CHARACTER OR ABILITY

The longer I go with God the more I am convinced God is more concerned with our character and how we do things for Him than what we do for Him and our abilities. After all our abilities and talents are God-given, so why do we think God is impressed? Why do we go after someone with great ability with our whole heart? I laugh in bewilderment when someone scores a touchdown or makes a basket and then they point upward with one finger towards the heavens as to say God helped me score this touchdown, basket, or goal. God is not impressed by our physical abilities (that includes singing, dancing, or playing a musical instrument), but He is very impressed with our ability to humble ourselves and our obedience. God is very impressed with our ability to allow Him to work in our lives so the He could conform us more and more into the image and character of His precious Son Jesus Christ. Now the word “character” in not found in the KJV per say, but the Scriptures of the KJV of the Bible speaks volumes to how much God is concerned about His children possessing Godly character and attributes. One of God’s greatest characters attribute we can posses is being men and woman of great integrity and honesty. Now this integrity and honesty comes out not by doing the right thing every time (something we must also daily do), but out from the “experiences” we have allowed God to take us through to develop and mature the character of our inward man. Paul in Romans shares these verses with us, “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4And patience, experience (Strong’s #1832, proving, trial, approved, tried character, a proof, a specimen of tried worth); and experience, hope: 5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Romans 5:3-5) It is the “experience” in God we have that develops us, that matures us, that allows the revelation of God to grip our heart to such a degree of reality that nothing in this world would be able to move us out of the way God has for us to go. This “experience” (character) we read about in Romans 5:4 gets it origin from the ancient world. In the ancient world there was no banking system as we know it today, and no paper money. All money was made from metal, heated until liquid, poured into moulds and allowed to cool. When the coins were cooled, it was necessary to smooth off the uneven edges. The coins were comparatively soft and of course many people shaved them closely. In one century, more than eighty laws were passed in Athens, to stop the practice of shaving down the coins then in circulation. But some money changers were men of integrity, who would accept no counterfeit money. They were men of honour who put only genuine full weighted money into circulation. Such men were called “dokimos” or “approved.” This is the type of life-style we are to live before God and the world. We are to be men and woman of integrity, men and woman of honor, and of good character. This character: proving, trial, approved, a specimen of tried worth is to go much deeper into the roots of our lives, even down into the recesses and corners of our need for righteousness and holiness. Paul told the Church at Corinth, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners (character). 34Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.” (1 Corinthians 15:33) The Church at Corinth was over into some of the most vile despicable areas of sin the church has ever seen. Paul writes, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:9-16) It matters not how God uses us, but it matters how we do the things for God; are our motives and intentions pure? It is so easy to be deceived if we do not allow God to work in our lives bringing us to the truth. The truth of the Holy Scriptures does not come to us by way of good works at church or even joining a major denomination, but by allowing God to open His word in the Holy Bible and His words He speaks to our heart through the precious Holy Spirit. So many in the church and in the world are deceived and need to “Awake to righteousness and sin not.”

