COME TO THE LIGHT

Come to the Light As Karen and I were driving to Fort Payne, AL to visit Dan, Sarah, and our wonderful grand kids (Abigail, John, and Hannah) I was feasting on the third Chapter of John. I have been sharing the Book of John at Bible Study twice a month with some great folks at Stonebridge Assisted Living facility. I really look forward to going and seeing the older ladies and gentlemen who come and enjoy the singing led by Carolyn Everett and then the Bible Study, it is a really great time. We have had two people give their hearts to the LORD. But as I was driving I was thinking of my review of Chapter three and especially these verses, "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." (John 3:18-21) Wow what powerful verses! Did you get that? "Men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." I thought why does man love darkness over the light? Well that is because their deeds are evil. They (men and women) come not to the light because they love their evil deeds. Often it s not a matter of accepting Christ as our personal savior, but it is a matter of us giving up our enjoyment of our evil deeds. I remembered on Saturday nights when we lived (I was a teenager then) in Fayetteville, NC and about four or five of us (good Christian young men) would go downtown on the 500 Block (where all of the strip bars and the like were) to see what we could see. Oh we never went inside and sat down (we were never that bold) we thought we were being brave and would stick our heads through the door smell the beer, see the black lights, and look around to see if we could see the naked ladies dancing on stage. After an eye full we would step out of the doorway and laugh, but then go right back to see what we could see bar after bar. You see we really loved the darkness more than the light we said we were of the next day at church. Men (and women) loves to hide in the shadows and recesses of the darkness of their mind and in the physical world to have their carnal nature satisfied. They like the feeling of their flesh being gratified and smoothed over as they are pleasured by this world and all of the things not of God in this world. They endure the pain and heartache of spiritual loss and disappointment of God to feel the worldly pleasures of self satisfaction and selfishness . They do not want to come out of the shadows and be exposed for who they are. Oh they may say they want to, but in reality they are very content (like we young men were downtown) living in their evil deeds. There are many other reasons why we like to live in the darkness and not come to the light. Other people (who are not so depraved) do not come to the light because they do not want to put up with the hassle, maybe hardship, or even separation from their family it would take to come to the light. I have seen this time and time again all around the world. Many know the truth, but peace within the family is more important to them. Coming to the light will cost disruption, upheaval, and maybe being kicked out of the will. But peace to keep the peace (while staying in the darkness) is ungodly unless it is founded on the Prince of Peace Jesus Christ and not religion, denominations, or traditions of men. We can speak of this personally as we have been ostracized from our family because we stand for the light contained in the word of God. In 2 Corinthians Paul writes to the Church at Corinth, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" (2 Corinthians 6:14). Now most Christians mistakenly believe Paul is talking about not being married to an ungodly person if you are a Christians, but that is not what Paul is saying. Paul was saying we must take heed and not be "yoked" or join into a relationship (martial, business, whatsoever) with non believers, because "what communion hath light with darkness?" Be friendly, be kind to all, but take heed to who we give our hearts to and who we partake of in their lives. Are they righteousness or unrighteousness? Well how can we tell? By their fruits you will know them. Are they walking in the ways of God or the world? You judge my friend and if unrighteous then take heed to yourself and all you do with them. Jesus said it even harder in Matthew, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." (Matthew 10:34-37) Did you get that too? Jesus had not come to bring peace, but a sword and He wants to use that sword to cut out of our heart our love for the world and the things in it, even our family members. Now these are strong words by Jesus here, but this is the depth of love we must have for Jesus and if our love for anything else is found in our heart greater than that for Jesus, "than we are not worthy of Him." I did not say that, but Jesus. God will cut you out of this world one way or the other. He allows things into our lives to measure our love for Him make no mistake my friend. Now that does not mean we have to turn our backs on our earthly family and if we do not we would not be a believer, but it does mean our love for the truth and our love for the light must rise above all of our earthly love for our family and all of these distractions and trappings in this life. So too this is the same reason why people do not want to go to a place to hear the word of God ministered and a place to worship God. I will not say "church" because we are the church. They do not want to hear the word of God, because the real work of the word of God is to reprove us, it is kill our flesh, and draw us out of the shadows of darkness and into the glorious light of Christ. Sadly, they do not want the word of God to reprove them of their sins and short comings so shun the word of God and those who believe in God gathering with those who love what they love darkness. We can see John 3:20 aggress with Paul when He writes in Ephesians 5, "(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light." (Ephesians 5:9-13) The work of the Spirit and of the word of God is to reprove us (reprimand or censure someone) so that we can see our need to come out of the darkness into the light. So we see without reproof there can never be a movement away from the darkness into the light. Now take heed to yourself my friend if you bring reproof to someone. This is what happened to Stephen when he reproved the Jewish folks gathered, as he said, "Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: 53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth." (Acts 7:52-54), "Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul." (Acts 7:57-58) Remember they killed Jesus and Steven for speaking the truth and if you speak the truth they will kill you too. The death could be physically as it happens daily around the world or a separation from family or friends, but the price must be unflinchingly pay to help people come out of the darkness into the light. Written by David Stahl

