OUR COMMITMENTS TO GOD

When we think of the word “commitment” seldom do we think of God. We are committed to our education, our career, some to their family, our needs and wants, and definitely to our self, but seldom do we think of the importance of our commitments to God. Our commitments are not something we must keep like an appointment or a meeting, but something that keeps us when times are tough and our way is greatly troubled. But please know no man finished a race to win the prize that was not first committed to dedication and discipline. Success in life comes not by chance or the roll of the dice, but by dedicating ones self to certain principles that will allow them to achieve their goal. I see this principle sorely lacking in the youth of America. What is lacking is not the desire, we all have the desire to want to excel and win, but what is lacking is the commitment to continue and endure beyond the failure and pain. How can we expect to be successful if we make no commitment to anything or anyone? So too in God I see little to no commitment to God and His ways by fellow Christians. What has happened to the commitment made between a man and a woman to love, trust, and obey until death does part? What has happened to the commitment made in relationships of today? A hand shake no longer is good enough to close a deal between two men and we can almost forget about someone keeping their word. And in God, few people are committed to prayer and reading their Bible. The latest Pew Survey revealed most Christians spend less than five minutes a day in prayer and rarely crack their Bible open during the week. I always measure a church three ways: sincerely of the people, how they pray corporately, and do the people carry a Bible to service. If not what are these Christians committed to? Fewer people yet are committed to sharing the Gospel message with their neighbors or co-workers maybe this is why America is now ranked 13th in the world (down from 1st in the late 1960s) for sending missionaries abroad to the nations. Does your neighbour even know you are a Christian? Motivators learned a long time ago we excel and succeed in areas we are committed to. Our success or failure in life, and in God, will be measured not by our abilities, God-given talents, or God-given gifts, but by our commitments. Many of my friends say I have set my expectation too high I need to lower the standard to where most people live, well that is not what Jesus said to do. I tell them it is not my standard, but God’s. In Luke Jesus began to establish the commitment standard when He said, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. 11If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit (Strong’s #4100, to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in) to your trust the true riches? 12And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own? 13No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” (Luke 16:10-13) Jesus said, if we have not been faithful and just (giving honor, truth, and justice) with unrighteous things, “who will commit the true riches?” In other words, who will give to you the “true (operating in the spiritual realm) riches?” (God’s judgments, peace, mercy, grace, joy) If we are not committed to handling the unrighteous things God gives us (cars, houses, money (mammon), and the like) in Godly ways then who shall give us the spiritual things of God? The condition to receive the spiritual things from God is to be committed and faithful with handling the non-spirituals things.

We must be committed to God to receive of His benefits and goodness. When will the church learn to commit its ways to the Lord? As I look around the world I see the church is committed to almost every earthly social cause (abortion, the fight against homosexually, feeding, clothing, and educating the poor, environmental issues, struggles for unequally and civil rights, and the like) in the world. The church gives its self to every voice that would rise up to protest, organize people against an unjust cause, and even kill people in some cases to have their voices heard all in the name of commitment and God, well my friend this is not a commitment to God, but a commitment to wanting to have their voices heard and power felt in the world. Funny, when Jesus was on the earth He never encouraged the people and especially His disciples to get involved in social causes. Now please do not misunderstand me here, I am not saying we must ignore these issues oh no we must address them in God and hear what His heart is saying. David said, “Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. 6And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.” (Psalms 37:5-6) If (sets the condition to receive from God) we commit our ways to the Lord He will, “bring forth thy righteousness as light and thy judgment as the noonday.” When will we learn God has a better way to do things? “True” commitment is always done from God’s point of view, not ours. When will we learn real commitment starts when we drop to our knees in repentance and turn from our wicked ways? Oh Lord please forgive me for not being committed more to You. And please forgive America for her lack of commitment and waywardness to You. Please turn from Your wrath to come.

In the Book of Hebrews we find an order we must follow in our commitment to God. Now we must remember the context in which the Book of Hebrews was written. For it is in this context the truth of the Scriptures can clearly be seen. Before we get into the Book of Hebrews, there is something else we must talk about to be able to come to a “true” place of commitment before God. We must allow God to silence our emotions and feelings so that we can focus on Him. We must allow God, through His dealings and judgments in our lives, to silence and bring our emotions and feelings to naught, if not our emotions and feelings will drive us out of God. I really see the importance of this the older I get. The older I get the more I see myself and feel every ache and pain. Things that meant nothing are soon magnified in my imagining into sure disaster for my life. Oh no we must allow God to kill these emotional thoughts and feelings in our lives. Now back to Hebrews. To really get what the Holy Spirit is saying in the Book of Hebrews we must understand the context in which Hebrews was written. The majority of early Christians (A.D. 70 (verses 10:11 and 13:1) were Jews and living near or in Rome. Apparently they expected Christ to return soon, but the delay in His coming and the great persecution against them (verses 10:32-34) caused them to wonder if they had made the right choice in becoming Christians and possibility returning to Judaism. Hebrews was written to wavering Christians (sadly like many to today) to encourage them to stand fast in their faith and be committed to God and His children. Here in these verses (10:19-26) we learn some things we must be committed to. Now it is important to notice the order of things we are to be committed to in these verses. The order of words in the Bible is critical. The Holy Spirit did not just write the Scriptures any old way, but ordered them in sequence and thought to express a specific meaning and divine spiritual principle. “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21And having an high priest over the house of God; 22Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 26For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,” (Hebrews 10:19-26) Here in these eight verses are two critical things we must commit our selves to and a warning if we do not. The first thing we are to commit ourselves to is God, “Let us draw near (understood to mean God) with a true heart in full assurance of faith.” Now that verse has a negative applied meaning, we can draw near to God without a full assurance of faith, but with other things like our emotions, desires, and hunger for selfish personal gain and ambition. In Isaiah we read, “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:” (Isaiah 29:13) In James we learn the requirements to be able to drawn near to God. “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” (James 4:8-10) I wonder how many Christians today have met these requirements to be able to draw near to God? I know in my life I lack many of these requirements at times. Please notice we move first, not God. You (the subject of the sentence) “Draw nigh to God and he will draw night to you.” God is always watching and waiting for our commitment to Him. And the second thing we are to commit our selves to is the Church. Now please do not think I am talking about a denomination or building. I am talking about the Body of Christ; the people around the world that makes up what we the Church. We are to commit our selves to people. Jesus always made people a priority and they too must be ours. The writer of Hebrews (I believe to be Paul) said, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:” and in verse 25 we are to “but exhorting (encourage to hold on) one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day (Jesus coming back as He promised) approaching.” We are to commit our selves to God first then our immediate family, then the Body of Christ. This is the spiritual order God has for us to go. The beginning of verse 25 talks about “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is;” We lose so much of the truth in the Scriptures when we read verses like this one with our eyes of today. I do not know how many sermons I have heard where preachers use these words to twist the heart and yoke the people to get them more involved with programs and activities in their church. The early Body of Christ had no building to care for or programs to feed. No water was needed to keep the grass nice and green nor did they have nice comfortable pews or seats to sit on, but met place to place, because of persecution and at threat of death, and assembled themselves when the word was passed. The early Christians in Rome paid a great price for their testimony; some were used at targets for javelin practice, burned alive like Polycarp, or feed to the lions by the Romans, how arrogant we are today to think we are getting better at glorifying God with our ivory towers buildings of brick and wood. The early Church (group of people) had a simplistic and purity of message and organization. I am afraid we have missed what God wanted from the start with all of our eye candy trappings and worldly programs. Even in committing our selves to people there is an order. First our commitment is to be to our family (spouse, sons, and daughters) then our parents and blood brothers and sisters, but if our spouse, sons, daughters, parents, and blood brothers and sisters are not walking with the Lord we are to pray for them, tell them the truth in love, and desire to see them come to the saving knowledge of the Lord, but hear me loud and clear we must never allow them to cause us to stumble and fall out of the way.

