the asking of which Jesus paid a great price. Now the grace of God to touch and heal our inward parts comes to us with a price we alone (like Paul, Job, Peter, Joseph, even Jesus) must pay. Not in money or service like many denominations and religious folks teach, but in lowliness of heart and self. Us losing our selfishness, self-centeredness, and self-life so that we may be able to win Christ. Losing to gain in God, His way of us getting to give. Ask and we shall receive, right? I think not. Many Christians ask and seek and ask and seek and knock and seek and ask, but receive not (James 4:3) because they ask amiss desiring to spend their brother’s, sister’s and God’s grace on their own lust. Then how do we get this grace, well the writer of the Hebrews helps us again here, “And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. 14Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;” (Hebrews 12:13-15) Paul knew the grace of God to touch his life was dependant on him following peace or pursuing peace with all men, even when they despitefully used him or totally turned their backs on him like in Asia. If we too want the grace of God to touch our lives we too must, “follow peace with all men and holiness.” We cannot forget the holiness piece, so many do and never experience God’s grace. The verse says both “peace” and “holiness.” You know we can be peaceful with all men many religions teach this, but being holy to all men now that is quite difficult. You say David this is all well and good, but how do we follow peace and how can we be holy with all men? Well always remember, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1) Written by David Stahl

THE MONEY IS IN THE FISH

When we lived in Germany while I was pastoring we would have some great Bible teachers and some groups from the States come through our church on their way to more austere places to share the wondrous Gospel message. Like any ministry when starting up, money and people are always a challenge to find and seem to hide themselves, but if really called of God both will uncover themselves when the Lord directs. Beholding His Glory (BHG) does not have a lot of supporters; as a matter of fact at no time in the last seven years has BHG had two churches supporting BHG. Almost all support comes from dedicated men and women who are led by the Holy Spirit to support His work (when the support is needed) around the world. BHG does not have a big bank account to wheel and deal with, but monthly supports clinics (a maternity in Nigeria and two tuberculosis in Ethiopia) in Africa, a radio station in Nepal, fledgling Bible schools in the Congo, Rwanda, and Kenya, and enough to keep our website, blog, newsletter, books, and other writing alive. Even our travels to the nations are funded by people who have a heart for sharing the Gospel to the ends of the world. Do you know where the end of the world is? I know. If you want to know please contact me and I will tell you where I have experienced the end of the world. Now I really like the way the Lord does this. Why do I need a bunch of money in the bank? He has handsomely met our family needs and I know He will meet our ministry needs. It seems when we compile a bunch of money to put in the bank we start to think of things we want to do and not the things God wants us to do. The model of church or ministry funding in the Bible is one local Body of Christ (church) directly blessing another local Body of Christ or ministry. I do not see the model in the Bible where one church feeds a bank account that can be joined with other’s money to have greater purchasing power in the market place. This seems to me to be more a worldly approach with compounding interest, people to manage it, having to decide who gets what piece of the pie, and so many more pitfalls. The Body of Christ is a spiritual Body and God’s ways are not our ways nor is His ways the ways of the world. The reason for God’s one-on-one approach is because of the Godly relationship that is to come out of it. Always remember, all Godly ministry comes out of Godly relationship. If there is only a money bridge connection not much Godly ministry is going to happen. God is always more concerned about our relationships than our money. The longer I go in the Lord the more I am convinced of this point. I believe the Lord really likes it when we first start something up that He has asked us to do. It is not seeing the thing He has asked us to do come alive, but the work God can do in our lives as we struggle (and sometimes flounder, but not sink) like a seed fighting to push its way up through the soil. During this time the Lord is teaching us to depend on Him as our source of all resources and provision. During the early times we are lean and hungry for God, but too often when we get established we get fat with money in the bank we can get complacent and even begin to compromise what we have been taught by God. God’s strong arm of strength is replaced with the weak arm of the flesh of man and his money. If God cannot teach us to depend on Him to be our all and all then He really cannot use us, we disqualify our self for service. Take heed here my friends who minister. If our ministry in built on the goodness of man, good works, and not the dealings, judgments, and lessons of God then they are doomed to failure. I promise you my friend, your friends will turn their backs on you at some point; you can ask Job and with the turning of their backs is also the turning away of any support they gave God, not you. Never forget a true man of God realizes money given to his ministry in not given to the minister, but is given to God. Please take heed not to wrongly touch God’s three “Gs.” God’s girls, God’s gold, and God’s glory. And words do matter, so if someone or some church (who supports you) says they are giving money to you, in love please correct them. Remember, we can share pure truth, but if the end result is not love than the truth will not avail for much in lives. Now please understand love has many edges that is meant by God to cut us to the heart. Like truth which often cuts us in layers; sometimes very fine, but at other times truth viscously lays us open to the bone. We think love is soft, warm, fuzzy, and good, but most often love is hard, prickly, strong, and edifying. This is where real spiritual growth and development happens. Paul shared this very critical, but deeply misunderstood truth in the church today, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:15-16) The truth hurts! The truth is to kill us, but if we are obedient to God the same truth that killed us will make us alive. But sadly we see churches teaching only parts of the whole counsel of God, and why? Who wants to find the truth about themselves as compared to Jesus Christ? It is scary to find out who we really are. Most Pastors, Evangelist, Teachers, and Christians do not know who they really are because they have not allowed God to deal and judge in their lives. It is much easier being someone else you like on TV, or have read about in a book, or even endearing yourself to the “beautiful people” by spouting out cool and hip sayings of the world. Teaching (the message of the cross) or “speaking the truth in love may grow up into him in all things” does not put butts in the seats. Teaching (self-sacrifice) or “speaking the truth in love may grow up into him in all things” truth does not fill offering plates. Teaching (discipline and death to self) or “speaking the truth in love may grow up into him in all things” will not allow you to run the church the way you want it to go. After all who (believe it or not I do) wants to be told they are wrong and need to change in some areas? My friend be not concerned about the deceitfulness of your friends, but be more concerned what God says about you. He will repay their evil in due time, God is not mocked nor is His children. Our part is to keep our heart pure and our hands clean with a right heart condition toward them.