WTFMT 61 (from 12 Feb 19 HGM)

WILDERNESS TRUTHS FOR MODERN TIMES-61
TEXT:   "Only unto the land of the children of Ammon thou camest not, nor unto any place of the river Jabbok, nor unto the cities in the mountains, nor unto whatsoever the LORD our God forbad us." (Deuteronomy 2:37)  

I.   LIMITATIONS

A. A secret: the greater our personal liberty the greater God's limitation in us. The greater our personal limitations the greater the freedom God has in us.
B. Moses could not capture just any city he chose. He was limited to that which God was giving them. Don't take! That will get us into trouble. Receive! That is the healthy, scriptural way. Most difficulties that believers have are of their own creation.
C. "Take" is the world's philosophy. It has invaded the Church and has caused many personal problems. It sets believers on the road of their own choosing.
D. A secret: perhaps the greatest secret to constant victory living is "seek not your own will, but the will of the Father. "This was the path of Jesus who could do nothing on His own. "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)
E. But many of today's Christians believe and feel that they are able to operate for God on their own. If they do not admit this with their mouth then they do with their lives. One we move out on our own in a direction or action of our own choosing we lose correctness. The reason for the accuracy of Jesus is very clearly stated, "my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me."
F. In the Wilderness of Kedemoth the main theme is forward progression. But in such a progression there should be a concern for accuracy. Otherwise there may be regression rather than progression. Otherwise our spiritual life may be more unhealthy than healthy. Otherwise we may have spiritual poverty rather than spiritual riches.
G. Thus it is imperative that we take His yoke upon us coming under His limiting factors. This applies in the natural realm as well as in the spiritual. Fulfillment in marital relationship is bound by limitations. Agriculture, transportation, everything we do is bound by limitations if we desire to come to fulfillment.
H. Even Moses moved apart from God taking his own direction in striking the rock (Numbers 20:8-12) instead of speaking to it, as God directed. As a result Moses was not permitted to lead the people into the Promised Land, coming to fulfillment to what God called him to do.

II. PARTING THOUGHTS

A. If the Kedemoth in our lives is to be that which God intends it to be there must be progression, forward, healthy, prosperous progression. In order for this to be so there must be vision. "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." (Proverbs 29:18)
B. There can be no limitation without a vision. How could we be limited to God's ways if they do not come into our view? Because many do not have a vision, there is little or no progression in their Christian living. Our own ways often fill our visions. We must be willing to lay aside our own wills and seek the will of the Father.
C. If we have a desire to clobber the enemy we might first consider the will of the Father. He may not be moving in certain desires of ours. He may want us to wait for His timing.
D. When Satan came to Jesus in Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus did not immediately bounce on him. Jesus stayed under the temptation until it was the Father's time for Him to say to Satan, "Get thee hence."
E. The Father can bring us into immediate action in some situations or it could be a situation in which we must wait until the Father's time arrives. Or it could be that the Father does not want us ever to mess with certain situations. We must have vision.