Please let me conclude with the warning, “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins” Without a commitment to God and His children we will have no other option or choice, but will “wilfully sin.” It will not be God’s plan for our lives and here is the bad news, “there remaineth no more sacrifice for (our) sins.” I do not know about you my friend, but this verse really gives me great pause. Yes, my wonderful Baptist friends, we can lose our salvation if after “we have received the knowledge of the truth” and “we wilfully sin” then “there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.” We thank God for His grace and mercy. If we repent and turn from our “willful sin” He will forgive us and again we will be in unity with Him, but if not we will be lost for all eternity no matter what denominational doctrine we believe. My friend commitment is the key to believing and believing is the key to knowing Jesus died for our sins. Without commitment to God and His children we will believe in other things and be led out of the way. Let us commit our ways and heart to God. Written by David Stahl

GOOD LUCK MR. PRESIDENT

After Barack Obama swept the nation in a stunning national election and it looked like he would be America’s 44th President I went into prayer to allow God to soften my heart in this area. I will be honest I struggled with the church’s involvement in this election. I really tried to give him a place in my heart as President, but on his inauguration day I came to the understanding (because of much prayer and God’s dealings in my heart) Barack Obama cannot be my President. I wish him no ill will or malice only charity, but his view of America and my view (which is based on what God’s word (the Bible) says is true) is totally opposite. Jesus said, “How can two men walk together if they do not agree?” It is not because he is half black and half white, oh no my friend his skin color is not the issue. Nor is it because of his inexperience as a politician or even his very liberal social beliefs of sharing the wealth of those who work hard with those who are lazy and do not work. The reason I cannot accept Barack Obama as my President is because he (as America’s leader) has moved America even further and further away from what God hath said. God said killing babies is wrong, but Barack Obama and the people who support him (even people who call themselves Christians) say it is okay to kill babies in the mother’s womb or even worst deliver them half way, rotating them 180 degrees exposing the back of their heads and then driving a metal trocar into the base of their little skull. After removing the metal spike from the trumpet value they insert a hard plastic tube so they can then suck out the baby’s brains and use it for research; what is called a partial-birth abortion. And why? Because abortion is the law of the land. Man has voted to over turn what God has said was; moral, true, and righteous this my friend is direct rebellion to God and His word. Just because something is legal in America does not make it right before God. God’s word is the standard that makes things right or wrong, godly or ungodly, righteous or unrighteous and we will be eternally judged not by the laws of America, but by God’s Holy word. Here in Jeremiah we read God talking of Jeremiah and every person the wonderful gift of life God gives to us, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5) Any law that goes against God’s laws is rebellion, iniquity (lawlessness) or outside the framework God has established. At the heart of this rebellion and disobedience is a total rejection of God’s word thus rejecting God Himself. We (the people and the church in America) must wake up and embrace the truth we have rejected God and His word if we are ever going to be able to repent and allow God to heal our land. But, what is the Church in America doing to make this happen? Singing and dancing their people to sleep while comprising the word of God and her responsibilities.

Barack Obama’s idea of what America’s society should look like is much different than what God says (and I believe) America should look like. God is color blind and I try hard to be. Let us judge and promote a man by his deeds and words and not the color of his skin. This is God’s order and heart in this area. I for one my friend cannot support Barack Obama’s values or beliefs when it comes to same sex marriage. Same sex marriage is nothing more than sanctioning sodomy and lesbianism, two things God said is an abomination, not just a sin, but an abomination, “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” (Leviticus 18:22) Did God mean this? Or maybe He like many churches in America has changed His mind. Yes of course He meant it, because this same message was repeated a couple of times in the New Testament as well. “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.” (2 Timothy 3:1-9) Mr. Obama and America please read verse nine again, “But they shall proceed no further; for their folly shall be manifest unto all men,” God’s judgment awaits. And in Romans, “And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;” (Romans 1:27-28) All through out the Bible God brought great judgment and wrath on any people and any nation that endorsed this vile and heinous behavior, yet today we glorify and praise it, well my friend this is not God’s approach. Barack Obama, his many friends, and even many churches today in America have endorsed homosexuality as a loving union between two people. They, like Barack Obama, have been deceived by the gods of this world and age in calling God’s word a lie. They like Barack Obama (all of us for that matter) will be judged for what they believe and do out from their beliefs.

Did you know you cannot be a Christian and believe in these things. If Barack Obama did not support the abortion and homosexual crowd you can bet he would not be our 44th President. They are against what God hath said and so they are against God no matter how many heart-felt speeches they give with great swelling words or how much they sing, shout, pray, or give to the church. I am amazed at the number of Christians who think (wrongly so) that they can separate the things of God from their political beliefs. Christians who think so are “wavering” and as James 1:8 says are, “unstable in all his ways.” I cannot believe how many Christians get caught up in the historical significance of Barack Obama’s presidency and feel his direct rebellion to God’s word is justified. The heart of man knows no limits. Barack Obama is a man elected President of the United States by will of the people (like Saul) no more so less and now they will get what they asked for. Sadly their rally cry is forget our differences (what God calls sin) and come together (comprise the truth and righteousness which is anti-christ thinking) in areas we agree on above all. God gives a nation a leader after the heart of people and Barack Obama is no exception.

My friend Peter and John were called before the council (courts to us today) with the intent to command them to, “spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. 18And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:17-20) This is not a question of faithfulness or dedication to those in authority over them, but is a question of whether they will be faithful and dedicated to God and His word. So too this must be our position when we confront those in authority over us. We must not compromise the truth of the word of God for political power and influences like many preachers and denominations of today. We are the message bearers to a lost and dying world that needs to hear the good news of the Gospel message before it is too late. If we fail in this (by compromising the word of God) then we have failed in the most important mission God gave the church, “to make disciple of all nations.” Yes we must pray for our leaders. In Matthew Jesus teaches us, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” (Matthew 5:43-44) What an almost impossible thing to do. Do you know why we are to pray for our enemies? We pray for our enemies that they would turn from their evil and wicked ways and towards the Lord. Without prayer how could they possibly stop being our enemies? Jeremiah asked, “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.” (Jeremiah 13:23) Only God can change the spots of a leopard and if we allow Him He will touch and change our hearts too. God has purposed our prayers to help change their hearts making them our friend. So too in ways we are to pray for our leaders. Paul taught this in 1 Timothy, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” (1Timothy 2:1-2) Our prayers for those in authority (like Barack Obama and his administration), over us is for our heart condition not for them to excel and be good leaders so that our lives will be smooth and happy. This is self-seeking and selfish on our part if we pray this way. God has a plan for Barack Obama and America to be either a vessel for honor or dishonor and we cannot change that. They too must go before the Lord God Almighty themselves to seek wisdom and understanding from God. Here God’s goal in our lives is “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” Those in authority cannot make this happen this is our part before God. Our “prayers” are to, “be made for all men” (not just kings) so that they too will change from their waywardness from God and His word. Prayer always helps us adjust to situations in our lives we disagree and struggle with. In prayer God needs not to hear our prayer He always knows what we are praying, but in prayer we need to tell Him so it can; settle our heart, quiet our spirit, and lead us in the pathways of godliness, honesty, and righteousness.

