WHAT WE CHOOSE

A week or so ago I was shopping with Karen at the air station commissary (I really enjoy our weekly food shopping with Karen) and I ran into a wonderful pastor friend (Pastor Young) and butcher at the commissary. I always so enjoy seeing him with his big smile and warm hug. It always should be a good time when two believers come together and greet each other; this is the communion that Paul was talking about when he said, "I speak as to wise men judge ye what I say. 16The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread." (1 Corinthians 10:15-17) Yes we are to keep the LORD's Supper (many call it communion) this is needed and good, but there is a greater communion supper that the LORD desires we keep every day of our life; the communion of the Saints as we keep the love feast with the bread of sincerity. Earlier in 1 Corinthians Paul tells us, "Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." (1 Corinthians 5:8) I believe this is the communion Paul was talking about (and what Pastor Young and I shared) because we can keep the ordinance of the LORD's Supper religiously, but if we do not keep the communion of the Saints everything else we do for God and in God will be for naught it will be the traditions of men. Keeping this communion is our choice. Whether we will have communion (not communication there is a huge difference) with this brother or that sister who has hurt or wronged us. If not then we will not be one bread, but be fractured, divided, and set apart from the Body of Christ. I have lived this thought. I have been in this situation with a friend I dearly love for over five years, but the LORD prompted me to email my friend (someone has to keep the fire burning) and we got together and had a great time. What communion (not just communication) we had for hours as we got caught up from five years, talked about times past and planned for future ministry, but just enjoyed each other in "sincerity and truth." You could say we tasted and saw that the LORD was good. But I digress, back to Pastor Young. Well we started talking and I made the statement, "whatsoever is planted grows" and as I was talking the LORD asked me why it grows? Now it is amazing as powerful as truth and the word of God is even if planted unless certain things happen it (not dependant on God) will not grow. Now that should give you a pause in your spirit. Growth of truth (as in God's words) has little to do with the seed it can only be life-giving it is the nature of God's word at all times. God's word has an ability, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12) It cannot be anything different no more or no less, but I wonder why God's word planted in our heart and mind does not grow? After all every Sunday at church people hear God's word and it goes through their ear and eye gate has they read the Bible yet it does not grow. Amazingly as it sounds growth of God's word in our lives depends not on the power of the word (it is God's word no word is more powerful) or even on God (nothing is more powerful than God), but is based on our desire or our non-desire of the word we have heard. As strange as it may sound we choose what we want to be planted and what will grow in us. By our own desires we choose what we feel, hear, see, and experience. So too is the word of God planted in our lives. If we do not like the word of God that comes to us (what we have heard and read) we will reject it and it will have NO chance of taking root in our lives no matter how powerful and/or "anointed" it was delivered. If it does not appeal to our character and nature then the chances of God's word hitting its target (our heart and mind) is slim to none. But if God's word is received and planted we must not allow it to set by idle, oh now we must water it with tears of forgiveness and solitude, we must dung it with effort and perseverance to keep it alive. Did you know having all truth is not as important as having a desire for truth? Now I know that is not what most churches teach, but maybe that is why there is not much spiritual growth and development in most churches. We will either reject or receive what we hear, see, feel, or experience. We choose almost everything in our lives. We judge then separate what we do not like. Just go to the food store (commissary for us) and take a look at the cucumbers, lettuce, green onions, etc. We judge the good ones from the bad ones, we then choose which one we like and the ones we do not like. Believe it or not God has little to do with His word being planted in our mind and heart. Funny how we think God measures our ability to keep relationships by the number of relationships we have, but no my friend this is absolutely wrong. God measures our ability to keep relationships not by the ones we have, but by the ones we have lost. In Luke Jesus shares the parable of the sower, but I believe most Christians miss the point of the parable, Jesus said, "A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. 6And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. 7And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it." 8And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." (Luke 8:5-8) The power and ability of the seed did not change it was the same seed in all situations. The ability of the seed to take root and be productive was not dependant on the seed, but on the choices made out from the heart condition and actions of the people the word of God was being sown into. Jesus explains the parable: "The seed is the word of God. (Not money as most TV evangelists say) 12Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.13They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.14And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. 15But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience." (Luke 8:11-15) It was the same word with four different results yielding different harvest based on what the people choose to do with the word. The folks that choose to receive it, "in an honest and good heart, having heard the word keep it." Keeping the word has nothing to do with God, but everything to do with the people choosing to receive it. I wonder why we think God makes things happen spiritually in our lives for us? For the truth to be known God has little to do with our spiritual growth and development; He (God) proves the opportunity, the training, past lessons learned, and the wherewithal, and we must choose to make the right choice. After all God has already given us everything we need to choose right. Peter tells us, "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." (2 Peter 1:3-4). Did you get that? God has already given us "all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue." What else if left? There is nothing else more God can give or do for us He has given us "all things." What if God made us choose right? Maybe that is what He needs to give us the ability to choose right. I think not. He has already given us the ability to do this now all we have to do is choose to do what He wants us to do. Written by David Stahl