It is the issues around our character God draws close attention to in our lives. Sadly Michael Jackson, the king of pop music passed away. I say sadly because by his life he was not too concerned with the things of God. Oh he was a great singer and dancer and made millions maybe billions of dollars in his life time, but when he stood before God the day he died the standard of judgment was not how well he could sing and dance, but how much of God’s character did he possess? What was his relationship with God? Again it does not matter what man says about you or what you have done while on earth, what matters is “how” you do things for God and how much of God’s character you have allowed Him to work into your life. Reality and truth is always seen through the eyes of God. Truth is always from God’s word and perspective and if our lives do not align with God’s perspective and word then all we do with our time on earth is for naught. When I first heard Michael Jackson was taken to the hospital I shot a quick prayer up for mercy, but the Lord brought the first ½ of this Scripture to my mind, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) God is long suffering, but there is a time God says enough. God knows the past and future, He has plan and He will bring it all to pass. Now I am not saying Michael Jackson is in Hell, I do not know for sure, God is God and He gets to make that call. Hell is such a horrible place, I cannot imagine such a horrible place and wish no one would go there, but we know people daily do. But if we take a truthful look at Michael Jackson’s life we will see it was full of things that run contrary to the word of God. The international media and Hollywood and world entertainers are praising Michael Jackson for his revolutionary and innovative dancing skills and unbelievable voice, but that is not what God is saying about him. Please reread 1 Corinthians 2:9-16. We often do not apply these verses to God’s judgment, but that is what these verses are talking about. Who are those people who have missed out on what God has prepared for them? (verse nine) And why? Because, “the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14) Men who have not allowed God to work in their lives, men who go after the praises of the world more than the praises of God thus have missed out on life eternal with God. Oh they have life eternal, but it is not spent with God, but in Hell. The Bibles teaches “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” (Psalms 9:17) There are over 54 verses in the Scriptures that speak of Hell. My friend Hell is a real place as much as Heaven is. I really feel bad for Michael Jackson because I believe he was in great jeopardy of gong to Hell like all who reject Jesus Christ. I really believe Michael Jackson opened himself up to demon possession when he did the video “Thriller.” As Hell is real so are demons and if we open ourselves they and 1,000s of their cohorts will fill our mind and spirit. Tens of millions of people hailed him king, but if the world is running (that means in the religious Christian world too) after you and calling you king please know God is not. I cannot believe the number people on TV saying they do not want to live knowing Michael Jackson is dead, they need to find the real King of the world Jesus Christ. Even today “Thriller” is still the number one selling album of all times in the world. Men and women (both young and old) today are still hooked by the demonic spirits that projects Michael Jackson’s music around the world; chief of these demons are the spirits of homosexuality. The longer one goes towards the world and away from God the easier it is to see, not judgment per say, but spiritually discern their life. The world called him the king of pop music, but sadly in reality Michael Jackson died a premature death leaving behind three children, weighing 112 pounds, with needle holes all over his body, almost bald, living in fear and confusion (no wonder his heart failed him) from many allegations of pedophilia, homosexuality, being 500 millions dollars in bankruptcy, and having to take a medicine cabinet full of medications to find rest when all he had to do was turn his life and heart to Jesus Christ the real King of the world. He started out a good looking black man being raised by a Christian mother in the conservative heart-land State of Indiana, but ended up in the weird, freakish, anything goes very liberal State of California. His fifteen facial surgeries disfigured his face to the point he appeared clown-like. His bizarre thinking of reality opened him up to throngs of people abusing his generosity on a day-to-day basis. The world calls his life a success, but the word of God calls it sin and shameful. And his life was out from the choices he made, so too we will end up from the choices we make. Michael Michael, oh how I hope you are not in hell. I would not wish anyone to go to hell, but if so it happens out from the ungodly choices they make in life. Let us not follow the example of Michael Jackson and take a chance with our eternal soul, but allow God to so work in our lives so that we will come to know the truth of the word of God and escape Hell’s eternal flames and torment.

My friend God is concerned about our character and not our abilities. God cares about us drawing near to Him and not the world. Have we allowed God to test us by fire and trials like the coins? The truth we hold in our heart will be seen for all the world to see and hear. I was checking out my new free self-crank radio and I stopped on a Christian radio station. The speaker was talking (like everybody else in the media) about Michael Jackson and said, “we usually do not play Michael Jackson’s music on our station, but in honor of his death we are going to dedicate the next three days to his music.” How they compromised the truth of the message of the Gospel, for what? They replaced God’s message with a worldly entertainer all for the popularity and air-time, like the throngs of people who took advantage of him in life, taking advantage of him in death. God is really watching and listening to what we are doing. Now please do not misunderstand me I am not beating up on Michael Jackson it is too late for him, he will receive the rewards of his choices. But I am warning those who are still alive; take heed, take heed, take heed to ourselves and our relationship with God. Who cares if we are the best singer or dancer in the world? What profit are these when we stand before God? “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. 36For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:34-37) On judgment day God will not be asking us what we did while on earth, He will already know. Written by David Stahl

