TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Faith is one of the most mysterious works of God in our lives. Often times we like to short circuit God working in our lives by going after miracles and such instead of waiting on the LORD or allowing Him to take us through some hard dealings and judgments in our lives. After all getting something for almost nothing feeds our carnal nature the more. Now I will be honest a good miracle makes me stand up and salute smartly, but in the end a good miracle will not get us far in God because a miracle does not develop faith in our lives and in reality it stunts our spiritual growth and development. Remember if the world is running after you God is not. I see so many ministries that are built on signs and wonders, yet Jesus said do not seek a sign He called them "perverse and a wicked generation. Now were they wicked people well I will leave that with the LORD, but for sure they were misguided because of their desire to see something in God instead of becoming something. In the 4th Chapter of Exodus we see Moses learning some lessons that will carry him his entire life. The lesson's God teaches are to be used our life-time not just for a given situation. Here in the wilderness Moses asked God how will the people know you have appeared to me, "And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod. 3 And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it. 4 And the LORD said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand: 5 That they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee." (Exodus 4:2-5) Ah a miracle what a sign, but if we look closer we will see much more happening in Moses. Now I do not know about you, but if God told me to reach out and grab a serpent by the tail I am not so sure I would be as obedient as Moses. You know if you grab a serpent by the tail you make a foundation for the serpent to strike. Believe it or not God was testing Moses' obedience here even to the point of death. God knew if He was going to use Moses as He wanted He had to get Moses to be willing to lay down his life at God's command. So too in our lives. If we are going to be used by God to do mighty things for God we too must be willing to lay down our lives. No flesh shall glory in the sight of God. So much is missed by many Christians and many people do not receive because many Christians are not willing to put their life on the line. God always asks for everything, nothing is free in God, and nothing is ever left for our self. Once we have made up our mind God can begin to use us beyond our abilities, but not until. Later on in the 4th Chapter of Exodus we see a change in the life of Moses. The rod in Moses' hand has undergone a name change, now it is called the "rod of God." In verse 20 we read, "And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand." (Exodus 4:20) The "rod of God" all throughout Moses life was God's power and authority in his life. Oh that we would have a "rod of God" to do miracles with, we do. Later when Moses has an audience with Pharaoh he uses his rod to do a miracle. "And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, 9 When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent." (Exodus 7:8-9) God has already prepared Moses for this encounter and Moses won a great victory, but the victory was short lived. After some time Pharaoh let the Jewish people (you know the story) go and off they went into the wilderness (the wilderness has a way of taking care of things in our lives) a wonderful place of spiritual growth and development. The Jewish people left Egypt with the spoils of her treasury in great victory, but this miracle was short lived. In the 14th Chapter of Exodus the Jewish people are trapped (God is good at putting us in a fix so He can fix us) between the Red Sea and 600 chariots of Pharaoh's army hot on their heels. Here now we find Moses crying. "And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: 16 But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea." (Exodus 14:15-16) I guess the miracle of the rod to snake and then back to rod again and the miracle of the exodus from Egypt was not enough to build up Moses' faith for this situation. Moses was reduced to crying! Now let us not beat up on Brother Moses too often this is the position God often finds us. Moses was saying, God you will have to do something or all is lost, come on God do another miracle on our behalf, well that is not what God had in mind. God told Moses (what is in your hand?), "But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it:" Why are you crying to me for another miracle I have already given you what you need to take care of this situation. Here Moses was operating in one level of faith (what he needed God to do for him) but as God saved Moses and the people their faith in God never really increased. We know this to be true, because only Joshua and Caleb (from the original group that left Egypt, even not Moses) made it into the promised land. The others the Bible says their carcasses fell in the wilderness from unbelief. The writer to the Hebrews writes, "But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief." (Hebrews 3:17-19) We see in this story from Exodus one level of faith "seeing is believing" (lives characterized by carnality, unstable, and emotional), but that is not God's best for our lives. There is another level of faith God wants us to move in that is beyond our natural senses and emotions that is the opposite "believing without seeing" (lives characterized by spirituality, stable, and established). Sounds simple, but make no mistake my friend it is not. Faith is not added to us when we see a miracle oh no, but the world and the "church" scream for one. Jesus constantly performed miracle after miracle, but five times in the Bible Jesus said of the disciples "oh ye of little faith." First of all faith is added to us when we hear from God. It is the way it is the only way. Paul tells us in Romans, "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.' (Romans 10:17) In the Greek we read, "Faith comes by hearing a word from God." (Romans 10:17 (Greek)) Do you see the difference? In the Greek version (better articulated) it is the word directly from God that contains the faith and everything we will need to do that which God wants us to do. Hearing a word from God contains all of the wisdom, the knowhow, all of the provision, everything we will need. Faith does not come by what we hold on to, what verse we stand on, or even what we believe. I can sit in my garage all day long, go beep beep, and believe I am a car, but that will never make me a car. I am a man created in the image of God. "Faith comes by hearing a word from God," but there is a deeper level of faith God is looking for in our lives, the believing without seeing. In John we see this play out in the life of Thomas. Now I like Brother Thomas he gets a bad rap too often, but in reality he said and did nothing that almost all Christians have done. In John we read, "And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, "Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:" (John 20:26-30) Did you get that? Jesus said, "blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." The next level in the LORD is in faith not needing to see a sign or a miracle before we believe. We just simply believe based on what the word of God says and what we know in our spirit to be true. Now like for the disciples in verse 30 Jesus still had to do "many other signs" for them to believe even though they touched his flesh. So too I will lay hands on your head till your hair falls out if need be for you to believe, but that is not the best God wants for our lives. Why does the LORD have to keep doing miracles for us? God has already given us everything we need to do His will and plan for our lives. Peter writes, "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) The LORD 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 do we need? How many more miracles do we need before we believe? What will it take before we can go to the next level where we believe without seeing? Growing up as a child in Assembly of God, Church of God, Pentecostal, etc. churches I can remember unannounced spontaneous sovereign moves of God where you knew it was God, but it has been over 20 maybe 30 years since I have seen this manifestation of God. I am sure it is not God who has changed maybe it is us. For greater than 15 years I have held before the LORD questioning (if you do not know something hold it before the LORD and in time when you can handle it He will respond) why we do not see this move of God in churches today and I feel God answered my question through this article. In the past there was a simplistic, naive approach as a little child to the LORD where we just believed without having to see or feel something, but that is not the case today. In the past our emotions were dulled by hard work (both in our occupation and in the service of the LORD), commitment, and by a sublime desire to hear from God in a meaningful way, but not so today. Today our emotions are energized with lights, music, sounds, videos, even fog with a desire for God to come and bless us, make us feel good (self-seeking songs have sponsored this wrong heart condition) or we have not heard from God. No longer are the hymns (songs sung to God) sang in our assemblies they have become old fashion and do not represent a hip Jesus. They have been replaced by praise and worship songs (songs sung about God) that seek even command a blessing from God. Well I will be honest if God never blesses me again that will be okay as long as my wife and family receive from Him. We have forgotten we go to church so that we can be a blessing not so God can bless us. The Christians of yesteryear knew this that is why God met them in their circumstances in a powerful and meaningful way. Our flesh and our senses are fed till they scream, but wait a minute God is trying to kill our flesh so we can be conformed into the image of His dear Son. You know we use the word "spiritual" for all kinds of things, but our forefathers knew being "spiritual" was being sensitive to the Holy Spirit and Him responding back in kind. As we lay our head to the pillow at night we (Karen and I) often listen to teaching tapes from deep spiritual teachers (all who are not with us today) such as Haun, Follette, Beuttler, Taylor and there is such a child-like quality, but a depth that calls unto deep in us. We have become so sophisticated and we think we are "deep" in our understanding, well deep my friend is down where Jesus is, meek and lowly. Maybe that is why I enjoy so going overseas and ministering. There in Eastern Europe, Africa, and Asia you find a lowly spirit and a true appreciation for the things of God and for what God provides. I think once we return to a child-like approach to God and stop all of this silly entertainment (can you believe all of the Christian movies? Hollywood found an untapped market, Christians) and self-seeking God will be able to take us to the next level where we do not have to feel or see something, but just believe. Written by David Stahl

