THE FESTIVAL OF POTS

My friends establishing and maintaining a close personal relationship with Jesus should be central to our spiritual life and ministry. We may be satisfied that we are seeking a deeper understanding of the Word of God, a life of good works, and even service, but it is essential also that we go beyond these levels of spiritual desires and recognize that the only foundation upon which our knowledge of the Word can stand is on the personal relationship that we maintain with the LORD. And for this to happen my friend we must allow God to bring (this is always His intention) us into a place of great unity with Him. In such a place that the truth of the word of God can grip our heart to where we are convinced, we truly believe what is written and what God has spoken. I am convinced most Christians are not convinced God’s word is true. They have a mental and emotional assent to this truth, but in their heart it has not really taken hold of them. My friend we must be really convinced to what God has written and spoke to us. The more convinced we are to this the more we will be able to stand and withstand (there is a big difference) problems, troubles, situations, and circumstances that come our way. You know many people think God looks at the relationship we have when He looks at our ability to keep relationship, but I am not so sure about that. It is easy to keep a relationship with someone who you like and who likes you, but now to keep a relationship (even if it is one sided in your heart) with someone who does not like you now that is a different story all together. I think God looks at the relationships we have lost over the years to whether or not we have the ability to keep relationship. God is not really too concerned about the relationships we have, but make no mistake my friend God is really concerned about the relationship we have allowed to slip though our fingers and heart. At the heart of these lost relationships is a lack of relationship with the LORD and lack of desire for the truth. In the Psalms David writes, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 2It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; 3As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.” (Psalms 133:1-3) Please know this place of unity is not found in the “precious ointment” that ran down on Aaron’s beard nor is it found in the dew of mount Hermon, but “there” the LORD commands the blessing, “even life for evermore.” “There” is the place of unity with God and with man. Did you know you cannot be in unity with God and not with man? John tells us, “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” (1 John 4:20) I wonder why we think we can get away with loving God and not our brothers and sisters? Now the “unity” (or “oneness” as translated all throughout the Bible) we are after is not the unity that brings two churches together to have prayer breakfast or special service, but the same unity that Jesus had with the Father. Unity with the Father will always will cost us something. In the real LORD’s prayer (only prayer recorded where Jesus actually prayed) we read, “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” (John 17:21-23) Did you get that? Unity not to do something for God, but unity to become something in God. We in unity (in relationship) with God as Jesus was one (in unity in relationship with the Father) with the family so we can be one with our brothers and sisters. So you see no unity with the Father we will not be in unity with our brothers and sisters. I wonder how effective the Church globally would be if it was in unity with the Father as Jesus was in unity with the Father? The whole cannot be greater than the sum of its parts, thus the Church globally cannot be greater than the collection of individuals that make up the Church. What a prayer for 2014. What a prayer for ourselves. Now the truth aspect is even more chilling. Truth has always been at the heart of our salvation and walk with the LORD. Oh we often want only to be loved and called lovely, but that can never happen unless we walk in the truth of God’s word. Even Pilate knew this. The question of what is truth is nothing new even Jesus’ judge and jury asked, “Pilate saith unto him (Jesus), What is truth? . . . . ” (John 18:38). Today we like to mask the truth with religion, skilled and educated speaking, and our good works, but these good intentions of ours will never be enough if our words do not match Jesus’ reply back to Pilate, “my words are truth.” Some years ago I had an experience that has ever stuck with me. I attended a meeting in which the speaker gave an excellent word. I have know him for over 30 years, traveled to many countries in ministry with him, I love him very much still today, he has a mystical, deep anointing in teaching that few in the world can rival, yet there was something missing. As I left I said, "Lord, what is wrong? He was a great speaker with a good word. You know how much I love him and look to him." Then the Lord brought something to my mind that John Wright Follette had said, “there is a difference between having truth itself deposited within our heart and made a part of our life and simply reflecting truth that has come from another person or ministry.” This floored me. From that point on my goal was not to reflect truth, but to allow the Holy Spirit to deposit the truth God has for me into my life. Not the truth for others, but the truth God has for my life. Not all truth is for all people at the same time. There is some truth that we can handle now and there is some truth we are not able to handle. Someday if we grow in the grace and knowledge of the LORD the Holy Spirit will be able to make more truth apart of us, but until then we must be content with only the truth that is convenient and purposed for our lives. A big mistake we often make is to sacrifice truth for things. We know truth when we hear it there is no mistake it hits us in the stomach and bends us to our knees, but it seems we are willing to give the truth up for things that bring; peace, happiness, even things that bring what we call blessings into our lives. Some Christians say anything that brings harmony into our family is what God wants, well that my friend is not the truth. We must never sacrifice truth for peace and harmony (even love) if so then our relationships will not be built on God’s word. When we sacrifice the truth of God’s word for harmony and peace we then are rejecting the word of God for the people. How can they be saved unless they hear? Paul told the Church at Ephesus, “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) All that we do for God must be in obedience with a pure motive from love and a desire to see others “grow up into him in all things.” If not then it is a selfish and self-centered motive where we want to manipulate others. My friend I believe manipulation is the greatest sin of the 21 Century church and is the ruin of most marriages in the world. Our goal should be, “From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth.” On my last trip I had the good pleasure to see how this would look. When Michael Simonowich and I were in Bulgaria Rossi, Pastor Niki’s wife and Marcho took us to Silver Lake Village. What a wonderful time we had. The day was a joyous celebration of remembrance when all the people of Bulgaria had to eat was beans and they ate them from ceramic pots so every year the people in the villages around Silistra keep this tradition by holding “The Festival of the Pots.” The goals were two-fold; one eat as much good food as possible and two the food had to be judged by categories; i.e. breads, beans, soups, salads, meats, deserts you have the picture. Also judged was the best village singing group (six groups took the stage), best home-made wine, and of course best beer. It was a very pleasant time of food, family, and festivity. While the different village groups were singing (and in the in-between times) some of the older folks started dancing in a circular direction while holding hands. Now here is what I thought was amazing. To enter the group in motion no words of request were needed, no discussion, no dispute all one had to do was step up to the circle to make their intention known and then touch the hands of the people you desire to join between. It was amazing as the person who wanted to join the dance touched the hands of the two people they rolled over and opened their hands in harmony, in unison as the joining person stepped into the circle without missing a beat. They were “fitly joined together” without words. It was a totally seamless process no words were spoken no debate, no dispute only fluency in motion as the person became one with the other dancers. I know to some this does not sound like much, but to see it happen, well it was amazing. After watching this process a few times I thought this is the way it is to be with Christians. We are to be in such harmony and unity whereby a seamless process of coming together should happen in our lives, but sadly this is not the case in most situations. Sadly there is great debate, there is great discussion, even confusion and strife, there often is little harmony when Christians come together. It seems everyone has something different in mind. Paul told the Church at Corinth, “How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation.” (1 Corinthians 14:26) I do not believe this is the way the LORD has arranged things for His Body I think it is more like the dancers at the Festival of the Pots. Dare to step up to the circle and try to get in?