PRAYING TO THE FATHER

Prayer is one if not the most mysterious working of God in our lives. I will be honest I do not know how prayer works, but I am glad it does. God had to take me to India and weaken me of my physical strength to teach me, “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6) Make no mistake my friend all we do that will matter for God and all we receive from God will be by His Spirit, prayer is no different. It is interesting to know I pray not because I want something from God, but I pray so that others may receive (some how) and because Jesus told us to. But one thing for sure it is easy to see where someone is in God, by how they pray. Sadly most prayer is spent on our self, I do not believe that was God’s purpose and Jesus’ intention when He instructed the disciples how to pray. In Matthew six we find the beginning of what many call the model prayer. “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11Give us this day our daily bread. 12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” (Matthew 6:9-13) Now Jesus was not saying to pray these words, Jesus said, “After this manner therefore pray ye” not to pray these words. Is it wrong to pray these words? I cannot begin to tell you the number of times at half time or after a game the coach said, “take a knee boys” then yelled and screamed at us for awhile, but most times at the end of the chewing out we recited Matthew 6:9-13. Maybe we did it to ease the coach’s heart condition anyway it is never a bad thing reciting verses from the Bible especially if you believe what you are saying. But Jesus was doing something greater than teaching us some words to recite He was showing us the direction “Our Father,” our attitude “Hallowed be thy name,” His purpose “Your Kingdom Come,” and so much more. Jesus was showing us the pathway to the heart of the Father through prayer. Remember the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, apparently they always saw Him praying and then saw His prayers get answered so they too wanted to know the secret of His power. Well, the secret of Jesus’ power in prayer was praying; not only in words as the heathens do, “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” (Matthew 6:7-8), but praying by the Spirit of God with an utter dependency on His Father. For us to have our prayers answered we must spend time in prayer with the Father there is no short cut or other way around, this is a real revelation for some Christians Prayer is of the Spirit of God and at the heart of prayer is submission that reflects total dependency to the will of the Father. It is more than asking or beseeching the Father, but us aligning our desires and will with the Father’s. Prayer is a thing of the Spirit of God that should be coming out of us 24 hours a day. Not living our lives stopping to pray, but where our lives become a prayer 24 hours before God and the world. Do you see the difference? Now I am not there yet, but this is what the people saw in Jesus as He walked from town to town. This is what the people felt that drew them to hear His words and to follow Him. If we truly want to reach the world, our city, town, village, our family for Christ this is the place we will have to allow God to take us too. But few find it. This is the “strait gate” that few be that find it. Talking of this spiritual place in God, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. 13Enter ye in at the strait 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 7:12-14) and prayer is the pathway to the “strait gate.” “Enter ye in” to what? Certainly not heaven, Jesus was not talking about going to heaven, He was talking about entering into this place in God, “which leadeth unto life” the life of God. But please notice, few not many find it. The many are not willing to endure the dealings and judgments of God in their lives so that God could bring them to such as place, but it is the place never the less we must come to if we desire to have the life of God in us. Prayer is the pathway that leads us to the life of God, not words and communication with God, but communion with God.