THE WRONG PEOPLE

The wedding table is set, the food is prepared, the fine linen and the best silverware is orderly arranged, the candles are lit, and the chairs are arrayed and neatly positioned, yet the people who were invited to the wedding feast did not come. Maybe they were the wrong people? Now it is important to know it was not the fault of the groom that the people did not come after all the people made promises and even confirmed the groom's invitation, but when the groom called for the people to take their seats no one showed up. One would say this would never happen, well I beg to differ with you sadly this happens almost every day. In the 22nd Chapter of Matthew there is a very sad parable Jesus uses to describe the way it seems things happen today in the world. After reading the parable my thought was maybe the wrong people were invited. Maybe the groom should have went after different people. Jesus shares, "The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good :and the wedding was furnished with guests." (Matthew 22:2-10) I really think there is much we can gain from this parable that could prevent the mistakes and loss of the past in the church. Now here let me say I wish none to be lost not one, please understand what I am saying, but we know that will not be the case. We know, "many are called, but few are chosen." The wedding call goes out every day, but only a few will answer the call and these are the ones who God chooses not because they were special, rich powerful, black, yellow, white, or mighty, oh no they were chosen because they answered the call of the LORD. I see it does not matter the ability, gender, color, or social status, but answering the call. Let us take some verses and look at the application of them today: "And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.' (Matthew 22:3-4) For over 2,000 years since the death of Christ on the cross the call of God, "the deep calleth unto deep" (Psalms 42:7) has gone out to the heart of man, a depth of longing and desire (filled with peace and contentment) from the heart of God to the heart of man yet man habitually rejects it. The table is set the fatted oxen has been killed and prepared with all of the fixings, but it seems less and less people answer the call to come and dine. Growing up in church I can remember when it would be strange not to have a packed sanctuary, but today it is strange if the sanctuary is half full In the past people were never the problem, but today people are just not interested in the things of God. Distractions (media, social media, sports, job, entertainment, you name it) can fill our lives leaving little to no time to spend with the LORD, read His word (the Bible), or even go help our neighbor in time of need. Now it seems there is a certain level of people (the upper crust folks with money) meet this criteria. Most poor people have no time (they are too busy working two or three jobs) or money to waste on frivolous things, oh no food is too expensive, but one thing (lately) I have noticed is most churches go after people with money, but the people with money (unless they have a heart for the LORD) are filled with distractions, themselves, and seem to find little time for the LORD. Maybe the church of today too has went after the wrong people? Maybe the church of today needs to go after the poor and halt, the down and out, the folks who have nothing, and who really need the help of the church. The people who cannot give back. One of the greatest signs of spiritual growth and maturity is when we can give to someone who cannot return the favor. Again I believe we need to go after everyone with the message of the Gospel as the Holy Spirit gives the green light, but the poor and lowly folks seem to be more receptive to the Gospel than the rich. I have seen this all over the world. Maybe we need to refocus and double our efforts looking at the people who need the help and will answer the call. The rich young ruler is a prime example, he could not sell out. Jesus continues His parable, "But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city." (Matthew 22:5-6) Of course this is talking about how the world system and the people in the world treated Jesus, but when the king (the Father) heard how the people who were invited to the wedding feast treated His servant (the Son) He grew angry and punished the world system and the people in the world for their disobedience. Maybe the "Camp Fire" in Paradise, CA that killed 88 people (not mentioning the 1,000s injured) and over 500 people still missing was no accident. One thing that was strange from this fire was the report of the number of suicides from the fire fighters. Maybe all of this fighting around the world "army on army" is no accident. You know God has His ways of dealing with man. God draws with mercy, forgiveness, and justice, but if man rejects God's calling then God can only give (still a part of God's love) judgment, discipline, and punishment for man's waywardness. Again God has His ways of dealing with man. And you know weather changes and storms always gets man's attention from the devastation they provide. Just look at the wild fires, frigid weather, the hurricanes (Michael and Florence this year), tornados, drought, famine, plagues all to get man's attention and to soften his heart. Yes a loving God who sent His Son has His ways of getting man to answer His call to the wedding feast. But please notice what the king did. "Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad (poor) and good: (rich) and the wedding was furnished with guests.' (Matthew 22:8-10) The king sent His servants (that would be us) after the poor folks and not the "worthy" (the rich) the ones first bid come to the wedding. The servants, "gathered together all as many as they found, bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests." They do not go after the first called ones the king wanted or should I say hoped would come. They (the latter quest) were both good and bad. Who would think the king would want bad people at the wedding? Notice the bad people are listed first. Who would think bad, poor people are worthy? God. The church today goes after the good people first, but God goes after the bad people first. I guess His ways are not our ways. The "worthy" people lost their worthiness to attend the wedding feast because of how they treated Jesus and (this is important) because they rejected the invitation of the king probably again and again. Maybe the church over the years has went after the wrong people. They go after people of means and power to advance the church and its denominational agenda, but that is not God's heart in the getting. Money, influence, and power is never an equation in the call of God. Not even the ability to serve and do for God. God's call is after the humble and lowly, the poor and down and out. Maybe the church has went after the wrong people. Written by David Stahl