Unless Barack Obama changes his views and repents of his rebellion to God and His word he cannot be my President. I wish him well and will even pray he turns toward God, but I choose God and His word over the things of the world. Personally, I am so ashamed of Rick Warren for selling out the Gospel message for power and influence, comprising the word of God for tolerance and inclusiveness. Jesus never taught this. Jesus taught a message of intolerance to compromise and an exclusiveness in salvation. Warren had an unbelievable opportunity in time and around the world to stand up for Jesus Christ alone, but instead spoke other names of Jesus (to deceive people) and lastly included “Jesus” to cover himself. But his prayer at the end was not in the name of Jesus. Hey Rick, God is not ashamed of His Son’s name “Jesus,” why are you? Churches around the world please do not tie your future to the Church of America, but to God and God alone. The Church in America is moving further and further away from God, full of self-indulgences and self-seeking service to each other (and not God) all for personal gain and earthly power. Sadly, God’s word and His power no longer is good enough. Today in most churches worship is like the golden calf in Exodus; shining bright to the eye and greed to the soul stirring our emotions, but never reaching the heart of the Father. No wonder the church of American is so political and so far off track.

I was going to send my article yesterday without this last section included, but now I see why God said wait until tomorrow. I did not know of the prayer service that Barack Obama would attend, it was then I learned God was up to something. So I watched the prayer service in great shame, what a disgrace and sham for the National Cathedral of America to hold a “Jesus” sanitized (except in passing while reading Scripture) politically correct prayer service (for all the world to see), who were they praying to? God said to me, “I did not attend!” God was not there and yet they sang and danced like God was there. Other gods (the gods of other religions and of this world were there, but the God of all Gods did not show up and they did not even know it. And what was Rev. Dr. Susan Watkins talking about? Acceptance, tolerance, and inclusiveness of the religions of the world was the theme and Jesus was forgotten. When will America learn? Paul warned the Church at Galatia, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” (Galatians 6:7-8) So too God is warning America, “God is not mocked” “I will quickly come and visit you and your sins will be before Me. Unless you repent and turn back to Me I will remove your candle stick from the world.” Thus sayeth the Lord. Written by David Stahl

WHAT I LEARNED IN 2008

As I reread the title to this article maybe I should re-title this article, what I seem to relearn each year. How strange why I have not figured it out, but the longer I go in God the less I seem to know and often the dumber I feel at times. Things I once was convinced of to the point I would die for today I am not sure of. Now, I am not talking about the absolutes of the Gospel (death, burial, and resurrection) message, but I am talking about the things we feel God wants us to do in the future and the things we base our understanding on who God is. At times it seems this understanding of God and His ways are like sand slipping through our fingers. There is no question of our salvation and relationship with Him, we know God is real in our lives, but at the same time we see (sometimes before our very eyes) what we have learned seems to sprout wings and fly away. We write and teacher the things God gives us while in our spirit there is a longing to know more of Him yet we feel the pain and endure the stabbing in our heart of the loss to what may have been or having to relearn the same lesson again and again. I do not know, maybe we are the only people that felt his way, but I think not. It seems the longer we go with God the less we see any virtue or goodness in our selves. Oh we see the good works; the people fed, babies delivered, healthcare provided, messages shared, and etc. but the longer we go with God the more we see the short distance we really have come and at times just how far we still must go to be like Christ. We are not sure if it is because of the change of direction in our ministry that seems to happen about every seven years or if we are just changing. We lived in Germany for exactly seven years to the minute. On 23 July 1996 at exactly 11:00 am the Delta airplane pulled up to the jet-way at Stuttgart International Airport and exactly at 11:00 am on 23 July 2003 the Delta airplane pulled back from the jet-way heading to the States, mission complete. To be honest I am still trying to figure this seven year direction change out, but to no avail. Maybe this unknowing or uncertainty we feel at times is because we are coming up on another seven year period. One thing for sure God does not wait until the seventh year to change our direction, but all along the way He begins to prepare us by removing and adding desires in our heart, making our way uncomfortable in some areas to move us in other directions, and always brings new people into our lives while strengthening old relationships to help put the things of God in us we will need to be successful in what next He has called us to do. I can see down the road my traveling days will be over some day maybe this is why God has been helping me with my writings and contacts that will enable me to share my articles and books with many more around the world. My teacher Charles Haun always said, “writing down things and sharing it with people is the most important way we can share the Gospel message.” And make no mistake it matters who your teacher is. When it is all said and done it does not really matter what we know, but it matters who we know. If we know God and some of His children we will have the opportunity to know all we need to know to do what God has called us to do. I really thank God for such men as: Jake Luffy, Mike Olufemi, John Stahl, Tek Dahal, Bill Pepper, Piotr Cieslar, Dr. Johnson from India, Joseph Mutua, Nicu Gramesc, and so many more and for the writings of Walter Beaulter, John Wright Follette, Wade Taylor, and others. Make no mistake my friend in the eyes of God we are judged by the company we keep and people we call teacher. One of the biggest lessons we must learn is we are not independent, but so dependent on God and His children if we ever hope to complete the things God has for us to do.