There are five points I would like to share that will help us to come into this place of prayer. Never forget in prayer there is no order, format, or routine, just heart to heart communion with God.
1. The first is confess our sin. Even as we know God is aware of all of our faults, failures, and sins it is important to let God know WE are aware of them as well. Too often we can hide and even deny areas in our heart that keep us from Godly relationships with God and man. Too often the world rushes us on and we allow situations to fester. Confession leads us to some painful realization as to our need for seeking forgiveness, reconciliation, and guidance.
2. The second points is give God praise. When we come into the presence of God, it is a time for reflection and introspection, a pause from our activities to focus on God and God alone. Spend time praising God for who He is and for some of the specific blessing He has given us and our families reflecting our gratitude and utter dependency, two qualities we must possess for God to be able to trust us.
3. The third point is give God thanks. After we have worshipped Him and come clean then we are ready to give God thanks. God knows our heart and does not like it when we stand with dirty lips. We count our blessings as we recognize all that God has done for us. From the smallest gift to the awesome love of God in the grace and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we give Him thanks.
4. The fourth is pray for specific requests for others first then your self. Remember first things first and what the word JOY stands for: Jesus first, Other next, and Yourself last. Spend some time praying for specific needs, but please do not get bogged down on praying for your self. God knows what you need and He will take good care of you if you take good care of Him and others.
5. Lastly praise God for answered prayer. Conclude by expressing faith and confidence that God will answer our prayers and give Him praise for what He will do, but this in no way is a formula to get God to do things for us. If we want God to be God to us then He gets to do what He wants to do and when He wants to do it. Our part is to count it all joy and endure until God thinks we are ready to handle Him answering our request. God is listening for the song in our heart. Are we singing “No One Knows The Troubles I Have Seen” or are we singing “Blessed Assurance” in tough and difficult times. God is listening to what song are we singing.

The first time I went to Israel back in 1984, I went for walk and by chance came across a potter. I stood there and watched the potter work some clay of the wedging board then wet his hands and spin some clay already formed. At times he would get up and check the fire under the kiln and when the fire was just right he would take a piece of pottery already formed and put it into the kiln and close the door. Well I stood there for about 15 minutes then it struck me, how does the potter know the pot in the fire is done so I asked. With a big open faced smile he relied, “when the pot is done it begins to sing a sound, a whistling sound that tells me to get it out of the fire or it will be destroyed.” I thought our Heavenly Father is just like that, He too is listening to what sound we are making to see if we too are finished and He will keep us in the fire until just the right time no matter how much we kick and scream, because like the potter our heavenly Father wants to make a quality pot, a pot that can stand the pressures of life, a pot that can hold life-giving rivers of the Gospel that flows out of our bellies. Prayer is the pathway to the heart of the Father. Let us allow God to work so in our lives that He will be able to mold and shape us into the vessel he desires us to be. Like the potter, our heavenly Father has the right to, “Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. 19Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? 20Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 22What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory” (Romans 9:18-23) Who would have thought this word prayer even extends to our obedience and submission? My friend it all extends to our obedience and submission and prayer is no different. But the one who “might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory” is the one who has learned the secret of prayer, it is a thing of the Spirit of God. Written by David Stahl

THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SERVICE

Service in God always begins with three things: submission to God, obedience to His word (written and spoken) to us, and death to our selfish self-centered ways. Now please be careful there is a huge difference (and difficult to understand) between obedience (what only many Christians are today) and submission (what God needs moving in our lives to be able to use us). We will look at the differences in detail later. In Exodus 12 we read of the 10th and last plague God used to break the will and heart of Pharaoh to let His people go. Here God gives His children very specific instructions (verses 1-13) to escape His wrath of the death of the firstborn to come. Did you know God is a very detailed God? If not then you do not know Him. Beginning in verse 12 we read, “For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. 13And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 12:12-13) The people were instructed by Moses (which required obedience, but not submission – the people did not have that in their hearts yet) to kill a male lamb without blemish of the same year and spread the blood of the lamb (Genesis 12:7) on the two doorposts and lintel as a sign of their obedience. Here there are two spiritual principles in operation; without the shedding of blood (Hebrews 9:22) there is no forgiveness (not removal) of sin and there must be death to our selves before God can use us. Now other than for obedience sake I have always wondered why the Lord required the children of Israel to apply the blood, but recently God opened up to me it was not about the blood as much as it was about the death that had already visited their home. You see it was not about the blood of the lamb, the Lord was after the death of the people through their submission (not obedience) to His words, so too in our lives. The blood of animals was only effective to cover sin (not remove it like with the blood of Christ) out from obedience in keeping the covenant God established with man through Abraham. So too in our lives God is after death to our self-life and if He does not get it we can never be used by Him.