HGM TEACHING FOR 23 FEB 16

HOME GROUP TEACHING OUTLINE (WITHOUT MARGIN NOTES) FOR MEETING ON 23 FEB 16

WILDERNESS TRUTHS FOR MODERN TIMES-30 TEXT: "And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace." (Leviticus 10:1-3) .

 

I.  GOD GETS NASTY

 

A. If there is to be a continual approach to God, there must be a concern for holiness in all areas of our lives. Peter attempts to press this into our hearts when he wrote; "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." (I Peter 1:15-16) And consider these words in Hebrews; "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:" (Hebrews 12:14) This urging to prepare one's heart so frequent in the Word of God that I would be afraid to ignore it.

B. How can one assume to continually approach God for an ongoing and growing relationship, and yet always bring with him elements contrary to the righteousness of God? Divine order must be maintained . Otherwise your communion with God will be hindered and we will not be able to progress ever upward in Him, ever seeking the righteous character of God to become the very core of our life and activity.

C. If we are to walk with God, the two of us must be in agreement. "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" (Amos 3:3) If we have one attitude and God has an opposing attitude, we better straighten out ours. God is not going to change. If we want His best, something must take place in us to cause us to correct our ways in order to conform to God's ways.

D. If correction is not forthcoming, God may take a rare extreme measure. It is not uncommon for God to take one totally, out of the picture to ensure His will is done in a group or in the life of a believer. God's actions may be very drastic at times, but He would like to avoid such harsh measures. "A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory." (Matthew 12:20) This does not mean that God enjoys a broken reed, and loves smoke in His eyes. What Matthew is conveying is God has patience with wrongs, but hopes for correction or victory through the judgment He sends. God does not want destruction, He wants correction. But if there can be no correction effected, then He must go to extreme, harsher measures.

E. The judgment of God for correction will always and continually be applied to those who are correctable, no matter how evil they may be, and no matter how long it takes. If God cannot get correction in one place under one type of judgment, H e will try another place under another type of judgment.

