PEACE OR A SWORD

If we look around the world today (much more than in the past) we find no peace, no civility, and no fulfillment. Now many Christians would say that is because of that mean old devil Satan (we will talk about him later), but this thinking (and the doctrines that are supported by this thinking) is so far from the truth. They say this because they do not know the truth of the word of God and need someone to blame for their greed, arrogance, and disobedience. What blame themselves for not doing what God wants them to do? Heaven forbid. What place the blame right where it belongs; on a sin sick heart that is in rebellion to God? But, this is nothing new blame shifting started in the Garden of Eden when Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent, but God wanted nothing to do with this and punished all of three guilty parties. So too God will punish us for blame shifting we must pin the rose on the guilty party and that party is us. Now do not think some of this chaos and confusion is by some accident, oh no my friend believe it or not most of this lunacy, confusion, and loss of peace in the world we see play our right before our eyes is from the hand of God. Jesus told the disciples, “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) But you would say I thought Jesus is the Prince of peace and the King of all kings, well He is, but He Himself said, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” Jesus has come with a sword in His hand to cut those who love Him out of the world. He sticks His sword into our hearts to cut out all of the worldly affection and desires from our lives. Jesus will do whatsoever we allow Him to do in our lives to separate us from the world. This separation theme from the world runs all though out the New Testament. Paul in 2 Corinthians tell the church at Corinth, “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:16-18) Did you catch that? We are to separate ourselves from the world even some people in the world, now it says “them” which is a pronoun for people. In the first Epistle of John we read, “I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. 15Love 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.” (1 John 2:14-16) John tells us, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.” How can we love God with our whole heart and love the world? Yet we Christians of today dig our heels into the earth desiring bigger houses, better cars, a bigger portfolio, a better retirement plan, a life of ease for what? In the world we will have no peace of mind God will see to that, yet the world offers us distractions (sports, cooking, TV, hobbies, traveling, reading, legal and illegal drugs, alcoholic drinks, and the list goes on and on) to give us some type of peace and fulfillment that keep our minds off of what God is trying to do in our lives. These distractions have even joined the churches of today. We focus on the cares of the day instead of the cares of eternity. We get so caught up in our favorite sports team, our favorite TV program, our favorite movie star, our favorite food, and the list is endless, but God desires we focus on Him and the things He wants to see come alive in our lives. When was the last time you just sat motionless and still for some time and meditated on the Lord? Or said no to a passion or desire you know in God is not healthy for you? Sadly God’s best for our lives will never be birthed in us unless we make a conscious decision in our heart and especially our mind not to get involved with things of the world.

Now there is an order, like all things God has ordained in our lives, we must follow to be able to be used by God; if not we disqualify ourselves for service through our disobedience. The order is this: we must first overcome the world, then our flesh (in that order) before we can overcome Satan. Do you know we give too much power to demons and Satan? Are they all not defeated? Yes, Paul tell us in Colossians through the precious blood of Jesus Christ, “And having spoiled principalities and powers (that includes demons and Satan), he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” (Colossians 2:15) If we are true Christians Satan and his minions have no power in our lives unless we give rise to it. Satan was defeated on the cross when Jesus died and for us to have the victory over him we must see him defeated, yet many Christian churches pray (in the open air) telling him what they are going to do to him in Jesus’ name. How foolish they are giving him power; who cares what Satan is doing or what we are going to do to him? My mother never wanted to speak his name, he is defeated and she knew it. My friend we must be more concerned with what God is doing instead of what Satan is doing. God alone holds our lives in His hands, God alone holds our future, our very breath, not Satan. If we never come to the place in God where we can overcome the world then we will never get victory over our flesh. Many Christians battle (do good, pray, and fast) sins of the flesh and wonder why they have no victory, well it is because they have never overcame the world and their worldly desires, thirst, and hungers have never been quieted in their spirit and still draws them into fleshly projections. Their love for the world gives rise and power to our flesh. For the flesh to be conquered first we must still the desires, hungers, and thirst in our soul for the world. It is the old crawl, walk, run scenario. We must see the world for what it is and allow God to break its attractions in our lives. Now I do not know about you my friend, but this is a consistent struggle in my life. The older I get the more I see and feel my life I am losing. The older I get the more I love my wife and family, but Jesus said, “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.” (Matthew 10:37) The older I get the more I desire a greater life of ease, but Jesus said, “And 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 10:38-39) What we have to lose our life? Yes, so that we may find it. Please notice losing comes first then we find. We will never be able to conquer our flesh unless we allow God to cut us out of the world, our flesh will rule and reign over us as lord and king and most certainly we will never be able to conquer anything in the demonic in the spiritual realm if we cannot conquer our flesh. How can we? Our flesh will be tempted and we will succumb to our carnal desires. We see this spiritual principle play out in the 17th Chapter Matthew. The disciples prayed for a young lad to be healed (like in the past), but this time nothing happened. So the father brought his son to Jesus to be healed, “And Jesus rebuked the devil (a demonic spirit not a sickness); and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. 19Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? 20And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 21Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”(Matthew 17:18-21) Now many Christians think Jesus was telling the disciples they did not pray hard enough or fast long enough, but that was not what Jesus was telling the disciples. What Jesus was saying was they could not cast the demon out because they themselves had a love for the world that was still alive within them. The focus of the disciples always seemed to circle around earthly things; they rarely caught a glimpse of the eternal things that Jesus daily walked in. They were earthly while Jesus was heavenly. They even asked Jesus to teach them to pray. I wonder why? So they too could do the things Jesus did. They wanted the power, but not the requirements to receive the power. By telling them “this goeth not out but by prayer and fasting” Jesus was telling them you have to be more heavenly minded. Prayer is a direct address to the Father, a direct communion and communication with Him that will enable them to move and operate with God in the spiritual realm where demons (I do believe in them because I have cast some out and the Bible testifies of them) and such exist. And fasting; did you know fasting is good for the soul? Fasting is sacrificing one hunger for another. Fasting quiets our spirit and shuts our mouth where we can hear from God. Fasting kills our flesh. The longer we can fast the greater death we will experience in our flesh, but remember first we must get the victory over the world before we try fasting, if not it will be a waste of time.