The issues of the heart are the toughest issues we face in life, so too as I said is the understanding between submission vs obedience. In Acts we read about Peter and John talking about being forbidden by the “rulers, elders, and scribes” to teach in the name of Jesus, sounds like today. “But Peter and John answered and said unto them, whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19-20) Again the disciples were on trial for their lives, “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29) In both situations the disciples valued doing what God wanted over what man wanted, but also in both situations they reacted in their hearts differently. Never forget (please my friend mark my words well) submission is a matter of attitude, while obedience is a matter of conduct. Thus, submission is absolute, but obedience is relative. In God often times, what we believe to be right or wrong does not matter. Be careful in judging absolutes. Slavery today is wrong in the eyes of man, but in the Bible slavery was okay. Paul even exhorted slaves to be obedient to their masters. “Servants (translated slave), be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; 6Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;” (Ephesians 6:5-6) The issue was not the slavery, but the submission of the slaves – the submission in their heart. At the heart of every issue is an issue of my heart. Often times with issues of the heart we easily get off track. In Acts 4:19, their spirit was not rebellious, since they submitted to those in authority. Obedience however cannot be absolute. Some authorities must be obeyed; while others should not be, especially in matters which touch on the things of God and sharing the gospel. We can question, suggest, and reply to authorities, yet we must never show an unsubmissive attitude. Submission must be absolute. One who knows authority will be soft and tender. They will be absolute in their submission in heart, (in attitude) in word, and action – even if they disagree. There is no sign of harshness or rebellion. Thus, when delegated authority (men who represent God’s authority such as police and governments) and direct authority (God Himself) are in conflict, one can render submission but not obedience to the delegated authority. When Jesus stood before Pilate there was great resistance in Him. But the Bible said, “He opened not His mouth.” In silence He gave great resistance. He submitted, but did not obey Pilate. So here are the Spiritual principles: obedience is related to conduct, it is relative. Submission is related to our heart attitude and is absolute. God alone receives unqualified obedience without measure, any person lower than God can only receive qualified obedience. Should the delegated authority issue an order clearly contradicting God’s command, we give submission but not obedience. We submit to the person God gave the authority to (submitting to God in reality), but we must never disobey the order of God.

