Love One Another

In July 1967 the Beatles (that revolutionary band in the 60s from England) wrote a song that went something like this, "all you need is love." Now I will admit love is important, but to be honest spiritually it takes more than love to make it to Heaven. Now the Beatles made a lot of money with this song and I would say the denominational and the non denominational churches in America and around the world are making even more on this concept. In a statement to Melody Maker magazine, Brian Epstein, the band's manager said of "All You Need Is Love," "It was an inspired song and they really wanted to give the world a message. The nice thing about it is that it cannot be misinterpreted. It is a clear message saying that love is everything." Without a doubt love is always an inspirational message after all who does not want love? We all want to be loved. The desire to be loved is one thing we all have in common. We all want to be pulled to someone's chest and have someone whisper in our ear I love you, but my friend love is not enough to get us to heaven. There is more we need. The Beatles were wrong then and are still wrong over 53 years later. Okay here is my point. Did you know little choices make a big difference in who we become? In 1 John we read, “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3:18) Did you get that? John said, "let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” How easy it is to love in word and tongue? Now please do not misunderstand what I am saying, love is important, after all God is love (1 John 4:7), but if "love" is misapplied (as it was with the Beatles) then it can override those things that draw us to God in ways where there will be NO spiritual growth and development. We see it every day of our lives. How easy is it to say I love you, a car, a job, God, our children, but rather step back and take a look at my wife of 41 years. Who gave me: years of service, commitment, and devotion, four wonderful children, cooked countless meals, cleaned my clothing, keeps the household books, rubbed my legs almost every day, comforted me in times of distress and pain, traveled around the world at my request, and so much more. What more could I ask for? Is I love you enough? Is love all she needs? I think not. This list is more than a few words, I love you. But it is not enough to have love one for another and not stand in the doctrines of the truth found in the word of God. The Christians (cannot really call them Believers) in Sardis did this, yet they remained spiritually dead. The LORD requires us to act upon that which we know to be true and the truth was Jesus most certainly was alive, but they were dead. And why? Those in the Church in Sardis had the right emotions and feelings, but they did not have the right doctrines of truth. Therefore, the LORD said they were “dead” not that they did not love each other. They were content to pride themselves in their religious beliefs, rather than seeking the outworking of the truth, in their beliefs, in their daily lives. They loved even themselves, but did not know the truth of the word of God so their experience and knowledge of God was little to none. John demonstrates this point quite well when he says, "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him." (1 John 2:3-5) Did you get that? If we keep His commandments, those truths found in the word of God, then we can say we know Him not we love Him. Loving someone will never get them to heaven, but if we tell them the truth in love found in the word of God then they will have a chance of living a victorious life on earth now and going to heaven. You know we do not realize that each time we make a decision we are being either hardened or we are developing a sensitivity of spirit towards the LORD. As we strive to know His commandments and keep them there is an inner transformation that begins to take place. Just loving someone even with our whole heart can never make this transformation happen. The Church in Philadelphia speaks of “phileo” a friendship type of love which is a love that responds to love. Do not miss that point. In other words I will be your friend if you are my friend. This love is so much different than the love my wife holds in her heart (and I hold in my heart for her) for me. We see this friendship love that Peter had for Jesus until he came to know the truth. In John we read of an encounter between Jesus and Peter. Here Jesus was showing Peter the type of love he really had for Him and was trying to restore Peter back to the flock. We read, "So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas (old man of the flesh) , lovest (agape or dedication) thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love (phileo or fond of; friendship) thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest (agape or dedication) thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love (phileo or fond of; friendship) thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest (are you only phileo or fond; friendship) thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love (phileo or fond of; friendship) thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep." (John 21:15-17) Peter said, "Lord, thou knowest all things" Peter was grieved in his heart because he realized Jesus knew he was only fond of Him, only His friend. Make no mistake my friend like Peter, God knows our heart, and He knows all things about us. Love never covers a heart that is in rebellion to God. The Church of Laodicea had love they thought that was all they needed like the Beatles and as the so called church of today, but they did not know the truth. John writes, "And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." (Revelation 3:14-19) The Laodicean Church did not know it, but they were losers, yet they thought they were winners. Just like the biggest losers in the 2020 elections was not America, but the so called "church" in America especially the black church. How could the church come out in great numbers and vote for a party who believes it is okay to kill babies in the mother's womb, support homosexuality, the LGBQT lifestyle, Antifa, and Black Lives Matters (BLM) who wants to destroy the family unit as God has designed in His word and make transgenderism normal (just look