THE HAND OF GOD

The hand of God often times takes on many forms and pressures in our lives and in reality we do not recognize the real moving of the hand of God in our lives because of our biases, prejudices, and religious teachings. Most things we would swear was of the devil are in reality the hand of God directing us and guiding us in His plan and purpose for our lives. We always associate only the good things that come our way as being from the hand of God and discount the things we call bad, but in reality all things come from God; the good and the bad. Isaiah heard this revelation from God almighty, “I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: 6That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. 7I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.” (Isaiah 45:5-7) Now many Christians refuse to believe these verses and secretly wish they were not in the Bible, but in doing so they miss out on the total picture of God’s eternal sovereignty and creator of all things in our lives, an on-going revelation of God the creator of EVERYTHING in our lives. If God does not create or allow all things in our lives then this leaves room in our mind and heart for other gods to be able to create, affect, and even have influences in areas in our lives. My friend either God is God of all (good and bad) or He is God of nothing at all in our lives. His intent is clear He desires to be God of all in our thinking and heart condition. Now in reality He is and we have nothing to say about it. He was God before us and will be God after us. He is God and we are not, but I find it somewhat funny to know we are the ones who give God the power to be God in our lives. Not by way of control of His power and ability, but by way of control of His power and ability in our lives. Never forget in the Scriptures; all that God has promised us is only His intention in seeing them come to pass, whether they come to pass in our lives is not up to God (they are His intention), but up to us do we meet the condition contained in the promise to bring it to reality. Every promise has a condition to meet. Funny we look at the promise, but God is not looking at the promise (they are His intention) God is looking at whether or not we have met the condition to receive the promise. Let us look at what God is looking at, therein is contains the promises of God.

In I Peter we read a command from God. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7) Notice the promise, “that he may be exalt you in due time.” Now many Christians whoop and holler dancing around the church waving flags while speaking in tongues saying God is going to exalt us, but they missed the condition of “humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God.” Singing, dancing, flag waving, feeding the poor, paying your tithes, working countless hours at the church, doing all of the latest denominational traditions and religious customs will not do it to be exalted by God you MUST, “humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God” to be exalted by God. Therein and therein alone is the promise received from God. And it says “care” not cares. Cares are things like cars, money houses, clothing, etc., but “care” is an attitude. We are to cast our attitude of caring for things on Him, because He cares for us. We think the “mighty hand of God” is a huge hand that comes out of heaven and causes us to submit, but this is a command from God for us to take the lead in the submission, not God. God will not make you say “uncle” or submit; I wish He would it would make things so much easier for us, but He is not after forcing us, oh no He is after a heart and will submission on our part. God already has angels to boss around, now God wants creatures created in His likeness to love Him to the point they will give the very life (the most precious earthly gift) God gave them for Him.

We can see this need to be humbled and to humble ourselves before a Holy God all throughout the Bible. In the life of Jeremiah we read his confession, “I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath. 2He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light. 3Surely against me is he turned; he turneth his hand against me all the day. 4My flesh and my skin hath he made old; he hath broken my bones. 5He hath builded against me, and compassed me with gall and travail. 6He hath set me in dark places, as they that be dead of old. 7He hath hedged me about, that I cannot get out: he hath made my chain heavy. 8Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer. 9He hath inclosed my ways with hewn stone, he hath made my paths crooked. 10He was unto me as a bear lying in wait, and as a lion in secret places. 11He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces: he hath made me desolate. 12He hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow. 13He hath caused the arrows of his quiver to enter into my reins. 14I was a derision to all my people; and their song all the day. 15He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood. 16He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, he hath covered me with ashes. 17And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace: I forgat prosperity. 18And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD: 19Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. 20My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.” (Lamentations 3:1-20) All of these things God did to Jeremiah (out of his own words) was done so God could humble (verse 20) him. All of these things that happened to him was done by the “mighty hand of God.” You would say God would never do this, well if this is your confession then you do not know the God of the Bible. If God would use these ways and ends to break Jeremiah why do we think God would not use them on us? These my friend are the dealings and judgments of God in our lives that He uses to conform (Romans 8:29) us into the character and image of His dear precious Son Jesus Christ, God’s goal in our lives. God’s goal is not to make us rich, famous, or even good looking, but will do all He can to create in us the image (icon) of His Son. And why? So we look and act like Jesus? Yes to a certain degree, but the main reason God desires we be conformed into the icon of His Son is so we can serve as a dwelling place for God, an eternal habitation. As strange as it may seem God does not desire to dwell in Heaven, oh no (as strange as it may sound and hard to explain), God desires to dwell in the heart of man. Paul in Ephesians shares this timeless truth, “In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:21-22) Did you know God has a building program for each and every one of us? We are the workmanship (Ephesians 2:10) of God, He is building, chipping away at our character, molding our personality, fortifying our integrity, constructing us an eternal abode.

We can also see the “mighty hand of God” all throughout Joseph’s life. From the start God had his hand on Joseph’s life, but often this favor can lead to offence by people as it was with his father and brothers, “Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. 4And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.” (Genesis 37:3-4) I have seen God’s blessings turn the heart of men into green, envy and jealousy that can lead someone to do things beyond their understanding. So too was the case in Joseph’s life, “Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.” (Genesis 37:28), but this my friend was the “mighty hand of God” working in Joseph’s life to land him in Egypt the place God needed him to go. Oh you say God would never do that, well in the words of Pastor Yanko, “think again.” God even moved Joseph closer to the place (the palace) He wanted him by being sold into slavery, “And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, and captain of the guard.” (Genesis 37:36) This does not sound like the “mighty hand of God” blessing Joseph, ah the story has not come to the end. We always see God’s intentions at the end of the story. And to make matters even worse Joseph was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife and sent to prison (even closer to God’s purpose for his life), “And Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.” (Genesis 39:20) All the while Joseph was biding his time waiting on the LORD and doing what he could do in his present situation, God was working on his rise to power. And when God’s timing and plan was right in Joseph’s life God’s mighty hand moved, “And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; 43And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.” (Genesis 41:42-43) Who would have believed Joseph was raised from the pit to palace all according to God’s plan for his life and by the “mighty hand of God?” My friend this is the way God operates. There is always a time of qualifying and approving before He exalts us to a place of importance. Often we do not want to wait God out, but this is a must in our lives if we ever hope to come into the plan and purpose we have been created for. Please do not believe the “name it and claim” doctrines, they will lead you to ruin, confusion, and great distress in God.