The title of this article is really a question we all must answer. Do we want peace as the world gives or do we want the sword of the Lord stuck into our heart and lives? If we choose peace as the world gives we may have civility and happiness for a season, but contentment and fulfillment is far out of the question. Peace as the world gives is not the peace that “passes all understanding” as the Bible says, but a peace that keeps our thoughts and heart numb to the reality of the internal lack within us that cries out for more of God in our lives and what will satisfy our inward desires. The only way we can experience this peace, that passes all understanding, is if we allow God to work, through His dealings and judgments, in our lives. If we choose the sword (as Jesus did) our lives will be painful, frustrating, and confusing at times and we will experience loss in our lives, but that is okay my friend God measures our gain in Him by what we lose not by what we gain. Remember, “He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” (Matthew 10:39) The world says have more to be more, well not so with God. God says, have less to be more. When we have less of the world we will be able to have more of God. Having more of both is impossible though many Christians try with all of their might. It is amazing how man is put in a vise between his desires and passion to save his life and God working in our life. I do not totally understand this. On one hand man is driven by his own lust and the other hand God doing whatsoever we allow Him to do in our lives to bring us to salvation and glory. But it is not God that decides the outcome, but man. The battle for our heart, mind, and lives is one of our will. Jesus prayed, “not my will, but thy be done.” Here Jesus had a will (not sure what it was) that was contrary to the Father, but He submitted to the Father’s will, what we all must do as we submit to the sword of the Lord. Written by avid Stahl

SELLING OUT TO GOD

Paul tells us not to be conformed to this world, but sadly we are or maybe it is just me. I often find areas in my life (that the Holy Spirit reveals to me) I think are insignificant, but in reality they are not. Do you know God is very concerned about the small areas in our lives? The Bible says it is, “the little foxes that spoil the vine” not the big foxes. Now we are concerned about the big areas, but not so with God, He is concerned about the little areas. And as a matter of fact the smaller the areas the more God is concerned about them in our lives. God ever watches us and He watches us in these little areas (not the big ones) how we operate in them; He closely scrutinizes us to see how we do things, our motives, and what the intent of our heart condition is. I seem to be so plugged into this world (maybe it is just me but I do not think so) in so many areas it just scares me. Verse after verse in the Bible warns me of this critical danger in our lives, yet I seem to ignore (maybe it is just me) them as I often hunger and thirst after the meager scraps of what the world offers as compared to what God offers. And why, because I have not sold out to God. God has really impressed upon me that I will need to totally sell out in 2011, if I am going to be able to walk with Him in the things He has for me and my family. Please pray for me in this area.

I always remember the words of (my teacher’s teacher) Walter Beuttler, “If you build God a tabernacle He will build you a ministry.” He shared these words with many Bible School students for years and time and choices bore out whether they built God a tabernacle by the extent of their effectiveness to minister God to the world. In Mark we read the very sad, but true story of one such student that could not totally sell out. Today we call him the rich young ruler, but I will not because the Bible does not call him that. But, he was young and he was rich. We read, “And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17) Please notice this student of Christ, came running, was respectful “kneeled to him” honored Christ by calling him “Good Master” he did all of the religious things, but that was not enough to answer his question, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” Please notice he did not say, “what must I do to go to heaven?” Did you know Jesus is not so concerned about us all going to heaven (we are) as much as He is concerned about us allowing the life of God to operate in our lives? I have learned words are cheap, but actions speak volumes to hurting and lonely hearts. And those who raise their hands in song services, pray the loudest, and speak in tongues the longest usually have little to no relationship with the LORD unlike those Christians who have allowed God to work in their lives out from experiences in God and through His dealings and judgments. Selling out to God will require hard times and persecution. God promises us that, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:12) Selling out will even cause offense because the message of the Gospel does not make people happy. Paul tells us, “For 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 1:18) and I believe it because I have seen, handled, and tasted of it. For those who understand the message of the cross it will offend them and they will get angry with us, but if we endure their anger and childish ways we will come to see the power and effectiveness of God’s salvation. “And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. 19Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. 20And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.” (Mark 10:18-20) This young fellow should have figured out by now something was up, but his presumption and arrogance blinded the truth from his eyes and heart like many Christians today. This lad went to church every time the doors were open and kept the commandants since his youth and even confirmed Jesus’ words to this, “all these have I observed from my youth.” He did all of the right church activities, but this still was not enough to have his question answered. He had to do more. “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) When this lad kneeled down he thought there was nothing he had to do, he had done it all for God, but Jesus said not so fast young man (if we walk with God long enough He will knock the zealousness out of us) “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.” Now if Jesus would have said give the rich (or even the poor) a good deal on your goods or go sell all you have and give the money to the church he may have been able to do this, but that is not what Jesus said to do Jesus said go, sell, and give. Jesus was after (what Jesus is after in our lives too) his heart. Notice Jesus said if he sells and give to the poor he would have “treasure in heaven,” now he may have gone for this, but I believe he was so shell-shocked and stunned by Jesus’ words he missed this point. Sadly he could not sell out and missed out on eternal life and treasure in heaven, all because he could not “take up the cross” (die to his selfish desires and hungers) and follow (come after or become like) Jesus. Sadly this is the last time we read of this young lad in the Bible. He could not sell out to God and missed out on all that God had for him. My friend this is not just some true story in the Bible make no mistake Jesus today is giving us the same choice and we will either sell out to the world or to God. God’s intention is for us to sell out to Him, but the choice is ours. I know in my life my answer must be selling out to God because I have gone too far now and have too much to lose. How about you?