A NEW SEASON

If we are feeling spiritually empty it may be the Lord’s intention for us to feel this way. The Lord often removes the old to make room for the new when we are about to enter into a new season, thus, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) What a painful truth to wrap our mind and heart around, but. rather than being discouraged or complaining about our present struggles we should hold this sense of being dissatisfied (being spiritually empty) before the Lord in anticipation of a new and deeper spiritual experience which is beyond our present level of spirituality. Jesus shared these words with the multitudes that followed Him on what we call "the sermon on the mount." Now some have made this message from God (was not a sermon) more than what it really was, but in reality all Jesus was doing was just ministering to the people who were trodden down with life, maybe suffering from persecution, and carrying many burdens. This is the best we can do when we minister just share our thoughts and heart with the people from the word that God gives us and do only those things directed by Him, anything else can be showmanship and can easily reach into manipulation. Often we can feel There is a fresh stirring of the Lord’s desire for us to become all that He would have us to be. We are hearing a new message, beyond anything that we have heard in the past. Our part is to be spiritually open and receptive. “He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches…" (Revelation 3:22) Hearing here more by our spirit and not our audible ear. One thing I am learning is anything new I read from the Bible and hear from our other ministers it is best not to allow our old bias to squash it in our thoughts and spirit. It is best to hold it before the Lord (even if we do not understand it) and allow the Holy Spirit to shine His light of truth on it and our heart and when it is for us we will be able to understand it or the Holy Spirit will reveal the error in it. Can you image the thoughts and misunderstanding the people had (probably some the same folks at the sermon the mount) when Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you." (John 6:53) Well if they had not continued to listen (held His words before them) they would not have had the opportunity to be saved and walk with Him. New does not always means bad, but make no mistake new most often means change and most people (especially Christians) do not like to change we are very happy in our old ways of understanding and doing things. Change is one of the hardest things for man to do when they have found success in doing things another way. We even make up sayings like, "if it is not broken then do not fix it." Well it may not be broken, but it can be improved on and that is what God is looking for in our lives improvement the first time he speaks. In the past there were times and places in which there was a substantial moving of the Spirit and many came to respond to the presence of the Lord. However, as soon as His presence lifted they left as their interest was in being blessed rather than in being changed. Funny how this can happen. As a small boy growing up in Pentecostal churches I remember moves of God where the Spirit of God (you knew it was not man originated) suddenly fell, but it has been some time since I have witnessed such a move of God. Two fast ones and slow one, announcements, take up the offering, about 15 - 20 minutes of good sermon (not a message from God), closing song, maybe altar call, and then blast out the door by 12:00 to beat the Baptists to our favorite cafeteria for lunch all directed by a service bulletin that nowhere says God can move when He wants. I hope this does not typify your service. Charles Haun (my teacher) told me a genuine move of God is 90% God and 10% man and the more man handles things the less of God is moving. When I was teenager living in West Virginia we use to attend a small Assembly of God Church in Wiley Ford. The Pastor was Howard Reckley how I loved this man. Well suddenly there was a move of God in the heart and lives of the 10 to 15 kids in the church. We would run down to the altar and praying hard weeping for hours. After school the first thing we would do before we went home was go to the church and spend time in prayer. God met us there in a great way, but the more we tried to formalize and orchestrate our getting together the less of the Spirit of God there seemed to be. Unannounced and in a sovereign way God came to us and the more we tried to do to get to Him the harder he was to be found until we loss interest in it all as you would expect of young teenagers. Many have experienced touches of a higher realm of worship and desire more, but it does not happen in the atmosphere of the worldly approaches (music, dance, lights, fog, drama, etc.) found within the present day Church. This limits us (which brings us to fulfillment and completion not freedoms and liberties) to praise (speaking words adoration to and about God) which can lift us into the higher realms of worship in the Spirit where we bow down, bring our head to the ground, or fall on our face before God which is the highest form of honor, respect, and love for God. I believe the Lord is beginning to unfold before us new levels of revelation as the age-to-come. Revelation as truth is never ours (it is owned by God, but shared with us) and is ever progressive. What I thought I knew (I did and it was real), but God opened another wrinkle, a new vein of understanding from that bit of broken bread to me. He is seeking to take us beyond our hearing sermons that relate to the past or to the future, but into the higher realm of prophetic revelation in which we are receiving a present living word for today. During the 1950’s, deeper-life Bible teachers like: John Wright Follette, A. W. Tozer, Walter Beuttler, and Oswald Chambers to name a few were criticized (there is always a price one will pay for revelation and for the greater revelation the greater the price) and judged because, as forerunners, they saw and understood that which was beyond was greater than what most were seeing or understanding in their day. As there were forerunners in that day there are those today who are reaching into the unknown who also must pay the price of not being understood. Now I am not saying I am a forerunner (probably not) as with John Wright Follette, A. W. Tozer, and Walter Beuttler I can think of others who have a greater revelation (in my most humblest of opinion) of understanding guys like Charles Haun, Wade Taylor, Bill Pepper, Jake Luffy to name a few. I hope you can name such great men in your life but please know when you say and do things that will require change by those who hear your words to come into a greater revelation the stones are coming your way. I think it was Oswald Chambers who said they build the monument to you in death from the stones they have thrown at you in life. They killed Jesus for telling the truth and for saying things for the people to hear. Still in John Chapter 6 we read, "Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?." (John 6:60) It was not the multitudes this time that followed Him, but now it was His disciples who spoke these words. Verses 61-62, "When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? 62 What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? But look at Jesus' reply to His disciples, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63) Jesus was willing to receive the stones of murmuring to be the stone of stumbling unto their salvation. And is the servant greater than the Master? There is a present urgency and need to present ourselves as being available to become a place of habitation for the presence and glory of the Lord, beyond anything that has previously been experienced or seen. This manifestation of His glory will impact the nations. Walter Beuttler said God told him if he builds God a temple He will inhabit it. May we pray together that we will rise above our present feeling of dissatisfaction, and be ready for that day. Written by David Stahl

