MORE THEN BELIEVING

Karen and I were at the commissary (a type of supermarket where only people associated with the military can go) a few weeks ago and we over heard a lady say, “we have to hold on believing” and the Holy Spirit quickened in my spirit, “hold on to what?” I answered my thoughts, “hold to what God said.” Now the word faith and believing are interchangeable, anytime we read the word faith we will be correct saying believing, so too is the spiritual principle of directing our faith or belief into something particular. Many denominations teach stand on the promises of God’s word. I cannot begin to tell you, when growing up, how many times I heard, “brother stand on God’s word and believe the promise.” In the 70s you could buy a promise box, small cards with all of the promises in the Bible in a box and each day you were to pull a card out and claim the promise on the card, well my friend that is not how God operates. The word “claim” is not in the KJV of the Bible, any promise we received from God will be given to us because we have met the condition. For the promise box to be complete the back side of the card needed to have the condition written on it so that we would know what we would have to do to be able to receive the promise from God. Every promise of God has a condition we must meet. Even salvation is not condition free. Did you know salvation will not be for everyone? John tells us what we must do to be saved, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) Salvation is for only those who believe in Jesus, not for those who believe. Salvation is extended to “whosoever may come,” but those who receive salvation will be only for those who believe in Jesus, all others will be lost. How arrogant and selfish we are to think we can claim something that belongs to God or just believe something will be ours and God will give it to us. No wonder many Christians give up and fall out of God. Their entire foundation of their salvation and thinking has been laid wrong and when they make an approach to God with their faulty foundation they will never reach His heart. Now please listen to me real good, I do not care how long you have been believing for something or what you are standing on, if God did not speak it to you (personally) then it will not happen. Healing someone is so easy if God says so, if not you and the people expecting to be healed will be confused and frustrated when you pray and pray and nothing happens. Now do not believe the old stand-by lie that you do not have enough faith to be healed. This is a lie from the heart of those who would want to manipulate and deceive people for gain. I have seen and heard this all around the world. We have no faith my friend until we are at a place of need and weakness in our lives where we can hear God speak it into our lives. In the Book of Romans we see Paul correcting this wrong thinking at the Church of Rome. “But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 18But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. 19But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. 20But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. 21But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.” (Romans 10:16-21) Please notice how Paul handles their presumption and wrong thinking. First, Paul lays a couple questions at their feet to point their spirit toward soul searching and introspection. “But I say, Have they not heard?” And then answers his own question. “Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.” Next Paul asks another question, ”But I say, Did not Israel know?” And then answers this question with, “First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.” Sadly the word of God went forth “unto the ends of the world” and inspite of hearing the word of God preached time and time again they never came to the knowledge of the truth so God declared, “All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.” Sadly today in the church there is not much difference. Why did God say they were “disobedient and gainsaying people?” Because they did not hear the word of God? Oh no my friend, because their hearing was not founded in what God has said. In verse 10:17, we find the key to understanding these verses. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Please let me say that again, “faith cometh by hearing.” Now we already know it is not about just hearing God’s word (we have learned that in verses 18 and 19) as some denominations and churches teach and preach, but is about hearing what God said. In the early 90s many of my friend and our pastor would ride around in their car playing the Bible on tape expecting to get faith, believing just hearing the Bible being read will give them faith, well if that be true then every Sunday in America when the masses head for their favorite restaurant they would leave church filled with faith. Oh no my friends God does not operate like that, Romans 10:17 in the Greek Bible says this, “So then faith cometh by hearing a word from God.” (Romans 10:17 (Greek) Do you see the difference? It is not just believing or having faith, but being able to hear what God is saying in any given situation and if we can hear what God is saying then we will be able to sink the faith God gave us into whatever God said. How easy is that? Do you see the difference? If you cannot see the difference then you will never be able to hear and receive faith the way God has purposed us to receive it and worse we will continue to deceive ourselves in just believing. My friend it is much more than just believing we must hear, believe, and receive what God has said, for in the hearing and the receiving is every skill, ability, anointing, and knowing, every bit of power we will ever need to do that which God has asked us to do.

On my first ministry trip to Ansbach, Germany I learned the importance of really hearing what is being said. In my case not hearing could have cost me my life. Our church, Christliche Gemeinde Stuttgart, started out from a military chapel service on Robinson Barracks. Before I arrived there was a black American fellow who considered himself the Pastor of the chapel service in Stuttgart and of 6 other military chapel services in Germany as well as a church in England, Norway, Romania, Germany, and a few in Africa. He had real sweet deal receiving tithes from all of these churches and chapel services, but as time when on God made me responsible and accountable, according to the 6th ASG, US Army Chaplains Office, for the building and the people. God gave me the key to the front door and with it came the spiritual authority. Anyway, I was asked to travel up to Ansbach, Germany about seven hours by train and share at another chapel service. Now I have never rode the trains in Germany, so my good friend and later Associate Pastor Joseph Ojatabu (a Nigerian) said he would go and show me how to ride the trains. So we met at the Haufbahnhauf (main train station) in Stuttgart. We got on the train and departed. On our trip we had to make a connection in Frankfurt. When we arrived to Frankfurt we got down from the train and leisurely walked over to the next Gleis (train track). As we were riding up from Stuttgart I was telling Joseph there were many commercials on American TV where Americans where running for a train jumping over barrels, dodging fruit stands, all of the typical stuff you would imagine, well Joseph said we do not have to worry this will not happen to us. Well as we waited for the train to arrive Joseph noticed we were at the wrong Gleis so we quickly walked to the main board and discovered our train was at the other end of the Haufbahnhauf in Frankfurt which was four times the size of Stuttgart’s. So like a cheetah Joseph was off and running dodging in and out of people and I like a turtle was not so close behind him. I would see him occasionally as he zigzagged through the crowd for my bearings. We had seconds to make the train. Joseph made the train with time to spare, but I was not so fortunate. As I was running through the crowd I thought this is just like it was on the TV, running for a train in Germany. As I reached the train it began to back out, Joseph and others were standing in the doorway yelling run faster, so I grabbed the hand rail by the door and began to run faster. The faster the train backed out the faster I ran until I noticed the end of the platform coming quickly. So I had to make a decision, either jump (which could cost me my life) or let go and miss the train. As I was running I was thinking hey this is like on the TV commercials running for a train in Germany. So I ran as fast as one could in a pair of penny loafers, swung my book bag up and in the open doorway, and jumped with all I had within me. Now this was blind faith (it could have cost me my life), suddenly out of the doorway came hands grabbing me (from my shoulder to my feet) lifting me up and on the train and as I was floating onto the train I thought hey, this is like on the commercials on TV back in the States. Now here is my point to this story if I would not have heard the people telling me to jump I would have missed the train. Yes, I know running beside a high speed train may not be the wisest thing to do, but I did not want to miss the train and what God had planned for us. Hearing was receiving. So too in our lives without hearing what God has spoken to us we will not be able to receive from God. No hearing no receiving from God.

