HONOR AND RESPECT

Honor and respect to God is a big deal. One thing for sure if we cannot give honor and respect to whom honor is due then God cannot use us for service we disqualify ourselves for service. The Bible is very clear about this truth. Paul in Romans warns the Church at Rome, “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.” (Romans 13:7) Rendering or giving honor and respect is mentioned many times in the Bible and not to give respect and honor to those in authority, those older in age, or those who you own a debt is looked on by God as open disobedience to His word. Make no mistake my friend this is a big deal to God. You know it is the small things in our lives that God is really concerned about. Things like our character and our integrity. We think God is more concerned about how well we can sing, dance, or play an instrument even how faithful we are at attending church or even how long we can speak in tongues, well God is not really so concerned about these things as much as He is about our truthfulness and giving honor and respect where due.

As a child growing up in the South I saw the importance of this honor and respect. My father was in the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) and that meant every two or three years we would pull chalks (wheel guards for airplanes) and move to a new duty station. All but three years (living in Braintree, MA) of my father’s 28 years in the USMC was spent below the Mason Dixon Line. In the past in the South you quickly learned about southern hospitality. I am still amazed today to the number of Northern folks that come South for a visit or to live and comment on how warm and friendly folks in the South are. Also growing up in the South we were taught Southern manners, it was always yes sir or no sir if we said something like huh or yep we were quickly reminded (painfully sometimes) what it meant to be a Southern gentleman. These character traits still today are a large part of who I am and have served me well over my many years. Sadly I see in the younger generations after me these qualities of honor and respect (especially for our elders) being lost to a narcissistic, self absorbed, Godless, society and unless they turn to God they will continue to destroy themselves and America.

When I joined the U.S. Navy in 1976 these Southern customs and courtesies really served me well. One of the major pillars the entire U.S. military is built on is honor and respect for yourself, each other, and those appointed over you. As a Junior Officer I quickly learned my place in good order and discipline in ranks and military customs and courtesies played a role. At the heart of military customs and courtesies is honor and respect. For example when you a junior and a senior (someone who out ranks you) come to a car door the junior opens the door and slides their butt (if they both are going to sit in the back seat) across the seat or opens the back door letting the senior in first then closing the door and the junior rides shotgun in the front seat. While walking the junior always walks on the left side of the senior. In days when warriors wore swords the junior walking on the left could draw his sword (especially if they were right handed) and protect the senior from attack. And one of the oldest military customs and courtesy the junior salutes first and holds their salute to show respect until the senior returns the salute. Remember saluting is not an affirmation of the liking the senior, but a show of honor and respect for the rank of the senior and of the custom and courtesy of age old traditions.

This honor and respect always comes down to the heart condition of the one giving or rendering the honor and respect. There is a Biblical truth that says a man cannot give what he does not have. John tells us, “A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.” (John 3:27) Never expect man or woman to give love, forgiveness, or compassion if they have not allowed God to build in them forgiveness, love, or compassion after all love and compassion is not a part of our character they can only be a part of our character after God takes us through some very difficult times (usually when we need for someone else to give to us forgiveness, love, or compassion) and builds in us these qualities. When I think of the words honor and respect I think of Karen’s dad Mr. Andrew Kreiss who would visit his aged father (who was taking care of this handicapped son George) every week-end. He would drive about hour (one way) to Bayonne from Dunellen to make sure his father (who died when he was 95) was okay and had everything needed for himself and his younger brother. Every time we would visit Karen’s parents it was always a highlight to know we were going to visit “poppy” in Bayonne. When I think of the time, miles, and work every week (cleaning the place up) Mr. Kreiss invested in his father and brother how could he not be the best example of honor and respect a son has for his father. His example has always been before me as someone to emulate. This honoring and respecting goes right to the heart of every issue in our lives, remember at the heart of every issue is always an issue of our heart. Another bit of truth that neatly tucks a way at the heart of every issue it is always an issue of our heart is out of our mouth speaks our heart. Jesus told us in Matthew, “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) Just listen to people talk, if so you can tell what kind of people they are. I am reminded of a missionary (and former pastor of ours) we once knew who would stop by our home when we lived in Germany when he wanted something. Well one day Karen and I took him and his charming wife out to a German restaurant for dinner and when ordering he took off on the waiter for not having diet Pepsi sorry, but Germany does diet Coke. I could not believe how he went on and on at the waiter to the point the waiter was relieved of his duties at the table. Sadly this behavior just exposed the lack of respect and honor for himself and others he had in his life. Knowing this man for many years I was not too surprised by his behavior, unless we allow God to build this respect and honor and in us we will always be self-centered and selfish, oh LORD help us all here.

