Greater Grace World Outreach Pastor's Heart

We Are Friends of Israel

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 01:00:00 EDT

Recently, while on tour in Israel, a few of us had an opportunity to go to the Israeli Parliament - the Knesset - and express our support for the nation of Israel to a few Knesset members. There were about eight people in our delegation from various places in the world. We were all believers in Christ and had a desire to say simply that we care about Israel. "We are grafted into the Jewish tree" - as explained by Paul in Romans 11.

Israel at present is surrounded by enemies that desire to see its destruction. Millions of evangelical Christians in the U.S.A., on the other hand, are true friends of Israel. We support Israelis by our prayers, by our votes here at home, and by traveling to their country. We want Israel to be sovereign, to decide for its future by democratic means. Some Israelis anticipate the coming of the Messiah while we believe He came in Jesus Christ as prophesied in Isaiah 53, Psalm 22, Micah 5:2 and in many other Scriptures.

It is important to recognize these people and their God-ordained purpose in history. "God at various times and in various ways spoke in times past unto the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken unto us by his son" (Hebrews 1:1-2). He has spoken through dreams, Mosaic Law, priesthood, kings, cities, wars, miracles and prophecies recorded in the Scriptures. We have benefited tremendously by the Jews giving us the Scriptures. These are the evidence of God's existence and the testimony of His love for us. Gentiles around the world have received Christ as their Messiah. At the Jordan River, we had a baptism and in the locker room at this site there were people from Malaysia and Nigeria. All day long tour buses crisscrossed the country with Gentiles who otherwise would embrace mythologies and vain religions. Isaiah wrote, "The people that walked in darkness have seen great light. ..." (Isa 9:2). As a result of believing in Jesus Christ, we are circumcised in our hearts and lips. We are of the "seed" which is Christ (Galatians 3). Through history, evil men have used differences for reasons of oppression, slander, and persecution. We have many reasons to embrace Israel as a friend.

In a speech last fall by Benjamin Netanyahu, in Washington, D.C., he made reference to the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. On its walls are written his words that clearly express the fundamentals of Western civilization. These are rooted in the Judeo-Christian ethic. We are wedded in our hearts and minds to these people and this invaluable history. We are friends of Israel.

Linear Consequences or The Person

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Have you ever found yourself in some kind of mess but with the "right person?" Jediah Tanguay and I were windsurfing off of Rocky Point on a day in April 2010. The wind picked up to 37 mph from a westerly direction. We could not get back to land. We were getting colder and colder and found refuge on Hart-Miller Island. The story is long; in short, we were rescued by the Coast Guard.

Has your car ever broken down by the side of the road? Have you been stuck in an elevator? Have you been lost in a city you didn't know? Have you failed an exam, been publicly embarrassed, or been misunderstood? Have you ever been in a mess but found it was OK because of who you were with?

We are actually very relational.

We blame ourselves for the mess, but we also realize that life is not always linear. By linear, I mean the idea that A + B + C = D. People build their whole lives on planning and living in a linear way. Some think A + B + C = D; but not always. The linear plan for our lives makes sense. If I eat well and exercise regularly, I stay healthy longer. If I get a good education, I will find also a good job. If I find a find a good job, I'll buy also a great house. If I marry a great girl, I'll have a great marriage. Train and teach the children and then great kids; and so on.

We will not deny the laws of life that work and apply, but it is also an error to look only for the great "D." The goal may evade me, or it may not be actually what I'm really looking for. Or, if it happens, it may bolster my pride as I take so much credit for a "together" life.

There is another model for living. It is to live in the mystery of a relationship with God. His Person allows me to be free enjoying His plan. "My ways are not your ways and my thoughts are not your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8). I believe it is a unique wisdom to think relationally. One reason why sailors love the sea and wind is because of the changes of these elements. They venture out prepared, but also vulnerable. We should love sensing our vulnerability and know that "D" may not happen. Life should be lived relationally. A man who finds himself in a pickle may find the true meaning of life. He may find the Savior. If he trusts his Savior, he will find a "new and living way" (Hebrews 10:20). This is actually amazing. What will the linear thinker do when he crashes? What will happen when the plan takes an unexpected twist? Christ came for us and His knock on your door essentially says, "You don't have enough. I am God. I am the Way, Truth and Life." He loves you and He is the One you are actually looking for.