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 10:10) Jesus came so that we “might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” not to get a bunch of Christmas presents to satisfy our flesh. Jesus came so that we might (our choice not His) have the life of God dwelling within our heart and lives. The creative eternal life of God moving in us and out from us to the world. Also in John Jesus tells us, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3) Jesus came so that we might have life eternal (one 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

VESSEL UNTO VESSEL

Most people do not know I enjoy a good glass of wine. Now I do not like beer or whiskey, but a good glass of wine makes the food taste better and helps with digestion as Paul encouraged Timothy, “Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure. 23Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.” (1Timothy 5:22-23) I could not begin to tell you of the times a glass of wine settled my stomach and helped with my diarrhea, but take heed my friend Paul also teaches for us not to be drunk with wine, but to be filled with the Spirit, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess (in other words do not drink to must wine); but be filled with the Spirit;” (Ephesians 5:18) I do try to be careful not to offend my Christian Brothers and Sisters who do not drink knowing this liberty in God can cause one to stumble. Now if the LORD told you do not drink wine “obedience is better than sacrifice,” but if not then take heed not to yoke the Brethren with vain tradition and legalistic religion. In the Book of Jeremiah there is an expression and description of the means God uses to explain the process of spiritual growth and development in our lives. Jeremiah writes us, “Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity: therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed.” (Jeremiah 48:11) The expression “emptied from vessel to vessel” is a figure that speaks of winemaking and to the process God has built into our lives whereby He refines us for usefulness. It relates to a method used to produce a well-refined wine which is poured into a vessel and allowed to stand for a certain length of time. Then it is poured into another vessel. Who knew God is good at making us stand awhile? Each time this is done there is a settling of the dregs and sediment (impurities) which remains in the container as the wine-maker carefully pours the liquid into another vessel. This process is repeated until the wine is perfectly refined and yields a freshness of fragrance and color that is pleasing to the maker. So too God is after this emptying and refining process in our lives. Often we think of the potter and the clay process, well we can see this same precept and concept as we are the wine and God is the winemaker. This refined wine that yields a freshness of fragrance and color will NOT occur if the wine had been allowed to stay in only one vessel. Instead it would have settled upon its lees and become scented with the essence of the dregs. Because the intention of the Lord is to bring us to spiritual maturity we also are carefully poured from vessel to vessel from one dealing to another dealing, as He cleans us of our impurities. As we yield to His purpose the Holy Spirit will see to it that we are brought step by step (vessel by vessel) into spiritual growth and maturity. With our wills yielded and our spirits mellowed we shall then become wine well refined and useful to be set on the Master’s table. Once we understand what we are by nature we realize that no natural power could carry out such a titanic undertaking. If ever this is to be accomplished the power must come from a source other than ourselves. Thus the Lord simply asks us to become willing, yielded, broken material upon which to work, and He will furnish the means and power for our transformation. Here an object lesson is set before us that this process might be more forcibly brought home. Have we not found ourselves being emptied from one vessel into another in God’s seemingly ceaseless dealings? These vessels represent the unique arrangements of trying circumstances, peculiar conditions, unexplainable leadings, tests in relation to healing, and the general array of experiences and changing conditions which are common in the life of a consecrated Christian. The Lord does not say the vessels are all alike. Rather the vessels are quite different, scarcely two being alike. Let us consider a few in order to enlarge our understanding how wine is refined and how God uses this very similar process in our lives. The first is a vessel made of tinted glass. As the wine is emptied within it assumes a color that results from the hue of the glass. This is the vessel of misunderstanding. The wine is aware of these remarks and as a result has a difficult time remaining still and submitted so the sediment might settle and cling to the sides and bottom of the vessel. All this keeps the wine in a disturbed state until finally it discovers that it is really what it should be at this time of its development since only the glass (dealing) is tinted. Thus there is a delay and a longer time is needed to produce clear wine. The maker (God) waits for it to become settled and then carefully pours it into another vessel. So too God waits for us to settle down so He can work. All that is left behind is a few dregs of self-vindication and some shreds of self-life. As the wine is poured out it beholds the new vessel, a large but shallow receptacle, gray, and ugly. At first there is a shrinking for the vessel seems so unusual and so absolutely unlike any into which it had been before emptied. As the wine is poured it is so wide that it fills the entire open vessel. This is the vessel of public gaze. It is where the Lord pours us when we are to experience weakness. The wine cannot gather itself up to appear in any other shape. It must spread out flat and be open to public judgment and criticism. The little snide remarks hinder the wine from becoming quiet, yielded, and silent, but as it realizes that this is a necessary step in its perfection it becomes settled again and is again poured out. Clinging to the sides of the ugly, gray vessel are the dregs of pride and self-preservation, but added to the wine is a richer hue. The next vessel is made of clay. It is tall with a long narrow neck and is not transparent. Thus it reflects no light. As the wine is poured it has difficulty getting adjusted to the darkness and a fear as to the certainty that it belongs there. But at last it yields and fills the vessel in quietness. Here it stands for a long period of time in shadow and darkness. At times the wine faintly hears the music and delightful cries of those without who are in the light, but the clay allows no participation, nor affinity of satisfaction. The wine can only remember the light it had found in former days and simply trust that it will shine again. This is the vessel of long, dark trial; the kind in which the Lord leaves us alone in order to prove us even in shadow and darkness. But it works wonders in the wine. As it is again poured forth it gleams with the light of faith, tried, and tested. Left behind are the dregs of impatience, questioning, and unbelief. Again the wine is poured into a new vessel which is unusual in size and unique in design. It has many bulges and ridges. Therefore the wine has a difficult time finding its way into the many bulges, odd nooks, and corners. Those who watch immediately conclude that the wine is in the wrong vessel, and that it was never called to go into such a receptacle. Thus it appears to others that the wine's leading and witness is wrong. This is the vessel of misunderstood guidance. The LORD’s ways are not our ways; thus, His ways are often incomprehensible. The LORD seldom explains to others the leadings which He lays upon those who are His own. It is certainly death to our flesh to be led into situations that produce criticism from others and then not be able to satisfy their reasoning. Thus the wine finds no pleasure in this vessel, but it had been poured and must now fill the vessel. We do not need to understand why the LORD does certain things. Neither should we attempt to explain to others why He leads us as He does. As soon as the wine is settled and the lesson is learned the gentle hand of the maker will again pour it. How it sparkles and gleams with fresh yieldedness and obedience. Left behind are dregs of distrust and fear. The next vessel is made from a mixture of vastly different materials. This vessel would never have been the choice of the wine. And worse the wine was not asked as to how this vessel should be formed. This speaks of the circumstances in which we often find ourselves; in which we are not at all to blame for the situation. This is the vessel of the faults of others, which is an awkward place in which to be. Some fail to do their duty. Others refuse to come or to go as they should. Before we realize we may be involved in a predicament quite to our disapproval. Usually we are willing to go through a trial when we are at fault; but for us to be dragged into a plight which is not of our doing is to our flesh a real death blow, but consider who made this vessel? The LORD is not blaming the wine for the trial nor for its makeup. The wine has only to yield and be poured into and fill the vessel. We are not to waste valuable time complaining to the LORD about the size, shape, color, and texture of His vessel for He made it. Rather, we are to trustingly, melt, and flow into it as He intended. Let us turn to another phase of truth that is given here; how the wine may act in being poured. In my own experience and in watching others go through trials and testings I have found three ways in which we may act. First, we may submit to being poured, but with an unbroken spirit. The will is surrendered and the pouring continues, but we remain rigid and unbroken in spirit. Thus the purpose of the pouring is lost. The soul retains its own shape and does not melt so the sediment might settle. This person has truly surrendered to the LORD's will yet has utterly failed in that his spirit is not broken. Have you ever attempted to pour thick milk into a receptacle with a narrow neck? It is almost impossible as the milk has become set and is incapable of yieldedness or brokenness. Jeremiah tells us that because the wine was not emptied from vessel to vessel it had “settled on its lees.” This is a Hebrew word which means, “to thicken or curdle.” Some souls are so set that they become incapable of adjustment or change. The question then is not “have I been poured,” but rather “have I become broken in spirit?” One may be poured into a hundred vessels and never learn the lesson of submission to the workings of the Holy Spirit. We must break in spirit as we are emptied and as a result there will be less agony, pain, and distress for we will with grace melt and fill the vessel quickly. Another reaction is to yield to the pouring, and find ourselves filling a number of different vessels, but we just endure it as hidden away in our spirit. We recognize that the best thing is to yield and go through, but we do so by enduring and say perhaps faintly, “Yes LORD I am going through, but I do not think it is fair for you could have made it easier.” We consent in will, but do not break in spirit. Many are enduring the pouring, but never seem to learn the lesson. Let us break and allow the dregs to settle. The third and right way is to not only surrender in will, but to break in spirit. This is so pleasing to the LORD. As we break in spirit we lose our setness and become pliable, flowing easily into the most intricate parts of the vessel. Here we are truly able to say as David, “I delight to do thy will, O God . . . “ (Psalms 40:8) Now a word as to the reason for all this pouring and emptying; surely God does not thrust us into such trying places to mock us. If we are consecrated our lives are not our own to arrange as we please in order to avoid these many pourings. Therefore it is important that we recognize that our LORD has a purpose in emptying us from “vessel to vessel.” He is producing within us a broken, yielded spirit to prepare us for a higher purpose. Let us note a difference. A surrendered will is one thing, and a broken spirit is another. The surrender of our will is a basic an underlying principle in the life of a consecrated Christian and is the foundation upon which the LORD works. This surrender of our will is giving the LORD permission to empty and pour us. As we say yes, He begins to empty and pour. This He must do in order to produce within us a yielded, broken spirit. The second reason for pouring us out is to keep us from “settling upon our lees.” There is always the tendency for us to seek the easy way. We dislike disturbances and having to do things differently from the way we did in the past. It can rightly be said, “the road of least resistance is a rut.” Thus if we are never poured from experience to experience the wine will become spoiled and scented with dregs. Do not be surprised if the LORD begins to pour us from the vessel in which we have been blessed, perhaps for months or even years. Because we are settling upon our lees and since He is very particular of our relationship to Him, He may refine us yet more. And the third is reason is to broaden us in our sympathy and understanding of each other. The one who has had but a little trouble in their life is not a particularly helpful person, but the one who has gone through many trials, shattered hopes, and tragedies, has learned valuable lessons. These who have learned through experience are of great value. Paul writes to the church at Corinth, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” (II Corinthians 1:3-4) These can enter into perfect fellowship with a person who is in unspoken agony of spirit and pressure of trial, and pray with compassion and understanding. They are able to look beyond the frailty of flesh and can remember that we all are but dust and must come to trust the LORD with a sublime faith for change and victory. Someday the last vessel will be filled and the last pouring finished. May it please the heart of our LORD to find in us choice wine, rich, sparkling, and well refined, because by His grace “we have been emptied from vessel to vessel.” Written by David Stahl

