BEFDL 18 (TAKEN FROM HGM ON 20 SEP 22)

BIBLICAL ELEMENTS FOR DAILY LIVING-18 TEXT: 

 "Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. 8 Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life." (Psalm 42:7-8) 

I. THE CALL OF THE LORD 

A. "Deep calleth" tells us that our Lord is a seeking God who is constantly calling out, seeking those who will respond to His desire for communion and fellowship. 

B. "At the noise of your waterspouts" This is seen as being "noise." In the initial stages of our being apprehended by the Lord, we do not understand His voice or dealings. Often our response may not be the one the Lord desired, but He ever calls (never stops our entire life) ever seeking to bring us higher, that He might enjoy times of communion with us. 

C. Even when we make mistakes, but if our heart attitude toward the Lord is right, then all will be well. "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3) He will continue to walk with us, knowing that we will gradually, increasingly, come to understand His voice and ways, and as a result the noise He hears will become a "new song" of rejoicing and worship from a song of complaining and strife. 

D. This song that the Lord so desires to hear is unique to our personal life experience. No one else could ever sing this song, as they have not walked as we have. The Lord will look to us, as if we were the only person in the universe, for the desires to hear our song. Rejoice Rejoice, again I say rejoice! 

E. Quite often, we should thank our Lord for His patience with us. He love us so. It is critical we believe this. His desire for us is so intense that He will ever continue (all the days of our life) to patiently wait for us. 

F. When Adam was disobedient to the Lord in the Garden of Eden, he hid from the presence of the Lord. It was the Lord God who went after Adam, it is the Lord God who come to man in their sin. It is the Lord God who came to you and me. The Lord God ever calleth, "And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?" (Genesis 3:9) He is ever calling (all the days of my life) David where art thou? 

G. When Adam responded with his excuse (noise), the Lord God took a step toward him, covering him with the skin of an animal that their fellowship might be restored. This was the first blood sacrifice for sin. "Sin" must always be cover with blood, "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1:7) and "sins" is always covered with repentance, grace, and love. "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;" (Ephesians 1:7) 

H. In the parable of the sower, Matthew 13, the sower goes forth with seed. The Word tells us that this seed is, "the Word of the Kingdom." As we rightly respond to produce "good ground" this seed will gradually develop and the "noise" will become a clear pathway which leads to the Kingdom. "He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath." (Matthew 13:11-12) 

II. PARTING THOUGHTS 

A. In Revelation, it is the same Lord God who stands at the door, knocking, in order to seek out those who will hear and respond. From the beginning in Genesis to Revelation, the last book of the Bible, and all throughout the entire Bible, He "calleth." 

B. He is far more interested in us than we are in Him. This may be hard for us to believe, but it is so true. All we need do is to become quiet and listen, and the Lord will direct us to Himself. 

C. When we respond to His knock we will be brought up into His chambers, where our life becomes one with His communion and purpose. "After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter." (Revelation 4:1) 

D. All your waves and billows are gone over me." My life is now lost in His life. I am discovering the purposes for which I was created. Now my "new song" has merged into His song, and they have become one. "And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne." (Revelation 4:2) 

E. Now I have one purpose in life. To reflect the life and desire of the one seated upon His throne, our Lord Jesus Christ. The noise has indeed become a newer song that we will sing for all eternity and age upon age to come.

