OUIR WILL

If you have ever had any second thoughts if God loves us just watch an animal show on TV. Karen and I like to watch (no we are not tree huggers) National Geographic Wild or Animal Planet (there seldom is anything worth watching on TV to include what we call "Christian" TV a real oxymoron) We are amazed at how God patterned the animal kingdom after its own kind and imprinted in their lives the desire for self-preservation (if you do not believe me just go fishing and draw a fish from the water it will do everything it can to escape to save its life) and a desire to produce seed after it own kind. We are amazed at how God put in place indwelling drives and desires to eat certain foods; some animal (no matter the size, age or sex) are meat eaters while others eat plants trees, and leaves. What a perfect balance to life and death God has built into the animal kingdom. Now some people would say this all happened by accident or at best it all was random selection starting from an one celled animals -- to this I say, "camel cookies!" Back in the Book of Genesis (which is not a book on creation) God spoke the animal kingdom into existence (which means the chicken came first and not the egg) and then He made man. "And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was good. 25 And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good." (Genesis 1:24-25) Then God made man. "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." (Genesis 1:26-28) The Book of Genesis is not about creation if it is then God sure left out a whole lot of details, oh no my friend the Book of Genesis is about what God says and does. In the first Chapter alone God said ("And God said") and did something 18 times. This my friend is a continual theme all throughout the Bible that we must allow to grip our soul -- if God says something then it will come to pass if we allow it to happen in our lives. Remember God speaking is always His intention for us and whether it comes to pass is not up to God nor His power, but up to us by being willing to walk in the condition God has measured out for us to meet so that we will be able to move in the revelation of His speaking to us. Funny how God's will has little to do with God, but everything to do with us. God can only do and say what He wills (His desire for our lives) He does not try to trick us or set us up for failure He only speaks His will to us in ways (both written and spoken word as well as by the Holy Spirit to our inner spirit man) we know that we know for sure God is speaking to us. Here is verse 24 God said some things and they came to pass. Then in verse 28 God said more things and they too came to pass and notice "God blessed" (God's first blessing) man and woman. Man was made much different than animals, fish, birds, etc. Man was given a will of His own to make choices that animals (nor Angels for that matter) were not given. Animal have no choice (they have been imprinted from birth) what they will eat, where they will live, when they will procreate, and to a certain degree when they will die. All it takes for a huge giraffe to die is get separated from his mates and for him to meet a pride of lions. Funny though how man seems to think more of animals than they do of people. Today (maybe only in America) an animal's life seems to be more sacred than a human life. The will of man to keep life alive in the womb has been lost since 1973 and man keeps passing laws to fulfill his selfish desires (to fulfill man's will) against what God says to be true and lawful. Just because the Supreme Court of America passes a law to sanction the death of a baby does not make it okay with God. America is answering for this today. Yet in all of this man is different he was made in God's image. God loves man very much in spite of man's open rebellion. God gave man a soul and blessed him (and woman) with an ability to do the things animals cannot do. And one of those things God gave man was a free will. There are 1,000s and 1,000s of churches in American (many types of denominations) to remind us of this. We all have a free will. If we have been born into the earth we all have a free will and at times we can choose not to do what God would will for our lives. Jesus told the disciples and people who followed him, "Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." (Mark 8:34) Now we cannot not take up Jesus' cross we all have our own personal cross to take up and I believe it has something to do with our will. It is our will which is a part of the cross we must take up and bear -- our will laid across God's will for our life and in the construct of the two wills is our response of obedience (or of no obedience) God is looking for. Even Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane had a will that was not what the Father wanted for His life, but Jesus knew His purpose and reason for living and that was to die. In Matthew we read of Jesus, "And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done." (Matthew 26:39,42) If you want to go with God you must always go "a little further" and fall down on our face, but here Jesus clearly has a will that was contrary to the Father's. Jesus here demonstrated not once, but twice what God is looking for when our wills clash, "not as I will, but as thou wilt." God is always looking for our obedience to His will the first time He speaks. If God has to keep speaking to us again and again, twisting our arms then our obedience is not genuine from our heart, but has been coerced. This is not what God is after in our lives. God is after obedience the first time thoughtfully and willfully. We all have a will and at the heart of our will is the way we conduct ourselves. I know some of the greatest losses I have experienced is the loss of relationships by a willful act. I have written in the past about a friend (yes I still consider him a friend 30 years is a long time to throw under the bus) and who I love very much (and am hoping he changes his mind), but he has made a willful decision to break off relationship with me because I spoke the truth (even though he does not believe that from his perspective) to him. Measure your words when you tell someone the truth about themselves. And now he has made another willful decision to gather people (people we both know) against me. I sent an email to a pastor friend in Kenya (who I have known since 1995) who replied back thinking he was sending an email to my friend asking him if he can talk to me. Well I emailed my pastor friend back and asked him why he has to ask my friend's permission to talk with me and got back a flowery email saying how much he loves and appreciates me, but we both know this was a lie. Words cannot cover the real spirit of a man if one has a spiritual discernment. Our will is powerful it can come with great deception to the truth if we refuse to honestly examine our heart (I have done this before) and then lead people astray thinking they are in the right and justified in their actions. Yet I too have a will and have chosen to look past and to be honest my heart is heavy from the loss of relationship. We must take heed to how our will is employed especially when it comes to people we esteem and value. I see a growing trend and danger in the church globally where leaders are looking to men instead of the Holy Spirit. The practice of mentorship (a business term) and accountability before men is ever growing in acceptance, well this all is nothing more than old fashion manipulation and control to bend ones' will after another's will or to get them to do and think a certain way. In the church it is the appearance of the perceived spiritual prowess of the mentor is where the deception is found. We must take heed in this area. The writer to the Hebrews says, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith," not looking at man and his abilities to lead or inspire. Mentorship is not a spiritual principle in the Bible and we must not get caught up in such a worldly practice. Lastly as I read the Bible I see verses that talk about a perfect will and a good will and even have heard people talk about God's permissive (word not in the KJV) will and yes I use to believe God allowed these different wills into our lives, but now I do not believe this is so. God's will is not by degree or doled out, but is like His salvation either we are saved or we are not there is no middle ground. Either we are in God 's will or we are not and only God's will comes to us out from our of obedience to Him. Funny how we really know if we are in God's will. Oh we may try to fool people into believing we are doing what God wants us to be doing, but in our heart we know the only person we have fooled is our self. Recently my big brother, Karen, and I were talking and he made this statement, "ministry is a good place for people to hide. We can do all of this stuff and not allow God to deal in our heart." Looking back over my many years of ministry I can see this to be true in my life at times and in the lives of others. It is our will right or wrong that keeps us going and if not careful it will be our will that will take us far out of God. Written by David Stahl

A MEDITATION ON CHRISTMAS

A Meditation on Christmas By David Stahl When I meditate on this time of the year and on 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.

