OUR TRADITIONS

I was sitting in a packed church one evening just looking at the people and the surroundings when the LORD spoke to me, “for all of these people to go to heaven they must believe they have lived their lives in a religious lie. They will have to come to realize their holy men have lied to them all of their lives and they will have to understand their parents also have lied to them.” I bristled in my spirit in astonishment and slid back in my seat. What an obstacle for these mostly older folks to get over to believe they have been lied to all of their lives by people they have counted on for counsel and help and more importantly people they love and people who have told them all of their lives they love them. I cannot imagine this happening in their lives. Sad to say, unless they allow God to open the eyes of their understanding and reject the religious traditions of their youth these folk will probably not spend eternity with the LORD. Thanks be to God He is righteous and looks at our heart. Traditions hold us tight around our heart and often prevent us from seeing the truth about ourselves and the world around us. The best example I can give is what we all see during holidays. Every year 86% of all Americans celebrate Christmas (word not found in the Scriptures) based on a lie. Almost everyone knows the story of Santa Claus is a lie, yet we (every year) continue this lie from one generation to the next. Instead of only talking about the birth of Christ we have a counterfeit story running parallel about some fat man in a red suit driving a sleigh of reindeer around the world in one night giving toys to good boys and girls, people of all ages (a lie), but we yearly continue this myth. With each new generation born we indoctrinate them with traditions and genealogies that only lead them astray from the truth of the word of God all for the sake of stimulating our economy at the end of the year. In 2012 America spent $11.2 billion (in spite of dire economic times) in two days for Christmas, while the poor steal or do without, the homeless wander, and needy go hungry. At the heart of most traditions is greed and selfishness. In the Spring America celebrates Easter (word found once in Acts 12:4, but translated passover) with a bunny rabbit who gives out candy to people, (bad people can get candy) which is a lie like Christmas. Instead of talking about the death, burial, and resurrection (the Gospel) of Jesus Christ we talk about a bunny rabbit that gives candy to people of all ages. Churches today are in the act with face paintings, Easter egg hunts, and so much more. What does this all have to do with the Gospel? Nothing! Now I am not going to go into all of the pagan rituals and religious traditional practices that surround the historical myth of Easter my intent is to lift up the name of Jesus. But, my friend we have “truly” (taking something from the physical realm and projecting it into the spiritual realm) drifted so far from the true meaning of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and the great price He paid for my sin and your sin. What does Christmas have to do with the birth of Christ? Nothing, but we continue this American tradition at the demise of the truth about the Gospel. Now many people, including Christians, would say what is the harm in a Christmas tree, decorating our house with lights, and giving presents? Jesus got presents why shouldn’t we? It was not your birthday. Or at Easter what is a wrong with giving away candy in a basket? During these two holidays we have special church productions or programs to get the two timers (those folk who come to church two times a year), but when the truth is mixed with a lie the lie always wins the day. Would it not be best to just tell them the story of Jesus and leave the Christmas lie out? But no we think we have to have something worldly to hook (as if the Gospel message is not good enough) the people; we have a harvest festival in the fall, during Christmas and Easter some special presentations to get the people who would not come normally, well if you have to have something special to get the two timers there something is lacking in your church. Most pastors today are so afraid of offending members (keeping their rice bowls intact) they keep the truth from their people and cover it with song and pageantry. Peter told the Christians in Asia Minor, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” (1 Peter 2:9) Well . . . are we or are we not a peculiar people? Are we or are we not a holy nation? Are we or are we not a royal priesthood? Are we or are we not a chosen generation set apart for the Master’s use? If we practice the traditions of Christmas, Easter, and other religious rituals in any shape or form then we cannot move in the truth of this verse. Traditions in the church are killing the witness and Spirit of the church. Paul ran into this same problem when he visited the Church at Thessalonica. The Church mentioned in Thessalonians like all of the Churches mentioned in the New Testament came face to face and struggled with the religious traditions and rituals of their day. My friend the Gospel message of Jesus Christ is in stark contrast (it is meant to be) with our religious traditions and rituals. The religious traditions and rituals are of the world, worldly in heart and spirit (selfish and fleshly), while the Gospel message of Jesus Christ is of heavens, heavenly in the heart and Spirit of God. John tells us “That which is of the Spirit is Spirit and that which is of the flesh is flesh.” (John 3:6) Today we try mixing the flesh with the Spirit (a Christmas tree at church) while telling ourselves we are sharing the good news, but in reality all we have done was muddy the truth of the word of God. I know this is hard, but the message of the Gospel is hard too. Our message must be either a lie or the truth. Either we believe in God and His word as it was written or we believe the 1,000s of stories, fables, myths, and genealogies the world and most churches believe. We must take a stand for truth and righteousness for the word of God and His traditions. Paul tells the Church at Thessalonica, “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.” (2 Thessalonians 2:15) That means the Church at Thessalonica (like today) was wavering in what they believed. What you believe will take you in the direction you will end up some day and what we believe determines the level of commitment we will have. If you believe in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny you may not end up with the LORD you may end up with the folks sitting in church, I first mentioned in my article. Not only in Thessalonica, but Paul had this grave concern for the Church corporately in Asia. In 1 Timothy we read, “Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies (strong’s #1076, birth, linage, traditions, and practices) which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.” (1 Timothy 1:4) Paul visited the Church at Ephesus about A.D. 63 following his release from his first Roman imprisonment. Soon thereafter he left Timothy in charge of the church and wrote his letter about one year later. Paul’s immediate purpose in writing this letter was to issue an affectionate appeal to Timothy concerning the welfare of the church and gave Timothy instructions for perfecting the organization and safe guarding the Gospel message. Again in Titus Paul on his way to Crete warned the church to maintain church organization, sound doctrine, and holy living by staying away from traditions, foolish questions, and genealogies, “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.” (Titus 3:9) When is the Body of Christ going to stand up and say these fables and stories about Santa Claus and the Easter bunny are downright lies and not participate in them? My friend at the heart of religious tradition is always a lie and deception from the truth. This is why religious tradition in the church and traditions of men in society are so bad. Paul instructed the churches he visited and wrote to, “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.”(2 Thessalonians 2:15) Brethren we are to, “stand fast and hold the traditions which ye have been taught.” What traditions is Paul talking about? Well certainly not Christmas, Easter, and religious rituals I am sure. We are to keep the traditions that were delivered to the early church, “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 3) Did you know you have to die to be a saint? Better to die now to our selfish and self-centered ways than to die later at the Great White Throne Judgment. You will not get out of this life alive. We are to take heed, to keep, to live those traditions that were “delivered unto the saints” so, “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;” (Ephesians 4:14) and be able to, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:15-16) Unless we grow up in the LORD in all things we will always be tossed to and fro, deceived by every tradition (like Christmas and Easter), myth, fable, etc. The key to spiritual growth is speaking in love; not always saying nice swellings words of flattery, but able to tell the Brethren; look out you are heading off the cliff, wake up you have a ditch in front of you. If not we will not be able to be “fitly joined together,” we will not be able to supply the Body of Christ with the things God has given us to give others. The traditions we keep have great bearing on our spiritual growth and development; are we focused on the traditions found in the word of God or are we keeping things of this world with one hand while trying to hold on to God with the other? We cannot hold both. We must let go of either this world’s traditions or God it is our choice and around Christmas and Easter it is easy to see who has let go of God. 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, but we do celebrate the birth of our precious LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. 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 as I said Karen and I do celebrate the birth of Christ, there is a 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 manger. You know we really like seeing baby Jesus in the manger, 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 manger 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, greed, and lust. 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 101:10) 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 part 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 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 (we hope and pray this is not the case) 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 is not a Heaven or Hell issue or it does not really matter” oh really? This thinking my friend is just spiritually wrong and a very subtle form of deception that has been carried on for 100s maybe 1,000s of years by the religious denominations and merchants both working hand-n-hand to get customers. Sadly at the heart of why we focus on the Christmas story and baby Jesus in the manger 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 worship the Christmas story and the sweet little baby Jesus in the 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 as we buy presents for our family or even as we buy a present for some poor people who live down the street who we neglect the rest of the year. 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 (icon) 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

