TOO MANY CHURCHES

Lately Karen and I have been looking for the group of Believers we are to assemble with. Now with so many churches out there one would think this would be a fairly easy process, but not if you really love God and desire to do His will. Ever since we left the church we were attending (for five years) Karen and I have been visiting many of the churches in the local Jacksonville area. The church we attended (for five years) was great we made many wonderful friends, but five years of jealousy, presumption, and down right hatred by the Pastor fearing we were trying to take his church from him, well God said, “enough!” We thought we found another church where we could attend and just enjoy the people and the fellowship while God rested us this year, but the “he said she said” drama and the continued suspicions of the Pastor (checking us out because of our international ministry) became too much so we moved on again. Now some would say we should have endured, stuck it out, well I am not so sure about that. In the Book of Hebrews the writer encourages us to, “Follow (seek) 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 12:14-15) Some times we just have to move on to keep the peace in our heart. Often we blame others for us not making the right decisions. Karen and I are concerned about our holiness, seeking the Lord, and do not want “any root of bitterness springing up” in our relationships, especially our hearts. So this is where we find ourselves today looking for the place God wants us to attend. You know I really do not like using the word church because it is so over used and means so many different things. Never forget the building we go to assemble ourselves with like Believers in fellowship and to hear God’s word is not called the church it is called a building, a shack, or a hut like most Christians abroad gather in. Some of the most powerful services I have ever been in the building had no electricity or running water, no need they had God and God in a very powerful way. I have seen miracles time and time again in churches with grass flooring, walls made of mud, clay, or sticks, with no windows or doors. Never think we go to church to receive a blessing if you do your focus is wrong, self-centered, and self-seeking. We go to church to be a blessing to others. Jesus did not give His life for a building, but for people. My friend we (the people of God) are the “Church” please do not get that mixed up with all of the wrong thinking of the denominational religious advertising and marketing. I wonder why we spend so much time, energy, and resources on caring for a building, as if God will notice. No my friend I am afraid all of our grass cutting, beautifying, and decorating is for our benefit. I wonder how many more lives could be touched for Christ with all we spend on the care and feeding of our denominational complexes and campuses? I wonder if anyone is counting? We seem to count everything else do we not; how many were saved, baptized in water, filled with the Holy Spirit, attended Vacation Bible School or the men’s or ladies retreats. Why are we counting? And who for, God? Do we really think God is impressed with our well manicured grounds and well painted parking lots and buildings? His He not after our hearts? Do you really think God wants to see our churches? I think not, “Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? 2For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” (Isaiah 66:1-2) God is not after buildings and complexes to worship Him in, but “to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” Oh the buildings we visited were nice, clean, warm, well-lit, and well groomed, but not once in the 10 churches we visited (counting the one we attended for five years) did we hear, “Thus saith the Lord.” We heard a whole lot of singing (way too much) and watched a lot of dancing. At one church most of the people wore dance clothing (as regular clothing) and from the start of the service danced from the front to the back and side to side while getting their favorite flag, from the rack of dozens, but when the sermon (not a message) was delivered there was little to no attention given to the Pastor they were either exhausted from the dancing or occupied with other things. I remember some lady pirouetting like “Tinker Bell” in front of the altar while another lady was bowing down and worshipping a banner that said Jesus on it while spinning a golden stringed hoop in her hands. My friend this ought not to be. A message from God comes from God, a sermon in most churches today comes from the internet. I even had one Pastor call (as apart of their visitor contact program) us and told me he does a lot of internet research for his messages, well not for a message (that comes by way of the Pastor waiting before God), but a sermon (a lecture with morals and a good meaning) comes from the internet. Hearing from God did not seem to take much importance in the services or in the people we visited. This too my friend ought not to be.