As we can see our walk with the Lord is much more than just believing. I do not know about you, but the longer I go with God the more I realize trying to serve God in Spirit and truth is the toughest thing we will ever do in our lives. It is almost impossible except for the faith God speaks to us. Even our salvation begins with God speaking a measure of faith to us, “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3) How do we receive this measure of faith? We hear God speak it to us. What do we use this faith for? To believe on Him and be saved and out from this initial faith there is faith to faith, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:16-17) We receive this measure of faith when we open our heart to God out from a broken and contrite spirit. Until then we have no strength to draw near to God. You see it is more than just believing. Written by David Stahl

MY BODIES OF DEATH

I do not know about you my friend, but the longer I go in God the harder it becomes to grow in God. Maybe that is because the longer we go in God the more He expects of us. The longer we go in God and the more He invests in us the more He looks at us as mature men and women of God. It almost seems like an impossible task. One day in Rwanda I was walking up a small volcano with steps cut into the pumice hill side and I slipped. I was wearing a pair of penny loafers (well that is another story), but the more I struggled to get to my feet the more I slid down the volcano until I was at the bottom. Everything seemed to have happened in slow motion. At each step I bumped and bounced to the bottom. I am sure the Rwandans (I would not blame them I am sure it was a funny sight to see) chuckled inwardly as they saw the fat white man bouncing down the steps. The bottom is not the best place if you are trying to get to the top. Now my destination is not the point of this story, but my effort and struggle is. If I would have stopped struggling and trying to get to my feet I would have stopped falling. A few days later I thought about what had happened and how that parallels our battle with our carnal flesh and sin. Paul really opens this truth up to us in the book of Romans, “For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” (Romans 7:14-25) Of course Paul answers his own question in verse 25, “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Only God can deliver us from our body of death. Now I do not believe Paul was talking about our physical body as much as he was talking about the things in us that we struggle or war against within our mind, heart, and spirit. Not the devil (who most Christians blame for bad things in their lives) as much as those things that cause us to fall short of God’s best for our lives. Those things that would kill the work of God in our lives and cause us to fall out of the everlasting way God has for us to go. There is so much here in these verses, but I would like to focus in on the spiritual principle moving in verse 24. I can relate to what Paul is saying because I too have a “body of this death” or in my case bodies of death. Now Paul was making a comparison to a dead body (Strong’s #4982, a dead body or corpse used in verse 24) to the warring in the members (our thoughts, plans, motives and desires) that win out and bring us into captivity. The war is real and vivid in us. Daily we wage war against our carnal thoughts, plans, motives, and desires in the face of knowing the right thing and path to go, yet we do not. I can think of nothing more frustrating (personally for me) than to know the right thing to do and do it not, wait a minute is that not the definition of sin – to know right, but do wrong?

One of the biggest areas in my life where this daily happens is my love for America and this world. I know the Bibles speaks of us being strangers in this world (Hebrews 11:13 and 1 Peter 2:11) and to come out of the world and be separate (2 Corinthians 6:17) from the world, her systems, and ways, but I struggle in this. Now I am not talking about getting drunk, smoking dope, cheating on or beating my wife, or even hating my friends and family, but I am talking about an ungodly selfish concern for America that sometimes over rides what I know to be true in God’s word and what He is doing at this time in the earth. Maybe if I would not have served in the U.S. Navy for 24 years I would not care so much about her. Maybe if I was not so proud of how America once spread the Gospel message and provided trillions of dollars to feed and heal billions in the world I would not mind watching her slip into moral and spiritual decay as a socialistic agenda from the liberal progressives are being entrenched into main street America. But, I know what God is doing. God has raised up President Barack Obama (God save his soul) and his administration (I wish them no harm) as a vessel of dishonor to humble and bring America to her knees, because of her disobedience, rebellion, and waywardness to Him and His words. But, I find myself kicking at the goads of what God is doing in America. Oh America you can play fast and lose with God for only so long. We have mistaken God’s longsuffering with His faithfulness. God is not mocked America, what we sow we shall also reap and we are reaping the bad spiritual seeds that was planted in America and the church in the 1960s and 1970s. Take heed America before God comes and removes your candle stick, thus sayeth the Lord. I know it and believe it, yet I resist it in my heart. I know at the heart of my frustration and struggle is my selfishness and self-life screaming to get its own way. When we struggle over matters of the heart most often it is because we are not getting our own way. Remember, at the heart of every issue it is always an issue of our heart. I know what God is doing, yet I reject it. I need to change, I need not be so concerned about America and what the Democrats are doing or saying to the Republicans or vise versa. I need not worry about the deception in both churches (the black and the white) to where color and politics are more important than God’s word. I need not worry about the economy or the political picture of America, because I know God is pulling the strings of our Government, America, and the world. All of this is my “body of death” and only God, as I submit my heart and mind to His dealings and judgments, can deliver me. If not it will kill my spirit and the work that I have allowed God to build in my life. We all have our own bodies of death (maybe many) if we are true with ourselves. For us to have the life of God in us we must allow God, “through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” Paul tells us in Romans, “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Romans 8:13-14) It is amazing to me to read we become “sons of God” and “are led by the Spirit of God” when we can “mortify the deeds of the body” (#4983 body, same word in Romans 7:24) not when we work our fingers to the bone at church, sing in the choir, or any other church activity. I wonder why we work so hard to do things for God? Now please do not misunderstand me here, there are some things we must do to get the gospel message out, but the work God desires to do is not found in working for Him, but us becoming His work. In the Book of Genesis we were created in His image and today God is still creating us into His image, He has not changed His mind. We will never become the image of God unless we can learn to “mortify” or kill the deeds of the body. All of those things in us that maybe are not frank sin, but will keep us from growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Those things we hold to for strength, those strong holds we have built in our lives that we lean on for support. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5) Our “weapons” (Strong’s #3696, any tool or implement for preparing a thing) are spiritual, mighty in God for pulling down those areas in our lives that would keep us from allowing God to work in our lives, that would keep us from mortifying the deeds of our body of death. Sadly these verses (2 Corinthians 10:4-5) have been hijacked by the hyper-spiritualist (Satan under every rock) in the Body of Christ and distorted what Paul was saying and even sadder the truth of his words have been lost. Listen to verse 5, “Casting down imaginations” does that not sound like our flesh in deed and word? “and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God” does that not sound like we are wanting our way and the preeminence over God and what He wants? Oh how subtle our bodies of death are. We wrap our flesh up in a real nice Easter basket form of religion and tradition and present them to God, but His response is the same He told the Children of Isreal, “I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. 22Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. 23Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols. 24But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.” (Amos 5:21-24)