OUR DECISIONS

Our spiritual life (the level of spiritual maturity to which we have attained) is far more than the sum of the spiritual information that we have gathered or any compilation of our spiritual experiences. Rather the core and substance of our being “spiritual” relates to the level of inner peace and harmony that results from our making right choices and decisions along the pathway of our spiritual walk with God. The LORD is seeking those who are willing to go beyond that which they have freely received through redemption knowing that making these right choices and decisions will never be easy. Paul had it right when he said, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth to those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14) No matter who or where we are in God we must make decisions as to what we will see, hear, do, or where we will go or not go. The ever present temptation is to compromise and go along with the questionable or difficult situations that we often find in our path or circumstances. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 I often site this verse when I talk about us being the work of God "His workmanship," but this verse has other applications of truth as well. Please notice that our response to and our cooperation with these “good works” is conditional "that we should walk in them" an option or a decision we willfully make. These "good works" are preordained testing (from God not the devil ) points that will determine how far we will follow the LORD. We make few major decisions, but each day we make many “minor” (seemingly to us) decisions that feed either the carnal or the spiritual aspect of our being. and the accumulation of these choices will result in our becoming predominantly carnal or spiritual. As our spiritual decisions begin to outweigh the negative pulls and responses we become an overcomer, a noun or the verb tense we become victorious. To the extent that we rise above carnal soulish desires we are lifted into a place of communion with our LORD and we grow spiritually. John tells us what we will receive if we can learn to become an overcomer, “To him that overcomes  (not whom is saved) will I grant to sit with Me in My Throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His Throne.” (Revelation 3:21) Our position with Jesus in this throne relationship is the result of our overcoming all that is earthly and carnal. We receive the privilege or honor of being seated with Jesus in His Throne as a result of the accumulation of the right decisions and choices that we make not because we are saved. People ask me just how important are our decisions, well they are life or death to us. The more decisions that we make which are toward the LORD and His purposes the easier it will become to continue making right decisions. God's idea for us is the further down the road that we go in our walk with Jesus we are to progressively become more detached from all that is either carnal or a temptation to us. Believe it or not in the beginning it will be a struggle, but we will be amazed at the strength we have (really God's strength) and as we begin to make progress then it becomes harder, much harder. The longer we go with God the harder it gets because the more God expects of us. I wonder why we think we are on a downhill slide into heaven. So too is this method in our training of our earthly children. The older they get the more we expect of them. What we expect of a two year old we do not expect of a 10 year old and to even complicate things the more the older they get the less we should have to talk to them because they ought to have learned their lessons, but that is not often the case. So too in God. The longer we go in God the less He should have to tell us what to do and feed our emotions why? Because we should already know what to do, we have learned our lessons and now all we have to do is execute our training. When I was a Corpsman with the Marines in the Navy we trained and trained for mass casualties; drill after drill I thought what a waste, but when we had a real mass casualty situation we did not have to think our training kicked in and we performed (here is the point) to the level of our desire and attention to follow our training. A half hearted trainee could have cost the life of a Marine. As we make decisions that move us forward in God the pathway of our spiritual life can be considered as being an upward spiral. I think I have used this illustration before in a another article, but if we take a large wood screw and place a finger nail in the groove near the point and run it along the surface we will gradually progress toward the head. Job said, "Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward." (Job 5:7) That is the direction of sparks on the grinding wheel and seemingly troubles in our lives, upward to God. Though it may seem to us that we are going in circles as we continue to make right decisions we are progressively moving upward. If we do this in reverse and feed the carnal aspect of our being, it will lead us ever downward. I believe we all have within us a quality of spiritual life (God has deposited it within us) now it may not be apparent to us as to why this is so, but if asked we would testify that through the struggles of life we have been making quality decisions which brings them into increasing levels of fellowship with the LORD in His Throne. Who knows the impact of the decisions we have made in darkness? Often we make decisions not knowing what will happen and often struggle with them until the LORD reveals to us some of the outcome, but we need not struggle so because if we are not over in sin and we are trying to do the best for the LORD as we can our decisions (even the ones done in darkness) will be the right ones. God does not set us up for failure nor does He try to trick us into making wrong decisions. This is the thought Paul was trying to get across to the Christians in Rome. In Romans Paul shares these words, “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serves Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.” (Romans 14:17-18) The Kingdom of God begins with “righteousness.” As we make right choices (even if we do not know it) we place ourselves on a platform called "righteousness." Due to an accumulation of these righteous choices we discover that there resides within us an abiding "peace." This will also result in the approbation or the favor of God resting upon us and joy is then manifested. Our submission to His divine government will lead to our becoming a partaker with Jesus in His Throne. In this realm our decisions do not relate only to right or wrong, but with the motives that underlie right or wrong. It is here that the final test of our union with the LORD will find its outworking. If we truly overcome in this area of our being in that day we will find ourselves seated with Jesus in His Throne. First we are tested concerning the choices and decisions that we make. As we progress up the spiral we will be tested concerning the motives of our heart which provoke the things that manifest as right or wrong. It is not enough to deny only the thing we must overcome the very principle that allows it to abide within us and assert itself. Those who are satisfied with being blessed and eventually going to heaven have their reward (streets of gold and a mansion), but for those who intensely hunger for a higher level of spiritual reality there is much more. These in the place of pressure, complexity, confusion, and often bewilderment will deal with the issues of their heart so in that day having become an overcomer they will be found on the throne seated beside Jesus.