You know when we do not understand what the Bible is saying we must allow the words in God’s word to speak the truth to our spirit. Sadly most Christians go ask a pastor or friend what this or that verse means, well God wants to show us some things in His word by us cracking open the Bible and spending some time with Him. The truth of the word of God is in the words and for us to really understand what the Bible is saying we must understand the words as they were written from the oldest version you can find. And of course the best version of the Bible today, to do what Paul instructed Timothy to do, “to study the word of God” is the 1611 King James Version (KJV). Almost all of the recognized study references are based on and patterned after the KJV. The newer versions (NIV, ASV, NLT, NCV, NRSV, etc. what a vegetable soup) maybe be hipper and easier to read (in today’s language), but the words have been changed which changes the intent and meaning to what is being said. Newer versions make good sense now in 2011, they are easy to read, but the Bible says, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 14:12) The KJV is easily tracked backward the direction we must go to understand what the Old Testament Prophets and in the New Testament what the disciples, Paul, Peter, even Jesus were saying. And yes even further back to the Greek and Hebrew where the real meaning of God’s word is found. Now you do not have to be able to speak or read Greek or Hebrew, but to understand God’s word you will need to know what the words mean, for there is the heart of truth. The truth of the Bible is contained in the words as the Holy Spirit gives us revelation – the sign of our spiritual authority. Thus if we do not understand what the individual words mean in the Bible we will not have any authority in God to speak and do for Him. They say in the world understanding is power well that may be true in the world, but my friend in God understanding is authority and there is a huge difference between power and authority. I would rather have a smidgen of God’s authority then all of man’s power. To understand what I am saying in this article you will have to open up your spirit and brush up on your study skills to hear with the Spirit of God. Wise advice that will carry you all the days of your life.

Now many people think the 18 Chapter of Revelation is talking about the City of Rome well I am not so sure about that. Here John is talking about something in the future he saw in the Spirit (he could not explain) Rome was his present day world which he could easily explain. The mighty city of Rome, built on seven hills, fell from within from her idolatry, a promiscuous lifestyle, and just plain old open rebellion to God by not selling out to God. This selling out extends into so many areas of our lives and our culture. In the Book of Revelation we read about how the nations were deceived by the merchants of the earth. “And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. 2And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold (of the place where captives are kept, a prison) of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. 3For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication (Strong’s #4204: to permit one’s self to be drawn away by another into idolatry) with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.” (Revelation 18:1-3) How could this happen with mighty churches on every corner? How could this happen with the so called end-time revival that some say is to happen? Be not deceived by the liars on TBN and other Christians TV stations. All they want is your money (they are the merchants), just listen to their message: money, money, and money it is what moves their hearts. Please do not be caught up in this greed and deception of sowing seed. How could all of this happen that is easy the people did not sell out to God. How could the merchants of the world wax (grow) rich, that is easy the Christians spent their money on the things of the world instead of the things of God. Do you see that moving here? My friend either we will sell out to God or we will sell out to the world. We will either put on darkness or we will put on light. Paul lets us know these are our only two choices in life, “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” (Romans 13:11-14) We try so hard to be good and put on the light, but it is not really about being good and putting on light, oh no my friend it is about casting off darkness. If we cast off darkness we will put on the light of the glorious gospel. Notice casting off darkness happens first before we can put on the light. Order matters in the Bible. If we sell out to God He will make sure those things we need in our lives, to conform us into His precious Son’s image, will come our way. Let us not be like the young lad who did all of the right things, but in the end lost his soul and why? He could not sell out to God and was never heard of again, the choice is ours. Written by David Stahl

WHAT I LEARNED IN 2010

Learning often equates to spiritual growth and development, but not always. We hear the term spiritual growth and development or spiritual maturity, but what is the measure of spiritual growth and maturity? Is it a certain amount of hours spent working for God? Or maybe a certain number of hours spent in prayer? Or maybe it is a certain amount of money given to the LORD? Or maybe it is being able to operate in the spiritual realm in a supernatural way for a certain amount of time. Now all of these are good to do, but have nothing to do with the question. Believe it or not the answer to the question is how we handle the truth, especially the truth about ourselves. Do we do the right thing (unlike the last time) the next time we are faced with walking according to God’s word and will? I wonder why we as Christians say “happy new year?” Is it a wish or a hope that the new year will be happy? Well in God there is no happy new year, only another year and whether it is happy or not depends not on God, but on us doing the things we know to do, the things God told us to do. God’s intention (His desire) for us is for all of our years to be happy and fruitful, but whether they are depends on us, not God. God can do no more than speak His intention (He will not force us) in our lives so we can hear and make the choice for ourselves. Man is focused on happiness (happen-in-stance or situational) while God is focused on eternal things NOT dependent on situations and circumstances. A happy new year or a God centered new year, it is our choice.