F. The longer correction is withstood, the greater the hindrance to spiritual growth. And as one continues in the wrong path, more and more of one's spiritual life is chipped away. For example: some believers refuse to apologize to others, or to make wrongs right, and therefore grow bitter toward these individuals. The increasing bitterness chips away at their spiritual lives, and no spiritual growth is realized. There are believers (believe it or not) who do not want to correct wrongs and straighten out their crooked paths. Are they waiting for the harshness of God?

 

II. PARTING THOUGHTS

 

A. A refusal to walk a straight path causes personal problems. Basic righteousness must be fulfilled. There is no way to skirt the issue and yet achieve progression in spiritual living. People who are operating in the gifts of the Spirit come to me with their problems. Usually I discover unfulfilled basics. These cause problems. Some do not believe even the most basic Scriptures. Others are more interested in their ministry.

B. God is after correction. He brings His people to the Wilderness of Sinai to iron out the wrinkles. The children of Israel spent many months in this wilderness. God brought them to a long halt in their journey in order to enhance their progression. Often times when we feel halted along our spiritual journey, it may be for correction and instruction, in order that our spiritual journey will be what it ought to be.

C. God will always bring His children into a place where they can receive correction. If we reject correction we are rejecting the best God can offer to us at that time. Correction from the Lord brings us into fulfillment and peace. Learning to receive correction from the Lord or one over us in spiritual authority will go a long way in our spiritual growth and development.

     

THE TEST

We are exhorted to set the gaze of our spirit upward toward Jesus whose life was openly displayed for us to look upon. We are to both consider and meditate upon the example of His life as the pattern for our lives. “Looking to 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) The shame we often feel (believe it or not) can be a test that God has placed before us to see if we can qualify or be approved for the next thing God has for us. Jesus our supreme example was tested not only by the religious folks of the day (like us) and the disciples, but also from His loving Heavenly Father. Jesus' trust and obedience for everything was in the Father will for His life. This is how He could say, "of Myself I can do nothing." John shares this account from Jesus, "I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me." (John 5:30). Yet today we run around and say we have the power and do little with it and say we can do all of these things, but Jesus said He has no power (unless the Father gives it to Him) and can do nothing unless it be "the will of the Father." Something is very wrong here. Even the Old Testament speaks prophetically of Jesus regarding the implicit trust He placed in His Father concerning His life and ministry. “For the Lord God will help Me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set My face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.” (Isaiah 50:7) Due to His faith and implicit trust in the character of His Father Jesus was enabled to fully obey His Father’s will. He knew His Father would not fail Him in the time of need or in time of testing. Paul also set the gaze of his spirit toward the LORD and diligently followed the pattern he saw in the example of Jesus. He gave his testimony expressing the result of his living, as the LORD lived. “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-14) And make no mistake Paul of all of the disciples was tested more than the other 83. Paul knew something about testings and trials and like Paul, the other disciples, and our LORD we are exhorted to have this same “mind.” Paul writes in Philippians, “Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything you be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this to you.” (Philippians 3:15) If we are to grow spiritually we must have both vision and direction along with an implicit trust not only in the ability, but also in the willingness of the LORD to bring us into the fullness of His intention for us through testing. Yes testing is the tool God uses in our lives to grow (as water, sunshine, and dung grows plants) up and to qualify or be approved for the next thing He has for us. Knowing this I wonder why I kick at the goads like Paul when God brings a good test my way? Maybe because we do not see it as a test? Or maybe we know it is a test, but resist the gain for the cost of the pain. John Wright Follette wrote a wonderful small booklet called, "Troubles Our Servant" that teaches us what we call troubles (what God calls a test) can serve to make us better men and women of God. Charles Haun sang the song, "Count Your Blessing" this way. Count your troubles name them one by one and you will be amazed to see what God has done. Tests and troubles in our lives serve as a blessing if we can allow them to define and refine our character to be more like the image and character of Jesus Christ, God's goal in our lives. Recently a good friend of mine gave me a healthy chunk of money to Western Union (WU) or bank wire to a missionary friend in Africa. After four trips (to the bank) the bank finally told me the Department of Homeland Security (fear does have has torment) turned off the bank transfer pipes and even WU that originate in the US. Well I knew my friend needed the money and I did not want to let him down so with every trip to the bank and trying to send the WU at a local grocery store the level of frustration was heightened. This was a test from God, but I did not see it at first. It had nothing to do with the money transfer that was the tool God used to reveal my heart condition during the test. God wanted to see (but sadly He always knew) and wanted me to see my attitude during the frustration and the 35 minute car ride (one way) to the bank from our home. To be honest I did not do well in this test. My attitude towards the bank representative (who was trying to help me) was poor at best. You know the only thing we are really in control of is our attitude. We must never forget at the heart of every issue is an issue of our heart. If we do then we will fail the test time and time again and the LORD will raise the stakes a little bit for the next test. You know we think God is more concerned about the big tests He brings our way, but oh no my friend this is wrong thinking. God is more concerned about the little small teeny tiny test, those that we think are insignificant. As a matter of fact the smaller the test the more God closely scrutinizing us in it. God knows if we cannot be faithful in the small things then we will not be faithful in the big things. Jesus told the disciples, "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much." (Luke 16:10) So too in our testing from God. God knows if we cannot be successful in the small test then we will never be successful in the big test. Lastly we have not exhausted the depth of revelation that is buried layer upon layer within the Word of God. There is hidden manna spiritual principles that are not openly available, but made manifest to those who have certain overcoming qualities in their lives for those who have learned the lessons God is giving and for those who have qualified for them through testing. Many theorize God's end-time plan for man but, before the LORD will reveal more to us we must have a proper attitude, spirit, and a pure heart motive. First we must be walking in integrity with Him in the out-working of the Word that we have already received. Through illumination this present Word should be vibrant (a living reality) having relevant meaning in relation to and through our present circumstances and time. The LORD is progressively bringing us into a greater understanding of Himself, of His desire for the growth and well being of His Church, and the establishing of His kingdom (righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit Romans 14:17) in our heart. I hear many people (even Christians) ask what is life about? The number of books written on the meaning of life are astounding, talk shows on TV (even Christians) command hours and hours of our time, but all fall short of God's working, though His dealings and judgments (His testing), in our lives are not understood. What is the meaning of life? Life is one big test from God not to see if He can trick us or set us up for failure, oh no our life is a series of many tests to see if we can qualify and be approved for what God has for us in our next life to come. May we be found faithful. Written by David Stahl 