Even Jesus had his waiting time of preparation as the Father’s mighty hand was working in His life. Paul writes of Jesus, “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:6-11) What, Jesus humbled Himself under the mighty hand of God? Yes, Jesus took on the form of a man (empty Himself of all of His divinity) and humbled Himself and became a servant all according and under the mighty hand of His Father. And is the servant greater than the Master? The Writer to the Hebrews shares, “For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” (Hebrews 2:10) What Jesus (the Son of God) suffered while on earth? Yes. Now I know the cross was heinous to bear, but I believe the loss of His heavenly identity with the Father was a greater cross to bear. And yes all while submitting to the mighty hand of His Father for His life. And is the servant greater than the Master? So too the “mighty hand of God” will be evident in our lives if we have a heart to be obedient and follow unto death. This is the way to be exalted (humbled by God to be exalted) by God there is no other way: Job, Jeremiah, Joseph, and even Jesus learned this way and we must too.

JUDGE THE SPIRITS

As we are invited to minister and attend different churches we come across many different doctrines and traditions. Nowhere is this seen more than in the beliefs of running a service. Most churches had adopted the old tried and true format: three fast ones, a slow one, pass the plate, 15-20 minutes of a good sermon (where everyone feels good about themselves when they leave), and then off to their favorite cafeteria or restaurant for the noon day meal. Sometimes we run across churches where they sing for an hour or longer and you give your offering while the music “moves you,” no real preaching, then off for the noon day meal. I guess there can be a great combination in the elements of a service and the order seldom matters, but what does matter is whether or not the Holy Spirit is functioning and directing the services. I will be honest it has been some time since I have really seen a God ordained Holy Ghost move of God, where you know without a shadow of doubt that God has visited this service. Do you know how hard it is to bring a message from God to a crowd of people who expect a good sermon? Most Christians do not know how to react because they have been so programmed into a format for the service (as guided by leaflet service program) and would not even notice if the Holy Spirit began to move after the teaching. And if they did notice I am sure (I have seen it time and time again) He would be stifled and grieved, after all we must stay on track with the program. And then sometimes you can run across a church that has gone overboard in the opposite direction; everything is a move of the Holy Spirit, flags flying, people leaping and jumping around the church while wearing their favorite dance uniform, people dropping on the floors like flies, everyone speaking in tongues at the same time, no order just chaos in the service. When I am asked to teach in such a church I often think of the Church at Corinth, the Church where it was commonly reported some of the leaders and members were having sex (1 Corinthians 5:1) with their mother, the Church where every gift of the Spirit was in operation, but the same Church that Paul said of it, “Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.” (1 Corinthians11:17) The Church at Corinth should be glad I am not God, because if I was I would have destroyed it and started again. We must always thank Him for His mercy and longsuffering. I always wondered (for years) why God would allow the sexual immorality, confusion, strife, division, and debauchery to continue at the Church at Corinth, but while listening to a cassette tape by Charles Haun I think God gave me the answer. Charles said for correction to come there has to be something moving if it is wrong, like at the Church at Corinth. God allowed Corinth to continue in her waywardness until Paul was ready to come and bring correction. God’s ways are not our ways we would cut it down, plow it under, and reseed, but not with God. Oh no God let the sin continue unabated and probably increased while Paul was being developed by God, strange how God operates. One thing I have learned; the longer I go with God the less of God I know. I like it that way, God is still a mystery to me.

Many Christians go to services hoping the visiting “man of God” would call them out of the crowd, lay hands on them, and prophesy over them, well this my friend is wrong thinking. When I pastored in Germany we would have so called prophets and evangelists come from Africa to minister to our folks. Pastor Joseph and I had an agreement that we both would discuss and approve anybody that would represent God before the people at our church. This was always a sore spot with us. Most prophets and evangelists from Africa were nothing more than thieves and robbers fleecing the folks and I would not allow this to happen. Joseph and I would go round and round sometimes and almost every time I would surrender my position I would be shocked and dismayed at the level of piracy and robbery. Many times these so called prophets and evangelists from Africa would want to lay hands on me to bless and prophesy over me; well I did not know these guys from Adam. Do not allow people you do not know to lay hands on you and speak over your life. You do not know what spirit they are of. Oh they may act and seem holy, but you do not know unless you have observed them for some time. It is easy to be deceived here in this area. Paul gave Timothy some great advice in this area, “Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.” (1Timothy 5:22) This command is frank and up front, “lay hands suddenly (without a time of observation) on no man.” We do not know what lurks in the heart of men nor do we know the motives of people who come forward for prayer, but God knows. This command is also true having someone laying hands on us. Only God knows the heart and He knows the spirit we are of. I have known people (who have been operating in churches for many years) to have counterfeit spirits and the smaller the church the more deceptive they are. We have found someone who takes the lead spiritually (again and again) in services usually is not operating in the Spirit, but operating in their own spirit and even worse in demonic spirits. Take heed and be not deceived my friend many Christians every Sunday in most Apostolic, Charismatic, or Pentecostal Churches are prophesied over and led astray by religious, ambitious, self-promoters led by their flesh and presumption. I have found out many of the so called prophets and evangelists from Africa and others from America are nothing more than just thieves and robbers. In 1 John we are given a warning to take heed to and help in knowing who is of the LORD and who is not of the LORD. John shares this great advice, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.” (1 John 4:1-3) Now please do not say I would never be deceived, I am led by the LORD, well . . . I am telling you there are some very good counterfeit spirits out there and if you have never seen them in operation you will be deceived. I find those Christians who lay on the floor prostrate or bow down in so called worship are some of the greatest offenders. I remember a lady in a church in NJ who would bow down and whip her hair on the floor as big crocodile tears rolled down her face during the singing of songs, but later she was found out for the deception and adulterous affairs she was having. John’s admonition is crystal clear, “believe not every spirit, but try (test in the NKJV, judge in the Greek) whether they are of God because false prophets are gone out into the world.” But how do we do that? How do we try, test, or judge the spirits? Many Christians think they can do this through our emotions, oh no my friend our emotions are one of the most unstable forces in our lives. We must never be led by our emotions, in or out of God. Our emotions at best are deceitful and will only lead us out of the way God has for us to go. We listen to someone sing a song and say, how anointed and judge them as being a very spiritual person, but this is so far from the truth. I remember in the 70s through the 90s there was a favorite song of most churches, “Standing on Holy Ground” the music arrangement was good and the words powerful, but the writers and singers came out of the closet a few years after the song and proudly proclaimed their homosexuality and sadly the church played on. Most churches build their attendance around music; it moves people, it inspires them, it gets people on their feet, well that is not the direction God goes. God’s direction is down not up, God’s Spirit does not move us like music it draws them unto Himself and kills them. Music will never get us to God. The spirit of music is as dangerous as our emotions and it must be judged or we will be deceived. All you have to do is look at history and see how music was used to lead people astray from what was right and how it was used to deceive people. We must take heed and judge music and keep it in the context Jesus and the disciples did. I am sorry, I cannot see Jesus nor the disciples have an hour long praise and worship service like some churches do today. The Bibles records Jesus only once singing and then it was a hymn after the Jewish Passover meal as Jewish tradition dictates. Works is another area we must judge the spirits. Many Christians work and work for God, but never become the work of God, never allowing God to work in their lives. Yet on the outward they are hard workers for God. Anytime the pastor needs something they are there, but when God wants to reveal something in their character they get to work working so that they will not have to allow God to deal and judge in their lives. But how do we judge the spirits as John commanded us? Believe it or not that is easy. When I pastored in Germany we had an international church and as an American I could only bring an America understanding when dealing with relationship disputes in the church. I could not think like an African or an European, I was an American and could only bring an American understanding to the counseling session. After a while of not feeling like I was successful in counseling it finally hit me, I have to judge by the spirit, not the Holy Spirit as much as by the spirit of the two parties. I quickly found the one who took the low place, the one who came humbly, the one who was full of forgiveness was the one in the right. I learned this through observation at the counseling meeting, at church, and as I would meet them in the weeks to come. So too are we to observe people who say they are moving in God, we are to watch their lives, we are to watch their actions, and we are to watch the results of their words. Observation comes over time, that is why the Holy Spirit used the word “suddenly” is used in1 Timothy 5:22; do nothing suddenly in God, but observe over time to see if they be of God or not. Examine their character, notice their friends, judge them before men. See if their lives, “confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God” match up with the word of God and their spirit bears witness with yours and the Holy Spirit. If not then, “every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God:” Now this confession is not in word alone, but in deed and in the spiritual realm. You know if a prophet in the Old Testament said something and it did not come to pass they were stoned. Maybe we should go back to this I am sure there would be a lot less so called prophets running around the church deceiving people.