Now there are two lessons I still struggle with (and would like to discuss in this article) as the Lord again and again in 2008 would bring to my thoughts and heart. The first lesson is the understanding of how truth is always from God’s perspective and is always progressive. Pilate asked Jesus, “Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. 38Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.” (John 18:37-38) Please notice Jesus did not answer Pilates’ question “what is truth?” or did He? Jesus told Pilate, “every one that is of the truth heareth my voice” so to know and be of the truth we must be able to hear God’s voice, if not we are hearing other voices and call them truth. And oh my friend there is a price to pay to be able to hear God’s voice, this is why many Christians know not the things of God because they cannot hear Him speak, His voice has been drowned out with their desires and ambitions. To hear God speak to us we must take on our heart what is on His heart for us. Our plans, thoughts, and life style must align with His instructions and expectations. How often do we drift from God’s heart and expect to hear from Him. Sadly it will not happen so we imagine hearing from God or worse make up things to replace hearing from God. We were not willing to spend the time quietly waiting before Him in mediation. We were not willing to be obedient in following first things first of studying His word, prayer, and sharing the Gospel message with our friends and neighbors. Please know when we hear the truth we know it. Truth always hits us in the stomach and we feel it. Notice Pilate’s reaction after he heard the truth, “. . . And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.” (John 18:38) Even though Jesus did not answer his question (“what is truth?”), Pilate heard Jesus’ words and knew in his heart “I find in him no fault at all” and out of his mouth spoke the truth that was in his heart. With truth there is always a knowing (often times unspoken) that bears witness in our spirit that has a continued progression from God’s perspective not ours. In Romans we read, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23) Now my friend this is true, but are we not glad this truth does not end here in sin and coming short of God’s glory? This is the first part of this truth and for those people who have heard Jesus’ call unto salvation the progression (and still from God’s perspective) is, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) Truth is eternal (never ending even into eternity and beyond) and is always from God’s perspective. In Matthew we read Jesus’ words, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29) What is Jesus going to do give us rest or do we have to find (discover) it? Well, it is both at the same time. The first part of this truth is if we come unto Him He will be able to give us rest. Please notice this is our choice not God’s. And the progression of this truth (and still from God’s perspective) is as we learn of Him (learn just how “meek and lowly in heart” He is) we will be able to discover (find) the rest for our souls. Everything we get from God (even salvation) we must discover like riches and jewels buried in the ground. All truth starts and ends in God, this is why all truth is from God’s prospective. How arrogant we are to think our words are truth. Unless we are speaking words from God our words are vain and destructive full of guile and selfishness. Oh Lord please forgive us of this wrong thinking, but this too is our choice.

The second lesson and to be honest there is so much more here that I can express, but it is the relationship between revelation and transformation. In 2008 I have heard of many acquaintances and even some friends stumble and fall out of the way (or my understanding of it) God had for them to go. Now some of these folks I considered to be fathers in the Lord to me, all had deep revelation and understanding in the things of God. Some I was down right shocked when I heard. All I could say was thank God for His grace and mercy, His ways are not ours, but for the grace of God there I go again and again. Brethren, our job in all of this is to keep our tongues and feelings out of the details and desire restoration, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1) Only “ye which are spiritual” can restore in “the spirit of meekness considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” God commands us to go after the prodigals, how could we not restore a brother who has served in the same vineyard for more years than us? Now here is my point there is a big difference between revelation (or enlightenment) which is more head knowledge and understanding, but God is after in us a transformation that far exceeds our revelation of God and His ways. Transformation is the softening of our hard stony heart and a deep obtaining of God’s word in our spirit and lives to the point we begin to speak, touch, feel, and even act like Jesus Christ. Yes, we must value and have the revelation of God moving in our lives, revelation is God’s seal of authority in our lives, but we must never place revelation over transformation in our lives. Revelation is the measurement of how much we know God, but transformation is how much we can represent Him. The more transformation we have the more we can speak for God. We see this desire for transformation in Paul when he pleaded with the Church at Corinth, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2) Please know our minds are either transformed by the world or by the Spirit of God. We choose which one influences our mind. I really like this verse because verse 2 is the only verse in the Scriptures that speaks of the “perfect will of God.” Thus, the “perfect will of God” for our lives is to be “transformed by the renewing of our mind” not knowing all truth. Paul in 1 Corinthians shares, “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:2) We are lost, undone, and nothing if we do not allow the Father to transform us into the image of His precious Son Jesus Christ, this is His goal and master plan for our lives. And again this too is our choice. But, I wonder where Paul learned this? Maybe, “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9) There is something about the dealings and judgments of God in our lives that brings the renewing of our mind and transformation in God to us. Like my friends who got off track in 2008 (to my understanding) God will use people, things, and circumstances to keep us from “exalting ourselves above measure.” Twice in these two verses Paul used these words. One could take from this the deeper the revelation the more severe the dealings and judgments from God are. Now I will be honest I do not totally understand this point, but I know if I hold it before the Lord long enough He will let me know and some day I will have to live through it like my friends. My friend this is one if not the main reason we must (like Paul) be strengthened by the Spirit of God in our inward parts so we can endure God’s dealings and judgments in our lives. Paul knew, “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” (Ephesians 3:16-19) And Paul knew, it is one thing to know about God, but it is far different and very costly to come to know God. Only when we have made the transformation from the world to the Spirit can we ever hope to come to know God and the power of His resurrection. The order in God is first transformation then knowledge, if we get that backwards we are heading for troubles and all who heed our words.

I guess you could say the biggest thing I learned in 2008 is I have not learned anything, but what a wonderful place in God when we say we know nothing, now God can teach us what we need to know. Maybe next year I will learn something that I can keep and call my own, but for now I am content with learning what God wants me to learn and if I have to relearn things again so be it. Written by David Stahl

GOD ABOVE ALL

We just passed through the most stressful time of the year; the holiday period between Thanksgiving (Nov 27) to New Years (Jan 01). Now the older Karen and I get the more we like to simplify our life especially during this period of the year. We find the more we can simplify our lives the more we can focus on the important things in life like hearing from God so that we can be more obedient to Him. Is that not the main objective of our lives to be obedient to God so that He can conform us into His character and image? Obedience, not our spiritual gifts, abilities, or talents, to God is the key to being conformed into the nature and image of Jesus Christ. Now please do not misunderstand me we do like this period of time, it is a wonderful time when we gather as a family which is very important to God. Never forget God will protect the institution of the family and its relationships it was His idea from the start and will take out those who stand against it. It is a wonderful time we all can come together and share the wonderful things the Lord has done for us. Gathering as a family should always include the Lord, He is to always be the center of every meeting, service, and its around the fringe where we pay honor to each other. God is to be “above all” in our lives. He is to be our all and in all. In Ephesians Paul lays the foundation of one God who is above all, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6) Please notice the end of verse 6, “and in you all.” It is God’s intention for His Spirit to dwell within us all. What a wonderful thought, but what kind of vessel are we for the Holy Spirit to dwell in? Are we a vessel for honor or for dishonor?