RETURNING TO THE SPIRITUAL

One thing that separates the things of God from things that are easily explained away and things easy to counterfeit is the uniqueness and mystery of the Sprit of God. But sadly over the years the Spirit of God has become of little affect in the lives of many Christians. For all intents and purposes the power of the Holy Spirit has been left lying on the ground by the church for years being explained way and marginalized by denominational doctrine that does not understand and is afraid of the Holy Spirit. The supernatural (how God operates) often has been explained away to the point now only a hand full of folks really believe in God’s power and Him moving supernaturally in the heart and lives of people, but all throughout the Bible God moving by His Spirit has been the hallmark of God’s love and devotion towards man to intervene supernaturally in man’s affairs by a holy God. One of the best examples of this we see is when God became man (we call His name Jesus) and dwelt among us so that He could wilfully lay His life down as a ransom for sin for all of mankind. John tells us, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) How did this happen only by the Spirit of God. Another example that always amazes me is how Simeon knew the baby Jesus not by sight (there were 100s of babies coming everyday to the temple), but Simeon knew baby Jesus by the Spirit. “And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,” (Luke 2:25-27) This too was a spiritual connection. Recently I was talking with a good friend from a church in the Sneads Ferry area where I have invested much spiritual capital teaching, praying for, and found out some of the things the LORD told me to prophecy to them while teaching are happening. I was not surprised I have learned if God says it you can set your watch by it. But the point is what I received from God to tell them was a thing of the Spirit. It was a spiritual connection between them God and I. This connection is one big thing that enables faith in the operation of the Holy Spirit to function in our lives. Where we hear and then see things mysteriously come to reality, but this spiritual connection seems to be lacking in the world and in the Body of Christ today rendering the church powerless and sterile. I can remember growing up as a young boy the power of God falling in services where you know that you know it was a Holy and sovereign God at work, but it has been a long long time since I have seen this spiritual manifestation in operation. Church has become so mechanical and predictable; three fast ones and slow one, take up the offering, listen to the sermon while texting your friends or playing with some electric gadget, then off to a restaurant for dinner while trying to beat the other denominations in line. No wonder the Holy Spirit does not show up we do not give Him reverence and time. Everything in most churches is done on our schedule by the service handbill (order of the service) and if God does not fit in to our plan then maybe next week, well God does not operate that way there may not be a next week. We see this spiritual expression/connection and God’s desire for all things to operate and be controlled by His Spirit, all throughout the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Adam (us too) was created to be entirely under the control of the Spirit of the Lord. Therefore this was his (ours too) normal state of being. He was as at home in the Spirit as a fish is at home in water. But this quality of life was forfeited through transgression. The ultimate purpose of the atonement of Jesus upon the cross is to restore us to this normal state of divine relationship and control with additional blessings of higher privilege. Now this is where the denominational rub comes in who wants to be controlled by something we do not understand? But over and again the LORD’s effort has sought to bring us back into this place of total Holy Spirit control. But sadly the denseness and self-centeredness of man have only hindered the plan of God here. Our birth into this world ushers us into a developing state of sense-relationship to our environment. Our intelligence and will power directs and controls the activities of each member of our body. Without direction from our mind, our members do not act. So also the New Birth (salvation) brings us into a developing conscious relationship to the Lord, and to the spiritual world. In the supernatural realm, Jesus is the Head, and without Him, the members do not act. But the professing church often seeks useless remedies, neglecting and forgetting Christ, her true Head. Therefore, she has not progressed as far into spiritual maturity as intended. A child when born into this world is helpless and mentally inactive; so also, one born into the Body of Christ is a mere babe in spirituals. Therefore the need to take heed to the spiritual things of God are very great. Paul said, “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.” (Corinthians 12:1) Seems to me some Christians have allowed the spiritual things of God to slip and drift away. The church as a corporate body is the place of His operation in which the source of all activity is the power of God manifested through the movement of the Holy Spirit. All power and working of man is therefore an intrusion. The workings of the Holy Spirit are internal, invisible, and spiritual. But they are not limited or confined to the inner man. They become outward and visible, as His witness, through the operation of gift ministries. When one receives the New Birth, by the Spirit, they are endowed with His ministry gift of gifts of the Spirit, “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” (Corinthians 12:4-11) For example the Holy Spirit's use of our voice is called prophecy - God speaking or acting by the members of man. Here nine gifts in all that I DO NOT see moving in most churches today. Church has become non-spiritual, routine, and predictable. One would ask why the gifts are important, well for the body to grow up into Christ in all things each member must supply its individual part. The nature and existence of the Church of Jesus Christ is of such a glorious heavenly nature. Paul told the Church Ephesus, “For it is under His direction that the whole body is perfectly adjusted and united by every joint that furnishes its supplies; and by the proper functioning of each particular part, there is brought about the growing of the Body for its building up in love.” (Ephesians 4:16), but today I do not see the operations of the spiritual gifts in the church today that will allow for the “growing of the Body” and maybe that is why we do not see much love in the church. What happened? I will tell you; the spiritual gifts have been replaced by the world, the church looks and sounds like the world the message of the church is selfish and world centered how can the Spirit of God operate in such malaise? Christians are trying to work themselves to heaven instead of becoming the work of God. Paul told the Church at Ephesus, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10) We are the work of God created unto good works. The goods works are not God’s workmanship they are our responsibility before God and man, but we have been created (God’s workmanship) to be conformed into the image (icon) of Jesus Christ. The conformity is unto to His death, but very few Christians these days want to die to their selfish, self-seeking, self-centered, and religious ways. At this present time, there is a mighty need for the people of God to return to Jesus as the true Head, to find their place in His Body, and function under His direct control. Man can be so deceived that he will produce substitutes for the true and glorious body of Jesus Christ moving and operating through these gifting; but the hour is at hand for God to restore His Church in power and glory we must return to the spiritual if God’s kingdom is to come on earth as it is in heaven. I can tell you from experience; happy are those who find their way into a place of worship where the Lord’s presence and power are both acknowledged and sought after, but I usually find these churches overseas. You know we think the spiritual is high and mighty and at times it is, but most times it is simplistic and common place in our lives. Before we left for Okinawa I stopped by Post, Pack, and More where I get our newsletter copied, mail things, a great place that helps get the Gospel out. One of the workers is named Kin I knew he was oriental, but I never knew he was from Okinawa. I told him we would be traveling to Okinawa and he said he was jealous his dad is Okinawan and named him after a village call Kinville, I never knew. Well while shopping for some gift to bring home I decided to get something for Kin so I asked the LORD what I should get him and my eye went straight to shot glasses I thought maybe something nicer, but I felt the LORD saying to buy a shot glass. After returning I stopped by the Post and More to mail the gifts we got Kin came over to help me and the last gift I told Kin his name was on it, to which he replied, “did you get me something from Okinawa?” He opened the box and saw the shot glass and said, “how did you know I collect shot glasses?” I told him I did not know, but God knew. This was a small spiritual thing that had a large impact in Kin’s and my life. It is the small spiritual things that mean more to me then the big spiritual things. God knows even the little things in our lives. We must believe this if we are going to be able to believe for the big things in our lives? There is a desperate need in the church today to return back to the spiritual things of God and lay aside the denominational and religious struggles that explain our relationship with God. How phony, spiritless, and humanistic the church has become. My friend we need to return to the spiritual things of God before it is too late, for some it already is. Written by David Stahl