Probably one of the best ways we can show respect and honor is by becoming what we have been taught. The greatest honor for a teacher is when a student embodies the principles and teaching of the teacher. This too is why it matters who your teacher is. In Exodus we read, “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” (Exodus 20:12) In our self-absorbed parentless society we think honoring our father and mother is when we do something for them like; buying them something special, visiting them on birthdays, holidays or when it is convenient, or taking them somewhere, but these are not honoring our father and mother these are our least reasonable service of duty to our parents. True honor is when we become what our parents have tried to teach us. I would think the biggest break down of the family is not divorce, but children turning away from the wisdom and teaching of their parents. With our own kids we would rather they become better Christians than us then to have them buy us really cool presents. We know the gifts and presents are on an earthly level of thankfulness, but becoming those things of Christ (what Karen and I have tried so hard to instill in our kids) are far better than any boat or house money can buy. Becoming in Christ those things we have taught our kids is on another level, on an eternal level of thankfulness. It is easy to come and speak swelling words of love and commitment, but the truth of these words can be far from our heart. The people in Isaiah’s day were like this talk is cheap and much talk with heartless effort is even cheaper. In Isaiah we read, “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:” (Isaiah 29:13) When we truly honor our parents we will fear them not by the “precept of men” or what other people tell us to say and how to act, but a true commitment and love born out of a great desire to become what you have been taught all of your years. We see this in the life of Jesus. Can you believe Jesus would say and do nothing that His Father did not tell Him to do or say? In John we read Jesus saying, “When ye have lifted up the Son of man (crucified Him), then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.” (John 8:28) Did you get the end of that verse? Jesus the King of kings and Lord of lords saying, "then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.” It is funny today in the church we run around quoting Scripture saying, “we can do all things,” but Jesus said He can do nothing, He said He does not have the ability or power to do anything unless the Father gives it to Him. Jesus had this honoring and respecting down. Again in John we read where Jesus said, “If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:” (John 8:54) If we honor our self it will bring things to nothing, but if God honors us then great things will be birthed in us and out from us to the world. At the heart of honor and respect, the essence is dependence. Jesus knew this He was totally dependent on His Father for everything. Sadly today we honor movie and sports stars, rich people, people with great intelligence, people with great worldly power. When we truly come to a place of honor and respect we come to place of total dependence. What respect and honor the Son had for the Father and this too is to be the model we are to have not only for our earthly father, but also for our heavenly Father. I know this world would be a better place if we Christians did and said only what our Father told us to say and do and how will this work in us? By us first learning what it means to honor and respect someone. Written by David Stahl

A SMALL STILL VOICE

One of the greatest assurances and comforts we have as children of God is that same still voice of God that speaks to our heart and soul. It is hard to explain the uttering of this small still voice seldom is it heard by our ears, but we know it as the truth when we hear it. The truth is like that. When we hear the truth we just know it; it hits us deep in the gut; weakening our knees and our hands fall to our side in compliance to this small still voice speaking to us. How blessed we are as it brings conviction and correction to us, as it probes and makes inquiries about our character and integrity. Even the sinner is not immune from the probing and searching, sinner and saints alike are naked before this small still voice. In Romans we read, “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.” (Romans 1:19-23) In verse 20 we read, “being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:” Because of this small still voice within every man the sinner will have no excuse before God. Even people who have never heard about Jesus Christ will be judged by God and this small still voice will open up the truth about God to them. All that God created speaks volumes of God and His nature and it is that small still voice within us that communicates God grandeur, power, and authority to our heart. My friend no one will have an excuse when they stand before God on judgment day even the sinner (and if the sinner how much more the saint) will have to give account of their actions and words. God would not be a God of righteousness if He did not give all men a chance at salvation.