The year 2010 was a great year for Family Stahl. It started off tough with the death of my father on 3 Jan, but you know in my heart I do not miss him because I have a hope that I will see him again. Oh I mourned his passing with tears and a great sadness (even still cry sometimes when I think of him), but the year ended with Noah David Stahl (my son David’s son) being added to Family Stahl. I made an observation about mourning. I have found out those who have dealt with the deceased in a dishonest or selfish matter seem to take the loss much harder. Maybe it is because of their heart being crushed for the dishonest dealings or maybe because of the financial or other loss they will suffer from the passing. I at all times treated my father with the utmost respect and honor; it was more than a father son relationship. We had a crimson tread that jointed our hearts together by way of military service to country. I alone of my brothers and sisters knew of the heartaches and selfless sacrifice my father made, this bound us even closer with duty, honor, and service. And of course what makes for a happy new year is if we moved closer towards the LORD. And to do this we must have learned some things about our nature and character as compare to God’s along the way that move us ever closer. God’s nature and character is always the standard we are measured against. Thus, I would like to share four major lessons I have learned in 2010 and will probably re-learn in the coming years:

The first lesson is good works does not mean a good heart. I cannot begin to tell you the number of Christians I have talked to that believe all we have to do is treat others good, take care (feed and clothe) of the poor and down-trodden, and God will look past the sin in our lives. My friend the sin in our lives must be dealt with. God does not forgive sin someone must pay a price for our sin and if the precious blood of Jesus Christ has not been applied to blot out our sin then we must pay the consequence of our disobedience with our eternal life. Our choice is crystal clear, but this weak kneed, free grace doctrine that is sweeping the world has blinded and blurred the truth to salvation; where all we have to do is have good thoughts, think positive, treat people kindly, and all will be fine. After all most churches (especially in America) do not believe in sin; I heard Joel Osteen say on CNN he does not preach against sin and he does not believe in hell, well my friend Joel and the 60, 000+ people of his church are deceived if they believe these lies. It does not matter what we do for God, but it matters what we become in God. Sin was the number one topic Jesus talked about during His earthly ministry. Our heart is changed only when we allow God to deal and judge in it. The more we allow God free reign in our heart and lives the more our heart will become like His. Good works (even though needed) will not change our heart condition only God’s dealings and judgments and our election for free reign and sway.

The second lesson is peace at the cost of Godly principles is devilish. In my family Karen and I have been shunned by my relatives because we have dared to speak to them about their souls; about them walking away from God, the lesbianism, and homosexuality that is alive and well in our family. This behavior has been condoned by my mom and dad (just love and prayer for them we were told) in the past to keep the peace, but in reality it was just more time given to provide cover for the open rebellion moving in our family against God’s word. And for this we have paid a price within the family. I can feel in my spirit the resentment and hatred they have for us even though they say they love us. The Holy Spirit does not lie. My friend I am here to tell you if you compromise the truth of the word of God to keep peace in the family there will never be peace between you and God. God will see to it that your spirit will be troubled until you submit to what He wants. As children of God either we stand for the truth of the word of God or we will go along to keep harmony. Harmony without truth is devilish. God’s word is truth and unless we align with His word we can have no peace, things will be okay until someone gets offended and then all hell will break loose. We must stand on Godly principles even at the cost of strife in the family. It is better you anger your dad, mom, brothers, and sisters then to anger God. Now do I want to see my relatives come back to Christ before it is too late? You bet I do, I pray for them all every day, but whether they do or not is not up to me or God it is up to them. I know Karen and I have taken the Godly approach with them and our prayer is for them to allow God to open their eyes to the truth of the word of God again before it is too late and that the heinous spirits of lesbianism and homosexuality would be stripped from our family forever before it is too late. There is no peace in compromise only loss and destruction.

The third lesson is if you draw back from God you will lose your motivation. Sadly I have seen this moving some in my life. Ever since we returned from Europe in 2003 I have seen a very very slow drifting and sliding back from where I was in God. Now I am not talking about turning my back on God, but just a slight and subtle drawing back; not fasting like I use to, maybe enjoying more of a life of ease, or maybe not so looking forward to getting on an airplane for 12-24 hours to travel to other parts of the world. The older we get the less we like to be inconvenienced, the more we like hot showers (maybe that is only me), and the more our lives seems to become more dear to us. Well if we have a desire to serve God all of these things must be dealt a death blow, if not we run the risk of losing our motivation to be used of God. We must take heed and guard against this from moving in our lives. The only way to prevent this is by recognizing what is going on and as Barney Fife said, “just nip it in the bud.” We must force ourselves in this area. It must not be a question of our desires and will, but a question of do we want to disappoint God and go against His will? We must not give our flesh any quarter, we must kill it no matter how much it screams to live. Our flesh must be put to death, if not we will lose our desire for the things of God. Being dead to our flesh is the requirement to know the power of God.

And the fourth and most important is our character must exceed our revelation of God. Sadly I have a friend (who has a deep understanding of God’s word) of over 30 years who walked away from our friendship in 2010. All because God used me to share a character flaw, he got offended, and broke off our communication. The really sad point is I really believe if my friend (I still consider him my friend, brother, and love him no matter his heart condition towards me) would have allowed God to show him these areas he would have a deeper and greater revelation of God’s word. Loss in our lives comes out of our disobedience to what God is bringing into our lives, no matter who God uses to bring it. Peter tells us, “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6Humble 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 5:5-6) Notice verse seven said, “care” not cares no “s.” Cares are earthly things (cars, homes, money, clothing, etc.) but, “care” is the attitude of caring. Peter told us to cast our attitude of caring for earthly things on God, because He “careth” for us. Do you see that? I hope so. But, humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God? I wonder what the mighty hand of God looks like? To Joseph God’s mighty hand was his brothers, Potiphar, and the Pharaoh of Egypt. What does the mighty hand of God look like in your life? The condition to be exalted is for us to humble ourselves. At the same measure (God always works on the same measure) we can humble ourselves; at that same measure we shall be exalted no more no less. Now I hope and pray my good friend can find enough of God in him to call or email me (I have tried) again, but if not well . . . that is his choice. No matter how much of the revelation of God we can behold the work of God is to be done in our character not in our ability to teach or preach. If one is a great teacher or preacher of the word of God, but treats people like they are not equal to them by expecting people to always do things for them, i.e. get their bags, pay their food, tell them how wonderful they are, and never consider themselves equal to anybody because they think they have a greater revelation of God. But is it not our revelation it is God’s! These are all human signs of arrogance and presumption. Did you know God is more concerned about our character than He is about how long we can speak in tongues, how much we work around the church, how well we can sing and dance, how fast we can run, how many points we can score, or even how much money we give to the church. God’s number one focus in our lives is how much we are like His dear precious Son Jesus Christ not the service we can give. This is God’s number one objective in our lives. God is not trying to make us happy (He really does not care about our happiness), rich, or popular, but will do His best (everything we will allow in our lives) to conform us into the character and nature of His Son Jesus Christ. If we really have a desire to become like Jesus Christ we MUST really internalize this truth because then we will be willing to endure tribulations in our lives, which I feel are coming more often and more intense in 2011. We are to be the expression of the Father as Jesus Christ was. Do you see that?