LED BY THE SPIRIT

As with all spiritual writings one MUST have an open heart and spirit or they will get offended and stumble on the truth and miss the understanding. Please miss not this point because if you do you will miss what the LORD wants said in this article. Pastor Julian from Sankaraguptham, India just left recently after spending 16 days with us while we preached him around eastern North Carolina and Virginia. What a wonderful man, 55 years old, how he loves the LORD, his father Pastor Wilson who founded Gospel Assembly a work God established in 1955 (when I was born), his family, and his people. Oh, the persecution even unto death Pastor Julian and other Believers face from their own government for sharing the Gospel. We had such a warm and rich time as we traveled over 1500 miles, ate many meals, well you can guess the enjoyment we had and the not so fun times sitting and waiting, but all in all the LORD was with us in a great way. There was much learned during these 16 days which is the LORD's idea and purpose any time His children come together to glorify Him. Did you know there are only three ways we can make our assent to the heart of the Father? That is right there are only three ways we can try to get to the heart of the LORD: through our emotions, through our intellect, or our spirit. Paul in Romans tells us, "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." (Romans 8:13-14) I hope you get that. If we live after the flesh, our emotions and intellect, "ye shall die," but "if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." It is the learning of Him, His ways, and His children (the good and the not so good children and their ways) and NOT the singing and dancing, the emotional assent or even the intellectual assent or approach to the LORD that matters to the LORD, but it is in the Spiritual assent we find the LORD's purpose and intention is discovered. So the last morning as we finished breakfast I turned to Pastor Julian and asked him after spending almost 40 days (he stayed 23 days at Calvary Tabernacle Campground in Ashland, VA) in the States what was his most favorite memory, without thinking he said mowing the grass. We cut the grass at our home twice while he was here and he did a great job both times. He ran the push mower, the weed eater, and the blower, he is not afraid of hard work. But I knew what he meant. I too enjoy cutting the grass because as I do, I think on the LORD or on spiritual issues, people, different things where I need the LORD to speak to me, and do you know what, often He does. I was quite surprised, but then again I was not. So then I asked him what was his worse memory after almost 40 days in the States, without batting an eye (he must have been thinking about this) he said, "the lack of spirituality and heart for God by the people in some of the churches. WOW, I shuttered, because I too see this and know of the great lack of genuine spirituality of people in churches in America. We had recently (about 1 1/2 month ago) came back from Bulgaria, Romania, and Ukraine twice, what a love for the LORD, what love for the things of God, what a real and genuine love for God's children, not for the money they can bring (they have no money), but for the unity and purpose they can bring to the local Body of Christ. I know what he was talking about, I too know about this. So, I would like to share a few experiences with some churches as we look at being led by the Spirit of God. I will not mention the names of all of the churches or some of the people so that I can protect the innocent, but if they read this article they will know who I am talking about and may the LORD use this article to show them, (like us all at times) where they missed it and were not led by the Spirit. I would like to set up this segment of this article with a few Scriptures: Paul writes to the Church at Corinth and us, "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man." (1 Corinthians 2:13-15) Did you get that? "the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." The natural man does not have the ability spiritually to know the truth or even know what God is doing, because he operates in the natural realm and has no spiritual discernment. This is a critical point my friend. Now, I have a very special friend, I love him and his wife very much and would give him a kidney if he needed one, but he twice shared with me how it is important for Pastor Julian to come to the States a few times, get known, be seen, get his name thrown around, then he will get invitations to speak. And sadly, at the time I said, well maybe, but you know I was dead wrong, it is not true in God. If we are TRULY led by the LORD, by the Spirit of God, it does not matter if you know the guy or not. Most pastors think they have something to lose if they let someone speak who they do not know Well, first of all they have nothing to lose, because the church that they wrongfully think is theirs, is not theirs, but the LORD's. Jesus said, "I will build my Church." Hey, pastors open your hand, let go, and let the LORD do His work in the lives of the people. When I pastored in Germany some of the greatest services we had with a special speaker, I almost missed it in the LORD, because I was afraid what this guy would say, I did not know him, and thought who is this guy? Well, I learned if God moves a man of God from one continent to another it behooves us to hear what the man has to say. But what should I expect, my dear friend tried hard to get an invitation for Pastor Julian to minister at his church. For months I tried and tried to contact my friend's pastor and time after time for months he blew me off never returning my calls or texts. I was told well that is the way he operates. So, I said okay LORD the folks there at that church has missed it, but the LORD said no go to the church and face to face ask the pastor. So, I did and we arranged a time for the pastor to meet Pastor Julian to see if he passed muster, but to the pastor's shame two hours before the arranged luncheon I texted him by way of a reminder and he replied, oh I am sorry (no he was not) he said he was driving back from New York and could not make the luncheon. I texted him back and asked, when were you going to tell me? No reply. This tells me all I need to know about this pastor's integrity, honor, and Godly character. Another local pastor I contacted through a good friend said they would love to host Pastor Julian and I thought WOW a real man of God led by the Spirit, but when I gave him the dates