GRACE TO JUDGMENT

Karen was talking to a very misguided lady recently about suicide who said, “thank God for forgiveness,” well Karen was mortified at her words, but knowing the lady who get offended at the drop of a hat and is a know it all Karen moved on in the conversation. Later we discussed it and I felt the LORD say, here is a topic that needs to be addressed. I really love it when the LORD gives me an article this way. Wel, the lady was right “thank God for forgiveness,“ but once our life is over, once we close our eyes in death God’s grace and forgiveness is no more applied to our life, next for ALL dead (as some time or period) is judgment. I guess there is more confusion out there in Christiandom about judgment after death. I mean the Catholic religion believes in purgatory where you can pray or pay (indulgences) sins away from the dead to get into heaven and there are many other mainstream religions who pray for and pray to the dead to get the dead into heaven. But that is not what the Bible says happens in death, Paul in Hebrews (I believe Paul wrote Hebrews) writes “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” (Hebrews 9:27) This sounds vividly clear to me, we die and then we are judged. It does not sound like there is time for God’s grace to be extended to the dead. Now at the time of our death there are two types of people: those who accepted the finished work of the cross in their lives and Christ dwells within them and the second type those who did not accept the finished work of the cross in their lives and Christ does not dwell in them. Simple. God made it simple for us. Depending on whether or not Christ dwells in us will determine where we shall appear before God to be judged. If Christ dwells in us then we shall appear at the “judgment seat of Christ.” “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10) Here, Paul is talking to Christians in a letter to the Church in Corinth. That would be “ALL” Christians will appear before the “judgment seat of Christ” to receive the things done in the body (while on earth) have they be good or bad. So, some Christians will receive some bad things from the LORD for their actions on earth and some Christians will receive some good things from the LORD. I wonder why we think (oh I know, because we are taught that) when we stand before God at the “judgment seat of Christ,” He will pour out His blessing on us? Well, no it says, “whether it be good or bad.” We as Christians are NOT going to get away with things that are not sin that would keep us out of heaven, but need to be cleared in our lives before we can “enter in to the joys of the LORD.” Things like, bad attitudes and character flaws that are not sin, but displeasing to the LORD. Now, I know this is correct because John writes, “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) But, what are the people doing crying in heaven? That is right, they are at the “judgment seat of Christ” and God has dealt with the many things that Paul talks about in Romans, coming short. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23) Now there is an “and” a conjunction which means two thoughts, things that are a sin and things that cause to “come short” of God’s expectation and “the glory of God” that are not sin. God has dealt with these “coming short” issues and our sin has been dealt with by our acceptance of Christ in our lives and now we can enter in to where, “there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” I do not know about you my friend, but I am not looking forward to this time at all. And there is the second type of people. Here John writes not about Christians, but people from all of the ages who has not accepted Christ. Notice there was no time here for God’s grace and mercy, no time for God to forgive them. Their life was over and now it was time to receive from God what they have done in their body. And of course, the one thing they did not do in their body (while on earth) was accept Jesus Christ as their savior. John writes, “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books (God is keeping track) were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” (Revelation 20:11-14) For them it was too late, no time for forgiveness they squandered their time on earth (in their body) they were judged by God and received their reward, “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15) It was too late, no grace, no mercy, no forgiveness. I will be honest I am puzzled to why people, like the misguided lady Karen was talking too, believed things not written in the word of God? Again, salvation is simple. God has given us a Book, the Bible, to study so that we may come to know Him and His ways. God has asked us to spend some time with Him so we can learn how much He loves us. Well, I guess this lady does not study the Book, the Bible, God has given us to know Him and does not spend time with Him to learn how much He loves us. Maybe that is why this lady gets offended at the drop of a hat. In Galatians Paul was dealing with some folks like this lady who first believed in what he taught, but others (Paul called them Judaizers) came in and taught another message that contradicted what Paul taught so Paul had to write a letter, what we call the Book of Galatians, to get the Church back on track. In Chapter 5, Paul writes, “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. 11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.” (Galatians 5:9-11) Or a little bit of sin will cause the entire body to sin. But in verse 10 Paul uses these words, “otherwise minded.” I think this is the problem with this misguided lady and most Christians who get off track from the Word of God, the Bible, because they get otherwise or of another mind. Others are able to put another mind, a thought, or a line of thinking in their mind that is contrary to the Word, the Bible, of God. This is what the Judaizers were doing telling the Christians in Galatia they need to add circumcision and keeping of the feast to grace to be saved. Paul said, “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?” (Galatians 3:1) They were “otherwise minded.” When we get “otherwise minded” we make the offense of the cross not popular, not acceptable, we go after messages of a hip Jesus, the shadow and not the substance, and when this happens we have no desire to identify with the death and shame of the cross in our lives. We do not want to hear the truths in the Word of God, the Bible, or even read them, but we go after the latest fad, the latest thinking, the latest concept which always ends in confusion, frustration, and isolation as with this misguided lady. The opposite of “otherwise minded” is single minded where we have a heart and mind for the Word of God, the Bible, and for Him and Him alone. Single in purpose and focus, single vision. Singleness of heart towards God. I received an email one day telling me why I should leave the ministry. It went on and on telling me how wrong I am and ended like this “and you never change your message.” Well, I thought what a compliment. So, I wrote only this back. “Truth never changes no need to change!” Written by David Stahl