JUST GIVE THEM JESUS

Now I am not Catholic, but I would have to think very long and hard to find another person who possessed the integrity, simplicity, and Christ-likeness character more than Mother Teresa. Affectionately known in the Catholic Saint world as the "Saint of the Gutters," Mother Teresa was speaking to a very large group of Nuns and when she finished she took questions. One sister raised her hand and asked, "why are so many Nuns joining your Order? Mother Teresa thought a moment and said, "I give them Jesus next question." The novice Nun quickly raised her hand again and said, "Mother Teresa please wait a minute I asked why so many Nuns were joining your Order. Is it because they do not have to wear a habit or do not have bulky clothing to care for each day?" Mother Teresa replied, "No I give them Jesus next question." A third time the novice Nun raised her hand and asked, "Mother Teresa please tell me more there just has to be more." Mother Teresa calmly walked down off of the podium, into the crowd, and laid her hand on the young novas Nun's shoulder and said, "I give them Jesus there is nothing more." Did you get that, "I give them Jesus there is nothing more." Mother Teresa had it right all we are to give the world is Jesus and Him alone. Mother Teresa had it right she taught the young nun what she needed to know. This was the same principle Jesus put forth as He instructed the disciples in Matthew. Jesus taught, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching 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) Jesus did not say go evangelize all nations, but "teach all nations." Did you know there is a big difference between the two? My friend the world has been evangelized time and time again, but what needs to happen now in the world is to sit the people down that have come to Christ and teach them "to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you," but you can make more money and get your name up in lights in evangelism, plus teaching is hard and time consuming and requires a personal relationship and commitment by both the teacher and the student something strange to have these days. Jesus spent over 80% of His time teaching (everyone) the rest of His time was spent with dealing with the religious folks, traveling from one town to the next, doing signs and wonders, and just dealing with life. But not too many evangelists, pastors, and preachers want to identify with the gutters oh no not much fame and popularity down in the gutters, but oddly enough Jesus was a man who could get down in the gutters where most people live. The question is can we follow Jesus' example? How low can we go! Did you know Jesus never called Himself the son of God? Oh no Jesus referred to Himself as the "Son of man" taking a lead from Ezekiel. In the Book of Ezekiel the expression "Son of man" is used 92 times in reference to himself, but also prophetically speaking of Jesus Christ. Who wants to be the "Son of man" when you can be the son of God? Oh no we want the power of the cross without the shame and loss we must identify with. This is the message Jesus was teaching in Luke 9:57, "And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 58And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head." (Luke 9:57-58) If we really want to just give them Jesus we will have to identify with the sufferings and heartaches of this world and come with grips with the reality of the deceitfulness and wickedness of our emotions, desires, and heart. To do this right as a teacher God will have to really be able to deal with us for us to be able to give life in our teaching, if not then we will give death to everyone we teach. Sadly we give the world everything and I mean everything, but little do we give (teach the world) the world Jesus. At most churches we give the world entertainment: a light and sound show, smoke and fog for special effects, poems, skits, dramas, music far beyond our ability to hear, announcements, upcoming board meetings (all ad nausea), and when it is time to hear the word of God well, has our heart been prepared? No of course not so all we get is a sermon with a good moral thought and not a life giving word from God. Paul teaches us, "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14) We must be so careful with emotional music, pageantry, traditions of men, and administration (boards and committees) they are so destructive in the Body of Christ. If what we do in church does not point everyone to Jesus we have failed. When we started our church in Germany God told me not burden me and the people with a lot of committees and ministries they keep the people working and their mind off of my Son. By the way what happened to the old hymns of the church? They have been replaced by the fleshly feeling, humanistic contemporary music that feeds our flesh and not a heartfelt song that is sung to God as a hymn does. The words of contemporary music are directed to God so that He can come and make us feel good, well God is not so concerned about making us feel good as He is concerned about us allowing Him to conform us into His image and character which contemporary music will never do. For the conforming to happened we must endure the dealings and judgments of the LORD in our lives, but again who wants to identify with the "Son of man" when we can desire to identify with the son of God and all of His blessings. I am amazed at the number of churches who play DVDs and tapes (to get our emotions moving) from a Christian concert or service; over and over so loud thinking God is in the repetition and volume, but God is not. Elijah found out, "And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice." (1 Kings 19:12) We come to church and look for the earth to quake and for us to be set "on fire for the LORD," but all of that is not of God. He is a simplistic, sublime God of righteousness and holiness that operates in the recesses of our heart that manifest His love out from us to the world, and as we teach the world about Jesus. When the Nazis would ship the Jewish people by train from the ghettos in Poland and all around Eastern Europe many German Christians knew of this practice and they even knew of the train schedule when one would pass by on its way to Auschwitz and other places well, the pastors of the churches would tell their people to "sing a little bit louder" as the trains passed by so that they would drown out the sound of the train and their responsibility of knowing this horrible genocide was going on, yet today we still do this. In most churches people are encouraged to "sing a little bit louder" to get in the spirit while all the time the people are ignoring their responsibilities before God to allow Him to search their hearts. Why do we give such a show of entertainment when we can just give them Jesus? Remember what we use to win people to Christ with we have won them to that. If we use a hip Jesus message with worldly means (music, lights, smoke, drama, etc.) then we have won them to that, but if we use the word of God then we have won them to the word of God which will stand and serve in their lives as an anchor that will hold them. When we do this (win them to Christ with the word of God) we have given them Jesus. You know there are so many great parables, stories, examples, just plain wonderful advice in the Bible, but they should not become the main message. They are not, they are just wonderful things in the Bible that point us to a loving God. Often this simplicity of heart is lost due to hyper-spiritualism which preys on and destroys feeble minded people. Everything is spiritual, making a cake, going shopping, buying clothing, well God has given us a mind. This is why it is critical we study (not read) the word of God if not we will get over into areas that sound right, look right, and feel right, but in the end are not of God. Not everything we do in God must be spiritualized. There seems to be two camps in the most churches today; one camp not led by the Spirit of God and the other camp those led by the Spirit of God. If this is not confusing enough the ones who are lead by the Spirit of God can spiritualize everything (hyper-spiritualism) and become no earthly good to just give them Jesus. I think these folks are more damaging to the Body of Christ than the non-spiritual folks. We must be led and guided by the Holy Spirit to all truths (especially about ourselves) so that we will be able to move and function with the LORD now and in our next life to come. Many Christians are not moving with the LORD not because there is sin in their lives, but because they have missed the sublime move of God trying to make everything more than what it is. We need to relax, take a good deep breath, and just give people Jesus and He will take it from there. We must get involved with the lives of people again. Not to the point of becoming a busy body, but to the point of a genuine concern for souls. Time is drawing to a close and I will be honest most people in the church have lost the desire to see souls won to Christ and how do we do this? We just give them Jesus. The nominal church of today has built walls that are safe, warm, and cozy thinking their programs (seemingly spiritual enticement) and goodly facilities will draw in the lost, but that is not the model we find in the Bible. My friend Jesus went out after the lost sheep, He left the 99 in the wilderness (the wilderness has ways of taking care of problems in our lives) and went after the one lost sheep. Not evangelizing like we do today. Oh no Jesus knew the lost sheep that is why (not because it was lost) He went after it. In Luke Jesus said, "And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled." (Luke 14:23) We are to go after the lost people in the world not waiting on them to find our church and when we find them we are to give them Jesus and teach them to observe all things that Jesus taught the disciples nothing more nothing less. You know my friend the main message of the Bible is the message of the cross. Yes there are other messages that point to Christ, but they are not the main message. The only message that points our sinful flesh to life in God is the message of the cross. Paul taught, "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of non eeffect.18 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 1:17-18) On our cross (the battle of wills between our desires and the desires God has for us) we must die as Jesus did. The cross is an instrument of death on which we must willfully impale ourselves so that we may come to know the resurrection (Philippians 3:10) life Paul talked about. If we give them Jesus we give them life what else more is there?