A NEW OLD STORY

This year in what many Christians called the "Christmas" season (word and principle not found in the KJV of the Bible) the LORD really opened up the old story from Jesus' birth found in the second Chapter of Luke. I can hear that old hymn of the church, "tell me the story of Jesus write on my heart every word, tell me the story most precious sweetest I ever have heard." Oh I have read it 1,000 times before, but this year it really seemed to come alive to me, it became a new old story. Now Karen and I do not celebrate "Christmas" (trees, lights, and all of the trimmings) nor do we do presents after all it was not my birthday. How selfish and self-centered to think I should get a present on the 25th of December (the day Christians world-wide collectively agree on to celebrate Jesus' birthday) because Jesus got some, but we do celebrate the birth of Christ in our heart and on our lips, yet this year it was quite different. I pondered wondering why this year the story of Jesus' birth was different than in the past then it dawned on me, we (Karen and I) were not looking for Santa Claus and all of the trappings that come with him we were looking at Jesus and all of the life that comes with Him. The writer to the Hebrews shares these words with us, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2). I am convinced because Karen and I were more concerned about seeing Jesus (and not caught up in the Yule Tide season) our vision, our perspective of life, reality, what is really true and important became crystal clear to our understanding which always brings greater revelation to our life. There is a not so strange truth that says; we always go after what we are looking at. If we can see it and we want it then we go after it with all our heart. Well guess what my friend Jesus is looking for those who are looking for Him. Jesus is looking at us to see what we are looking at and make no mistake whatsoever we are looking at we will go after. In the story of Jesus' birth taken from Luke we find these precious words, "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." (Luke 2:8-14) These words my friends is the hope that mankind hangs its hat on. These words are the beginning of the redemption and salvation with no end that God has for man as they are preached, "to all people." We see this truth also in Matthew in the words of the baby laying in the manager when He became a man, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. " (Matthew 28:19-20) This year (because we had no real distractions in our lives) the message really hit me -- the light came on in a new way. What a truth to comprehend for man; God is no longer angry with man. Yes Jesus was born in Bethlehem (the city or house of bread) in the City of David, but because of His birth and death God's anger towards man was satisfied. It is no wonder the angels were praising God. This was the good news the Angels were sharing with the Shepherds. The anger from the angry God of the Old Testament has now been satisfied with the birth of Christ and the entire world which groans and travails at times could sing, "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will towards men." Notice the angels were in the heavens where God is, but they were saying "fear not," your fear of the angry God of Mount Sinai is over and now I bring you from the heavens (no Hebrew word for heaven), "good tidings of great joy." God is no longer mad and now, "good tidings" and "great joy." What a powerful message of reconciliation and restoration if we can wrap our heart and thoughts around it. And notice, "on earth (now the angels were in the heavens) peace, good will towards men." Now it did not say, peace and good will between men, but it said, "peace, good will towards men" that is to say from God to man. God was saying the war is over! Jesus has been born and now, "Glory to God in the highest." What a deep truth that many need to hear, but it seems they miss it year after year. In 1847 a French Poet named Adolphe Adam composed a poem for a Christmas Night Mass entitled, "Minuit, Chrétiens" or what we know today as the most well-known and beloved Christmas Carol "O Holy Night." Then in 1855 John Sullivan Dwight created the singing version and tune we so love today, but here is the lliteral English translation from Adam's poem:

 

Midnight, Christians, is the solemn hour,

When God as man descended unto us

To erase the stain of original sin

And to end the wrath of His Father.

The entire world thrills with hope

On this night that gives it a Savior.

People, kneel down, await your deliverance.

Christmas, Christmas, here is the Redeemer,

Christmas, Christmas, here is the Redeemer!

May the ardent light of our Faith

Guide us all to the cradle of the infant,

As in ancient times a brilliant star

Guided the Oriental kings there.

The King of Kings was born in a humble manger;

O mighty ones of today, proud of your greatness,

It is to your pride that God preaches.

Bow your heads before the Redeemer!

Bow your heads before the Redeemer!

The Redeemer has broken every bond:

The Earth is free, and Heaven is open.

He sees a brother where there was only a slave,

Love unites those that iron had chained.

Who will tell Him of our gratitude,

For all of us He is born, He suffers and dies.

People, stand up! Sing of your deliverance,

Christmas, Christmas, sing of the Redeemer,

Christmas, Christmas, sing of the Redeemer!

 

I think Adam got it right and knew something Dwight did not. Now it is important to know there is no "Holy Night" as there is no land in the world that is Holy. I wonder why we call Israel the Holy Land? Land and a night can never be Holy, but there is a Holy God (who wants us to be Holy also) who loves man very much so He sent His most beloved gift to die on a rugged Roman cross to reconcile mankind back to Himself. What a powerful message do not miss it! Next year I would recommend not looking for Santa, his reindeer, gifts under the tree, and the Christmas message, but keep your eyes on Jesus and on the story of the ages, now that is a old story that never gets old and is worth sharing.