JUSTICE OR MERCY

If the Lord had made spirituality both attractive and easy to attain, multitudes would have followed Him, but we know as we walk this wondrous path with the LORD, “For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). The first thing we are called to is to follow truth not what we believe is true, but what the Bible and God says is true. There is a vast difference here as seen between a prophet and a politician. It is such a shame to see how politics has infected the church. The term “grass roots” refers to the discovery of what people think and want. The politician then offers what the majority wants and as a result becomes popular and is elected. In other words the politician seeks out which way the majority is going to gain influence and power. Then he stands in front of them and says, "follow me." Sadly, church leaders have learned if you want people to follow you or give you money just tell them what they already know and what they want to hear, but the prophet stands alone and says, “you are going the wrong way -- turn around now.” The politician is popular because he relates to the majority. The prophet is never popular because his word is costly and requires change. People often are deceived because they choose that which is presently comfortable rather than being willing to pay the price for the truth they hear. Truth can never really be sold, but it must be purchased with the last ounce of our strength and all that we possess. Solomon tells us, “Buy the truth, and sell it not also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.” (Proverbs 23:23) Truth is always costly and the result may not be seen, but to choose less in the long run is much more costly because those who continually look for something for nothing are open to deception. Many of these will compromise rather than submit to the LORD’s way. The LORD works very slowly, but very thoroughly as He is more interested in what we are becoming rather than what we are doing. Our “self” will always seek comfort and a life of ease which leads to us to self-deception, but God is not after that. Now when we make our way to truth we will always have to wrestle with wisdom, instruction, and understanding these all are a part of the truth. Solomon knew this and saw the great value in truth. Without wisdom, understanding, and instruction truth would be useless because truth is always from God's perspective (God is the origination of all wisdom, understanding, and instruction) and is always progressive. We enjoy truth, but sometimes there is a fascination in its revelation that bewitches us and we want to know more about that, but we do not want to know about the power of its reaction in us. That is where the trouble begins. We must always remember that there is a reaction in us from the truth. We want it that's good the desire is there that is wholesome. We may say we want the truth, but we see if we really mean it the entrance of truth in our hearts and lives it can be the most disastrous thing we could ever ask for, that is, if we allow it to accomplish its features and purposes. It is not something that liberates us and makes us happy. That is one aspect of its reaction, but truth in its power in its essence is the most terrifying thing I have found that I did not know of in the beginning. Truth has two fold action in us. It will begin pleasing us of course quite agreeable and it has a great charm if we embrace it we better be very careful and pray about it because the sole purpose of truth is not to make us happy (which it will at times), but to slay us because the LORD is not interested in our carnal nature setup or our happiness His goal is to conform us into the character and image of His dear Son Jesus Christ and will use truth to chip away at our fleshly character and nature. Truth must go by a way of death before it can be released in life -- spiritual death in us. This is the spiritual law in the spiritual realm. Truth is never objective, but when we yield our hearts and lives to the Holy Spirit the Spirit can take this truth and incorporate it into our lives until the things which are purely judicial may be brought down to actual living. The Holy Spirit takes that which is purely objective and makes it a reality in our lives until it is incorporated into our being it then will be a subjective realization. Truth is never ours until it is personalized. It is never ours until we have laid ourselves open before God in our inner being and the Spirit has been able to bring that truth in and by faith taken hold of it allowing that truth to do the thing in us that God is looking for in us. It may be creative or corrective, but whichever it is the conforming tool will be truth. As I said truth is purely progressive in all forms, thus the heart has to be conditioned continually for its reception. It is an invisible miracle in the heart. Truth comes from revelation (God's measuring stick for men) not ability and strength. As we read the Bible we understand why the Bible is the truth: because no conversation in the Word of God is accidental, not the words, nor the arrangement of the choice of words, nor their combination that is what makes it so powerful. The power (the understanding of the truth) is contained in the words. That is why truth is exacting and precise; it is settled forever. We cannot make truth up, God alone is the author of all truth, but one may discover it. It is life and it gives life. No where is this seen any clearer than between the words and action of justice and mercy. Today in the world people are crying out for all forms of justice (even social and economic), but in reality if we get justice we all would be judged, found guilty, and duly punished. In reality it is not justice we hunger for but, mercy. In the Psalms David said, "Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face." (Psalms 89:14) Now notice the combination of words here: "justice and judgment" on one hand and "mercy and truth" on the other. Mercy and truth always walk hand in hand as does justice and judgment. So if we go towards justice then judgment precedes the justice. Before the judge can give justice at whatever level he first must judge the situation and circumstance. Over 10 verses in the KJV of the Bible the words, "justice and judgment" appear together (side by side) with other verses listing justice and judgment in the same verse. Here is an example, "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him." (Genesis 18:19) and "Fair weather cometh out of the north: with God is terrible majesty. 23 Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict." (Job 37:22-23) When we turn towards justice we turn toward judgment. Let us remember this spiritual truth the next time we think we have been wronged or get offended by our brothers and sisters. The pound of flesh we are asking God for may be our own. The same is true with "mercy and truth" as is for the many verses in the Bible that list them side by side and separate in verses. For example, "I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.9 Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land. 10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.11 Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven." (Psalms 85:8-11) When we turn towards mercy we turn towards truth and we know the objective of truth is to slay us. It is easy to give mercy to a dead man. I will let that sink in awhile. When we die to our "self" and our selfish desires and wants it is easy for God to give us mercy when we have failed or come short of God's glory. Notice the word combination that follow mercy and truth, "righteousness and peace have kissed each other." Righteousness and peace always follows mercy and truth not justice or judgment. So the next time you have to turn towards justice or mercy think about the truth that is flowing in these choices and go towards mercy. God will do the judging in the situation we find ourselves in (He is a Holy and righteous judge), but what are asking for? When David numbered Israel (1 Chronicles 21:7-13) against God's instruction God gave David three choices of punishment David chose right and fell into the hand of the LORD, let us turn towards God's mercy and not His justice. Our being tested as David was precedes the blessing. Thus, Acts 1:8 becomes a powerful present word. “But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses to Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) The word “after” confirms to us that we must first be tested, before we can speak the word of the Lord with substance and power. This is the price that must be paid. Many can say, “I have some truth.” Jesus said, “I am the truth.” He could only say this because He chose to put the will of His Father ahead of His own comfort and satisfaction. There is no easy formula to success, as there is always a price. When we choose the purpose of the Lord rather than our own satisfaction and comfort, it can be said that we are “buying the truth.” Many are called, but few are willing to pay the price of truth. May we be found among those who are willing to do so.