Pastor Julian would be in town he told me, oh sorry, I have a special friend coming to preach a three week series of messages on Wednesdays. I said okay maybe since we have never been to your church we will come by for a visit, he said great. Well, the Wednesday Pastor Julian would have spoken at the church we drove out to the church and found out they were having Vacation Bible School (VBS), no special speaker or even a service at all that night. I will leave this conclusion with you, but I know what the LORD told me. My friend do not follow such pastors who are NOT led by the Spirit. Be not deceived by their hyper-spirituality. Many pastors use their seemingly spiritual ability to control and manipulate their members. The church is full of such pastors who are naturally gifted speakers, seemingly spiritual to the novice, knowledgeable in Scripture AND in the ways of the natural world, a very ungodly, dangerous combination. I know 1,000s if not more, all nice guys, but they are lacking woefully in God when it comes to truthfulness, integrity, giving honor where honor is due, honesty, all character issues that the LORD holds far greater to be a minister of the Gospel than the natural, beggarly skills and abilities. Take heed not to learn the ways of pastors not led by the Spirit of God, if you do you will find yourself acting like them. Oh, they think they are being used of God and even fool many folks, but in reality their character flaws shine as a light in darkness to warn those people who know the difference. And being found lacking in character they disqualify themselves by God for His service. Oh, they may pastor a church, but in the end they too know the truth, God will see to that. Now let me tell you of a different experience, one where the pastor was led by the Spirit. As we were coming out of Ashland, VA we stopped by (another very special friend of mine who I would give a kidney) John and Trudy's home for the night. John lined up a Church of God in Bassett, VA for Pastor Julian to share in. Now, the church was in the country, plain, not fancy, but had a great Spirit. Pastor Jason (a fiery young man and quick Spirited) did not know Pastor Julian, me, or Karen from Adam or Eve. John knew Pastor Jason through a Bible Study during COVID times and contacted him to see if he would host Pastor Julian and he said, yes. Funny how things just work out when we are led by the Spirit. WOW what a service we had. The Spirit of the LORD was present in a great way. It has been some time since I have felt the presence of the LORD like that. This young man sitting in front us was freed from depression which I believe was going to take his life in few months. When we are led by the Spirit of the LORD He shows up and the broken hearted are set free and lives are touched, liberty is declared to those in bondage, but if not led by the Spirit then all you have is an emotional fleshly or intellectual (with our mind and knowledge) assent to the LORD which never reaches His heart. That night: Pastor Julian shared, the LORD really moved, Pastor Julian played a song on the piano and sang in his native tongue, and they took up an offering for the work at Gospel Assembly, and before we left (no one wanted to leave) Pastor Jason handed me a check for Pastor Julian for almost $900. This is what happens when we are led by the Spirit of the LORD His purposes happen, we learn more about His wondrous ways, and yes, we learn more about His children. Let me close with another experience we had. Since they were having VBS at the church we planned to attend that Wednesday night and since we were already dressed up we decided to drive back into town and attend probably the biggest church in the area. I think they have three services every Sunday of over 1,000 people per service. We got there a few minutes late and they were already up on the stage singing. From the parking lot I could already hear the head banging music boom, boom, boom. When we entered the church building there was an army of people all wearing different colored shirts greeting us. From the door about 15 feet was the welcome desk with two or three ladies wearing matching colored shirts. Another 15 or so feet was another echelon of people wearing matching colored shirts, but different than the ladies, directing us to the sanctuary, and at the sanctuary door another rank of people, that's right, wearing a different colored shirt opening the door for us. After we fought our way through all of the "so glad to see you all tonight" and NOT how are you doing or where are you from? I mean it was easy to see Pastor Julian was not from around here, but you know I really do not think they cared. So when we entered the sanctuary it was dark except for the insanely gigantic projector screen that changed colors and shapes with the sound of the music. In front of the projection screen on stage was a group of singers and musicians making all of that head banging noise, then they would strobe and flash lights around the auditorium, boy did that get your emotions running wild. Some of the people were up at the stage dancing and shaking their fist with the singers on stage, while others were in their seats getting their groove on. Pastor Julian leaned over and asked me why I took him to a movie house. We stayed hoping for some good preaching, but all we got was singing, dancing, and their leadership teams praying for church needs and programs. They (the church) were turned inward to themselves and not outward to the lost world. They (the church) was selfish and self-centered. Not one person mentioned anything outside the four walls of the church. One lady even thanked God they had such a wonderful building to worship God in. At the end of the service we fought our way out though the different colored shirts and still no one asked us who we were or where we were from, all we got was "thank you for coming." Sadly, these folks did not know God had NOT showed up that night in the service, yet they worked themselves up into a sweat. The Bible says, "He send His words and healed them and delivered them from their destruction." (Psalms 107:20) But, no preaching, so I guess no healing. On the way home I asked Karen and Pastor Julian if they felt the presence of the LORD tonight and they both said, not in that church. And the sad truth was the folks did not know the LORD did not show up they were too busy trying to get to the LORD through their emotions in their brand new God -- their church building, well this will never work. Written by David Stahl