Every year Christliche Gemeinde Stuttgart (our church in Germany) would have an old-fashion American style picnic in a huge park outside of Stuttgart called Max-Eyth. This was the park all of the Auslanders (foreigners) would go to grill out, play soccer, spend time with families, and just get away from things for awhile. Auslanders have it very tough in Germany. The first couple of years funding this picnic was a struggle. We would spend 1000s of Deutsche Marks (2 DM to 1 US) buying food (chicken, steak, beans, chips, drinks, all of the trimmings), renting and sitting up tents, our praise and worship team would play and sing, and of course we would play a soccer tournament. You cannot have a picnic in Germany and not play soccer. We would feed all in the park (100s) for free, the cost was huge without any return on our investment or so I thought. This is God’s economy of His mathematics. The things we do for God are not about adding, but mostly subtracting. In God we progress not by what we add to our selves, but what of our self we can lose. In God spiritual growth and development happens not in gaining to our self or increasing in our skills or abilities, but in losing; our selfishness, our presumption, our self-seeking, our wrath, our anger, and so much more. Did you know God had to deal with my motives and desires for why we were having the picnic. I thought we were going to add more people to our church (like many other churches), but that was not God’s idea. God’s idea was to build on and strengthen the relationships already established and tear down some so that He can build anew in some. Did you know God starts building by tearing down? God does not build on another foundation. People that come as a visitor to a church are given to out from the relationships within the church. If the relationships are unhealthy and are not established in God then the new people that come to a church are given a sickness (even unto death) from the dysfunctional relationships. I have seen this truth operate too many times in many churches around the world. Often churches have well tuned programs to cover up for unhealthy relationships, but you know people are savvy, this is why people come and go from church to another church. In Kenya there is a term for this called churching. Or why people stay for awhile, but when they see the true heart and relationships within the church, they suddenly leave and no one notices they have departed. The heart of every church is not the good works, but the relationships. We must guard with all diligence our hearts, our relationships, and make very sure our relationships are established in God full of honesty, honor, and integrity and not established on a religious denominational or non-denominational system of programs. The measure of success is not the results of how many people were saved, baptized, joined the church, money taken in for missions or to keep up an ever decaying building, but how all of these good works were done. Remember, in God it does not matter what you do for Him, but how you do it for Him. Our motives, ambitions, and desires is what God is looking at. Jesus told the disciples, “For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. 18Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.” (Luke 8:16-17) The focus is not hearing (doing), but “take heed therefore how ye hear.” Do we hear with the right heart condition, right motives, and with the right desires. How can we give the life of God to new people that come to our churches if we have ought in our heart towards the Brethren? We give what is in our heart. And please know, we cannot give from our hearts selective by person it is all or nothing. Jesus taught, “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 35A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 36But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” (Matthew 12:34-37) What is the “abundance” that fills our heart? There is so much lack here in the Body of Christ, Lord please help us.

Anyhow one year a very successful pastor from SC brought a group through when we were planning the picnic at Max-Eyth and asked how we pay for all of the expenses. I told him God will provide. Well his response was, the money is in the fish and went into the story of Jesus commanding Peter to go fishing for the tribute or taxes they owed, “Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them (those who collect the tribute or taxes) go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.” (Matthew 17:27) He said the Lord showed him the money is in the fish. The people are fish and they have the money. And if you get the people then you will get the money. I thought to myself what a crock of crap. I could not believe he would say such a thing, but worse he was serious about it. I said, well I will look at it and hold it before the Lord. I did for about a nanosecond. But, through this talk I sadly saw this is the spirit and heart of most churches in America for evangelism. Now I am not saying all churches, but I am saying most churches. Remember if the shoe fits, change it; if not then pray for those churches who run after money and numbers. Get the people and you get their money. Get the kids, you get the parents, and then you get the money. Brethren this ought not to be. I have seen this time and time again. This is not God’s idea of evangelism. You know after God dealt with me and adjusted my thinking, priorities, and motives the annual picnic was such a joy (not happiness which is situation dependent) to do. We did go fishing, but we were after fish not people or money. And guess what, our church took off what fellowship and communion we had. Funding the picnic was never a problem. God brought teams from all over the world to come and help pay for and help pray with the people that responded to “real love.” You know when things are given free to us like salvation we can see the price paid and the commitment and dedication given by others, maybe that is why we respond. Written by David Stahl

WHAT KIND OF PASTOR ARE YOU

We knew a pastor who was kicked out of a church we attended and then went back to being a missionary. He called himself a pastor, yet he was a very impatient, angry, and wrathful man. He told us one time when he stopped by our home in Germany the most useless men in the world were from India, yet he just spent two or three months in India; glad handing, back slapping, and smiling with the Believers of India. I was shocked when he said this. How could he minister to the Indian people and in the next breath revile them? Now on the other hand we also knew his son; a gentle and caring man who was sincere, loving, and kind. I think he would have made a better pastor than his father, but he was not called to be a pastor. He invested his energy and talents into raising his family and in the church he was in supporting roles and did a great job.

