Greetings
again my Brethren. Without revelation from God you will not make
it. God holds all things to our success
in Him and gives them to us when we need them.
God will not give us power, like some charged battery, so that you can
have it. Oh no my friend, but He will
give us power and strength when the situation we face warrants it. Everything
spiritually we use comes from God and revelation is no different. I wonder why we think we can work up the
things of God?
They are His things, not ours. Last month we talked about two
experiences along this wondrous walk with the Lord. The first is tender, delightful, and loving
focused on grace and the second can be quite obscure, dry dark, and desolate
some refer to it as a wilderness experience. In both experiences God is looking
for spiritual growth and maturity. God
gives us the first to gain us and the second to purify us. Unless God can bring
us to place where we see the great need to be purified He can not use us nor
will we ever be with Him. “Who shall
ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand
in his holy place? 4He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn
deceitfully.” (Psalms 24:3-4) I do not care how much love you
possess. If Gandhi, the Dali Lama,
Buddha, Mother Teresa, (I believe she was. Who would want to be the Saint of
the Gutters?) you fill in he name have not allowed God to purify their heart
they will never see Him. If their love
is not out from God’s love then it is all “sounding
brass, or a tinkling cymbal.” (1
Corinthians 13:1) If they have never allowed God to bring His dealings and judgments
into their lives they will have forfeited their usefulness to God and will
never be seated with Him as an over comer.
My
friend, a man’s value before God is not decided by other’s judgment nor by his own. Man (mankind)
is measured by the revelation he receives from God. Revelation, how much we know of God, is God’s
evaluation and measuring stick. God’s authority is built on God’s revelation
and His estimation of a person is according to that revelation. If God gives
revelation His authority is established and when His revelation is withdrawn
the man is rejected and so is His authority.
If we want to learn to be an authority we must pay attention to our
relationship before God. If God desires
to have communion with us face-to-face no one can eliminate us. But if our communication above is severed,
and the heavens are shut, all we do will be for naught. An open heaven is the seal of God and the
testimony of Sonship. Revelation is
therefore the evidence of authority.
Truth comes by revelation and that by the Spirit of God not by mental
processes, but by the Holy Spirit, “Eye
hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the
things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10But God
hath revealed them unto us by
his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of
God.” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10) Thus,
Jesus Christ and the Word of Life (the Bible) run parallel. If we are studying the Word of Life as truth we
will have to have the parallel revelation of the Lord Jesus also running with
it. If not there will be a great
disconnect causing misapplication of truths in our daily lives. Jesus does not stand over there static as we
study something in the Bible. We have to have an inner personal fellowship with
the Lord running parallel with the Word or there is no life or Spirit in the
Word at all. We may have wonderful
insight as to the letter of the Word, but there is no corresponding insight as
to the letter of the Spirit in the Word.
We have the Bible (the Word of Life) and the Holy Spirit, but they run
parallel in their responses. Just as
soon as we move in the Word of Life, we have to move into a broader and more
glorious revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Through our senses and emotions there is much we can have which is quite
visible and tangible; what we call the articulate aspects of Him. But there is so much of Him which is
evasive. It is abstract, but it is in
this Christ, and that is where we are to get blessed. When Jesus was here he said, “I am the
Truth.” (John 14:6) He means by that;
We will have to learn to walk with the Lord without
His conscious Presence, which is terrifying. Less and less are we dependent on
our old devotional patterns that served for our living. How can faith develop in us, as He speaks, if
He is going to humor us along all the time?
The revelation of Christ must unfold, and unfold, and unfold until we
begin to find the treasures of this revelation; truths hidden in Christ, “That their hearts might be comforted, being
knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of
understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father,
and of Christ; 3In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and
knowledge.” (Colossian 2:2-3) Now my
friend these treasures and riches are not found in the light of the day of good
times and plenty, but in the darkness of the unknown of events and experiences
in our lives, in the secret places of misunderstanding, tough circumstances,
and bad situations, this my friend is where we really come to know or
understand God, “And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of
secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.” (Isaiah 45:3) Unless we know the revelation of Christ we
will never know the truth for they are hidden in Him and we will never know God
or His ways. More next
month on this topic and more.
ARTICLE REVIEW:
Hearing from God
One of man’s greatest needs
in his life is to be able to hear from God.