What we did find a lot of besides the excess singing and dancing was the desire for diversity and tolerance. There seems to be a great push for diversity and tolerance in the church today. There seems to be a great push to accept everyone for who they are without any need to change. Let us all just come together and be tolerant of everyone’s feelings and worship God in their own way. Well, that is not what the Bible teaches. Jesus said, “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23-24) I do not read anything about singing and dancing in these two scriptures maybe the Holy Spirit just forgot them? When is now? “Now” is now (this very second a change) not the way they did things maybe in the Old Testament, but “now” we must change. And “now” our worship is to be “in spirit and in truth.” Not much of a desire to hear God’s word and worship him “in Spirit and in truth,” when we can sing and dance all over the church and call it worship. I am afraid the liberal’s usage of the words tolerance and diversity that is sweeping the world and its thinking has infiltrated the thinking of Christians and now anything goes. In most American churches today it is okay “now” to engage in sodomy and lesbianism, “its okay, no need to change, God loves you the way you are,” wrong! God still and forever more will call these people (not the act) an abomination, it is we the “Church” who has drifted from the truth. “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, (sodomite) as with womankind (lesbian): it is abomination. 23Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion.” (Leviticus 18:22-23) Maybe the Holy Spirit just got these two verses wrong. The tolerant reply, “we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, now this is true, but God killed the people of Sodom and Gomorrah (both towns) after giving them a chance for repentance because He knew they do not breed, they recruit. And God also knew their thinking was extremely unnatural and perverse. And to think, in some denominations sodomites (what the Bible calls them) and lesbians are being ordained as Pastors and Teachers out from this ungodly rebellious thinking of the world. How the Church handles the homosexual life-style will speak of her revelation of God and her dedication to God. In most churches in America we are told to be tolerant (get along in peace) with other religions, well this is not what the Bible teaches. God’s way is not inclusive, but extremely exclusive not tolerant or diverse. It is God’s way according to His Holy word or the highway. In God we cannot do and say what we think is right, but must do what the Bible tells us what is right. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 7If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.” (John 14:6-7) Jesus means it! Why do we not know the Father? That is easy, we do not know Jesus. We are trying to know everything else (other religions and traditions of men) in the world, but have not found time to know Jesus. Yet, we come to church and do everything within our power (in the short two hours most churches spend) not allowing God to speak to us and revealing what is in our hearts. Is the church of today form over function? I think so. The form of holiness is much easier to obtain than the real function of holiness.

I think one of the most disturbing things we have experienced along our search was the different spirits we felt in the different churches. Only one, in a Methodist Church, did we really feel welcomed. This really ought not to be. But a church, like a person, cannot give what they do not have. Most Churches boast of how loving they are; well, my friend we have learned if a Church boasts of some thing they probably are not that. We are always amazed when we go to church and another spirit is present. Paul tells us, “For as the body (global gathering of all Christians) is one (unity), and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:12-13) Well now, if “the body” and “the Spirit” is to be one, then why are there so many denominational churches in the world? If we are to be "one in the Spirit" how come we all believe different things? Maybe the Holy Sprit got this wrong too? I think why we have so many denominational churches in this world is because we all (even me at times) are in direct rebellion to God’s word. The more we try to align with God’s word without allowing God to kill our desires and fleshly plans and ambitions the more we get off track and birth another denomination in the world. Revelation is what gives man his understanding of God, but each of the major denominations believe or have a different understanding of who God is and how to worship Him. How can they all be right? Does not someone have to be wrong? Who are we trying to fool, God? Our neighbors? Our selves? The many churches in the world (even in Jacksonville, NC) are an outward sign revealing man’s rebellion to God’s word. The answer is painfully clear, we must submit our heart and lives under the mighty hand of God and not some bishop or overseer. Man’s wisdom and knowledge has ruled the Church (God’s people) long enough. Now is the time for God’s children to draw near to God, because if we do God will draw near to us. The world is watching and waiting. I really believe there are many lost people in the world today waiting for us (the Church) to get serious and make an eternal commitment of dedication to God. They are watching and if they never commit to the Lord it will be their fault not ours, but just think what if we did our part and they were saved? After reading back over this article I hope you do not think Karen and I were slamming the churches we visited, but enough is enough. We too get to speak for God. Too many lives hang in the balance (our included) for us to play fast and loose with God, we must get serious. Karen and I will continue to pray and be led by the Holy Spirit to the places we should go, but until we find the local Body God has ordained for us fellowship with we will know and rest in knowing we, “have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” Written by David Stahl

OUR LIFE-GATES

Last week-end Karen and I traveled up to Greenville, NC to attend David’s (our oldest son) college graduation. How proud we were to stand when the parents of the graduates were recognized. David has labored long and hard to get to graduation day. How proud we are knowing our son possesses the longsuffering, patience, and endurance to stick it out until the end with singleness of mind. Coupled with his impressive intelligence and warm personality how could he not excel in life. These are some of the qualities God is looking for in us. Man values not the inward qualities of the heart, but worships the outward beauty of the body and its abilities. Running, jumping, dancing, shooting, and singing far out weigh the importance of God’s work in our lives. It is no wonder many in David’s peer group have nothing to hold them when times get tough. David has learned many lessons in God that will carry him far beyond his college years. As much as we were pleased to be with David and his family during graduation we were sickened to see how God has been systematically wiped out of academia. In two days of graduation ceremonies God was mentioned once in the oath of office to three ROTC new 2nd Lieutenants. The country or college who forgets God will also be forgotten by God. We must never forget God is to us what we are to Him. Self-strength is always built on self-seeking and self-glorification, sadly this is the heart of the world of academia. I think we will hear more from Karen on this topic.