You know if we get deceived it is our fault. It is our duty, it is our responsibility, it is our reasonable service before God to be wise as a serpent and gentle as a dove. Be not so fast to jump into the spiritual realm with someone, but wait upon the LORD for His direction and His leading. If you truly have a relationship with the LORD you will know between someone who is genuine and who is fake. The church is full of fake, false people who say they represent God, judge the spirits and be not deceived. Written by David Stahl

RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTS A NATION

As I watch the political picture unfold in America I try so hard to keep my heart and words in check by the Holy Spirit, but I often fail miserably. I do love America after all I gave over 24 years of dedicated, honorable service to her in the U.S. Navy and would do it again if needed, but there must be a separation in my heart and thoughts if I am going to follow the LORD in what He wants for my life. It is hard for Karen also because she too served her country in the U.S. Navy. We both come from military families; service and love for country runs deep and is a part of our make-up and who we are. Now this is true, but it is also true if we place things of the earth (love of family, country, self, etc.) ahead of God and His word (in the end) we will suffer great loss along the way He has for us to go and will never finish what He has for us to do in this life. I will be honest inwardly I struggle in this area in letting go of this world and as the elections draw closer the more I struggle and I see this struggle play out in America. Oh how America has drifted from God! Oh how America has drifted from God’s word! Everything that plagues America is the direct result of her disobedience to God and His word and unless America confesses as a nation (from the President to the common man on main- street) of her waywardness and repents (goes in the opposite direction) of their ungodly life-styles America will be lost. Oh America God is not mocked, yes He is loving and longsuffering, but there is a time when God says enough is enough. “I will cut you down as a sickle threshes the wheat field and throw you into my fire of righteousness and your will be utterly consumed. Repent from your waywardness before it is too late. Yea I come quickly with My sickle in My hand to strike you down, repent before it is too late, turn before it is too late. Yea I come to smite you and to remove your candle stick from the face of the earth,” thus says the LORD. God tells us to have no other gods before Him and our lives are filled with gods that satisfy our fleshly, earthly desires. We go a whoring after pleasure and ease, building bigger barns (churches, ministries, and denominations) and statues to each other while turning our backs on the one true and living God. God tells us to defend the little ones, but we slaughter the unborn by the millions each year and we think God is not angry? Why do we think God turns His head to His word and truth to protect us? Oh my friend He does not. God’s wrath has been kindled against us since the early 70s when we told God we do not want Him in our lives, we want the right to choose over life or death and not him. America’s schools and universities no longer teach education, but have become bastions of ungodly liberalism that shake their fist at God and dare Him to show up. How can we expect anything less when in the 60’s we kicked God and His precious word out of our schools and told Him we need Him no more. Ungodly perversion covers our land: in the written media, on TV and movie screens, on the internet, and in every life-style. The Godly institution of marriage has been striped and voted out by our President and his government while endorsing: lesbianism, sodomites, and every type of ungodly (unspeakable and thinkable) relationship known to man. Our government dithers while religions from around the world desire to put to death America, her people, and our way of life. Businesses in America cheat the customer at best. America’s banking institutions lie and hoard money taking advantage of the little people. Many of our governmental law enforcement agencies are on the take and show no common sense and justice. Sadly our society has dissolved and we think God is not angry with us? America has drifted so far from the Godly principle and standards that once made this country great, but now our greatness is found only in her military might and we even see this dwindle as we watch the U.S. dollar slip away from the place God first established in America. And yet every Sunday we Christians gather together to sing two fast ones and a slow one, pass the plate, hear a good sermon (not a message from God), and blast out to lunch trying to beat the other religions and denominations to the cafeteria. Who are we fooling? The Church has Christian TV star preachers, pastors, and teachers that make millions of dollars and reign over huge empires. We have churches that fill 25,000 plus, yet America is drifting further and further away. Who are we trying to fool? God? Each other? I think not. America is following the pattern and way of Israel in the days of Samuel. The people looked around and saw everyone else had a king for a leader (a Prophet from God was not good enough) so they wanted one. My friend our wants will get us into great trouble. Please be careful with your wants. If God gives you an opportunity to pick something you want take heed and chose Godly. I tell my Christian friends who vote if you vote you better vote what the Bible supports.