BREAD AND FISHES

The beginning of November I will be sharing the “Four Anchors of God” a Spiritual Topic Guide at the Center of Cross-Cultural Studies Bible School in Agigea, Romania. Before class we will have a Chapel Service and we have been asked to share on some topics the students selected. Here is a topic from a first year student, “The one from the first year students: "Thirsty for God" - a deep desire to experience God's presence in a different dimension; students said: we don't want to be pleased with “knowing” that God is omnipresent; we want to experience God's presence in our daily activities: devotions, classes, meetings ... in a totally different manner.” Wow what a topic! To help answer this topic in a meaningful way I plan to use the Bible and this article from John Wright Follette, thoughts you would enjoy the article too. 

                                          Bread and Fishes   

The Lord has placed within us the ability to worship as the means to find satisfaction for the deep inner longing that is resident within each of us. This worship is to flow out from our inner depths, upward to the Lord, as we recognize that He alone is able to satisfy this hunger, and is worthy of our worship. To worship in spirit and truth does not negate our use of form or structure. Rather, our worship in “spirit and truth” has to do with the motivation of our heart, that our seeking and worship is toward the Lord, alone. I remember my first hungering for spiritual truth. I expressed this to those whom I thought would give spiritual guidance, and instead, I was told that I needed a good education. I followed their recommendation and discovered many interesting things, but none of these satisfied my inner longing for spiritual reality. I had been sent to an earthly village to seek food to satisfy the heavenly hunger that was within me. Therefore, I returned still hungry. This has been repeated all too many times in the lives of those who are spiritually hungry. When faced with a need that was beyond their ability, the disciples of Jesus also sought a tangible, earthly solution. “And evening coming on, His disciples came to Him, saying, the place is deserted and the time has already gone by. Send the crowd away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” (Matthew 14:15) Jesus had a better answer, “They do not need to leave, you give them something to eat” (Matthew 14:16). Immediately, the disciples began to count their limitations - the five loaves and two fishes that were available. But Jesus had the answer to this problem. He said, “Bring them here to Me.” This represents a surrender of all that we possess. It is important that we stop counting our limitations, as the Lord knew about them before He asked us to feed others. We will never have sufficient to meet the need. Many fail at this point as they cannot see beyond their limited abilities and take a step of faith. Instead, they go to the villages seeking a seemingly easier way, which will never meet their real need. Jesus is yet asking us, “Would you dare to surrender all to me?” He knows how limited we are, but our willingness is all that He requires. However, it must be unconditionally placed in His hands. “Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life shall lose it, and whoever desires to lose his life for My sake shall find it.” (Matthew 16:24-25) An indication of spiritual maturity is our ability to become detached from things. If we cling to anything, it will hinder, or destroy the work that the Lord is seeking to accomplish within us. When Jesus asks us to bring to Him the “fish” that we have, we usually respond, “Lord, these fish do not amount to much.” But He already knows that; all He is asking is that we give what we have to Him. Before the Lord filled me with His Holy Spirit, He put me through a most grueling consecration. He was preparing the soil of my inner being that I might receive all that He had for me. One evening, He closed me in to Himself until three o’clock in the morning. I had never experienced anything like this, as I had no prior understanding concerning the powerful groaning for God that was finding its expression through me. I did not know that God could communicate with me, as I had not been taught these things. But somehow I knew that I was experiencing the presence of the Lord dealing with my spirit. When this began, it was not concerning sin or failure, as these had previously been dealt with. Rather, He was dealing with the legitimate issues of my life. During this special time in His presence, I placed the Lord first in my life and unconditionally buried each member of my family. There was such a sense of victory and triumph. I had always liked intellectual things. Jesus said, “You are to surrender that.” He took my social life, along with all that I desired to have and do. During this time, He was saying, “Will you fall into my hands? All I want is to possess you.” I did not repeat my past mistake and go to another village. Rather, I brought the deep spiritual hunger that was within me and placed it in His hands alone, trusting that He would do the rest. As I brought these things, one by one, to the Lord, He accepted them and broke each of them into worthlessness. No one of us wants our lives wrecked, as self-preservation is all too present within each of us. But He was saying to me, “I cannot feed this hunger that is within you unless you first bring to Me all that you have.” As I have done this, over and over again, He has multiplied and given it back to me, to pass out to the multitudes. When I finally surrendered on His terms, it was the most real thing I have ever experienced. It seemingly wrecked my life by absolutely taking from me everything I had desired. I was as empty as a barrel with both ends knocked out. Then, the next night, He filled me with the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. When we give Him the inadequate bread and fish that we have, He uses these identical things, but they no longer function under the impulse and limitations of the Adamic, as they are now multiplied and blessed of God. This depth of surrender is never easy for any one of us. It may require the sustained dealings of the Lord until we are willing to place all that we have into His hands. We are not to publish our sufferings; rather we are to mask them. This is not deceptive, rather it is Scriptural. “But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face; so that you do not appear to men to fast, but to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:17-18) When we are called upon to fast, we are to anoint our face with oil so we do not appear to be fasting. As He deals with us to place everything in His hands, He will lead us through many difficult experiences that we might fully enter into, and understand the “fellowship of His sufferings.” He will only do this when He can trust us to not turn aside to the villages. Only then will we be able to impart to others the rich deposit which we received through our sufferings. People say, “Where do you get all these things?” The “bread and fish” that I have comes through deep sufferings; then the Lord uses these very things to feed others a full and rich meal. But the sufferings remain masked. The villages will never satisfy us. Placing our limited resources in His hands will bring eternal satisfaction to multitudes.

