OUR PAST FAILURES AND MISTAKES

As I was studying the history of Nehemiah rebuilding the temple (70 years) and walls (52 days) the opportunity of compromise (see Nehemiah 6:1-8) was front and center in Nehemiah's life to make excuses for his failures and mistakes. As we look at our lives (hopefully in honesty) our thoughts sometimes go to our victories and triumphs, but most often when we think of the past, we think of our failures and mistakes. I wonder why that is? Now failures and mistakes in God are not a big deal as long as we do not get stuck in them. Failures and mistakes in God are to be an opportunity on which we can learn and ever be learning, but that is not what happens in many lives. It is very important that the failures and mistakes of our past are not repeated during our present life and in the things God has prepared for us in the future. How can we move into what God has for us if we struggle with our past? We are to learn from our failures and mistakes so we will have a future in God. Now I am sure this is easier said than done. We all struggle with our past failures, mistakes, and just wish God would wipe them all away as He will wipe away all tears in heaven, but He does not. Why? Because they are tools He uses for our learning. You know we sing songs, "no tears in heaven" well, I guess the author missed these verses, "And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." (Revelation 21:3-4) I think the tears we will be shedding will be from the failures and mistakes we made in our past that we never allowed God to deal with in our lives and now in heaven God has to judge them. The Word of the LORD to the seven Churches (Revelation 2:1-3:22) were opportunities to learn, but as we see some did and some did not, but at the same time prefigured the progression of events that span the entire Church Age. This also gives us indications as to why God's past dealings and judgments (even His visitations) did not come into the fullness of all that He intended or why they did not last can be found within the Word of the LORD to each of these seven Churches. These Churches (and not the Body of Christ) mentioned in the Book of Revelation can tell us much about our past and present world. Did you know only Paul uses the term "Body of Christ" to describe that mystical body of Believers, the Bride of Christ? The "Church" today (like then) is a collection of religious and traditional man centered organizations that practices the tenants and laws of man (humanism, seeker sensitive, hyper-spiritualism, word of faith, etc.) more than they do of God. Shamefully man focused and man run. Let us look at the seven Churches (pastors) of the Book of Revelation to see what we can learn today that will prevent us from making the same failures and mistakes in OUR lives. The first of these the Church at Ephesus was told that they had departed from their “first love” (Revelation 2:4). This was the Church that witnessed the faith and power of the early Apostles who had personally experienced the presence of the resurrected Jesus. The LORD expected those within the Church at Ephesus to maintain this experience of His personal presence of the resurrected Christ, but they had already begun to fall away. The Church of Ephesus was commended, however, because they “hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate” (Revelation 2:6). There is no explanation given in Scripture as to who these Nicolaitans were however we can come to an understanding of their identity through the meaning of the word “Nicolaitan” itself. “Nikao” means to conquer or consume the “Laos” or laity, the people. Those who became identified as being Nicolaitans advocated a compromise with the world system so Christians would be able to take part, without embarrassment or loss of status, in the social and religious activities of the society in which they lived. In the time of the Church at Ephesus the Nicolaitan teaching allowed Christians to participate in the Roman civil religion. Sound familiar? This resulted in the withdrawal of the manifested presence of the LORD (sound familiar) from their meetings which caused the loss of the spontaneous, quickening power, and stirrings of the Spirit that came to the members of this Church. The Nicolaitans represent a clergy that departed from the presence and power (sound familiar) of the supernatural and substituted form and ritual in its place. The compromise that they advocated caused the dulling of the spirits of the LORD's people as they became conversant with the society and practices of their time. Also the clergy gained control over the functions of ministry and did away with the spontaneity of worship that resulted in the manifest power of God being present. The people then became spectators (sound familiar) to the functioning of the clergy. In His message to the Church at Ephesus the LORD clearly said that He hated the deeds of a clergy that causes His people to depart from experiencing His manifest presence and the operation of the supernatural. In Ephesus these Nicolaitans were present, but hated. In the third Church, Pergamos, they are again mentioned by the Lord, “So have you also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate” (Revelation 2:15). Here, they were firmly entrenched. Then in the fourth Church, Thyatira, the LORD said, “But to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine.” (Revelation 2:24). By now the Nicolaitans were in control and only a remnant remained (like today). Sound familiar? This teaching of compromise by the clergy led to a progressive spiritual declension that culminated in the Dark Ages. During this time of intense spiritual apostasy and darkness a spark of revelation concerning justification by faith came to Martin Luther. Yet today the Catholic Church is trying to rewrite history and call the Protestants (or protestors) back home with lies. But with Luther this began a progressive restoration that developed within the fifth Church, Sardis, and found its full outworking in the last two Churches, Philadelphia and Laodicea. Concerning the fifth Church, Sardis, the