In 1 Kings we read of a great story of how Elijah was hiding in cave from the children of Israel and the LORD passed by and spoke to him, “And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: 12And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.” (1 Kings 19:11-12) We think and even look for (like Elijah) God in big things in our lives; like in strong winds, earthquakes, and fires God is seldom found in such great things, but God is always found in the small still voice in those small things the small things we think are insignificant in our lives God is closely scrutinizing us in it. As a matter of fact the smaller the area in our lives the more God is closely examining us and it is His small still voice that let us know how we are doing. Now for us to be able to hear this small still voice we must be still long enough to hear God speak. Strange how the times I know that I know I heard God speak to me with His small still voice I almost missed Him. God is not loud, nor is He a blabber mouth, nor does He expect us to be. God is not moved by situations and circumstances, but is calm and speaks in a small still voice. But often we are too loud and busy with our living we drown God out of our lives from all of the many distractions in our lives. Most Christians cannot even sit still in a car and mediate on the LORD or His word, oh no we have to turn on our radio, play a CD, or some MP3 (even Christian media) singing at the top of our lungs while squirming in our seat. I am sure you have seen someone in the next car thinking they were auditioning. But sadly their inability to be still and quiet before the LORD disqualifies them for service by God. I can imagine God holding His ears and saying, “please just be quiet for one minute so I can speak to your heart.” But no we sing on and our thoughts are millions of miles away from God. God speaks to us in that small still voice when He says, “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Palms 46:10) Guess what? God meant it! God wants us to, “be still and know that I am God.” The only way we will even be able to come to know God is when we can become still in our mind, heart, and spirit. Coming to know God is found only in our stillness before Him. But our lives are filled with cakes, circuses, and the many distractions of life. Octavian, who later became Julius Augustus, developed the Circus Maximus (for gladiatorial combat and entertainment) for the people and fed the people cakes (or bread) so that their bellies would be filled while their insatiable appetite for sport (like us today with basketball, football, baseball, etc.) and distractions (art work, singing, dancing, music, gardening cooking, and the 1,000s of other things in our lives that we do willingly or unwillingly to drown out God. This concert of cakes and circuses (from Latin panem et circenses) was sinister it was used as a superficial means of appeasement. It was the basic Roman formula for the well-being of the population and hence a political strategy unto itself. In the case of politics, the phrase is used to describe the creation of public approval, not through exemplary or excellent public service or public policy, but through diversion, distraction, and/or the mere satisfaction of the immediate, shallow requirements of a populace. So too today our lives and many denominational churches around the world (especially in America) are filled up with cakes and circuses and the results are diversion, distraction, and/or the mere satisfaction of the immediate, shallow requirements of a populace just read the newspaper, watch TV, or attend a local church in your town and you will discover this for yourself.

When we moved to Sneads Ferry I continued to work at Brewster Middle School, but now I have a 45 minute drive to work. What beautiful scenery along the way to school; crossing a high bridge over a huge bay where in the morning you may see shrimp boats trolling the water to the back side of the Marine Corps Base, then down some lonely roads through the industrial area and main side then over to the school, but what a blessed time of communion and fellowship with the LORD. What a time of mediation on the word of God and contemplation. What a wonderful time to be quiet and still before the LORD, till I spontaneously break out in prayer. What a special time to be silent and still before the LORD. Did you know there are three kinds of silence? The first is perfect. The second is even more perfect and the third is the most perfect. In the first the silence of our words there is virtue that is acquired. In the second the silences of our desires quietness is obtained; and in the third the silence of our thoughts . . . this is goal the internal recollection of our senses. To lay hold of the silence of thought is to arrive and abide at the center of our being where Christ dwells. It is there God communicates Himself to our spirit and there in the inmost depths of our being, He teaches us Himself. He guides us to this place where He alone speaks His most secret and hidden heart to us through His small still voice. We must enter into this through all silence if we would hear the small still voice of God speaking to us.

