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