LITTLE IS BIG

Funny how we think big things are important. Not too many people want a small house, but when the tax man comes or the utility bill arrives we wish for smaller footage or when the house needs sided or painted we then question our judgment in the need of a big house. When we had four kids we needed a big house, but as our numbers got emptier so did our nest. We have been conditioned by the world to think bigger, stronger, faster, etal is better, but not so in God. In God little is big. All you have to do is look at all of the examples in the Bible compare size to ability and function. David a little (at age 16) ruddy shepherd boy stood before a man standing 9 feet 8 inches and defeated him in battle and who can ever forget the example Jesus gave of the mustard seed? Did you know one almost microscopic mustard seed can grow into a bush over seven feet tall and as thick as a bird’s nest? In God size does not matter (even little is big), but what matters is how we do things do. Do we do things (even for God) with the right heart condition, with the right attitude, and for the right reason with the right motives? This is what God is looking at not our size, ability, or even power He gives us. Even our faithfulness is closely scrutinized in this area. In Luke we read of Jesus teaching the disciples, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. 11If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?” (Luke 16:10-12) Did you get that? “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.” God is closely examining us not in the big things, but in the little things because God knows little is big and if we can be faithful in the little things then we will be faithful in the big things. Now the opposite of this truth is true. If we are unfaithful in the big things we will be unfaithful in the little things, those things we think are insignificant, but did you know the smaller the issue in our lives the closer God is examining and inspecting it. If we have not been faithful with “unrighteous mammon” (money, treasure, and wealth) who will commit to our trust the true riches (peace of mind, health, hope, salvation, wisdom, righteous judgment, etc.) which are not earthly money and wealth what we seem to go after hard in our lives. Who can give us these things: peace of mind, health, salvation, wisdom, righteous judgment if not God? No man can give us rest in a storm or peace of mind when all seems hopeless. Only God can give unto us these riches these “true” treasures that will keep us steady and sure when all seems lost. Who can give you “your own” if not God? But to get “your own” (from God) you first must be faithful with another man’s. A steward is someone who manages another man’s money and resources. Often times before God can trust us with “our own” we first must be scrutinized by God how we handle another’s man stuff. Now please notice it did not say another man’s car or house, but it was left unqualified leaving us the option of filling in the blank. Make no mistake unless we can be faithful to care for another man’s house God will not give to us our own house. When we came back from Germany we rented a home for seven years and we purposed to care for this home like it was ours, nay better than our own home because the condition is if we want our own home (which we have a very nice home now) we must take care of another man’s. I hear many Christians pray for a home, well again the condition is to take care of whatsoever you are staying in first and then God will decide when you are to have your own home. This little is big in God really reaches all walks of our Christian living. We often think the crown goes to the winner race of the race because they are the biggest, fastest, strongest, or best looking well that is not what God is looking at nor it is the way God awards His prizes. In 2 Timothy we read how God awards His prizes. “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 5And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” (2 Timothy 2:4-5) Now the word “lawfully” (Strong’s #3545) is an interesting word that means within the framework of the law or the way things ought to be done. In God the crown is awarded to the victor (at the end of the race) to the one that runs the race within the framework and rules of the race. It does not matter if you are the best and brightest, the biggest (remember little is big), or the most beautiful it does not matter, the reward is given to the one who runs the race according to how the race is to be run. Jeremiah tells us not to glory in our own wisdom, in our own might, or in our own riches. “Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 24But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.” (Jeremiah 9:23) This is why we must not trust in our wisdom and glory (God gets all the glory, His glory) nor in our might, but trust in the LORD with all of our might and lean not to our own understanding. God does not delight in beauty, strength and power (He gives them to us), but He does delight (when we possess these character traits) in lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. We often think just because God is using us to minister to 1000s even 10,000s of people around the world He is happy with us, well that is so far from the truth. You can ask Samson, Jonah, and the list can go on if God was happy with them. Just because God is using us does not mean He is happy with our character. I have lost great relationships with people (whom I truly love) because I have dared to speak up about character flaws they have asked me about. Take heed not to tell the truth (if you value their friendship) to someone who cannot handle the truth. I would recommend trying to find another way to answer their question without lying. I never found the words and counted on 30 years of knowing each other (as we traveled many places in the world in ministry) to cover any offense I might have caused, but in the end I lost the relationship and others who have had their heart poisoned against me by half truths. You will know you are in the right when someone uses Scripture to justify themselves and deceiving others to shun you. Know this I rest in the truth and knowing I still love them no matter what happens I can sleep at night, look at myself in the mirror in the morning, and thank God for another day where my “friends” will look toward reconciliation. The longer I go with God I see the great wisdom of the Book of James. James has a lot to be said about the tongue, offense, and issues that divide out the Body of Christ. In the first Chapter James writes, “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2For in many things we offend all.” (James 1:3) WOW “in many things we offend all.” Now there are just some people no matter what you do and say will be offended with you these you just have to let go of and let God deal with them, but here James was talking about the rational thinking people you may offend. Even here little is big. James is saying it is best to be little in doing and saying things (not involved with a lot of things) we then will not have the opportunity to easily offend. “Brethren be not many masters” or do not have a lot people under you in business or even at church because we will be held to a higher standard by God in how (not what) we handle them. The folly of thinking more and bigger is better is exposed. God created us to live our lives focused on Him. His purpose from the very beginning was that we should be “God-conscious,” not “self-conscious.” Until Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil they were so unconscious of self that they did not even consider their own nakedness. But after their disobedience they became fully aware of themselves and wanted to hide from God. Their focus had shifted from God to self. Self-consciousness is just another way of saying self-centeredness and self-centeredness really is the root of all grief. People grieve or are unhappy for a lot of reasons. But, if they analyze it they would find that it is always the result of self being deprived of a want, so too here little is big. The more we make little things bigger than what they really are the more we will get off track and there is nothing little about that.