In 1 Samuel we find the story of King Saul. Like many Christians he started out correct, but ended by taking his own life. “And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel. 2Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba. 3And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment. Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, 5And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. 6But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. 7And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. 8According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee.” (1 Samuel 8:1-8) These eight verses truly reflect the moral decay of a nation. Samuel was old (no problem there) and his sons did not walk in his ways. The grass always looks greener on the other side, but when you get your head stuck in the fence you quickly acquire a taste again for the grass in the field God has put you in to flourish. Here like today in America they rejected God and His ways and later we will see God rejects them. Remember, God is to us what we are to Him. Notice when they rejected God they also rejected God’s man and the teaching God’s man shares. Oh do we see this in America today. So Samuel being obedient (the major key of our Christians walk with God), “And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king. 11And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots. 12And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots. 13And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers. 14And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants. 15And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants. 16And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work. 17He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants. 18And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day. 19Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;” (1 Samuel 8:10-19) Here in these verses God is sharing what their lives will be under their decision. God always lets us make choices, but with our choices comes consequences, yes I know that is a dirty word, but I also know the word of God. “And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day." Here the LORD turned His back on them. You say Pastor Dave God would not do that, well . . . the word of God says so and I believe it. Still in all of this, “Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;” Just like today in America with all of the crime, murder, death, and destruction America (as a nation) still chooses not to obey the voice of God. After all the Supreme Court has passed laws that directly contradict God’s laws, laws that allow man to stick their fist in God’s face and shake it in open rebellion as the people here did. Things got so bad with King Saul God said, “Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying, 11It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.” (1 Samuel 15:10-11) Oh to God we would have some sleepless nights in prayer (me too) for our country, but if we spend 10 minutes a day asking for things from God or trying to get God to jump through the hoop for us we think we have done God a major favor. Just think the people knew well in advance what kind of King Saul was going to be. But in the end God had enough of King Saul. And all along the way of Saul’s troubled life his open disobedience to God caused greater and greater troubles for the people. The outcome of our actions and words usually impacts greater in the lives of others than our own. Finally, “Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.” (1 Samuel 31:4) Saul’s armourbearer was smarter than Saul. He knew even though Saul was over in great disobedience he was still God’s anointed and to touch his life would be a great mistake, greater than disobeying the king. Saul started out on the right track, but in the end took his own life and destroyed the nation. Saul’s sad story rings so true today in the lives of many leaders and people.

When will America learn the Bible is words from God almighty and it is always true. When will America learn, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34) The open rebellion of America to God and His words is ever before Him and man. Unless America’s leaders humble themselves, confess of their need for a holy God, and repent of their ungodly ways America is through, I am convinced her best days are behind her. President Obama, our leader, is running for reelection and I will prophesy he will be reelected as President of the United States unless America humbles herself, confesses of her need for a holy God, and repent of her ungodly ways. Now I wish no harm to come to President Obama or anyone in his administration I want salvation to come to them and America, but like Saul President Obama is anointed by God and has been raised up by God as a vessel of dishonor to punish America for her waywardness from God and His words. Righteousness exalts a nation! You cannot be a righteous leader and endorse unrighteousness, we are known by the fruit of our lives and lips. Take heed America: “I will cut you down as a sickle threshes the wheat field and throw you into my fire of righteousness and your will be utterly consumed. Repent from your waywardness before it is too late. Yea I come quickly with My sickle in My hand to strike you down, repent before it is too late, turn before it is too late. Yea I come to smite you and to remove your candle stick from the face of the earth,” thus says the LORD. Written by David Stahl

STAY IN THE BOAT

The longer I walk with the LORD the more I see at times my inability to follow God in some areas. Yes to my shame and horror at times I see my shortcomings and even sin and oh how I want to correct them. Now believe it or not this is what God wants to see in our lives. God wants us to see those areas where we have missed it, God wants His precious Holy Spirit to be able to convict us (conviction what a wondrous work of God in our lives) of our sin and our sins. Did you know we have a nature that is contrary to God’s nature what the Scriptures calls our sin nature (verse) and then we have our sins; our immoral, ungodly, and even unethical acts of our flesh (verse). These two areas of humanity are what keep us in a state of fallen mankind before a Holy God. Now it is true Jesus died for our sin and for our sins, but that does not mean we will live in victory over our sin and sins just because Jesus died for them more is needed. Now here seems to be the root problem in our Christian walk with the LORD we must engage at the level of understanding we are in God. In my earlier years of walking with the LORD I went after a deeper teaching from teachers like Charles Haun and others and passed over the milk of the word. Now many years later I see chewing on meat and bones (as I did) as a babe left me today missing some things I needed, after all babies born from a man and woman must suckle at the bottle before they can grow and endure harder foods. The lack I speak of is not of foundational or spiritual principles, but just some areas (I see within myself) of lack in me I see. Now I fully understand why God did it this way, He took me to the School of the Spirit and gave me a crash course. I thank God for shining His all seeing light on me and exposing these areas and I know in time and as I open up to His word of correction I will acquire these things I have missed. Order in God establishes correct function and usefulness. We plainly see this truth in the word of God. Never forget the words in the Scriptures were not just hap-hazarderly written down by the hand of man, as spoken to the heart of man by God, but were particularly arranged and placed for context and spiritual meaning. To say anything else is a pure denial of God Almighty Himself. And in us too is an order and a pattern we must follow to be useful and complete in God.

Now this thought is at the heart of what I would like to talk about in this article. As we have discussed in previous articles truth is progressive and as we walk with the LORD we are to grow from glory (level) to glory (level). In God there is always progression sin to saint, seed to fruit, child to adult no matter what and in all things God has built in us and in all He has created progression. And for those things that do not progress as planned by God they seem to fall by the wayside, except for people. In our spiritual growth and development there is a progression we too must follow: first faith, second trust, and then third rest and if we get this out of order or mess them up we too can fall by the wayside like the mighty oak who puts most of its energy into developing a strong bark, but spends little time in developing a strong root system and when a great wind comes the mighty oak is easily toppled. And why, no tap root, no foundational support, no peripheral nutrient or water gathering capability. The end result will be (as long as no storms comes) all is well, but if we serve God long enough the storms will blow our way God will see to it. When great storms arrive the mighty oak is unable to stand the test of the wind and its strength (its heavy bark) only adds to its quick demise. We Christians today are like the mighty oak tree at times, we spend a lot of our time in developing the outward appearance of our commitment with the LORD while neglecting the inward work of the heart, soul, and spirit and when our test comes we (like the mighty oak tree) quickly stumble (at sin, offense, and the like) and fall out of the way.