I hear Christian preachers and teachers on TV say, “send me money so I can help God bring in the harvest in the last days.” Well God needs no help to bring in the harvest. Or I hear them say, “a great revival is going to sweep over the land and many people will be saved.” Well the Bible I read (KJV and Greek) does not support such a lie. The Bible I read talks about a great falling away in the last days, “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;” (2 Thessalonians 2:3) Did you know you cannot revive a dead body? No one in the Bible (even Jesus) ever revived a dead person, oh no they must be resurrected. You can revive someone almost dead, but then you will never know the resurrection power of God. But to be resurrected we must die and no one wants to die. Unless we die we will never be able to walk in the truth of Paul’s words when he said, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” (Philippians 3:10) Please notice the order here; knowing Him (God), His power, and His suffering so we can be made (a process) conformable (to look like) His death. We must know Him to know His power and we must know His power so that we can endure our suffering and die. In 2011 we must learn how to die in God. Not physically per say (well maybe so for some Christians outside America), but spiritually. If not we will never be able to “know him and the power” that brought Jesus back from the dead. How much faith will we need in 2011? Just enough to believe God can raise us from the dead as He did Jesus. What will we need to learn in 2011? How to die like Jesus. Written by David Stahl

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

Make no mistake my friend God’s long-suffering will come to an end and when it does all hell will break loose. I really feel America is on her way out. Now I do not want to see this happen because I love America very much; I spent 24 years of dedicated and loyal service to her and her people in the U.S. Navy, but that being said there is a limit to God’s patience (and my love for my country if not God focused) and I feel in my spirit America is almost at the end of the line. And why? Well one reason is the humanistic doctrine taught in the church today of continual grace without being held accountable for our actions (do wrong, just ask, and you will be automatically forgiven), well this wrong doctrine is not supported anywhere in the Bible. As a matter of fact just the opposite is true. Sin must be dealt with. As much as God loves man there comes a time, because of man’s evil heart condition, God will say enough is enough. In Genesis God said, “My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. 4There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. 5And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 7And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.” (Genesis 6:3-7) Can you believe God, “repented that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.” Why do we think man today is any less evil than man in the Book of Genesis? I would think man today is far more evil than man in the Book of Genesis; today man has the ability to project imagines (through high-tech TV, advanced computers, reality computer games, etc.) that sear our mind and thoughts. Oddly enough it was through improper sexual relationships here in Genesis; like today with massive infidelity in marriages (both non-Christian and Christian) and fleshly sins of the mind and heart through pornography and evil imaginations that kindled God’s wrath towards man. Why do we think God will not say enough is enough? Man today has something else that makes him more evil than man in the Book of Genesis a false sense of security of salvation through apostate denominational religions that emboldens him with “if it feels good do it” thinking and repent later. This very practice going on with the churches in Galatia and Paul tried correcting things when he said, “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” (Galatians 5:13-14) And then goes on in verses 19-21 to define what the works of the flesh are and what we are not to take our occasion to flesh in, but if we are honest with God (He already does know all things) and with ourselves (we must come to know) we often find ourselves abiding in one of the fleshly things listed. Why do we think God loves us more than He did the men in the Book of Genesis? Why do we think we have a greater pass when it comes to disobedience to God’s word?

Make no mistake my friend God will let us play fast and loose with Him for only a predetermined time and then all hell will break lose. And I think God is slowly tightening the noose to His judgment. This week in the Jacksonville Daily News paper Karen read an article “World Gone Wild” here are some of the alarming statistics: Through Nov 30 nearly 260,000 people died in natural disasters in 2010 as compared to 15,000 in 2009. By comparison deaths from terrorism from 1986 to 2009 were less than 115,000 according to the U.S. State Department and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Natural disasters cost over $222 billion in 2010 which is more than Hong Kong’s economy. God knows where to hit us where it hurts the most and that is in our wallets. And I could go on and talk about a volcano that paralyzed air traffic for months in Europe or other volcanoes in Africa, South America, Central America, and Asia that sent people scurrying for their lives. In New York City even a rare tornado. Two pound hail stones in South Dakota not to mention earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, and flooding beyond epic proportions all around the world. Do you think God is trying to get our attention? Do you think God is saying I have had enough?