DOING THE WILL OF GOD

As we enter into another year one of the most important concerns (or it should be) for Christians ought to be am I doing the will of the LORD. For most this is a very perplexing question, but you know it need not be. As a matter of fact this should not be a question at all if we truly are walking with the LORD in faith. What is at stake believe it or not is our understanding of what God is doing and our heart condition aligning up with His will for our lives and in the given situation. Often time we see the sinner prosper and seemingly get over on God (and us) to the point we question God's ability and even His sovereign will. At times we gnash our teeth in anger when our ways are not accepted or when something ungodly happens in our country like the openness of the gay lifestyle on parade or the daily slaughter of innocent life through the abortions mills that cover America. We think some day God will get them and we are right, but that day is not today. David in the Psalms reflects on such a time as this, "In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? 2 For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. 3If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? 4The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. 5 The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. 6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. 7 For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright." (Psalms 11:1-7) Make no mistake the wicked days are numbered. but that day is not today. Until that day (God has appointed) comes we must maintain the foundations on which we are built because, "If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" and we too will be lost. What does it really matter what the evil man does? What does it really matter what our government says and does? We must have an eternal perspective this earth and life is not our final destination. Do we not believe it? For those who do not believe it will do and get all they can now even going outside (in word and deed) the will of God. The "righteousness" David refers to is doing the will of God. Doing that which is right in the eyes of God no matter what the evil man does or says. You know our spiritual life is far more than the accumulation of information that we gather such as understanding doctrine and the written Word. Rather, the measure of our spirituality is the result of the accumulation of the decisions that we make during our span of life. When we stand before the Lord at the Judgment Seat of Christ the level of spiritual life to which we have attained will be compared not against our fellow man, but against the LORD's overcoming life. Life is never easy it is a struggle in which we must continually choose what we will do or which way we will go. Because of the many desires that we have (along with the responsibilities that have been placed upon us) at times it may be difficult for us to make the right choice. As we choose rightly we will become one of the overcomers (word in the Bible for victory) whom the LORD will lift into being seated with Him in His throne at the appointed time. For us to be able to walk in what the LORD has for us (walking in His will for our lives) we must become (a process of self-denial, discipline unto obedience, and correction from God and others at times) a "living sacrifice" and "be not conformed (poured into a mold to harden) to this world." Paul (a man who knew something about self-denial, discipline unto obedience, and correction from God and others) lived it so he could write it, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:1-2) Paul begged (beseeched) the brethren even though they were alive they had to die to their selfish desires and to this world to be holy and acceptable to God. Now you do not hear that message often being preached, oh no most Churches (but we know we are the church) preach a humanistic sermon of emotions on how to find your destiny in God. Well the only destiny we have in God is to die on our cross so that the LORD can live through us. John picked up on this message when he lived and wrote, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For 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 .17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (1 John 2:15-17) Yet we love the world and try to exclude only those things we find ungodly while letting everything else into our lives and heart. To be a "living sacrifice" we will have to live different than the world, speak different than the world, and even act different than the world. I think in some ways the Amish may have some things right, but one thing for sure, "he that doeth the will of the God abideth for ever." This is a condition for "abiding for ever" with God. How can we walk in the plan of God for our lives if we are not walking in God's will? With this abiding even darkness cannot move us out of God. We were attending a local church and for many months the pastor allowed me to minister on Sunday night until a man in leadership returned from his Florida annual winter vacation who did not have an understanding of the darkness of God, well to make a long story short I was asked by the pastor (he did not want to break his rice bowl or learn anything ) to stop coming to the church. But did you know there are two types of darkness? The first darkness is that which arises from sin. It is a darkness that is filled with unhappiness and leads the Christian to eternal death. The second type of darkness is darkness which the LORD allows within our inward part in order to establish and settle virtue. This is a happy darkness because it illuminates (revelation) our inward spirit, strengthens it and gives it greater light. We must never rush out into the spiritual darkness in which we can suddenly find our self in. It would be well for us to stop all of our frantic running, struggling, and searching and just wait before the LORD. He will get our flashlight to us. God provides for us a light in darkness. This is an anchor which will help prevent us from falling upon the rocks or in a dung heap. There are some people who do not know God provides a light to walk through darkness. They go stumbling on and stumbling on and falling into all kinds of unpleasant messes, getting cut and bruised, and crying the blues. They do not believe there could be a light in such intense darkness. They believe many things which are not true. How readily some believe the suggestions of a liar and others while being slow to believe the Word of God. Job wrote, “By His light, I walked through darkness” (Job 29:3) God gives us a light. We must see these times of darkness as a time we persevere in our