Lord said, “I know your works, that you have a name that you live, and are dead” (Revelation 3:1). This Church had returned to right doctrine, but failed to experience the restoration of the fervent “first love” that had been lost at Ephesus. Apparently the Nicolaitans still exercised considerable control and hindered the LORD’s people to the extent that they were not able to experience the quickening of the manifest presence of the LORD nor the power of the Holy Spirit moving in their meetings. The sixth Church, Philadelphia, speaks of an overcoming Church that experienced an open heaven. Of this Church, the LORD said, “I have set before you an open door, and no man can shut it: for you have a little strength." (Revelation 3:8) Here the Nicolaitans were totally defeated and lost all of their influence and control. This Church had cultivated the presence of, “He that has the key of David, He that opens, and no man shuts: and shuts, and no man opens” (Revelation 3:7). The LORD’s manifest presence burned within them and all bondage melted away as the Holy Spirit had His way in their lives and fellowships. Once again the LORD’s people possessed this same fervent “first love” for the LORD that had been lost at Ephesus. There are those now who are also experiencing the manifest presence and power of the LORD what I call the church within the church, the remnant that will make up the Bride of Christ who Jesus is coming back for in the resurrection. These have contended for and gained an open door into the operation of the LORD in their meetings. Much will be accomplished through a present-day Philadelphia Church that will allow an open display of the LORD’s presence and power. Now the seventh and last is the Church of the Laodiceans. The Word of the LORD to this Church is, “Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” (Revelation 3:17) The present-day Laodicean Church has been blessed with more prosperity, gifts, and ministry than any previous Church. Though it is quick to testify about these blessings this Church is exposed by the LORD as being spiritually immature "blind and naked." This prosperity, both spiritual and natural, is not the primary cause of their spiritual blindness and nakedness. Their problem rests in the fact that they do not recognize their spiritual need, “and have need of nothing.” They were satisfied with the things that they possess and were not seeking after the One who gave all this. So then the LORD is revealed as standing outside of this prosperous Laodicean Church, knocking upon its door, seeking to attract their attention, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20) (Please see Thoughts for Consideration in our newsletter "The Call of God" for more on this thought) Because this Church had lost its sensitivity to His voice the call of the LORD changed to seeking out individuals; those who would respond to His knocking on the “door” of their heart by the Spirit. The doctrine of the Nicolaitans has caused this Church to become dull of spirit. Let us take heed to this in us. The acceptance of and adjustment to material prosperity has effectively hindered the visitation of the LORD within this end-time Church and age. This is one of the primary causes of the failure of the Charismatic and word of faith crowd, their emphasis being on prosperity rather than on God and His work in our lives. The Nicolaitan spirit that sought to bring about compromise with the world system in the early Church is still present within the Church of our day. Jesus clearly said, “My Kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36) James told us, “Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” (James 4:4) Notice the contrast between these two present-day Churches. In Philadelphia the LORD has set before them an "open door" into the revelation of His manifest presence and the operation of the supernatural in their midst. In Laodicea, He is outside of the Church knocking upon a closed door seeking out any individual who are able to hear His voice and inviting them to commune with Him. The LORD counsels those who willingly open the door of their spirit to Him to, “buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich.” (Revelation 3:18) This “gold” speaks of the divine nature as being of far greater value than all of these external riches that they possess and rejoice in. A glorious promise is given to those who choose to turn away from this materialistic spirit within the Laodicean Church, “To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.” (Revelation 3:21) This is the greatest of the promises that were given to these seven Churches yet the most difficult to attain even more so today, because of the many subtle deceptions and distraction that must be discerned and especially because of the intensity of the temptations that must be resisted. The LORD is looking for those who are willing to pay the price in order to be a part of the Church at Philadelphia and gain the spiritual life and strength that is available therein. Few will pay the price because the Church at Laodicea is very popular, just look at all of the many denominations that dot the land. The Baptist's alone have 8 different denominations that I know of and all different because of the spirit of the Nicolaitans. They know and use the techniques that will bring about Church growth and material prosperity, but not the power of God that truly changes a man's heart and gives a hope and purpose. Today April 2020 we ask where did the COVID 19 virus come from? The answer is from the pastors and leaders of the Nicolaitan churches of the past and present. They have refused to learn the lessons of their failures and mistakes moving further and further away from the Spirit of God, but God will let man go only so far before He reins man in. God is drawing man unto Himself and desires to correct the years of foolish Nicolaitan attitudes and heart condition in the "Church" and if they do not learn this lesson quite well then the "Church" will stay closed (meeting in cars and on-line) as many politicians have vowed. Funny how the people the