I am amazed when I study the Scriptures and read of all the different messages it contains and the longer I walk with the LORD the more He can open up different shoots of truth from these messages. The Bible is full of different messages and depending on our level of spiritual development and our desire we chose the message we want to believe. Did you know the number one message of Jesus’ ministry was sin? But, most Christians camp out all of their lives around the message of love and grace (and this is okay it is a wonderful message), but there is more God wants of us. God wants us to grow up (which means pushing forward from the elementary principles of salvation, Hebrews 6:1-2)) so that we can take on the authority and accountability of God in our lives and do the things He wants us to do. And for this to happen, my friend, there must be a correct understanding of spiritual principles, desire, and commitment to God. It is our commitment that carries us in God and the first sign of commitment to God is reading His ownership manual, the Bible. In Matthew 18 we find an amazing story of Jesus teaching the disciples some basic truths, now most people focus on Peter walking on the water, but that was not Jesus’ focus and nor should it be ours. Matthew (an eye witness) shares, “And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”(Matthew 14:25-31) I wonder why Peter wanted to walk on the water? He had to know he would have had to walk on the water like Jesus in order to reach Jesus. How long was Peter with Jesus and he still did not know what Jesus looked like? Lord if it be you do a miracle so I will believe, but we know this was not true of Peter. Time and time again (often like us) Peter boasted of His love and faith in Jesus, but when the rubber hits the road Peter failed even in the face of Jesus praying for him, “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. 33And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. 34And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.” (Luke 22:31-34) Oh no my friend Peter had another motive here. And when did Peter doubt? When he left the safety of the boat or when he began to sink? I would say when he left the place of safety and security (the boat) he had no faith in what Jesus had provided for him and the other disciples. This story is not about faith building (even though many preachers and teachers spin it they know it will fill seats and offering plates better than other messages), but this story is about Jesus showing Peter how foolish it is to leave the place of protection and security God has provided. Yes Peter walked on the water (big deal), but in the end Jesus had to save him from his ignorance and presumption and where did they all end up, in the boat. Why do we think Jesus has to do some parlor trick miracle for us to believe He is who He says He is nor should He have to break the physical laws of nature to get us to believe. His word should be enough for us to believe, but no we today in the church want to see miracles and yet we do not believe. Remember, miracles are for non-believers, Believers are to walk by faith (remember this point we will look at this again) not by sight. Now I know I have heard many sermons from well-meaning preachers and teachers (maybe some not so well-meaning) who missed the truth of this story because they had some agenda or point they wanted to stress. When we make our approach to word of God it must never be from our prospective, but from God’s. When was the last time you heard “thus says the LORD?” No the most we hear today is a good sermon with some moral message that kind of goes along with the Bible, but if you really examine the words of the preacher or teacher they go against what the word of God says and does not represent truth. A good sermon will do not for us. What we need to hear is a message from God that does not puff us up, but lays us low and brings us down where God is.

The spiritual principle is found in Romans, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17) To get a good handle on this truth it is best to read this verse in the Greek, “So then faith cometh by hearing a word from God.” (Romans 10:17 (Greek)) Faith comes (we get faith) by hearing not my experience, miracles, or even wisdom. When God speaks to us and we hear Him we receive faith. Why do we think we can build up or save our faith for a rainy day? Faith is not ours it is God’s and when we need faith to believe or do something God wants done He speaks to us and give us all of the faith we will ever need. Everything we get from God comes by way of Him speaking and us hearing, even salvation. Faith is the beginning order of the three and if we get faith wrong the other two (trust and rest) will be lost to us. Many say David give me an example of faith , “Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:16) Real faith fears not death.

We use to sing a song in church (it has been years since I heard this song) called “Trust and Obey.” Trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus than to trust and obey. People ask me to give them an example of trust so I give these verses from Job, “Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in mine hand? 15Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. 16He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him. 17Hear diligently my speech, and my declaration with your ears. 18Behold now, I have ordered my cause; I know that I shall be justified.” (Job 13:14-18) What better than our life to put against God’s faithfulness? Trust is a deeper work of God in our life and will require a stronger and tougher dealing of God in our lives for us to possess it. Remember nothing is free in God even our salvation was not free it cost Jesus His life. Everything we get from God will cost us something and trust is no different.

Lastly rest. Rest is the spiritual place God desires to take us all to in Him. The Children of Israel never entered into the land God promised them because they never entered into this place of rest in God. I am not so sure God was talking about a certain geographical land, but a spiritual place of rest we can learn of Him. Did you know the word “rest” has 275 occurrences in the Scriptures (KJV) and the very first reference in the New Testament is Jesus speaking of Himself, “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. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) Jesus says He can give us rest if we take his yoke upon us and learn of Him. So the yoke of the Lord is not for working but for learning. And what are we to learn of Christ, “for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Rest in God leaves us safely in the boat were God put us. Written by David Stahl