As important as the family (our earthly father, mother, and siblings) is we must never lose sight of the truth that the Lord, His statutes, and commandments are above them all and if we get this foundational truth wrong (like many Christians today) we have missed out on one of the major critical points of our relationship with Him and our salvation. In Luke Jesus said, “If any man come to me, and hate (Strong’s #3404, to hate, pursue with hatred, detest) not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26-27) Now a lot of preachers and especially teachers try to soften this very strong word “hate,” but Jesus meant exactly what he said, “If (setting the condition for receiving from God) any man come to me (our salvation), and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life he cannot be my disciple.” Yes we must “hate” everything and everyone with a degree of heart separation and not with an emotional heart condition to be a disciple of Christ. Our desire for God and His ways must be raised to the same levels in our heart as hatred can be in us. This separation from the things and people of the world will equal your ability to be strengthened by God in the inward parts to be able to behold His glory to do what He has for you to do. We will never be able to put on God unless we first take off (separate ourselves) the world. God must be above all in our lives and family. Now this separation does not come without a price, like all things in God. Make no mistake my friend after salvation (Jesus paid the price for that) we will pay for everything we get from God. In Matthew we read Jesus’ words, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. 37He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:34-38) His sword is to cut our desires for our family and the world out of our heart. Our stance for God, allowing Him to be above all in our lives, will cause great heart-ache and frustration in our lives, but what are our choices? Compromising to bring peace and harmony making our families happy until the next time we are forced to make a stand for righteousness or being obedient to God and His words? Like Peter said, “Lord where shall we go, you alone have the words of eternal life.” Make no mistake and do not deceive yourself, light cannot have communion with darkness. Paul told the church as Corinth, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14) Please do not think you can go to ungodly places with your family and expect God to turn His head. I learned this lesson the hard way. After returning from two weeks of powerful ministry in India we traveled up to my parents home. Well one night we (Karen, Connie, Joshua, and I) all (my brothers and sisters and their families) went out to a bar to karaoke. It was horrible almost everyone was drunk one fellow exposed himself on stage while singing. While sitting there the Holy Spirit spoke to and said, “what are you doing here? Last week you were leading 10s of 1000s in the ways of holiness and now you are in a bar.” I shook myself and said to Karen let us get the kids we are leaving. The owner apologized and offered to give us our drinks for free. Well I apologized to God and my immediate family) My brother and sisters got mad at me for leaving, but that was okay I would rather have my brother and sisters mad at me than God. I became a greater offence to them, but it was not I but the cross of Christ. Make no mistake our stance for God will be a great offence to those in our families who are not walking with the Lord. “As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” (Romans 9:33) Be not dismayed, but keep looking at Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. We will suffer persecution (especially from our family) if we do not we probably have compromised the truth and the work Jesus did on the cross is for no effect in all of our lives. Paul did not compromise the truth over the issue of circumcision with the folks at the Church in Galatians, keeping God and His words above all things and they were won for Christ. “And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.” (Galatians 5:11) So too when we stand for the truth in the word of God (the Bible) we too will win our family and others for Christ or let them know what is true and acceptable to God.

In both passages of Luke 14:27 and Matthew 10:38 (above) ends with the admonishment to take up our cross and follow Him, if not we cannot be a disciple and we are unworthy of Him. I am reminded of the words of my good friend Jake Luffy who tells the story of a service he was in and the pastor made the statement we was trying to lead the people in worship with his guitar. Later Jake told the pastor he was using the wrong instrument, it is the cross that is the instrument to lead the church (the people) into worship not a guitar, piano, or any other musical instrument. Jesus said take up your cross and follow me. Not to many Christians wants to take up or even identify with the cross, the cross is an instrument of death and shame. But, at the same measure we take up our cross (and endure the shame) to lose our life on at that same measure we will experience the life of God. To live in God we first must die to our self-life and our selfish ways. Jesus told the disciples and us today, “The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. 24Verily, 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. 25He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.” (John 12:23-25) We will never live in God as He desires unless we allow God to strengthen us enough in the inward man so we can die.

When we line up with God’s words and His statues for our lives things just work out for our best. Now make no mistake tribulation, pain and sorrow is ahead, but at the end (if we can make it) the understanding of God awaits. When we place God above all in our heart and lives things in God just seem to work out. When we think of our church in Stuttgart, Germany one of the many victories we remember is the story of Eritrea and her dad Kahsay. One Sunday after I taught the word I felt led to give an alter call. Now this was strange because usually do not give alter calls. Well a very beautiful young lady named Eritrea from the country of Eritrea came forward to accept Jesus Christ as her savior, even to this day I remember the words I used to share God’s plan of salvation. To be honest no words were needed as she came forward she busted out into huge crocodile tears that quickly went into heavy sobbing and repenting, totally devastated. Do you know why there is not much commitment and dedicated in the church today? There are few people who have really been converted to Christ. Unless we are devastated to what sin has wrought in our lives and every relationship we enter into we will mouth an empty sinners prayer and go back to our seat lost. A Ghanaian fellow named David brought her to church. David meet her on the streets of Stuttgart where she was working as a prostitute, European men love African women. When her father, who named her Eritrea after their country, heard of her prostitution he was embarrassed and thought he has not only lost his daughter, but lost his country also. But this is where the love of God and His grace come into the picture. Day by day and week by week Eritrea slowly got out of the prostitution business and before her father’s eyes began to change. Well her change was so remarkable he said he had to come to the church to where he got back not only his country, but his daughter. Kahsay kept coming back to church until he too came forward to have God change his life too. What a wonderful story, what a great work of God. When we left Germany their entire family and extended family was serving God. God was true to His word and Eritrea was willing to put God above all in her life. She was willing to put God above all of the shame and disappointment of cleaning and making salads working for peanuts in German restaurants instead of the wealthy life of prostitution. Above all of the hurts and pains of the past. Eritrea was willing to take the chance she would not be received by her family (which is a really big deal to Africans) and place God above all in her life. Written by David Stahl

TOO MANY CHURCHES

Lately Karen and I have been looking for the group of Believers we are to assemble with. Now with so many churches out there one would think this would be a fairly easy process, but not if you really love God and desire to do His will. Ever since we left the church we were attending (for five years) Karen and I have been visiting many of the churches in the local Jacksonville area. The church we attended (for five years) was great we made many wonderful friends, but five years of jealousy, presumption, and down right hatred by the Pastor fearing we were trying to take his church from him, well God said, “enough!” We thought we found another church where we could attend and just enjoy the people and the fellowship while God rested us this year, but the “he said she said” drama and the continued suspicions of the Pastor (checking us out because of our international ministry) became too much so we moved on again. Now some would say we should have endured, stuck it out, well I am not so sure about that. In the Book of Hebrews the writer encourages us to, “Follow (seek) peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;” (Hebrews 12:14-15) Some times we just have to move on to keep the peace in our heart. Often we blame others for us not making the right decisions. Karen and I are concerned about our holiness, seeking the Lord, and do not want “any root of bitterness springing up” in our relationships, especially our hearts. So this is where we find ourselves today looking for the place God wants us to attend. You know I really do not like using the word church because it is so over used and means so many different things. Never forget the building we go to assemble ourselves with like Believers in fellowship and to hear God’s word is not called the church it is called a building, a shack, or a hut like most Christians abroad gather in. Some of the most powerful services I have ever been in the building had no electricity or running water, no need they had God and God in a very powerful way. I have seen miracles time and time again in churches with grass flooring, walls made of mud, clay, or sticks, with no windows or doors. Never think we go to church to receive a blessing if you do your focus is wrong, self-centered, and self-seeking. We go to church to be a blessing to others. Jesus did not give His life for a building, but for people. My friend we (the people of God) are the “Church” please do not get that mixed up with all of the wrong thinking of the denominational religious advertising and marketing. I wonder why we spend so much time, energy, and resources on caring for a building, as if God will notice. No my friend I am afraid all of our grass cutting, beautifying, and decorating is for our benefit. I wonder how many more lives could be touched for Christ with all we spend on the care and feeding of our denominational complexes and campuses? I wonder if anyone is counting? We seem to count everything else do we not; how many were saved, baptized in water, filled with the Holy Spirit, attended Vacation Bible School or the men’s or ladies retreats. Why are we counting? And who for, God? Do we really think God is impressed with our well manicured grounds and well painted parking lots and buildings? His He not after our hearts? Do you really think God wants to see our churches? I think not, “Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? 2For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” (Isaiah 66:1-2) God is not after buildings and complexes to worship Him in, but “to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” Oh the buildings we visited were nice, clean, warm, well-lit, and well groomed, but not once in the 10 churches we visited (counting the one we attended for five years) did we hear, “Thus saith the Lord.” We heard a whole lot of singing (way too much) and watched a lot of dancing. At one church most of the people wore dance clothing (as regular clothing) and from the start of the service danced from the front to the back and side to side while getting their favorite flag, from the rack of dozens, but when the sermon (not a message) was delivered there was little to no attention given to the Pastor they were either exhausted from the dancing or occupied with other things. I remember some lady pirouetting like “Tinker Bell” in front of the altar while another lady was bowing down and worshipping a banner that said Jesus on it while spinning a golden stringed hoop in her hands. My friend this ought not to be. A message from God comes from God, a sermon in most churches today comes from the internet. I even had one Pastor call (as apart of their visitor contact program) us and told me he does a lot of internet research for his messages, well not for a message (that comes by way of the Pastor waiting before God), but a sermon (a lecture with morals and a good meaning) comes from the internet. Hearing from God did not seem to take much importance in the services or in the people we visited. This too my friend ought not to be.