BEFDL 16 (FROM HGM ON 17 MAY 22)

 BIBLICAL ELEMENTS FOR DAILY LIVING-16

TEXT:  "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." 

(Romans 13:1)  

 I.   BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR SOUL

       A.  God has make our soul with capabilities that allow us to be able to do certain things well enough that we can do them without asking God to help us, without praying about it.  We can simply do them because God has already that in us.

       B. The real test is to know which things we can do for God because He has already gave to us this capability and the things we cannot without God's help and strength.  In Matthew Jesus shares this very important spiritual truth,

          "And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you."  (Matthew 17:20)  

We are to speak to the mountains in our life, those situations and circumstance that block our progression in God.  Those areas that we come short of the glory of God, those areas where we are ever learning, but never learning. 

        C.  This also is why He said,

             "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."  (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Not to suffer temptation above what He is able, but what we are able because He has already made a way of escape by giving us things in God and putting a capability in us to work correctly in Him.  He has put in capability there.

      D.  This capability is to bring itself under authority.  A soul can actually give itself to authority; whether it is the authority of Satan or whoever, to anything and to God.

           "Incline your ear, (we can actually to that) and come unto me:(we can actually to that)  hear, (heed this NKJV)(we can actually to that)  and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David." 

(Isaiah 55:3)

      E.  The soul has the capability of directing itself.  Do not bury your head in the sand, be responsible and a keeper of your soul.

           "Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, (that is our responsibility) lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, (this is a hint on how we should keep our soul) and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;"  (Deuteronomy 4

     F.  We should be concerned at the direction of our soul.

           "Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them."  (Proverbs 22:5)

We need to keep our soul from not going near the thorns and snares of life we come across in life and the thorns and snares we make from the words of our mouth and deeds of our hands.

     G.   As to our soul's dedication and the responsible, Jesus shares provides this guidance,

 "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind."  (Matthew 22:37)

This is to be our dedication.  That is how, or the direction, of its whole hearted dedication towards the Lord. 

     H.  There should be a desire for cleanness for our soul, "Ye shall not make soul abominable with any creeping thing . . ."  (Leviticus 11:43)     

     I.  Do not subject your soul with all the filth of the world by taking that into your soul. It is not God's responsibility to keep your soul clean.  Keeping your soul clean, that is your responsibility.  If you soul is polluted with the things of the world it is not Satan's fault it is yours. 

      J.  As to our position, that is also our responsibility

          "He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully."  (Psalms 24:4)

Our soul shall not be lifted up into vanity and live in the area of vanity.  That is not your position for your soul, that is very detrimental for your soul.

 II.  PARTING THOUGHTS

      A.  In the Proverbs we see the provisions for our soul,

           "The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat."  (Proverbs 13:4)

Be diligent! God's responsibility is to make you fat, but your responsibility is to be diligent.

     B.  In Luke we see our responsibility for patience,

          "In your patience possess ye your souls."  (Luke 21:19)

         "In your patience possess ye your souls." (Luke 21:19 Greek)

If you check this thing through on patient waiting you will see many things that come through patient waiting.  If you are going to provide a lot for your soul you do it through patient waiting.

    C.  Many are on the spiritual quest. some for truth, some for power, some for faith, some for wealth, some for health, some for a formula, some for the maximum liberty allowable.  The only legitimate quest is fir the Lord and His and His will in us and through us.

BEFDL 15 (from HGM on 19 April 22)

BIBLICAL ELEMENTS FOR DAILY LIVING-15

TEXT:   "Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. ¹⁷ And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.¹⁸ And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him."  (Mark 1:16-18)

 I.   NET

      A.  The "nets" is whatever we may use to draw to ourselves the fulfillment and satisfaction that we seek.  Simon and Andrew were casting their nets to catch fish.  When Jesus came, He used words that they could easily understand.  He told them that is they would follow Him, He would make them a "fisher" of men.

     B.  Notice that Jesus did not say He would show them "how" to fish for men.  Rather, He said that He would "make" them to "become" fishers.The emphasis was not on methodology, but rather on the Lord's desire to draw them to Himself, in order to change them.