JUDGMENT THEN MERCY

In life there are physical rules in the physical realm we must obey no one is exempt from gravity, heat, or motion. There are biological functions that govern our delicate body, which must follow to be able to operate at its maximum ability. So too in the Spiritual realm; there are divine spiritual principles we must follow to be able to function and operate correctly in God. Take forgiveness as an example. We think forgiveness is doled out unlimited, but not so in God. As we forgive we shall be forgiven. So if we forgive a little we shall be forgiven a little. The opposite is also true and both are bound to God’s divine Spiritual principles. If we forgive much then we can expect to be forgiven by God much. Jesus said, “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: ³⁸Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” (Luke 6:37-38) In verse 37 Jesus was lining up the principle “forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:” and then in verse 38 Jesus sets the standard of our forgiveness “For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” Did you get that at “the same measure.” God operates at the same measure. I wonder why we think God is going to give us more than what we need? This type of thinking is just plain old greed which most church leaders (worldwide) exploit at the disadvantage of the Gospel message. God is to us what we are to Him and the more faithful we are to God the more faithful God is to us. What father would not in his heart have a great love for a son or daughter who is faithful? We read verses in the Bible such as, “But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” (Matthew 13:23) and have ungodly Bible evangelists, preachers, and teachers twist the precious word of God into another message for their personal gain and ambition whereby saying the seed is money, but that is not what Jesus said. Jesus explaining the parable said, “Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. ¹¹Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.” (Luke 8:10-11) Yet on Christian TV all you hear is bury your seed (money) into my ministry and God will give you a supernatural harvest of return, well not so in God my friend. God always operates at the same measure and does not honor a lie and subversion of His word. “Give and it will be given unto.” God knows what you have and what your need is. Do not get off track in the greedy stock market game of I will give $5 and God will give me $100 oh no my friend give to God, be led by the precious Holy Spirit, and He will give back to you what you need. Here then is a true trust and confidence in God to meet our needs. The basis of our giving is not built on how much money we have or the abundance of our resources, but on the right heart condition of giving. If we give with the right heart condition God can use whatsoever we give to meet His and our need. The widow lady who gave her last two mites (or one farthing) gave with a right heart condition. Jesus said of her, “Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: ⁴⁴For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” (Mark 12:43-44) I wonder what her reward for her obedience and sacrifice was? If her need was money I am sure (the Bible does not say) God met her need, but if it was something else (peace, joy, health, etc.) I am sure God gave to her in measures she could not contain. God loves to meet the needs of His children. I have seen this time and time again over the many years of walking with the LORD. The more I am faithful to God the more He meets our needs and even some wants. We serve a great God who loves us and yes wants us to walk in His truth and in the precepts of His words.

Another area in the Scriptures that we can look at that has a judgment then mercy principle in operation is the lady caught in adultery. Now I know this story talks about adultery, but you can replace adultery with any sin (lying, murder, cheating, stealing, etc.) and the story will still ring true. In John we read, “And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, ⁴They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. ⁵Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? ⁶ This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. ⁷So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. ⁸And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. ⁹And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. ¹⁰When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? ¹¹ She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” (John 8:3-11) Here the scribes and Pharisees (the religious folks of their day) bring a lady caught in adultery to Jesus to trap Him into speaking against the Law of Moses, one of the most beloved member and law giver of the Old Testament. Notice the scribes and Pharisees came with words to accuse, but Jesus met them with silence. In verse six it says, “But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.” What an unorthodox way to defend yourself -- silence. When Jesus was before Pilate the Bible says, “and Jesus opened not His mouth.” You know in these types of situations all words do is just get in the way. Jesus knew, “A soft (Strong’s #7390 tender, delicate, weak) answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1) Jesus’ silence conveyed His great strength not to be moved (oh how I need this in my life) by words or pressured by people. In verse seven he broke His silence, “he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her” and then went back to writing on the ground. In only 15 words Jesus convicted the entire crowd of men and they departed and then Jesus went back to writing on the round. Now left on stage is only the lady and Jesus face-to-face. And Jesus asks, “Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?” And she replied, “No man, Lord.” She recognized Jesus (being in the appearance of a man) was not a mire man and He could not only condemn her, but He could forgive her of her adultery. She also knew He was the only man who could have taken up a rock and took her life. Jesus replied back to her, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”

Now this is a wonderful story of mercy and forgiveness we all like and want to relate to it in times when we are caught doing something wrong. We all are like the lady caught in adultery we all at times, “have sinned and come short of God’s glory” right? Many preachers and teachers say Jesus was writing down the sins of the men in the crowd who probably had slept with her and were now trying to cover their infidelity with religious works of men. But, you know things are no different today. Instead of confessing our infidelity (and the like) and getting it taken care of (before God and man) we have programs in churches to deal with the shame and grief we have caused our spouse, family, friends, and even ourselves. We wrap our big sins (over drinking, gambling, divorce, etc.) up in a really nice Easter basket and cover them and their actions with words and meetings. The church counselor has replaced the somewhat busy pastor, after all the church counselor has a degree from the local university and they know all of the modern techniques of counseling people who needs to get honest and truthful before God, who needs the Holy Spirit to convict them so they can get right before God and man we have a 12 step program that takes care of our problems. I do not think Jesus was writing down the sins of the men in crowd if so He would have addressed them individually. Their sins were not addressed (to forgiveness) they were only convicted and they departed. Verse nine says, “being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last:” what a sad state to be in. They had an encounter with Jesus was convicted, but never had their sins dealt with. Is this not the picture of the church (worldwide) today? We come to church, hear the word of God preached and taught (in some churches), we are convicted, but depart without having our sins dealt with. Oh LORD please let this not be my life.

How could Jesus say, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more?” The answer is quite clear, Jesus did not condemn her because He had already judged her and found her guilty. Now I was not there, but I believe what Jesus was writing on the ground was a list of all of her sins. It must (just like ours) have been a big list because twice Jesus wrote on the ground. Here is the principle; judgment then mercy. Jesus was judging the lady in His writing. If we go to court and stand before a judge there must be a judgment rendered before the judge either punishes us with the full extent of the law or gives us some degree of mercy. So too in God, when we stand before Him (the highest judge and we all will someday) He must judge us and make a judgment about us based on His divine spiritual principle before He can execute His judgment (punish) or extend mercy. The judgment must happen for God to know how much mercy to extend. Remember God operates at the same measure, but God is the one that decides to either execute punish or extent mercy. Again, the spiritual principle is judgment then mercy. Paul in 1 Corinthians tells us, “For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. ³¹For 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) The judging of ourselves will limit the amount of judgment by God and man on earth not all, but some. And the more we learn to judge ourselves as God judges (righteous judgment) the less God will have to judge us in our next life to come. Never forget this life is about qualifying or being approved for our position in our next life. We seem to put (me too at times) so much effort into living this life with ease and comfort and fail to be concerned about the requirements for our next life to come. Paul warns us also in 1 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?” (1 Corinthians 6:2-3) When will we learn to judge the angels? In our next life? Oh no, in this life as we learn to judge ourselves and the again the spiritual principle is judgment then mercy. Oh I know we have been taught do not judge (who wants to be judged by another?), well this may be true for some, but for those who can handle the weightier things of God: matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith they are a requirement and our reasonable duty before God and man. Written by David Stahl