I got an email from a very good friend of mine in his email distribution with a subject that read, “Time for America to Turn Back to Jesus.” The email talked about how America is drifting from God and really highlighted the impact the Muslim religion has had on our President and our Government and like most of these types of emails makes reference to another time when people of God drifted from the truth of the word of God and God’s word to them in 2 Chronicles, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14) Sad to know, but in the end the people here in 2 Chronicles did not do the four things God told them to do. Now when God says to do four things He means four not three or two. We cannot just pray and expect to hear from God without humbling ourselves and turning from our wicked ways. So here is my reply back to my very good friend and his distribution list: “Great email and so true, but we both know the rest of the story. The Bible is clear to man's heart condition, to his desires in the day we live, and his outcome a part from God. Sadly, America will not turn from the path she is on because of the lack of truth and the lack of Godliness in both the market place (unrighteous dealings with fellow men) and churches (teaching humanistic apostate doctrines). I would to God she could, but she does not have the spiritual foundation she once had in God. Do you think it would be better to encourage Christians to pray for God's mercy on America? It is nothing less than God's grace and His long-suffering that is swaying America's final devastation. But for the sake of "true" Christians and God’s long-suffering and mercy America would have already slipped into the history books. God have mercy on America, "Oh to know Him and the power of His resurrection." Much honor and much love to you my friend brother.” I still stand by my words. I believe America does not have the spiritual wherewithal, in spite of the countless number of churches that dot the land, to “humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways;” Sadly, I believe (those Christians who called themselves a Democrat please take special note here) America’s greatest days are behind her because she has drifted far from God and replaced the truth of the word of God, to govern lives, with the decisions of the men and women from the Supreme Court. Every time the Supreme Court rules contrary to what God said is true it takes America further in further away from God and closer and closer to total annihilation. Every time our Government passes laws that is contrary to God’s word such as the repeal of the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” which will allow Sodomites and Lesbians (something God said is an abomination) to openly serve in our U.S. Military also moves our country closer and closer to greater levels of God’s judgment and extinction. In my response back to my friend’s email I asked him (never got a reply yet) this question, “Do you think it would be better to encourage Christians to pray for God's mercy on America?” After all if America is not going to humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways;” then the people better do something to turn God’s heart and appease His wrath. Funny how we know when we are guilty and when we are caught. King David knew this truth all too well, like us. In 2 Samuel 24 we read the story of King David guilty before God as America (and me too at time) is today of her waywardness and must decide his own punishment. “And David’s heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly. 11For when David was up in the morning, the word of the LORD came unto the prophet Gad, David’s seer, saying, 12Go and say unto David, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three things; choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee. 13So Gad came to David, and told him, and said unto him, Shall seven years of famine come unto thee in thy land? or wilt thou flee three months before thine enemies, while they pursue thee? or that there be three days’ pestilence in thy land? now advise, and see what answer I shall return to him that sent me. 14And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the LORD; for his mercies are great: and let me not fall into the hand of man.”(2 Samuel 24:10-14) Now in America today we have not made this declaration of our great sins (as David did) before God, we think we are hiding our sins under our many denominational religious robes of service: feeding and clothing the poor, paying our tithes, singing and dancing to three fast songs and a slow number (we call it praise and worship, but God calls it empty chatter), and then ignoring the word of God. We call this going to church, but unless done with the right heart condition God lets us know (calls it), “When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? 13Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.” (Isaiah 1:12-13) So if we have not recognized our sin before God how can we ask God to, “take away the iniquity of thy servant;” But please notice what God told David through Gad, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three things; choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee.” Here the three options are not as important as David’s response, “And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the LORD; for his mercies are great: and let me not fall into the hand of man.” David knew God and God alone gives mercy. David knew he was in “a great strait” real trouble, guilty before God, and he had to pay the consequence for numbering the people, his sin. David threw his life into God’s hands, asking for mercy. He knew man would be merciless. So too this is what America needs to do. If America is not going to change her heart condition then the next best thing to do is to throw herself on the mercies of God and let Him decide her fate. Make no mistake America your days are numbered unless there is a quick migration back to righteousness and truth. You will be overrun and destroyed by your own liberalism, distain for God, and open sin. Make no mistake nominal churches of America your days also are numbered unless there is a quick and deliberate movement back to the simplistic presentation of the Gospel. In the early 1960s the Beatles sang “all we need is love,” but they were dead wrong my friend; it is much more than love and forgiveness God is after God is after: integrity, obedience, and holiness in our lives. God is saying enough is enough! “I have smitten the world and the earth in a small way, but take heed I drawn my hand back again to smite harder and will continue until you return unto me as a sheep returns to the shepherd. Pray that my wrath is swayed, pray for mercy not justice.” Thus says the LORD. Written by David Stahl

A MEDITATION ON CHRISTMAS

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

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

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

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

IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD

In one of our guest bathrooms is an old wooden plaque that was in one of our kids room growing up that reads in part, God is watching you. I wonder why we think we come and go from the presence of the Lord? At church we often hear someone who is leading the service say, “let us enter into the presence of the Lord.” If we have to enter into His presence, then when do we leave His presence? When we leave church or maybe after the song service? For the truth to be known we are always, 24 hours a day in the presence of God. We live in and out of God under an open heaven. But, sometimes we really do not want to believe God is watching us because we often like the times we ramble around in darkness, God help us all. The Bibles says in God there is no darkness, “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:” (1 John 1:5-6) and if we are in God there is to be no darkness in us. How can we at times be in the light (in His presence) and have to come into His presence (as many say) from out of the darkness and be His child? It just does not make sense in God. No matter where we go and what we say we are in the presence of God 24 hours a day. To believe anything else is just plain non-sense and it reveals a lack of spiritual understanding and “we lie and do not know the truth.” Again it is our emotions and feelings that deceive us into thinking we are coming and going from the presence of God. During a song service when the music is just right and they are playing our favorite praise or worship song we feel like we are entering into God’s presence, but how about when the doctor tells us we have terminal cancer? Since we cannot feel God’s presence at this time we think God is a million miles away and we think we have to do something, pray, or say something to enter into the presence of the Lord, but did Jesus not say I will never leave you nor forsake you? Did God the Father leave Jesus on the cross when Jesus said, “my God why have thou forsaken me?" No of course not. Did God the Father turn His back on Jesus while on the cross? No of course not. And no it was not an issue of Jesus “taken upon His body the sins of the world.” (John 1:29 Greek) and God not being able to look at sin; God looks at sin every day and does not turn His head or heart from it, but turns toward us in a great way with His grace and mercy because of the sin in our lives. But are we smart enough to turn to Him in our time of sin? When Jesus died for our sins He fulfilled His mission on earth and at that time Jesus became totally one with God the Father to just a degree He was at a loss. Jesus always had a great dependence (for everything) on His Father and now His earthly mission was over (how strange Jesus must have felt, no wonder He felt His father turned His back on Him) and now He once again can take His heavenly seat and complete the God-head in heaven once again. If God did not leave His Son, why do we think He will leave us or we have to come and go in and out of God’s presence? How foolish.