Over the last 48 years I have been a Believer I have heard the words, holiness, righteousness, submission, and obedience, but seldom do I see them in operation, this often includes my life too. I think many Christians (because of wrong or no teaching) lump these words together as being synonymous, but in reality they are separate and distinct in meaning and application in our lives. Holiness has to do with our heart condition (a willingness and desire to know God through a purifying process in our lives, some use to call sanctification) and life style (the changes people see in our lives that is contrary to the world’s thinking and ways) while righteousness has to do with our submission (absolute heart surrender to God’s will and purpose) and obedience (relative giving of our will and conduct) to God and His word. We will never be used of God any greater than our ability to humble ourselves and apply these virtues in our lives. The lower we can go down in ourselves the more the Lord can use us, if not we disqualify ourselves for service. I am so amazed at the number of Christians who are so caught up and snagged by the things of this world. Many preach and teach do not be conformed to this world, yet our lives are so entwined. Who cares who won the NBA championship or NASCAR race? We dig our heels into the world with every thing we buy. Who really cares how much our home or car cost? We buy new homes and cars so that we can take advantage of IRS tax incentives and the nicer the home or car the better deal we get, but these are worldly concepts whereby we spent our money on things that rust and decay while all being anchors around our necks if God would say to move tomorrow. Most Christians are not flexible and mobile they have bunkered themselves down mentally, spiritually, and financially into the world’s system and it will take God their entire life-time to free them from their disobedience, service for God is out of the question. Who really cares what is on TV? As we visit churches to minister I cannot believe how much Christians talk about what is on TV. I know of SBC Pastor who boasted on his church website “American Idol” is his favorite TV program – shame on him. Christians are mesmerized by: home improvement shows (no wonder we are not satisfied with what God gave us), cooking shows (it is no wonder most Americans are so over weigh), reality shows (anyone that religiously watches these programs needs Jesus to give them a real life), dance and talent shows (no wonder dance and contemporary music has taken over many churches today), and sports programs (I am ever amazed at what man invents to glorify his flesh). When will the church get out of the “pig pen” of the world. But sadly, the “pig pen” of the world is now common place and main stream (in life-style and thinking) in most churches today. The questions ought to be how much time did we spend alone with God today? Was there communication with God that led to communion? How long did we study (not just read) our Bible? When was the last time we did something for someone (who could not repay you) and that no one saw us (except God) do it? Are these not more important in God’s eye? Present day leaders have learned from the leaders of the past to control and manipulate people all they to do is give them sport, drama, and spectacle and you will win their minds and heart. This is all we see on TV and read in magazines and newspapers. They all are nothing but distractions that keep us from the real questions of life and more important from the dealings and judgments of God in our lives. Who wants to allow God room to work and have sway in our lives when we can watch TV or do something religious at church to make us feel good? Who cares about putting on the mind of Jesus, we have cable TV. Here I am guilty, ever since coming back from Germany I have become a news (Fox) junkie. I must be very careful not to allow this desire for news to take root in my life and choke out the precious gentle soft voice of the Holy Spirit. I may even have to something very spiritual like get rid of our TV.

What is the measure of being wealthy? I am told Bill Gates is one if not the wealthiest man in the world, but how is his wealth measured? My friend is it not true he with the most toys at the end of life wins? Is Bill Gates’ wealth measured in money and possessions alone? Or is his wealth also measured, in health, quality of life, joy, fulfillment, satisfaction, peace, maybe even in the number of days to live before he dies? Do you think it is possible to measure our wealth by the requirements (submission to God, obedience to His word (written and spoken) to us, and death to our selfish self-centered ways) for service to God? Why not? These are the only things that really matter in our lives. Yes my wife Karen and our kids are very important, but my family (even my sweetheart Karen) will not be able to stand with me when I stand before a holy God. I wish she could because she has done so much for me and is so much a part of who I am, but there are places in God we must walk alone. It is only the things we have done for God, with the right heart condition, that will matter everything else will rust and is corruptible. Jesus told the disciples, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21) Could it be we either really do not believe these words of Jesus or maybe we have forgotten them? Like all things in Christ the choice is ours. We as humans always go after the things we hold valuable. Let us choose the requirements for service in our lives they are the only things that really matter. Written by David Stahl