After the graduation ceremony we all (Karen, David, Kristin, Caleb Connie, Joshua, Jenna, and I) went out to lunch, my treat. When all of my brothers, sisters, and their families would get together and we all go out to eat my Dad would always pay (and still does) for the meal. What a joy it is to pay for my kids and their families now when we go out and eat. I kind of know some of the joy my Dad feels. While sitting at the table playing with Caleb (David and Kristin’s son age 2) I saw in him the magic, the fun, and the excitement of newness of life. But then oddly my mind was drawn to my Dad at age 83 (and his many medical conditions) and in between my Dad and Caleb is my son David at age 28 and me at age 53. Caleb just passed through his first life-gate while my Dad is slowing moving to and through his last life-gate, what a great contrast of life. In life there seems to be certain gates (what I call life-gates) we all must successfully navigate through to be successful at that specific period of development. If we do not make it through these life-gates we will not have the ability and skills to make it to the next gate. Of course our first-life gate is birth and our last life-gate is the door way we all call death that leads us all into the next life God has for us. And in between we have the life-gates of graduating from our educational institutions; high school for most, but college or an advanced degrees for others. Married is the next life gate. Then there seems to be many levels of life-gates over a long period of time (maybe 40-60 years) in our lives were we work laying our lives down for our families and giving back to those who have helped us along the way God has for us to go. Doing this time period we are to start writing down our thoughts that made up our life experiences and God’s dealings and judgments in our live so that they can be passed on to the next generation, more on that later. And last we come to death, our last life gate. This is true not only in the physical realm, but also in the spiritual. In God there are gates of learning, development, and obedience we must successfully navigate to be able to move in what God has for us to do for Him. We must make it through our salvation experience correctly to move on in God. Sadly many Christians do not lay a correct foundation. Paul encourages us, “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.” (Hebrews 6:1-2) If not we will never be able to go on to the weightier things (Matthew 23-23) of God; “the law, judgment, mercy, and faith:” How can we do things for God if we do not possess the ability in Him? Many Christians are taught they can do all things, well the word of God does not support this thinking. Paul taught, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13) We can only do the things in God that we have been strengtheneth by God in. No strengthening by God no ability in God. When Jesus said, “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26) Jesus was not talking about being able to do anything we believed we could do. He was taking about us coming into the Father’s intention for us as we come into unity with the Father. When Jesus speaks it is always out from the Father’s intention for us and is dependant on us meeting the conditions of obedience we must walk in to be able to behold and possess what God has for us. My friend too many Christians flame out and crash on the rocks of despair because of wrong teaching. Do not be deceived getting back on track is even tougher than the crash. Unity in God comes by way of us allowing God to strengthen us in the inward man. If not we will have nothing to hold us in good times and bad. Paul shares, “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;” (Ephesians 3:16) What a great wonderful thought to know, the riches of God’s glory is “to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man” and not money, a big ministry, fame, wells we did not dig, cars and buses, or vineyards we did not plant.

Now I like the word “gate” in the Bible. It is very fitting to use the words life-gate together. The word “gate” (most often) written in the Bible does not refer to an opening in the wall with doors, but has a deeper meaning of the heart referring to a place of decision. Most often our heart is referred to as the place of decision. The “gate” in the Bible has always been a very important place in relationship with man to man and God to man. Man to man the gate was the place business and commerce was conducted, the place reconciliation was made, the place judgment and justice was given out to those who transgress the law, and so much more. The “gate” was the place life as we know it happened on a daily basis. God to man the “gate” is the place we stand before God in a relational need to receive from Him. It is no wonder Jesus said, “Enter ye in at the strait (narrow, limited, and restricted) gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:13-14) Jesus was not talking about a physical wooden “gate,” but the place of a heart decision to where we can enter the strait (narrow, limited, restricted) gate (decision) and not the wide and broad way that leads to destruction. How many times have we seen how the narrow way leads to completion and fulfillment? Not many times, because most Christians (me at times) are on the broad and wide road of liberty and freedom. If we really desire to serve the Lord we must enter in or make the heart decisions through the narrow gate; there my friend is the door that swings open wide into the Father’s heart. In Proverbs we read, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.” (Proverbs 23:7) In the Greek this verse is translated, “as a gate swings opens wide,” (For as he thinketh in his heart) so is he.” Our heart is the “gate” of decision that opens to certain things and closes to other things. Whatsoever we swing open our heart (our gate) to we shall be that. Whatsoever we allow behind our “gate” and into our heart we will be that. If we allow hatred, malice, perversion, and bitterness behind our gate we will be that, but if we allow love, truth, and justice behind our heart gate we will be that. It is important to know God does not control the “gate” of our heart. We (unlike the lie most denominations and religions teach) are in sole responsibility and total accountably in God’s eyes to whatsoever gets behind our heart. Make no mistake my friend, what we allow behind our gate we will be that. Let us take heed to what we allow into our heart.