This may be off the topic some what, but at the end of the 1970’s there was a deliberate switch in the religious world (God never changes) from evangelism to teaching. Christians TV really kicked in full of teaching and individual ministry programming. It is no wonder why there are so many false teachers and religions in the Body of Christ. There is more money and people to be had in teaching. Teaching allows you to manipulate people. All of the main stream denominations exploited this opening, under the promise of sharing the Gospel, for numbers. They quickly learned they could get in a work centered teaching religion which exploded leading many Christians out of God and into a man-centered, non-spiritual, emotional driven, denominational theologies that has divided the Body of Christ and carved up the world (getting their own piece of the pie) with their own brand and teaching of the Bible. This is so far from what God wants. (yes, I am speaking for God) This is so far from what the Bibles says. Remember a false teacher is still a teacher, but they and what they teach is still false. If we ever will come to know the truth about ourselves we must stop deceiving ourselves. Self-deception is a most destructive area in our lives. One of the greatest revelations we can have in God is to know who we are in God and what our bodies of death are. If not we will continue in our religious and traditional ways thinking all is well with our soul, but in reality we are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. Let us daily, willfully submit our bodies to be mortified and put to 1,000 deaths so that God may live through us. Written by David Stahl

REMOVING THE BEAM

I do not know about you, but I often seem to get a beam in my eye or am not able to clearly see the best way, according to God, to solve a situation or heal a relationship. It is important we recognize we have a beam in our eye because if not we cannot get it out. Life is funny that way, how things before our eyes blind us to reality. When I first gave my heart to the Lord I was told all I had to do was: read the Bible, pray, and go to church, but many years later I find to really serve the Lord, in Spirit and truth, it requires much much more. A beam can be many things; a wrong thought, a wrong motive, a wrong attitude, wrong advice, or even down right sin. Now God has a reason for us to get the beam out of our eye, I believe if we allow Him to open our eyes then we will be able to help our brothers and sisters with the mote (splinter) in their eye. But we (especially Christians) as a people do not like to be judged, it is a part of our nature and character, we do not like to be told we are wrong or need to shape up in certain areas even if it is God telling us. When someone says something to us (exposing an area in our lives) that needs our attention (especially Christians) we dig our heels in the ground instead of agreeing with the person. At the heart of this thinking is a resistance and even a rebellion if it is to those in authority in our lives. But most times it is a spouse, friend, or acquaintance that sees an area we need help in. I know this is true in my life, Karen is very good at this. Having to eat crow does not taste good going down, but rarely do we see the benefit and value in our lives unless we can learn the lesson of the advice. Now make no mistake not all judgment about us is good, we must have wisdom to be able to discern was is from the Lord and what is from the evilness of man. When one shares with us an opportunity to better ourselves most often we will be able to discern the spirit of their intent and know then know they are really looking out for us as well as when one is not thinking of our best interest. When I pastored in Germany many Christians from around the world would come and want to pray for me, well I quickly learned not to allow just any body to lay hands on me. And I am always amazed with people saying, “you cannot say that you are judging me” as if we never make judgments during the day. Our day is full of making judgments we make judgments: to the clothing we will wear, the food we will eat, the places we will go, the people we hang out with, and on and on. If we make these earthly judgments (and we do) why can’t we make spiritual judgments? I think the inability to make spiritual judgments about our lives and others is one of the biggest areas in our lives that cause us to stumble. Did you know there are some places you cannot go or some people you cannot hang around and still serve the Lord? Oh no brother you are judging me. I cannot believe the number of times I have heard that when I make an observation about something that I see that does not line up with the word of God. Most people (especially Christians) go to Mathew and recite, “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” (Matthew 7:1). It is amazing how people know verses in the Bible that support their arguments to defend their opinions, but rarely know any verses that will enable them to grow spiritually. But if they continue on in their reading they will learn Jesus was really saying we are to judge ourselves so we can help our brothers and sister take the mote (small splinter) out of their eyes. “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:2-5) Jesus was saying if we do not judge ourselves we will not be able to see (understand or know) clearly how to remove the beam (a wrong thought, a wrong motive, a wrong attitude, wrong advice, or even down right sin) in our eye and the mote in others eyes. In verse 5 we read, ”Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” It is God’s intention for us to help our brothers and sisters remove areas not of God in their lives, through judgment, but first we must remove maybe the same areas or even others in our lives. The work of judging starts with us, not with our brothers or sisters. If we have allowed God to so work in our heart and lives we will have the ability in God to know the difference between right and wrong (because we will know the Bible), righteousness and unrighteousness, godliness and ungodliness (because we will have a spirit of discernment) we will have the ability to judge righteous judgment. It is no wonder we do not see much spiritual growth and development, most Christians lack an ability and spirit of discernment to recognize sin when they see it and then fail to separate themselves from it. Spiritual judgment always requires a separation in our lives, have it be us coming out from the world and being separate or us separating ourselves from things and people that would drag us down in God. It is no wonder we do not see people coming to the Lord. I can remember when I was growing up many people every Sunday would come to the realization of their lack and need in their lives without Christ and then come to realization of their need for Christ, but we do not see that experience moving in most churches in America today. If we would stop preaching a man-centered, feel good, Jesus loves you message I know we would see different results. It worked in the past and it will work now, but we must get over the desire for large churches and ministries, offering plates running over with money to feed a denominational monster, and pastors, preachers, and teachers full of ambition who want their ego stroked. People say to me, “why do you say such things about the church? Why can’t you look for the positive things; the people we feed, the houses we build, the songs we sing, look at our choir.” Well, all of these things are good to do, but they will not get us to heaven. Only when we recognize our need and lack can God come and meet them. It is our lack that brings us to God and only when we can see our need. When we come to a place of self-judgment before man and God we come to a place where God can begin to work in our lives.