AMERICA VOTED AND GOD LOST

Please do not think this last election from God’s perspective was about the economy, politics, or even foreign policy oh no, this election from God’s perspective was about the spiritual heart and soul of America and God lost again. Since the early 60s God has been losing. Since 1962 when God was kicked out of school crime, lawlessness, and murder (just look at Chicago, IL) in America has skyrocketed. Since 1964 when the sodomites and lesbians started coming out of the closet, AIDS and all of the many AIDS associated diseases not to mention all of the sexual perversions have become accepted under the liberal banner of diversity. We use to diagnose people who were homosexual as mentally unstable, but now we have referendums on our ballots whether or not to legalize same sex marriage, a life style God call an abomination. And still since1973 when the Supreme Court sanctioned the wholesale systematic murder and slaughter of defenseless, innocent babies in the safety of their mother’s womb (the right for a woman to choose) and oddly enough this was the number one reason for single women to vote for President Obama. Murder by any name is still murder and God will judge any nation that murders their children and please do not get me started on America’s obsession with self, sex, the spectacular, tattoos, body piercings, and electronic gadgets. Please do not try to tell me spiritually speaking America’s best days are ahead of her if you believe this you are deceived in your heart and you know not the truth of God. Yes America voted and God lost, but not only God other communities lost as well. Now I have many black brothers and sisters in the church some I would give a kidney, but I could not believe that 93% (down from 95% in 2008) of all black people who voted went for President Obama. I do understand blood is thicker than water and I still feel if an end-time revival is going to happen in America it will come from the black church, but with Christians the blood we relish is the blood of Christ. Our option is God’s option, our position is God’s position, and if we choose to vote for a man that opposes (which is anti-Christ) God’s word as President Obama openly has stated he is for same sex marriage and abortion then we can no longer call ourselves a Christian, but a liar and thief in the sight of God. No political promise, cultural history, or skin color can change the facts of the word of God. Jesus said, “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” (Matthew 12:30) there is no compromise. Another community who voted and lost was the 71% of Latinos who voted not according to God’s word, but according to some strange belief whereby President Obama someday is going to open up the arms of America and welcome them home, well they too have been deceived and know not the truth of the word of God. And of course the 40 million (up from 30 million in 2008) evangelical Christians (sadly being transformed by the world) were MIA (like last time) yet another community deceived and knows not the truth in God. The people of America voted and God lost because the people of America have compromised their (this includes the assorted Christian denominations) morals, values, and spirituality they have not learned it is how America’s projects her social issues that defines her character and spirituality before God. It is Godly character and spirituality that is the measure God is looking for in a country not her wealth and power. She has forgotten God gives nations leaders after their own heart condition. We see this all throughout the Bible when the people did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD God gave them kings, rulers, and even spiritual leaders over them that were wicked and yes because of America’s waywardness God has allowed President Obama to be re-elected as a vessel of dishonor to punish the people of America. God just gave America the desire of her heart. And now sadly all God has left to draw America back to her foundational spiritual roots and knees is His judgment and wrath, His grace and love is not working we are drifting further and faster away from Him, His words, and His ways with each passing day and with each election. Make no mistake my friend if America does not return to a God focused society the woes that New Jersey and New York are enduring from Hurricane Sandy will be only the beginning of devastation and loss of life such as America has never seen. The real chance for prosperity in America is not voting for a President every four years, but living a life well pleasing to God. America bless God. Written by David Stahl

DIVINE GUIDANCE

I think it was the second time I went to India, I was asked to pray for all of the kids in the congregation who were preparing for their summer exams. Now in America there is no summer exam, but in most of the world kids must sit for an exam in the summer to qualify for a seat in the coming school year. No matter how well your did last year all students sit for this exam and if you did not score in the upper 15% then you would not be going to school in the coming school year. This exam was big deal to the kids in India (unlike in America where education is a given) and the kids were concerned because they knew no school meant they were off to the field to work from sun up to sun down. Well all of the kids came forward for prayer and as the kids were coming the LORD spoke to me, “by a show of hands ask the kids who studied and the ones who did not study tell them to go back to their eats.” So I did as the LORD wanted and I was surprised to see many kids turn around (at least they were honest) and go back to their seats. The ones who studied I prayed for to do well on their summer exam. All of the kids wanted to hear from the LORD “divine guidance,” but most quickly learned divine guidance from the LORD comes only by way of obedience to the LORD. Jeremiah knew God yet he felt utterly dependent upon God. “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walks to direct his steps.” (Jeremiah 10:23) The LORD’s approval is with those who are dependent upon Him; those who seek counsel from His mouth. Because of one act of disobedience the human race fell and that one act of disobedience cost the Son of God His life. Some of the consequences of being out of the will of God are seen when Israel (and often us) continued in her disobedience to God. “And among these nations shall you find no ease, neither shall the sole of your foot have rest: but the Lord shall give you there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind.” (Deuteronomy 28:65) Did you know there are conditions which are symptomatic of being out of the will of God like: uneasiness, restlessness, uncertainty, fearfulness, lack of assurance, discontent, and spiritual bondage? There are others, but these indicate something is out of alignment in our relationship with the LORD. When these conditions are present we would do well to consider our having missed the will and purpose of the LORD. Knowing the mind of God in matters that pertain to us is very important. Guidance can be divided into two distinct categories: “unconditional” and “conditional” guidance. Unconditional guidance is God guiding us in His sovereign grace, independent of anything we do, or do not do. Now many of us could testify that the LORD had been guiding us unconditionally (in spite of our heart condition) before we were saved to be able to bring us to a place of salvation. However, conditional guidance is much different because there are conditions that must be met in order to enjoy what we might call divine guidance. There are times when we need wisdom and direction from the LORD and He has promised to grant such help. Here are some conditions we must meet to be able to receive God’s divine guidance. One condition for this guidance is unselfishness. When we are selfish we incur the disfavor of God for selfishness is the very opposite of the love of God. The love of God is a love that gives. The more we love the Lord the more unselfish we will be toward our fellow human beings. If we want to enjoy the continuous leading of God in our lives we must have a burden and concern for others. Another condition for guidance is for us to trust in God. Solomon said, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) We cannot foresee the future. Therefore we should prayerfully make our decisions giving God the opportunity to redirect us because only He knows what is ahead. We must maintain a position in which we can say (to the best of our knowledge) we are moving in the ways and will of the LORD and desire His correction. We should not hurry the LORD because sometimes He takes us only one step at a time. Still another condition is sincerity of heart is another factor. Jeremiah reveals a condition for this guidance, “For you dissembled in your hearts, when you sent me to the Lord your God, saying, Pray for us according to all that the Lord our God shall say, so declare it to us, and we will do it.” (Jeremiah 42:20) A dissembling in our hearts is making a false pretense in intention. They had already determined that if God told them to not go to Egypt they would go anyway. They did and carried the Prophet Jeremiah with them. We cannot expect God to guide us unless we are sincere and willing to obey His Word. Another condition for guidance is patience or our being willing to wait for the LORD. Sometimes God is silent because we already know His will, yet we ask God again thinking that He might change His mind. God may change His mind and let us have our own way, but remember what is written: “He gave them (the children of Israel) their requests (the desires of their heart), but sent leanness into their souls.” (Psalm 106:15) When God has not spoken it is better to wait than to move on our own. We should abide in the circumstance and place to which we are called, until the LORD speaks differently. Sometimes the LORD waits to see whether we really desire His will or whether we are bent on having our own way with or without His guidance. Do not take the silence of God to be equivalent to consent. Did you know there is a huge distinction between instruction and teaching? Instruction reveals the principles of divine guidance while teaching helps us to receive and move in divine guidance. The LORD may teach us to discern His will through our circumstances or problems. Therefore, we must understand the principals of guidance. The LORD has promised to guide us (Psalms 32:8) even when we are not aware of our need for guidance, but this guidance by intimation what God does want for us. If we desire guidance we must be pliable. “The meek will He guide in judgment; and the meek will He teach His way” (Psalm 25:9). This meekness is a pliability that enables the LORD to guide us gently rather than by the force of circumstances. Guidance can come through the Word of God, the Holy Spirit, or by divine providence. The LORD in His wisdom has given us these three clocks so when we are in a difficulty, if the Word, the Spirit, and divine providence agree as one we have a three-fold factor of safety and we then can be reasonably sure that we are hearing from the Lord. Still another form of guidance relates to personal integrity. Again Solomon said, “The integrity of the upright shall guide them….” (Proverbs 11:3) There is guidance by integrity (standards of righteousness) that we receive from the written Word of God. The LORD would have us to be guided by principles of integrity where we do what is right even though we could evade it. The Word of God establishes standards of right and wrong and the LORD expects us to adhere to these standards without special revelation. We do not need a revelation to discover that we are obligated to obey the Word. There are those who seemingly receive a special revelation which either modifies or supersedes the Word of God. I have a friend who thinks God needs to tell him by some special revelation to move into the community of a church he seeks to pastor is just presumptive, lacks spiritual discernment, and plain down arrogant. The Spirit of God will never give any revelation which in any way takes from, adds to, or modifies the written Word of God. God is very concerned about our integrity and our character. Are our words true? Are our motives honest? Do we do what we say or change like the wind when it benefits us. Let us be like Paul who said even though an angel should say anything to the contrary let him be accursed. The Spirit of God will never violate the Word of God. The Word of God stands preeminent as an infallible means of guidance when rightly understood. Last there is an aspect of divine guidance that is the restraint of the Spirit of God. For instance when Paul sought to go into Asia he was forbidden by the Holy Spirit. And when he wanted to go into Bithynia, “the Spirit suffered them not” or did not permit them. The Spirit restrains or confirms through our being checked or by the witness of His peace. Did you know there is a differentiation between peace with God and the peace of God? Peace with God has to do with our relationship with God while the peace of God has to do with our walk. Peace with God comes first whereby the enmity between us and God is removed. The peace of God should follow soon after, but not all Christians who have peace with God also have the peace of God. The peace of God comes through our walking in the Spirit and is a state of tranquility and rest produced in our heart by the Spirit. It is a supernatural peace that passes all understanding. It keeps us at rest in the midst of conflict, difficulty, and enables us to say, praise the LORD. The peace of God is one of the forms of guidance restraining us by an inner unrest, uncertainty, or confirming and is a certain course of action by a witness, satisfaction, or a deep inner rest. The peace of God can be described negatively, positively, experientially, positional, and judicially. It is not a mere absence of disturbance, but a conscious rest which is independent of circumstances, favorable, or unfavorable. Jesus taught in principle, “My sheep know my voice.” Many have often said, “But how do I know it is the voice of the Spirit?” One of the best ways to learn the recognition of His voice is like these sheep; they had learned to recognize His voice through continued association and hearing. If we are interested in the recognition of His voice we must see to it that we live and walk in close association with Him and in doing so we will hear the divine guidance we so badly need to hear. Written by David Stahl