THE REAL JESUS CHRIST

From the 1950s to 1967 there was a game show on TV called, "What's My Line." The panel of celebrities would question a panel of three contestants to determine the occupation (the "line" or work) ultimately determining who the real person. Well sadly today it seems many people play this game when it comes to Jesus Christ. Most Christians do not know who Jesus Christ is yet they talk about Him as they recite Bible stories, pray in His name, and yes even use His name in vain. One of the biggest questions in the Bible is what Jesus asked His Disciples. In Matthew Jesus asked, "When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?" ( Matthew 6:13-15) And of course Peter was always first to speak showing his leadership qualities replied, "And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 13-16) Well Peter answered the question right (a true revelation of the real Jesus Christ) this time, but later in the Scriptures we see Peter's answer did not reflect this present revelation of Jesus Christ. Now I am not beating up on Brother Peter I too count myself lacking in revelation at times, but the answer to this question is telling to our revelation of who Jesus Christ is and at the end of the day if we know Him or not. Peter knew Jesus from an earthly, natural perspective and as Peter allowed Jesus to work on His carnal character transporting him from darkness into the light, Peter's perspective slowly changed to the point he did not want to be crucified like Jesus, but rather upside down. Remember the way up is down and for some of the harder cases (like Peter and I) upside down. This wondrous truth of the LORD has been captured in the first few verses of the Book of Revelations, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: 2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.' (Revelations 1:1-2) The Book of Revelation is not about the end times and setting up of God's kingdom as much as it is about the revelation of Jesus Christ. The entire Bible from Geneisis1:1 to Revelation 22:20 is all about who Jesus Christ is TO US. It does not matter if your family has pew in the church you attend. It does not matter if your name has been added to the Church role (even baptized) of the church you attend for the last 20 years. It does not matter what you do by way of service in the church you attend. It does not matter if you know all of the parables or all of the Bible stories all of this really does not matter, but what really matters is do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Have you allowed God to deal and judge in your heart and life? If not then you are on your way to hell and the last stop will be the Lake of Fire with Satan and his angels forever. We all start like Peter knowing Jesus after the flesh, but that is not God's intention for us. God intends for us to come to know Jesus after the Spirit. To do this we must be willing to endure God's work in our lives. How can we know what is light if we are still in darkness? How is darkness dispelled in us? By allowing God to remove (we cannot remove the darkness) the darkness in us while replacing it (adding while subtracting) with the light of the revelation and truth of Jesus Christ (the real Jesus Christ), by His Spirit. You know there are a bunch of antichrists out there. Jesus warned the disciples (that would be us) "Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many." (Matthew 24:4-5) Well we still need to "take heed" and not be deceived because the longer God tarries with His plan for mankind and eternity the more deceivers are in the world. "Take heed" my friend to yourself and your family and be not deceived by all of the phony people on TV begging for your time, talents, and money. God's children do not need to beg all they need to do is move with what God is doing in their lives and He will provide what is needed to do that which God has asked them to do. My big Brother John Stahl (a great Bible teacher) helped me here with some words. To be not of this world in heart is always a constant struggle, but thank God for His mercy and grace. Thank the LORD we have Christ in us and He has become unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. Did you get that? It is not the LORD is going to give us these things, but it is Christ in us who IS all of these things. Paul told the Church at Corinth, "But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification ,and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:27-30). This can only happen in our lives as we allow the work of the cross of Christ to be applied to our heart and lives, allowing the life of Christ to become manifested in us and out from us, which is THE MESSAGE completely lacking in the Church today. Too many Christians think God gives us things like wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, but instead He gives us Christ who is our wisdom, sanctification, righteousness, and redemption. Again do you get that? Most Christians are seeking things that God supposedly gives us, but they miss Christ in us who is those things. It is like why should we eat the fruit from the tree when we can eat the tree that produces the fruit? Therefore they do everything out of carnal, fleshly desires (out from the life of Adam) and fail miserably. But if we come into an inward knowledge of who the real Jesus Christ is in us and we desire to allow Him through us to give the life of God to those in a dead world then the Church could once again become effective. But, I’m not sure this can happen unless there is a terrible shaking that will shake all that fleshly thinking and selfishness out of us. Quite honestly that really scares me. All you have to do is read the prophets in the Old Testament and see how God dealt with Israel and Judah. God have mercy on us!!! It seems history repeats itself because the mystery of iniquity is always working in the heart of every man, woman, boy and girl. Even in the hearts of Believers, but thank God for Christ in us. Will the real Jesus please stand up as they would say on "What's My line" at the end of the show. There are plenty of imposters, not Jesus Christ in the person, but antichrist or another Jesus Christ (in representation), another idol to worship (just look at the Catholic Church and other main stream religions of the world) that substitutes the real Jesus Christ and the message of grace and salvation, another god to bow down to in religious doctrine and practice, a motivation of the heart that lends itself to "self-seeking," that gives rise to idolatry (something God hates), and the production of good works. Not saved by grace through the shed blood of the real Jesus on the cross, but saved by indulgences, penances, and good works: lighting candles, praying a rosary, (like the Muslims do), while honoring the writings of men, fables, and rejecting the written Word who is the real Jesus Christ. The Catholic Church, steeped in tradition and doctrinal writing of men, speak of the real Jesus Christ and even of the Holy Spirit, but in reality denies the power and authority of God while relegating down its power and authority to Mary (the mother of the real Jesus Christ), the Pope (the Victor Christ on earth), Cardinals (another man), Bishops (yet another man) , and the mere mortals who God used yet they worship and pray to them calling them Saints. Will the real Jesus Christ please stand up. Some would say I see the LORD high and lifted up while others would say I see nothing. What we see all depends on what is in our heart. It is the real Jesus Christ in us "the hope of glory" or an antichrist hope of the world and religion. Written by David Stahl

