We live in a time in which the “spirits of the age” has spiritually made inroads upon us. The influence of this world colors our spirituality and leaves its mark even upon our soul. We seem to be very slow to learn even the simplest lessons in the school of the Spirit about God and His ways. My love for this world and the things in it ever puzzles me and I like Paul, "For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do.16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good." (Romans 7:15-16) Now I do not know about you, but there is a hunger in my heart to do right yet I find myself doing wrong. This struggle is not isolated to just Paul and I, but to all mankind. Again Paul talks (he has a lot to say about these emotions) about this struggle in his life, "For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" (Romans 7:19-24) Paul here answers his own question in verse 24, "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin." (Romans 7:25) Now do not think you are a super holy Christian and above this struggle if you do you are worse off then you know. This struggle even extends into the spiritual world. We should never become involved in doctrinal issues, arguing, or splitting hairs over minor points of no real spiritual significance. Rather, we are to respond and move in a spiritual quickening and in revelation heeding the words of Christ, “But when you do alms, let not your left hand know what your right hand does. That your alms may be in secret; and your Father which sees in secret Himself shall reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:3-4) The "Church" is obsessed with doctrinal issues that divide and fracture the Body of Christ. The number one and two dividing topics fought over in the "Church" are having to speak in tongues when filled with the Holy Spirit and ladies in leadership as pastors, Deacons, Elders, teachers, evangelist. And oh the lust for money and power some "Churches" and denominations have. This is why I tell my friends you DO NOT have to go to a "Church" instead go and spend some time talking with the LORD. Now the writer of Hebrews (I believe to be Paul) tells us, "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:23-25) It does not say go to "Church" after all we are the "Church" and not all of the denominations and religions that destroy the heart and lives of men and woman around the world. But it does say we must "assemble ourselves together" while "exhorting one another:" The early "Church" in the Book of Acts started in home groups then tried to copy the religious system of the day and I believe got off track, but I will save this discussion for another day. This concept of secrecy in Matthew 6:3-4 should not to be limited to the act of giving as the principle holds true in all areas of Christian witness and ministry. It is a fundamental fact that man seeks expression; all like to be heard, seen, and loved. We all should do so to develop a normal personality and character. This places a responsibility upon us as the flesh nature has become so dominant in man’s methods that we may unconsciously allow its ways to sweep in and rule even in our spiritual life's experiences. John tells, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." (1 John 2:15-17) Our flesh gets it's expression from the spirit of this world and the things in this world that project it's influence and control, and authority our man. We must remember this clear-cut and poignant truth: “Than which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6). This is a truth upon which all real Christian life and spirituality is built. It is basic and fundamental. We should not restrict the meaning of this phrase, “that which is born of the flesh is flesh,” as referring merely to a function of our physical body. Now this is a true concept, but far too limited. Whatever has its inception and is birthed from a fleshly origin forever remains in the realm of the earthly and flesh. These cannot under any circumstances become spiritual or bear spiritual fruitage. On the other hand whatever is “born of the Spirit” (whatever has its inception from and is birthed through the Spirit) is always spiritual in issue and fruition. All the service and work of man (though they may be considered as being “spiritual” by some) are merely a natural and religious expression. They have their origin from within the good, religious nature of man’s being, and he gives it free expression in the form of service and works. Not being born of the Spirit, however, they can never be Spiritual, nor can they ever merit a spiritual reward. The “ways” and “methods” of man by nature are diametrically opposed to the “ways” and “laws” of the Spirit. The question in the last analysis is not, “is this a true ministry?” It is, rather, a question of motives and the birthplace of its manifestation – is it of the “spirit,” or of the “flesh?” This is the day of exhibition and exploitation. Many struggle to be seen, heard, and known. This is what man does, but not the Spirit. Speaking of the Holy Spirit Jesus said, “He shall not speak of (or from) Himself (that is on his own initiative) but He shall glorify Me, for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it to you.” (John 16:13-14) The Spirit does not detract from, but rather, focuses the attention where it belongs – upon the Lord Jesus. This is the "true" test of ministry (and all who say they are ministering) what do they say and do with Jesus Christ. Signs and wonders do not matter, amounts of money raised, and numbers of crowds drawn, but what do you say about Jesus Christ is the litmus test of "true ministry." If the ministry is truly of the Spirit of God the instrument will be hidden. Self-effacement will be the atmosphere. How awkward and reluctant the Adamic nature is in getting out of hearing, and out of sight. In these days of man’s exhibition we often have become suspicious of his motives. In some cases one hardly dares to be kind or courteous for he will be misunderstood. Someone