This one need far surpasses anything else we call important, for if we
can hear from God and know His mind, no matter the situation and circumstances,
we will be able to persevere and endure anything knowing God is aware. Now we must understand God is not a
chatter-box, He spoke to Abram five times in 25 years. God speaks when He has something to say, a
quality we too must adopt if we are to be able to function and operate with God
in eternal things. Jesus told the
Disciples in Luke, “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. Then He said to them, take heed how you
hear. (in the Greek) with the same measure you use, it will be
measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.” (Mark 4:23-24) Jesus was saying “take heed” or be careful not what we hear for
we are not really in control of what we hear, but we are in control of how we
hear. Do we hear with the right heart condition and with the right motives and
intentions? Have we channeled what God said to do in obedience or have we
gotten off track to do what we desire to do from what God has spoken?
John too gives us wise counsel when it comes to
this need for hearing God speak to us, “Beloved,
believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether
they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2Hereby
know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is
come in the flesh is of God: 3And every spirit that confesseth not
that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have
heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.” (1 John
4:1-3) In the world today and down
through the ages there have been many voices to listen to. Most common our own
inward voice of selfish desire and self-seeking even for the things of
God. Also included in this list would be
the sinister voices and thinking of ages past that would draw us out of the
simplistic wisdom of God. How can we not
add Satan’s subtle voice and his eternal purpose to destroy what God has said
and done? And of course the voice we all
must be able to hear, to flow correctly, is God’s. How do we know what we are
hearing is from God? How do we really
know God is speaking to us? Many Believers today in the Church have gotten off
track because they have listened to wrong voices, but the sad thing is they do
not know they are off track. It is sad
not knowing something very important, but it is even sadder not knowing you do
not know what you need to know. It is sad when we get over in an area not
pleasing to God, but it is sadder still not knowing we are over in this area.
Many voices, especially today, sound right, look right, and most dangerous feel
right, but when they are exposed and heard for what they really are they are
revealed not be of God. John warns of us to, “believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God:
because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” Sadly in the Church today,
“There is a way which seemeth right unto
a man, but the end thereof are
the ways of death.” (Proverbs
The Bible teaches us to give honor where honor is due and if God cannot teach you to do this well He cannot use you. Thus, I would like to give honor to Pastor Jim Kelley who shared these three points and verses at church, but my expounding was not word for word. There are three basic questions you can answer to know if it is God’s voice or another’s you are hearing. You know God does not set us up for failure. He is not trying to trick us nor is He playing a big game to see if we can get it right. Oh no my friend God says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (Jeremiah 29:11) The first question is does it agree with the Bible? If you cannot find a reference in the Bible or an example that is plainly seen in the Scriptures then probably what you are hearing is not from God. I do not even like to use words that are not found in the Bible. Each time we add something to the Word of God, not contained in the Scriptures, we are changing the message and this my friend quickly ends us in presumption a most dangerous place in God indeed. God’s word is eternally settled. “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” (Isaiah 40:8) If we cannot use God’s word as a measuring stick to what we are hearing then we best stay away from what we are hearing. The next question to help determine if you are hearing from God is will it make me more like Jesus? God’s grand master plan in our life is not to make us rich, famous, or beautiful nor is He trying to deliver us from life’s many problems, but God is trying to develop and conform us into the character and nature of His dear and sweet Son Jesus Christ. For this to happen we must endure God’s dealings and judgments in our lives and we must take off the world’s thinking and ways so that we may be able to put on the same mind that was in Christ. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” (Philippians 2:5) As we begin to think like Christ (putting on the mind of Christ) we will begin to be conformed into His image (icon). If whatever we are hearing can be used as a grinding stone to conform us, “Although affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground; 7Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. 8I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause: 9Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number:” (Job 5:6-9) into the image of Christ we dare not turn away from its message. And lastly, do other Believers confirm it? One of the safest places in God is under the authority of a man who is called of God. There is much done in our lives when we learn to submit to all forms of authority. “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” (Proverbs 11:14) If others do not confirm or support (when we tell them) what we are hearing is Godly take heed our safety net may disappear. We are not independent, but so dependent on each member of the Body of Christ. God has put many great men of God in my way to counselor, mentor, instruct, correct, and so much more. How foolish I would be if I turned away from such great wisdom.