What we did find a lot of besides the excess singing and dancing was the desire for diversity and tolerance. There seems to be a great push for diversity and tolerance in the church today. There seems to be a great push to accept everyone for who they are without any need to change. Let us all just come together and be tolerant of everyone’s feelings and worship God in their own way. Well, that is not what the Bible teaches. Jesus said, “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23-24) I do not read anything about singing and dancing in these two scriptures maybe the Holy Spirit just forgot them? When is now? “Now” is now (this very second a change) not the way they did things maybe in the Old Testament, but “now” we must change. And “now” our worship is to be “in spirit and in truth.” Not much of a desire to hear God’s word and worship him “in Spirit and in truth,” when we can sing and dance all over the church and call it worship. I am afraid the liberal’s usage of the words tolerance and diversity that is sweeping the world and its thinking has infiltrated the thinking of Christians and now anything goes. In most American churches today it is okay “now” to engage in sodomy and lesbianism, “its okay, no need to change, God loves you the way you are,” wrong! God still and forever more will call these people (not the act) an abomination, it is we the “Church” who has drifted from the truth. “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, (sodomite) as with womankind (lesbian): it is abomination. 23Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion.” (Leviticus 18:22-23) Maybe the Holy Spirit just got these two verses wrong. The tolerant reply, “we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, now this is true, but God killed the people of Sodom and Gomorrah (both towns) after giving them a chance for repentance because He knew they do not breed, they recruit. And God also knew their thinking was extremely unnatural and perverse. And to think, in some denominations sodomites (what the Bible calls them) and lesbians are being ordained as Pastors and Teachers out from this ungodly rebellious thinking of the world. How the Church handles the homosexual life-style will speak of her revelation of God and her dedication to God. In most churches in America we are told to be tolerant (get along in peace) with other religions, well this is not what the Bible teaches. God’s way is not inclusive, but extremely exclusive not tolerant or diverse. It is God’s way according to His Holy word or the highway. In God we cannot do and say what we think is right, but must do what the Bible tells us what is right. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 7If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.” (John 14:6-7) Jesus means it! Why do we not know the Father? That is easy, we do not know Jesus. We are trying to know everything else (other religions and traditions of men) in the world, but have not found time to know Jesus. Yet, we come to church and do everything within our power (in the short two hours most churches spend) not allowing God to speak to us and revealing what is in our hearts. Is the church of today form over function? I think so. The form of holiness is much easier to obtain than the real function of holiness.

I think one of the most disturbing things we have experienced along our search was the different spirits we felt in the different churches. Only one, in a Methodist Church, did we really feel welcomed. This really ought not to be. But a church, like a person, cannot give what they do not have. Most Churches boast of how loving they are; well, my friend we have learned if a Church boasts of some thing they probably are not that. We are always amazed when we go to church and another spirit is present. Paul tells us, “For as the body (global gathering of all Christians) is one (unity), and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:12-13) Well now, if “the body” and “the Spirit” is to be one, then why are there so many denominational churches in the world? If we are to be "one in the Spirit" how come we all believe different things? Maybe the Holy Sprit got this wrong too? I think why we have so many denominational churches in this world is because we all (even me at times) are in direct rebellion to God’s word. The more we try to align with God’s word without allowing God to kill our desires and fleshly plans and ambitions the more we get off track and birth another denomination in the world. Revelation is what gives man his understanding of God, but each of the major denominations believe or have a different understanding of who God is and how to worship Him. How can they all be right? Does not someone have to be wrong? Who are we trying to fool, God? Our neighbors? Our selves? The many churches in the world (even in Jacksonville, NC) are an outward sign revealing man’s rebellion to God’s word. The answer is painfully clear, we must submit our heart and lives under the mighty hand of God and not some bishop or overseer. Man’s wisdom and knowledge has ruled the Church (God’s people) long enough. Now is the time for God’s children to draw near to God, because if we do God will draw near to us. The world is watching and waiting. I really believe there are many lost people in the world today waiting for us (the Church) to get serious and make an eternal commitment of dedication to God. They are watching and if they never commit to the Lord it will be their fault not ours, but just think what if we did our part and they were saved? After reading back over this article I hope you do not think Karen and I were slamming the churches we visited, but enough is enough. We too get to speak for God. Too many lives hang in the balance (our included) for us to play fast and loose with God, we must get serious. Karen and I will continue to pray and be led by the Holy Spirit to the places we should go, but until we find the local Body God has ordained for us fellowship with we will know and rest in knowing we, “have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” Written by David Stahl

OUR LIFE-GATES

Last week-end Karen and I traveled up to Greenville, NC to attend David’s (our oldest son) college graduation. How proud we were to stand when the parents of the graduates were recognized. David has labored long and hard to get to graduation day. How proud we are knowing our son possesses the longsuffering, patience, and endurance to stick it out until the end with singleness of mind. Coupled with his impressive intelligence and warm personality how could he not excel in life. These are some of the qualities God is looking for in us. Man values not the inward qualities of the heart, but worships the outward beauty of the body and its abilities. Running, jumping, dancing, shooting, and singing far out weigh the importance of God’s work in our lives. It is no wonder many in David’s peer group have nothing to hold them when times get tough. David has learned many lessons in God that will carry him far beyond his college years. As much as we were pleased to be with David and his family during graduation we were sickened to see how God has been systematically wiped out of academia. In two days of graduation ceremonies God was mentioned once in the oath of office to three ROTC new 2nd Lieutenants. The country or college who forgets God will also be forgotten by God. We must never forget God is to us what we are to Him. Self-strength is always built on self-seeking and self-glorification, sadly this is the heart of the world of academia. I think we will hear more from Karen on this topic.