If you are a pastor you are the lead-slave servant to all; from the least in your congregation to the noblest or best. Getting a pay check from a denomination is a sure fire way of staying obedient to a denomination and less obedient to the Spirit of God. Gee, I wonder if that is why the early church leaders did their own work to support themselves and were led by the Holy Spirit, Hummmm. Lester Rolloff and Oliver B. Green (two old-time fiery Baptist preachers) called this taking the denominational dope. Once you start taking the money you are hooked and cannot stop. A pastor should also spend quality time before the Lord, seeking God’s face, to know what is up for that day, that week, that year. If you are spending more time in front of a computer screen than before the Lord, something is wrong. Rarely do you hear “thus saith the Lord” anymore. And why? Because pastors and other ministers are not spending time with the Lord. It is a heck of a lot easier to rip off a sermon by Spurgeon from the internet. If you like to read sermons on a computer let me invite you to prayerfully read Jonathan Edwards, “Sinner in the Hands of an Angry God,” I dare you. A pastor should be a lonely guy. It is lonely at the top. He is not to have a bunch of sniveling yes men around him. When ever we surround ourselves with a bunch of yes men and people that always agrees with us that is a sure sign of spiritual immaturity. When you change your opinion of something after you learn someone in authority over you disagrees, take heed you are exhibiting great qualities of being a yes man. It is supposed to be lonely at the top; this is God’s plan to get His man alone to teach him His words and ways. Other folks should have better things to do with their time than to cow-tow to a pastor’s every whim. A real pastor or man of God will not have a bunch of yes men around, but men full of integrity, honor, and honesty respectfully telling the pastor the truth. It is not about our ego or having an entourage scrambling in our wake. When we were in Kenya Pastor Joseph Mutua and other pastors were training young men to be future pastors, oh they were stepping and fetching, but their attitudes were so different. The pastors there in Kenya, dare I even say it, were extremely humble taking their responsibility seriously to disciple those young men. Shamefully American culture has trumped the church. Just travel overseas and you will see this in action. The pulpit is not a place for joking around, it is serious, life and death hang in the balance. If you want to hear some jokes go buy a joke book. If you want to be entertained go to a movie; oops some churches now show movies instead of preaching the word of God. If you want entertainment take your wife out to dinner. Unfortunately here in America, in most churches, it is not about discipling anybody it is about stroking some fat head’s ego so they will feel big and important. I guess they have their reward.

To those God fearing, humble pastors who day in and day out pour out their lives for their families and congregations – thank you for your example of Christ-likeness. May God bless you with all wisdom and may you allow God to strengthen you the more in the inward parts. And to you other pastors, grow up. It is not about you, shape up before it is too late. And, remember the best is yet to come. Written by Karen Stahl

THE COST OF BEING A SPIRITUAL LEADER

Our ability to be a spiritual leader (not a leader after the world) will be seen according to our revelation of God. It is revelation not education, it is revelation not gifts or abilities, it is revelation not looks and fame where our authority in God to do things for Him is found. Revelation of God is the signature of His approval in our lives. The costs of being a spiritual leader are many and the ones with greater revelation will bear the stings and stones of those who have a more limited revelation. This is true all throughout the Bible. One of the greatest things Christians can do to learn more about God is to read their Bible. The Bible is and has always been the best commentary on the Bible. Now I do not know about you, but if the surveys are true most Christians spend less than 10 minutes a week reading their Bible. Un-mistakable there is a price we will pay to know God. In God nothing is free, nothing. No one need aspire to leadership in the work of God who is not prepared to pay a price greater than his contemporaries and colleagues are willing to pay. True spiritual leadership always exacts a heavy toll on the whole man and his relationships, and the more effective the leadership is, the higher the price to be paid. This fact was taught by the Lord when He indicated we can not save others and our self at the same time. Spiritual power in Spiritual leadership is the outpouring of spiritual life, our life. And those who desire to BECOME (a life long process of us allowing God to work in our lives through His dealings and judgments) a spiritual leader must pay the price and seek the authority and power (both) from God.

The night before Jesus was crucified He asked the disciples, "Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" (Mark 10:38) and of course they glibly and oh so blindly (as we all often do), “We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: 40But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared. 41And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.” (Mark 10:39-41) What a glorious moment, Jesus asking the disciples if they could follow in His footsteps, but please notice what happened, they got offended. Often when God speaks to us His words will offend us. This is one of the many edges to the sword of truth. As a matter of fact it is God’s words that cause us to get angry, presumptive, and wrathful. Our reaction is to protect our selfish, self-life, but God’s intention is to kill our selfishness and self-life, and guess what? We get to choose who wins. Now I will be the first to admit I am not there yet, but God took me three hours outside of Suceava, Romania in over two feet of snow to a special needs orphanage to teach me this lesson. I was devastated, oh blessed devastation. Speaking from observing and/or participating for over 47 years most problems with church leadership is offense. The deacons get offended with the pastor or vise versa. Or the people get offended with the leadership of the local Body or vise versa. God must be powerful to get anything done through us. Did you know if there is no offense in us we cannot be offended? Offense happens in us when some ones words or actions touch the offense in us. But, my friend this offense in us is not bad if we can learn to allow God to work it out of us. How do we know we have offense in us? Well . . . out of our mouth speaks out heart. Getting offended again and again is an outward sign (open rebellion to God) of not allowing God to work in us. I hear men of God say they get offended again and again (I shutter) and think nothing of it. At the first sigh of offense in us we must give God full reign of our heart and allow Him to purge our thoughts changing our heart condition. Always remember, at the heart of every issue is always an issue of our heart.

