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 one’s 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 it 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 let us 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

HOME GROUP MEETING 20 FEB 24

48 Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. Commentary: Jesus spoke a rebuke into the man's heart. If the soil is right the rebuke will lodge and bring forth fruit in time. The basis of the man faith was the reports from the signs and wonders Jesus performed in Jerusalem. This must have been quite disturbing because he just came from people who did not need a sign to believe. The king's servant must had been Jewish. 

49 The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. Commentary: His interest the really important matter was in the healing of his son. To him believing was beside the point, he knew Jesus could heal his little boy and that was the only thing he had on his heart to accomplish. The nobleman was not trying to desperately get to Jesus, but desperately trying to get his son to Jesus. 

50 Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. Commentary: There is no more to be done. The man requested the healing and Jesus did it. The last words "and he went his way" gives us an incomplete picture of the nobleman without even a thank you. 

51 And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth. Commentary: The word of Jesus was effective when he spoke, well our words are to be as effective if not greater. Often we hear "you are healed" and they are not. Is it a poor excuse for not having the reality of the healing power? Nowhere in the Bible did Jesus pray for someone, He healed them. 

52 Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. Commentary: Even though the servants faith operated on a lower level it worked well enough to have his son healed. Faith is mystery. How does it work? By love Galatians 5:6. The distance from Capernaum to Cana was 16 miles. Word came "at the seventh hours" his son lives that was enough. There was no need to go home and check. Maybe his faith was not so low. 

53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house. Commentary: Because most of the household had no contact with Jesus they likely relied on the reports that were going around. Whatever a lower or higher faith in operation we will never know, but for sure there was brought a light into the household that was not there before,. The man saw more of Jesus. 

54 This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee. Commentary: Again two means witness. The "second miracle" here mean Jesus came to be a witness particularly to those in Galilee, but other parts of Israel not so much. Of the crowd that gave Jesus the Hosanna entry into Jerusalem most were from Galilee. Most of the disciples were from Galilee. So, Jesus came to a place where He could gather the fruit, bringing those into faith who would later be the ones to continue the message and purpose of the Father.