    C.  John shares this thought this way,

          "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;¹⁰ And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth."  (Revelation 5:9-10) The emphasis is on our being made ready to reign, not on the fact of reigning.

       D.  Many place great emphasis on the program (net) that is used to accomplish a certain purpose, rather than seeking to develop the ability to rightly use the program.  We cannot give what we do not have.  Therefore, it is very important that we spend quality time in the presence of the Lord and develop a strong spiritual relationship with Him.

       E.  Only then will we "have" in order to "give."  In Acts we read,

            "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

The word "witnesses" can be translated many ways.  The most common is martyr, but another way is "sample."  Here the Lord is placing the emphasis on our becoming a "sample" of Himself.  Often, the emphasis has tended toward two extremes, either "asceticism" or "activity."

       F.  In the early church, there were those and so true today who became known as "Desert Fathers."  They considered the world to be so wicked that they went out into the desert and lived in caves so they could be separated and as a result become "spiritual."  I am not really sure of this word.

       G.  But Jesus said that we were not to hide our light under a bushel.  We are to be in the world, but the world is not to be in us.  Rather, our light is to shine before men.  WE are to become a "witness" of the life and ministry of Jesus by becoming a "sample" of Him, a piece of the real thing in the place of need.

       H.  In our becoming a "sample" of the presence and power of the Lord, there will be many occasions in which it will be easy to be otherwise.  Jesus said, "I will MAKE you to BECOME."  This is a processing of the Lord to prepare us to rightly respond in the situations.  Thus, those who are to rule are presently being prepared for this purpose.

       I.  As we allow the cross to become effective in our lives, and we die to our feelings and reactions, and allow Jesus to be seen through our lives, we will indeed begin to catch those lost, for Christ, in the world.  

       J.  The other extreme is "doing."  For to many, the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is considered to be "power for service."  These place the emphasis on going out to do witnessing, which can result in running without the message.  Our life needs to reflect the message for the world to see.  

    K.  Peter heard the word "fishing" and did not realize all that he was about to experience in being "processed" to become the witness the Lord intended.

    L.  When peter told the Lord that he would die for Him, Jesus responded that instead he would deny Him.  Peter reacted, but soon learned differently.  We tend to promise the Lord many things, which we are incapable of doing.  But the Lord has provided a way for us to go beyond these cycles of failure "follow Me and I will make you to become."

 II.  PARTING THOUGHTS

      A.  It has been said that no one can "get our goat" unless we have one to get.  We cannot be offended is there is no offense in us.  As a child I remember how kids would tease and pick on certain children.  Now I see that these were being picked on because they reacted to an offense.  The greater the reaction, the more they were picked on, as other kids enjoyed the reaction. 

      B.  In effect, Acts 1:8 reads, "you will receive power . . . to become."  The desire of the Lord is to so change us that only His life is to be seen.  Therefore, all we need to do is to say, Lord, I am available and willing to receive."

      C.  Only then will we become the "message" that people will respond to; our lives so changed by the power of God, that His presence and blessings are evident.

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

BIBILICAL ELEMENT FOR DAILY LIVING 14 (FROM HGM ON 22 MAR 22)

 BIBLICAL ELEMENTS FOR DAILY LIVING-14

TEXT:   "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:¹² And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it."  (Amos 8:11-12)

 I.   THE CRY OF THE LORD

       A.  Many feel that these Scriptures refer to a scarcity of the ministry of the word in the last days.  However, this famine is not due to a lack of the preaching of the word.  Rather it is largely due to the fact that all few are truly hearing and responding in heart obedience to "the cry of the LORD" in the midst of plenty.  

        B.  This is so true today.  Ministry from almost every country on the face of the earth is shared to the world via the internet, radio, TV, and personal visitation ministry.  We live in the time of "spectator sports."  Thousands gather to watch a few perform.  Many of us have fallen into this mode, in which thousands gather to hear a well known speaker and feed upon His gifts and abilities. 

       C.  Each one of us should search our hearts to see how we relate to the following three situation that are presented in the Word.

       D.  The 1st situation that we should consider relates to those who are satisfied with the redemption that Jesus accomplished for them on the cross. 

            "And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead."  (Revelation 3:1)

These are satisfied with the free gift of salvation and are resting in their "judicial redemption."  They have not become personally active in a present relationship of communion with Jesus.