DIVINE GUIDANCE

The longer I go with God the more there seems to be a struggle within me to direct my steps. Now to me this sounds funny especially knowing how God confirms His desires time and time again through His divine guidance. I am always amazed to how God lets me know (which is His desire) where and when to go abroad and minister. As for me I can be content to stay on this side of the pond and minister, but God has other plans. I know God is up to something when extra money starts coming in and then God begins to paint a picture in my heart to places I am to go and things to say, I know then to dust off my backpack and begin to prepare, specific information is forth coming. Now if I try to do all of this in myself things might work out to a certain degree, but not for the best. In our self we can do things for God and sometimes things work out, but in retrospect we see best when God does things, when God provides guidance things always work out. Seldom (never in my life) does He speak with an audible voice oh no God uses things (spiritual references) like extra money, dreams, thoughts as we mediate on them and Him, even visions to show us His will for our lives. These all are a part of God’s divine guidance for our lives. Jeremiah said, “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) Jeremiah knew God yet felt utterly dependent upon Him. The LORD’s approval is with those who are dependent upon Him, those who seek counsel from the mouth of the LORD. 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 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) These are the conditions which are symptomatic of being out of the will of God: uneasiness, restlessness, uncertainty, fearfulness, lack of assurance, discontent, and spiritual bondage. Have you ever experienced these in your life? Now tell the truth I have. There are others, but these indicate that something is out of alignment in our relationship with the LORD. When these conditions are present it would be well for us to consider we possibly could have 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 in sovereign grace, independent of anything we do, or do not do and conditional guidance which is based on us meeting the conditions God has established in His word. Notice the passage in Isaiah about Cyrus the Great, “Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; 2I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: 3And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.” (Isaiah 45:1-3) Cyrus the Great was an idolater who did not know the God of Israel, yet the Lord chose Cyrus and called this heathen king “His anointed.” Here is divine guidance exercised in sovereignty. The City of Babylon was an impregnable city. There was no power on earth at that time that could take Babylon, but God gave Cyrus a dream in which He revealed how to take the city. God guided Cyrus unconditionally in order to accomplish His purposes. Many of us could testify that the LORD had been guiding us unconditionally, before we were saved. However there are conditions that must be met in order to enjoy this type of divine guidance. There are times when we need wisdom and direction from the LORD and He has promised to grant such help. Also in Isaiah we read, “And if you draw out of your soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall your light rise in obscurity, and your darkness be as the noon day: And the Lord shall guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and make fat your bones: and you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” (Isaiah 58:10-11) What a promise from God, but to be able to walk in the guidance the LORD provides there are some conditions we first must meet. 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 beings. If we want to enjoy the continuous leading of God we must cheerfully share the burden and concern for others. Another condition for guidance is for us to trust in God. “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 my knowledge, I am moving in the ways and will of the Lord, and I desire His correction. With this attitude God has promised that He will give us direction. We should not hurry the LORD because sometimes He takes us only one step at a time. Sincerity of heart is another condition we must meet. Jeremiah reveals, “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 4:20) Did you know “dissembling in your 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. Yet another condition for guidance is patience; our being willing to wait for the Lord. Sometimes God is silent because we already know His will, yet 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. While in Germany God provided a job for me to be a substitute teacher at the DOD school where Connie and Joshua attended so when we returned from Germany I asked the LORD about whether or not to continue to work as a substitute teacher He said nothing so I continued and out from my obedience what a joy, provision, and opportunities to share the Gospel message not only for me, but for many of our friends around the world. 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 distinction between instruction and teaching? David said, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go….” (Psalm 32:8) 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 even when we are not aware of our need for guidance. Again in Psalm 32:8, “. . . will guide you with My eye.” (Psalm 32:8) This is guidance by intimation. There is a principle that the further away we are (from Him) the louder the LORD has to speak, “Be you not as the horse or as the mule, which have no understanding; whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near to you.” (Psalm 32:9) If we desire guidance, we must be close to His heart, soft, and 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 often can come through the Word of God, the Holy Spirit, or by divine providence. The LORD in His wisdom has given us these three safety measures so if we are uncertain of His will and if the Word, the Spirit, and divine providence agree as one we have a three-fold safety factor of assurance and we then can be reasonably sure that we are hearing from the LORD. David said, “Your Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). David had shortcomings, but he had an abiding respect for the Word of God. David regarded the precepts of the Word of God as a “lamp to his feet” (the next step) and a light for his pathway (the general direction in which he was to go). Still another form of guidance relates to personal integrity. Solomon said, “The integrity of the upright shall guide them….” (Proverbs 11:3) Integrity my friend is a big big deal to God, but sadly not too many Christians think so. Most Christians think God is more concerned about their spiritual gifts, talents, abilities, or how long they can speak in tongues well to be honest God cares little of these things, but greatly cares about our character and truthfulness. 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 of God and the laws (as long as they do not conflict with God’s laws) of men. During a time of distress we may have opened the Bible and saw a verse that ministered to our need. But if we begin to do this on a regular basis as a method of ascertaining the will of God sooner or later we will discover that we are mistaken. There is a difference between an occasional exceptional intervention of divine providence and deducing an infallible system from that. There are those who seemingly receive a special revelation which either modifies or supercedes the Word of God. The Spirit of God will never give any revelation which in any way takes from, adds to, or modifies the written Word of God. 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. Another aspect of guidance 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 in our spirit or by a witness of His peace. The peace of God is one of the forms of guidance restraining us by an inner unrest, uncertainty, or confirming a certain course of action by a witness, satisfaction, or a deep inner rest. The peace of God can be described negatively, positively, experientially, positionally, and judicially. It is not a mere absence of disturbance, but a conscious rest which is independent of circumstances, favorable or unfavorable. Unfavorable circumstances do not necessarily constitute evidence of being out of the will of God. If we think that troubled circumstances constitute evidence of being out of His will then that might result in our moving out from His will. Sometimes we get into trouble not because we disobeyed, but because we obeyed. Sometimes the Lord causes us to walk on troubled waters to teach us to walk on His Word you can ask Peter about that. Unfavorable circumstances do not necessarily constitute evidence of being out of the will of God, but neither do they evidence that we are in the will of God. Do not let circumstances in themselves determine your course of action. Be sure you have the witness of the peace of God so that you know the circumstance is of God. In John 10 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 through these sheep. They had learned to recognize His voice through continued association. We often see the statue of Jesus holding the sheep safely around His neck and think what a wonderful Jesus to carry the little sheep because he is tired, well that is not the picture here. The picture is Jesus is providing some divine guidance to this sheep. For those sheep who cannot learn to stay close to the shepard, away from the edges of the flock where the enemy prowls, in a loving matter the shepherd breaks the leg (God’s correction and training is always loving) of the sheep and then hoists the sheep up and around his shoulder and carries the sheep until his leg mends, but what the sheep receives is a good smell of the shepard, the feel of his strong hands, and the sound of his voice. And when the sheep is put down to be on its own the sheep remembers the lesson and stays under the shepherd’s feet. If we are interested in the recognition of His divine guidance we must come to know His voice and see to it that we live and walk in close association with Him. Written by David Stahl