HOME GROUP MEETING 21 NOV 23 JOHN 4:27-37

37And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. Commentary: In the kingdom of God the members of the body of Christ are the same kind. They all are being transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. To these members different tasks are given, yet of the same Spirit. Each believer receives of the Father a portion never the whole. Each is to operate in the confines of ability that has been given to them by the grace of God. When one moves away from the portion they do much harm and damage to themselves and others in the body of Christ. We need to stay were God has put us. If not when we step into another area to attempt to minister or relate to others in we will not have the wherewithal to successfully accomplish what we are improperly attempting. 

38I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours. Commentary: The disciples had a chance to see far beyond the physical farmland. Some laborers will harvest without having to sow because before their time others sowed and did not harvest. And some believers will never make the effort for harvesting we are can be strenuous work. Wind in the House of Islam. 

39And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. Commentary: The Samaritan woman harvested out from her testimony. Remember she left her water pot maybe she too was willing to forgo natural thirst for the spiritual. She just told it the way she saw and experienced it. God needs no help from us making up things to make Him seem bigger, braver, smarter, just tell the truth and the hearer will receive faith. 40So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. Commentary: The more the town folks talked with Jesus and listened the more they discovered about Him. They were thrilled with Jesus and asked Him to take up permanent residency. Jesus will always stay where He is desired. The people Jesus visited again and again were people who desired His presence in their home. If we build Jesus a home He will dwell there. 

41And many more believed because of his own word; Commentary: Jesus had a ability to communicate the woman did not have. He spoke only those words that the Father told Him to and had the Spirit without measure. So too in our lives if we speak and are filled like Jesus. 

42And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world. Commentary: The wealth of truth the woman did not have to give the people was discovered in Jesus. They were convinced by the word not by tricks or gimmicks. Personal conviction must not be based on another's conviction. A believer can stand more firmly upon what they know than upon what another believer knows. 

43Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee. Commentary: The harvest was based on witnessing and not signs and wonders as the Jewish people want. Therefore, it is written "after two days" two being the number of witness. It was the will of the Father for Jesus to go to Sychar, but not to spend a lot of time there. One would think He would take up permanent quarters, but no. God usually moves one when things are going great. If we live to get we have failed. If we live to give grace characterizes our life and we are endeared to many. 

44For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country. Commentary: When Jesus started His ministry, He left for Galilee because He was not welcomed in Nazareth. A minister must have a place where their message is received. A pastor must have a receptive congregation or he will be ousted. Nazareth treated Him like Jerusalem there was no room for Him. 

45Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galileans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast. Commentary: The perception of the Galileans had at the feast became the foundation for the acceptance of Jesus in their own country. Unlike the Samaritans the Galileans accepted Jesus based on what he did rather than what He said. For the fulfillment of the word Jesus had to go to Galilee. 

46So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. A certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. Commentary: Remember the first trip Jesus promised to bring joy (new wine) back to the Jewish people and not Israel. The servants (not the rich folks) remembered what He had done so His message would be well received. Maybe He would do twice as much this trip. Opportunity knocked twice. 