THE UNSEEN GOD

The Book of Esther is amazing in a number of respects.  One of them is that the name of “God” is not mentioned once.  At the same time the book is saturated with God.  Just as the word “prayer” does not appear in the Gospel of John nor in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd John, but prayer was the heart and soul of John and his writings.  This also suggests to us that even the events in our own lives may be saturated and controlled by God, even our so called troubles.  When we speak of the power of divine providence which is the ability of God to make all events, whatever transpires in our lives, even the troublesome things that come our way to fulfill His purpose.  In case I have made this too complicated, I am speaking of the ability of God to make all events fulfill His purpose. This is the message of the Book of Esther and the entire Bible.  Another thing that is very conspicuous in Esther is namely God, as it were, hiding His face from His people. Yet, while He hides His face, He is still interested in them, and works in the shadows of events, unseen, unrecognized, but ever working on behalf of His people as the unseen God.  This is also true for us.  Many times shadows flip over our lives like a cloud and yet God is in those very shadows still at work on our behalf to fulfill His purpose.  In the Book of Deuteronomy Moses writes of God’s words to man, “I will surely hide My face in that day for all the evils which they shall have wrought, in that they are turned to other gods.”  (Deuteronomy 31:18) God’s people had disobeyed and disregarded His laws until finally God had to hide His face, as it were, and take them into the captivity.  Even in captivity God was still actively preserving His people even though all that time His face was turned away from them.  Have we had times in our lives when we think God has hidden His face from us?  At times even when our loyal friends seemingly have turned their back on us?  Fear not God has not turned His back or hidden His face from us we just cannot see or feel (we must not walk by feelings) Him at times.  Now our friends (especially our Christian friends) will (when things do not go their way, fit their agenda, or get offended) turn their backs on us, but God never. I have seen it time and time again and I have felt the pain and anguish in my soul, you would think I would be use to it, but no I guess I am an eternal optimist and often confuse the word friend (maybe because I am hoping) when in reality I am just an acquaintance. Consider Zechariah.  He was born in the Babylonian captivity.  His name means, “Our God Remembers.”  Apparently Zechariah’s parents kept their faith during the Babylonian captivity while the vast majority of the people were satisfied in Babylon.  They adjusted to its culture.  They did not want and did not return to Jerusalem at the end of the captivity.  Most of them stayed in Babylon, save Zechariah’s parents, who kept their faith.  The parents of Zechariah named their boy, “Our God Remembers.”  This was true because God did remember His people in the captivity.  He raised up prophets like Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and a deliverer in Cyrus.  Though His face, as it were, looked away from them still He was working and at work with His hands on their behalf.  In other words God was standing in the shadows unnoticed, unseen, yet still at work on behalf of His people, so too in our lives. Did you know God employs the most ordinary means to accomplish His purpose.  This is one of the great things of the Book of Esther.  Have you ever noticed how the power of God is at times exercised in the most trifling, insignificant circumstance. Let us look at Esther 1:12, “But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.”  (Esther 1:12) The king had a sense of vanity.  He wanted to show his wife off.  She was pretty, so he asked her to come and display herself so he could say “here is the queen,” but the queen refused. This was the work of God.  What queen (or most women) would not be glad to display her attire and her beauty before thousands of princes.  This would be the logical or normal thing.  The unseen God in His power and providence caused the queen to refuse the invitation.  She refused the command of the king to provoke the wrath of the king so a break would come between the king and the queen.  Here God is using the wrath of the king to bring about the fulfillment of His purpose.  God often uses wrath in the fulfilling of His purpose for our lives, oh no you do not think so then read the Bible. In Psalms we read, “Surely the wrath of man shall praise You.” (Psalms 76:10)  The unseen God can even use the wrath of man to bring glory to Him. But here Ahasuerus is angry with his queen.  She refused and as a consequence was deposed.  This was all in the providence of God.  God in the power of His providence can remove people from the highest position, if need be, to achieve His purpose.  Think not the rulers of today are in power because of what they have done or did not do, but God has put them in power for His purposes as a vessel of either honor or dishonor.  We can think here of King Saul, “The Lord has sought Him a man after His own heart.” (1 Samuel 13:14) And God took the kingdom from him and deposed Saul.  Do you remember Judas where it says, “And his bishopric let another take?”  God removes people from positions at all levels.  In regards to Solomon, “I will rend the kingdom out of his hands,” (1 Kings 11:11) and the kingdom became divided.  We would be amazed if we could see all that the unseen God is doing in the world when we think people are doing it.  The unseen God likes using the poor and broken hearted, He likes to raise up the down trodden, how else will the meek inherit the earth? The unseen God takes those who have nothing, the despised, the rejected, the ignored, and takes them up from the dunghill and sets them among princes and kings. In 1 Samuel we see how the unseen God cares for the poor, “He raised up the poor out of the dust, and lifted up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s and He has set the world upon them.” (1 Samuel 2:8) while at the same time the unseen God also reaches up to the princes and kings and brings them down.  As we read in the Psalms, “None can stay His hand and say, What do You?  For power belongs to the Lord.” (Psalms 62:11) The unseen God is doing all of this while no one is watching.  The unseen God made a way for Esther (and He will make a way for us) to be on the throne and used her as a mighty instrument.  He used the king’s wrath, sleepless night, and the beautiful timing in all sorts of incidents to achieve His purpose in Esther’s life.  God was stepping along on all sorts of steppingstones, small things and great things, working secretly, unknown, unseen.  God placed His stones of providential circumstances, great and small, small and great, in the proper timing, and moved the little orphan girl up to the throne.  This was a mighty display of the unseen God’s power of divine providence.  I would assume that the object of this panorama is to give us a greater faith and confidence in the sovereignty and power of divine providence so that we would not despise small things.  Big doors often swing on small and unnoticed hinges, so too the least recognized and most inconspicuous incidents in our lives contribute to God’s purpose for us and become steppingstones for God in the accomplishment of His purpose. As we consider the events in Esther we are over awed by God’s power and providence in her life, yet God loves not Esther more than us.  We must be able to recognize the unseen God’s hand in the circumstances of our lives, even as it is written that we might be conformed unto the image of his Son. The Book of Esther gives us a great awe of God’s power, wisdom, and a need for our submission even during the most troublesome circumstances knowing that all things that touch our lives are stepping stones for God in the accomplishment of His purpose, however unknown that might be. We must allow the unseen God to teach us to be confident, to keep faith knowing that in all our turbulence we can be still in our heart and spirit knowing that in reality He is a seen God for all the world to see.  Written by David Stahl