WTFMT 60 (FROM HGM ON 22 JAN 19)

WILDERNESS TRUTHS FOR MODERN TIMES-60

TEXT:   "And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have begun to give Sihon and his land before thee: begin to possess, that thou mayest inherit his land."  (Deuteronomy 2:31)

 I.  BATTLES BRING BENEFITS

     A.  Battles bring spoil which enrich our lives. The territory of Sihon became part of the inheritance of Israel because this king made himself Israel's enemy.  The conquest of this portion of the land did not result from Moses' decision and strength.

     B.  Don't get the idea that we are going to jump on the enemy and beat him to the ground because he is there.  Moses moved under the commandment of God and we should do likewise.

     C.  "At that time" may be the most important elements in every victory God gives,

           "And we took all his cities at that time, and utterly destroyed the men, and the women, and the little ones, of every city, we left none to remain:"  (Deuteronomy 2:34)

There is a time for judgment (such as the flood); there is a time to kill and a time to heal (see Ecclesiastes 3:1-8).  Out of God's time will spell unfulfillment and defeat.  If we so focus upon the mighty works of God then we lose sight of important details and ramifications it may send us to defeat.

     D.  Let us look at the details in Deuteronomy 2 which led to the powerful actions of God.  We tend to overlook many things.  Why does Israel work such havoc and destruction?  Because they were angry?  No! They are moving under the commandment of God.  If we move on the basis of our anger, we sin.

          "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:"  (Ephesians 4:26)

    E.  Do not allow anger to be our directive force and the basis of our actions.  Our direction should come from God.

   F.  Some confrontations are pleasant while some are unpleasant.  The character of the confrontation should not alter our sense of our needing our Shepherd.  He is with you in all your situations.  There He wants to help us.

   G.  It is very dangerous or at least useless to attempt to defeat an enemy which the Lord has not delivered into your hands. 

         "And the LORD our God delivered him before us; and we smote him, and his sons, and all his people."  (Deuteronomy 2:33)       

Receive that which the Lord gives us, but allow to go by that which the Lord is not giving us.

II. PARTING THOUGHTS

    A.  One victory may lead us into another victory.   

           "From Aroer, which is by the brink of the river of Arnon, and from the city that is by the river, even unto Gilead, there was not one city too strong for us: the LORD our God delivered all unto us:"       (Deuteronomy 2:36)

   B.  One victory may actually be a foundation for a future victory early.  This is our forward thrust in God.  We experience victory after victory taking city after city, in the will of God.  For there is no victory out of the will of God.  The fullness of victorious Christian living is found in a limitation bounded by the will of the Father.