The presence of God is far more valuable than that to play around with. Oh how precious the presence of God. In Exodus we read Moses imploring God not for God’s presence (he knew we are in God’s presence 24 hours a day), but that God’s presence would lead Him and the people, “And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight. 13Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. 14And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. 15And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.” (Exodus 33:12-15) If we are not going the same direction of God’s presence we should not be going.

I would like to share some thoughts on the presence of the Lord in a hope to straighten out some misconceptions in our thinking from wrong teaching: The first and biggest truth is the presence of the Lord comes to us we do not go to it. Most often the presence of the Lord comes suddenly and unrequested. We think God is trying to make us feel good, well He is not He is trying to conform us into the image and nature of the Lord if we let Him. The second thought is the presence of the Lord comes to us before or after a test to show us His victory. We must be able to see what God calls victory in our lives to be able to grow and develop spiritually in Him. Now what God calls victory may not be what we call victory, but victory is God’s ultimate objective in our lives. God never intends for us to come to defeat; there is no defeat in God, if you are looking for defeat you have to go outside God to find it. And His presence will lead us (like it did Moses) to victory if we allow it to. The third thought is God’s presence is always for a knowing (by His Spirit) to show us the way (like with Moses), again not to make us feel good. The fourth thought is the requirement to have God’s presence to abide with us and that is righteous living. Jesus told the disciples, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33) Righteousness is always the requirement from getting something from God. God is after righteousness in our lives and if we cannot give it to Him then He will not go with us. We will stay at the foot of the cross and experience our salvation experience (again and again and no more) where many Christians want to stay. Notice how things are to be sought; the kingdom of God which is not working for God at a local church in ministry or traveling the world in ministry, but “And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: (you cannot see, touch, or hear it) 21Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20-21) Like God’s presence which you cannot see, touch, or hear it leads and guides us to an understanding of what God wants for our lives – righteousness. The fifth thought which is the object of the presence of the Lord is to bring us into a place of rest, abiding with God, and a dwelling place. Verse 13 again from Exodus, “Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.” Here Moses asks God for some particular things, see the underlined portions. Here Moses is beseeching (the way and matter a servant asks his master for something; a different word than asking) God for total assurance and guidance. What else could Moses ask God for? Money, chariots, food, houses? His health? Long life? Things we like to ask God for? Oh no, Moses beseeches God for His presence to go with Him, to abide and tabernacle with him and if God’s presence does not go, then Moses says he will not go. How often have we said things out of our emotions and feelings, during the heat of a moment and then went the other way? Oh Lord help us all. The sixth thought is the presence of the Lord will cost us something. Nothing in God is free. To know God’s presence will cost us something of our self. Strange to know God measures our spiritual growth and development by what we lose not by what we gain. And to know God’s presence will cost us things of our self, we will have to lose our selfishness, our self-seeking, our self-righteousness, and the list goes on. Lastly and is number seven God’s presence is the pathway back to the heart of the Father. We are on our way back to where we came from; the heart of God. God started something back in the Book of Genesis, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” (Genesis 1:27) We were made in His image from God’s own thoughts, “And God said, Let us make man in our image.” (verse 26). and He sent us out to help save those who were lost. For us, our entire life is about finding our way back to the Father’s heart where we came from. And God uses His presence to help show us the way, but this too is our choice like everything else in God. Let us think rightly about the presence of God. Let us not think like a yo yo we come and go as we wish before the Lord, but we are 24 hours a day before God living a life that He can see and a life that pleases Him. May God’s presence go with us is our prayer. Written by David Stahl