denominations want to be like have closed them down. My friend we stand at a cross road in America and the world. Will the "Church" once again embrace the finished work of Christ on the cross or continue on in her arrogance and manipulation? I am sick of hearing "Christian" leaders remind their people of their duty and obligation to continue to give them their tithes and offerings money (when some do not have a job) during the COVID 19 pandemic. They have failed to give them enough of God so they must resort to manipulation and compromise to the word of God to maintain (for some) their lavish life style and apostate ministry. If their ministry is of God He will provide what is needed to continue or if He desires to do some pruning so be it. Make no mistake my friend the LORD is making the following passages of Scripture very real to those seeking a higher level of personal communion with Him. “I love them that love Me; and those that seek Me early shall find Me. 21 that I may cause those that love Me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasure.” (Proverbs 8:17, 21) Those that learn the lessons God has for us will inherit not earthly treasures as much as the heavenly. Your choice my friend will it be the earthly you go after or will it be the heavenly? To gain the heavenly we must learn from our failures and mistakes. Written by David Stahl

A MEDITATION ON EASTER

Around Christmas time last year I shared some thoughts on Christ not being a baby and now as we draw closer to what many call the Easter season I would like to share some thoughts on this topic. First, the word we use to express the great victory of Christ, “Easter” is found once in the KJV of the Bible and has nothing to do with the Gospel; the death, the burial, and (our blessed hope of glory) the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The word “Easter” is found in Acts and is talking about Peter not Jesus, “And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.” (Acts 12:4) and is translated from the Greek as Passover, again it has nothing to do with the Gospel message. I am not going to go into all of the pagan rituals and religious traditional practices that surround the historical myth of Easter my intent is to lift up the name of Jesus. But, my friend we have “truly” (taking something from the physical realm and projecting it into the spiritual realm) drifted so far from the true meaning of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and the great price He paid for my sin and your sin. We have insulted God’s supreme act of giving His only begotten Son and the truth for an emotional swell during the holiday season, to increase church attendance, and to spread ones denominational message under the guise of sharing the Gospel. We do so much in church that displeases God and cover it up by saying we are sharing the Gospel. God please forgive us. God does not need special services that effect our emotions and feelings to share the Gospel message. God needs dedicated and consistent children to follow Him and His basic plan. A few years ago I heard a statement from a pastor (of a church we once attended) that just shook me to my knees. He said after Jesus was arrested and crucified the light of the world went out. How my spirit quivered within me. How my stomach churned and ached for this fellow’s words were not true, but was in keeping with the emotional Easter tradition. At no point in time has Jesus not been the light of the world. My friend even when Jesus obediently and willfully laid His life down, He was still in control; of all Heaven, earth, hell, and will always be the light of the world. His light will never go out. Death could not hold Him, the grave could not hold Him, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57) Because this is true about Jesus we too can say, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” Let us not be led by our emotions and plans to practice an Easter season, but be led by the Holy Spirit to know and understand the true message of the Gospel. This my friend is the message that will change your life forever. At the Passover Supper (before He went out into the garden) Jesus knew the garden experience was there and He knew that the cross, death, the grave, and hell was waiting Him. Yet Jesus went out with a hymn in His heart, “And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.” (Matthew 26:29) How could He do that? He could sing because He had the victory already in His heart. The victory and trust He had in His Father to carry Him through the garden, onto the cross, and into and out of the grave. He knew His Father would never leave Him nor forsake Him. The victory was first won as the Father pressed out the life and will of Jesus at Gethsemane (which means where oil is pressed), “Then saith he unto them, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. 39And 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.” (Matthew 26:38-39) Knowing what was before Him Jesus could still break bread with His disciples, “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.” (Matthew 26:26) Knowing what was ahead for Him Jesus could still give thanks, “And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” (Matthew 26:27-28) He could only do this because it was the most sublime manifestation of faith ever expressed. We think He had faith when He restored sight to the blind, strengthened limbs, and raised the dead. Yes that was wonderful, but we must see the spiritual side of things. We must see the necessity of faith in the realm of the Spirit, not in the flesh (like the Easter myth), but the realm of the Spirit where we have the faith to dare to believe like Jesus. It is Jesus’ victorious life which leads up to His victorious death and that is what presents Him as the Lamb without spot and blemish. When seen on the Mount of Transfiguration, He is a Lamb without spot or blemish, but it is a Lamb that has been slain! We are not saved by His life we are saved by His death. His life is exemplary it is beautiful, but He did not come to display great character and to do miracles, He