Paul has a lot to say about judging ourselves. Most if not all of Paul’s letters and words to the churches was judgment. Now I am not comparing myself to Paul, but it is the same Spirit that moved in Paul is to be moving in us. Paul could only say the things he said because he had the Holy Spirit moving in him. So too we are to have the Holy Spirit moving in us. Paul in 1 Corinthians has much to say about self-judgment. In verse 30-32 we read, “For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.” Talking about how people do not judge themselves before they partake of the communion table “are weak and sickly” have no spiritual growth and development and even “sleep” or fall out of God totally because, “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” (1 Corinthians 11:30-32) If we judge ourselves we will not have God and others judging us. If we judge our selves correctly it is really God chastening us. Make no mistake my friend it is far greater we judge ourselves than for God to bring judgment on us. I often ask people (especially Christians) if they know we are to judge angels? You know angels today in the church are really idolized, well did you know angels, in God’s big scheme of things are lower than us humans? Paul tells us also in Corinthians, “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? 4If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. 5I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?” (1 Corinthians 6:2-5) I wonder when we will find time to learn how to judge angels? Can you image having to judge Michael or Gabriel? When are we going to learn how to judge the world if we cannot learn how to judge ourselves and others? “and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?” How and when do we learn how to “judge the smallest matters?” When will we learn how to judge ourselves and others? When we allow God to teach us to get the beam out of our eyes so we can help our brothers and sisters with getting the mote out of their eyes. Sadly here in the Church at Corinth they were judging each other without first allowing God to so work in their lives, removing areas that easily blinded them. This type of judgment leads to confusion and strife, loss of relationship, hatred and malice within the Body of Christ and in families. I have seen it over my many years. I have done it to my shame, but after I have learned and allowed God to help me take the beam out of my eye, though His dealings and judgments, I now have the ability in God to help take the mote or beam out of my brothers or sisters eyes. Again this is God’s intention for us. God does not intend for us to go through life with a beam or even a mote in our eye. How will we have them removed if someone does not help us? How will we see clearly to know what is the truth? Separation and truth walk hand in hand. What is the righteous choice in a situation or the difference in an ungodly situation. All of this happens my friend when we are able in God to come to a place of self-judgment. Make no mistake my friend we will make mistakes (I have time and time again), but in time and through mistake after mistake we will learn to know what God wants us to know and learn the mind of Christ in any given situation or circumstance. If not then we can of course keep deceiving ourselves.

My friend we hear truth taught and say amen and think we have it, but it is not ours until we have allowed God to work the spoken truth into our lives. Hearing and thinking is not enough. There must be a tearing down of our old thinking patterns and ways, then a building up in us to be able to walk in truth. God never builds on another’s foundation. This is a daily process whereby we submit our bodies as living sacrifices (which is our reasonable service) to God’s dealings and judgments in our lives. This message does not preach well in most churches maybe that is why most churches have lost the moving of the Holy Spirit. God intends for us to be able to get the mote out of our brothers and sisters eyes, please do not fall short of God’s intention and cower like a whipped dog, but stand in boldness armed with the truth of the word of God and proclaim, “thus saith the Lord.” You know whether it be a beam or a mote the spiritual condition is still the same, blindness. The only real difference between the two is the effort it will take to remove it. A beam requires great effort on our part, us working together with God, but a mote requires little effort just a brother or sister with a heart that has been softened and humbled by God. Written by David Stahl

A CASTAWAY

Now I do not consider myself to be a fearful man; after faithfully serving 24 years in the military (in a combat twice – Beirut, Lebanon 83-84 and Port a Prince, Haiti 94), traveled abroad for 13+ years, been shot once, brought life in and took life out of the world there is not much else that can move me to fear. I guess the only thing I am really afraid of is my self. I do not trust my self as far as I can throw me. I do not know about you my friend, but my selfish heart is deceitfully wicked above all things. But, there is not much that really scares me, except the word of God. If we do not have a healthy fear of God and His word we have missed the mark and have failed to know God. We should be extremely terrified of God to the point we will be obedient to Him. Why because no obedience, no fear or respect for God. We have lost the respect and fear of God in the sugar coated love and lollipop message of cheap grace. Well my friend grace is not cheap it cost Jesus His life and if we desire to experience grace it will cost us our life too. Do we not realize God could destroy us with a mere wave of His hand? Pastors, teachers, and evangelists that teach God is only a God of love do not really know God. Their reality of truth has been blinded by the greed and presumption in their heart. It has been my experience if you see a huge church filled with many people the message of the Cross is not being taught there. The Gospel message does not draw big crowds, Jesus found that out when He had 5,000 and then 4,000 come to see Him do some miracles and fill their bellies, but when He went after their heart (the target of the word of God) they had no stomach for the truth just like today.

To understand God the Bible tells us who and what we must know, “But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.” (Jeremiah 9:23) There they are, what a bit of revelation! To know God we must understand God’s “lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness.” My friend not just His “lovingkindness,” but His “judgment” and His “righteousness.” Any time we talk about judgment people clam up, we do not like being judged even by God, well we better get use to be judged now because if we wait until later (say when we get to heaven) we will pay a greater, heavier price, and endure a greater loss to be able to enter in to the next things God has for us. And God’s “righteousness” do we really think we can wrap our minds and heart around God’s “righteousness?” Why do we sing songs to God telling Him how righteousness He is? I think God already knows how righteous, holy, and longsuffering He is. It is us who must learn and my friend we will never learn how righteous, holy, and longsuffering God is by singing or dancing. Oh no my friend, this is an acquired knowledge and understanding that comes by way of soul searching and honest reflection as to who we are in God, being pummeled to our knees by life, enduring God’s dealings and judgments, by experiences, trial and error, losing to gain, God filling the solitude places in our heart after we have willfully allowed Him to empty us of the world and our self. These are the making places in God we shun for the leeks and melons of the pabulum denominational prosperity and cheap grace messages.