       E.  The 2nd situation that we should consider relates to those who are satisfied with all that the LORD had provided for them.  To the church of the Laodiceans,        

           "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:"  (Revelation 3:17)

Therefore, they are "rich and increased in goods."  However, the Word of the LORD to them was that they themselves were "naked."

      F.  That is, they are satisfied with all the LORD is providing for them, and as a result, have not spiritually grown.  When we are saved we become a spiritual baby, and are to grow into spiritual maturity.

   "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: ³ If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious."  (1 Peter 2:2-3)

The word "taste" means that the word is to be actively experienced, and thereby we grow.  The word of the LORD to these is,

         "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."  (Revelation 3:18)

      G. The Lord desires to perfect His nature through the working dealings and chastening of His Spirit, in the lives of those who are completely sold out to Him.  "Gold tried in the fire" speaks of an active intimate encounter and on-going relationship with the LORD.

     H.  And the 3rd situation that we should consider can be seen in the life of Moses.

           "And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.²³ And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. ²⁴ And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian:"  (Acts 7:22-24)

      I.  Moses had tried to accomplish the will of God with his own ability and utterly failed.  He then fled into the wilderness into a time of intense reduction.  His failure was the beginning of discovering his strength and ability.  It was also the beginning of discovering God's strength and ability. 

     J.  There must be a discovery of ours and God's strength and abilities to come to fulfillment and purpose God has planned for our life.  If not, we will lean on our own strength and ability to do God's work, and this can never work.  "God's thoughts are not our thought's, nor is God's ways are our ways."  (Isaiah 55:8)

 II.  PARTING THOUGHTS

        A.  From this "burning Word" that the LORD spoke to Moses, came the impartation and anointing that would enable him to lead the children of Israel our from their bondage. 

"And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.⁵ And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground."  (Exodus 3:4-5)

In effect, the LORD said to Moses, "You have gone as far as you are to go in your own ways (shoes), now you will walk in My shoes." 

      B.  As Moses stood before the fire of the burning bush, all former ambition melted away.  His own eloquence was replaced by the Words that the LORD spoke to him. He has "purchased gold tried in the fire."

      C.  Now, as Moses stood before Pharaoh and spoke the anointed Word, Pharaoh shook.  In this day, the LORD is looking for those whom He might reduce to act upon and speak only His Words.  The famine need not come.

 