THIS WORLD

This world is an amazing place at times. It is a place of unforgettable beauty and goodness, but at other times it is a place of heinous shame and evil. In my short life I have seen the splendor of the ice capped mountain of Everest in Nepal and I have seen the throngs of wilder beasts running at break-neck speed along the Serengeti in Kenya and Tanzania, both sights to behold. I have seen waterfalls and trees that seem to almost kiss the skies. I have brought life into this world and sadly I must confess I have taken life out of this world. There is nothing more special in this world than to hear a new born baby cry for the first time as it comes into this world. With all of the beauty this world can offer yet at the same time it also offers great sadness, poverty, and despair. I have seen the swollen bellies of children around the world; the sickness, disease, and famine of biblical proportions and even the ravages of war in the eyes and lives of people around the world. Yes this world is an amazing place, but my friend if we take a liking to this world it will destroy us. We must keep our heart out of the world, we must never think of this world as our home. Yet we (I include myself at times) Christians do all we can to dig our heart and lives into the dirt of this world. Jesus told the disciples, “Heaven (Strong’s #3772 the universe, the world, the aerial heavens or sky, the region where the clouds and the tempests gather, and where thunder and lightning are produced) and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” (Matthew 24:35) Now Jesus was not talking about “Heaven” our heavenly home for awhile, He was talking about the sky, the clouds, the stars, the planets, etc. Like the disciples then today many Christians get things here confused when the “world” is mentioned and if you get confused here my friend you are in great danger of losing your soul.

Now the Scripture often uses the word “world” to describe and explain things that affect our senses and human reasoning. For example in the most memorized verse in the Bible and even in the next verse we read, “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. 17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17) John had a lot to say about the “world” maybe because he spent his last days on earth in exile on an island; funny how the love for the world seems to grow dim in our thinking and heart as we get alone with God and separate ourselves from all of the hustle and bustle of life’s busy routine. In 1 John we read, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” (1 John 2:15-17) In both examples the word “world” is used many times, but the same Strong’s translation word, Kosmos #2889, is used. How could God give His precious Son Jesus for the “world” in one verse, but in another verse tell us not to love the “world?” For us to understand this we must apply some good old common sense (that God gave us) and do what Paul instructed Timothy; to study the word to find thy self approved so that we would not be found to be in error. Never forget the truth of the word of God (both written and spoken) is contained in the words as the precious Holy Spirit gives us revelation understanding to the words and concepts contained in what God is telling us. If we look at the Greek meanings for the word “Kosmos” we find it has eight meanings:

(1) An apt and harmonious arrangement or constitution, order, government.

(2) Ornament, decoration, adornment, the arrangement of the stars, “the heavenly hosts,” as the ornament of the heavens in 1 Peter 3:3.

(3) The world, the universe.

(4) The circle of the earth, the earth.

(5) The inhabitants of the earth, men, the human race.

(6) The ungodly multitude; the whole mass of men alienated from God, and therefore hostile to the cause of Christ.

(7) World affairs, the aggregate of things earthly: the whole circle of earthly goods, endowments riches, advantages, pleasures, etc, which although hollow and frail and fleeting, stir desire, seduce us from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ.

(8) Any aggregate or general collection of particulars of any sort.

Most certainly (and using our common sense) God would not give His precious Son for any government or earthly order, any arrangement of the stars, nor for the universe of which he made (Genesis 1:16) in five words. In Matthew 24:35, Jesus was talking about meanings, 2-4. In John 3:16-17, Jesus was talking only about meanings 5 and 6. And in 1 John 2:15-17, John was talking about all of the meanings, except for number 5 and 6. And do not make the mistake of thinking the earth is this world it is not. The earth (and the fullness therein) is what God made and gave to man that will never be destroyed. The world is an ungodly system, a way of thinking and doing things that is in direct rebellion to God’s word. To see this system in action all you have to do is turn on the TV and watch the news and popular programming. The world is the legal system that says it is okay to kill babies when God calls it murder. The world says it is okay for men to marry men and woman to marry woman, but God calls this an abomination. Almost every social issue and cause today that is popular in the world is in direct rebellion to God’s word. Also to see the world’s system in action all you have to do is go to a contemporary church and see how they have sold out from the Godly principles of the word of God through; Christian rock and roll music, interpretive dance, flag waving, permissive dress with no modesty or decency, and the folksy, hip-hop, liberal, worldly sermons that deny the authority, revelation, and power of God while exalting the world. God’s idea is for the church (the Body of Christ) to change the way people (the folks Jesus gave His life for in John 3:16-17) operate in the world, but today the opposite has happened the world system has been adopted by the church and it is changing the hearts and minds of Christians world-wide. We must go back to the tried and true principles of the Bible, the old ways lead to life. We most certainly are not to love this world (and be very careful how we love this earth), we are not to put our heart and soul into this worldly system (no matter how good it looks or how good it feels) we are to shun the world and all of its trappings. There is a direct correlation to our spiritual growth and development and the love we have for the world; the more we go after the world the less of God will be in us. I see this in the way we go after technology; everyone has a cell phone and are glued to them, we are addicted to social media (Facebook, etal), our lives revolve around technology and we seldom have time to be quiet and still before God to hear His voice. We cannot even get in a car (alone) and be still we must turn on the radio, put on a CD (at unnatural levels) or text someone, for most people (Christians included) technology has overwhelmed our lives and our relationship with the LORD (for most Christians) is non-existent.