47When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. Commentary: The talk of the town was what Jesus did in Jerusalem instead of His last trip to Cana. But a successful ministry inspires hope. We are not sure if the servant was a Jew or Gentile, it did not matter, (black, white brown, green) it does not matter, Jesus did not hesitate to meet the need (just like the first miracle) if the man was a Gentile. Jesus was sent to the Jews.

THE BODY OF CHRIST (PART FOUR)

COMMUNION OF THE BODY OF CHRIST 

 “I speak as to wisemen; judge ye what say. 16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body ofChrist?17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. 18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? (1 Corinthians 10:15-18) 

 I really like what we call the communion table or the last supper. Did you know the setting of the communion table is always set in strife, confusion, and ambition? The day before Jesus entered Jerusalem (for His crowning moments, His death and resurrection of His ministry) to observe the Passover feast with the disciples a dispute over who would be the greatest (also in Matthew 18:1 and Mark 9:34) in the kingdom and who would sit on Jesus’ right hand arose, “And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples, 44Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. 45But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying. 46Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.” (Luke 9:43-46) We have already discussed the spiritual heart condition of the Body of Christ at Corinth, but in 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, Paul uses the communion table to bring peace, correction, and reconciliation. Paul kept talking about doing this in the remembrance of Christ or the re-membering. Now I was not there but, but I think Paul selected His words particularly, because we must remember he was not at the original Lord’s supper with the other disciples. Now I do believe Paul was talking about remembering the precious work Christ did on the cross for us and for us not to treat as not sacred, but at the same time the Holy Spirit was doing a work in hearts and lives of the people, a “re-membering” of the Body of Christ gathered. A bringing together again from the strife and division that was painfully present, as Jesus used the Passover feast to bring correction and peace to the disciples. I do not believe Jesus was instituting a tradition, custom, or ordinance (what we call the Communion Table) to observe every time we gather, weekly, monthly or whenever. But, He was doing something greater. As the disciples (and us) partook of His flesh (bread) and blood (wine) they were taking into themselves the life of God and as they partook they were remembered back to Christ and His Body. The communion table and remembering of the Body is spread for three reasons: to endure persecution, undergo correction, and be reconciled to God and man. Polycarp was Bishop of Smyrna (today known as Izmir), a city on the west coast of Turkey. The letters to the “seven Churches in Asia” at the beginning of the Book of Revelation include a letter to the Church in Smyrna, identifying it as a Church undergoing persecution. Polycarp is said to have known the Apostle John, and to have been instructed by him personally in the Christian faith. Polycarp was denounced to the government, arrested, and tried on the charge of being a Christian. When the proconsul urged him to save his life by cursing Christ, he replied: “Eighty-six years I have served him, and he never did me any wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?” The magistrate was reluctant to kill a gentle old man, but he had no choice. Polycarp was sentenced to be burned to death. As he waited for the fire to be lighted, he prayed: “Lord God Almighty, Father of your blessed and beloved child Jesus Christ, through whom we have received knowledge of you, God of angels and hosts and all creation, and of the whole race of the upright who live in your presence: I bless you that you have thought me worthy of this day and hour, to be numbered among the martyrs and share in the cup of Christ, for resurrection to eternal life, for soul and body in the incorruptibility of the Holy Spirit. Among them may I be accepted before you today, as a rich and acceptable sacrifice, just as you, the faithful and true God, have prepared and foreshown and brought about. For this reason and for all things I praise you, I bless you, I glorify you, through the eternal heavenly high priest Jesus Christ, your beloved child, through whom be glory to you, with him and the Holy Spirit, now and for the ages to come. Amen.” Suddenly, a voice from heaven rang out, “Polycarp be strong..” The fire was then lit, but as the flames reached Polycarp they swirled around him, nary a flame touching him. Shortly thereafter a soldier stabbed him, by order of the magistrate, but as his blood ran out of his body it extinguished the flames, and he died. His friends gave his remains an honorable burial, and wrote an account of his death to other churches. Make no mistake my friend the communion table is set in sacrifice. The greater the communion the greater the sacrifice required of us and please know God gets to pick the sacrifice. Like persecution, communion and correction goes hand in hand. As the Lord was saying, “And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.” (1 Corinthians 11:24) the disciples did not understand what He was saying to them about communion. They were not feeding upon Him, they were feeding upon their own ambition and desires. During this solemn feast they debated among themselves who would be the greatest. They went out, not for the better but for the worse. They were weak and sick and that weakness was reflected in many ways. It was seen in Peter and others when they boasted they would die for the Lord. We too, like the Corinthians and disciples before them can miss the life God has for us to share with others by our neglecting communion with times of correction. We too come through the doors of the building bringing attitudes and sin that would have been corrected if we truly would have supped with the Lord. Our lack of feeding on Him causes the feast to be contaminated with the leaven of malice and wickedness. We must realize and not be the one person who brings such into the communion service because of our waywardness, “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” (Galatians 5:9) instead,  "Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” (1 Corinthians 5:8) Personal correction by the Lord and communion with the Lord is to be the basis of the communion of the saints. Each individual must examine themselves to see if there are ungodly things present in their heart. Each individual must feed on the Lord so that they can be filled with sincerity and truth. Correction is the beginning of communion with God and the saints. True communion is a feast of the life of God passing from one saint to another resulting in the increase of the Body. The Spirit of God then can flow from one to the other blessing, enriching, and strengthening the Body collectively. Then we can go out from the meetings we have come together for the better. Some give, others receive, some feed, others eat, some bless, others are blessed, but all are increased in God. Written by David Stahl