OUR STRUGGLES OF LIFE

The longer we go with God the more struggles we will have in our lives. This is why many people turn their backs on God and walk no more with Him. All of these struggles in our lives center around our submission and obedience to God and His word. It is always about our submission and obedience to God. If we cannot be submissive and obedient to God our lives will be fruitless, unfulfilled, and God will not be able to use us as He desires. Now I know this on one level, but I really do not know this on another because I too often struggle in life. Often times we shift the heart of the struggle (our obedience and submission to God) to other things in our lives and get off track. We most often struggle in life because of our compromise, tolerance, and diversity to what God has said. Today our society, more and more, is built on compromise, tolerance, and diversity. Well these terms are not spiritual principles contained in the word of God. In America and around the world we see this shift away from the holy standard of God’s word to diversity, everyone is different and we must accept their individual expression and accept them for what they believe, well the Bible does not teach that. The Bible says we all were made in the image of God, in God there is no diversity. God expects us to look, sound, and act like Him not like some tattooed, body pierced, free thinking, anything goes person. Today we are told we must be tolerant. In the past the word tolerant meant to endure or put up with things and people we disagree with, but today tolerance means we must accept the differences of people where there is no right and wrong absolutes judgments, everyone’s point of view is considered valid and has merit, where there is not a Godly bench mark of truth (as the word of God) to guide our lives. And in the world today it seems the best we can do is compromise, giving up something to get something. We see this in the contemporary format of most churches today. The days of the traditional God inspired preaching and music are gone. Rarely do you find a church that holds the line on proper attire and behavior in church. We have compromised the word of God in church so now our lives too are compromised. Remember as the people go so does the church and as the church goes so does the nation. It is no wonder America is on her way out. We have given up Godly standards and principles to get people to come to church for the show. And what do they find – the compromised word of God that cannot save anyone. Standing our ground for the truth is not popular nor will it earn you much money or big crowds. Who wants to be poor in spirit when you can have a big church and travel around the world holding big services with millions of people? Now these terms are worldly terms, terms that are from the spirit of this age and of the world. We must always keep in the back of our mind, Jesus did not come to save the world (a system contrary to what God has said) it is lost and doomed, but Jesus came to save them that were lost. Luke tells us, “For the Son of man (Jesus) is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10) This is a critical thought we must get well into our spirit and understanding, if not we will mix the things of God with the things of this age and of the world confusing our self and others. Make no mistake the world is lost and cannot be saved only fallen man can.

Today in the world and sadly in many churches we hear of political struggles, struggles for equality and for civil rights, but these are not struggles against man, but in reality they are struggles within us against God because we have not aligned our heart and thinking up with Him. At the heart of every issue is always an issue of the heart. In Genesis we read of a man struggling with God. “And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled (struggled) a man with him until the breaking of the day. 25And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled (struggled) with him. 26And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. 27And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. 28And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. 29And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. 30And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” (Genesis 32:24-30) There are some points from these verses I would like for us to consider. If we have to struggle with God to be blessed we have not found favor in God’s sight. Our struggle is a thing of the heart where God must deal and judge in our lives to be able to bring us to understanding and peace. Like Jacob, we struggle when we are alone. It is God and us alone in the valley or on the mountain top. Struggle is something we allow God to work out of us so that He can work His life into us. The more we struggle the less of God we will have in us. There is a better understanding of God and His ways after we have struggled awhile. I wonder what blessing God would have given Jacob if he would have not struggled so and submitted? All he got was a new name and walked with a limp for the rest of his life. We must not struggle with God. But notice Jacob was getting ready to struggle with his older brother Esau who wanted to kill him for lying and deceiving their father. Struggling with God often comes before struggling with man so that we will have the right heart condition to deal with man correctly.

Paul was really good at helping us to deal with our struggles. In Ephesians he helped us when he said, “For we wrestle (struggle) not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12) The word “wrestle” here, Strong’s #3823, means to struggle in a contest between two people in which each endeavours to throw the other and which is decided when the victor is able to hold his opponent down with his hand upon his neck. Now Paul is not talking about spiritual warfare a divine spiritual principle not found in the Bible. Jesus nor any of the disciples used this term. Like most things we do not understand in the Bible we make up terms and names to support a thinking or doctrine we believe and want to spread to other people. This is why we have so many denominations and doctrines today. But, here Paul is saying we must not wrestle or struggle against man “we wrestle not against flesh and blood (especially our Christians brothers and sisters) because our struggle is against, principalities, against powers (Strong’s #1849, power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases), against the rulers (Strong’s #2888, the lords, kings, and rulers of this world) of the darkness of this world (Strong’s #4655, persons in whom darkness becomes visible and holds sway), against spiritual wickedness (Strong’s #4189, depravity, iniquity, wickedness) in high places.” The word “places” was added by translators. Paul is describing this world’s (then and today) subtle seductive philosophy and thinking that is contrary to God and what God has said. It is always eminent and in direct rebellion to God and His word. This thinking is a heart condition that wants its way that wants its desires and emotions satisfied to belong, fulfilled, and justified. Just watch TV and look at what Hollywood and all the beautiful people say success looks like. I do not know why many denominations have hi-jacked this verse to make it seem more spiritual, but if Paul was taking about demons then he would have said demons, but he did not. He was talking about the wicked worldly rulers, principalities, and those in power and exercise authority who have brought great darkness to the church. We wrestle not against the kings, lords, and rulers (flesh and blood), but it is against the system they project in the world and as it manifests in our lives. Paul was telling us our struggle is against a world system that is contrary to God’s order and system. All throughout his writings Paul time and time again warns us not to be conformed to this world’s thinking and philosophy. For example in Romans, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2) How can we know what “is our reasonable service” and “present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God” if we are conformed to the world’s system of thinking and philosophy?