The offense of the disciples was not Jesus’ idea of spiritual leadership. Jesus set a new standard for the disciple to use to establish the Body of Christ, not the church. Never forget the church is not some building we try so hard to groom and make beautiful or some denomination we try so hard to win people to, but we the people are the church. And judgment always starts at the house of the Lord, us! Jesus called the disciples and said, “Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship (leadership) over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, (leadership in the Body of Christ) shall be servant (slave) of all. 45For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:42-45) This my friend is not leadership as the world knows it with marketing, strategic projection and plans, or even with heavy board and committee administration. I have found the least people at the top more people at the bottom can be served. But Jesus goes very deep to the central core of the disciple’s offense by addressing their heart condition where true spiritual leadership always resides, “whosoever of you will be the chiefest, (leadership in the church) shall be servant (slave) of all.” Not too many leaders in the Body of Christ want to be a slave, but according to Jesus (and not Dave Stahl) this is the requirement to be a spiritual leader. And in the local Body the pastor is the lead slave on the chain-gang; if not, they have forfeited the call of God in their life. When I pastored in Germany I sought out who I believed to be the least in our local Body; a German lady who was mentally ill and daily took her on in service to her, my family, our local Body, and God.

The cost and price of the true spiritual leader are many. I would hope you could list more, but I would like to share some thoughts from a teaching outline (without the margin notes I have paid dearly for) God gave me many years ago from some thoughts from a book by J. Oswald Sanders. I have had the pleasure of teaching this outline in many Bible Schools and churches around the world. And yes, I have experienced these costs time and time again, even this week. No servant of God who has never experienced at least some of these costs are not worth their weight in salt.
A. Self-Sacrifice. Self-sacrifice is part of the price that must be daily paid. A cross stands in the way of spiritual leadership, a cross upon which the leader must consent to be impaled. Heaven's demands are absolute. "He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." (1 John 3:16) The degree to which we allow the cross of Christ to work in us will be the measure in which the resurrection life of Christ can be manifested through us in spiritual leadership. Remember, scars are the authentic marks of faithful discipleship and true spiritual leadership.
B. Loneliness. By its nature, the lot of a spiritual leader must be a lonely one. He must always be ahead of his followers. Though he must be the friendliest of men, there are areas of life in which he must be prepared to tread a lonely path. Human nature craves company, and it’s only natural to wish to share with others the heavy burdens of responsibility and care. Moses paid the price for his leadership, alone on the mount, and alone in the plain; the crushing loneliness of misunderstanding, criticism, and impugning motives. And times have not changed, there is nothing new under the sun.
C. Fatigue. "The world is run by tired men." The ever increasing demands placed on a spiritual leader drain the nervous resources and wears down the most robust physique. But, the true spiritual leader knows where to go for renewal. Paul knew this secret well, "For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." (2 Corinthians 4:15-16) If you have never learned this lesson you are not operating in God’s strength and ability. Only when we allow God to strengthen us in the inward parts will be renewed.
D. Criticism. There is nothing else that so kills the efficiency, capability, and initiative of a person or directs one’s attention toward their inabilities as criticism. There are two forms of the word criticism. Yet, it is where we get the word critique a most valuable tool in our lives if we ever are going to grow up in God and face the truth. I find the deeper the writings the more destructive criticism the writer gets, but that is okay. To be perfectly honest I relish criticism, (both forms) because I find they both make me a better Believer and man proving to me and approving what is in my heart. So please do not stop helping me to become better for the glory of God.
1. Destructive Criticism. It chips away at his self-respect and undermines his confidence in his ability to cope with his responsibilities. No person is exempt from criticism, and his humility will nowhere be seen more clearly than in the manner in which he accepts and reacts. The Godly way to deal with destructive criticism is, "A soft answer turneth away wrath." (Proverbs 15:1) A soft word in return always unarms the angry, jealous, and offended.
2. Constructive Criticism. An essential tool in our lives needed for spiritual growth and development that sets one toward self-examination, heart-searching, and prayer which always leads to a deeper sense of utter dependence in God. We must move from destructive to constructive criticism if we expect the kingdom of God to dwell within us. When someone criticisms us we must not get offended, but examine our self before their words and see if God is speaking to us. We must never run their words though our education, religious, and personal bias, but open our heart for true reflection so that God can deal and judge in our lives, now that is Godly strength and ability.
E. Rejection. "No man is ever fully accepted until he has, first of all been utterly rejected. The rugged path of utter rejection is trodden not only uncomplainingly, but with rejoicing. We often times will go through the fire and pruning, but this the divinely appointed way to the wealthy place in God. God's way is full of limitations and restrictions leading us in a very narrow way, but ends in a broad place in God, full of life. Man's way is broad without limitations and restrictions ends up in a very narrow way that leads to ruin, loss, and death. "Often the crowd does not recognize a spiritual leader until they are gone and then they build a monument for him with the stones they threw at him in life."
F. Pressure and Perplexity. God treats the spiritual leader as a mature adult, leaving more and more to his spiritual discernment and giving fewer sensible and tangible evidences of His guidance than in earlier years. The longer we walk with the Lord, the less we will hear His voice and maybe feel His presence. This perplexity adds to the inevitable pressures incidental to any responsible office. But do not worry, when the time comes to act, God always responds to His servant who trusts in Him.
G. Cost to Others. There is often a very real cost that has to be paid by persons other than the one entrusted with leadership. Indeed, it is they who sometimes pay the heavier price. Right or wrong they follow the direction they are being led.