DISPUTING GOD'S WORD

Right after Karen and I moved to Sneads Ferry I saw a note in the Topsail Advertiser (a local publication) for a pastor position at a local community church. I prayed about it and felt the LORD saying to contact them to at least fill the pulpit while they were looking for a new a pastor. There we met some really great folks who have a heart for God (we still talk with many today) and desire to know Him in a greater way. They gave me five services to speak; I thank God for them and for the opportunities to share what God has given me. After the Mother’s Day service one of the members (who I really respect) said of my teaching it was the best message he has heard in 11 years. He said he thought they had one of the “big guys” like you see on TV speaking how they enjoyed it. A mid-aged lady came up to me and said I was the most dynamic speaker she has every heard. But the next service was quite different. Two nights (Friday and Saturday night) in a row before I was to speak at this church again on a Sunday morning God woke me up around 2:00 am and gave me three dramatic things I was to share with the church. I was puzzled in all of this, but I know God had a reason unto Himself in all of this so I wrote it down. Sunday service arrived and when called to speak I began to share on the rule of threes how faith operates from John, “Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?” John 11:40) When I was about half done the LORD said, ‘you are through tell them what I told you to write down and go sit down.” I was shocked and thought to myself I was not done, but I teach by the Spirit of God and if He says I am done then I am done. So I stopped in the middle of my teaching and just read the three points God wanted me to read and sat down. The people were bewildered and the leadership scrambled to end the service. Funny as I look back now they thought I was auditioning for a pastor’s position, but I was giving them a word from the LORD. Now make no mistake my friend any time you are led by the LORD most Christians will probably not understand and come to dispute your words. After the service ended a lady sitting in front of us stood up and pulled her wig up and said I am one of the ladies you spoke of with cancer please pray for me and I did. God’s word was confirmed. The lady who said I was the most dynamic speaker she has ever heard came over to me with tears in her eyes and thanked me. Now here is where the bad news comes in. The following day I received a phone call from one (who I honored and also respect) of the pastor search committee members. I could tell he had some bad news by the way he was beating around the bush. I am sure you know what I mean. Well he started by saying one person did not like the way I ended the service, another person said I said something that was not true, and another person just flatly disagreed with what I was saying. I thought how far I have fallen from the grace of these folks. I guess he was waiting for me to defend and justify myself, but I have learned it is God who defends and justifies us before men and if we do it then we make man and not God our judge. I said really? He said, “yes” I said, “okay.” Then God spoke to me and said, “this is why I wanted you to sit down. This is why I woke you up and told you what to say. My son the people were disputing the word of God. They were not disputing you they were disputing My words.” There was a long silence and then I said, “does this mean I am not to speak next Sunday?” And he said, no. Well, next Sunday God had a strong and telling word for the disputers before I shared on the application of faith. My friend being a disputer of the word of God is probably the most dangerous and destructive thing to do in God. We must NEVER no EVER dispute the things of God. If we do not understand them we must never speak against them, but hold these things in our heart in good faith and in time when we are able to understand what we once could not due to our immaturity in God or just God’s time for us to understand them we will have the revelation we lacked. Being a disputer of God’s word is a big deal to God. This is one of the fastest ways out of God. In Acts we read where Stephen was teaching and there arose disputers, “And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. 9Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. 10And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.” (Act 6:8-10) The church is full of Christians who dispute what God says and does and at the heart of disputing God’s word is always unbelief and ungratefulness. The word “disputing” here is Strong’s #1256; to think different things with one’s self, mingle thought with thought, to argue and disagree. Later on in the story with Stephen we see where the disputing turns from words to action and Stephen’s life is taken. This is the heart of disputing: anger, wrath, and violence. After some time of preaching by Stephen the disputers had heard enough, “When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 55But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 57Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 58And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.” (Acts 7:54-58) And Stephen became the first martyr of the faith. All throughout the Gospels Jesus daily contended for the faith with disputers. If not the Sadducees or the Pharisees then it was the disciples who disputed His words to them. Make no mistake my friend disputers will kill you (spiritually and sometimes physically as with Stephen) if you stand for the truth. One vital lesson we must learn today is the servant is not greater than the Master. Jesus stood up for the truth and resisted the disputers of the word of God, and for this they killed Him. Count the cost my friend if we stand for the truth they will kill us too. I can tell you of church after church of how the disputers arose up and killed the Spirit of God among the people to such a degree God closed the doors of the church. Paul told the Church at Ephesus and us today, “For we wrestle 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) Now this verse is NOT talking about demonic powers having sway in our lives as most churches teach, but is addressing the fighting and disputing going on at the Church at Ephesus and to the persecution they were facing from the Roman principalities, powers, and rulers of their day. Paul said, we fight (or wrestle) not among one another (flesh and blood), but “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” those worldly influences that would cause us to be moved out of God. I know putting demonic beings at the center of all of this makes it seem more spiritual, but all that does is cover the truth deceiving the people and preventing the real work of God from not being done in hearts and lives. Back in verse 11 we read, “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11) Yes the devil is mentioned here so naturally we continue on down the path of everything being demonic, but that is not what Paul is saying here. Paul is talking about the “wiles of the devil” we are to put on the whole armor of God (listed in verses Ephesians 6:14-18) so we can stand and withstand the subtle approaches (wiles) of the devil. My friend principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places are not very subtle in operation or function there is nothing subtle here. Paul was talking about how the devil can use people; disputers to cause problems among brothers and sisters in a local body to cause division, strife, wrath, and envy and every evil work. This was the same heart condition Paul dealt with the Church at Corinth. Paul told them, “Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. 18For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. 19For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.” (1 Corinthians 11:17-19) Did you get that, “ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.” In other words Paul was saying it would be best if they all do not come to church. The word “heresies” here in the Greek is Strong’s #139 which means dissensions arising from diversity of opinions and aim, not teaching amiss of what Christ taught. There was strife and division because everyone had their own opinion, because they were disputers of the word like many Christians today. When you find a church that is full of disputers of the word of God you find a church that compromises what it values and believes. This was the case with the Church in Corinth whereby they adopted ungodly practices (even sexual practices) into their services mixing the things of God with pagan idol worship. I find churches with disputers will start off slowly compromising on church doctrinal statements and beliefs and then lose their way in Christian life-style and spiritual authority. They think big a crowd on Sunday and signs and wonders are a reason to compromise the truth, but God is not after quantity He is after quality. God is not interested (like most Christians) in signs and wonders, He is after a change in our character to where we reflect the image of His dear Son Jesus Christ and disputing the word of God will never get us there. An increase in attendance is no reason to think a church is spiritually healthy. Remember if the crowd is running after you, God is not. On my fifth and last opportunity to share at this church I was talking about the application of faith and I made the statement by the Spirit of God, “this is not your church” (this is a family owned church) some lady sitting behind Karen openly replied I am sure for Karen’s benefit, “yes it is.” Open disrespect for me and the word of God. It is no wonder they are in need of a pastor, it is no wonder they argue, backbite, and eat one another. I wonder why Paul told the Church at Galatia, “But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. 16This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:15-16) Because they too were disputing the word of God. Those who walk after the flesh are disputers of the word of God and are not led by the Spirit of God. My friend God measures a man (and a church) not by their talents, abilities, looks, spiritual gifts, or intellect, but by their heart condition, their character, and their obedience to His word and truth. Walter Beuttler once said, “if we build God a house of devotion He will build us a ministry” well . . . as great as this is I would add one other condition; that we not dispute His word. Written by David Stahl