The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) today struggles with their past. Recently I read of a SBC pastor who has asked the entire Convention to embrace the administration of President Obama (America’s first bi-racial President) saying it would go a long ways in the reconciliation process between blacks and whites making an atonements in ways for the SBC support of slavery in the past. Well, this pastor has been deceived in his heart and blinded by the civil rights gods of this world. The issue is not the need for civil rights or even the need for reconciliation between a black and a white man, but clarity of heart and understanding as to what God’s word says about the issue. The Bible is clear in God there is no slave or free, male or female, no earthly nations only Christ and Him glorified in our lives one (unity) in Him. Paul tells us “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26-28) If you are a Christian (black or white) and you are struggling over slavery then you are held captive in the prison of your heart to the things of the past because of the lack of understanding of God’s word. It is not about slavery, but what God has said. The real issue why the SBC and other Christians cannot support President Obama and his administration is because of their ungodly position on such topics as: abortion, sodomy, lesbianism, and so many others. Now I wish him no harm, but we will either believe the Bible or we will believe what the government says is true. And rarely do they agree. One is of the world (perishable) and the other is what God says (eternal). The word of God (the Bible) is very clear on these topics. God calls them sin (an abomination in His eyes) and in our heart and life-style we in America say no God is wrong these things are okay and we will do them. We thumb our nose at God shaking our fist in open defiance saying we know better. Well, either we in America (that includes Christians) will call things true what the world says is okay or what God calls them. We as Christians must not support (with our time or money) any organization (such as political parties) or anyone who supports things such as abortion, sodomy, lesbianism, or anything which is in direct rebellion to God’s word. How can the SBC support such lies and open rebellion? How can we call ourselves Christians and be a Democrat whose main ideology and philosophical agenda supports such heresy against God’s word? We cannot, but if we can then we have been deceived by the gods of this world and the truth of God’s word is not in us. How can we be called Christians (Christ like) and support the shedding of innocent blood of babies and other things God calls an abomination? It is not a reconciliation issue, but it is an issue of obedience to God’s word. When we believe the Government and the Supreme Court over what God says (the Bible) on spiritual issues then we have called God a liar. Just because the Supreme Court (which is made up of men and women) passes laws that does not change nor makes God’s words null and void. When will America learn?

God’s answer for our struggles is submission and obedience to His word. Obedience to God always brings us into a place of inward rest and contentment the place God desires we all allow Him (our choice) to bring us to. Who cares if the world is falling a part? Certainly not the one who is at rest in God and has stopped struggling. You know dead men (spiritually speaking) are dead to their selfishness and self-seeking and do not do much struggling. They are at peace with man because they are at peace with God. Peace and joy seems to be a great struggle for man, well guess what my friend there will be no peace and joy on the earth until Jesus comes back and sets up His earthly kingdom, until then we can only have peace and joy in our heart. We struggle for unity and peace (even in the church) through politics and worldly practices, again worldly philosophy and thinking, but God’s idea of peace and unity is through our submission and obedience to His word. Only when we have submitted to God’s word can we cease from the struggles in our lives. Oh we will feel the pain and anguish, but it will not matter our focus will not be on the struggle nor on the world, but a higher call to come up near God. Written by David Stahl