at their website) all of which God and His word (the Bible) says is sin and an abomination. Oh no my friend the church in America is deceived and know not the truth of the word of God. Vote if you wish for a party that believes it is okay to kill babies and spit in the face of God, but for the sake of God and all He stands for in the heart of God fearing men and women, do not call yourself a Christians and think you are going to heaven. Oh no my friend you are deceived and since you know not the truth of the word of God you are not saved and will find yourself in hell as the Bible clearly states. You know the Bible is crystal clear as to how we are to deal with people who call themselves a Christian, but the fruit in their lives and the deeds of their hand speak volumes of them really being of their father the devil. The truth of God's word always stands head and shoulders over love, family peace, or just going along to get along. John helps us here when dealing with such folks. John writes, "Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." (2 John 1:8-11) Now John says "whosoever" that means white, black brown, purple, green people who "transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God." That means people who voted for a party that does not support God and His word, "hath not God" and are doomed unless they truly repent. But take heed my friend, willful sin is dealt with differently by God than unwilful sin. John is really strong here maybe the strongest wording in all five of His Books. In verse 10 John says, "If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:" Today we would say God bless you. This is clear to me according to the word of God. I cannot associate or be friends with people who voted in support of President elect John Biden and the democratic party; who supports killing babies, homosexuality, BLM, and etc. and if I do, now here is the kicker, "For he that biddeth him God speed (supports them or even says "God bless you") I am a "partaker of his evil deeds." Or I am just as guilty before God as they are for their murder and evil deeds. If I hang around such people I am just as evil and ungodly and just as deceived as they are. And evil and ungodly people are not going to heaven my friend. Now I know this is a hard message to hear in your spirit and most Christians and some Believers will reject it. Peace and love at all cost, but what will the peace and love over truth cost in your life? We went to a local little church today and of course the crowd was much smaller than before when we went in the past, but it was pointed out to us all of the money they spent on technology to get their service out to the people who once came. I thought, I wonder what they could have done for the folks in the community, the evangelism they could have done with all of the money they spent on the cameras, large TVs, sound systems, software, and more to air a "Face Book Live" production. They were only reaching the folks who USE to come. It seems they were more interested in keeping their members in the flock instead of reaching out into the community. I am sure this church is no different than the 100s of 1,000s in NC and around the world. And Face Book Live? How long will Christians stay on Face Book, Twitter, Goggle, Instagram, and all of the other social media platforms? I mean after all of the manipulation, deception, and control Face Book, Twitter, Goggle, Instagram, and all of the other social media platforms used to deceive the America public and even steal an election and Christians are still on Face Book, Twitter, Goggle, Instagram, and all of the other social media platforms, what are they thinking? Oh I know why their lives are so entwined with social media platforms, so addicted to checking their Face Book, etc. they do not have the spiritual wherewithal to see the danger and know the truth. They are drugged, addicted just as bad as being on heroin or cocaine. I am not on Face Book, Twitter, Goggle, Instagram, or any all of the other social media platforms. Now listen my friend this is from the LORD, "you better get off of social media platforms before it is too late." Today you chose. There is no way around it. Narrow is the way that leads to life. I have said it before and can see it even clearer today after the 2020 election, not a lot of people will be in heaven. You can choose who you want to hang around with and vote for, but in the end on judgment day your choices (even in the 2020 election) will end you in either heaven or hell where all liars and people who know not God will eternally dwell. Now there is hope they can confess of their evil deeds and repent from their evil way, but the forgiveness will be granted by God based upon their sincerity and truthfulness of heart like all forms of forgiveness. And why? Such people are double minded and unstable (James 1:7-8) in all their ways. Separating yourself from such people takes great inward strength from God, but is a must if we are going to follow Him in the things He wants for our lives. Not separate ourselves from those in the world who are lost and need a Savior, but separate ourselves from those who we know are willfully walking in darkness and have no desire to turn from their evil ways. By all means pray for them, be there for them if they come to you with a heart of repentance, but be not partakers of their evil by having a relationship or fellowship with them. You know light never can have fellowship with darkness. I hear calls from President elect Joe Biden say to put things of the past behind and forgive and make up, well maybe so in the world's economy of things, but not so in God's economy. God expects His children to walk in the light, in the truth as He is in the light, not in the warm glow of fuzzy feelings of just loving everyone and forgetting the past so we can go along to get along. This cannot happen in God. One side is of the darkness and the other side is of the light. Paul in 2 Corinthians writes, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." (2 Corinthians 6:14-16) Fives time in these three verses, God says separate yourself from the wicked so that "I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." Pretty crystal clear to me. In order to have a vital relationship and fellowship with the