As I travel the world I hear many people pray, “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall
spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:19) Well, God’s new thing will
always be consistent with God’s old thing. There is nothing new under the sun
(Ecclesiastes 1:9). Whatsoever God is speaking to you will be consistent with
what He has spoken in the past. It is
only new to us because we have heard His voice and out of our obedience we see,
“great things and unsearchable;
marvellous things without number:” Let us Brethren ever be quick to hear
His voice and move in obedience to what we hear. We do this by rejecting all other
voices. We must develop an ear for God’s
voice doing so we will be able to move and operate successfully with Him. Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
Karen will not be adding
something this month, but remember the best is yet to come.
POETRY
CORNER:
POURED OUT
By Charles Haun
Give your life! Let it go!
That it may flow touched and quickened by
another Life!
As it flows, twisting turning, touching
different soils, It leaves a gift of life Forever to shine bright.
In all of Paul’s Epistles and even in
John’s and Peter’s Books there is a central theme that joins the many wonderful
thoughts together, now this theme is a
great need for the Christians of that day to, “ . . . grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.” (2
Peter 3:18) A great need for spiritual maturity and growth. Paul encourages us, “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of
Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of
repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2Of the doctrine of baptisms, and
of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal
judgment.” (Hebrews 6:1-2) Please
notice Peter tells us to grow in the “grace”
first (our salvation experience) and then the “knowledge” (our spiritual maturity as we go through God’s dealings
and judgements bring us to perfection and maturity). Babes in the Lord have no knowledge of how
God operates until they begin to grow as a tree planted by the rivers of living
waters.
Please understand me when I say love
is critical in our lives, it is how faith works. Paul in Galatians 5:6 tell us, “faith worketh by love,” but a church
that mainly focuses on the love and grace of God is immature and unstable. Their experience in God will only be their
salvation experience. I do not care if a
church has been here for hundreds of years, time is not a factor in spiritual
growth, but allowing God to work in our lives is. True unity in a church can
only be reached when all of the people jointly allow God to work in their
lives. Church doctrine and programs, even though good and well intended, will
not do it. My friend, there must be a
balance of sound
Biblical teaching between God’s judgment and wrath and His love and grace. If
not, you will see the imbalance in the nature, character, and loyalty of the
people in action in the church. An only love and grace message in church will
develop Christians with no commitment and dedication to God and each
other. I have seen this in action all of
my life. Too much judgment and wrath taught in church the people become
legalistic. The people will no have hope and an inspiration birthed in them.
Many say they feel great condemnation from this teaching. Please be careful in this area not to confuse
condemnation and conviction. Condemnation
is man focused and conviction is Holy Spirit focused. Too much love is just as bad if not
worse. God does love us, but this
thinking alone puts all of the work and responsibility on God shifting any
accountability away from us. This is not
the way God has things organized. The word of faith movement in
NEEDS NOT WANTS:
1. In
2. In
3. In
4. Pastor
Joseph Mutua in
5. Pastor
Mike Olufemi in the north of
6. Pastor
S. J. Peter, Founder of DAWN Ministries and Pastor Wilson and his son Pastor
Julian both near
7. Financial
support for the printing of: “Adventures with God.”
8. Pastor Metin Mintaz and the members of
Uskudar Son Buyruk Kilisesi in
9. Pastor
Elieti Msangi in Dar Es Salaam and Pastor Isreal Mutaitina in
10. Major Rob McIntosh, Chaplin,
11. Vivian’s Maternity and Child Care Clinic
project in
12. Pastor
Tek Dahl, his Church, and the radio station project in
13. Pastor Sharief Ramsis,
FUTURE SCHEDULE:
September:
October: Local Ministry
November:
December:
I am still available to share what God has given me at
churches and/or home groups. If God
moves on your heart to bless the ministries I visit and share God’s love I
would be honored to make it possible for God and you. God told Abram, “I will bless those who bless
you and curse those who curse you.” (Genesis 12:3) If you want a blessing, then bless someone. Remember, God is to you what you are to God.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address:
David and Karen
Stahl
Jacksonville , NC 28546
Phone:
Home: (910) 346-1739
FAX: (910) 346-1739
Email:
dstahl@ec.rr.com
Website:
I am
pleased to announce “God Still Performs Miracles: A Book of Personal Encouragement” is now
available and
If you
know someone you think would enjoy receiving this newsletter or if
you receive this newsletter and do not wish to please let me know. Contributions to this ministry is always
appreciated and needed
the more time continues. Please feel free to contact me with the above information.
The cost is great, but the cost for not supporting to others is even greater.
And remember, all donations are tax deductible.