THE CRUCIFIED LIFE

We live in a time in which the “spirit of the age” has spiritually, made inroads upon us and in the church. The crucified life Christ talks about in the Gospels seems to be non-existent. The influence of this world colors our mind, our heart, and our spirituality leaving its mark even upon our soul. We (that is me too at times) are slow to learn even the simplest lessons in the school of the Spirit. We should never become involved in doctrinal issues, arguing, or splitting hairs over minor points of no real spiritual significance. In God there are absolutes (the Gospel message which we seem to ignore) and then there are optionals (everything else that has little no bearing on our spiritual growth and development) that we seem to want to die for. Rather it should be we are to respond and move in spiritual quickening and revelation, heeding the words of Christ, “But when you do alms, let not your left hand know what your right hand does. That your alms may be in secret; and your Father which sees in secret Himself shall reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:3-4) This concept of secrecy should not to be limited to the act of giving, as the principle holds true in all areas of Christian witness and ministry. It is a fundamental fact that man seeks expression. He should do so to develop a normal personality and character. This places a responsibility upon us as the flesh nature has become so dominant in man’s methods and that we may unconsciously allow its ways to sweep in and rule even in our spiritual life experiences. These experiences and our expressions also are a reflection of how much of our life has been crucified with Christ. We must remember this clear-cut and poignant truth, “Than which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6). This is a truth upon which all real Christian life and spirituality is built. It is basic and fundamental, but at the same time spiritual. Now we should not restrict the meaning of this phrase, “that which is born of the flesh is flesh” as referring merely to a function of our physical body. This is a true concept, but far too limited. Whatever has its inception and is birthed from a fleshly origin, forever remains in the realm of the earthly, and fleshly. These cannot under any circumstances become spiritual or bear spiritual fruitage. On the other hand, whatever is “born of the Spirit” (whatever has its inception from and is birthed through the Spirit) is always spiritual in issue and fruition. All the service and work of man (though they may be considered as being “spiritual” by some) are merely a natural and religious expression. They have their origin from within the good, religious nature of man’s being and he gives it free expression in the form of church services, service, and good works. Not being born of the Spirit they can never be spiritual nor can they ever merit a spiritual reward. The ways and methods of man by nature are diametrically opposed to the ways and laws of the Spirit. The question in the last analysis is not, “Is this a true ministry?” It is rather a question of motives and the birthplace of its manifestation; is it of the “spirit,” or of the “flesh?” This is the day of exhibition and exploitation. Many struggle to be seen, heard, and known. This is what man does, but not the Spirit. In John Jesus told the disciples, “He shall not speak of (or from) Himself (that is on His Own initiative) He shall glorify Me, for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it to you.” (John 16:13-14) The Spirit does not detract from, but rather focuses the attention where it belongs - upon the Lord Jesus. If the ministry is truly in the Spirit, the instrument will be hidden. Self-effacement will be the atmosphere. How awkward and reluctant our flesh is when it gets out of hearing and out of sight. When I was pastoring in Germany I was told a mighty man of God was coming from Ghana, well he was a man from Ghana, but he was not a mighty man nor was he a mighty man of God. He started preaching by singing (a typical African tradition) songs to loosen up the crowd, but when he opened up the Bible he spent more time rolling around on the floor like some baby than he did in preaching the word of God. The people loved it! Deceived!! He was a showman he had a great show, but it was nothing of the LORD it was born of the flesh. Most Christians respond to the LORD when given the LORD an opportunity to be expressed, but most Christians are do not give the LORD any opportunity and do not really know how the Spirit of God really moves. They are waiting for some organ roll to thrill them or someone to go up the piano scale effecting our emotions. These ploys are not of the Spirit of the LORD they are cheap parlor tricks to engage our emotion and feelings, a substitute. They are born of the flesh and will never no ever manifest the works of the Spirit and when we separate grace from truth and mix it with theater and showmanship we get a distorted version of God and His precious salvation. Sadly not only men, but most of the church today has lost sight of what it means to be born of the Spirit. You know if we do not have levels of restrictions and limitations operating in our lives we do not have a correct concept of grace thus grace is NOT operating in our lives. Grace does not give us “a get out of jail card” to do whatsoever we want to do, say, or go, but holds us hard and fast to the truth found in the word of God and the word of God spoken to us. In the Old Testament grace (grace is always tied to truth) provided from the truth (by the law) said, “thou shall not kill,” but the grace (tied to truth) found in the New Testament by Jesus said, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” (Matthew 5:21-22) In the Old Testament the truth of the law said, “do not commit adultery,” but in the New Testament of grace tied to truth Jesus said, "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28) Did you get that? Not do not do it, but if you think about committing adultery you have already done it. Grace always holds us to a higher standard of righteousness, never forgives laziness and slothfulness and requires discipline and sacrifice in our walk with God and man. In A. W. Tozer’s wrote in his book The Crucified Life he states, “over the last half century a steady decline in the spiritual quality of Christian religion in America, no informed person will attempt to deny. I am not speaking of the liberalism and modernism, but of that evangelical wing of Christianity to which I myself belong by theological conviction and personal choice. I believe the situation has become so serious that the earnest observer is forced to wonder whether our popular evangelical religion today is indeed the true faith of our fathers or simply some form of paganism thinly disguised with a veneer of Christianity to make it acceptable to those who want to call them Christians. Turn to the church page of any city newspaper or leaf through some of the popular magazines today and what you will find there will make you sick at heart. We have come to our present low state as the result of an almost fanatical emphasis on grace to the total exclusion of obedience, self-discipline, patience, personal holiness, cross carrying, discipleship, and other such precious doctrines of the New Testament. These doctrines cannot be made to harmonize with the doctrine of grace taught by most modern church fathers. Certainly, though these teachings are not denied they are either allowed to die from neglect or relegated to a footnote with so many explanations and interpretations as to make them ineffective. The grace that amazed our fathers -- that brought them to their knees in tears and trembling worship has by deadly familiarity become so mundane that it scarcely affects us at all. That which was so wondrous to the Moravians and Methodist and their immediate spiritual descendents had become cheap to a generation of Christians devoted to their own pursuits and engrossed in their own pleasures.” In these days of man’s exhibition we often have become overly suspicious of motives. In some cases one hardly dares to be simply courteous for he will be misunderstood. Someone might think we are attempting to “put something over” if we are polite. But the Word tells us, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (Hebrews 13:2). The disciples on their way to Emmaus, were courteous enough to invite the Stranger to walk with them, and to enter with them into their destination. As the result of a simple act of kindness, a revelation came to hungry hearts. So much of value and real worth often hinges upon a seeming trifle. I cannot begin to tell you how I almost missed God by almost missing the little things He was doing. Remember “little is much, if God is in it.” Do not fear to obey His commands they are not grievous. He is seeking refreshment today. Can you not spread before Him a humble meal in the quiet, hidden place of your heart? But remember, He may not wear the form you are expecting. He often “hungers” in the form of broken humanity. The forms He wears are many. So serve the deep hunger of the needy one and satisfy their need. In so doing you may open the door to a deeper revelation of who He really is. If the words preached do not prick our heart and bring us into a place of reflection and soul searching then what you are listening to is not the Gospel message. If words preached makes us happy and emotional then it is not the Gospel message, it is another message that is anti-Christ or against the message of Christ. The Gospel message must be a mirror to be able to see our heart condition, ourselves, and how much we are NOT like Jesus Christ anything else is a lie and the truth is not in them. My friend there is a cross we are to bear (our crucified life) daily and at the heart of that cross is our will whereby our will to do, say, and go as we will is laid across God’s will for our lives. This cross is the crucified life we must submit to be able to win Christ, to be able to be in Christ, and yes even to be seated with Christ in heavenly places. There is a price we must pay to walk with the LORD, Jesus paid with His life and is the servant greater than the Master? I think not. We too must go to the cross and be crucified on the cross the Father has for us bear. Then and only then will we ever hope to come into the resurrection life of God where we rule and reign with Him in this life and in the next lives to come. Written by David Stahl