ONLY ONE GOSPEL

When you read the Bible, if you want to understand what is being said you must ask yourself: (1) who is saying it, (2) who are they saying it too, (3) what is the context or what is going on, and (4) why is this important spiritually. If you do not answer these questions then all you have done is add to the confusion and bewilderment that represents the vast body of misinformation that makes up doctrinal positions for most of the denominational world. I am ever amazed to the ever increasing contradictions in the nominal "church" world even down to the basic question of our salvation. The Pentecostals say one thing and they have their favorite verses, for example the United Pentecostals Church (UPC) believe if you are not saved through Acts 2:38 you are destined for hell, while the Baptists will say you must walk the Roman Road, while dismissing the gifts of the Spirit and if any of their churches do believe in some way about the gifts of the Spirit they have sucked the life of God out of it. The more main stream mainline denominations really have no specific verse in the Bible, they are more concerned about ritual or tradition, communion (and not relationship with God) seems to be the large part of what they practice for salvation. And of course the Catholic Church believe only Catholics are going to heaven and only if they keep the sacraments. But, what does the Bible have to say? Most Christians and some Believers I know have no clue what the Bible has to say about being saved because they just do not read the Bible. Well, the Bible is very clear on how to be saved, but sadly most denominations have their own slant and manipulation of the Scriptures that yoke their people into believing like them or that is right . . . you are going to hell. With all of the confusion and control it is almost a miracle anyone comes to know the LORD. Now do not get me wrong our expression of worship and belief is along the Pentecostal lines, I speak in tongues and operate in at least two gifts (maybe three sometimes) of the Spirit often and I like Brother Peter, but, at the first, he did his very best (until the end of his life see 2 Peter 3:14-16)) to stop Brother Paul (see Galatians 2:11) from taking the Gospel message to the Gentiles. Not only Peter, but all of the disciples resisted Paul and the work of the Holy Spirit in fulfilling the great commission of "teaching all nations" of which Peter and the other disciples did not do, they went "to the Jew only." I am not going to cite the verses there are just too many, read the Bible my friend and see the anger and downright contempt at times Peter and the disciples had for Paul. Bet you never heard that preached on Sunday. I am not sure why any denomination would cite what Peter said in looking for salvation. How many times did Peter rebuke Jesus, how many times did Peter deny Jesus? In John Chapter 21 after Jesus restored Peter back to fellowship (see John 21:15-17) Peter gets offended at John (see John 21:20-23). My friend Peter (like us all at times) was very unstable and double minded. I would think any denomination that stressed Peter's teaching for salvation would also be double minded. After all Peter never received revelation like Paul did during three years on the back side of Arabia, I believe where Moses received the 10 Commandments. Paul writes, "But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. 19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. 20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not." (Galatians 1:15-20) Where Paul received the revelation where we are saved by grace through faith from God. In Ephesians Paul writes, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9) The way all (Jew and Gentile alike MUST now come to salvation. Again, nowhere in the Bible is it recorded where Peter ever received revelation (like Paul) from God. As a matter of fact on the Day of Pentecost Peter was parroting John the Baptist's doctrine because he had nothing from God. In Matthew, "In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, 6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins." (Matthew 3:1-6) How many Gentiles do you think were baptized by John the Baptist? That is right none, salvation at this time was for the Jew only. Even Jesus ministered to only two Gentiles during his entire earthly ministry. Bet you never heard that during Sunday preaching. On the Day of Pentecost when Peter preached how many gentiles do you think were listening? That is right, none. Peter was talking to his Jewish brothers, "And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven." (Acts 2:5) and they did not want to be saved or even believe Jesus was the Messiah, oh no, all they wanted was to be able to speak in a foreign tongue too. "Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:37-38) Does that not sound like John the Baptist speaking? How many Gentiles do you think were present? That is right Peter called them "Brethren" there were no Gentiles in the crowd. Why would a Gentile not be welcomed by a Jew to listen to Peter? Answer, the Jews wanted nothing to do with Gentiles and that carried on over into the ministry of the disciples for more than 15 years. But of course, Peter knew nothing of salvation by faith through grace because Paul had not yet be commissioned by God to bring a new revelation that allowed all (and not just the Jew) to come to repentance and salvation. Read your Bible my friend, this is why Peter and the other disciples continued in Judaism, continued going to the temple (and not to try to convert people, but to be a good Jew), continued in Jewish worship, and yes continued under the law. It is all there, all in your Bible just read it. Many of the present day Pentecostal denominations are just as confused as Peter was. We went to a UPC in Georgia, but it folded like a deck of cards when the pastor sold the church building out from under the board and members for $100,000. Foolishly, we then started a new church out of our home, but I would not allow it to be UPC. It grew and we moved into a store front, ultimately we build a building, but here is where the story gets ugly. Me being in the Navy at the time I took ordered to Stuttgart, Germany (God did wondrous things for us there) and with me out of the way they became a UPC. What a mess it. Well, I will not go into the details, but they too folded like a deck of card within years. If you look at the history of the UPC you will find their founders disagreed with the Assembly of God over the oneness doctrine and they started their own denomination, a typical reaction of rebellion. Their foundation was built on works: must repent, must be baptized in only Jesus' name and not what Jesus said, "in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit," must speak in tongues or you are not saved, all works salvation. We went to a UPC recently and man were they off track. I really believe (very common for churches that have false teaching) many were even demon possessed. My friend, this is what Paul received, this is the only way we can be saved, it is the one and only Gospel message whereby man can be saved, "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for ours sins according to the scriptures; 4And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) Any other message even if taken from the Bible to form doctrine is off track and will lead to confusion and destruction as we see all over the nominal, apostate church of today. My friend there is only "one" Gospel message, anything else is a lie. Paul in Ephesians lays this solid foundation, "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." (Ephesians 4:4-6) And that salvation message is only found in, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9) Again any other doctrinal statement is a lie. Sadly, the "boasting of man" is often seen in the works based religions and denominations. You know, I guess the LORD knew all of this religious based religion would take root in the lives of man, probably why the Holy Spirit wrote such words as, "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:" (Colossians 2:8-10) The Book of Colossian was written by Paul to combat such thinking and practices in the young church of his day. And sadly, such wrong thinking is still alive and well in our day. Take heed my friend and be not deceived. Written by David Stahl