HOME GROUP MEETING NOTES 24 OCT 23

26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. Commentary: Sign seekers can neither be satisfied with truth or signs. There was a foundation of hunger and expectation in the woman that could hold such revelation. This foundation was not in the Jewish people as a whole therefore they (Jewish people) could not receive what the Samaritans could hold. Jesus tells her He is the Messiah the only person He told. 

27 And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her? Commentary: The disciple arrive and find their Teacher out of order. God at times will give us encounters with people who think we are out of order. Those who are not led by the Holy Spirit will never understand why. 

28 The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Commentary: Even though Jesus wanted a drink the woman left her water pot. Now she has something new and fresh, something deep a new revelation to share with her neighbours. Her heart must have been pounding after all the Samaritans have been waiting for centuries for the Messiah and she was the one to discover Him. 

29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? Commentary: Her faith enables her to believe Jesus is the Anointed One and to tell her neighbours in her town. Our faith is to overflow and affect others. Great faith is established and will endure unto perfect faith which is the completion of faith and is the bringing into reality or action that which was the object of faith. 

30 Then they went out of the city, and came unto him. Commentary: The town's people respond to a woman of ill repute. When the light of the Gospel is turned on one's past is overshadowed by the brightness of Jesus. The town folk leave with a great expectation to see the Messiah and a favorable response from Jesus. 

31 In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. Commentary: The natural urgency was offered by the disciples, but it could not compare to the spiritual urgency of the people. Man's attempt to find satisfaction in the natural is pitiful in comparison. 

32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. Commentary: Jesus explained why He was refusing the food, but the disciples did not understand this mysterious statement. Jesus was so occupied with the will of the Father He had no desire for physical food. The greater the spiritual filling and satisfaction the less the desire and hunger for other things. 

33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? Commentary: The disciples tried to figure things out, but their lack of spiritual discernment caused them to fall short of understanding. They could not know the source and substance of Jesus' fulness. The disciples again and again insisted in the natural realm, like most of us unless they have been brought into the spiritual realm. The disciples inquired among themselves in vain. 

34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. Commentary: When a believer fulfills the will of the Father they are so full there is no appetite for anything else. Even valued fellowship with a friend disappears into oblivion. Doing the will of the Father is one thing but finishing the task He has given you is quite another. Running the race is one aspect of faith, but finishing the race is something else. The successful end far outweighs doing the will of the Father. Only those believers who endure to the end will be saved. 