might think we are attempting to put something over if we are polite and kind. This world loves and even pushes an out spoken and in your face Christianity. The disciples, on their way to Emmaus, were courteous enough to invite the stranger to walk with them and to enter with them into their destination. As the result of a simple act of kindness a revelation came to hungry hearts. So much of value and real worth often hinges upon a seeming trifle little is much, if God is in it. Do not fear to obey His commands they are not grievous. God is seeking refreshment today. Can you not spread before Him a humble meal in the quiet, hidden place of your heart? But remember, He may not wear the form you are expecting. He often “hungers” in the form of broken humanity. Most "Churches" today do not want to feed the broken and poor of humanity. I have seen it in the "Churches" of Sneads Ferry. Oh they say come to our "Church" you are welcome, but when you do (I have talked to many people who have made this mistake) you are made to feel like an outsider, different, a real sinner who needs to clean up their lives before they can come and really be welcomed. Take heed my friends the forms God wears are many. So serve the deep hunger of the needy one and satisfy their need. In so doing you may open the door to a deeper revelation of who He really is. Written by David Stahl
Thursday, January 30, 2020
Thursday, January 9, 2020
BELIEVE IT OR NOT
It is amazing to know our salvation is based on belief or faith of which are basically translated as the same word in the Scriptures. Believe it or not. Believe it and we are saved or believe it NOT and we are not saved, but my friend there is more than belief alone that we need moving in our lives to be saved. In the world and even in the nominal, seeker sensitive, humanistic church of today we hear and read all we have to do is believe well I am here to tell you there is much more needed to be saved. Not only do we need to believe (to have an undying faith in the process of salvation), but there is a need to confess and repent. All three actions of the heart (not a mental action) need to be completed in our lives before we can be saved. I think the order goes something like this. First is confession. John tells us, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (John 1:8-10) The word "confess" here means we agree with what God is saying about us is true. Unless we come into agreement with God we cannot be saved. And God is saying about us that we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God and need a savior. Second is Repentance. Jesus Himself said, "And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:2-5) This is plain as the nose on our face. There needs to be a change in our behavior. The word "repent" here is a British term which means to about face or go in another other direction. If what we are doing, that is sin, is taking us in a leftward direction then we need to repent and go right in the opposite direction. After these items are settled in our heart then and only then can we believe to a point where we can be saved. And the more we believe we have confessed our sin and the more we repent (go opposite of sin) the more we shall be saved. Sadly most denominations in the "Church" (especially in America we have gotten so high-minded) do not share this message. Most denominational churches teach to be saved all you have to do is repeat the sinner's prayer (prayer not found in the Scriptures) and believe Jesus died for your sins. Others tag on water baptism to be saved. The new movement in the Pentecostal and Charismatic world is keeping the law, rituals, customs, and feasts of the Old Testament. What foolishness! It is no wonder the unsaved world wants nothing to do with God. Most Christians are so fickle and dither over their salvation. Now I can understand why most, so called Christians, think they are saved but in reality their lives do not reflect their words. There is a huge disconnect between their lives and their belief. My friend God must be able to work in our lives in deep and painful (God's dealings and judgments) ways that most people (including myself at times) shun and reject. Most people do not like pain and suffering, that is me too, but God must be allowed to do a deeper work into our lives so He can take us to the next level of usefulness in Him. Our salvation is wrought through pain, tears, suffering, troubles, persecution, and the list goes on if we want God to take us on in Him to the next and a new levels of glory God has reserved for us. Christians outside the US know this truth all too well. We must come to a place in God where we see ourselves as being spiritually bankrupt (no value in us) and we are hopelessly lost without God working in our lives. Now this my friend is far beyond just believing and repeating a few words. Paul knew this. In Romans Paul laments, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. (Romans 7:24-25) I wonder where he learned this? Paul learned this in the suffering and troubles he endured. Do we think God would have used Paul if he had not endured all of the suffering (as delineated in the Scriptures) in his life? Of course not. It was Paul willfully enduring the persecutions and afflictions (just read about Paul's life) that endeared Paul to God. Now I am not saying suffering alone will endear us to God, it will not, but suffering for the sake of Christ .. . . well, God will move mountains for us as we lick our wounds. This too is far beyond believing, believe it or not. Jesus in John tells us, "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:31-32) What are we made free to? To walk with the Holy and living God. Well, how do we do this? God must be able to purify us, remove the dross, and the things of this world (by working in our lives) sufficiently enough to where we will be able function and move with Him now on earth and in the ages to come. Wow that is even further far beyond just believing. Believe it or not.