THANK YOU

I do not know about you, but to me there seems to be a great lack of common courtesy and civility in the world today and worse this lack of basic manners have crept over into the church. The general rule of common courtesy and decency is to praise in public and discipline (a bad word for most Christians) in private seems to be something I learned in the Navy that does not apply to the Christian world. Did you know God wants us to have more courtesy and manners than those folks in the world? But, that is not what I see going on in the church. Now please do not misunderstand me here I am NOT saying we should do things for God and our fellow man for a “pat on the back” or a “well done,” but when someone does something for you (especially if they go above and beyond what is expected) the least we should say is “thank you.” To do less is nothing more than arrogance and a heart condition that screams of a genuine lack of gratitude and thankfulness to God and man. Paul told the church at Rome, “Because 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.” (Romans 1:21) Not being thankful to God and man most often is due to our imagining we are better than someone else and need not express our gratitude for their service and express they are equal to us. Please let me give you a few examples I have seen recently in my life, examples of things that are not getting better and something I feel God truly hates. You know when we do not “But speak the truth in love so that they may grow up in all things . . .” (Ephesians 4:15) as Paul taught the Church at Ephesus then we are rejecting the truth of the word of God for the person we are to be sharing with. We have rejected the truth for the individual and now the Holy Spirit cannot work in their life. Faith comes by hearing! When we speak the truth and they hear our words have it be; the Scriptures, a thus says the LORD, or holding their feet to the fire on a point of courtesy, morality, or holiness God then can begin to work in their lives. I have a pastor friend in Africa who could not get a visa to come to the States. In the past he had no problem, but with the new regulations and restrictions America has put into place to prevent terrorism he could not get a visa unless tons of paper work was completed on his end and by the people hosting him. Another friend asked me to fill out the paperwork for him so our mutual friend could come, but after finding out the extent of the paperwork and the private ministry information I would have to reveal I declined. Now in the past I have called my State Senator to request a letter from him to be sent to the Consulate or Embassy on behalf of a friend wanting to come to the States. The letter is not you must give this individual a visa, but I am aware this individual wants to come to my States; which is another way of saying please give this guy a visa. I have done this for two other pastors with successful results. Now I do not want to abuse this kindness from our Senator’s office and like to use it only for emergencies, but since he was a good friend I went above and beyond and called. After many days of calls and many emails my pastor friend in Africa got his visa. Wonderful he got his visa, but months later (by chance from my brother) I heard my pastor friend from Africa was in the States. Now here is my point. When my pastor friend from Africa came to the States he never once called or emailed letting me know (just to say hi) he was in the States, and the real kicker is as of this date my pastor friend from Africa has never said “thank you” for helping him get a visa. This my friend is arrogant and a self-serving attitude that God is not happy with. We think just because God dealt with our sin our character flaws have been dealt with also, well my friend I am here to tell you that is wrong thinking. Did you know God is more concerned about our character then He is about our sin, abilities and gifts? He can do something about our sin, abilities and gifts, but our character flaws like not saying thank you is something He expects US to handle and when we allow these to become a major part of our character it destroys our Christians witness and the authority God gives us as leaders and ministers of the Gospel. Bad attitudes and ungratefulness does not speak of a clean and humble heart. There is another example I would like to share with you. I am not sure if a lot of folks know, but I have contacts in the US government from my days as a Joint Medical Planner where containers (40x40 dry wall) can be sent from door to door in some cases for free. Yes that is right for free. I have helped send containers to Nigeria, Kenya, Peru and in the process at different stages of sending container for free through the US government to: two different ministries in Mozambique, one ministry in Ghana, and another ministry in Nigeria. Again to do this I must go above and beyond what is expected in a normal relationship and requires many hours of phone calls and time behind the computer imputing all of the information into a special database I have access. I get nothing for this help (except a pat on the back from God which is enough) only stress and sometimes frustration with dealing with international issues. Of the four containers yet to be sent (for free mind you) the only way I hear from these folks is when I call or email them. Never has any of them picked up the phone and brought me up to speed with what was going on so I could contact my contact (who I really want to keep happy) in the US government and let them know why the delay. Weeks even months go by before I call or email and ask what is going on and usually get something like, “well you know we have been very busy around here at church.” When someone does you a favor (especially when they go out of their way) you should take their time and effort serious and thank them every time you talk with them, not to do so is nothing short of arrogance, selfishness, and self-serving. Not to do so is just a reflection of thankless heart condition. Remember the verse, “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 35A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.” (Matthew 12:34-35) Whatsoever is in your heart will come out your mouth. Maybe that is why God teaches us to keep our peace? I find people who have nothing seem to be more thankful than people who are trying to protect their treasures. And the reverse of that truth is true; whatsoever is not in your heart (like saying thank you) will not come out your mouth. If you have to force yourself or even make an effort to remember to say things like: thank you, you are welcome, or please (all common words of kindness and courtesy) shame on you it is a reflection of a heart condition whereby God has not been allowed to work on your character. You know the people we really love the words, “I love you” just comes off our lips without any thought or effort, it is automatic they are in our heart and they come rolling off our lips without any pretense or thought. When I call Mike Olufemi (our Operations Director at our Maternity Clinic) in Aveile, Nigeria with our monthly payment for salaries and maintenance Mike starts the conversation off by saying “I love you” and then goes on for about ten more “I love yous” before we settle down and talk business. Mike does not have much (and he is thankful) on this earth, but his heart is full of love for me and God thus, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” What a joy it is to talk with him when he calls two or three times a month just to say “hello” or at the beginning of the month when we send our support. We start our conversation with “I love you” and end our conversation with “I love you” and everything else between is sweet music. This inability to express thankfulness and gratitude is nothing more than a sign our flesh is alive and well and we have not allowed God to deal our flesh a death blow. Our mighty flesh (our ungodly attitude, emotions, and feelings) must be destroyed. How can the might of flesh surrender to the Almighty? It is very difficult, if not impossible. This is the reason why it must be destroyed. We see this in the victory of the Children of Israel over the Egyptians, "Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea." (Exodus 15:4) Like the Egyptians our strength and might must drown, but the weakness of the flesh is another story. Weakness surrenders much easier than strength does. And in that surrender the Lord's strength can become what He intends it to be, " . . . And he said unto me, My (the Lord's) grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness . . . " (II Corinthians 12:9) When our mighty flesh cannot surrender, the Lord performs a mercy killing. "But He overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever." (Psalm 136:15) God intends for our flesh to surrender, this is His intention. We are to have a soft heart where our flesh automatically (this is God’s intention) submits to God’s direction and will in obedience and when it does not submit to God we must allow God to work in our lives to the point where He can deliver our flesh (ultimately) a death blow, if not then the next steps along the continuum of His dealings and judgments in our lives are harder on us and our relationships. And in the end if we do not allow God to work in our lives our salvation (sorry my Baptist friends) could be lost. So how important is saying “thank you?” In the short run seemingly not important after all we have God’s and our brother’s and sister’s grace to fall back on, but in the long run how important is our salvation? “Thank you” for taking time to read this article. Written by David Stahl