There is a verse in 1 Corinthians that really brings me to my knees and causes me to shiver with fear and trembling, which is a good thing in our lives if we are going to have the respect and honor for God and His word. Paul too had this concern and fear as well as any person who recognizes the inability they have within themselves as compared to the task that God has called them to. In Corinthians Paul writes, “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” (1 Corinthians 9:25-27) The word “castaway” (in the NKJV disqualified) is Strong’s #96, and is translated not standing the test, not approved. Never forget the truth of the word of God is found in the words as the Holy Spirit ordered them in the text and in Spirit. Here Paul is saying after I have run my race and finished my course, after I have preached the word of God to millions, after I have done all of these things God would find me not standing the test, not approved or disqualified. Maybe this article is for all of the pastors, teachers, and evangelists who read my articles I do not know, but I do know I do not want to be a castaway, disqualified when I stand before God. The word “castaway” is further translated, unfit for, unproved, spurious, reprobate. How could we be a part of the Gospel message, proclaim it with all zealousness, with all our God-given strength and ability, but when we have finished our life and our race is done we are found by God to be, unfit, unproved, spurious, reprobate. I do not know about you my preacher friend, but this gives me great concern. I do not want miss heaven. It all goes back to; it is not what we do for God that counts, but how we do things for God. I wonder what the “test” is in the first translation of the word? Is there a test we will have to pass to be able to enter in? You bet there is. The next two words in the translation tells us the test we must pass to be able to enter in, we must be approved. The “castaway” was not approved, or he never qualified for the position, oh he held the position and many looked to him for guidance and leadership (like many pastors and leaders in the church today), but he was never approved by God. Did you know we must be approved or qualified for positions in God? God is not going to give you His things just because you have asked Him into your life, oh no. Forgiveness for sin yes, free (except for Jesus it cost Him His heavenly and earthly life) for the asking, but there is a process of spiritual growth and development we must willfully enter into to be approved for God’s things. It is no different than going to a bank and trying to get money for a loan. The loan officer says, show me what you have, what credentials, what collateral can you back this loan with? Well, God is no different. God says, “show me how much you love Me through your obedience, how much of your self-life have you willfully allowed Me to kill in you, how much of the world have you allowed Me to empty from your life?” What have you done with the things I have already invested in you?” “What have you learned of me being humble and lowly in heart?” These my friend are the questions and more God will enlarge us with to see if we qualify for the next thing God has for us. This is the process God uses to find if we are fit or a reprobate, one who knows not right from wrong, a scoundrel, a dishonest person, one who knows no honor or integrity. This life-long process while on earth God uses to mold and shape our character and nature into the very character and nature, the very image (icon) of Jesus Christ. I do not know what God will use to add to our spiritual growth and development in our next life, but you can take it to the bank, God will have a process whereby we will continue to grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

When we (me and my family) were heading over to Germany the pastor of the church we were attending gave us a warm send off and the gift he gave me personally was this verse, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. (2 Timothy 4:16) Many times God brought this verse back to my attention. Every time I would read past it the Holy Spirit would prompt my spirit and my heart to the importance of this verse for me and those who I minister to. It is a shame the pastor and I did not stay in touch over the years, he took a broad denominational way and I took the narrow path less traveled. I tried contacting him a few times, but he wanted nothing to do with us, seems he forgot his many words of mentorship to me and this verse. I hope he has not become a castaway.

One of the main ways we can become a castaway is to deliver the word of God in a spirit that is not consistent with the Holy Spirit. There is to be a flow and stream from the Holy Spirit that comes out of the vessel sharing the word of God to the people. This is why the vessel must be of a clean heart and clean hands. In the Old Testament the High Priest had to purify their body and clothing before they could speak for God, if not often they were killed by man or God depending what was going on. If the vessel of God shares the word of God out of anger, wrath, or bitter spirit then the people will receive the anger, bitterness, and wrathful spirit in their heart. Or if the vessel of God shares the word of God out from a fore knowledge of some sin or problem in the church then the people will receive the word of God in confusion and strife, because the word will be mixed with the facts of this foreknowledge. When I travel I go out of my way NOT to find out what is going on in the church. This way I can speak out from a clean heart and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to the church what they need to hear. James gives us the standard to what the vessel of God should be and how he should deliver the word of God. “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” (James 3:17-18)

One of the fastest ways to become disqualified or a castaway is to sow the word of God in “partiality” and/or “hypocrisy.” Again when we know what is going on in a church or the “he said she said” we lose the Spirit of God and all that comes with it. Please notice the order: “the wisdom that is from above” (the order of things in the Bible are critical for understanding) “first pure,” “then peaceable,” “gentle and easy to be intreated,” “full of mercy and good fruits.” How could someone sharing the word of God be a castaway when they share the word that is pure (we must have a pure heart and clean hands), peaceable (the peace that passes all understanding that only God gives), gentle and easy to talk with (like Jesus who said He is gentle and lowly of Spirit), and one who is “full of mercy” (not one who gives mercy when needed, but one where mercy flows out of their bellies like a stream of water) and “good fruits” (one whose works are good and noble, one whose works have been accepted by God to plant into the ground to reproduce again and again). I do not know about you my pastor, teacher, evangelist friend, but I do not want to be a castaway or disqualified. I will be honest I have tried to do my very best, not in doing the many things for Him, but to become the vessel I need to become to be able to speak for God. What an awesome responsibility to be able to speak for God. Maybe that is the reason why doing in God instead of becoming is wrong and will end us separated from God forever, the stakes are high. Let us see how low we can go to get over the bar. Written by David Stahl

LAYING OUR LIFE DOWN

One of the greatest needs in our lives to be able to understand the words of Jesus is for us to allow God to bring the Gospel message down to our heart and lives. Now this my friend is not an easy thing to do. We in ourselves are full of ourselves and think of ourselves much better than what we really are. Paul encourages us, “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3) yet we do. The world’s system of life has a steady campaign of self-exalting and self-flattering to keep our self puffed up and strong. Sadly many denominational churches have copied the world in this area, trying to look like the world hoping those in world will come to church, well this never works. What really happens is the church becomes like the world enjoying all of its sensual emotional pleasures and ends up falling away from God. I have seen this over the course of my life in churches and know it will only get worse unless we wake up and turn back to a conservative, Bible based, worshipping God in both Spirit and truth approach to God. And for us to be able to do this we must first see the need and then be willing to lay our life down for something and someone much bigger than ourselves. Now this is God’s intention for our lives, make no mistake. We see this all throughout the Bible and we see this approach in the life of Jesus. The height of Christ’s ministry was fulfilled not when He fed crowds of 5,000 and 4,000 people or when He healed the sick and lame, but when He willfully laid down His life for us. So too this must be the height of our ministry and life. To work this spiritual principle into our lives God uses some strange math principles. The first is we gain in God by what we can lose. God’s arithmetic is not the same as man’s. God adds to us while subtracting. The more we can allow God to subtract our selfishness, self-seeking, love for our self-life (oh me!) the more God can add to us His goods. At the same measure we allow God to subtract things from us at that same measure (no more no less) God is able to add to us. You see His subtracting in us makes room in our heart to receive from Him. There is only so much room in our heart and either it is filled with the things of the world and our self or the things of Christ. I was talking to a friend just the other day who said, “Jesus died for our selfishness” well this is true, only if we come along side God in His yoke and allow Him to work in our lives changing us into the image (icon) of His precious Son Jesus Christ, God’s goal in our lives. The Bibles says Jesus died for our sin, per say selfishness is not a sin it is like our bad attitudes, wrong motives, and intentions which are a part of our fleshly carnal nature, the nature that is in enmity with God. Paul tells us, “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:5-7) I find it amazing to know some Christians think they can serve God in the flesh (as babes) never growing up in God and hope they make it to heaven. Well, my friend God is the judge (not you or I) on who makes it to heaven, but please know our “entering in” will be based on our heart condition, how and why we did things for Him. I would think God would not reward such a prize as heaven to those who, “are in the flesh cannot please God.” We must allow God to empty us, we must allow the Spirit of God to show us how to mortify the deeds of the flesh, “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Romans 8:13-14) Only then can we be, “led by the Spirit of God.” The word “mortify” here describes a Roman punishment where one was chained to a dead body and ultimately the dead body killed the prisoner from disease and decay. We must be willing to hear the words of Jesus like the disciples, “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.” (Mark 8:34-35) We must do all these things so that we will be able to please Him.