The older I get the more I see the critical need to pass along to the next generation of Family Stahl what God has done in my life. When we visit my father I so enjoy just sitting around and listing to him talk. His life is what I know as history and his sharp mind can still account details, names, and events that make my imagination come to life. So too in our Christian life we must have the ability in God to pass on what He has done in our lives. Every time we get together as family we must again and again share the oral stories of how God worked in our family. Getting together as family should always center around the things of God. John tells us, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” (Revelation 12:11) What is the words of your testimony? The answer is what you know of God. We must always be ready to pass our oral testimony of how God brought us from defeat into victory. This is a critical revelation we must all possess. God and God alone is the only one who can snatch us from sure defeat and set our feet on a sure rock of victory. If we do not have this revelation of God’s (and God alone) moving us from defeat to victory we will never be able move and function correctly in Him. We must be able to see God doing this in our lives. Secondly we must have the ability in God to pass on our written testimony. The greatest thing we can do for God is write down things that He has done for us and share them with people. Is that not what the Bible is? One day I will pass through my last life-gate and go on to the next things God has for me. I do not believe our next life will be filled with floating on a cloud, playing a harp, or praising God for eternity, God has work for us to do. We must learn our lessons now so we will be able to function and operate correctly in God when we get into our next life. Someday when I am gone Caleb, Abigail, John, and whomever (our grandchildren) will be able to read how God did powerful things for Pap and Sweets (me and Karen). God has really impressed on me to start writing books that will some day speak of His goodness and glory to me. What else should we want to leave behind? Money? A statue of our self? A building with our name on it? Maybe an endowment for the sick? I think not. If we can leave behind the word of God to us for the next generation to share and benefit, now that my friend is something of eternal value. Before we know it our time will be over and we will pass through our last life-gate. Do not wait too long before you start thinking, praying, and writing. Time and life seems to get in the way of God. Start now with a small victory list and add details to each item and before too long you will have a book that is after the heart of God. The place we all are headed back to. Written by David Stahl

A MEDITATION ON CHRISTMAS

When I meditate on this time of the year and what we call the Christmas (word not found in the KJV of the Bible) season I must conclude this is the most divisive time of the year just ahead of Easter. I wonder why these two holidays divide so many people in the world. Now I will tell you from the start Karen and I do not celebrate Christmas how can we the word is not in the KJV Bible. As Christianity began to spread many were alarmed by the continuing celebration of pagan customs among their converts. We even see this throughout the New Testament Church as Paul constantly battled against pagan and cultural traditions from taking root in the young Church. At first the Church forbade this kind of celebration. But it was to no avail. Bible historians claim that the Christmas celebration was invented to compete against the pagan celebrations of December. The 25th was not only sacred to the Romans but also to the Persians (Babylonian Chaldeans) whose religion Mithraism was one of Christianity's main rivals at that time. Oddly enough it was during this period the three Wise Men (also Magi) (Matthew 2:1) learned of the Star of Bethlehem by reading the prophecies of Daniel the Great Magi (Daniel 1:1-7). Sadly this religious deception continues today, even though the faces and names has been changed the spirit and intent has not. We Christians seem to be good at making up things to satisfy our flesh for fulfillment.

Now Karen and I do celebrate the life of Christ, there is huge difference. As we watch the news we cannot believe all of the fighting to keep Christ in Christmas. Where in the Bible did Jesus ask us to remember His birth? Now I can find plenty of Scriptures in the Bible where Jesus has asked us to remember His death, “And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.” (1 Corinthians 11:24-26) Who wants to remember Jesus’ death when we can remember His birth? Yet few Christians really remember His death (Romans 6:3) while they go crazy in remembering His birth. I wonder why? Yes there is a wonderful story about the birth of Jesus in the Bible, but where are we commanded to make His birth an annual holiday like we in American have made: Independence, Veterans, or Valentine Day even Halloween? And when you merge religious with traditions and customs you have an unbeatable national money maker. Is not Jesus’ birth much more? Yes my friend I am afraid we have gotten off track and the merchants of the day (and for 100s of years) have capitalized on our selfish greed (maybe only in America, but I think not) and great presumption. The same way Hollywood has recently discovered the untapped market for Christian movies. I find it really strange how many Christians today would rather go to a movie then to Church to hear about Jesus. I wonder why? It is not about fighting to keep Christ in Christmas or even about a baby in the manager. You know we really like seeing baby Jesus in the manager, but you know my friend Jesus is not a baby any more, “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” (Romans 8:34) Today Jesus is not a defenseless baby in the manger He is our victorious King of kings, Lord of lords, and some day soon He is coming back to earth not as a baby, but as a judge (to kick butt) and rule (to set righteousness in order) in the earth. Something else we are puzzled about is why Christians want to beat up on the Atheist in Washington State who put a sign beside a manager display in the Capitol building. I thought we were to witness to them and tell them about Jesus? There is not much of a Christian witness when we shake our fist and gnash our teeth at someone over a wooden display. How can this sign destroy the eternal timeless message of our precious savior Jesus Christ? It cannot and will not. Has the love of God been displaced by Christians wanting their traditional religious symbols? I too can speak for God and sadly I must say yes.