H. Reaction to Adverse Opinion. Paul set before us a valuable pattern in this regard. "For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10) To Paul the voice of man was faint because his ear was tuned to the louder voice of God's appraisal. He was fearless of man's judgment because he was conscious he stood before a higher tribunal. If we too truly desire to be a spiritual leader we must never be a man pleaser. Our words must stand for something, even if it hurts feelings or offends. Our services must never be bought. Jesus paid a great price for the Gospel message and we must never cheapen it by compromising what we believe to be true for money or favor. Lastly, remember when we justify our selves before men we willfully make them our judge. Now I am not talking about spiritual authority (God also gave me a teaching outline on spiritual authority that I have paid for dearly and have taught around the world, we know spiritual authority), if someone over you in authority (especially spiritual authority) wants a piece of you, you better listen and take heed, but just because someone wants you to justify yourself, well this is man pleasing something we must never do if we desire to be a servant (slave) of God. We must function and operate like Peter and John, “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20) This too is our choice and just like all things in God there is a price we and others will pay for our choice. Written by David Stahl

FACING THE TRUTH

One of the greatest revelations we will ever discover is how we embrace the truth of God in our lives. We all like to believe we know the truth, but in reality believing is not enough, we must know the truth. Knowing the truth, like our walk with the Lord, is a continuous process as we “ . . . grow in the grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18) If we can learn this simple point we too will know truth in a deeper and fuller way. One of the first things we must learn about truth is; it is always from God’s perspective and always progressive. Truth is never ours to own, but ours to use to open up God’s grace to us. What I knew 20, 30, even 40 years ago about God and His ways are different to me today. God has added understanding while subtracting my presumption. This is how the Lord can kill and yet make us alive. (Deuteronomy 32:39)

While we were living in Germany and while I was still pastoring I was invited to a gathering of religions to come and defend the Gospel message. I thought the Gospel message needs no defense, God does a great job in defending His own word. But now I see why I felt to go and speak. At the meetings there were: Buddhist, Muslim, Hindus, Taoist, African Witchdoctors, and many more religions I have never heard of. It was fancy, well catered, and very well attended. Each in turn took their turn in speaking about their religion and why people need to convert to their thinking and ways before it is too late. As I was sitting there the Lord spoke to me and said, “they will not change unless they can realize they have been lied to all of their lives.” When it was my turn I spoke on truth from one verse from John, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) I told all of the other religions Jesus was the only way to God (the Father). Well you can guess what happened, just like today when we speak what we have heard from God (the truth) some speak harshly, full of wrath, and get jealous wanting to distance themselves from us and our ministry, but in reality it is the truth that has offended them and since they know little of the truth they vent their frustrations and presumption toward us. Jesus told the truth and they physically killed Him. My friend if you tell the truth they too may kill you. Jesus time and time again told the disciples not to be surprised when people speak against you. But this thought of needing to realize they have been lied to before they can receive the Gospel message really captured my thought for years and to be honest it still does today. And this truth has not changed. As we sit in many churches around the world we see and hear things that are not true. And for the people to reject them, so they can move in the truth when the Holy Spirit touches their understanding, they must come to the cold, hard fact that the man of God (whomever) has lied to them maybe all of their lives. Now this is a very difficult thing to do. Most people do not have the inward strength to say I have been lied to all of these years and now I will change. It is far easier to continue in the lie than to suffer the shame and loss of humiliation and pride. And worse yet, if our parents have been faithful in taking us to church (or wherever) all of our lives, when the Holy Spirit touches our understanding, we learn they too have lied to us all of our lives. How can we face the truth about people we love and look up to when we learn they have lied to us and led us astray of the truth. Most children do not have the ability, inward strength, and love for their parents to confront them not in vengeances or hatred, but in love to see them changed in God too. It takes God strengthening us in the inward parts to be able to realize we have been lied too all of our lives and then turn from the lie and move now in the glorious truth of the word of God.

On the same note I am very puzzled how the different American denominations each can say they have the truth, everyone else is wrong, and are going to hell useless they join their church to believe like them. I have heard this song and dance for years. Strange how the truth from the word of God has divided people out into different groups or maybe it is not the truth, but other words that have been painted and primped up to represent truth. Never forget what God said is the truth, the Scriptures and the words He speaks to us, everything else often is our (me too) selfish and self-centered attempt to ascend into the heavens (like the Angel Lucifer) making an emotional approach to God with our feelings, intellect, or worse using the truth to manipulate people to get them to do things. When Jesus stood before Pilate He defined something greater than what truth was, He defined who was of the truth, “Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. 38Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.” (John 18:37-38) Pilate heard Jesus speak (face-to-face) and knew He was the King of kings, this is why he could say, “I find in him no fault at all.” He knew Jesus was Caesar and so much more. My friend hearing God’s words (not other’s words) is the key to knowing the truth. But please notice Jesus never answered Pilate’s question. I wonder why not? Because truth is owned by God and He will tell us what He wants us to know. This is why hearing correctly is so important to our spiritual growth and development. And this is why our revelation of God matters, like our teachers. For the one who has a greater, deeper (which is down) revelation of God will walk and teach a greater and deeper understanding of restrictions and limitations, the place of God’s completion and fulfillment for our lives. The babes in Christ will walk and preach a hip, cool, liberty and freedom message appealing to man’s logic and reasoning, are non-spiritual pointing people to God through their emotions, and it always seems they persecutes those with a greater and deeper revelation. This my friend is not what God is looking for.