A DISCIPLINED SPIRIT

In the early Church there was a manifestation of the life of Christ that was powerful enough to move an entire nation. Rome was greatly affected by it and nations ever since have been affected by it. Although the members of this early Church had received the Holy Spirit and were used in the gifts of the Holy Spirit there were “spiritual qualities” that permeated these gifts which caused this powerful impact upon nations. Jesus said that He would give us the power to become “His witnesses.” This includes the ability to do the works that He did, but there is to be more than this moving in our lives. He was referring to a quality of life, an element of the Spirit which would become a point for our lives to be moored and our walk with the LORD that transcends good works and miracles. The first factor that is common to building a Christian life is also common in the building of the Church. Thus, the tutoring that is directed toward the individual is also given for the whole body. In Acts Luke writes, “But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses (martyr) . . . ” (Acts 1:8) This is not speaking of a “power” to go out and witness for each individual needs or power from God to tell others about the good news of the Gospel nor is this a power to go out and cast out demons and devils they were already doing this, but this baptism is to be the dynamic power (Greek – dunamis; it is where we get the word dynamite ) by which the Church will be built and it is to be the power that governs the discipline for our spirit so that we do not get off track. God gives us power not to live and do mighty things for Him, but to die to our selfish carnal desires. Jesus said, “if you lose your life for my sake surely you shall find it.” Did you know it takes great power and strength to die? Here in Acts 1:8 God gives us power to be a martyr in all the world and for sure the disciples and those who followed Christ knew this all too well. I would think if God gives us more time we may get to experience the price the early church paid to follow Christ. What is a disciplined spirit? This is a military term. Paul often used many military terms. The word here is used in connection with a General who has been disciplined in order to give discipline. He himself is under discipline so that the authority he now exercises will have a backing. One may have both power and even love, but unless there is a “disciplined spirit” behind them they will accomplish little. If you are not discipled in the natural/physical realm you probably will not be discipled in the spiritual realm, now these are not mutually exclusive, but they have a correlated core of characteristics that parallel in the inward and external man. Over the years Karen and I have eaten healthy and exercised, but old age has a way of putting weight on, so Karen and I have determined to lose weight before we our weight kills us. Sadly most Americans are 15-25 pounds overweight and in the southern States there is an epidemic of diabetes caused by obesity that is killing 1,000s daily. So we are pleased to report (as of this article) Karen has lost15 lbs and I lost 30 lbs (for me 40 more lbs to go) which takes great discipline on our part. It is no difference in the spiritual realm. The LORD showed through us disciplining (and I have been a mad man here) our eating habits, taking great caution to our life-style, and our manners we will gain the benefits we seek of weight loss and a healthy more productive life. As Karen says, “eat to live not live to eat.” Well it is no different in the spiritual realm when we exercise our spirit by the Spirit of God, read God’s word, pray for others, watch our words and our attitudes we will ensure optimal spiritual health. I wonder why we think we can be sloppy in both the physical and the spiritual realm and still be found pleasing to God? We will never ever have a disciplined spirit until there is some spiritual growth and development in our lives. Spiritual growth and maturity is a fruit of a disciplined spirit and without it we will become sloppy and fat eating at the table of God, but never coming to any understanding, maturity, or capability in the things of God and His ways. To destroy someone’s all you have to do is let them come up with two visions. We must have a vision for what God wants us to do in our lives, it is the faith and belief in the vision is what keep us going in tough times. In Proverbs we read, “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” (Proverbs 29:18) Now this vision is not some good idea to build a franchise or think what you want to be in five years, but a personal word spoken by God to you about something He wants you to do. And notice where there is no personal word from God, “the people perish.” The word “perish” here means to cast off restraint or know no limitations or restrictions. Why would we cast off restraint when Jesus talks about us entering into a yoke with Him? Because we have not allowed God to work a disciplined spirit into our lives a spirit that knows when to talk and when not to talk, a spirit that knows how to give honor when honor is due, a spirit that knows they cannot do or say something when others may, and so much more. Many Christians today are perishing (both physically and spiritually) because they do not know restraint, limitations, and restrictions in their lives. These Christians are double-minded, they may be nice folks and if they would die they may (God makes that call) go to heaven, but they do not know discipline, commitment, dedication, and do not have the ability to follow the Spirit of God in the things God has asked them to do. James said it this way, “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:6-7) Now it says, “a double minded man is unstable in all his ways” not just the way the man has lost his way, but the verse says “all” and when the Bible says “all” it means “all.” In everything this man does his ways are unstable. This is why it seems he is tossed and driven by the wind he wavers on righteous decisions that would lead him to do the right things in God. In our September 2012 newsletter I talk about a young zealous preacher I met. At first things were on track (he was greatly drawn to the ways of the Spirit) and we talked often over email and the phone, but as I started to introduce him to the things of the Spirit he drew back and began to dispute my words and the project that brought us together fell by the wayside not because it was not God’s will, but because this young zealous preacher got side tracked thinking God had something else (that satisfied his flesh and family more) for him to do instead of doing what God has called him to do and in spite of two supernatural confirmations from God revealing His plan to him again, yet he wavered. My friend God rarely goes back to show us His will a third time. He expects us to be able to see what He wants and expects us to move in it, He then will take care of the details. In the end something God wanted to happen was set on the self at the cost of his own selfish desires. My friend God NEVER gives us two visions we are the ones that takes on the second vision that confuses us and gets us off track to what God wants us to do. Just read the Bible nowhere did God tell someone to do something and then give him something else to do; nor does God change His mind as if to say He made a mistake, oh no it is us who disputes God’s word to us so we can (most often) do what we want to do and satisfy our flesh. God is single minded and focused. God has a purpose and a plan He has an end in mind and no one ever reached His goal without a disciplined spirit. Did you know there is a fine line between working with someone and using someone to get something accomplished? If not careful in God we can use people while thinking we are working with them to achieve what God wants us to do. Guard your heart my friend and allow no one access that you have not observed for some time and then take heed many people (includes Christians) are skilled at manipulation. Not that I am all knowing and have made it, but I find such Christians and church leaders are insecure within themselves and not sure of who they are in God, not sure if God spoke to them, and not sure where they are going in God. These folks my friend are very dangerous to the body of Christ, but these are the folks that seem to be out in front leading the Body of Christ. But if the leaders are off target missing the mark then the followers will follow and miss the mark also. Churches are filled (I have seen them and I have taught in them) with Christians who have been led astray by their leaders and do not even know it. These are the same Christians who run to people for help instead of God. People who get off track in God seem to have a strange sympathy and tolerance for each other while running to this person or the next person to find someone who will agree with them, well God does not operate that way. Forgiveness is there if we get off track, but we must recognize we are off track and then we must get back on track and only God can provide that information since He was the one who spoke originally. Take heed to the people in your lives! Although Jesus teaches us the necessity of receiving this power, it is dangerous to allow its impact to overrule us. The same power that we feel when we are filled with the Spirit is the very power that can make us almost irrational with its moving. In response to a manifestation of this power, we feel that we must do something, but we are not quite sure what it is. Then we become agitated and confused because the result was not what we expected. We must come to understand that there is another element must be added – discipline. In the building of our spiritual life the field of motivation must be carefully thought about. There must be a right motivation behind each manifestation, as we respond to the power of the Holy Spirit moving within us. God gave John (one of the sons of thunder in Mark 3:15) a vision and in it He covered every element of the earthly realm: the world, all creation, the skies, moon, stars, animals, trees, people, cities, nations, floods, winds, thunder, lightening. The Lord was after John; He is after us, even more than He is interested in anything we will ever be able to do for Him. God took every tangible thing that John had ever known and used it all to make a most complicated, yet marvelous display. God has thundered in Revelation. But, did you hear John thunder in Revelation? No, all that was gone. What is the difference now? God is thundering through John. God did not call John because he could thunder. He did not want John's thunder. He wanted John’s “capacity” for thunder, so that He could thunder through him. A marvelous change has taken place within his spirit. When John came back from the Isle of Patmos, we read, “Little children, let us love one another.” There is a softness, a tenderness, a brokenness, and a graciousness that was not evident when John thundered. So it is with our development. We have this capacity for thunder within us, but He will let us move along, for awhile, in our own thunder. But someday God will come after us and say, “I am going to dry up your thunder.” He will put us on an “Isle of Patmos” and everyone will wonder what in the world is wrong with us. He is bringing forth a disciplined spirit within this one and unless we allow God to built this discipled spirit in us we will never be able to function in God correctly, we will be running wild in the Spirit; singing and dancing about liberty and freedom, but never coming to the freedom and liberty through His restrictions and limitations. When God begins to deal with us to accomplish within us His purposes let us not be fearful; He has not given us a spirit of fear rather He has given us power (to establish a disciplined spirit), love, and a sound mind. He has a purpose in view for us, both in time and in the ages to come. We are safe and secure in the hands of the living God knowing, “He who has begun a good work in you will also finish it.” (Philippians 1:5) Written by David Stahl