inward pursuit. It is a manifest sign that God in His infinite mercy is seeking to bring us into the inward path. How good will be the results if we embrace these times with peace and with resignation. Such times are for our spiritual growth and development. As we persevere God will give us a light which grows and increases in the midst of darkness. Often it is in times of darkness wisdom and strong love are begotten. It is in times of darkness not in times of great outward spiritual joy that our self-nature and self-seeking is dealt a mortal blow. Imaginations, ideas, wanderings, and other hindrances which give us a distorted view of God and His ways are consumed. Last of all the Lord uses darkness to purge us of our outward senses; this purging is necessary for our internal progress. Do not particularly try to seek a way out of darkness and most of all do not stop coming before the LORD as in our most faithful times and in those times when spiritual riches and blessing were at their highest. Do not try to look for some emotion or even a tender devotion towards God. We must only express our desire to do His will and to be His pleasure. Otherwise we will simply go in circles throughout our lives and take not even one step towards our inward goal of knowing Him. An emotional experience with the LORD must not be our goal for it is not His goal. If we do then we will succumb to satisfying the desires of our flesh and not choose to rise above these desires to feed our spirit. The accumulation of the choices that we make is all that we will take with us (that which we have spiritually become) when we depart from this life. If our decisions for the LORD outweigh our self-serving choices then this becomes the level of spiritual growth to which we have attained and will establish the place of our relationship to the LORD for all eternity. Our being an overcomer means that there is a separation between that which pertains to our self-satisfaction and fulfillment and that which is according to the will and purpose of our LORD for us. As we go through life the more decisions that we make toward that which is spiritually edifying the easier it will become to continue making these decisions and we become more detached from all those things that could pull us down. In the beginning, it may be difficult, but it becomes easier as we continue to choose rightly. Our lives in many ways is comparable to walking in a large circular spiral. As we move around the circle and continue to choose that which is spiritually edifying (when we return to our starting place) hopefully, we will be a distance higher than we had been when we first started. If we choose toward self-gratification we will arrive a distance lower than we had been when we first started. Life may seem repetitive (as it mostly is), but the accumulation of these seemingly mundane daily choices that we make will greatly affect our eternal position before the LORD. Thus we are doing far more than simply going in circles (if we are making positive decisions toward the LORD) our desire to personally know Jesus will substantially increase and our spirit will become more sensitive to His presence. But, if we give in to carnal desires we will become hardened and indifferent to the LORD and to His presence. We may be struggling, and at times, seemingly losing more battles than we are winning, but as we spend quality time in the presence of our LORD asking Him for the strength to make the right decisions we will be enabled to do so and we will begin to move upward. There are those who have a spiritual quality that is perceptible to others as their lives radiate an inner peace. This is because they have risen above earthly pressures, temptations, and are making the right decisions. We can be in a storm when everything is calm or we can be calm when everything is stormy. We can even be alone in a crowd. It all depends upon where you live. It all depends upon which is gripping our heart, the storm or the faithfulness of God. There is a place of silence in God that brings us to nothingness. A place where we have nothing to say. There are three types of silence: a silence of words, a silence of desires, and a silence of thoughts. The first is perfect. The second is even more perfect and the third is the most perfect. In the first, the silence of words, there is virtue (strength) that is acquired. In the second, the silence of desires, quietness is obtained; and in the third, the silence of thoughts . . . this is our goal: the internal recollection of all of our senses. To lay hold of the silence of thought is to arrive and abide at the center of our being where Christ dwells. Not by speaking, desiring, nor reasoning we reach the central place of our inward walk that place where God speaks to our inward man. It is there that God communicates. Himself to our spirit and there in the inmost depths of our being. He teaches us Himself. He guides (in His will) us to this place where He alone speaks His most secret and hidden things of His heart to us. We must enter into this through all silence if we would hear His divine voice within us. Forsaking the world will not accomplish this even nor renouncing our desires, but these we must try to do. No, not even if we should renounce all things created. What then? Rest is found only in this three-fold silence, only before an open door where God may communicate Himself to us. It is in that place He can transform us into Himself. This transformation of our soul consists not in speaking to God nor in thinking on God, but in loving Him greatly. And how is this love acquired? By means of perfect resignation of God's faithfulness to us and this threefold silence. Jesus said that the Kingdom is within us. The first aspect of the Kingdom is “righteousness.” Thus the righteous decisions that we make will draw us upward toward His Kingdom. When we choose the LORD and place ourselves under His Kingdom rule we place ourselves on a platform called “righteousness.” Then as we continue to make righteous decisions it will result in our experiencing His abiding presence and having a sensitivity to all that is spiritual. Because we are making the right decisions the favor or the approbation of God will rest upon us. How easy then is it to be in the will of God? God does not try to trick us or set us up. Oh no, as long as we are not overtly over in sin (first type of darkness and we know it) then whatever we are doing for God and where ever we find ourselves this is the will of God for our lives. No pressure on us. God just then guides us along to keep us on track. Believe it or not God does not try to make things too difficult, but we seem to. Written by David Stahl    