After the graduation ceremony we all (Karen, David, Kristin, Caleb Connie, Joshua, Jenna, and I) went out to lunch, my treat. When all of my brothers, sisters, and their families would get together and we all go out to eat my Dad would always pay (and still does) for the meal. What a joy it is to pay for my kids and their families now when we go out and eat. I kind of know some of the joy my Dad feels. While sitting at the table playing with Caleb (David and Kristin’s son age 2) I saw in him the magic, the fun, and the excitement of newness of life. But then oddly my mind was drawn to my Dad at age 83 (and his many medical conditions) and in between my Dad and Caleb is my son David at age 28 and me at age 53. Caleb just passed through his first life-gate while my Dad is slowing moving to and through his last life-gate, what a great contrast of life. In life there seems to be certain gates (what I call life-gates) we all must successfully navigate through to be successful at that specific period of development. If we do not make it through these life-gates we will not have the ability and skills to make it to the next gate. Of course our first-life gate is birth and our last life-gate is the door way we all call death that leads us all into the next life God has for us. And in between we have the life-gates of graduating from our educational institutions; high school for most, but college or an advanced degrees for others. Married is the next life gate. Then there seems to be many levels of life-gates over a long period of time (maybe 40-60 years) in our lives were we work laying our lives down for our families and giving back to those who have helped us along the way God has for us to go. Doing this time period we are to start writing down our thoughts that made up our life experiences and God’s dealings and judgments in our live so that they can be passed on to the next generation, more on that later. And last we come to death, our last life gate. This is true not only in the physical realm, but also in the spiritual. In God there are gates of learning, development, and obedience we must successfully navigate to be able to move in what God has for us to do for Him. We must make it through our salvation experience correctly to move on in God. Sadly many Christians do not lay a correct foundation. Paul encourages us, “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.” (Hebrews 6:1-2) If not we will never be able to go on to the weightier things (Matthew 23-23) of God; “the law, judgment, mercy, and faith:” How can we do things for God if we do not possess the ability in Him? Many Christians are taught they can do all things, well the word of God does not support this thinking. Paul taught, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13) We can only do the things in God that we have been strengtheneth by God in. No strengthening by God no ability in God. When Jesus said, “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26) Jesus was not talking about being able to do anything we believed we could do. He was taking about us coming into the Father’s intention for us as we come into unity with the Father. When Jesus speaks it is always out from the Father’s intention for us and is dependant on us meeting the conditions of obedience we must walk in to be able to behold and possess what God has for us. My friend too many Christians flame out and crash on the rocks of despair because of wrong teaching. Do not be deceived getting back on track is even tougher than the crash. Unity in God comes by way of us allowing God to strengthen us in the inward man. If not we will have nothing to hold us in good times and bad. Paul shares, “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;” (Ephesians 3:16) What a great wonderful thought to know, the riches of God’s glory is “to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man” and not money, a big ministry, fame, wells we did not dig, cars and buses, or vineyards we did not plant.

Now I like the word “gate” in the Bible. It is very fitting to use the words life-gate together. The word “gate” (most often) written in the Bible does not refer to an opening in the wall with doors, but has a deeper meaning of the heart referring to a place of decision. Most often our heart is referred to as the place of decision. The “gate” in the Bible has always been a very important place in relationship with man to man and God to man. Man to man the gate was the place business and commerce was conducted, the place reconciliation was made, the place judgment and justice was given out to those who transgress the law, and so much more. The “gate” was the place life as we know it happened on a daily basis. God to man the “gate” is the place we stand before God in a relational need to receive from Him. It is no wonder Jesus said, “Enter ye in at the strait (narrow, limited, and restricted) gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:13-14) Jesus was not talking about a physical wooden “gate,” but the place of a heart decision to where we can enter the strait (narrow, limited, restricted) gate (decision) and not the wide and broad way that leads to destruction. How many times have we seen how the narrow way leads to completion and fulfillment? Not many times, because most Christians (me at times) are on the broad and wide road of liberty and freedom. If we really desire to serve the Lord we must enter in or make the heart decisions through the narrow gate; there my friend is the door that swings open wide into the Father’s heart. In Proverbs we read, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.” (Proverbs 23:7) In the Greek this verse is translated, “as a gate swings opens wide,” (For as he thinketh in his heart) so is he.” Our heart is the “gate” of decision that opens to certain things and closes to other things. Whatsoever we swing open our heart (our gate) to we shall be that. Whatsoever we allow behind our “gate” and into our heart we will be that. If we allow hatred, malice, perversion, and bitterness behind our gate we will be that, but if we allow love, truth, and justice behind our heart gate we will be that. It is important to know God does not control the “gate” of our heart. We (unlike the lie most denominations and religions teach) are in sole responsibility and total accountably in God’s eyes to whatsoever gets behind our heart. Make no mistake my friend, what we allow behind our gate we will be that. Let us take heed to what we allow into our heart.

The older I get the more I see the critical need to pass along to the next generation of Family Stahl what God has done in my life. When we visit my father I so enjoy just sitting around and listing to him talk. His life is what I know as history and his sharp mind can still account details, names, and events that make my imagination come to life. So too in our Christian life we must have the ability in God to pass on what He has done in our lives. Every time we get together as family we must again and again share the oral stories of how God worked in our family. Getting together as family should always center around the things of God. John tells us, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” (Revelation 12:11) What is the words of your testimony? The answer is what you know of God. We must always be ready to pass our oral testimony of how God brought us from defeat into victory. This is a critical revelation we must all possess. God and God alone is the only one who can snatch us from sure defeat and set our feet on a sure rock of victory. If we do not have this revelation of God’s (and God alone) moving us from defeat to victory we will never be able move and function correctly in Him. We must be able to see God doing this in our lives. Secondly we must have the ability in God to pass on our written testimony. The greatest thing we can do for God is write down things that He has done for us and share them with people. Is that not what the Bible is? One day I will pass through my last life-gate and go on to the next things God has for me. I do not believe our next life will be filled with floating on a cloud, playing a harp, or praising God for eternity, God has work for us to do. We must learn our lessons now so we will be able to function and operate correctly in God when we get into our next life. Someday when I am gone Caleb, Abigail, John, and whomever (our grandchildren) will be able to read how God did powerful things for Pap and Sweets (me and Karen). God has really impressed on me to start writing books that will some day speak of His goodness and glory to me. What else should we want to leave behind? Money? A statue of our self? A building with our name on it? Maybe an endowment for the sick? I think not. If we can leave behind the word of God to us for the next generation to share and benefit, now that my friend is something of eternal value. Before we know it our time will be over and we will pass through our last life-gate. Do not wait too long before you start thinking, praying, and writing. Time and life seems to get in the way of God. Start now with a small victory list and add details to each item and before too long you will have a book that is after the heart of God. The place we all are headed back to. Written by David Stahl

A MEDITATION ON CHRISTMAS

When I meditate on this time of the year and what we call the Christmas (word not found in the KJV of the Bible) season I must conclude this is the most divisive time of the year just ahead of Easter. I wonder why these two holidays divide so many people in the world. Now I will tell you from the start Karen and I do not celebrate Christmas how can we the word is not in the KJV Bible. As Christianity began to spread many were alarmed by the continuing celebration of pagan customs among their converts. We even see this throughout the New Testament Church as Paul constantly battled against pagan and cultural traditions from taking root in the young Church. At first the Church forbade this kind of celebration. But it was to no avail. Bible historians claim that the Christmas celebration was invented to compete against the pagan celebrations of December. The 25th was not only sacred to the Romans but also to the Persians (Babylonian Chaldeans) whose religion Mithraism was one of Christianity's main rivals at that time. Oddly enough it was during this period the three Wise Men (also Magi) (Matthew 2:1) learned of the Star of Bethlehem by reading the prophecies of Daniel the Great Magi (Daniel 1:1-7). Sadly this religious deception continues today, even though the faces and names has been changed the spirit and intent has not. We Christians seem to be good at making up things to satisfy our flesh for fulfillment.