CONFESSION TO REPENTANCE

Our spiritual life is far more than the accumulation of information that we gather, such as understanding doctrine and the written Word. Rather, the “measure” of our spirituality is the result of the accumulation of the decisions that we make during our span of life. When we stand before the LORD at the Judgment Seat of Christ, the level of spiritual life to which we have attained will be compared (measured) against His overcoming life. Paul writes in Ephesians, “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man (spiritually mature), to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13) Life is never easy; it is a struggle in which we must continually choose what we will do, or which way we will go. Because of the many desires that we have, along with the responsibilities that have been placed upon us, at times it may be difficult for us to make the right choice. As we choose rightly, we will become one of the overcomers whom the LORD will lift into being seated with Him in His throne, at the appointed time. The accumulation of the choices that we make is all that we will take with us (that which we have spiritually become) when we depart from this life. If our decisions for the LORD outweigh our self-serving choices, then this becomes the level of spiritual growth to which we have attained, and will establish the place of our relationship to the LORD for all eternity. Our being an overcomer means that there is a separation between that which pertains to our self-satisfaction and fulfillment, and that which is according to the will and purpose of our LORD for us. As we go through life, the more decisions that we make toward that which is spiritually edifying, the easier it will become to continue making these decisions, and we become more detached from all those things that could pull us down. In the beginning, it may be difficult, but it becomes easier as we continue to choose rightly. Our lives, in many ways is comparable to walking in a large circular spiral. As we move around the circle and continue to choose that which is spiritually edifying, when we return to our starting place, hopefully, we will be a distance higher than we had been when we first started. If we choose toward self-gratification, we will arrive a distance lower than we had been, when we first started. Life may seem repetitive (as it mostly is), but the accumulation of these seemingly mundane daily choices that we make, will greatly affect our eternal position before the LORD. We may be struggling, and at times, seemingly losing more battles than we are winning. But, as we spend quality time in the presence of our LORD, asking Him for the strength to make the right decisions, we will be enabled to do so and we will begin to move upward. Jesus said that the Kingdom is within us so we cannot build His kingdom on earth. The first aspect of His Kingdom is “righteousness.” Thus, the righteous decisions that we make will draw us upward toward Him. When we choose the LORD and place ourselves under His reign and rule, we place ourselves on a platform called “righteousness.” For us to be able to walk in this righteousness we must get some things straight in our thinking and our doctrine. And one area is the correct process we all must undergo to be saved. Sadly, people have been told if they walking the aisle or repeat some magic words after someone they will be saved, but this is not true. Scripture is crystal clear to what we must do to be saved. We are to have Christ formed in us. This is the goal the purpose of all we do in God my friend, not to become a xerox copy of Jesus, oh no, we are to have Christ formed in us. Paul in Galatians writes, “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.” (Galatians 4:19) This forming begins when we confess or agree what God is saying about us is true and then we repent. How can we become another Jesus? Like His character and nature? Like His abilities and persona? We cannot my friend, but we can become like Him. We are who we are, but with the help of God’s good graces, mercies, and a desire to be changed into His icon, and surely to do and say the things Jesus would do, but not become Jesus. There is a huge difference here my friend. In my humble opinion Christiandom has so many foundational truths wrong. Most Christians and some Believers I know have no concept of what justification or sanctification means and how it works for our benefit. I will be talking on the radio on these topics in the months to come. Most Christians and some Believers I know do not know the process of how we are saved. And why? Well, we have dumbed down the process for expediency in crusades and Sunday services to repeating words (the so called the sinner’s prayer which is not in the Bible) without the sinner coming to grips with what sin has wrought in their lives and destroyed every relationship they have. How can we confess our sin if we have no heart knowledge of what we have done? Sadly, it is all a sham. John writes, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8-9) Again, the word “confess” here means we agree with God what He is saying about us is true. Not what we say about ourselves, but what God says about us. We agree with God and say, “yes LORD I am that man.” Then and only then can we begin to make a heart change toward God. Until then we resist God and what He says about us. We go in our own direction, like sheep we have gone our own way. Agreeing with God on who and what He says about us is the beginning of salvation. Most Christians have never experienced this revelation. Then we must repent! Jonah has it right, “Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?” (Jonah 3:9) In Acts Luke shows us another side of repentance, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;” (Acts 3:19) I am so amazed at the number of Christians who have no clue of what repentance is. Most think it is something they have to do with God, like confessing or believing Jesus died for our sin (the old man that resides in our soul that has not been joined with Christ during our new birth) nature. Oh no, repentance is a British military term which means to about face and go in the opposite direction. So, if I am walking north down Sneads’ Ferry Road and I want to go in the opposite direction or repent then I must about face and walk down the same road in a southern direction. Repentance means if I steal then I will repent and steal no more. If I lie then I repent and I will lie no more. So, our salvation is dependent on two concepts, confession (agreeing with God) and repentance (about face and going in the opposite direction from whatsoever sinful behavior we were doing). Now these must be done in this order. Confess then we repent or we will not have the wherewithal to know we need to repent. Most Christians believe confession is more important than repentance, well I would think both have to be done to be saved. Most Christians will confess every Sunday as they tearfully walk the aisle under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, leave the alter, and head to the bar or some other place or person God wishes they not visit. The older I get the more I see confession (even as important as it is) can be cheap, actions speaks louder than words. In our repentance, for it to really work, we must come to a place where we truly hate the behavior that keeps us from the heart of God. I mean if we like something a little, it is still a hook in our jaw. The choices we make are seen best in our confession and repentance. Do we really want what God wants? If so, then we will be serious about our commitment and dedication to God and what He wants for our lives. And this my friend is seen best in our confession to repentance. Written by David Stahl