Each of us who desires to personally know and serve the LORD must first make these life changing decisions to confess and repent. When we willingly do this our present relationship to the LORD and also our eternal position in the ages to come will be greatly affected. If we accept this challenge it becomes a daily reality in our lives. Many do not realize or take seriously the tremendous value of all that our LORD will make available to us as a result of the willing submission of our lives to Him and His Lordship. Yet the Scriptures tells us that our salvation is through faith, and is a gift of God. Paul again helps us here, “For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) Once we satisfy the requirements for salvation (it is a free gift and we cannot work or earn it) confess, repent, and believe we will begin to face and make choices that affect our rate of spiritual growth as well as our position in the eternal ages before us. Therefore we must recognize that there are spiritual laws which apply to our spiritual development. This too is far beyond just believing. Did you know the LORD is much more interested in our coming into a quality relationship with Him than we are. So the LORD has placed within us not only the capacity for obedience, but also the potential to rebel. We may shake our fist against Him, if we so choose. Therefore, when we submit ourselves in joyful obedience to Him, in anticipation of all that will follow, we are not responding as puppets; but rather, out of a willing desire and love for Him. We have within us this power of choice to believe or not believe. This can be applied to any aspect of our lives where obedience is required by the LORD. Yet, if we look only toward being blessed or the reward we will miss something. We must press on for it is in the sufferings of the “refiner’s fire” that the pure gold (His divine nature) is brought forth in our lives. If we truly desire to follow the LORD then we must actively resist our flesh by denying our carnal desires and take up our own cross in obedience to His Word. The most important time for us in all of eternity is right now because there is no past or future only right now. We are making choices and decisions today that will affect our eternal position and reward. Eternal life is not future oh no we have that now as part of our salvation. “Where” we will be is a settled fact. “What” we will be in eternity will be the result of the accumulated choices and decisions that we are making now in our daily life experiences. Our present life (our spiritual development), primarily involves outworking of our willing obedience to Him in taking up our cross daily. The promise of the LORD is to him that overcomes. As we overcome through our willing obedience to the LORD He will bring into our lives experiences that will take us far beyond merely believing or not. Written by David Stahl
WTFMT 72 (HGM ON 14 JAN 20)
WILDERNESS TRUTHS FOR MODERN
TIMES-72
TEXT: "For I determined not to know any
thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in
weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not
with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of
power:" (1 Corinthians 2:2-4)
I. FEAR
LURKS IN MOAB
B.
The giants in Canaan did not cause ten Israeli spies to fear. Lack of trust in God was in their hearts
before they left the camp to go to spy out the Promised Land. They were evil
men, with a history of disobedience to God, and they brought back an evil
report. 12 spies saw the giants. Two of them trusted in God and were full of
faith, wholly following the Lord. The
two were good men, bringing back a good
report.
C.
The difference in the reports did not lie in the circumstances the 12
spies encountered. The difference lay in
their hearts. If you wholly follow the
Lord you will never have to worry about being stuck in the Wilderness of
Moab. You will have faith and trust. You will not be forever bogged down in fear.
D.
Today, fear torments many believers.
There is such a lack of trust that some will not drive their car out of
its driveway without "pleading" the blood of Jesus. The blood of
Jesus cleanses us of our sins. It will
not keep us from having an accident or heal us of our sickness. Why are we so fearful? Where do you think, reside the supreme power
and control.
E.
Lack of spiritual character (character of Jesus), and lack of obedience
are the causes of fear and defeat. No
one is born with character. Neither is
fear inherent in the newborn. Fear must
be introduced to children. Adam was not
created with fear in him. Later it
entered into him out of disobedience.
F.
There is a life where all the pressure of fear and trembling are turned
off. It is a life in which abide a
complete trust and love of our caring heavenly Father. There cannot be fear in that fullness of
love.
G. The work of God is not based
upon fear nor defeat. God always works
and moves toward victory. In the final
analysis God triumphs over all. Even in
the case of man's beginning, when death first entered, there will be ultimate
victory. God will bring all humanity
back to the point where there shall be no more death. God will definitely fulfill His purposes.
H. Why
should the Christian tremble in fear and defeat? If there is any trembling to be done, the
enemies of God should be at it. The
Church is supposed to be at the gates of Hell bashing them in. Hell shall not withstand the onslaughts of
the Church. There should be no trembling
among the children of God.
II. PARTING THOUGHTS
A.
The spirit of fear comes from the enemy's camp; God has not given
" For God hath not given us
the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (1 Timothy 1:7)
I t should not be part of the
believer's life. The believer should be
walking in faith with God toward glorious victory.
B.
Moab is the camp of fear and defeat.
Do not live there. God's love,
power, and might can deliver you forever from frightening fear and frustration.
"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (1 Peter 5:7)
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