OUIR WILL

If you have ever had any second thoughts if God loves us just watch an animal show on TV. Karen and I like to watch (no we are not tree huggers) National Geographic Wild or Animal Planet (there seldom is anything worth watching on TV to include what we call "Christian" TV a real oxymoron) We are amazed at how God patterned the animal kingdom after its own kind and imprinted in their lives the desire for self-preservation (if you do not believe me just go fishing and draw a fish from the water it will do everything it can to escape to save its life) and a desire to produce seed after it own kind. We are amazed at how God put in place indwelling drives and desires to eat certain foods; some animal (no matter the size, age or sex) are meat eaters while others eat plants trees, and leaves. What a perfect balance to life and death God has built into the animal kingdom. Now some people would say this all happened by accident or at best it all was random selection starting from an one celled animals -- to this I say, "camel cookies!" Back in the Book of Genesis (which is not a book on creation) God spoke the animal kingdom into existence (which means the chicken came first and not the egg) and then He made man. "And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was good. 25 And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good." (Genesis 1:24-25) Then God made man. "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." (Genesis 1:26-28) The Book of Genesis is not about creation if it is then God sure left out a whole lot of details, oh no my friend the Book of Genesis is about what God says and does. In the first Chapter alone God said ("And God said") and did something 18 times. This my friend is a continual theme all throughout the Bible that we must allow to grip our soul -- if God says something then it will come to pass if we allow it to happen in our lives. Remember God speaking is always His intention for us and whether it comes to pass is not up to God nor His power, but up to us by being willing to walk in the condition God has measured out for us to meet so that we will be able to move in the revelation of His speaking to us. Funny how God's will has little to do with God, but everything to do with us. God can only do and say what He wills (His desire for our lives) He does not try to trick us or set us up for failure He only speaks His will to us in ways (both written and spoken word as well as by the Holy Spirit to our inner spirit man) we know that we know for sure God is speaking to us. Here is verse 24 God said some things and they came to pass. Then in verse 28 God said more things and they too came to pass and notice "God blessed" (God's first blessing) man and woman. Man was made much different than animals, fish, birds, etc. Man was given a will of His own to make choices that animals (nor Angels for that matter) were not given. Animal have no choice (they have been imprinted from birth) what they will eat, where they will live, when they will procreate, and to a certain degree when they will die. All it takes for a huge giraffe to die is get separated from his mates and for him to meet a pride of lions. Funny though how man seems to think more of animals than they do of people. Today (maybe only in America) an animal's life seems to be more sacred than a human life. The will of man to keep life alive in the womb has been lost since 1973 and man keeps passing laws to fulfill his selfish desires (to fulfill man's will) against what God says to be true and lawful. Just because the Supreme Court of America passes a law to sanction the death of a baby does not make it okay with God. America is answering for this today. Yet in all of this man is different he was made in God's image. God loves man very much in spite of man's open rebellion. God gave man a soul and blessed him (and woman) with an ability to do the things animals cannot do. And one of those things God gave man was a free will. There are 1,000s and 1,000s of churches in American (many types of denominations) to remind us of this. We all have a free will. If we have been born into the earth we all have a free will and at times we can choose not to do what God would will for our lives. Jesus told the disciples and people who followed him, "Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." (Mark 8:34) Now we cannot not take up Jesus' cross we all have our own personal cross to take up and I believe it has something to do with our will. It is our will which is a part of the cross we must take up and bear -- our will laid across God's will