Now Karen and I do celebrate the life of Christ, there is huge difference. As we watch the news we cannot believe all of the fighting to keep Christ in Christmas. Where in the Bible did Jesus ask us to remember His birth? Now I can find plenty of Scriptures in the Bible where Jesus has asked us to remember His death, “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. 25After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.” (1 Corinthians 11:24-26) Who wants to remember Jesus’ death when we can remember His birth? Yet few Christians really remember His death (Romans 6:3) while they go crazy in remembering His birth. I wonder why? Yes there is a wonderful story about the birth of Jesus in the Bible, but where are we commanded to make His birth an annual holiday like we in American have made: Independence, Veterans, or Valentine Day even Halloween? And when you merge religious with traditions and customs you have an unbeatable national money maker. Is not Jesus’ birth much more? Yes my friend I am afraid we have gotten off track and the merchants of the day (and for 100s of years) have capitalized on our selfish greed (maybe only in America, but I think not) and great presumption. The same way Hollywood has recently discovered the untapped market for Christian movies. I find it really strange how many Christians today would rather go to a movie then to Church to hear about Jesus. I wonder why? It is not about fighting to keep Christ in Christmas or even about a baby in the manager. You know we really like seeing baby Jesus in the manager, but you know my friend Jesus is not a baby any more, “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” (Romans 8:34) Today Jesus is not a defenseless baby in the manger He is our victorious King of kings, Lord of lords, and some day soon He is coming back to earth not as a baby, but as a judge (to kick butt) and rule (to set righteousness in order) in the earth. Something else we are puzzled about is why Christians want to beat up on the Atheist in Washington State who put a sign beside a manager display in the Capitol building. I thought we were to witness to them and tell them about Jesus? There is not much of a Christian witness when we shake our fist and gnash our teeth at someone over a wooden display. How can this sign destroy the eternal timeless message of our precious savior Jesus Christ? It cannot and will not. Has the love of God been displaced by Christians wanting their traditional religious symbols? I too can speak for God and sadly I must say yes.

Jesus did not come so that we could decorate our trees and yard with gold and silver balls or blinking lights. Jesus did not come so Christians could deck the halls with a blow up Santa Claus and reindeer on their roofs and lawn. What do we do with these verses? “Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. 3For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. 4They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.” (Jeremiah 10:2-4) Maybe we should ignore them or maybe the Holy Spirit made a mistake? I think God is very clear in what He is saying, but we continue in the lie with Christmas trees (a German custom) out from our American tradition (now transported to the world) and because we do not want to offend family members. Just look at the Christmas trees in churches today? What do we do with these verses? The answer will be what we do with Jesus. Never forget the Gospel message of Christ is very offensive and at times even divisive to the non-believers, but truth is truth. Either we will stand for truth or compromise for the lie for the sake of peace on earth. The truth is Jesus did not come so we could have songs to sing at our annual Christmas musicals. It is amazing how old Christmas recordings from people long ago come back to life every Christmas. Jesus did not come so we could run ourselves to death, buying presents for people, while going further into debt. It is no wonder support in America for missionaries and humanitarian programs dwindle to almost to nothing this season of the year. I am afraid the true character and nature of man comes out during Christmas. We even plug in a written list to a jolly fat man in a red suit that drives a sleigh of reindeer around the world in one night to make sure we get want we what for Christmas. Why do we think we should get a present on some one else’s birthday? Our selfishness and self-centered nature really comes shining through. Oh Lord please forgive us for the indulgence of our wrong attitudes and lusts. Jesus did not come to give us a Christmas season to feed our passions. The Bible is very clear why Jesus came. Jesus tells us in His own words, “The thief (not the devil) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) Jesus came so that we “might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” not to get a bunch of Christmas presents to satisfy our flesh. Jesus came so that we might (our choice not His) have the life of God dwelling within our heart and lives. The creative eternal life of God moving in us and out from us to the world. Also in John Jesus tells us, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3) Jesus came so that we might have life eternal (one apart of salvation) which is knowing His Father (and ours), so that we too could “know the only true God” as Jesus did. So we too could know the sublime unity of knowing God as Jesus did. I would think that would be worth far more than anything we can buy each other. Did you know, Jesus (even though being the Prince of Peace) did not come into the world to bring peace as many of the major denominations and religions of the world tell us. Religious deception always leads us away from Christ into the traditional religious worship of the customs of man (like Christmas and Easter) and into a good works salvation thinking. Oh no Jesus Himself said, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35For I am come to set a man at variance (Strong’s #1639 to cut into two parts, cleave asunder, sever) against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. 37He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” (Matthew 10:34-39) Jesus has come to cut our hearts out of the world with His word, the sword. Jesus has “come to set man at variance against” or sever every relationship where we love someone or something more than Him. Jesus came so that we could take up our cross (not Jesus’) and follow Him. Jesus came so we could lose our life so that we could then find our life in Him. We know and are persuaded if we lose our life for His sake we shall find it. We also know many of our friends will disagree with this article, but that is okay getting the truth of the Gospel message out is more important than our friends getting offended at us. If they get offended at us over this article we know they probably are not our friends anyway. We have learned this truth the hard way. Please do not allow yourself to be deceived (your choice) by any Pastor or person that says it does not matter, we celebrate Christmas to remember the birth of Christ. This thinking my friend is just spiritually wrong and a very subtle form of deception that has been carried on for 100s maybe 1000s of years by the religious denominations and merchants both working hand-n-hand to get customers.

At the heart of why we focus on the Christmas story and baby Jesus in the manager is so we do not have to deal with a risen savior. How much more religious can we (like the Rich Young Ruler (Mark 10:17) who could not totally sell out) be than to bow down and worships the Christmas story and the sweet little baby Jesus in he manger? This satisfies our religious flesh and helps to ease our guilt and feeling of disobedience from rejecting God’s word to us. Who wants to allow God to deal and judge in their hearts exposing areas where we must allow Him to work? It is much easier singing another song about Christmas, buy some presents for our family, or even buying some presents for some poor people who live down the street. It is far less painful to go to every church musical and spend all we have than for God to be able to show us who we really are. Who wants to allow God free rein in our heart and lives to conform us into the image and character of Jesus Christ? Very few people do and the rest continue in this traditional religious lie year after year. I think I will end with a very sobering word; if you need a traditional religious holiday to know God sadly my friend your heart is very far from Him and you will never come to know Him. Let us turn our hearts away from the religious traditions of Christmas and allow God to bring the truth of His character and nature to us. It is our choice whether we desire presents on Christmas morning or the knowledge of God, we cannot have both. Written by David Stahl