35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. Commentary: There is something far more important than a physical harvest and that is the spiritual harvest. Jesus tells his disciples to look around at the surrounding field, He was not talking about the physical hills. They were to look beyond the Jewish hills and look to the countries of the Gentiles into the spiritual realm. The disciples and the Jewish believers were looking at Jerusalem so a great persecution arose and scattered them to other lands. God has His way of getting His way. Sadly the disciples never got Jesus' words maybe the persecution could have been avoided. 

36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. Commentary: The one who reaps gathers rewards into eternal life as so with the sower, thus they both can rejoice at the harvest. Oddly enough the disciples sowed nothing, but had the privilege to harvest. In persecution and distresses for the Gospel we are often caught up in distresses and self-pity because we cannot see beyond the well.

THE BODY OF CHRIST PART THREE

                                       THE BUILDING OF THE BODY OF CHRIST

 “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.” (1 Corinthians 12:27-31) Jesus said, He will build His Church, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18) What a wonderful thought to know we do not have to do anything here. Now Jesus did not say He was going to build His Church on Peter, but “upon this rock I will build my Church.” What rock was Jesus talking about? Was it Psalms 118:22, Jesus “the chief Cornerstone that the builder rejected?” Yes, but not really. It was the revelation Peter had of Christ. “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:16-17) The Body of Christ is always built on revelation and not physical things. Revelation is the measure of how much of God is in us. The Church is not built on flesh and blood, nor can the strong arm of ability and intellect build spiritual growth and development within us. John drives this point home in His Gospel, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:6) God has given “The Body of Christ, and members in particular” His goods to build His Body so that He can show us a more excellent way. What way is this? What way are we going now? “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6) We are going our own way and not God’s way. We have turned from God’s “excellent way” to our own selfishness and ungodly desires. Thus, God set some of His spiritual goods in the church. Now please know these spiritual goods of God have been placed within the Body of Christ before time eternal. Here in Corinthians Paul was re-teaching the Body of Christ at Corinth these truths again because they (like sheep) have gotten off track. “Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. 18For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.” (1 Corinthians 11:17-18) These spiritual goods of God has been given to us not so that we can see who can get the most power or ability in God, but to minister (be a servant to, a slave) to the Body of Christ. And so that we will have the ability in God to recognize the “more excellent way” of God’s eternal everlasting way we must walk with Him. Now for God to build there must be a building program we must willfully enter into. It is like the word discipleship. For disciples to be made there must a dedication and commitment by people to the discipleship process to be made a disciple. So too for us to be built by God through His spiritual goods, we must willfully enter into God’s building program. Please know God does not build on another’s foundation. God begins His building by first tearing down. What a strange way to build. God will tear down in us everything that is not of Him in our lives. He will pull down all of those strongholds (something we lean on for strength) in our lives that we have allowed into our lives. All of the unstable thinking, unstable attitudes, unstable dreams and visions, unstable plans, all that is unstable in us He cannot build His character and nature in us. God will put down all of our religious thinking and pious approaches to God. All of our religious customs and traditions that keep us from making a Godly heart-felt approach to God. All of our emotional and mental ascent that leaves us falling short of the glory of God. Our glory has been touched and built up, but God’s glory has not been touched nor His heart. Make no mistake my friend coming into God’s building program will help bring God’s greatest objective into our lives. It is painful when God begins to put His finger on things, that are not of Him, in our lives. It is painful when God begins to expose us for what and who we really are. It is painful when we discover who we really are, not who we want to be or think we are, or even what we tell people we are, but who we really are. My friend it will kill us. But that is okay again this is another objective of God. This revelation of our self as compared to Christ happens as God is able to build His character into our lives as we enter into His building program. As we allow God’s work in our lives (our choice not God’s) and use the spiritual goods he has given us, we will begin to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18) Paul talks about two Bodies of Christ; one in Corinth and the other in Antioch where the name “Christian” was first spoken. The question is which church do you want to be built like? In Corinth we have learned, “Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.” (1 Corinthians 11:17) In other words Paul was saying it would have been better if they would not have come together to worship God in spite of every work of the Spirit in operation. And the other church was Antioch, “But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, charity, patience, 11Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.” (2 Timothy 3:11) Which church would you want to be? Most would say, Antioch until God begins to take them through His building program. Look at what happened to Paul at Antioch, “long-suffering, charity, patience, persecutions, and afflictions” who would want this when we can have our flesh and emotions satisfied like at the Church of Corinth? The one’s who desire to be developed and not delivered. We read the word “delivered” at the end of 2 Timothy 3:11 and think God has removed Paul out from all of these bad things in His life, but not so. Oh no my friend the contrary is true. Nowhere in the Bible did God deliver anyone from “persecutions and afflictions.” Daniel went into the lion's den. The three Hebrew Children went into the fiery furnace. Jesus had to go to the cross, in spite of Him praying if it be the will of the Father for this to cup to pass from Him so be it. We are built by God as He is allowed to develop us through tough and fearful areas and situations sin our lives. All of God’s spiritual goods (listed in 1 Corinthians 12:27-31) are for the perfecting and establishing of His Body so that we will be able to discover the more excellent way God has for us to go. Written by David Stahl