THE GOADS OF GOD

There is an eternal desire within our Creator that ever seeks for satisfaction. Within each of us is a created “deep” spiritual capacity and ability that is capable of responding to this need that is within our Lord. David who knew something about goads in his life said, “Deep calls to deep. At the noise of Your waterspouts, all Your waves and Your billows are gone over me.” (Psalm 42:7) If we will become quiet and listen long enough we too will hear this “deep” desire that is within us as He knocks on the door of our spirit seeking a satisfaction that can only be found in no other way than our hearing and responding to this “deep” that is calling to the deep within us. The “waterspout” tells us that the attention of the Lord is now toward us “all Your waves and billows are gone over me” as if everything that He desires is gathered together within the depths of our being and we are lifted into a higher realm of divine activity with Him. Once we have unconditionally placed the totality of our being in God’s hands He will convict us when we come short of His desire for us or if we begin to stray that He might draw us yet closer to Himself. This is a particularly important result of our relationship Him. When David recognized the source of the convicting presence that he was experiencing and then repented, the LORD met him in a profound way, “all Your waves and Your billows gone over me.” The ultimate goal of this convicting work of the Lord is to turn our hearts singularly toward Him, so He will be in control of the totality of our being and all that pertains to us. On the human level our ability to love is limited and fickle. But no matter how many reasons we may have as to why Jesus might not be interested in us if we will consistently express to Him our love for Him He will respond and take the initiative in bringing about changes within us. The LORD can harshly deal with us, but at first he goads us into correction so that He can lift our attention from the earthly to the heavenly. Isaiah we read, “Does the plowman plow all day to sow? Does he open and break the clods of his ground? When he has made plain the face thereof, does he not cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cumin, and cast in the principal wheat and the appointed barley and the rye in their place?” (Isaiah 28:24-25) The plowman only does that which is necessary to prepare the soil to receive the seed, so the harvest might be abundant. So too the LORD’s interest is in our quality relationship with Him. Therefore His chastening is limited to this purpose and His corrective action continues only until the desired response is obtained while His goads are used to nudge us as a stick nudges cattle in the direction they are to go. There are those whom the LORD would like to chasten, but He is unable to do so because they are unwilling to unconditionally place themselves in His hand in order to allow His correction to be fully accomplished. Within each of us there are different experiences, situations, and circumstances that the LORD uses to goad and even provoke us so that our self-centeredness and our self-righteous attitudes might be dealt with. These attitudes and feelings are buried deep within us and cannot be dealt with until they are first exposed. We think this exposure is bad (everyone will find out who we really are), but in reality God knows it is in our best interest if we agree with God in what He is doing in our lives. The LORD now is beginning to get our attention. He is not only a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6), but also is a divine disturber who is seeking something higher as He goads us in the direction He desires for us to go. Paul found this out at a young age. Paul a good dedicated follower of the religious crowd had an experience at a young age that I am sure stuck with him. “When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 55But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 57Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 58And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul. 59And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” (Acts 7:54-59) Have you ever been “cut to the heart?” Have you ever “gnashed your teeth?” If so you probably have known the LORD as a disturber. This is what happened to Saul (later called Paul after his conversion) at a young age. The Bible says the men who stoned Stephen to death laid their clothes at his feet. Saul (Paul) stood by and watched every stone strike Stephen until his lifeless body lay still on the ground, but also Saul (Paul) heard Stephen say, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God” and “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” I am sure these words haunted Saul (Paul) all of his life wondering what in the world could possess a man to do and say such thing. What in the world could give a man such courage and commitment to be willing to lay down his life. Then one day on the road to Damascus to persecute the church Saul (Paul) found out what could possess man that would radically change his thinking and heart. While riding toward Damascus Saul (Paul) had this experience that caused another mid-course correction in his thinking and heart, “Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 13At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. 14And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks (goads in the Greek).” (Acts 26:12-14) Everyone saw the light and felt (as they hit the ground) the light, but only Saul (Paul) heard Jesus speak to him. The pricks or goads was I am sure the face of the many Christians he had put to the sword, the words and face of Stephen as he lay still and cold on the ground, all powerful images that griped his heart and mind. How could Paul now “kick against” or wrestle or even dispute against these experiences in his life that told him he was wrong and the LORD was right. Paul (even though at the time he was an “A” student in Bible School) knew that what he was doing was wrong, but he was propped up by the religious and denominational church, the laws of the land that said it was okay when God said it was not, and all of the common people that followed not the LORD nor the inner voice within, but the anti-Christ spirit of the emotional masses, pleasure seekers, and disputers of the word of God. This is the same spirit and why atheist, homosexuals, and other outright sinners are so violet and angry because they are resisting the goads in their lives that the LORD has placed there to turn them like Paul toward repentance. He has put deep with their heart a knowing that they cannot dispute, a truth that they know intimately in their heart that they cannot deny, but oh how they try to get everyone else to believe like them to justify their loneliness and despair, to touch the wrath and pain in their heart, to quiet the rage and anguish from gnashing their teeth and the murder they commit in their lives have it be from the slaughter of the innocent unborn baby in the mother’s womb to the senseless slaughter of ungodly relationships between men and men and women and women. In Romans Paul (who knew something about goads and an ungodly heart condition) wrote, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:” (Romans 1:18-20) In other words, God has revealed his wrath (why people get angry) to the ungodly and unrighteousness all who lie against the truth, “for God has showed it to them.” God has showed; the homosexual, the liar, the abortionist, the thief, the lesbian, the truth breaker, the one who commits adultery (both in their heart and physically), now here is the point they know “they are without excuse.” They know they are guilty, they know the truth about themselves and they hate it, but they do not hate it enough to change their lives so they try to change everyone around them. So they pushed back, “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. 22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.” (Romans 1:22-23) So when they would not change, “God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” (Romans 1:25-32) Look at this list of goads. They did not like to “retain God in their knowledge” because they already knew the truth about themselves and, “knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death” their anger and rage burned deep within them instead of accepting God’s love and forgiveness. In John Jesus said, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32) Now truth alone does not make us free, but the truth we know will make us free indeed. And the goads we know and respond to like the truth we know will make us free.