CONFESSION TO REPENTANCE

Our spiritual life is far more than the accumulation of information that we gather, such as understanding doctrine and the written Word. Rather, the “measure” of our spirituality is the result of the accumulation of the decisions that we make during our span of life. When we stand before the LORD at the Judgment Seat of Christ, the level of spiritual life to which we have attained will be compared (measured) against His overcoming life. Paul writes in Ephesians, “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man (spiritually mature), to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13) Life is never easy; it is a struggle in which we must continually choose what we will do, or which way we will go. Because of the many desires that we have, along with the responsibilities that have been placed upon us, at times it may be difficult for us to make the right choice. As we choose rightly, we will become one of the overcomers whom the LORD will lift into being seated with Him in His throne, at the appointed time. The accumulation of the choices that we make is all that we will take with us (that which we have spiritually become) when we depart from this life. If our decisions for the LORD outweigh our self-serving choices, then this becomes the level of spiritual growth to which we have attained, and will establish the place of our relationship to the LORD for all eternity. Our being an overcomer means that there is a separation between that which pertains to our self-satisfaction and fulfillment, and that which is according to the will and purpose of our LORD for us. As we go through life, the more decisions that we make toward that which is spiritually edifying, the easier it will become to continue making these decisions, and we become more detached from all those things that could pull us down. In the beginning, it may be difficult, but it becomes easier as we continue to choose rightly. Our lives, in many ways is comparable to walking in a large circular spiral. As we move around the circle and continue to choose that which is spiritually edifying, when we return to our starting place, hopefully, we will be a distance higher than we had been when we first started. If we choose toward self-gratification, we will arrive a distance lower than we had been, when we first started. Life may seem repetitive (as it mostly is), but the accumulation of these seemingly mundane daily choices that we make, will greatly affect our eternal position before the LORD. We may be struggling, and at times, seemingly losing more battles than we are winning. But, as we spend quality time in the presence of our LORD, asking Him for the strength to make the right decisions, we will be enabled to do so and we will begin to move upward. Jesus said that the Kingdom is within us so we cannot build His kingdom on earth. The first aspect of His Kingdom is “righteousness.” Thus, the righteous decisions that we make will draw us upward toward Him. When we choose the LORD and place ourselves under His reign and rule, we place ourselves on a platform called “righteousness.” For us to be able to walk in this righteousness we must get some things straight in our thinking and our doctrine. And one area is the correct process we all must undergo to be saved. Sadly, people have been told if they walking the aisle or repeat some magic words after someone they will be saved, but this is not true. Scripture is crystal clear to what we must do to be saved. We are to have Christ formed in us. This is the goal the purpose of all we do in God my friend, not to become a xerox copy of Jesus, oh no, we are to have Christ formed in us. Paul in Galatians writes, “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.” (Galatians 4:19) This forming begins when we confess or agree what God is saying about us is true and then we repent. How can we become another Jesus? Like His character and nature? Like His abilities and persona? We cannot my friend, but we can become like Him. We are who we are, but with the help of God’s good graces, mercies, and a desire to be changed into His icon, and surely to do and say the things Jesus would do, but not become Jesus. There is a huge difference here my friend. In my humble opinion Christiandom has so many foundational truths wrong. Most Christians and some Believers I know have no concept of what justification or sanctification means and how it works for our benefit. I will be talking on the radio on these topics in the months to come. Most Christians and some Believers I know do not know the process of how we are saved. And why? Well, we have dumbed down the process for expediency in crusades and Sunday services to repeating words (the so called the sinner’s prayer which is not in the Bible) without the sinner coming to grips with what sin has wrought in their lives and destroyed every relationship they have. How can we confess our sin if we have no heart knowledge of what we have done? Sadly, it is all a sham. John writes, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8-9) Again, the word “confess” here means we agree with God what He is saying about us is true. Not what we say about ourselves, but what God says about us. We agree with God and say, “yes LORD I am that man.” Then and only then can we begin to make a heart change toward God. Until then we resist God and what He says about us. We go in our own direction, like sheep we have gone our own way. Agreeing with God on who and what He says about us is the beginning of salvation. Most Christians have never experienced this revelation. Then we must repent! Jonah has it right, “Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?” (Jonah 3:9) In Acts Luke shows us another side of repentance, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;” (Acts 3:19) I am so amazed at the number of Christians who have no clue of what repentance is. Most think it is something they have to do with God, like confessing or believing Jesus died for our sin (the old man that resides in our soul that has not been joined with Christ during our new birth) nature. Oh no, repentance is a British military term which means to about face and go in the opposite direction. So, if I am walking north down Sneads’ Ferry Road and I want to go in the opposite direction or repent then I must about face and walk down the same road in a southern direction. Repentance means if I steal then I will repent and steal no more. If I lie then I repent and I will lie no more. So, our salvation is dependent on two concepts, confession (agreeing with God) and repentance (about face and going in the opposite direction from whatsoever sinful behavior we were doing). Now these must be done in this order. Confess then we repent or we will not have the wherewithal to know we need to repent. Most Christians believe confession is more important than repentance, well I would think both have to be done to be saved. Most Christians will confess every Sunday as they tearfully walk the aisle under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, leave the alter, and head to the bar or some other place or person God wishes they not visit. The older I get the more I see confession (even as important as it is) can be cheap, actions speaks louder than words. In our repentance, for it to really work, we must come to a place where we truly hate the behavior that keeps us from the heart of God. I mean if we like something a little, it is still a hook in our jaw. The choices we make are seen best in our confession and repentance. Do we really want what God wants? If so, then we will be serious about our commitment and dedication to God and what He wants for our lives. And this my friend is seen best in our confession to repentance. Written by David Stahl

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