Jesus did not come so that we could decorate our trees and yard with gold and silver balls or blinking lights. Jesus did not come so Christians could deck the halls with a blow up Santa Claus and reindeer on their roofs and lawn. What do we do with these verses? “Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. 3For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. 4They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.” (Jeremiah 10:2-4) Maybe we should ignore them or maybe the Holy Spirit made a mistake? I think God is very clear in what He is saying, but we continue in the lie with Christmas trees (a German custom) out from our American tradition (now transported to the world) and because we do not want to offend family members. Just look at the Christmas trees in churches today? What do we do with these verses? The answer will be what we do with Jesus. Never forget the Gospel message of Christ is very offensive and at times even divisive to the non-believers, but truth is truth. Either we will stand for truth or compromise for the lie for the sake of peace on earth. The truth is Jesus did not come so we could have songs to sing at our annual Christmas musicals. It is amazing how old Christmas recordings from people long ago come back to life every Christmas. Jesus did not come so we could run ourselves to death, buying presents for people, while going further into debt. It is no wonder support in America for missionaries and humanitarian programs dwindle to almost to nothing this season of the year. I am afraid the true character and nature of man comes out during Christmas. We even plug in a written list to a jolly fat man in a red suit that drives a sleigh of reindeer around the world in one night to make sure we get want we what for Christmas. Why do we think we should get a present on some one else’s birthday? Our selfishness and self-centered nature really comes shining through. Oh Lord please forgive us for the indulgence of our wrong attitudes and lusts. Jesus did not come to give us a Christmas season to feed our passions. The Bible is very clear why Jesus came. Jesus tells us in His own words, “The thief (not the devil) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) Jesus came so that we “might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” not to get a bunch of Christmas presents to satisfy our flesh. Jesus came so that we might (our choice not His) have the life of God dwelling within our heart and lives. The creative eternal life of God moving in us and out from us to the world. Also in John Jesus tells us, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3) Jesus came so that we might have life eternal (one apart of salvation) which is knowing His Father (and ours), so that we too could “know the only true God” as Jesus did. So we too could know the sublime unity of knowing God as Jesus did. I would think that would be worth far more than anything we can buy each other. Did you know, Jesus (even though being the Prince of Peace) did not come into the world to bring peace as many of the major denominations and religions of the world tell us. Religious deception always leads us away from Christ into the traditional religious worship of the customs of man (like Christmas and Easter) and into a good works salvation thinking. Oh no Jesus Himself said, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35For I am come to set a man at variance (Strong’s #1639 to cut into two parts, cleave asunder, sever) against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. 37He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” (Matthew 10:34-39) Jesus has come to cut our hearts out of the world with His word, the sword. Jesus has “come to set man at variance against” or sever every relationship where we love someone or something more than Him. Jesus came so that we could take up our cross (not Jesus’) and follow Him. Jesus came so we could lose our life so that we could then find our life in Him. We know and are persuaded if we lose our life for His sake we shall find it. We also know many of our friends will disagree with this article, but that is okay getting the truth of the Gospel message out is more important than our friends getting offended at us. If they get offended at us over this article we know they probably are not our friends anyway. We have learned this truth the hard way. Please do not allow yourself to be deceived (your choice) by any Pastor or person that says it does not matter, we celebrate Christmas to remember the birth of Christ. This thinking my friend is just spiritually wrong and a very subtle form of deception that has been carried on for 100s maybe 1000s of years by the religious denominations and merchants both working hand-n-hand to get customers.

At the heart of why we focus on the Christmas story and baby Jesus in the manager is so we do not have to deal with a risen savior. How much more religious can we (like the Rich Young Ruler (Mark 10:17) who could not totally sell out) be than to bow down and worships the Christmas story and the sweet little baby Jesus in he manger? This satisfies our religious flesh and helps to ease our guilt and feeling of disobedience from rejecting God’s word to us. Who wants to allow God to deal and judge in their hearts exposing areas where we must allow Him to work? It is much easier singing another song about Christmas, buy some presents for our family, or even buying some presents for some poor people who live down the street. It is far less painful to go to every church musical and spend all we have than for God to be able to show us who we really are. Who wants to allow God free rein in our heart and lives to conform us into the image and character of Jesus Christ? Very few people do and the rest continue in this traditional religious lie year after year. I think I will end with a very sobering word; if you need a traditional religious holiday to know God sadly my friend your heart is very far from Him and you will never come to know Him. Let us turn our hearts away from the religious traditions of Christmas and allow God to bring the truth of His character and nature to us. It is our choice whether we desire presents on Christmas morning or the knowledge of God, we cannot have both. Written by David Stahl

OUR GODLY EXAMPLE

When we die and face God, there will be no excuses. All of our motives, plans, thoughts, desires, and actions will be weighed in the balance of God’s justice from His holy word. There will be no bargaining or pleading with God. With man we can wheel and deal and compromise, but with God there will be no second chance we will stand in the light of God’s holy truth. We’ve had our chance to clean up our act all that remains is judgment. No more, “but I didn’t know” or “it’s not my fault,” nothing but a looming dread. And Christians say they want to go to heaven, not me. Anyone who says they want to go to heaven and be judged has little respect for God and His holiness. This is our Godly example here on earth, consequences for our actions and an accountability to God.