   C.  It would be well if we learned the secrets of the battle and victory early in our Christian life.  As long as we live here in the flesh it seems that the enemy and the battle are ever present.  But, we may have the victory, always, if we learn the secrets.

KOSMOPOLITAN OR KINGDOM

Now I really like the Apostle John. Did you know the word "prayer" does not appear in the Gospel of John nor in 1st, 2nd., or 3rd John, and nor in the Book of Revelation. But those seemed to be a solemn prayer coming out of his heart. You know we make all of our wonderful prayers with mighty swelling words and a stirring meaning, but I am not sure how God looks at all of that. I think God is more concerned about if our words and meaning of our prayer are in our heart and I think our best prayers have no words at all. This is what I see in John's writing an open prayer to those lost in the world and to those Christians who are struggling to keep their head above water. In 1 John 2:15-17 John speaks to our hearts out from his in ways that we need to hear today. John writes, "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) Now John was not talking about the third planet from the sun, that big beautiful blue marble where God put man to dwell and to come to know Him. Here in these verses many people get confused to what John was talking about. The world is not the earth oh no the world is a system that is anti-Christ. It is political, governmental, global, religious (idol worship, etc.), media, and financial system. It is a consolidated collective system of anti-Christ entertainment and distractions (sports, social media, TV, the arts, musicals, acting, etc.) that would prevent us from coming to know God in a deep and meaningful way. The world is lost and can never be redeemed, only people are redeemed. Jesus came not to save the world, but so that the people in the world might be saved. The world is everything outside of Christ and His word. Some day the world will be defeated and destroyed, but not the earth. We read in Psalms, "The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein." (Psalms 24:1) So we see there are two things here one the earth and the other "the world." Please know God owns the earth, the world, and "they that dwell therein" (that would be us) make no mistake all souls are God's. John uses the Greek word "kosmos" (Strong's #2889) for the word "world" here and if you add a few letters and change the "k" (Greek spelling) to a "c" you get the word cosmopolitan or a person of the world. Why we even had a famous magazine named "Cosmopolitan" that tells of all of the wonderful things the world offers to people who identify with their thinking of the world. Christians must never identify with the world yet I hear and see Christians with a love and respect for the enjoyment and pleasure the world offers. Either we are a citizen of God's kingdom or we are a cosmopolitan a citizen of the world, and if the latter then "the love of the Father is not in him." To be able to tell if you are of the world all you have to do is turn on your TV or hand held device. What do you like? What do you enjoy? Do you look forward to the latest movies, yearly TV award shows that flaunt "self" over God. Do you support global warming? Globalism, Abortion? Homosexuality? Transgenders? Liberalism? Socialism? Do you support animal rights groups while caring nothing about the innocent execution of human life in the womb. Do you believe there is no God? Sadly the list goes on, but if these are what you support then you are a cosmopolitan a citizen of the world and "the love of the Father is not in him." Remember if it looks, acts, and sounds like the world (to include the church) then it is the world. I need not guess what type of tree I am looking at all I have to do is wait for the fruit to grow and then I will know for sure. And if you cannot tell if something is of the world then you yourself are of the world and need to have your heart and mind dealt with by God. It is God's dealings and judgments in our lives that gives us the ability to have Godly discernment. This is why the world's thinking and entertainment has overtaken most denominational churches that lack a real desire for the truth. Only God, by His Spirit, can give us the wherewithal to know what is of Him and what is not of Him. All you have to do is turn on your TV or hand held device and see the world on display. You know Howard Reckley was right. Back in the late 1960's we were going to an Assembly of God Church (he was the Pastor) in Wiley Ford, WV and Pastor Reckley refused to have a TV in his home and he said it was ungodly and would lead America to destruction, well he was right. His church said, oh no get with the times pastor we want a TV, well they got a TV (how did that work out?), but that did not change the fact Pastor Reckley was right. The truth is either we have a love for the world or we have a love for Christ. There is no middle ground here. Either we are drawing nigh towards God or we are moving away from God. If we claim to be a Christian (not sure what word means anymore I like the term Believer) we are not, according to the word of God, to be a cosmopolitan, but a citizen of the kingdom of God. Here again many Christians can get off track because many Christians apply a worldly thinking and believe the kingdom of God is some place with a wall and towers like a castle where the king resides to rule and reign, well some of that is true, but the physical features are dead wrong. Many Christians like this type of worldly thinking because they can get a good paying job in the kingdom of God, start a good career, build a big church or ministry, enjoy the good life, and even retire. When other Christians hear about the kingdom of God they think of the time after the millennial (1,000 years) reign of Christ after the tribulation and judgments at the Judgment Seat of Christ (for Saints) and the Great White Throne Judgment ( for sinners), but that is not the kingdom of God that the word of God talks about. Jesus was not talking about job opportunities or some palace in the sweet bye and bye, but a heart condition where we allow Him to be seated on the throne of our heart and lives and we allow Him to fulfill the word here of Paul, "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men." (Romans 14:17-18) The kingdom of God is, "righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" not some worldly or religious concept to lead man away from God, but it is the core of our inward strength in God that allows us to stand against with a steadfastness, virtue, and a valor of the world and all who think like the world. Now that is not denying the world. We are in this world, God put us there, but our relationship with the world must be real in Christ and we must never become a part of that worldly system in action and especially in thinking. When we do we lose the right to our citizenship in the kingdom of God. The writer of the Book of Hebrews got it right when he said, "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." (Hebrews 11:13) Sadly too many Christians have moved into the world and cannot see their promise of a home afar off. Their eyes have been dulled and blinded by the "the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life," and all the cosmopolitan world offers and no longer feel as if they are "strangers and pilgrims on the earth." They have taken up residence on 5th Avenue, New York, New York and look to enjoy all the world offers. And why? Well maybe they really do not believe what the word of God says and are hedging their bets trying to get all they can now just in case God's word is a lie. Well if this is you please enjoy your fleeting life it soon will be over and know this you will never be able to enter the kingdom of God now and forever. Our future home and life depends not on our abilities, skills, talents, wealth, intelligence, but our heart condition now and what is stamped on our passport either a cosmopolitan citizen or a citizen of the kingdom of God. Make no mistake my friend you are betting your eternal life on it. Lastly remember how John ends his thought, "And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." Did you get that? Written by David Stahl