It seems most disagreements in the church today happen not around the absolutes (the tenants of the faith) of the Gospel message, but around how the optionals (the taste not, feel not, handle not of the faith) are used to share the Gospel message. My friend truth never changes, nor does God, His word, and His ways to share the Gospel message. The Gospel message is designed by God to be shared one-on-one in spoken and written word, period full stop. The fancier we get the less God is involved. Remember if the world is running after your church or book God is not. I still say the more we use technology to share the Gospel message the less of God is in us. Often times the optionals become absolutes and the absolutes become optionals and when this happen there is a conflict in the Spirit and those not of the Spirit of God will get offended, stumble, and fall out of the way, but this can be a good thing if the lesson of offense is learned. It never fails when I write about our critical need for standards, righteousness, and holiness I get attacked by a handful of folks that say I am being legalistic or condemning, well this my friend is nothing more than a sign of them not really knowing the truth. To be honest I like it when someone tells me I am too condemning or legalistic, because I know the truth and I know I have done my job to share the truth with them and now the truth is a mirror (cleaned by the washing of the word of God and polished by the precious Holy Spirit) for them to look deep to expose areas in theirs lives (that includes me too) that only the power of God can change. If not we will be stuck in some dead-end denomination, religion, or maybe a cult that talks about the truth and evens preaches sermons about the truth, but knows nothing of the truth. Truth my friend is to convict us (a most edifying and uplifting work of God in our lives) and bring us to the revelation of who we are apart from Jesus Christ so that we can realize our eternal need for salvation, which is much more than having our sins forgiven. The chief job of the Holy Spirit (someone most denominations know only in word) is to convict or reprove us so that we will know the truth, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter (Holy Spirit) will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8And when he is come, he will reprove (convict) the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.” (John 16:7-11) And to lead and guide us to all truth. Jesus said of the Holy Spirit, “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” (John 16:12-13) A person, church, denomination, or religion without this element of God’s grace moving in it is following a false doctrine. Remember, a lie and truth is always a lie. And for a lie to be received it must have an element of truth moving in it. This is why churches around the world are full of well meaning folks, but lost to the truth of the word of God. If the message is God loves you (which He does) (the truth), He is going to give you a chicken in every pot, and a new car every year, or you have great freedom to say and do whatever you want (the lie), well you have been deceived and the truth is not in you for these are not totally words of truth.

Beloved let us allow the Holy Spirit to open up the truth to us. Oh we say we want this, but our actions (me too) speak louder than our words. How do we resist the Holy Spirit one would ask? Not by saying I resist you, but by every time He brings the truth to us and we turn it aside. Every time the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin and we do not agree. Every time He touches us and opens up our understanding to the truth and we reject it. The handful of folks that reject our writings are not rejecting us, but the words God is speaking through us. The Children of Israel thought they were rebelling against Moses, but in reality were rebelling against God, a big mistake. You can ask Korah and the 250 Elders. Every time the Holy Spirit comes to us and we know the truth, but reject it because we do not want to suffer loss in our self. And especially when the Holy Spirit comes to us with truth and we see (understand) it but do not receive it because we refuse to admit someone like our preacher or even our parents have lied to us for years, maybe all of our lives. Only if we allow God to strengthen us can we handle truth, if not truth will kill us and not make us alive. We must accept His word to us and face the truth, if not there will be no change in us and we will lose everything starting with each relationship we have. If not we will stay in a dead-end denomination or religion working for God, but never becoming the work of God (Ephesians 2:10). What is truth? Jesus, said, “I am the truth . . . .” But know this we must face the truth some day. All will stand before God, sinner and saint alike. It is better we face the truth now because later will cost us dearly. Written by David Stahl