Now do not think you are immune to this love of the world. The Lord really showed me how I am addicted to things from our past. As Karen and I began to look at the furniture, pictures, and the “stuff” we planned to move to our new home I could not believe how strong in my feelings I had for some of the old furniture we bought when we first got married. Furniture we shipped all over the country, from duty station to duty station, even to Germany and back. Furniture and things collected through the years that remind us of places and people from a time that has passed us by. You know we will never be able to allow God to bring new things into our lives until we can allow God to remove the old things from our lives. It was really strange the time we spent after we were told we had to move seemed like we were in limbo or in neutral. It was kind of surreal we were in a holding pattern (to be honest it was confusing at times) just waiting to close and move, but in us was a peace because we knew we were going to be moving and we were heading into uncharted waters in God. This my friend is the place where God can be God (in the unknown) and not some puppet on a sting to command at our whim, but a holy and capable God who cares for us individually and cares for the plan He has purposed and planned for our lives. We see this clearly in the life of Abram. In Genesis we read, “Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:” (Genesis 12:1) Did you know God is a great disturber? He loves to disturb us and put us in a real fix so He can fix us. This is what He did with Abram. Can you imagine God telling you to leave your country, leave your relatives, and even leave your family? Talk about the unknown and then God says I will show you as you go where you are going, but Abram (in obedience) had to let the old things pass away in his life so that God could show him the land he was to go to and so that God could bring all of His precious promises (that God had for him) into his life. But before God can get us to a place where we are willing to leave our country, relatives, and family God first but be able to cut the world out of our heart and minds. In Matthew Jesus shares some very hard and often misunderstood words with us, “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. 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 says, I have a sword and I am going to stick it in your heart (if you let Me) so that I can cut you out of this world and it is going to hurt and even cause strife and anger in your family; between your parents, brothers, sisters, and even your children, because if you love them all more than Me than you are not worthy of Me. God has a cross (our will laid against God’s will for our lives) for each and every one of us to die on, to crucify our love for this world and its pleasures. Count the cost my friend Jesus comes with a sword to cut our affections and desires for this world out of us and it will hurt (we will cry) and we will even die, but “he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” The more we allow God to cut us out of this world the more of God’s life we will have in us. Two things I will promise you my friend and that is Jesus is good at wielding a sword at our heart, his sword cuts us coming and going and the second is it will hurt we will have pain, heartaches, and confusion, but if we allow Jesus to do His work in our lives at the end of the surgery we will be able to love the unlovable as Jesus did, endure the persecution and tribulation Jesus also promised us because we will not be of this world we will be birthed from above. Written by David Stahl

LIFE THROUGH DEATH

The longer I live on earth the more I seem to want to live to see our grand kids have kids and the more my flesh screams to be soothed and satisfied. Now do not get me wrong I do not have some death wish to leave this earth before God’s time and I know God still has much more for Karen and I to do, but I see within me lives a paradox that I battle and even struggle with dying so that I can live. Now you will not hear this spiritual concept taught at most churches (maybe 1 out of 10) most churches teach we are to live in the abundant life of Christ, be blessed in overflow, claim (concept not found in the Bible) it, just tune in to Christian TV and you can pick and choose the lie you wish to follow. But, it is the message of the Gospel (the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ) that is the power of the cross. The power of the cross is not about life it is about death. The power of the cross is not about abundance, but limitations. The power of the cross is not about freedom, but restriction because limitations, restrictions, and death to our flesh bring us to fulfillment and completion in God, not abundance, freedom, and life. Paul shares this stark, hard truth with the Church at Corinth and us, “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:17-18) Things have not changed in over 2,000 years, today preaching the preaching of the cross (the Gospel message, death to our carnal selfishness, our self-centered nature, and our religious self-seeking) is still considered foolishness and many still perish. The truth is the more we can die to our intentions, emotions, and desires the more we can live in the God type of life (Zoe) and the more God can use us. But here is the key, we must die. The progression in God is not into greater life, but into greater death. Jesus said, “The thief cometh (not the devil) 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. 11I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” (John 10:10-11) Jesus came so that we may have life, but for us to be able to walk in the newness of life in Christ He had to die. The hallmark and crowning glory of Christ’s ministry on earth was not all of His parables, teachings, miracles, and healings, but when He died between two thieves. Jesus came for one reason and only one reason to die on a cross so that we might be able to have His life. Jesus was not talking about going to heaven as most denominations and religious groups teach, oh no Jesus was talking about going to die, “except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die.” The only place we are going to after we accept Jesus as our personal savior is to our cross (our will laid against God’s will for our lives) to suffer (soften our heart towards man and God) and die. Jesus takes us by the hand and leads us to places we do not want to go, but if we do go we can be raised in newest of life, God’s life. This too is a type and shadow of what God expects to happen in our lives. Please notice verse 11 says, “the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” Jesus had to die so that we, “might have life and that they might have it more abundantly” the spiritual principle: life though death and the more death we experience in God the more life in God we can experience. Jesus shared this same spiritual principle (used other words) with the disciples and they scratched their heads again. You know the disciples did not understand what Jesus was saying until the Holy Spirit came and yet many today say we do not need the Holy Spirit. It only shows us just how far we have drifted from the truth of the word of God and of the dark heart of the religious, humanistic, apostate (works focused) church of today. Jesus said in John again, “Verily, verily, (a double negative, strongest use of an imperative to express significance) I say unto you, Except (meaning: the only way there is no other way) a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 25He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 26If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” (John 12:24-26) So the only way, there is no other way to be fruitful in God is to “fall in to the ground and die,” but no I thought God has called us to “life and it more abundantly?” No my friend God has called us to death not to life, God is calling us to lose our life for if we can lose our life surely we shall find it. Jesus repeats this thought in Matthew and added some other qualifiers, “He 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 10:37-39) Please notice the losing comes first and the finding is second. Never forget order in God really matters. If we do not allow God to strengthen us with might in the inward man (we cannot do it on our own this is called religion) to be able to lose our life we shall never be able to walk in the life that God has for our life. How could we? It is God’s power, it is God’s life not ours! We have no faith, faith is owned by God He even gives us a measure (Romans 12:3) to be saved and live Godly, everything is owned by God.

Paul knew this spiritual principle and the progression of it all too well, “Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.” (2 Corinthians 11:23-27) Remember truth is progressive and the more truth we can allow God to work in our lives the more it will cost us. And to the extent of our death will measure the extent of our life in God. Remember death in God has a purpose. The purpose of death in God is resurrection. No death no resurrection. We all want to experience God’s newness of life, well to experience God’s newness of life we all first must die, we all must lose our life so we can find it. Is our life in God lost? No it is on the other side of death, both spiritually and physically. We see this in Romans when Paul taught the Church at Rome, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:” (Romans 6:4-5) Did you get that? “We are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father.” And verse five brings it all home to our heart, “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:” Never think God highly exalted His Son Jesus because He was God’s Son, oh no if you do you will be grossly wrong. God, “ . . . hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” not because He was God’s Son, oh no, but because He, “ . . . made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Our way is clear and our path is sure, as Jesus is our example we too must fall into the ground and die so that we will be able to be fruitful and walk in the newness of life God has for us all. But, no death no life it is as simple as that. Written by David Stahl