I was watching one of those shows where a real judge hears and makes decisions on actual (minor) cases. This one woman (not the judge) was so arrogant and disrespectful to the judge and unfortunately for her this particular judge was not to be trifled with and quickly asserted who was boss in the court room. Folks if we can’t respect those in charge here on earth and teach our kids to respect earthly authority we as parents have failed. This woman was obviously never taught to be respectful of certain things as child. She looked so foolish, her behavior showed a lack of basic character, self respect, and discipline as she continually back talked the judge. In God’s eyes most things are black and white no middle ground. There is no shadow or variance in God. James tells us, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17) In God things are always either; righteous or unrighteous, holy or unholy, Godly or ungodly. It’s the law, God’s law as His word (a commandment) is a lamp, a light, a reproof of instruction for our lives. “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:” (Proverbs 6:23) Compromise is man’s idea not God’s. If we don’t teach our kids and raise them with a rod of iron then we’ve have failed as parents. Folks the law came first in the Bible, then came grace not the other way around. The law is what brings us to the judgment seat of God, but once there grace is extended to those who have changed their heart condition and live within the boundaries of God’s word. Now grace is for all, Jesus died for all, but salvation (God’s grace given to sinful man) is for only those “who believe in him and shall have everlasting life.” This is where many get off track, wrongly thinking they can say and do whatsoever they want to do and say and not be accountable for their words or actions. It is better to be strict and give grace as needed (except with bad behavior) instead of grace then trying to be strict. The law came first then grace. Grace is for those who can operate inside the boundaries of the law. Lawlessness doesn’t merit grace. This is our Godly example; this is how we are to raise our kids. We are their parents not their pals. Is God our pal? No He is not and He will kick our butts six ways to Tuesday if we are foolish enough to think the Almighty is our pal. This is also our Godly example. God disciplines, chastises, teaches us, and expects us to do the same with our children. We are responsible to teach them right from wrong, we fail them and God if we make excuses for their bad ways and behavior, because we have enabled them to be mediocre and common. We do our children a great disservice by not raising them up according to the word of God, not to mention the headaches they face dealing with all the authorities in their lives. Back in the Old Testament if a son didn’t listen to his parents he was taken to the gates (always a place of decisions) of the city where his parents would present him before the elders to be stoned by them for disobedience. We read in this in Deuteronomy, “If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: 19Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; 20And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. 21And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.” (Deuteronomy 21:18-21) How many of us parents would like to do this with our children? Harsh, but it was done to “put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear and fear. In Acts 5:1-10, Ananias with Sapphira his wife was killed because of rebellion to God’s word and then in verse 11 we find out why, “And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.” Rebellion is sin. It’s evil in God’s eyes. Now today, in most circles even the church, rebellion is thought of as “civil disobedience” and is accepted as freedom of speech, cool, and excused for whatever idiot reason. In God and in God’s ways we must follow God’s divine spiritual principles. And for us to be in God we cannot do and say whatever we feel. We must obey the laws of God (in the Bible) and man (because they were established by God), even if we do not feel they are right or we are being unfairly punished.

Folks parenting is serious business let us glean from the Bible and raise our kids so they will glorify the Lord and not be an embarrassment to us (parents) and our family. The consequence of disobeying dad and mom should be such that they would be scared to death to get into trouble at home never mind getting in trouble with all authorities. If our kids don’t have the fear of the Lord (or at least a healthy respect) in them concerning their parents they won’t give a flying flip about school teachers, the police, lawyers, and other local authorities. Our children need to be taught respect and obedience, because already in their hearts is a desire to do the complete opposite. Solomon tells us, “The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.” (Proverbs 29:15) and “Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.” (Proverbs 29:17) Yes there is a peace and rest for those who align within the confines of the laws of God and man. Let us take time now with our children we will have plenty of time when they’re grown and out of the house to do other things, which brings me to another point. If we’re too busy for our kids something is wrong. Why, because busy people have no time for self-reflection and the inward dealings and judgments of God. They have no quiet time to hear from the Lord. And quite frankly they obviously are too busy doing what THEY want to do not what they need to do. Maybe we should slow down and spent some time with the Lord, read our Bible (like my grandfather taught me) and raise our kids correctly – we only get one chance. Written by Karen Stahl