Apparently my friend expects God to get His magic wand out, bonk us on the head, and remove our selfishness without any effort or consequences on our part. Jesus died to restore us back (John 1:29) to fellowship with God, He did not die for our carnal fleshly nature, this is why my friend we must allow God to deal within our heart and lives, but if we do not well I shutter to think what will happen. If not careful ones salvation can be lost, the Bible is full of such examples. Now my friend is holding on to the first precepts of truth in regards to salvation (which we must do in faith) while ignoring the requirement to grow up in the Lord and become mature men and women who can handle the responsibility and authority God grants to only His children who have allowed Him to develop them. In everything God creates growth is a part of the creation process and we are no different. God expects us to grow and come to levels of spiritual maturity and perfection or selflessness as when Jesus said, “Be ye therefore perfect (selfless), even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect (selfless).” (Matthew 5:48) And guess what Jesus meant it. Our salvation experience alone will get us into heaven (and for some that is all they want) but to be used like Jesus, Paul, Peter, and others there is price and cost we must pay. God does not give His power and authority to just anyone. And the price we must pay is for us to allow God to deal and judge in our lives putting our flesh and our carnal nature to death (subtracting) while He strengthens (adds to) us with glory and might in the inward man.

As I said, God uses arithmetic to teach us things, like 1+ 0 = 1. Now do not think we are the 1 we are the 0. If we can see our selves as a 0 then we will be able to go far in God. When we can see of ourselves we have no worth apart from God, no ability apart from God, no hope apart from God then we are in a place mentally and spiritually where God can teach us something. One of the greatest hindrances to our spiritual growth and development is an unteachable spirit. I hear it and I see it all over the world. When I confront someone who thinks they know it all and cannot be taught I set them aside in my mind and thinking to watch. No one owns the truth, but God alone. Truth is always from God’s perspective and always progressive. When one person’s light is a little brighter than another because they have a deeper revelation of a certain truth the lesser brother will attack, vilify, and demonize them in hopes to marginalize them from a circle of friends. I see it all the time; I feel it from acquaintances, friends, and family. To get over such attacks without getting offended we must ignore their words and accusations while knowing we are standing for the truth of God’s word. You know what we know to be true in most cases is true, but there are different degrees and levels of truth. As we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18) what we once held as the truth (which is still the truth) and if we allow God to work in us He will open and expand another dimension, a new wrinkle, a new bit of revelation to our understanding this is how we grow in understanding. For this to happen we must allow God to create a place in us, out from the loss we experience from laying our life down, to house these new bits of revelation. Only when we experience loss in our inward man will we be able to hold these new treasures.

When I think of this process of us laying down our life my mind always goes to my wife Karen. After I retired in 2000, either Karen or I had to get a Federal job so that Connie and Joshua could continue at the American High School on base and so we could continue to shop at the Post Exchange, Commissary, receive our US mail, and all of the other basic military benefits we enjoyed. Since I was traveling in ministry, pastoring a church, and already working two part-time jobs Karen for the first time in 20 years got a job outside the home. One day she was an Officer’s wife and all the prestige that comes with it, the next day she took a very glamorous and highly sought after job working in a dining facility (chow hall) scraping food off of plates, scrubbing (and I mean scrubbing) mountains of pots and pans, floors, and all of the dirty work that comes with working in a chow hall. But God used her there to touch lives. She was known as that kind lady who always said, “have a nice day.” God used Karen to touch the lives of the other co-workers, people who time and life has forgot and passed them by. But most of all Karen laid down her life for her family with each pan she scrubbed, with each plate she cleaned off, with each swing of the mop and swish of the broom, Karen laid down her life so that her family could have the life they were accustomed to. Jesus said, “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:12-13) With her tired muscles, sore back and feet, with each bout of exhaustion Karen was loving her family, Karen was literally laying her physical life down while God was lifting and exalting her spiritual life up. You know God has ways of exalting His children, if we endure the qualifying process. No greater love than this Jesus said. How could I not honor her? How could I not love her.

We are known by our fruits not by our works. It is funny how we today in the church work so hard while God wants to work on us. Paul told us, “For we are his workmanship (beaustella in German), created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10) We must become God’s workmanship so we can manifest the fruit of the Spirit. The only way we can become the work of God is by allowing God to open up our heart and reveal what is really there so we can see our need to become like Him. Many in the Church today do not see their need for God thus they have no power, revelation, or authority. God’s best (glorification) comes to us after we have allowed God to work in us. When Jesus was walking into Jerusalem for the last time, He told the disciples, “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) The more we can fall into the ground and die the more fruitful we can become. The more we can lose our life, the more we can lay down our lives the more we will be able to keep our life eternal. Written by David Stahl