LORD, we must have right actions toward God, His word, and others. Yes the LORD loves people so much that what we do for others will be the same as if we had done it unto Him. But in the end it is the way we handle truth and not love which will determine our eternal home. Paul speaks of this priority in his life and of his desire for inner transformation. Paul says, “if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” Paul is not expressing concern about his salvation here. The Greek translation causes us to understand that Paul is desiring an “out-resurrection from among the living dead.” Paul was seeking to go beyond his present situation of emotional feelings and his desire for love (1 John 2:15) for this world while living with the walking dead who love, but know not the truth of the word of God. Paul's desire more than the world was for spiritual growth and development in his life to know truth and God. Lastly, we should always stay open and desirous of all God has for us as the LORD draws us into an ever closer relationship with Himself that we might be lifted up into a fuller participation with Him in that which He is doing today. I have found that, in time, difficulties do become “as nothing” in light of the inner working of God in my life. As I determine to maintain mercy, truth, and even love towards one to the other my heart stays soft toward the LORD enabling Him to change me as He also lifts me into His higher purposes. Thus, there is always hope for “more” if we will not settle just for love, which is good to strive for, but to pursue the outworking of those truths in our daily lives! Written by David Stahl

Other Voices

My friend if you listen closely in your life you will hear voices. Now I am not talking about the voices that psychotic or demon possessed people say they hear, but voices that tell us it is okay to do what we want to do. These voices are probably not God 's voice. The last thing we need in our lives is to be able to do whatsoever we want to do. A neighbour gave me some advice, to "follow my heart" well I replied no thanks, Jeremiah tells us our heart is desperately wicked and evil. Usually this voice is from our soul, our flesh maybe inspired by Satan maybe not. Make no mistake my friend our flesh needs no help from Satan to get us in trouble with God. But the voices I am talking about are the voices that come from the world. Those subtle voices that tell us it is okay to do something we know is NOT right or wrong before God, oh no the Bible does a great job of telling us this, but things that are ungodly, unholy, unrighteousness those things that will get us over in areas that will separate us from fellowship with God and man. Now my friend this is a big big deal (please pay attention here) today many many "would be" (if they did not listen to other voices) Christians have been deceived and maybe have lost their salvation and do not even know it. If you pull the lever for someone who supports abortion, homosexuality, LBGQT, Black Lives Matters, Antifa, and all of the rest of the trash and foolishness in the world I challenge your very salvation. Someone who loves Jesus and is really born again (or birthed from above) would never support such ungodly, unholy, unrighteousness people and issues. They know not God and the love of the Father (the truth) is not in them. John tell us, "I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. 15 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 2:14-17) Did you get that? "The love of the Father is not in him." In other words you are not saved. You may have been saved (and yes you can lose your salvation), but because, "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." This is serious business my friend. Now what is amazing to me is the "fathers" and "young men" have already overcome the wicked one yet John is warning them (and all who read his letter) not to get involved with the world and the things in the world or you will lose your victory over the wicked one and lose your salvation. Not the wicked one will deceive you, but it is the deception that comes from the world and its things. Oh we like to beat up and blame Satan for everything we do that displeases God, but the truth is it is our love for our flesh and our love for the world and the things in the world (and not Satan) that causes our deception and waywardness from God. We have a choice to say no! Right? The question is do we love God or the world and the things in the world more? Now the world (not the earth which is a planet) is a system, an ungodly way to do things that are outside the frame work of God's way of doing things. The world is anti-Christ or another (anti) way or a Christ less way of doing things. So the world itself is bad (just look at the governmental systems, politics, global financial and banking, all ungodly), but it is not really the world that gets us into trouble with God, but "the things that are in the world" that we hold close to our heart above God. We are not to do things, as Christians, in this world as the world does them nor are we to love the things in the world. We are not to do things the way the world does things. We are to be strangers (not at home) in this world, called out of this world. We are not to look or act like the world. Yet in most Christian lives and in most churches today you cannot tell the difference between the world and someone who has been set apart by God to do the things He wants to be done in us first and out to the world. You know the things I see going on in Christian lives and the churches today would have never happened 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, or even 5 years ago. Growing up in the Assembly of God Church (in 1967-68), in WV, I can remember the Pastor Howard Reckley sounding the alarm against TV. They had six kids, but would not own a TV because of the evil programming (even then) that would warp your thinking, your heart, and corrupt the godliness and morals in you. His members railed and railed on him (even his family rebelled), but he stuck to his guns and never gave in. We need more Pastors like Howard Reckley today. But what happened? What happened to the church? Most churches look like some sad night club on steroids (even have coffee houses like Starbucks and McDonalds in