Please let me expound on these three areas a little more. God must be able to bring us to silence so that we can hear that small still voice in us and if He is going to be able to trust us with our portion of ministry. The first area is silence of words. “The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. 26It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. 27It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. 28He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him. 29He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope.” (Lamentations 3:25-29) There is not a lot of talking when we have our mouth in the dust. We seem to have a hard time shutting our mouth. We want to let people know how much we know and just how smart we are. Well, dead men do not do a lot of talking. Many words reveal we are alive to our flesh and God has not been able to kill us. We must allow God to work in our lives to the point we will have nothing to say. Our words have been silenced in us and now when we speak God’s words will come from our mouth. Our words are under restraint and stilled and now God’s words can flow freely from us. God must be able to bring our words to nothing. I had returned from a ministry trip to India and Nepal. Karen and three other ladies went with me. Well, one lady never shut up. She would get into the van and start talking. She would get out of the van and still be talking. Where ever she went she was talking and sadly she was saying nothing of real importance. Even more sadly her talkative nature and opinionated words disqualified her for true service in God. Her many words reflected the lack of mature understanding and God’s work in her life.

The next area in our lives God must bring to silence is our desires. I am amazed how Americans are so full of desires, well God showed me why. If we have the ability to fulfill our desires on our own we will desire even more, but if we cannot fulfill our desires on our own then we will not desire many things in our lives. Americans have the ability to satisfy their desires from their prosperity. We now see this thinking in the Church being taught by the prosperity teachers, get from God all you can. Allow God to give you the desires of your heart. Well my friend, the last thing I want is the desires of my heart. I do not trust my heart one bit. Unless our heart has been dealt with by God we will desire things not of God and get off track and fall out of the way. Jesus taught, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5:6) We are filled with whatever we hunger and thirst after. If we hunger and thirst after the world and its things we will be filled with them, but if we hunger and thirst after righteousness and the things of God we will be filled with them. God must be able to bring our desires for things to a silence. He must be able to bring a stillness in our spirit for what we want to see come to pass in our lives, in our ministry, in the world. Remember, God is God and we are not. Even Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (where oil is pressed) was brought to a place of silence to His desires. In Matthew we read, “And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Mathew 26:39). “Nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt,” Jesus had a will, a desire that was not what the Father wanted, but He submitted His will, His desire for the Father’s desire. We too must submit our desire for the Father’s desire if we are to ever come to a place of knowing God and His ways. God must be able to kill our desires, even for the so called Godly desires that are not of Him. In John we read, “The thief (not the Devil) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) Today our focus and thinking is after this abundant life of things, but Jesus was not talking about earthly things and desires He was talking about the life of God and having “it (the life of God) more abundantly.” If God is going to be able to use us He must be able to kill our desires, bring them to silence in us so that He can fill us with His desires and will.

And lastly God must be able to silence our thoughts. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” (Isaiah 26:3) It is no wonder many Christians are full of fear and dread, their minds are not “stayed on thee.” Their thoughts are never at rest, never still. Their thoughts are always looking for ways to fulfill their destiny. Rest never comes to the one whose thoughts are always laboring and anxious. A mind laboring in much thought can never build a trust in God. But a mind “stayed on thee” is trusting in Thee. If our mind and thoughts are on God we will then begin the building process of trust in us which is far beyond faith. The spiritual order is: faith, trust, and rest. Rest is the place God desires to take us all to, but before we can come to a place of rest we first must come to a place of trust. And when our thoughts come to a silence in us we are then able to trust God for everything we need and as we trust God more and more we then are able to enter into His rest. All of this happens as we allow God, through His dealings and judgments, to silence in us our thoughts. The last hurdle to inward strength and peace is in our mind and thoughts. The goal is to be able to come to an inward stillness where God is at the center of our life, an inward stillness where nothing shall be able to move us. If God cannot get us to a place of inward stillness then we will be moved by our emotions and feelings and this will never do. Brethren God must be allowed to bring us to place of stillness and silence so that we can hear His small still voice, if not then He cannot use us we are disqualified for real service. Written by David Stahl