ALL IN TIME

One of my easiest times of God’s drawing me in my late teens was when the late Sammy Hall came to our high school in Fayetteville, NC and put on a concert. Wow he was great he had the entire school student and staff on their feet in the gym and to think he was singing Christian music. He shared his testimony of how drugs and alcohol almost ruined his life many of the kids were crying (me included) then he sang a song called, “Plenty of Time” that talked about the many chances this person had to accept Christ, but at the end of his life all he had was time separated from God. Chance after chance to give their heart to the LORD, but they were young and had plenty of time. The last verse goes something like this; before I knew what happened my life seemed to pass away and millions were gathered there for it was judgment day and now here I stand with nothing but time. You know time is an amazing thing in our lives. Did you know time is the only thing in our lives we cannot get back once it passes? Time is not owned by man, but is owned by God. I hear people say (even I have said this before) I would like to go back to the good old days when life was much simpler or when the Spirit of God would fall in a special way, well this is impossible because there is no more good old days anymore they are over we cannot go back. The falling of the Spirit is not dependent on a certain time, but on our willingness to become the vessel it requires to be to have the Spirit of God to fall on and move through. The same for the future there is no future there is only now. Time consists of only the here and now. There is no past or future only the here and now. In Romans Paul said, “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.” (Romans 13:11-13) Did you know many people do not know what time it is? Many people are asleep and do not know it is time to wake up before it is too late. Paul said it is “high time to awake out of sleep” or at the beginning of the fourth watch (the morning watch) of the night when it is the darkest. Unless we wake up we cannot “cast off the works of darkness” and “put on the armour of light.” There is a divine spiritual principle operating here, we must first put off, take off, or cast off before we can put on. And unless we wake up and put on light we will always walk in darkness. Time is defined two ways in the Bible. The first way we can find in Matthew when Herod was talking with the Wise Men, “Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.8And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.” (Matthew 2:7-8) Here the word “time” is Strong’s #5550, chronos; time either long or short. It is where we get the word chronological or to order of things like; 1, 2, 3, 4 or young to old, day to night, etc. This use of time by God establishes a continuous physical order to our lives and even our universe that can be used to establish a beginning and an end. We see this use of time when God established seed time and harvest. It is a time that physical processes function within and cannot move outside the limitations and restrictions of its sequencing. Now there is another understanding of time used in the Bible that has more of a spiritual usage. Again in Matthew we read, “And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. 29And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?” (Matthew 8:28-29) Here the word “time” is Strong’s #2540, kairos; a fixed and definite time, the time when things are brought to crisis, a limited period of time. Here Jesus is passing by and some demons cried out to Him questioning Him whether or not He has come to cut their time short. I find it amazing the demons knew of their time to operate and knew of the time in the future when they will be tormented. This word for “time” is more spiritual in nature and projection. It is for a defined duration and for a limited span unlike “chronos” which is continual and must operate well within the bounds of physical order. In Ephesians we read, “Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:14-16) Time is often tied in Scripture to sleeping or people asleep spiritually. Time also is often tied in Scripture to God’s will. Here Paul encourages the Church at Ephesus to “redeem the time.” Here the word “redeeming” is Strong’s #1805 which means; to make wise and sacred use of every opportunity for doing good, so that zeal and well doing are as it were the purchase money by which we make the time our own. This can only be done in “kairos” time because this redemption is a short time of acting. All that we do in God spiritually must be done in “kairos” time. God has an appointed time for us to do things and when this time is over we have moved outside the will and purpose God has ordained. When we moved to Germany and started Christliche Gemeinde Stuttgart it was for a period of time. I was not to keep pastoring even though I could and I am sure God would have still continued to bless, but that was not what God wanted for me, my family, and others. I have seen this play out time and time again in my life and in the lives of others. We have a limited amount of time to do things for God on the earth. We have even less time to do specific things God has purposed and planned for us to. God holds everything in His balance scale of time and He expects us to know what time it is and He expects us to move with Him in whatsoever He is doing in and through us. This time thing is amazing. We think we have tomorrow and like Sammy Hall’s song we have “Plenty of Time,” well that is wrong thinking my friend. God’s word tells us that He does not promise no man (mankind which included women) tomorrow. In James we read, “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” (James 4:14) In other words our life is like smoke or steam that appears for a short “kairos” of time. I like the question, “For what is your life?” Wow what a question. The answer can be answered by different people in different ways, but all must answer the question it is bound up in this thing called time and in time the answer will be revealed. One thing for sure whatever we do for God we must not be slow at it and not waste time. Remember time once spent can never be recovered, but how funny it is that we can waste something so precious as time. Let us purpose in our heart not to waste the time God has given us. Let us redeem (is a money term) the time God has given us and yield the investment God is looking for in us and the time He has invested in us. You know our salvation is expressed in term of money, our redemption is a term whereby something was bought back. Jesus bought back (redeemed us by the time spent on the cross) our soul through His precious blood. Our life is a mirror in time a reflection of what is. Walter Beuttler said the Holy Spirit was like a camera He revealed an image of reality. So we must desire to become the expressed image (that mirror) of the Father and in time we will be that image as we are changed from glory to glory. Written by David Stahl