TRUE HEARTS EXPOSED

My friend did you know God has His ways of exposing truth and our heart condition for all in the world to see? Sadly this was the case at the Democratic National Convention (DNC). I am not sure if you missed it or not, but the Chairman of the DNC tried to reverse the original Democratic platform on two critical points; first to recognize Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel and the second point (which still baffles me today) to include the word “God” in what they believe. Now I am sure the Democratic leadership changed their position based on the potential loss of votes from Christians in their party and more important because of the Jewish vote in Florida which is huge, but both were wrong reasons to change. Jesus told us, “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” (Matthew 12:34) Whatsoever is really in our heart will come out our mouth and we will be exposed for what we really believe, this is how truth operates. My Christian brothers and sisters the election in November is really about what is in our hearts (for all in the world to see) not what we believe about politics or what political party we belong, but what we really stand for and believe before God and man. Remember our testimony is not what we say, but what others see us do. This election in November is a test for the Church in America to find out what it really stands for either the truth found in the word of God or will it be moved by swelling words of promise and a better day in the sweet by and by. This election in November will reveal the true heart condition of every person who calls themselves a Christian whether they be of truth or a liar, this is how integrity and honesty works. How can you call yourself a Christian and deny the written word of God in favor of politics? How can one support a party that gives credence to a society that endorses things God calls an abomination (which is open rebellion) and still call themselves a Christian? If you think you can you only deceive yourself and the truth is not in you. It is true in November we will decide what kind of country we want to be, but it will NOT be a vote about jobs, our economy, our foreign policy, it will not even be an ideology vote between candidates, but it will be a vote on what kind of country we want America to be spiritually. Do we want to be a country that values life or snuffs life out often based on selfish convenience? Do we want a country that supports marriage (the bedrock of every culture and civilization) or a country that says anything goes: two men, two women, one man and four women, what is next animals? The Bible tells us in Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked who can know it?” God and those who know God. Do we want a country that is founded on the God-given foundational truths and principles of the U.S. Constitution or do we want a country that is subject to ever increasing international laws and is governed by global consensus? You can vote and I encourage you to, but if you vote for a party that sanctions same sex marriage, glorifies the creation while denying the existence of the Creator, validates the indefensible murder of babies especially babies partially born, and does not even want to mention the mere name of God please do not call yourself a Christian it is an insult to the billions of Christians who have laid down their lives for the Gospel message throughout the ages and an affront and an open handed slap to the face of a Holy God. President Obama is our president, but he is not our king. As a Christian we live in a different kingdom, we answer to a higher power, we answer to the King of kings, we are measured NOT by our political positions, birth rights, or even the color of our skin, but our character, we are measured by God’s word and His laws. I am not a Democrat, Independent, or Republican I am a Christian and my faith in God and in His word compels me to vote for the truth. Do we want a country where God is some afterthought and not spoken in society I think not, but make no mistake my friend all hearts will be revealed, God will see to it. The choice is ours. Written by David Stahl