came to die for us. The way of life is through a region of death and unless we partake of His death we shall never reign with Him. “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:” (Romans 6:3-5) The truth of the season is a bitter sweet message of death so that we may live. It is not about new clothing, many church activities, special foods, and musical programs to get people to come to church, but it is about us loving God enough to be willing (like Jesus) to fall into the ground and die, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” (John 12:24)And, to love God’s word enough in simplicity to share it without fanfare and emotional ceremony knowing the Holy Spirit will do His work in lives. Then too we will be able to say we have before the throne (our heart) of God today a victorious risen Lord. Let us keep the love feast of Jesus’ sacrifice. Let us honor Him and His work in us and for those who we are to lead to the cross for His glory. Let not this season be a myth or holiday, but an invitation to life, the life of God. Written by David Stahl

SPIRITUAL INITIATIVE

Not all initiatives are inspired, but all Godly initiatives are inspired and they give life. Many of our initiatives sound right, look right, but in God are not effective because they are not inspired by God. No matter the idea, plan, goal, objective, or initiative if not inspired by God degrees of failure can only be the end result. The old Yiddish proverb, "man plans and God laughs" is so true as it relates to initiatives for God. Over the years of my travels I have made plans and initiatives in many places of the world (and to be honest) some were inspired by God (the ones that brought the life of God to the people) and some not so much inspired of God (that were not bad or evil and did bring goodness and knowledge), but for ministry to be of God it must be inspired by God (His idea) and it must be spiritual. If we function in the spiritual initiative then we will see spiritual results. Sadly over the years spiritual results have not seemed to be important in the church or as a sign of the LORD in the world. It is far easier to fake a miracle then to allow God to do the work in us for a miracle to come forth from our ministry. One of the first times I went to Nigeria I was hosted by a pastor of about 40,000 members and before our first service he asked me if I wanted him to stage some miracles so the next night we would have some really big crowds. After all if they can get some photos of a white man of God from the United States opening blind eyes, lifting up Africans out of wheelchairs, folks coming off of a sick beds, well the news would spread like wild fire and the next night we would have massive crowds: more people means more money, bigger crowds means more influence in town, a bigger name among the folks, and so on, but it all means nothing with God. I told the pastor no thank you if God is not planning to do a miracle tonight then I do not want to change what God wants in the service. The pastor was unhappy, but that was okay with me. Sadly the church around the world has settled for parlor tricks, slight of hand, and manipulation instead of seeing real moves of God and even real miracles because they have not allowed God to work in their lives to any degree where God could trust the pastor not to seek the glory and benefit for the supernatural work God did in someone's life. They have not allowed God to deal and judge in their lives where He could strip them of their ambition and spiritual arrogance, dressed to the nines, strutting on stage like a peacock, professing of their power, education, ability, and influence. I have seen this, I have been this, so I know this. As I said some of my initiatives (although good and well intentioned) were not inspired by God. I would even say God blessed them and was involved to a degree, but not at the same measure if they were His idea. You know it is the humble and contrite minister God stands to His feet for. God's superstars names are not written in lights or on the credits of Christian TV programs or movies, but on the hearts of people who have allowed God to work in their lives to receive His life and then in turn they can minister His life to others. Now the remarkable thing about spiritual initiative is that the life comes after we do our part. God does not give us overcoming life, but He gives us life as we overcome. Our part is allowing God to do the work in us to the point we will just take God at His word (the best definition of faith I have ever heard) so that we take the initiative. Not a taking away from God where we do our own thing like most ministers do, but taking up our responsibility and duties as He has them arranged in our partnership. We must get up God does not lift us up, nor does He do all the work, but it must be done in the right heart condition if not then it is not a spiritual initiative it is our own initiative and doomed not to project the life of God like most humanistic, seeker sensitive, or hyper-spiritualism projections that the church of today is infested with. If we will do the overcoming we shall find we are inspired of God because He gives us life immediately. Now this life of God can be found in a message (from God), a crusade, a conference, even in an act of love, or a single thought. The whole mystery of this spiritual initiative is it is God inspired so it is God's idea for His purposes, thus we have little to no understanding why God wants it to happen and then we should not want to grab any of God's glory. Most real spiritual things in my life have been small and personal. Now I am not talking about the books and booklets, the article writing, BHG crusades and conferences or the 1,000 of churches and the Bible Schools I have taught in, but I am talking about the intimate understanding that we get when God opens up our heart and mind. I can say I have only had a few of these experiences in my life, but they have changed me forever and they are what God uses to get me to endure the work He desires to do in me that enables me to move in a spiritual initiative