UNSEEN MAN

The longer I go with God the more I come to see the unseen man in me. At times this unseen man can me quite ugly and even mean if not checked by the Holy Spirit’s work in my life. Man’s attitude (I include myself at times) is earthly, carnal, and selfish wanting to get all that they can get. Often (even in church) we make our approach to our Christian brothers and sisters in ways to see what we can get from them. This ought not to be. There is a saying today, “he who dies with the most toys wins” so wrong my friends. He who wins in God is the one who does things in life lawfully. Paul told Timothy, “And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” (2 Timothy 2:5) In God the race does not go the strongest, fastest, or sure of foot, but to the one who strives within the framework of God’s rules and divine principles, but our unseen man within us wants to operate outside the framework, outside the limitations and restrictions God has established for our lives. This we must never allow too happen in our lives if we are going win Christ. Now God’s attitude towards man is quite different then man’s. God’s attitude is an eternal attitude towards all humanity and is one of a seeking God. Now we may think my friend we are seeking Him, but in reality He is seeking us. As we expose our hearts to Him, He responds. Now at times we may even feel as though we are invading Him or we have taken the initiative and are pushing in from every angle to discover Him, but this is not so, God in His Godly ways is just seeking that which is lost. In Luke Jesus tells us, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10) The heart of God is always seeking man. From the Garden of Eden God sought after man not because of man’s sin, but because of God’s love for His most precious creation. I find it odd that God’s most precious creation (man) has hurt God the most. This is a thread that runs throughout the Scriptures a holy God is seeking an unholy man and wants to make the creation like the Creator. It is not the sin of man that stands in the way because sin was dealt with by Christ on the cross it is the contrary nature of the carnal unseen man that dwells within us. Paul knew this truth all too well. In Romans Paul shared his inward thoughts about his unseen man in his life, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.” (Romans 7:18-20) We must allow God’s dealings and judgments (through the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives) to put to death the unseen man or he will destroy everything we try to do, he will destroy every relationship: our sweetheart, our spouse and children, every church relationship we enter in, and ultimately he will lead us into spiritual death ending us in hell. “Oh wretched man” Isaiah declared; he too knew of the death that dwells within his unseen man. Now the good news is God is seeking man so that we can surrender to His work in our lives. Let us never forget (sometimes we forget) through it all and through all we experience God is still working, still seeking that unseen man to do the work in our lives that must be done. This unseen man takes on many forms both from foes and friends alike. I think when it is our friends that hurt us it cuts us deeper. Karen always tells me I use the word “friend” too loosely and as time goes on I discover the true intents, purposes, and attitudes of my “friends” I find they are not really “friends,” but acquaintances who I have wanted to be more in relationship then what they are willing to give. Remember a man cannot give what he does not have. I had a “friend” over 30 years (in my thinking), but when I woke up and saw as long as I looked up to him and stayed under this direction all was well. When I challenged him in having an equal relationship (as the Bible teaches) our friendship was over. He walked away taking others with him who were still under his spell. Sadly his life has left in its wake a significant list of folks (such as me) that he has turned from and walked away from. Oh well, no real loss I still have the wonderful memories of years of ministry and lives touched in many countries in the world something he cannot take away from me. I still am holding out for the time when we can once again eat, drink, and travel (as the Bible teaches) for God’s glory. The raw truth is we become acquainted with one another; but as for the real inner person, we know very little. In fact, we know little about ourselves at first glimpse. The LORD desires to fully possess us, to shape and mold us into the image of His Son. As we advance in God, the Holy Spirit will keep projecting before us unexplored territory in our lives that we have yet to move into and over which He seeks domain. We say, “He reigns and rules in our heart” and this may be true, but have we given the Lord absolute and perfect control and possession of all the realms within us that are yet to be possessed? We are but little cells within this mystical Body of Believers that has been developing and projecting itself down through two thousand plus years of history. In His time He will lift this Body out of time and present it to the Father. This is the great desire of His heart. He desires that He will have something worthy to present to His Father. Now listen closely here. There is no experience into which the Lord leads us, no matter how profound or revolutionizing that experience may be that will of its self mature us. Many are deceived because they think I have received now I have. We must never allow ourselves to come under the power of an experience and then build our life around it. This is not a question concerning the fact of our salvation, but of how we allow God to move and work within and through us while we are within this present life. Whatever there is of spiritual value within us (that which we will carry into the next age) must be acquired in the here and now; in reality there is no past or future only memories and hopes. All we really have is the here and now for God to work in us. We must ask ourselves has the LORD been able to accomplish within us all that He seeks to accomplish? After we have been released from this present realm (our present life) we cannot come back to choose or decide. We should not be disturbed if the LORD is not using us as a missionary or in some ministry. Unless He has given us this He is not expecting it from us. He had one Paul and one Wesley. He has one of you and you are the only specific edition of who you are. Since this is true He is desirous to bring forth all that the potential within us will allow. Thus our “works” are the technique or the method which He will use to accomplish this miracle of changing us into the image of His precious Son Jesus Christ and equipping us for a higher purpose. If He has called you to be a preacher then preach, if He has called you to be a plumber then be a good plumber. Whatever we are called to do, we are to do it to the “Glory of God” and sing in our spirit while doing it. We often become entangled in the mechanism and forget the objective. We must be careful to not lose sight of our objective. We are to keep it always before us our life surrendered and our whole being moving back again to the heart of the Father. We are being disciplined, educated, trained, and conformed to His image, by the thousand and one things that the LORD throws into our pattern of daily life experience. We may say this is holy and that is secular. To one fully committed to the LORD everything should be holy and sacred; there is nothing secular about it. That is common talk among people who do not know the things of God. Therefore they have categories into which they place certain experiences of life. We never should do this. If I am called to be a good plumber this is a sacred calling. What makes it sacred, the plumbing? No the will of God for my life. None of us have arrived we are in the process of “becoming” (a life-long process of testing, approving, and qualifying for God’s higher life) and we will be in that process until the LORD takes us home. When we were saved the LORD dealt with our sin nature. He can do that in very short order, but it takes a life time to deal with our character. God is more concerned about our character than He is about our talents, gifts, and abilities in Him. After we have gone through several dealings we may feel we have arrived. Then the LORD will say to us, “I have been dealing with your sins. I dealt with all that externally now I want to come within and get a hold of you. Get a hold of that unseen man within.” Did you know truth has a two-fold way of disturbing and moving? If allowed truth will slay us, yet it is the truth that resurrects us. There are two opposing forces and we swing back and forth between them. The LORD talks about death, but He also speaks of life. He not only talks about crucifying, but also about resurrection and life. We are to keep them together, not separated like we do with Mary and Martha. In Luke we read, “He entered a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me. And Jesus answered and said to her, Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42) We should never separate Martha and Mary they are sisters in the same family, but having different vocations and talents. Martha has a valid place within us. She represents our activities, our good works, our ministries, and all the things we do. But Mary has a place also. She represents our spiritual aspirations and our desire to move toward God. For years I never understood why Martha got such a bad rap in this story because all we receive at the feet of Jesus must descend and find its place in the daily activities of our lives where it is to become a practical reality otherwise we will become unbalanced. Thus we are not to remain detached in even the most magnificent revelation of life and truth. Now whenever Martha gets up within us and busily hurries around we know that we will not receive a revelation from the LORD in all that activity. We must let Mary arise within us and sit at the feet of Jesus. Each has their proper place and time in which to function correctly in God. Both are essential parts of our spiritual development and growth and must be maintained in the right balance if not we get over in either revelation or demonstration and off track in both areas. Here are some other examples from the Scriptures: “And seeing the multitudes, He went up into a mountain: and when He was set, his disciples came to Him: And He opened His mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:1-3) and “When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. And, behold, a leper came and worshiped him, saying, Lord, if You are willing, you can make me clean. Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, I am willing; be cleansed. Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” (Matthew 8:1-3) Jesus went up into the mount and sat. His disciples came to Him and He taught them, but He did not stay there. Afterwards He went down into the valley among the multitudes, where He was met by a leper seeking help. Here in the valley of life the revelations of the mountain top became a practical reality in our lives. It may take the LORD years to bring us into this balance between our devotion and our works only then will we come into the balance of being and doing that God so desires for us. It is one thing to say we are in Christ, but it is another thing all together different to say we have Christ in us. The more we can allow God’s objectives and ways right of way in our lives the more we will be able to put to death the carnal unseen man within. The more we can operate in the balance of our devotion and our works the more we will be able to come into the things God has purposed for our lives. You know there are people who know not God at all. Then there are people (carnal Christians) who know God only though salvation, but may not know God because their unseen carnal man is alive and well. Their attitudes, motives, and character have not been transformed from the earthly to the heavenly. And then there are people who have allowed God to begin to kill their unseen man, who have allowed God to begin that process of “becoming” we call them Christians with a future because their unseen man is dying. Written by David Stahl