GROWING UP IN GOD

Pentecostals like blaming the devil for everything that doesn’t go their way. I remember when we were in Nepal a young boy was misplaced after a huge children's meeting. His grandmother was beside herself, weeping and sobbing, children in a country like Nepal are more than someone to care for and love, they mean future for the family. And his loss would have probably put to an end the local ministry. An older mature lady (who ought to have known better) replied when she heard the child was misplaced, “isn’t that just like the devil to steal our joy.” The devil had nothing to do with it. He went home with a relative and was fine until his parents got a hold of him. Other denominations will scarcely believe the Holy Spirit would use situations and other people to get our attention to make us “grow up” in God; things such as the crabby neighbor, the snooty waiter, the inept airline personnel (lets not even go there), or the guy that just stole your perfect parking place at Wal-Mart so now you will have to walk further. The Holy Spirit will use family, friends, church folks, your Pastor, disappointments, humiliations, death of a loved one, even the guy that lets his dog crap all over your yard to show you what is in your heart. Now I will be the first to admit truth hurts. It stings like a slap in the face or a punch in the gut and the worse kind of truth is when we allow God to show us what is in our heart. We usually stiffen our neck, get angry, and lash out at the person who has offended us and stolen our self-satisfaction when we do not get our way. Dave always says, at the heart of every issue is an issue of our heart. When we do not get our way our heart is angry and we strike out to hurt those who hurt us. But Jesus said, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. 44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:43-45) How can we “Love our enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” if we never grow up in God? How can we be “children of your Father” if we never grow up in God? Why do you think God wants you to love those “which despitefully use you, and persecute you?” So we will see them as a tool God is using in our lives to refine and define our character and image into the likeness of Jesus Christ. If we really want to grow up in God we will mull things over and soften our heart condition realizing God is right and has every right in our lives in every given situation to work His judgments and mercies in our lives. Or we can keep being prideful spouting off, “oh, he don’t know what he is talking about” or “who does she think she is” Blah Blah Blah, grow up! Okay you got your feelings miffed and now your nose is out of joint, welcome to the real world. Sometimes we can’t go where we want to go or do what we want to do. And sometimes (hold the phone) our theology is off. We just can’t do or think anything anyhow. We must do it God’s way.

Growing up to be like Jesus isn’t for sissies. It’s going to hurt. The more you grow in God the more growing pains you will have. If you get angry at someone because they have offended you that offense is in your heart. Did you know if there was no offense in us, we could not be offended? And getting offended time and time again is nothing more than a sign of us not allowing God to deal and judge in our hearts. I shudder when people admit they often get angry time and time again. Our anger, wrath, jealousy, envy, and many words of justification is the proof. We seldom know why some people say and do things against us, all we know is they have attacked us, they have hurt our feelings, and now we will get even. Well here is a weird thought maybe God put those people in our way to offend us. In John, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) What truth is Jesus talking about in this verse? Is Jesus talking about the Bible? I think not because the Bible as we know it had not yet been written. Earlier in John, “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue (abide or become a part of) in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32) Truth (Jesus) is found in us as His words abide in us. The truth is; the truth of God in our lives is to help us realize what is in our heart. If what is in our heart doesn’t surface it can’t be dealt with by us and God. And if it is not dealt with we’ll have no part in Him and His righteousness. This is why out of our mouth speaks our heart. The choice is ours to allow God to deal and judge in our lives. So the next time you get angry stop and consider what God is doing in you. God is trying to get anger, wrath, jealousy, envy, and the like out us. We must not be hasty to stiffen our neck and lash out, but look for the glory God is doing in our lives, “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;” (2 Corinthians 4:16) And remember the best is yet to come. Written by Karen Stahl

WHEN GOD CHANGES OUR DIRECTION

I do not know about you but one of the toughest things for me to handle is when God changes direction for our family and Beholding His Glory. I planned to write some thoughts in the “Dear Friends” section of our newsletter, but God has given me more to say about this so an article is more in keeping with what I feel God is looking for. We seem to understand so many things in retrospect. Revelation is best understood after the facts are discovered, but while the change is being perfected in our lives we are groping for answers while we look deeply into a dark glass. Paul knew this darkness all to well. “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) My friend if we desire to walk with the Lord as Paul did we too will know the darkness of the Lord. Now there are two types of darkness: The first darkness is that which arises from sin. It is a darkness that is filled with unhappiness and leads the Christian to eternal death. The second type of darkness is darkness which the Lord allows within our inward part in order to establish and settle virtue. This is a happy darkness because it illuminates (revelation) our inward spirit, strengthens it and gives it greater light. We must never rush out into the spiritual darkness in which we can suddenly find our self in. It would be well for us to stop all of our frantic running, struggling, and searching and just wait before the Lord. Job wrote, “By His light, I walked through darkness” (Job 29:3) God gives us a light. We must see these times of darkness as a time we persevere in our inward pursuit. It is a manifest sign that God, in His infinite mercy, is seeking to bring us into the inward path. How good will be the results if we embrace these times with peace and with resignation. Such times are for our spiritual growth and development. As we persevere, God will give us a light which grows and increases in the midst of darkness. Often it is in times of darkness wisdom and strong love is begotten in us. It is in times of darkness not in times of great outward spiritual joy that our self-nature and self-seeking is dealt a mortal blow. Images, ideas, wanderings, and other hindrances which give us a distorted view of God and His ways are consumed.