SILENCE AND HUNGERS

We must come to the word of without a basis heart, no preconceived ideas a blank slate to write on our heart. In Psalms 42:7, David writes, “Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.” A deep desire for knowing Him with us that reaches out to God. And as we respond to God’s call to us we will come to know Him. Open your spirit! Do you hear His call tonight? One of the things that will drown out the call of God in our lives is a love for the world and ourself. In 1 John 2 John writes to his “little children,” “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. 17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” (1 John 2:15-17) The only reason John gives us not to love the world is because if we do then the love of the Father is not in us. We cannot be saved. We cannot love the LORD and the world. We must hate one and love the other. No neutral in God! Either we are moving forward in Him or we are moving backwards. Either we are moving into God or we are moving out of God. Now it says love NOT the things in the world too. Things like: technology, cell phones, TV, social media (Facebook etc.) even so-called Christian media on You Tube, etc. Love not these things, but fall deeply in love with Christ and His word. We NOT to love the distractions of the world: sports, cooking, work, hunting, fishing, fashion, movies, etc. Either we love them and give ourself, time, and resources to them or we will give ourselves to God. We cannot give ourself to both. John knew this. To prevent these things and distractions of the world from overwhelm spiritually we must allow God to silence these things in us through His dealings and judgements. Silence our hungers and thirst as best seen by our words, our desires, and our thoughts. Do you know where the sea of glass is? In Revelations John writes, “And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal:” (Revelations 4:6) Do you know what the sea of glass is? It is sea which is smooth; it is never disturbed by waves. We never see a storm on the sea of glass; it is calm. This is the condition before the throne of God. It is not in the world. We can so relate to the rulership and dominion of God, so live in Him that we live in tranquility, even through a storm. Now that is not denying the storm. We can have peace in time of war and we can have war in a time of peace. We can be in a storm when everything is calm or we can be calm when everything is stormy. We can even be alone in a crowd. It all depends upon where we are in the life of God. It all depends upon which is gripping our heart, the storm or the faithfulness of God. There is a place of silence in God that brings us to nothingness. A place where we have nothing to say. There are three types of silence: a silence of words, a silence of desires, and a silence of thoughts. The first is perfect. The second is even more perfect and the third is the most perfect. In the first, the silence of words, there is virtue (strength) that is acquired. In the second, the silence of desires, quietness is obtained; and in the third, the silence of thoughts . . . this is our goal: the internal recollection of all of our senses. To lay hold of the silence of thought is to arrive and abide at the center of our being where Christ dwells. Not by speaking, desiring, nor reasoning do we reach the central place of our inward walk, that place where God speaks to our inward man. It is there that God communicates Himself to our spirit; and there in the inmost depths of our being. He teaches us Himself. He guides us to this place where He alone speaks His most secret and hidden of His heart to us. We must enter into this through all silence if we would hear His divine voice within us. Forsaking the world will not accomplish this, nor will renouncing our desires. No, not even if we should renounce all things created. What then? Rest God major goal in our lives is found only in this threefold silence, only before an open door where God may communicate Himself to us. It is in that place He can transform us into Himself. This transformation of our soul consists not in speaking to God nor in thinking on God, but in loving Him greatly. And how is this love acquired? By means of a perfect resignation to God faithfulness to us and this threefold silence. This tremendous truth of the faithfulness of God can carry us through a wilderness, even a war. This anchor can hold us steady through life’s storms. This enlightenment can take us safely through the darkness.