WHEN WE ALL GET TO HEAVEN

A few weeks ago Karen and I attended a local church with some friends who attend our Home Group Meeting and before the pastor delivered his sermon a trio got up to minister in song. They sang great, but before they sang one of the singers said, “we all are waiting for Jesus to come back and take us out of this world.” Then at about the same time I had this thought in my spirit and wrote down these words, “I wonder what will happen to the church if God does not take us out of this world? Nowhere in the Bible did God ever deliver anyone without first developing them. Daniel went into the lion’s den. The three Hebrew Children went into the fiery furnace, Jesus went to the cross, and do we think we are any better than them? Just delivering someone from hard situations and circumstances just makes them soft spiritually and a weaker sailor (I was in the US Navy) in God’s end time army. My friend it is hard training and difficult lessons to learn that make us fit for battle to overcome areas in our lives. If God has to deliver us from troubles and problems in our lives it is because He knows the work of God in our lives is in jeopardy of being lost so He moves us along only to be planted in another field for maturing and spiritual growth. To me, it seems with all of the songs we sing in church and plans we do not make the church is making plans to run out on God before the work on earth is done. How can we all want to go heaven when our family and neighbours are dying and going to hell? Something just is not right here. To me this seems rather selfish and self-seeking. Now do not get me wrong here I do want (I will and hope I see you there) to go to heaven, but NOT at the sake of my family and friends going to hell. We must be the salt and light to them “speaking the truth in love” until God says it is time for us to come home. It is not ours to want a mansion over the hilltop at the cost of sinners lost for all eternity. Let us not be so fast to want to run out of here before our job on earth is done. And there is another danger in this thinking Jesus is coming back to get us and that is Jesus has left us, but how can Jesus come back and get us if He has never left? Many Christians think Jesus has left us, checked out, and will return to someday in the sweet by and by to take us all to heaven, but that is not what the Bible says. In other words believing Jesus is coming back for us means that Jesus has left us, but that has never been the case not for one second has Jesus left mankind. Understanding this point is something like trying (difficult unless the Spirit give you revelation) to understand the Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one. I think the closest explanation of this I have seen or heard was a slice of Neapolitan ice cream: chocolate, white, and strawberry ice cream also three in one. At the end of Matthew Jesus promised us, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:20) Now when Jesus used the words “I am with you always” He meant it. Jesus promised and He always keeps His word. Well if Jesus is always with us how can He come back and get us? Karen and I have four kids. Our first two were David and Daniel. I would take David and Daniel to the park when we lived on base in 1984-87. When we would go to the park I would put the boys in a swing side-by-side and push them. First David and then Daniel would say “faster and faster, higher and higher, wheee what a wonderful time we are having.” David would look over at Daniel and say daddy really loves us (what we say to God when all is going well in our lives) what a wonderful expression on their faces as they would go faster and higher, but just when they were at the extent of the swing I would jump behind a tree. At first they did not notice I disappeared all was well, but as they got slower and slower they noticed I was not pushing them and that I disappeared, well you should have seen the look on their face and heard them cry, Daniel daddy disappeared he does not love us (what we say to God when things are not going well in our lives) anymore. The slower they got the louder they cried (does this not sound like us when we first get saved) until the swing almost stopped and then I would jump out from behind the tree and say, “David Daniel” and they would say “daddy” and I would start pushing them again. Well here is the point of this wonderful story; did I leave my boys? No I was right there the entire time, but they could not see me. Jesus did not leave us He promised He would not leave us just like my boys we cannot see Jesus, but He is right here with us. If He is here how can He come back? To think He has to come back means we believe in our heart He has left us, a real danger indeed. You know I wonder why many Christians call Jesus’ return to earth His second coming when in reality it will be Jesus’ third coming. Now read your Bible on this one. The first time Jesus came to earth was when He came as a baby. The second time He came to earth was after He was crucified and went to hell to give people a chance to be saved who has never heard the Gospel message before Jesus died, “He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.” (Acts 2:31), but arose on the third day in great victory for us as He said He would do. So then when He comes back in the clouds of glory as the Angels said, “Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11) it will be His third time. I wonder why we call His next coming the second coming? Maybe because we do not know our Bible well enough to be able to state the facts as the Bible represents them. But this is nothing new. We have so many misconceptions regarding heaven and things to come in the future. I think a lot of our misapplications of thought are due to songs we sing and books we write on how we want things to be and not what we know it will be. We must be careful not to lead people astray in spiritual matters if we really do not know what we are talking about or have never experienced something in God. I have never spoken to someone who went to heaven or hell and came back to earth (and was not selling a book or DVD) to tell people of their experience and the ones who said they did their words do not line up with the Bible which makes them false teachers. Take heed my brothers and sisters here. It is far better to encourage someone to do the things they need to do to make it to heaven than to tell (really guessing) people what heaven is going to be like hoping the grandeur of heaven will be good enough to help them make it there. We have no idea what heaven is going to be like, but I know it is going to be wonderful (beyond my wildest thoughts) not because of the streets of gold, gates, and walls are made of precious stones, but because Jesus will be there. I am not into heaven I am in to Him! The true hallmark of us wanting to go to heaven or even of our faith is not believing for a miracle, but joy in hard times, joy in difficulties, joy in trials, and joy in the dealings and judgments of God. Funny how many Christians blame God for things that are not His fault. I hear many Christians say God is dealing and bringing judgments into their lives, but in reality the hard and difficult times they are experiencing is not from God, but of their own handy work. God’s dealings and judgments in our lives yields spiritual growth and development when we have learned the lesson God desires to teach us. Jesus Himself said, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:12) What a wonderful promise from God. Trials, difficulties, and tribulations are the normal life experiences for Christians. Peter encourages us, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” (1 Peter 4:12-13) I need to keep reminding myself of these verses when I am going through difficult times, but we must also remember Jesus said He would never leave us nor forsake us. Hard times, bad situations, and difficulties in our lives if not tempered by the Holy Spirit yields bitterness, an anguished spirit, and rebellion to God and man. Our greatest need is not more of “things” or even more trials, difficulties, and tribulations because our need does not move God’s heart oh no what moves God’s heart is our obedience to Him and His word to us. Some day heaven will be a wonderful time and a wonderful place, for how long I do not know. What will we be going? I do not know. When we all get to heaven, well we know that will not happen. Sadly there will be many (probably more will not make it than those that do) who do not make it to heaven. Let us labor now for them. Let us do and say the things we need to do to be the example of integrity, honesty, and righteousness before God and man. Heaven is a wonderful word to my ears and heart. My hope is my father (3 Jan 2010), mother (5 June 2014), sister (1 April 1961), other family members, and friends who have closed their eyes in death in this world are waiting for me there. This is my hope that keeps me going until I come to know the truth for myself about heaven and all that God has in store for me and all that have done the things they needed to do in God go to heaven. Written by David Stahl