JUST SERVE THE LORD

I do not know about you my friend, but life at times can be wearisome. Even ministry (even in God) at times can be very tiring. It seems the more we go and the more we press toward the goals established by God and us the more we seem to perish within ourselves and outwardly. Oddly, the older I get the less assured of myself I am, the less my health seems to support me, and the less I seem to know of God. Paul in 2 Corinthians shares these words in his second letter to the Church at Corinth, “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16) Paul’s words are very telling to the struggles we face and how these struggles affect us. Paul’s word reveals the possibility of us fainting at these daunting struggles as “our outward man perish.” If you have never experienced this in your life my friend you have something in God to look forward to. This thought of not wanting to perish has always been a driving force in man’s psyche. All throughout the Bible we read about man’s understanding of his mortality and his great desire not wanting to perish from the earth. We see this strongly represented in the Psalms, “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. 14For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. 15As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. 16For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.” (Psalms 103:13-16) Yes, God knows our frame and we know that God knows our frame. And we know that God knows we are dust and our days are as grass: as a flower of the field. Knowing God knows us is the only real hope we can truly rest in. Not even knowing we know God, but knowing God knows us. Do you see the difference? At the heart of this knowing is a basic simplistic truth of God that we must never over look and never forget which is found in the Book of Ecclesiastes which ends with these words, “The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. 12And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. 13Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:11-14) Amazingly these verses do not talk about all of the good works of God that drain our strength, all of the good things we do for God nor does it talk about all of the hard work we must endure to be able to walk in the truth of these verses. All we must do, according to Solomon, is to “Fear God and keep his commandments:” everything else we do is above and beyond what God expects of us. Never forget the best we can ever do for God is to do what He expects of us and that is all we need to do. God never asks us to do something He knows we are not able to do. He knows us, He built us, and He knows what we can do. Now do not get out there in the realm of faith and expect God to give you power to do something He does not want you to do. God knows what we can do and He knows how He has built us; real faith operates in God by aligning with what God knows and wants, not what we know and want. Knowing this we do not have to struggle with the expectations of ourselves and others which will always get in the way and always get us into great trouble with God. Serving the Lord is easy we make it hard by heaping to ourselves ministry and unrealistic expectations that confuse and compound our relationship with God and others. We make serving the Lord so difficult, but do not feel too bad the 70 Disciples the Lord sent out made the same mistake. In Luke we read, “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 18And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:17-20) They got all spiritual on Jesus, “Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name” but, Jesus calmed them down and handled their zealousness and told them, “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” Boys (no girls in the 70 Disciples) do not rejoice that the spirits are subject to you, but that your names are written in heaven. How simple how plain, but how to the heart of the issue. Serving God is not hard all we have to do is love Him and do what He has asked us to do. All of the ministry, miracles healings, all of the care, financing, and feeding of the local bodies around the world will take care of themselves. God does not need us to do all of these things, but God needs us to be obedient to him. I learned this lesson one day while in India. The crowd was huge maybe 400,000 and I thought I had to lay hands on the sick, but I could not reach them I was positioned on the stage too high up. In a way I was happy, because praying for people like this often teaches people to not go to God, but to man for answers. But God saved me and spoke, I do not need to lay hands on the sick He is the one that does the healing all I need to do is pray.

Serving the Lord is just loving God and keeping His commandants. Jesus shared the same thing in the Book of Matthew as did the Preacher in Ecclesiastes. One day a lawyer asked Him, “Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love (Strong’s #26 agape, dedicated yourself towards) the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38This is the first and great commandment. 39And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love (Strong’s #25 agapao; to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of) thy neighbour as thyself. 40On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:36-40) Now do not miss the point here in all of this goodness. Jesus said there are some folks you are to be fond of (Strong’s #25) and there are some folks (Strong’s #26) you are to dedicate yourself towards. The first command is unto God and we must love (Strong’s #26) Him “with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” the fearing of Him in Ecclesiastes 12:13. What a job! Loving Him with all of our heart, soul, and mind (if we do this it will kill us no wonder we will faint and our outward man will perish), but this is the commandment we must follow to be obedient to God. That is okay because this is God’s idea. Remember God is not trying to make us happy He is trying to kill our sinful, fleshly, nature so He can conform us into His image. And the second commandment is to love (be fond of) our neighbour as our self. Now this is a lot easier to do, who does not like themselves? If you are not fond of yourself you will never be able to love (dedicate yourself ) God. We were made in His image right? For us to see no value in ourselves is an open rebuke to God, it is no wonder the world wants to kill babies in the womb they say babies are not created in the image of God they are just a blob of tissue we will take care of things, oh how foolish. Now on the other hand we must not get too carried away in thinking we are special, because if we do God has measures to take care of this wrong thinking. One of the greatest areas of danger in God is for Christians to think more highly of themselves than they should.

Strange as it may seem the more I go in God the less I know of God. The things I thought I knew and was convinced of (to the death) now I am not so sure about. Now I am not talking about my salvation that issue is settled for all eternity, but what I am talking about is what I have heard, seen, and touched of God. And if we really have a walk with the Lord what we know and believe (seen, touched, and heard) must give way to even greater revelation and ever increasing experiences. All truth is progressive and mysterious. Now this is a critical point if we desire to understand the truth of the word of God. Knowing the beginning will never lead us to the end of understanding unless we follow hard after the many veins of truth that accompany our lives. For us to be able to come to the end of all understanding we will first have to come not to know all truth, but come to know the creator of all truth. What is more important the fruit or the tree? Many Christians strive to know all truth (we see this in all of the denominations and religions of the world), but it is much better to know the creator of all truth. We desire to taste of the fruits of God, but it is much better we eat the tree that produces the fruit; then our lives can be a tree that produces Gods fruit. And as we come to know the creator of all truth we will quickly learn we know nothing at all. The depth and vastness of God always leaves us with more questions than answers, but at the same time deep within our heart and soul burns with a sublime yearning to know more and more of the creator. This simple yearning is at the heart of just serving God. No pressure to perform, no pressure to do things to see God glorified. You would not believe the number of times in Africa I was asked if I wanted them to stage a miracle. What crowds we would have the next day. A white man has come and has laid hands on an African and they were healed, what offerings we would get. What a sad, unholy way of thinking – I was shocked and dismayed. When we just serve God the pressure is on God. All of the going and doing is His idea. It is His responsibility to look after His word not ours’ our job is to just serve God.

Just serving God is, “the whole duty of man” as the Preacher said in the Book of Ecclesiastes. I think one of the greatest benefits of just serving the Lord is the rest to our heart we discover. Paul ended 2 Corinthians 4:16 with these words, “yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” He began this verse by talking about how the outward man daily perishes and it will just serve God long enough, but he ends with the secret of being able to just serve the Lord, we must day-by-day be renewed in the inward man by God. What peace we find, oh to just serve the Lord, oh what strength we find, oh to serve the Lord. And when it is time to be gathered unto Him, oh what joy we will find because we have just served the Lord. Written by David Stahl