CALLED BY GOD

Lately I have received many emails and a few phone calls asking my advice about certain positions in ministry or even about whether or not they should go to Bible School. The advice I give most often (unless I feeling the Lord saying otherwise) is just be led of Holy Spirit, He will not steer you wrong. God never leads us in a way that will end us in failure, but God always leads us in a way where, if we respond correctly in obedience, He can bring us into victory the place of God’s purpose and meaning. Almost every time I go to Africa a young man will come to me and ask should I go to Bible School and I answer; why do you go to Bible School? I tell them there are millions of wrong answers, but only one answer and after five to ten minutes of saying wrong answer, (you know we are full of wrong answers) I tell them, because God said to. Unless God says to go to Bible School you are wasting your time and resources, especially the resource of time. Now please understand me here I am not saying not to go to Bible School, but I am saying be led by the Spirit of God and if He says go then go and be the very best Bible School student the school has ever seen. I have had the great pleasure and honor of teaching at the Bible Schools in Romania; in Suceava Headmaster, Marcel Lelcum and Headmaster Ciprian Bozdog in Constanta, also in Africa, and Asia, too many to name. I have realized the importance of getting the truths of God’s word in students, because then the word will have time to be mixed with God’s dealings and judgments in their lives, now that is a foundation God can use to build His character and nature in them. It is important to know when God calls us to ministry my friend we do not have to wait for the vote of any man or go to the right Bible School. No degree conferred or appointment carries the most important sign of Godly ministry, the revelation of God’s spiritual authority. The real qualities of ministry are to be found in those who are willing to suffer for the sake of objectives great enough to demand their wholehearted obedience. Spiritual leaders are not made by election or appointment, by men or any combination of men, nor by conferences. Only God can make them. Simply holding a position of importance does not constitute one a spiritual leader, nor do taking courses in leadership or resolving to become a pastor or teacher. The only method is that of qualifying. Religious position can be conferred by bishops and boards, but not spiritual authority; which is the prime essential of Godly ministry and leadership. That comes, often unsought, to those who in earlier life have proved themselves worthy of it by spirituality, discipline, ability, and diligence, workers who have heeded His call. Spiritual ministry is a thing of the Spirit and is conferred by God alone. When His searching eye alights on a servant who has qualified, He anoints him with his Spirit and separates them to their distinctive ministry. Ezra shares the standard for all who desire to be a spiritual minister and leader, "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him." (2 Chronicles 16:9) The standard is to have a perfect heart toward God or to have a heart like God’s, a perfect heart. Now the word “perfect” here does not mean flawless or mature, but selfless. To be a spiritual minister and leader we must have a selfless heart like God’s. As matter of fact, the greatest Apostle and teacher, Paul was in a type of what we call a Bible School and God called Him out. Paul said of himself, “I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.” (Acts 22:3) Gamaliel was the High Priest and a famous Jewish teacher that Paul served and was “brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel” or was Paul’s Bible School teacher. Paul was a great student, keeping the law, many Bible scholars believe Paul was being groomed to be the next High Priest, but God had other plans for Paul. God called Paul out of his Bible School and alone commissioned, ordained, and sent him the Apostle to the Gentiles. Paul did not need to have a degree or have someone mentor him, He was led by the Holy Spirit to a place where God took his physical sight so He could give Paul his spiritual sight. We all know the wonderful story in Act 9:1-9 how Paul was called into the ministry and if Paul was called without going to Bible School or a seminary then God can call others the same way.

It is important not to get ahead of God. God has His man whom He wants and we must not get ahead of what God wants. I believe this was the case when Matthias was chosen to replace Judas. From the beginning the 11 Apostles looked for one who had the history and ability to serve. Just like today in most churches we look for the educated and skilled to serve, one who has all the credentials the complete package, but take heed my friend they may not be the one God wants. In Acts we read, “Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. 23And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 25That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. 26And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” (Act 1:22-26) Now they did pray, but then they cast lots or voted. Does not that sound like most churches today, let’s vote in God’s man or worse let’s vote out God’s man. God’s will is never determined by man voting, but is determined by knowing the will of God in every given situation. Sadly most churches do business by voting, rules, charters, and by-laws no my friend church business is to be done by being able to hear from God and by knowing what He wants to have done. God does not select a man by the vote of men, but chooses a man for His purposes and His plan by His Spirit. My friend when God’s man arrives on the scene you will know, there will be no doubt in anyone’s mind that this person is sent from God to do God’s will and purpose. I really believe God chose Paul to be the 12th Apostle, but Peter and the others got ahead of God and chose Matthias. This is why Paul time and time again had to confirm to the people He was an Apostle called by God. “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,” (Romans 1:1), “Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,” (1 Corinthians 1:1), and “Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)” (Galatians 1:1) Also this thought can be found in Paul’s letters in Ephesians 1:1, Colossians 1:1, 1 Timothy 1:1, and Titus 1:1. I wonder if Paul was trying to tell us something? I know so because I did not go to a Bible School, but have been called, ordained, and sent by God to do His will and purpose within the earth. Even Peter got in the act, “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.” (Peter 1:1-2) Maybe Peter heard of Paul’s writings, but there arose an uneasy rivalry between Paul and Peter and at times it became quiet testy. “But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.” Galatians 2:11), but finally they resolved their differences, “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.” (2 Peter 3:15-17) You know when we get ahead of God we can hamper God’s work in our lives and corporately within the local body we serve. But, Peter finally got it; Paul was called by God like he was called by Jesus to do the will of the Father, as we too are called by God to do the will of the Father in all the earth. You know it is not wrong for two people to disagree, but it is wrong and ungodly for two people (especially Christians) to maintain an unteachable spirit and anger for the other person. We will disagree that is a given, but what is important is to be able to try and see the other’s position as Peter did with Paul and be ready to allow reconciliation to grow forth in the relationship, but we must never compromise the truth of the word of God for unity of purpose even in the church. Never look for an apology that way you will never get offended if one never comes, let God worry about the apology you worry about following God.

When I consider the importance of being called by God, the critical need to be able to hear His voice, and our obedience to it I am always reminded of my teacher Charles Haun. Charles was invited to go and minister in North Ireland during the war. Well, Charles prayed asking God for His agreement and leading whether or not to go, nothing. So Charles waited and prayed, while invitations and money from other churches and groups came poring in, still nothing. You know sometimes praying is not enough, after prayer we must be led by the Holy Spirit. Without a word from God Charles made plans to go, thinking God would confirm his trip, but still no word. Charles went and spent two weeks of mighty services in the midst of death and destruction many were saved, healed, and filled with the Holy Spirit yet all along the way not a single word of agreement from God, but as the plane touched down at John F. Kennedy International Airport the Holy Spirit said, “Thank you.” Charles knew he was called of God to go and teach the word of God and if he goes people will be saved, healed and filled with the Holy Spirit. No man needs to tell us to go, only ask if we have the heart to go and help them. No man needs a special degree or some special training just go if God says go then He will provide all we will need to fulfill the going, for in our obedience of going God will supply all that is needed and out from the call of God we are changed more and more into the image of the one who called us, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: “ (2 Peter 1:3) Written by David Stahl

DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP

Dear friends I would like to just encourage you all with your endurance and steadfastness. I am reminded of the famous words of the courageous and intrepid sailor who said, “don’t give up the ship.” No I am not talking about CAPT James Lawrence, during the War of 1812, of the USS Chesapeake after he was mortally wounded, but of MM1 Andrew Kreiss of Dunellen, New Jersey, Karen’s wonderful father. Time and time again Karen would say, “my father always says, “don’t give up the ship” and that is great advice for us today. It seems many in the Lord today are just giving up. I cannot believe the number of people I know who are just walking away from God, well now my friend is not the time to give up, we must continue no matter the problems we face have they be perceived or real. I am not sure if it is because of unfulfillment or the many things we daily must suffer for God’s kingdom (“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 14:17) to be established in our hearts. Or maybe they are just tired of walking with the Lord, maybe the novelty has worn off. You know we perceive so many things that are not true and we worry and worry over things that are not reality in our lives. I can remember almost convincing myself I had HIV from getting blood drawn in India. Worry has torment for us and others around us. All of this in reality is a lack of faith in God and to His words in our lives on our part. It is not time to give up the ship, oh no my friend it is our time to be the men and women of God that the people in this lost and dying world needs. It is our time to stand for the truth, no matter the cost, of the Gospel message and become the manifestation of the living God among the people of the earth. Time is strange in our lives; time always adds a different perspective to our understanding of things, especially of truth. Now knowing truth is eternal (same yesterday, today, and forever), progressive, and always from God’s perspective in our lives, in time truth changes our understanding. In times past I thought I would go to heaven by way of the grave, but now I am convinced I will see the second coming of Jesus Christ. Through time (as I get older) and with a better understanding of God and His ways I now can make a better judgment of things in the Bible. Now please let me stop here and ask you not to get involved with all of the guessing and selling of what many Christians call end-time Bible prophesy, but just live your life second by second according to the revelation you have allowed God to give you and for the glory of God, not looking for a date, time, or even a cause to throw your life whole heartily into but, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand (a place of honor and authority) of the throne of God. 3For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” (Hebrews 12:1-3) Did you know the revelation we have of God depends on us? The more dedication, sacrifice, and separation from this world on our part the deeper the revelation we will have of God. He wants to give us all of Him, but we (oh Lord me too) often draw back when we see the price we must pay to know more and be used of Him. I wonder what the “great cloud of witnesses” are witnesses of? I am sure of what they have experienced and sacrificed for the Gospel message, but what about now? I think those that have gone on before us may be watching us to see what we will do with the baton they passed on and the sacrifice they have made. They are up in heaven saying please do not give up, please keep the faith. Just keep, ”Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Please notice to be able to, “set down at the right hand of the throne of God” we must be able to endure and be steadfast in bearing the cross and shame. They are the requirement to be seated with God. Samuel Logan Brengle, a truly great spiritual leader of the Salvation Army outlined the road to spiritual authority in these challenging words: "It is not won by promotion but by many prayers and tears. It is attained by confession of sin, and much heart searching and humbling before God; by self surrender, a courageous and uncomplaining embracing of the cross, and by an eternal, unfaltering looking unto Jesus crucified. It is not gained by seeking great things for ourselves, but rather, like Paul, by counting those things that are gain to us as loss for Christ. That is a great price. but it must it must be unflinchingly paid by him who would be not merely a nominal but a real spiritual leader of men, a leader whose power is recognized and felt in heaven, on earth and in hell. My friend, the highest positions are reserved for those who have qualified in secret. It is that element of sovereignty that begets awe and a great humility in those to whom leadership is entrusted. The Church is painfully in need of leaders. I wait to hear a voice and no voice comes. I love the back seat in conferences. I would always rather listen than speak, but there is no clarion voice to listen to.”

Now the Bible is full of people who have given up the ship and walked away from God and the ministry God has asked them to do. One who comes to mind readily is Judas, “Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, 15And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. 16And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.” (Matthew 26:14-16) Someone most people do not think about is the Rich Young Ruler, how great is that? Rich, Young, and a Ruler, things we all seem to strive for today to be rich – much money and wealth, young – how much money do we spend on trying to retain our youthful looks, and a Ruler – no one wants to be a servant everyone today seems to want be waited on hand and foot. We see in Mark, “Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. 22And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.” (Mark 10:21-22) Many Christian scholars say the Rich Young Ruler was being groomed by Jesus to replace Judas, but in the end, he gave up the ship because he could not totally sell out to God. Or how about, “Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: 20Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.” (1Timothy 1:19-20) and “Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: 10For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.” (2 Timothy 4:9-10) Later in Timothy we read, “The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. 14Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: 15Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. 16At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 17Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (2 Timothy 4:13-18) What a wonderful statement, “Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me.” Now when the Bible says “all” it means “all” not some (oh I know we read “all,” but we really think some), but “all” means “all.” “All men forsook” Paul, but God will never forsake us if we do not give up the ship and forsake Him. I wonder how we would feel knowing our names were listed (like Alexander, Demas, Hymenaeus, and others) in the Bible for all eternity and all to hear as one who gave up, who turned backed, who gave in, who walked no more with the Lord, or who forsook all. Oh Lord may this never be said of me and the ones I hold dear in my life. Did you know God is to us what we are to Him? Never expect God to be gracious and bless us beyond measure, if we have measured out our love for and to Him. But if we love Him beyond measure and endure His dealings and judgments in our lives God will then in turn because of our faithfulness to Him bless us. Now this is not a salvation issue, God loved us first (Romans 5:8) while we were still enemies of Him, but I am talking about after our sins are forgiven when we are to be growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The complete statement of CAPT James Lawrence on that fateful day was, “tell the men to fire faster and tell them don’t give up the ship.” My friend that is what the Lord is saying to us today, stay on the firing line and do not give up the ship. Endure life’s sufferings, carry on, go forth in my power and strength, allow me to strengthen you in the inward parts so that you will be able to withstand until the end. Peter ends his first Epistle with these words, “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” (1 Peter 5:10) All of the words, “make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” speaks of our need for steadfastness to be built into our character, if not then these characteristics will never be a part of our lives. How can they? They have not been worked into our lives through suffering. Many say, why does a loving God allow suffering in our lives, well suffering builds in us a softness and understanding for mercy and forgiveness. Those who have suffered are not quick to speak or act, but reserve their thoughts, words, and judgment on the important things of life, on the weightier matters (Matthew 23:23) of life; the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: My friend let us not give up the ship even though it seems as if she will flounder or the enemy will board her and take her, let us keep the faith (by staying on the firing line) and enduring until the ends. James too encourages us with his words when he said, “Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. 11Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.” (James 5:10-11) When is “the end of the Lord?” Fear not, walk with the Lord long enough and with the right heart condition and the Lord will answer this question for you. And in the words of MM1 Andy Kreiss, “don’t give up the ship.” Written by David Stahl