OUR DISCIPLINED SPIRIT

The longer I go with God the more I find myself not really knowing what I thought I knew; things I thought I would die for now I am not so sure about. Oh I am not talking heaven or hell issues, but I am talking about things I find myself doing and saying that I would not do or say in the past. Some is for the good while others are not. Now do not worry I have not fallen off the spiritual wagon, but I have noticed a subtle drift in the discipline of my spirit and I cannot (and you too) allow this to happen. It is up to us to prevent this drift in our lives. It is up to us to discipline our spirit and daily walk with the LORD where we are sensitive to the guiding and direction of the Holy Spirit. Brother Paul knew this truth quite well when he said, “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: (Strong’s #1396 harshly discipline or to lead away into slavery, claim as one’s slave) lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corinthians 9:27) My friend this world (a system of thinking) and our love for our “self” will quickly overtake our soul if we allow them to. We must take heed to our self and our doctrine. Paul told Timothy, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” (1 Timothy 4:16) and it is no different today. In the early Church there was a manifestation of the life of Christ that was powerful enough to move an entire nation. Rome was greatly affected by it and nations ever since have been affected by it. Although the members of this early Church had received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and were used in the gifts of the Holy Spirit there were spiritual qualities such as; power and love that permeated these gifts which caused this powerful impact upon nations. In Acts 1:8, Jesus said that He would give us the power to become “His witnesses.” This includes the ability to do the works that He did, but there is to be more than this. He was referring to a quality of life, an element of the Spirit which would become the dedication (agape) of the Son of God resting within us. The early Church moved under the influence and power of this sacrificial dedication until all this became dynamic in the hands of God by which He was able to affect and move a nation. But today that is not the case. Today the church (worldwide) has had little impact in the nations and this is because the church today teaches just enough Gospel from the Bible for a basic knowledge of salvation to get someone into heaven and have stayed away from the critical issues of the day that would allow righteousness to be the order of the day and fill the nations. How do we expect the nation to turn back to God? How do we expect Christian children to grow up and become Christians if they are not taught and grounded in Godly truths when it comes to the social issues of the day from God’s perspective? In schools (from pre-kindergarten and up), from TV, movies, video games, Hollywood, even some churches the worldly view of social issues are force fed to Christian kids and slowly and subtly their mind and hearts are won over to the lie. And if you dare to speak against the politically correct view of such issues as: abortion, creationism, homosexuality, racism, etc. you are vilified called a hater, a homophobe, mean spirited, and more so the world can marginalize you and your message, but the Bible says, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34) My friend just because the Supreme Court says it is okay to do things God calls an abomination does not make it right. God is final judge for all things even the affairs of man. There are consequences (and we are seeing them now: disease in an ever increasing scale, social unrest, poverty, loss of peace in world, families being torn apart, the list is endless) for our willful disobedience to God’s word. Due to our slow and deliberate drifting of our spirit discipline we have replace the standard of the word of God with no standard at all. Paul in Romans tells us, “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” (Romans 2:28-32) The people knew the truth and they knew the judgment (Romans 1:18-19) of God’s reward for their actions was worthy of death (unless they were a reprobate), but they still choose to do that which was right in their eyes and this my friend is chaos and always leads to destruction. You know we blame the church, but in reality it is the people in the church that are at fault, after all the church is nothing more than the people. We are the church! We must get back to a disciplined spirit within us to maintain a moral standard within the world. As important as telling the truth in love (Ephesians 4:17) is there is a deeper thought I would like to look at when it comes to us having a discipled spirit. Although Jesus taught us the necessity of receiving His power we must always remember it is dangerous to allow its impact to overrule us. The same power that we feel when we are filled with the Spirit is the very power that can make us almost irrational with its moving. In response to a manifestation of this power we feel that we must do something, but we are not quite sure what it is. Then we become agitated and confused because the result was not what we expected. We must come to understand that there is another element that must be added. Believe it or not power and love is not enough to move in God. In the building of our spiritual life the field of motivation must be carefully thought about. There must be a right motivation behind each manifestation as we respond to the power of the Holy Spirit moving within us. We may have all of the gifts and be properly motivated by the love of God, but if there is not a disciplined spirit to go along with them they will not be able to accomplish their purposes. What is a disciplined spirit? This is a military term. Paul uses many military terms. The word here is used in connection with a General who has been disciplined in order to give discipline. He himself is under discipline so that the authority he now exercises will have a backing. One may have both power and love, but unless there is a “disciplined spirit” behind them they will accomplish little. For example, when Jesus called James and John He saw coming toward Him two young men whom He called “Sons of Thunder.” God’s hand was upon them, but they were not yet acquainted with the meaning of this hand that had been laid upon them. They were not fully able to interpret it at this time. I wonder what the mighty hand of God looks like? Today in the church we are filled with God’s grandeur and power yet there is no spiritual discipline in our lives for which God’s power can correctly flow. When Jesus gave them power to go out and minister John came back disturbed because the people in the city where he preached would not receive the LORD. He asked Jesus, “Do wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” (Luke 9:54). John had the power to do this because Jesus had given it to him. John loved the LORD and wanted Him to be appreciated. These people had rejected Christ and their ministry therefore they wanted them to be punished. Then in verse 55, the Lord turned to James and John and said, “You know not what spirit you are of.” The difficulty was not in power nor was it with love. This reaction was due to a problem in their spirit. We must be motivated by God to be Successful, but it must come out of a right spirit. James and John had both power and love, but their motivation was flawed. The difficulty was in the undiscovered inner resources as seen with John. The territory within my heart that has yet to be discovered sometimes amazes me. There is territory within each one of us that must yet be taken. There are vast areas within our lives that are not yet conquered and the LORD needs to triumph in them. The Lord had seen John as a “Son of Thunder,” but He did not intend to let him remain as one. He used John in places where he would be able to “thunder” for a while. But the time came when God wanted to talk with him, so He took him to Patmos a barren isolated island. Here there was no one to “thunder” at. This was to be a time of quietness, a time to think, there was nothing else to do. Like John the Baptist God took him to a place where there was no water to baptize people, prison where he too could think about his motives and the reality of his ministry. You know I have friends who zealously work for God, but not much thinking about what they are doing. All they talk about is how God is using them or how God is blessing them, now do not get me wrong here, but God blessing us is not the message of the Gospel. The LORD was after John (He is after us) even more than He is interested in anything he will ever be able to do for Him. When we have been set on an isle like this by the LORD be careful not to accept the suggestions of all those who are willing to row us back to where we were, because we are so needed in God’s work. The LORD puts us in isolation at times so let Him keep us there! People may attempt to hinder us, but be determined to make time and room for the LORD, to allow Him the necessary conquest within us. When the thunder had become silent within us and the LORD had accomplished what He is after is us then He can gently speak to us. John knew that he had heard this voice before and thought. “Can it be my LORD?” Then the LORD said to John, “I have a message for you. It is not only for you, but for the Church as well. It will be projected down through thousands of years. Let me bring this forth through you.” John’s heart was already broken so just the call of his name was like a balm and he understood. “I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the LORD’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet.” (Revelation 1: 9-10) Have you ever been in the Spirit on the LORD’s (which is every day) day? We know that we are to walk in the Spirit, but how many of us have experienced what it is to be caught up in the intimate moving of God? God gave John a vision and in it He covered every element of the earthly realm: the world, all creation, the skies, moon, stars, animals, trees, people, cities, nations, floods, winds, thunder, lightening. God took every tangible thing that John had ever known and used it all to make a most complicated, yet marvelous display. God has thundered in Revelation. But, did you hear John thunder in Revelation? No, all that was gone. What is the difference now? God is thundering through John. God did not call John because he could thunder. Knowing truth is critical in our walk with the LORD, but it is more important that we have a love for the truth. He did not want John's thunder. He wanted John’s heart condition (the beloved) and capacity for thunder, so that He could thunder through him. A marvelous change has taken place within his spirit. When John came back from the Isle of Patmos we read of John, “Little children let us love one another.” There is a tenderness, a brokenness, and a graciousness that was not evident when John thundered. So it is with our development. We have this capacity for thunder within us, but He will let us move along for awhile in our own thunder. But someday God will come after us and say, “I am going to dry up your thunder.” He will put us on our “Isle of Patmos” and everyone will wonder what in the world is wrong with us. Do not bring that soul to shore! He is bringing forth a disciplined spirit within us. When God begins to deal and judge within us to accomplish His purposes let us not be fearful He has not given us a spirit of fear. He has a purpose in view for us, both in time and in the ages to come. We are safe and secure in the hands of the living God as long as we have a discipled spirit. The question then is what kind of spirit are we of? Written by David Stahl