DIRECTION FOR OUR LIVES

When God formed man and breathed life into him, He placed within man an objective, a direction for his life. Now this objective and direction is like a prize that is placed before us, a goal to be reached. Paul told the Church at Philippi this way, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth to those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14) Sadly some Christians have made heaven their goal; others make a ministry their goal and focus their prayers and efforts on their work and themselves instead of others as God has purposed our prayers to be. Whatever we may do or accomplish for God in life is never to be the “goal” to which we are to attain. Rather, it is the means by which the Lord causes us to come through to the objective that He has placed before us. As a present reality this objective for our lives is calling out from deep within us to stir us to attain it. Thus Paul prayed, “But I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12) All of the things that we do for Jesus are splendid, but we are not to become so involved in them that we lose our perspective and sight. These things will eventually pass away therefore, we must only become involved enough to get from them that which the Lord intends. In a school room there are many books to study. But these are not the education we seek; they are merely the collateral that helps to produce it. We receive our education by becoming a reacting agent, and allowing all these factors to play upon us. It is like our ministry, for through it, the Lord is doing something creative within us. He will never ask us how much work we have done for Him, but He will ask what has that work done within us. All this will be registered upon our immortal spirit, and will do something within these marvelous beings that we are, so we will not be the same as we were when He first saved us. There is to be within us a progression; our spiritual development and growth toward spiritual maturity. I am saved, but how far have I come into this process of “becoming” that which Jesus desires me to be? If heaven or my ministry is not to be an objective then what is to be held up before us to which we can focus my living? Ah that is an easy question, “Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (I Corinthians 10:31) and “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God gives: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever.” (1 Peter 4:11) The Lord has placed before us the “glory of God” as the objective that will require all that we are and have to submitted to Him. To glorify the Lord fully we first must come to know the heart of the God of the universe. The first vocation which was placed upon man when God created him was to know God and out from knowing God (our direction in life) we come to know the glory of God. We were made in God’s image and all that God put within man screams of God’s desire for man to come and have a personal intimate relationship with Him and the prize is God will be able to reveal His glory to man. God could only reveal a small portion of His glory to Adam and Eve because of their willful disobedience. Did you know our disobedience stops God’s glory in our lives? Our sin (carnal nature of earthly man) and our sins (individual acts of the flesh even after we are saved) were dealt with through Jesus’ death on the cross. God is not offended by sin man is. As matter of fact because of man’s sin God sent His son (Jesus) to earth to die for our sin and our sins. Sin is the occasion for God’s mercy and grace given freely to man. I hear many Christians say when Jesus died on the cross He cried out, “My God My God why has thou forsaken Me” and then God the Father turned His back on His only begotten Son because He could not look at His Son with sin, but in reality God looks at sin every day when He sees unrepentant men or women. Now please do not miss my point here; our sin nature is evil and we must allow the finished work of Jesus on the cross be the answer to our earthly, carnal nature and if we are sinning we must stop it, ask God (and maybe man) to forgive us, and never do it again, but what I am saying is our disobedience is far more evil than our sin to our soul. At the heart of our sins (our sin is our nature) is doing that which God told us not to do. The act of murder, committing adultery, lying, bearing false witness, etc. (even though heinous) does not make us a sinner, but doing what God told us not to do makes us a sinner, sin is to know right but do wrong. Adam eating the fruit was not the sin. Does eating fruit (even the same fruit Adam ate) today make us a sinner? No of course not it was Adam’s disobedience. “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” (Genesis 2:16-17) Adam became a sinner because he was disobedient doing what God told him not to do. Paul told the Church in Rome, “Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19For as by one man’s disobedience (Adam) many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one (Jesus) shall many be made righteous.” (Romans 5:18-19) Please notice because of Adam’s disobedience and not sin “many were made sinners” and because of the obedience of one (Jesus’) “shall many be made righteous.” Again in Romans (8:35-39) Paul asks the question, “who shall separate us from the love of God?” Well the answer to this critical question is our own willful disobedience to God (especially when we know better) can separate us and cut us off from God’s glory. We will never be able to know God’s glory unless we come to know and understand Him. If we lose our way here we lose our direction for our lives. We are to know God personally and we are to “glorify God” in all we are and do. When God made man He placed him in a garden and set him apart to know Him and bring glory to Him not to help Him do something. Man was made to know God and give Him glory for who He is, not what He can do for us. But we are born into sin and come short of His glory. Sin comes from a Greek word which means, “to miss the mark” the failure to do that for which it was made. The arrow (man) was made and pointed to hit the bull’s eye (knowing God and His glory), but it has missed the objective for which it was designed. This is sin, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Why are we sinners? Because we have come short of knowing God and His glory, the things for which we were made. Whenever God does not receive the glory that should come to Him, we sin. Did you know my friend we can keep the Ten Commandments all the days of our lives and never come to know God and His glory and when we die we could (God makes this decision) go to hell? Many years ago Pastor Nicu Gramesc from Suceava, Romania (whom I love very much) told me something one day that has always stuck with me; there are three “Gs” of God we must never touch; God’s gold, God’s girls, and God’s glory. Man was made for a mark called the “glory of God” and we come to this mark by knowing Him. How then are we to glorify God? If we are willing to abandon ourselves in the very root of our being to Him, God will take us into His possession. He will cleanse us and bring us into an orientation around Him, instead of around our ego - “I.” You know I can tell where someone is in God by how they pray (self-centered), how they give (selfish), and how they use the word “I” (self-serving). We are born egocentric therefore He has to bring us into a new orientation of thinking and service. After God formed Adam He placed the benediction of His approval upon him being well pleased with His arrangement and creation, but Adam was innocent and had not yet functioned as God totally purposed being still “limited and dependent” on God. The instrument (man) was there, but it had not yet moved out where it could come to know God and glorify Him. The LORD says, I will now push you out into an arrangement here on earth and make a new law in the realm of your spiritual living (Genesis 2:16-17) – the law of testing and proving. This is the only way to develop and bring us to a place where God’s glory can be released. God’s nature is a gift. We become a partaker of the divine nature purely on the basis of a gift. He gives us salvation, but He cannot give us a Christian character. We have to build it; we are to grow and learn to subject our ego continually to all the arrangements which God has placed in our life activities to release us and set us free for the real thing that He desires. As we come to know Him and as we do the will of God He is automatically glorified for He is glorified whenever His will is done. Whenever God acts in a creative mood it is to His glory. He made the heavens and these declare His glory. What is our objective in living? It is to come to know God so we can come to know His glory. How can we do it, by accepting the will of God in for our lives. Therefore God knowing who and what we are places within our lives all the material that is necessary to reshape, recast, and make over that which He desires us to be. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) He can take the most disturbing thing in our lives and turn it 180, making it become the means of His glory. “For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son.” (Romans 8:29) God’s objective is that through all the things that He subjects us to, He is conforming us to the image of His Son. He is approaching us because of His Son and what He sees in Him, He is tracing upon our spirit, that we may be “conformed to His image.” For one day He will take us not just to heaven, but to be eternally associated with the Son. When we see this we will be able to accept the trials, the discipline, the testings, and provings; for we see that this is the will of God and through it He will trace upon our immortal spirit the image and likeness of His Son. Only then will we find the satisfaction and fulfillment for which we were created and only then can we render the glory back to Him that is due and learn of the direction for our lives that will accomplish God’s purpose and intention for our lives. Written by David Stahl

NO HOPE AND CHANGE YET

Back in July I wrote a letter to the editor that was published on 29 July called “Shooting in Colorado comes as no surprise” and ended it with these words, “It is not God bless America as I hear people sing, but it is America bless God. Oh America return back to days of your youth, if not I will quickly come and remove your candlestick from the world,” thus says the LORD.” Now I am sure most readers blew me off and ignored my musings as idle babble, but if you are honest and if you take a closer look at what has happened in our society since then you will discover my words are true as is God’s word. Since the movie theater mass murder in Denver, CO on 20 July 12, seven people were killed by a white supremacist at a Sikh Temple in Oak Creek, WI on 5 August 12, a guard was wounded by a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocate on 15 August 12 at the Family Research Council office in Washington DC, and then on 24 August 12 two people were killed and 9 wounded on the steps of the tallest building in New York City. Please do not tell me God is not taking His hands off of America. As bad as all of this carnage was, what was NOT reported by our national media was even more chilling. As reported by the Chicago Tribune: since 25 August at 6:00 (CST) four people have been killed and 12 wounded in separate incidents. Between 23 and 24 August 12 (in Chicago) there has been 19 people shot and of those 13 were shot in a 30 minute period. So far this year in Chicago there has been 328 homicides and 2,217 shootings. In 2011 there were 441 homicides. I wonder why these mass murders and shootings have not been reported through our national media outlets? Maybe these mass murders and shootings are not news worthy in Chicago. Maybe this violence has become common place in Chicago’s society? Please do not try to tell me God is NOT taking his hands off of America. My friend God is not mocked, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” (Galatians 6:7-8) If the American people keep shaking their fist at God and His word, in defiance, God will have no recourse than to take His hands completely off of America letting us go after our own desires. These shootings in Chicago (and around America) is not a gun control issue as many career politicians make it out to be nor is it a poverty, education, racial, or even a break down of the family issue as professionals would have you to believe, but it is a heart issue whereby the American people have turned their hearts away from God and His ways and now all God can do is slowly take His hands off of America giving us what we want based on our decisions and choices. The news media is all a twitter with the politics of today, but it does not matter who is in the White House if God is not seated on the throne of America our nation is through. The President is not in charge of America nor is the Senate and House of Representatives, God and God alone hold the keys to life and death for America. God controls everything and God said, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14) Now it is important to know this verse was not written to people that do not believe in God and His ways, but to people who “are called by my name.” And the bottom line (as it has always been) America’s future depends not on the government nor on non-believers, but on those who say they know God and have been called by His name. Will we do our reasonable service: humble ourselves, pray, seek God’s face, turn from our wicked ways? Oh I will vote too and I will vote the Bible; you cannot call yourself a Christian and vote for people who do not believe what God’s word says no matter how much you lie to yourself. God is slowly taking His hands off America we can see this from the death and destruction in our society and we can even see it in the weather patterns; no it is NOT global warming, it God taking His hands off of America and He has not changed His mind yet. Written by David Stahl

THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD

A week or so ago I was talking with a good friend of mine at the fitness center where Karen and I go (it is on base and free) and we got on the topic of emotions in the church and he made the statement emotions are good in God and made the comparison of the presence of the LORD is our emotions, well I just shuddered and thought if my friend (and I like him a lot) has this thinking then many more Christians are probably confused between the presence of the LORD and their emotions. I asked my good friend if the presence of the LORD is the same feeling he gets when his favorite team is on the verge of scoring a goal, full of excitement, and emotion, and he replied yes. I just shook my head in amazement because the presence of the LORD is something more special in our lives, something far greater than a fleshly emotional response to feelings, situations, circumstances, or a thrill down our backs. After some time of thinking on our conversation the LORD gave me this article. Did you know we pay a price for every last thing we get from God? I pay a price for it and I want to. He is not going to baby us we have to learn that and that is not pleasant. The further we go in God the less He is going to honor our fields of emotion. We will have to learn to walk with the LORD without His conscious presence at times which can be terrifying, but never the less this is what God expects from mature developed children. Less and less are we dependent on our old devotional patterns, our emotional approach to God, or getting tickled or thrilled (what many Christians call blessed) by God that serve our living. How can faith, trust, and rest develop in us if God is going to honor us along our emotional life? In those difficult places of life we will never be able to synchronize with what God is doing in our lives with our fluctuating emotions it just cannot happen. Our emotions must be dealt a death blow by God and never be allowed to run parallel with our experiences and learning in God. We must grow up and emotional Christians have not. I think another reason why we are confused about the presence of the LORD today in the church is because of the deliberate decision, by many denominations and religions, NOT to make disciples as Jesus told us to do. Jesus did not command us to make converts, oh no Jesus told us to make disciples, but this my friend takes many years of hard, one-on-one work, it is far easier to make a convert than a disciple. Less time spent, no real money invested, and you get to tally them on your people saved tally sheet. They say if all of the people the missionaries say were saved each year the world would be saved twice over each year. Who cares how many people get saved? We are NOT to make converts, but disciples! Jesus said, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19Go ye therefore, and teach (Strong’s #3100, to disciple, to follow His precepts and instructions, to teach, instruct) all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Mathew 28:18-20) Jesus was given “ALL” power (to make disciples) from the Father and Jesus gave us the power NOT to make converts, but make disciples. We are to be making disciples from all nations not converts, but that is not what we see. The focus in most churches and overseas ministry is salvation; now this is important, but not the focus of God. God’s focus is making disciples. God has a divine spiritual principle – seed after seed. If an apple seed is planted then an apple tree will grow and the tree will reproduce like seed again and again. Whatsoever is planted in our lives will reproduce. Spiritually this is why it is better to be a tree eater than a fruit eater and this is why it matters who your teacher is. This too is why we have so many evangelists and preachers and not so many teachers. It is easier to be an evangelist or preacher, but is much tougher in God to be a teacher, especially if they teach by the Spirit. Evangelists and preachers proclaim, but teachers explain. Acquiring the knowledge and wisdom from God to be able to explain the word of God will exact a heavy toll on relationships and is far more costly to our flesh. So the more converts you have (and not mature men and woman of God) the more emotionalism you will see. Many evangelists, pastors, and preachers measure the response by the people to the message by how many people run down to the altar, well there are few things we need to learn here. An emotional response to the word of God is not a move of God. I hear many evangelists, pastors, and preachers say the Spirit moved today in church, but if you press then on what is “moved” you will find a few folks walked down to the altar and had a time of prayer, well this is not a move of God. A response to the word of God is not seen in a tearful run to the altar, but in change to one’s character. I can remember growing up as a child in church when suddenly an unsolicited the power of the LORD (not the presence of the LORD, but His power) would drop like a ton of bricks, no piano playing softly, no one twisting arms or hearts to come forward to be converted just POW it was on us and we knew it was power of God; not an emotional approach to God with music, pleading, or our feelings just the power of God. It has been many years since something like that has happened. God’s presence comes to us we cannot go to it. His presence is a thing of the Spirit. We cannot pray it up, work it up by singing, dancing, or listening to our favorite Christian CD or DVD, or even preach it up, it is a thing of the Spirit and if we do not get it by the Spirit our flesh can never produce or conger it up. Moses asked God, “Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. 14And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. 15And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. 16For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.” (Exodus 3:14-16) Here in these verses are some requirements and intents of God with regards to the presence of the LORD in our lives. The intent of the presence of the LORD is for knowing what God wants in any given situation or circumstance, not to make us feel good. God is not trying to make us happy or feel good. God started something in the Book of Genesis and He has NOT changed His mind. God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:26) God is still in the process of making man (God’s grand goal in our lives) in His own image and righteous living (where we just live right without having to think or pray about being right) is the requirement to have the presence of the LORD abide continually and does not come and go like an endless ebb and flow of victory and defeat that is in most Christians lives. I wonder what life would be like if we walked continually in the presence of the LORD? The progression in God is faith, trust, rest. We come to God by faith, but as we walk with Him we must progress far beyond faith and move into a place of trust. Job said, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” (Job 13:15). Esther said, “ . . . if I perish I perish,” (Esther 4:16), but there is a greater place than faith and trust in God where we can be at rest no matter what is moving around us. It would be like we are on the sea of glass before the throne of God 24/7. This place is far beyond the halls of the heroes of the faith, far beyond our sense of truth, and is a place in the Spirit realm that only rest is found. Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29) Verse 28 said, “I will give you rest” and verse 29 says, “ye shall find rest” I wonder which one is it; we will be given rest or we will have to find it? Can you believe both at the same time? When we come to the LORD in faith He gives us rest from sin (salvation) and our fleshly sins (sanctification) if we allow Him to work in our lives, but when we grow in the grace and knowledge of our LORD Jesus Christ and we start maturing in Him we discover the many depths of God (as waterspouts of glory) that establishes and settles us in His presence. Lastly the presence of God is the road we walk on back to the heart of the Father where we all came from. When we compromise our belief of the word of God no matter the goodness involved, we lose our integrity and who we are before God and man. Most people today know a phony when they see him/her and when they see a phony in church they really stick out. I would suggest to you there are four ways we can lose the presence of the LORD in our lives and in some cases our salvation: 

Presumption – Thinking we know right, but in reality we are wrong. The direction of presumption is always up the opposite direction God takes. Presumption always moves without really knowing (guessing at God’s will) what God wants and always leads to loss and death. Now God will not stop someone in presumption He expects them to love Him enough (Christians not sinners get into presumption) to stop and repent of their waywardness. You know it is bad not to know the truth in any given situation, but it is worse not knowing you do not know. The longer one goes in presumption the greater the loss. The loss that is experienced is from what God had originally purposed and planned in our lives during our time in presumption. I have a friend (I have been there before so I know) who is over in presumption (in ministry) not really knowing what God wants for their life. They are working hard and even some good things for God are happening, but this is not God’s will they have left His original purpose for their life and struggle needlessly. God’s will is not hard to find just ask Him and then be brave enough to follow His Spirit. 

Disobedience – Disobedience is the rejection of the throne rights of God. I think disobedience is probably the greatest of all sins. By the disobedience of one man (Adam), all of human race fell; by the obedience of one Christ, the whole human race (Romans 5:19) was saved, that is to say, provision was at least made, but salvation in obedience to God’s word is our choice. If you can picture God sitting on the throne: disobedience is pushing God off His throne and seating ourselves on His throne in His place. Disobedience is the rejection of the throne rights of God. Consequently, God cannot tolerate disobedience, rebellion against His sovereignty. As in the case of Saul, persistence in disobedience will surely rob us of the presence of the LORD and end us in death. 

Substitution – Allowing other things to creep into our lives. How careful we have to be not to let things to creep in that are out of harmony to the purpose of the will of God, even Christian things. Substitution leads to temptation. James warns us, “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” (James 1:14-15) When we start substituting Godly principles for the principles of the world we end in death. God rarely changes His mind with regards to our lives. If God starts us in one direction in ministry we must be very careful not to change direction (even with other ministry) and if God gives us an opportunity to choose we better choose right, if not there will be hell to pay in our family and our life. 

Neglect – Neglecting our devotion and commitment, neglecting the LORD, simply being so preoccupied with things that we pay little attention to the LORD and allow the work of God done in our lives be replaced with carnal things, fleshly things through lusts and hungers for the things of the world and our selfish ambition. The writer to the Hebrews says, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;” (Hebrews 2:3) The answer is we will not, we cannot escape God’s judgment and wrath if we neglect His salvation and turn our back on the presence of the LORD. How precious is the presence of God? It is life or death to us. Written by David Stahl