The greater the service to God the greater the darkness we will experience of God. Isaiah who had the revelation of God as compared to His life writes of this wonderful darkness. “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 45:2-3) Who would have thought God would hide treasures and riches in His darkness? Only His children who would venture out into the darkness of the Lord. This place of darkness is the place of knowing and receiving. God told Isaiah, “that thou mayest know that I, the LORD.” Many Christians stumble and fall out of the way because they do not know the Lord. Oh they may know the Bible and their church doctrine, but they know nothing of God and His ways. Now please understand I do not know everything, but I know enough when God takes me into His unknown He is working in me, checking me out, even approving me for something ahead. I discovered this truth the first time I went to Bulgaria. Pastor Yanko (who does not speak much English) heard me say, when I come to your church I work for God and you so he decided to check me out. He took me up to a very old Turkish fort that had very narrow passage ways behind the walls. He disappeared into the darkness and encouraged me to follow by saying, “come on let’s go.” I stepped into the darkness that caused me to conform to the very narrow passage way. The darkness of the Lord will conform us to what God desires for our lives. The passage way was designed for a much smaller person so my way was very hard and painful. So too is our walk with the Lord in His darkness. After much struggle I got into a rhythm of sliding my feet as I tilted my head back scrubbing my forehead on the ceiling. In the distant darkness I could hear Pastor Yanko say, “come on let’s go.” But as my eyes adjusted to the darkness my way became a little brighter. As we adjust to God in these times of darkness our revelation vision will be enlightened and we will begin to see what God is doing. After time I made the four turns needed to successfully navigate the room behind the walls. If we walk correctly with God He will bring us out into the glorious light of understanding. As I immerged, Pastor Yanko, like God, was waiting for me. I was beaten up, my head was bleeding, and I was extremely tired. But I had passed the test my words were true to Pastor Yanko he, like God, could now trust me. I looked at him and said, “come on let’s go.” This too is what God says when we come out into the light. After we have qualified finding the hidden riches and treasures God has buried in life for us He can and will now say, “come on let’s go.”

My friend, most if not all of our Christian walk is in the darkness of the unknown. I find it odd Jesus often talked (John 11:9, 10, and 12:35) with the disciples about the critical need of walking in the light, like us, while walking in darkness. God’s intention for us is to walk in the light, He knows man cannot handle His darkness for too long. In the Book of Genesis before God made man He had to make light for man. “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 4And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.” (Genesis 1:1-4) Before God made light He made the heaven and the earth and before that only God existed in the darkness. Darkness was first and then God created light then “divided the light from the darkness.” If you really want to do a great word study to learn more about God do a word study on darkness or the night time. In John, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness (first type of darkness), but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12) Jesus’ heart here in this verse is for us to come into “the light of life” which often times come by way of the second type of darkness. If you walk with Lord long enough you will see this truth play out time and time again.

The last two weeks of every year I try hard to put all of the year’s works both what we call the good and what we call the bad behind us and wait before the Lord to hear (understand) what He would have for our family and Beholding His Glory in the forth coming year. Things like our travel schedule for the year is laid in our spirit, some details and plans are begun for up coming trips in February (January is almost always a down month), and most important the message for the year I am to share is spread out in my heart. Well 2007 was no different. The first week I waited and waited before God, but got nothing. So I waited and waited some more and still got nothing until finally the Lord spoke and said, “2008 will be a year of prayer.” So I took this to mean I will be speaking on prayer for 2008. The second week I put together an extensive teaching on prayer. It was amazing everything just fell into place. Verse after verse came to me and the thoughts and words I received from the Lord just went together (as a foot goes into a well worn shoe) and waited for the schedule of countries. I get 100s of invitation each year, but do not act on them unless I feel the leading of the Lord to venture out (without making a commitment) to test the waters. After all we are international Bible teachers and writers traveling and sharing the Gospel message. But, every time we would begin to make some long term plans to travel something would come up like caring for my father for three months or someone would come by to do something that God has arranged like; Pastor Tek and Jit Maya coming and their migration from a radio station to a short wave station that will reach over ½ of the world’s population in the heart of the 10/40 window where 90% of the people in the world have never heard the glorious Gospel message. Most major denominations have avoided these countries (like the plague) in the 10/40 window; too hard, too dangerous, and no return on their investment. (Lord help us) Anyhow, Karen and I find ourselves again making plans for the end of July early August to travel with two maybe three trips before the end of the year. Now here is my point in all of this, during 2008 while we should have been traveling (in our thinking) we have been waiting. Waiting in the darkness of God’s unknown for our lives is probably one of the toughest things we will ever do. When God changes our direction of walking in the light of knowing and turns us into His darkness of not knowing we often can get bewildered, disheartened, and even experience what many call a faith (believe) crisis. Mother Theresa wrote in her diary the last few years of her life she went through a crisis of her faith. Well I am not sure if her belief in God was shaken. I would think mine might be if I had to serve the untouchables and dregs in India as she did, but I would say God did take her into His darkness changing her direction so that He could lead her into the next thing God had for her. God will lead us into His darkness too as He changes our direction it may not be like Mother Theresa, but it will be so that we will be approved and can qualify for the next thing God has for us. This is God’s intention for us; to teach us, for us to be approved, and to be strengthened in the inward parts so that we can grow spiritually in knowing Him while we walk in through His darkness. Guess what the hidden riches and treasures are? That is right, God’s lessons, dealings and judgments in our lives in the “secret places” of our thoughts and heart. Guess who is waiting for us in the darkness? That’s right God. Yet it seems all of this does not change our frustration and the anguish we feel when we are not doing what we think we should be doing. The only way out is through the darkness. We must embrace it with all of our might and heart doing those things we can do. While in God’s holding pattern we started a monthly home group meeting for Jake Luffy to come and speak and doubled up our efforts with our maternity clinic in Nigeria, the short wave station in Nepal, writings our newsletter, articles for our blog, and continued work of three books, and other initiatives the Lord has us involved with around the world. The way out is through the darkness. The way out is in. During this time of God’s dealings and judgments in our lives the closer we get into His heart the sooner we will get out of His darkness of not knowing. God told Moses, “Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: 22And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by:” (Exodus 33:21-22) Only near God is His glory. It is not wise to do a lot of running around in darkness. Standing still near Him is the place of safety and of knowing the direction you must go when God changes your direction. Written by David Stahl