WHAT SHALL WE RECEIVE

One of the biggest drivers in our lives as to why we do things (even things for God) is based on our understanding of a reward system. Most rewards from God are not external although the church preaches this. How can you be “blessed” (which means happy) if you do not have a church of 1,500 members with big buildings, well manicured lawns, paved parking lots, or a network of churches so people can call you Apostle or Bishop? How can we be “blessed” if we do not have a BMW, Mercedes, Landrover or a big house with a circle driveway to entertain friends? How can we be “blessed” if we do not have a mighty ministry traveling around the world? For some strange reason we think since we are in service for the LORD He must give these things to us to show the world He is on our side (an African term), but not true. My friend God is not really too concerned about all of this stuff, but He is concerned about our heart condition and why we do things for Him. Funny He already knows our heart yet He allows us to continue in our selfishness and presumption hoping we will turn from our evil ways giving Him the preeminence. God said of Joseph, “And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.” (Genesis 39:2) All Joseph had at that time was a loin cloth and God. God did not list Joseph’s possessions because he had none, but what made Joseph prosperous? Well the Biblical definition of being prosperous has nothing to do with things, but means to push forward in God. Joseph was pushing forward in God as he allowed God to work in his life from the pit, to Potiphar’s house, to the prison, then to the palace. No palace unless there is a pit my friend. Man (both men and woman) even Christians (both men and women) often go after the external rewards because they have never really allowed God to work in their lives (like God did in Joseph’s life) and seek the external rewards because they feel unfulfilled in their lives (and heart) and secretly do not believe their eternal reward from God is waiting for them in Heaven. Karen made this observation and the more I observe people spiritually functioning in church the more convinced I am of her words. Now I find myself here often with my fellow brothers and sisters (I have not made it yet) and make no bones about it. I have a long ways to go (please pray for me), but God does not want to change our external situations and perceptions of our lives, but wants to change our inward desires and motives for external things. This is why in Ephesians Paul said, “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;” (Ephesians 3:16) Not with might by His spirit in the external man, but the inner man. Yes believe it or not God cares little about our external, but is intent on changing us inwardly and will do whatsoever we allow Him to do. Now before you get all depressed do not feel too bad Brother Peter suffered from the same ambitions and desires. In Matthew Brother Peter asked Jesus, “Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?” (Matthew 19:27) Peter exposed his heart for why he did things for Jesus and why he followed Him. Peter wanted to know what he was going to get for serving the LORD. What is his reward, what shall he get for all of his troubles. I have met so many Christians (at all levels of spiritual growth and development) with this same question. Some ask in words, but others ask in deeds and actions. When we moved back from Germany to Jacksonville we started an once a month Home Group Meeting in our home. We continue this time of fellowship in our home in Sneads Ferry and is a great joy in our home. How can we not use our home (something God has given us) as a place to gather people to hear His word and fellowship with His children? God gives us things so we can use them to bless others. When we started I asked a friend (I still call him friend) I have known for over 30 years, traveled overseas many times in ministry, who lived 30 minutes (now 60 minutes) from our home, and is a great Bible teacher to come monthly and share with us. At first he was delighted (or so I thought) the people just loved him, he brought a strong word. Sometimes he would bring his wife and they would minister. When Karen and I would have friends from around the world come and stay with us (I would preach them around the area) they too would speak at our Home Group Meeting. It was a wonderful time many people (me included) looked forward to each month. But as we were driving back from a trip to Africa my good friend informed me he was no longer coming to our Home Group Meeting. To be honest I was not surprised you see while in Africa he asked me a question about his character and I told him the truth; what people in past have failed to do because if they tell him the truth they risk him breaking off relationship with him, which he has done with me and many others. Call me crazy, but if I care about you and our relationship I will not try to blow smoke in your ears, but try my best to share my heart, have it be at your level of expectation or not. But now what surprised me was the reason he gave me. He said, “sometimes I come and receive no money.” Now that was true, however there were also times he would come (and I know for a fact) he would receive $100s of dollars, so what was his motive in coming? Was it for the people to share (his wonderful gift to teach) the word of God or to make money? Well out of his own mouth spoke his heart. Now I do not share this story to demean him or make him feel bad (I would love to have fellowship with him, again he is a great Bible teacher), but I share this story so that we can learn from the loss I bear and feel in my relationship and somehow somewhere someone will not make the same mistakes. Also I share this story in hope (as strong medicine for both of us) it will be a means to come together again as the Bibles commands us to do, settle the offense in our heart, and once again join our God given strengths together to minister edifying the Brethren. You know we think God measures our ability in keeping relationship by the number we keep, well I am persuaded that is not true. God measures our ability in keeping relationships by how many we have lost not how many we have. I guess our entire relationship of over 30 years was not what I thought it was. Godly relationships are not one sided they are mutual in respect. One person is not over another oh no we all are to be servants, but when one thinks they are the boss or even a “mentor” (a mentor is a worldly business term) (even if someone willfully puts him in that place of authority in their life) they assume the role of providing guidance and direction which is the role of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said of the Holy Spirit, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” (John 16:13) Jesus said “all” and He means “all.” We must not allow ourselves to be led astray in these areas even when it comes to people we look up to and admire. By all means live a Godly life and we must allow people to observe ours, but we must never allow people to pattern their lives after ours or live their lives according to our understanding of God. Mentor relationships are not Godly they are selfish built on arrogance, control, and manipulation the biggest sin of church leadership today. I have seen it all my life and on five continents. These relationships are not built on Godly principles, but built on an inward lack of the mentor (or mentoree) and their need to be esteemed and exalted. At its best any mentorship program (or mentor relationship for that matter) in a church is nothing more than a humanistic approach at leadership. Now friendship is much different it is based on mutual respect which honors the values and contributions each brings to the relationship. This is what God is looking for in relationships. It is amazing how we all seem to hide behind verses in the Bible when we are confronted with things about our character we get all spiritual ignoring people (but this is manipulation at its finest) who either made a heartfelt mistake or who would dare to speak the truth in love. Since I am on a roll I would like to touch on another touchy issue that is destroying relationships at all levels within the church and that is the endless stream of preachers from all over the world coming to America and even Europe on their annual business trip to get money and support for their church. That is not the model you find in the New Testament. Yes the disciples did carry money church to church, but they did at the direction of the Holy Spirit they were not manipulated and guilted into giving money as I see going on today. I will be honest African pastors have mastered this as a art. When I pastored in Germany our congregation was about 70% African and how the apostles, bishops, pastors, prophets, etc. would try to get their greedy little fingers in the heart and wallets of our people, but I would not allow them to come and fleece the flock which often caused problems between my African Associate pastor and me. I have gone to some churches who were having special services for such “men of God” and it was appalling to watch the manipulation and downright foolishness in the name of the LORD. In Africa I have sat in the office of pastors as they counted the Sunday offerings from four or five services (they are not that poor) and as pastor belonging to the greater denomination would bring in their money and add it to a money making pyramid scheme (a fee for service) for a spiritual covering within the country. This is not the model found in the Bible. But this foolishness also happens in America. Apostles, bishops, pastors, prophets make their way across the pond to America to see how much money they can get for their churches. I have heard them measure the successfulness of their trip by how much money they got. Now do not get me wrong I do believe in helping out churches overseas in need if I can, but it is at the direction of the Holy Spirit. Relationship is never the reason to make money. Relationship is the reason to join hearts and lives together, to come along side each other and work together. You know if your church cannot stand on its own two feet then maybe your church does not need to be standing. If God is not enough to provide what you need then all of the money in America will never do. Peter asked Jesus, “what shall we have therefore?” And Jesus said unto them, “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. 30But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” (Matthew 19:29-30) Did you get that? I did not see where Jesus said you will get money for driving a few miles once a month, crossing the oceans and living in squalor, or you will get a big name and be honored in the nations, but our reward is 100 fold IN OUR NEXT LIFE for those who can wait, those who like the back seat, and those who do not mind being last. Written by David Stahl