ADVENTURES WITH GOD

The AuthorHouse link below will take you to our latest book, “Adventures with God.” Please take a minute and take a look, it makes for a great encouraging gift, giving hope, and sharing God's love through a deeper teaching that someone can enjoy again and again. The link offers fore clue options: about the book, about the author, and free preview. Also please know "Adventures with God" can be purchased at all book stores like Barnes and Nobles, Borders, Book-A-Million, and many more, Christian Book Stores, and all book ordering on-line companies like Amazon.com.

http://www.authorhouse.com/bookstore/ItemDetail.aspx?bookid=55797

ISBN: 9781438928319

We are projecting to use the royalties for: our maternity clinic in Aveile, Nigeria, radio station in Katmandu, Nepal, TB clinics in Ethiopia, and Bibles Schools in Kenya, Rwanda, and Congo and to help publish more books. We have five more books at different stages of production.

Please know you can still receive “God Still Performs Miracles: A Book of Personal Encouragement” and is still FREE FOR THE ASKING. No cost for the book, but I will ask for mailing cost. And soon it will be offered at AuthorHouse (like all of our other books) and at all book stores like Barnes and Nobles, Borders, Book-A-Million, and many more, Christian Book Stores (actually any book store you can order a book with our ISBN), and all book ordering on-line companies like Amazon.com.

If you know someone you think would enjoy reading our books please share this link and information with them. The more we make on the books the more love of God we can shed abroad to the world. Contributions to this ministry is always appreciated and needed the more time continues. Please feel free to contact us. The cost is great, but the cost for not supporting others is even greater. And remember all donations are tax deductible. Much honor and much love to you all.

WHAT IS MISSING?

We (Karen, Joshua, Jenna, and I) just returned from a wonderful time spent with Karen’s family up in New Jersey. John and Mary (Karen’s sister) are always gracious hosts going out of their way to ensure a great time was enjoyed by all. It is always good to see family over the holidays. The older I get the more I see just how important our decisions are. What we choose to do in the present (that becomes the past with a short passing of time) have great eternal impact on our spouses, our children, and others future. It is interesting to know our present day choices most often have a greater impact more on the well-being and future of others more than with us directly. This is why it is critical we pay attention to our spiritual perception and awareness at all times. I think one of the greatest areas of lack in most Christians (or maybe it is just me) today is the slow, but gradual drifting away from the things of God. Paul warns us to “take heed” to this slow, but deliberate slide away from God, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:12) Twelve times in the New Testament Paul warns the Church to “take heed” even Peter joins Paul in this warning in 2 Peter 1:19. “Taking heed” is one of the most important messages of the New Testament to the Christian then and even more now, but today I do not see this warning being heeded. I know in my life I see areas that need greater attention. This gradual drifting off track from righteousness, integrity, and truthfulness in our lives is always seen best though the clear prism of time. Remember in God it does not matter how we start, but how we end. So many Christians start out zealous with good intentions in God, but because they do not pay close attention to the things God holds dear (communion with Him in time spent and in His word, Godly order in relationships, or having a Godly example to present to the world) instead often we focus on things that add to our self-strength and self-ability (compromising to keep the peace, making money for a greater life of ease, or being all we can be and not what God wants us to be) and in time we seemed to get waylaid along the way God has for us to go. More of a concern is we do not know we are getting off track. You know it is sad to get off track, but it is even sadder not knowing we do not know we are getting off track. And the longer we go off track the harder it is to get back on. It is really strange how that works. The longer we go in our denial of what God is saying about our obedience to His word the stronger we grow in our self-strength and hard-hearted attitude.