some) putting on a show to entertain their members because they do not have the light of the Gospel. Light and laser shows, spotlights, fog and wind machines used as the crowd sings to a hopped (like on drugs) up contemporary version of amazing grace and other traditional hymns of the church. What happened? Christians saying they love God, but have tattoos from head to foot (your body is NOT yours), drunks, folks who smoke like a chimney, no integrity, no honor, and their language would make a sailor blush. Where is the evidence of holiness and righteousness in their lives? NOT legalism, but common everyday Christian spirituality, integrity, honesty, and godliness. Remember what Jesus said, "Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit." (Matthew 12:33) We are known by what we say and do and what we profess. Okay again what happened? I will tell you what happened the church over the last 50 or so years have started listening to other voices. Just like the children of Israel in the wilderness. All throughout the wilderness experience "God said" to the children of Israel. But they never heard Him speak. Either we hear God's or the voice of the world! Never forget this my friend. For 40 years God was speaking and speaking, but no one except Moses, Joshua, and Caleb to a certain degree heard His voice. My friend God has not changed. Did you know 582 times in the Bible, "God said?" He is still speaking to man. His message has not changed, it rings loud and clear in our ears and heart if we have ears to hear it. For us to hear God's voice we must not be listening for other voices. Many today are listening for other voices. Voices that lead them away from God and the purposes and plan for their lives. For 40 years, "God said" and the children of Israel said, "so what." They did not walk in the words of God. When God speaks we need to listen. There is grave consequences usually ending in death or separation for being disobedient. This truth is eternal and cannot change. The other edge of this truth is at the same measure of death and separation for disobedience there is life and fellowship for obedience. God offered life, but the children of Israel refused His offer and received death for their efforts. Did you know rewards both blessings and curses are based on our actions out from the motives, thoughts, and intentions of our heart? Moving in the truth knowingly or unknowingly does not change the truth, but changes the reward. Many people refuse to believe that Jesus died for their sins and arose on the third day from the grave. Whether they believe or not does not change the truth nor the truthfulness of the Bible. Without belief in the Bible one cannot walk in truth! But their believing or not believing changes the reward they receive after this life. Either death or life. This reward too is based on whether or not they believe in the truthfulness of the Bible and that happens in our heart. Never forget at the heart of every issue is an issue of our heart. It is always an issue of the heart. Did you know the word "heart" is mentioned 762 times in the KJV of the Bible. It is always a choice of our heart. What happened? Christians especially in the mainstream denominational churches in their heart have left God and His way. Ah the world's music and lifestyle (we can preach a hip Jesus and sell t-shirts and sandals) will draw more people so we can get more money and have more power in the world. They have listened to other voices. Voices that offer more so called fun, freedom, and liberty. They have listened to voices that tell them there is a better way to do things than what the Bible says. Today the world calls this humanism, social justice, seeking the virtues of man and mankind to enable man to be able to become all he can be, outside of God. And inside the Christian world we have worldly teachings like the purpose driven life, seeker sensitive, and word of faith where you name it and claim it, blab it and grab it, fake it till you make it all are an open sore in the Body of Christ and a stench in God's nostrils. Well where did these voices come from? Ah now we are getting to the heart of what I feel the LORD wants me to say. Maybe from Satan? No! They came from man. They came from the heart of man. It is no wonder they are so addictive. Inventions and progress, means to make man's life much better and wholesome are the home of "the things that are in the world," these voices. One and the biggest I would like to touch on in this article and that is technology. The closer man goes toward technology the less of God will be in his life. I cannot believe how the Christians and the nominal church have been taken over by technology. We are NOT to be of this world, yet we Christians have our I phone falling out of our right back pocket. I wonder who told us to put it there? Nobody! We have been conformed to the world by observation and "monkey see money do." Far too many Christian people's lives revolve around their smart phone, computers, social media (technology in this word) than the word of God and time spent in prayer. How many churches are on Facebook one of the most ungodly social media platforms on the internet. What is Facebook doing with all of your information? How about all of those Zoom services during the Chinese virus lockdowns? What are they doing with your information? Waiting till the time is right and then will come and arrest the pastor and close you all down. Are all of the churches that vain and power hungry to think the internet will be a better tool of invitation and information sharing than the Holy Spirit and God's people? Or has God's people just gotten lazy that they have to be (like the world or when Israel wanted a king) on Facebook, Twitter, Tick Tock, Instagram, and all of the other time wasters. Oh my friend get off social media now before it is too late. For some it may be far too late. Turn your back on the world and the things that are in the world, now. By not doing so it will cost you your spiritual life and maybe your physically life. If we think we are controlled and manipulated by "big tech" today my friend we have not seen anything yet. What voices are you listening too? It is easy to see my friend just be honest and look at the fruit hanging off your life. Written by David Stahl