with God. I am thinking now of a Turkish Fort in Silistra, Bulgaria, painful, but oh so rewarding spiritually. Again they can even be a thought. Last night God woke me up at 2:00 am and impressed upon me to write about Belinda Koehler. Wow what a wonderful lady. We met Belinda in Germany after I had my 950 pound cast iron, five draw, Top Secret safe fall on me. Yes it was very painful, but this was just God's way of getting us extra money in my retirement. Belinda was a medic (E-6) in the U.S. Army her specialty was physical therapy. She was a lovely lady, but at the same time she was very sad. My heart went out to her as we talked and as she laid hands and other medical devises on my neck and back during therapy. She was very kind and intelligent, but I could see great hurt in her life as she would shy away from some topics. You have plenty of time to talk during two hours of therapy. The more often I went the more she trusted me and opened up to share more personal things about her life. Her life was a train and car wreck all in one. Abused as a child almost all of her early life and when she left home at 17 to join the U.S. Army her life did not get any better. One abusive relationship after another ended her in confusion to her sexual orientation. When we met (I believe) she was coming out of this darkness. To make matters worse she came down with breast cancer and lost both breasts. She wore different wigs and did a good job at hiding the deformity, but the scars of years past and her battling cancer took a great toll on her spirit. I would look forward to my treatments because I would feel better and because I began to notice so did Belinda. One day (she asked about Christliche Gemeinde Stuttgart (CGS) our church) then she started to talk about the LORD. Ah an opening. I could not bring up God and religion (the old Officer and Enlisted familiarity rules), but she responded in great interest. She asked about coming and I invited her. She came and the LORD touched her. So the next treatment this was all we talked about. Now did God allow my Top Secret safe to fall on me to see Belinda saved? I do not know maybe, but the end result was Belinda was a new lady. I never said the "sinner" prayer" (not sure where that is found in the Scriptures) with her, but I could tell there was a great change in her and her life. She was faithful at attending Sunday service and our home group meeting on Wednesday. Then she really opened up about her breast cancer and the shame she felt, well we just loved and accepted her the more as she like a new flower blossomed. One treatment she said, "I had not paid my tithes in a long long time could she pay them at CGS?" I said yes. So she said, "great after work please come by the clinic and I will give you a check." So I did as she asked, obedience is better than sacrifice. She said, "here is the check and next week I will give you another." I said, "okay as you wish." I put the check in my pocket and headed for the bus back to Robinson Barracks where we lived. On the 30 minute bus ride I looked at the check it was for $700, wow I could not believe it. So next week after my treatment she handed me another check so I am thinking $700 + (maybe) $300 = $1,000 would make a good amount and round number, but again Belinda surprised me. The check was for $1,300 for a total of $2,000. I was floored. A few days before the first check I got an invitation to go to India, but did not have the money so now it was worth my while to inquire about the fare, so I called counting airport taxes, everything included is was $2,000 to the penny. God provided. It was God's initiative for me to go to India and He provided through Belinda as a leading to let me know this was His idea. In all of the years (since 2002) I have never twisted arms, begged, or manipulated people for money. If God does not provide when the need is made known then I do not go. Belinda rotated backed to the States before we did and moved to Texas with a friend, but she never forgot us in Germany. Every month faithfully she would send BHG $250 until her death. The cancer came back with a vengeance and she went down hard, but when she died I was told by her family especially her sister (who she was estranged) she had a smile on her face and love in her heart, it was a Tuesday. More than the money I missed Belinda knowing the work that was done in her life preparing her for her death. We want to see miracles (we even prayed for Belinda's healing), but the greatest miracle is the change of heart condition one must receive to really be saved. Before she died we talked on the phone a few times and oh the strength I received from her. In retrospect I see now we were preparing Belinda for her death another spiritual initiative of God. Is she in heaven well . . . my hope is to say yes I believe so and if so I will see her again. In the Scriptures we read of another spiritual initiative of a lady who had a medical issue. In Matthew we read, "And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: 21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. 22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour." (Matthew 9:20-22) In other accounts in the Scriptures it said she spend all she had, all her money, but did not get well. Many people read this story and think the miracle is when she was healed, but not so. All that she went through for 12 years, spending all of her money, enduring the shame and separation of being unclean, yet she still had faith to believe Jesus could heal her, "If I may but touch his garment." The miracle was not the physical healing, but the spiritual initiative to endure the pain and heartache for 12 years believing (like Belinda) someday Jesus would heal her. Hoping and believing in the LORD for things at times can far exceed the physical touch of God when we do not receive our healing. This is how I reconciled (1,000s maybe millions of people prayed for him to be healed) the death of my Bible teacher Charles Haun in 1996. This often is the difference between a physical and spiritual initiative of God. Written by David Stahl