As is seems to becoming a custom we made our family trek to New York City. John (Mary’s husband) was the tour guide and did a great job. We went to some of the usual tourist stops in the City: Staten Island Ferry to Battery Park, Ground Zero (once was the World Trade Center). Wall Street, China Town, Time Square, Rockefeller Center, back to Wall Street to see the bull, back to the Staten Island Ferry, and then off to Poppy’s (Karen’s father) home for pizza and pictures. Of course we took buses and the subway to get the entire flavor of the culture. When we stopped in the M&M Store up on Time Square and 7th Avenue to use the bathroom I asked Jenna, our son Joshua’s girlfriend, what was missing and she replied I did not know. Well all along the many miles we walked and rode I noticed how God had been conveniently erased from the landscape. From one stop to the next the glory of man’s self-strength and ingenuity was on display through skyscrapers of steel and concrete, building after building screamed of man’s ability and achievement, but God was no where to be found. The stretch limos dotted the roads. The lavish apartments of TV and Broadway celebrities and of course the Barons of Wall Street filled the tops of the high rise apartments to the stars. The glory of man’s marketing and greed was seen from store to store. The finest man could offer was seen in the finest city in the world, but God was absent. On the streets people peddled second and third hand goods as they lied saying they were selling Rolex watches or quality handbags. My friend the Bible says, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Psalms 14:34) No matter how you spin it people hustling a lie on the street to make a living is just wrong before God. Sin is sin no matter what the color of skin or their social condition or status. New York City may be nice to look at to the eye, but if God is not included in the picture it is nothing more than a dung heap. I am sure the Tower of Babel was nice too. No where was God to be found. Not one mention of His name, not one sign that even remotely spoke of God, not even someone on the corner wearing a sign that reads the end is near repent. People rushed about their daily lives, from one store to the next not noticing God was absent. The entire time we walked, talked, rode, and looked was all about the glory of man and his achievements. So my reply back to Jenna at the M&M Store was God. God was missing from all of the places we visited. She was kind of shocked I made such an observation after all we were just out for the day to have a good time. But in God it is never just out for the day to have a good time, it is always about doing His will and being sensitive to His Spirit. Now here is where it really gets interesting. After teaching Jenna a good lesson (or so I thought) I was feeling good about myself, but later as we walked God asked me what was missing. And of course I replied You. And He replied correct, but where am I missing? I replied, in New York City and He said wrong in your heart. Now when God says we are wrong we better pay attention. I was stunned and shocked, in my heart I asked. And He said yes. You have allowed the glamour and glory of New York City to replace the glory of My Spirit in your heart. Oh how ashamed I was. The terror, panic, feeling of loss, and shame I felt. I did not even notice the absence of God’s Spirit. I asked God to forgive me for my waywardness. You know we go after the things we want. Either we hunger and thirst after the things of God or we will hunger and thirst (even unknowingly) after the things of the world. It is our choice. It all depends on our desires and heart condition. Now you may not agree with me, (that is okay with me) but I believe there is a demonic spirit over New York City that magnifies and exalts the ambitions and self-strength of man. After I finished repenting, the Lord brought these verses to my heart, “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.” (Romans 13:11-12) It is our choice whether or not we “put on the armour of light.” How do we “put on the armour of light?” By “casting off the works of darkness.” My friend we will either be filled with the things of the world (works of darkness) like all of the self-strength and glory of man or the things of God (the armour of light) like the fruit of the Spirit of God and His ways. It is our choice. What a lesson in God. Please do not think you can skirt the fringe in God and taste of the world. Samson did this and paid for it with his life and something more precious, the anointing of God in his lives. All of the people who say, they love to go to New York City, for the museums, the parks, the shopping, the crowds, etc. know not the things of God. God is not involved with such things. God is involved with the affairs of man’s heart and how man adjusts to the things of the world. We preach time and time again we are not of this world we are strangers just passing through, but dig our heels in and hold on to our 401K and financial portfolio with everything within us when God begins to rip us out of this world.

There is a divine spiritual principle that comes into play here in Romans 13:12, we must meet before we can walk in the truth of this verse. Please notice we must first “cast off (or take off) the works of darkness” before we can “put on the armour of light.” The works of darkness do not just fall away as some teach. I hear many teach just walk with the Lord and in time your sins and bad habits (works of darkness) will just fall away and be replaced by the things of God (the armour of light). Well my friend this is just wrong denominational and religious teaching. We must take off, we must “cast off,” we must stop doing the things of darkness before we can put on the things of God. James tells us, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist (flow in the opposite direction) the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” (James 4:7-10) If the devil (sin or evil) is going to the left then we must go to the right. Resisting the devil is not saying I resist you in the name of Jesus, but putting physical movement away from sin or evilness. Resisting is action not words. We will never be able to “draw nigh to God” unless we first flow in the opposite direction to resist sins and evil. Now these verses make little sense to our human thinking and ways. The condition for us to be lifted up by God is for us to first, “humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord” and “be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.” Who would think all of this has to happen before we can be lifted up in God? So too, we must take or cast off to put on in God. And God is waiting on us to do our part before He can do His part. I wonder why we think God has to do all of the work in our salvation. Here in Romans we see a picture of a person sleeping, “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep:” not knowing what time it is, because they are asleep. They have drifted off and now are asleep. So too are many in the world today. They have been rocked to sleep by all of the singing, dancing, sermons, and worked centered religion in most churches and are drunk with the glory and beauty of the things worldly religion offers. “Take heed,” wake up! Before it is too late!

The words “salvation” in Romans 13:11, is the same thought conveyed in John 17:3 when Jesus said, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3) “Salvation” and “life eternal” both are all about knowing God. If we desire to know God we will not be so concerned about seeing and knowing about all of the beauty and glory of the world. Our heart thoughts will be on knowing Him. Remember John 17:3 is not talking about the church coming into unity with each other this can never happen unless we all allow God to deal and judge in our lives as the same degree whereby God’s dealing and judgment become the basis of our unity and not what we believe or not believe. And it will also be what tells us when something eternally important is missing in our lives. Written by David Stahl