THE BODY OF CHRIST (PART TWO)

THE EQUIPPING OF THE BODY OF CHRIST

 “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” (Ephesian 4:11-12) 

We see God’s great objective brought out in Ephesians 4. The Spirit and even all of the personality gifts relate to the edification of that unique strange mystical group of people the – Body of Christ. I am so glad all direction in is the Head – Christ. Here in my body, God does not expect my hands to be my brains. He expects them to serve what my mind directs. When we get over into thinking the church is a building, ministry, or organization we also can forget Christ is the Head of the Body and therefore there should be nothing originating in us; only receptivity to perform and do that which is actuated and directed from the Head. We run around doing things for God maybe that is why we often are feeble in our approach to God with our mind or emotions instead of knowing how to live from the Living Head. We try to produce what we think the Head wants to produce, but the Head wants to make the program. He only asks us to function as members, not as the Head. It seems to take us a long time to find this out. We are so used to directing from our own natural self – our own head directing what our body is to do. All direction; all programs anything that is worthwhile at all must originate in God. God must have us the Body through whom He executes and moves upon the earth. What a great burden that would take off of our hearts and lives if we could ever believe and learn this central truth. The Churches in the Book of Revelation have a work complex, instead of a worship (bow our head to the ground) complex. We must stop shoving the Body of Christ out into the world with artificial objectives such as: trying to bring the world to the Lord, cleaning up politics, and getting everything ship shape. Where did that come from? From religious traditions of denominational doctrines of men. It is not about doing something for God but about becoming something in God. So, in the Body of Christ, it is easier to do programs and activities than to abide, evolve, and become. God is after us becoming like His precious Son Jesus Christ. The Body is made of raw material; redeemed humanity. God’s emphasis is upon building a Body, and not upon redeeming the world. He has placed the personality gifts there, “FOR the perfecting of the saints, FOR the work of the ministry, FOR the edifying of the body of Christ:” The equipping of the Body is so that the Body can mature and grow spiritually, “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (Ephesians 4:13-14) Coming into “the unity of faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” is our objective in this life. Make no mistake this objective is God’s objective and reaching it will kill us dead spiritually, but that is okay this is another objective of God, us dying so that He may live. 11. John shares Jesus’ words, “Verily, verily (another double imperative), 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. 25He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 26If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” (John 12:24-26) Where are we going? The same place His Father took Jesus, to His death! There is no greater work in our life than us falling into the ground and dying to our selfishness and self-seeking for when we lose our life (our desires, our emotions, our plans, our life) God can now live through us.. Our spiritual death is God’s opportunity to life. If we lose our life for His sake we shall find eternal life. God equips the Body of Christ not to live, but to die. How much faith do we need? Just enough to believe God can raise us (like Jesus) from the dead. Experiencing loss in our lives is a great teacher. Our gain in God is measured in our loss. How much of the world and self can we lose? At that same measure of loss so is the gain in God we experience no more no less. “The unity of the faith” is not worked in the Body by coming together to eat or fellowship, we have prayer breakfasts that will never develop unity within the Body of Christ, but all enduring the same hardships, persecutions, tribulations (with the same heart condition) and the like will develop unity within the Body of Christ. The loss is the common denominator, now we have something in common on which God can begin to build His character in us, our loss. As we come into “the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” We will be able to function and operate as God does, flow with the Spirit and each other. We will be able to become correctly fitted into the Body of Christ and take our place where God has ordained us to fit in to support the overall structure locally and globally. We will be able to, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:15-16) We will be able to “speak truth in love” and not lies, guile, and deceitfulness. We will be able to grow up and not be a baby needing the milk of the word. Paul shares these word to “those in Italy” perhaps Rome, “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Hebrews 5:12-14) We will be able to give God a return on His investment in us. Did you know God is looking for a return on His investment in us? Not in money. He owns the cattle on a 1000 hills and the hills, but God is looking for a return in our giving to others as He gave His Son. Giving is at the heart of the Gospel. And we will experience eternal life now on earth, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3) We – the Body of Christ will not have to wait to experience heaven, we can have heaven on earth now