COMMUNICATION WITH GOD

God's heart for us is to be able to have communion (our heart to His heart) with Him, but this communion starts out from our communication with Him. So the order is, no communication no communion. If our desire can focus upon the Lord communication with Him will be open. We have evidence that this moved in Moses early life. There must have been communication from God to Moses when he was young (40 years old) for he was aware then that God wanted him to deliver his brothers from Egyptian bondage (Acts 7:23-29). At the burning bush in Exodus chapter three we see a marvelous method of communication from God to Moses. At Mount Sinai God called Moses to Himself for the purpose of a very lengthy communication. Moses ascended, "And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud." (Exodus 24:16) God's call to us is always to "come up" and stand where He is. This extensive communication lasted 34 days probably without interruption day and night since Moses did not eat nor drink during that time (Deuteronomy 9:9). I also believe Moses did not sleep during this time since it would be hard to sleep with God that close. God called Moses and led him to the Wilderness of Sinai upon two different occasions to communicate with him. Sinai (means God's glory) is a place where God can communicate with man. He may call us to the mount to communicate or at times God may call us to the wilderness to meet with Him, but His intent is to talk with us. Communication follows the meeting. Suppose we fail to meet with God due to fear or some other personal reason? The communication which God intended does not occur. He stands at the door and knocks. If anyone hears and opens extensive communication can follow. Do we desire Him enough to open the door or go to the wilderness to meet with Him? If so communication is established and a messenger is born. The messenger becomes God's mouthpiece to those who have not met with Him. Jesus testifies of this, "Then answered Jesus and said unto them, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel." (John 5:19-20) If there is no communication, how can Jesus know what His Father is doing? If he doesn't know what His Father is doing how can He do His Father's will? Communication is necessary. We need it. We must have it even if it means living in the wilderness. Communication is necessary for God needs messengers. He communicated through the angels (messengers) to the seven Churches in Revelation -- chapters two and three. He did not communicate directly to the Seven Churches. God uses messengers. It is the same today. We do not go to church sit down and wait till God shows up to speak in person to us. No we hear His messenger. He used prophets to speak to the nation of Israel. There will be no messenger if there is no communication. Today God still seeks messengers. But today they are getting as scarce as they were in Isaiah's day, "Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me." (Isaiah 6:8) God desperately seeks those with hearing ears because He can put His word into them. His word can possess them and give a desire to meet with God to hear His communications. God spoke to Moses, "And be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me in the top of the mount." (Exodus 34:2) All things must be laid aside. God wants hearts ready to meet with Him and to receive that which He has for them. Yes the meeting and communication is necessary if people will be able to receive from God. God worked through human instruments and continues to do so. Therefore in order to accomplish the will of God there must be the meeting of the mind of God with the mind of man. Moses is called to the top of Mount Sinai in order to receive specific instructions from God for the children of Israel as well as God's foundational direction for mankind. God gave Moses the plans for the Tabernacle, Priestly arrangements, and so much more. The importance of this meeting between God and Moses goes further. God provided the wherewithal to prepare Israel for a successful conquest of the Promised Land. The means of preparing their hearts was presented to Moses, which he in turn, presented to the people. But they did not respond correctly. They were rebellious and had no faith in Moses or God. As the right relationship to God develops the desire to walk in the will of God grows. As obedience increases, faith does likewise, and conquest is certain.