for our life and in the construct of the two wills is our response of obedience (or of no obedience) God is looking for. Even Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane had a will that was not what the Father wanted for His life, but Jesus knew His purpose and reason for living and that was to die. In Matthew we read of Jesus, "And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done." (Matthew 26:39,42) If you want to go with God you must always go "a little further" and fall down on our face, but here Jesus clearly has a will that was contrary to the Father's. Jesus here demonstrated not once, but twice what God is looking for when our wills clash, "not as I will, but as thou wilt." God is always looking for our obedience to His will the first time He speaks. If God has to keep speaking to us again and again, twisting our arms then our obedience is not genuine from our heart, but has been coerced. This is not what God is after in our lives. God is after obedience the first time thoughtfully and willfully. We all have a will and at the heart of our will is the way we conduct ourselves. I know some of the greatest losses I have experienced is the loss of relationships by a willful act. I have written in the past about a friend (yes I still consider him a friend 30 years is a long time to throw under the bus) and who I love very much (and am hoping he changes his mind), but he has made a willful decision to break off relationship with me because I spoke the truth (even though he does not believe that from his perspective) to him. Measure your words when you tell someone the truth about themselves. And now he has made another willful decision to gather people (people we both know) against me. I sent an email to a pastor friend in Kenya (who I have known since 1995) who replied back thinking he was sending an email to my friend asking him if he can talk to me. Well I emailed my pastor friend back and asked him why he has to ask my friend's permission to talk with me and got back a flowery email saying how much he loves and appreciates me, but we both know this was a lie. Words cannot cover the real spirit of a man if one has a spiritual discernment. Our will is powerful it can come with great deception to the truth if we refuse to honestly examine our heart (I have done this before) and then lead people astray thinking they are in the right and justified in their actions. Yet I too have a will and have chosen to look past and to be honest my heart is heavy from the loss of relationship. We must take heed to how our will is employed especially when it comes to people we esteem and value. I see a growing trend and danger in the church globally where leaders are looking to men instead of the Holy Spirit. The practice of mentorship (a business term) and accountability before men is ever growing in acceptance, well this all is nothing more than old fashion manipulation and control to bend ones' will after another's will or to get them to do and think a certain way. In the church it is the appearance of the perceived spiritual prowess of the mentor is where the deception is found. We must take heed in this area. The writer to the Hebrews says, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith," not looking at man and his abilities to lead or inspire. Mentorship is not a spiritual principle in the Bible and we must not get caught up in such a worldly practice. Lastly as I read the Bible I see verses that talk about a perfect will and a good will and even have heard people talk about God's permissive (word not in the KJV) will and yes I use to believe God allowed these different wills into our lives, but now I do not believe this is so. God's will is not by degree or doled out, but is like His salvation either we are saved or we are not there is no middle ground. Either we are in God 's will or we are not and only God's will comes to us out from our of obedience to Him. Funny how we really know if we are in God's will. Oh we may try to fool people into believing we are doing what God wants us to be doing, but in our heart we know the only person we have fooled is our self. Recently my big brother, Karen, and I were talking and he made this statement, "ministry is a good place for people to hide. We can do all of this stuff and not allow God to deal in our heart." Looking back over my many years of ministry I can see this to be true in my life at times and in the lives of others. It is our will right or wrong that keeps us going and if not careful it will be our will that will take us far out of God. Written by David Stahl