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WILDERNESS TRUTHS FOR MODERN TIMES-59 TEXT:
" For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9)

I. GOD'S WILL
A. Confronting a hostile enemy in or out of the will of God makes a heap of difference. Joshua faced the children of Ai both out of and in the will of God. The different results were opposites, one of defeat, one of victory.
B. One of the reasons why most Christians live in defeat today is that they face the enemy contrary to the intentions of God. Of course, they face the world and life itself the same way. They have much in their hearts which is contrary to God, and thus they are defeated, as was Joshua at Ai.
C. The only place of victory is in harmony with God. I cannot depend upon my own spirit, my own thoughts, my own faith, my own strength for victory. Instead of moving in line with God, many work up an emotional stir against the enemy. This seems to fortify themselves. It certainly deludes them.
D. But when you are moving with God against an enemy, the battle is not yours in the first place, and, in the second place, the victory is certain. "And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever." (Exodus 14:13) You can't get a better deal, no matter how hard you try. We are not to engage in a struggle with the enemy; we are to engage in a lopsided battle; we are to win the victory.
E. Since the battle is not ours, but God's we can afford to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. Even while moving, one can stand still in God. Even while engaged in battle, one can rest. In God one can do nothing and at the same time accomplish mighty deeds. "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13) "For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his." (Hebrews 4:10)
F. If we can surrender our own works and our own strength, and rest in God, He can give us, from Himself, all that we need; He can accomplish His will in and through us.
G. We can meet the problem, the storm, or the difficulty in the power of God. Now that is victory. Catastrophe and defeat occur when we attempt to face and overcome such things in our own strength, the reason why some Christians do not progress. And that also is the reason why some Christians never possess that which God has for them.
H. Let all of life's confrontations take place in God. It is not healthy to confront our enemies outside of God. Only in God will we be able to move forward, will be able to progress in the Lord.

II. PARTING THOUGHTS

A. It is not healthy to confront the enemies outside of God. That would frighten me. Almost anything outside of God frightens me. It would frighten me to choose a mate outside of God.
B. It is rather restful to let God handle things. "To go along for the ride." Then it really doesn't matter what path your life takes, nor what you confront.