GOD'S UNKNOWN NATURE

God brought the Children of Israel out of Egypt across the Red Sea, through the Wilderness of Shur and Sin to have a face to face meeting with Him. We read in Exodus, "And all the people saw the thundering, and the lightning, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die." (Exodus 20:18-19), but they had no desire to meet God because they did not understand His nature. Under the circumstances the Israelites had no desire to approach God. There are people who will approach God under certain circumstances yet will not approach Him otherwise. God may manifest Himself to certain individuals who will not respond. Here at Sinai God approached the people with manifestations which they could not understand and therefore they feared. When God does things to fit our understanding we more readily accept Him and His work. We are likely to feel uncomfortable with the unknown. Suppose we are walking alone and suddenly come up to a 5 foot bright blue creature with crumpled skin walking like a man. Would we readily and comfortably approach it? Doubtful. Most of us would avoid extremely strange creatures and probably shun totally strange circumstances. This is why some believes can not readily accept certain truths, truths that are foreign to them. If we can conveniently fit truth new to us into our present way of life, then understanding is not too difficult. In any given level of spiritual growth, the believer will meet truth which they cannot handle. They can find no place in their present life into which it will fit and they are not yet willing to have it worked into their life. Sometimes it is quite convenient for the believer not to understand truth. It is less troublesome not to understand certain things than to understand them. Here we can apply the oft repeated statement, "The truth which I do not understand does not brother me; it is the truth I do understand which disturbs me." There is one way in which we can approach the unknown without fear. The Lord at times will lead us in an unfamiliar way. All through our Christian life we will meet the unfamiliar, things we do not understand. We cannot afford to make our approach to the things of God on the basis of understanding alone. Doing so will head us nowhere. All we need is a desire to hear God, to obey Him and to know Him. These people whom Moses brought to meet God did not want to hear Him. In Jesus' parable of the sower hearing becomes the foundation of receiving. "But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." (Exodus 13:23) Understanding comes later hearing always comes first. Some people want to understand all about it before, they make their approach. What are these thundering and lightning? What are the trumpets blowing and why all this smoke? If we do not understand all these things we cannot meet with God. Too bad, so sad. There is no faith. Where there is no faith, there is no approach to God! Can God Himself be understood by mere man? No! He must be approached by faith. God is eternal. Eternity cannot fit into man's small mind. The extensive greatness of God's love and grace cannot be contained in the restricted human understanding. God will always be drawing man into the unknown, the unfamiliar. Man, responding to God, will always be learning. No matter how far into the unknown we are taken to experience revelation and understanding, we will always have the unknown in God before us. The unknown is frightening to most individuals. In the case of the spiritual; realm, any approach by God which is not understood frightens most believers. At these times we must be still and know. Charles Haun tells this story of his Bible School class of 200 students. The entire school body became still and silent although the Lord could not be seen, He was heard walking in the chapel, up and down the aisles, they could hear His garments rustling, this happened until a girl screamed in fear. She could not understand what was happening. That ended that manifestation of the Lord. The Lord cannot bring very much from the unknown to the believer fearing it! The Lord can visit us with an usual manifestation. If there is not a proper and correct response in such a visitation, the Lord will not hang around for long. Not all manifestations of the Lord are dramatic and spectacular. Some are so dull or ordinary that most believers would not recognize or respond to them as a manifestation of God. But, revelation will be brought to that one who wholly seeks and desires the Lord. Care must be taken not to place our desires in the wrong areas. A wrong area may be to desire God to do something for us, to give us something for self-satisfaction, or to know and understand certain things to satisfy our curiosity about the Lord. The right area is a desire for Him alone! Remember we are to: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33) Desiring the Lord will be the foundation upon which revelation is brought to us. God's heart responds to the heart desiring Him. A hunger and thirst for righteousness characterizes this desiring heart. The heart of God desires this same thing, righteousness in human hearts. Thus, kind is answering to it own kind. Remember this basis principle, since it will determine the extent to which we will progress in God. Kind is attracted to kind. This principle is true, not only true in the spiritual realm, but also in the social realm and animal realm. "Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me." (Psalms 42:7) As much as we desire what God desires to that extent God brings us into Himself and we become more like Him.