A MEDITATION ON CHRISTMAS

A Meditation on Christmas By David Stahl When I meditate on this time of the year and on 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, but we do celebrate the birth of our precious LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. 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 as I said 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 manger. You know we really like seeing baby Jesus in the manger, 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 manger 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 lust. 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 (we hope and pray this is not the case) 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 is not a Heaven or Hell issue or it does not really matter” oh really? This thinking my friend is just spiritually wrong and a very subtle form of deception that has been carried on for 100s maybe 1,000s of years by the religious denominations and merchants both working hand-n-hand to get customers. Sadly at the heart of why we focus on the Christmas story and baby Jesus in the manger 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 worship 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 who we neglect 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 (icon) 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.

JUSTICE OR MERCY

If the Lord had made spirituality both attractive and easy to attain, multitudes would have followed Him, but we know as we walk this wondrous path with the LORD, “For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). The first thing we are called to is to follow truth not what we believe is true, but what the Bible and God says is true. There is a vast difference here as seen between a prophet and a politician. It is such a shame to see how politics has infected the church. The term “grass roots” refers to the discovery of what people think and want. The politician then offers what the majority wants and as a result becomes popular and is elected. In other words the politician seeks out which way the majority is going to gain influence and power. Then he stands in front of them and says, "follow me." Sadly, church leaders have learned if you want people to follow you or give you money just tell them what they already know and what they want to hear, but the prophet stands alone and says, “you are going the wrong way -- turn around now.” The politician is popular because he relates to the majority. The prophet is never popular because his word is costly and requires change. People often are deceived because they choose that which is presently comfortable rather than being willing to pay the price for the truth they hear. Truth can never really be sold, but it must be purchased with the last ounce of our strength and all that we possess. Solomon tells us, “Buy the truth, and sell it not also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.” (Proverbs 23:23) Truth is always costly and the result may not be seen, but to choose less in the long run is much more costly because those who continually look for something for nothing are open to deception. Many of these will compromise rather than submit to the LORD’s way. The LORD works very slowly, but very thoroughly as He is more interested in what we are becoming rather than what we are doing. Our “self” will always seek comfort and a life of ease which leads to us to self-deception, but God is not after that. Now when we make our way to truth we will always have to wrestle with wisdom, instruction, and understanding these all are a part of the truth. Solomon knew this and saw the great value in truth. Without wisdom, understanding, and instruction truth would be useless because truth is always from God's perspective (God is the origination of all wisdom, understanding, and instruction) and is always progressive. We enjoy truth, but sometimes there is a fascination in its revelation that bewitches us and we want to know more about that, but we do not want to know about the power of its reaction in us. That is where the trouble begins. We must always remember that there is a reaction in us from the truth. We want it that's good the desire is there that is wholesome. We may say we want the truth, but we see if we really mean it the entrance of truth in our hearts and lives it can be the most disastrous thing we could ever ask for, that is, if we allow it to accomplish its features and purposes. It is not something that liberates us and makes us happy. That is one aspect of its reaction, but truth in its power in its essence is the most terrifying thing I have found that I did not know of in the beginning. Truth has two fold action in us. It will begin pleasing us of course quite agreeable and it has a great charm if we embrace it we better be very careful and pray about it because the sole purpose of truth is not to make us happy (which it will at times), but to slay us because the LORD is not interested in our carnal nature setup or our happiness His goal is to conform us into the character and image of His dear Son Jesus Christ and will use truth to chip away at our fleshly character and nature. Truth must go by a way of death before it can be released in life -- spiritual death in us. This is the spiritual law in the spiritual realm. Truth is never objective, but when we yield our hearts and lives to the Holy Spirit the Spirit can take this truth and incorporate it into our lives until the things which are purely judicial may be brought down to actual living. The Holy Spirit takes that which is purely objective and makes it a reality in our lives until it is incorporated into our being it then will be a subjective realization. Truth is never ours until it is personalized. It is never ours until we have laid ourselves open before God in our inner being and the Spirit has been able to bring that truth in and by faith taken hold of it allowing that truth to do the thing in us that God is looking for in us. It may be creative or corrective, but whichever it is the conforming tool will be truth. As I said truth is purely progressive in all forms, thus the heart has to be conditioned continually for its reception. It is an invisible miracle in the heart. Truth comes from revelation (God's measuring stick for men) not ability and strength. As we read the Bible we understand why the Bible is the truth: because no conversation in the Word of God is accidental, not the words, nor the arrangement of the choice of words, nor their combination that is what makes it so powerful. The power (the understanding of the truth) is contained in the words. That is why truth is exacting and precise; it is settled forever. We cannot make truth up, God alone is the author of all truth, but one may discover it. It is life and it gives life. No where is this seen any clearer than between the words and action of justice and mercy. Today in the world people are crying out for all forms of justice (even social and economic), but in reality if we get justice we all would be judged, found guilty, and duly punished. In reality it is not justice we hunger for but, mercy. In the Psalms David said, "Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face." (Psalms 89:14) Now notice the combination of words here: "justice and judgment" on one hand and "mercy and truth" on the other. Mercy and truth always walk hand in hand as does justice and judgment. So if we go towards justice then judgment precedes the justice. Before the judge can give justice at whatever level he first must judge the situation and circumstance. Over 10 verses in the KJV of the Bible the words, "justice and judgment" appear together (side by side) with other verses listing justice and judgment in the same verse. Here is an example, "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him." (Genesis 18:19) and "Fair weather cometh out of the north: with God is terrible majesty. 23 Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict." (Job 37:22-23) When we turn towards justice we turn toward judgment. Let us remember this spiritual truth the next time we think we have been wronged or get offended by our brothers and sisters. The pound of flesh we are asking God for may be our own. The same is true with "mercy and truth" as is for the many verses in the Bible that list them side by side and separate in verses. For example, "I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.9 Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land. 10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.11 Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven." (Psalms 85:8-11) When we turn towards mercy we turn towards truth and we know the objective of truth is to slay us. It is easy to give mercy to a dead man. I will let that sink in awhile. When we die to our "self" and our selfish desires and wants it is easy for God to give us mercy when we have failed or come short of God's glory. Notice the word combination that follow mercy and truth, "righteousness and peace have kissed each other." Righteousness and peace always follows mercy and truth not justice or judgment. So the next time you have to turn towards justice or mercy think about the truth that is flowing in these choices and go towards mercy. God will do the judging in the situation we find ourselves in (He is a Holy and righteous judge), but what are asking for? When David numbered Israel (1 Chronicles 21:7-13) against God's instruction God gave David three choices of punishment David chose right and fell into the hand of the LORD, let us turn towards God's mercy and not His justice. Our being tested as David was precedes the blessing. Thus, Acts 1:8 becomes a powerful present word. “But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses to Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) The word “after” confirms to us that we must first be tested, before we can speak the word of the Lord with substance and power. This is the price that must be paid. Many can say, “I have some truth.” Jesus said, “I am the truth.” He could only say this because He chose to put the will of His Father ahead of His own comfort and satisfaction. There is no easy formula to success, as there is always a price. When we choose the purpose of the Lord rather than our own satisfaction and comfort, it can be said that we are “buying the truth.” Many are called, but few are willing to pay the price of truth. May we be found among those who are willing to do so.