How then does it work? Jesus Christ makes much about God. He says He always does what He sees His Father do. He teaches us to go beyond human reason by pointing to the Eternal Reason. Forgiving seven times seventy times a day for the same thing is big. Who could do this without God? We need a relationship that will never fail us. Christ has given us that relationship.

God speaks 'Straight Up' to us

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Recently, I realized that when things are wrong with God's people, God is able to really speak to us. He does not speak from frustration or anger, as people do; but rather He solidly reasons with us as He did Hosea with Israel. Here are a few selected phrases from the book of Hosea:

� My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (spiritual understanding) (4:6).
� And there shall be, like people, like priests... (there will be no difference between common people and priests; they all are idolaters) (4:9).
� Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart (4:11)
� Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone (4:17).
� They will not frame their doings to turn with their God (5:4).
� Come and let us return unto the Lord... (6:1).
� Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord...(6:3)
� Strangers have devoured his strength and he knows it not... (7:9).
� Ephraim is like a silly dove without heart (not like an eagle) (7:11).
� And they have not cried unto me with their heart: when they howled on their beds... (7:16).
� They returned but not to their most High... (7:16).
� They have set up kings but not by me... (8:4).
� Israel is an empty vine (10:1).
� Their heart is divided (10:2).
� Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity: ye have eaten the fruit of lies (10:13).

The content behind all these verses is that the people of Israel had departed from God in their hearts. Just as God is direct in showing where their hearts are off, He is similarly gracious in drawing them back.

� When Israel was a child then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt (11:1)
� I draw them with cords of a man, with bands of love (11:4)
� How shall I give thee up Ephraim (11:8)
� ...I will place them in their houses (11:11)
� O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God...take with you words and turn to the Lord (14:1, 2).
� I will heal their backslidings; I will love them freely (14:4).
� I will be as the dew with Israel: he shall grow as the lily (14:5).

This study on Hosea is deeply encouraging. God is the God of reality. As a good doctor, He will tell us what we need to hear, but also heal us.

No fooling around with Him, life is too precious. His love and desire toward all of us is beyond our greatest thoughts. He is our loving, caring, real Father.

Core Relationships or Do You Love Me Because of My Stuff?

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 00:00:00 EDT

A 90-plus-year-old billionaire married a 24-year-old blonde, surely understanding that she would outlive him. The obvious happened; he died within a short time. She suddenly became very wealthy. Did she marry him because of his money? I use this story to illustrate a relationship concept we see in the Bible. In the book of Job, the first chapter, Satan's accusation to both God and Job is that "of course Job loves you - because of Your stuff. He loves you because You treat him royally. Just change that and he will curse You because Job doesn't really love You" (my paraphrase).

This story may reflect what happened to Lucifer in heaven. He worshipped God because of the "stuff" rather than for who He really is. Knowing the true character of another, which is where WE MUST LIVE, is the essence of relationships. The young lady who married the elderly gentleman may have gotten what she really wanted, but not what a marriage really is. Many relationships are rooted in what we want them to be rather than learning what they really are.

God, nor anyone looking for lasting, quality relationships, would ever settle for self-interest relationships. These relationships are unstable and potentially emotional. Core relationships are rooted in God's nature, therefore characterized by perseverance, not overly sensitive, not reactionary, and able to tolerate pain, sadness, and disagreements with enduring love (I Corinthians 13). These relationships result in depth of understanding and godly promotion. They are extraordinarily satisfying. Often, they are not what we really expected them to be. They are far better with God at the center.

This next part is profound and most important. The relationship of Christ and His Father has been given to us because Christ has been given to us. The same commitment, trust, and quality of love are ours. "I in them and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and HAST LOVED THEM AS THOU HAST LOVED ME" (John 17:23). To the disciples, He said, "Love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another" (John 13:34).

The Bible is written to meet us where we are. Jesus Christ could not reach Judas Iscariot and David could not reach his son, Absalom. These relationships had a natural element. They could not go anywhere but into complicated troubles. The elder son, in the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15), could not get beyond his list of disappointments with his father and brother. We forfeit the eternal and spiritual for the sake of harboring grudges, embracing the temporary and looking for "the stuff." Some prayers could be more accurately written "Thank you, God, for 'the stuff' and by the way, I don't really know You...and if You hurt me...I'm out of here."

These relationships, like the one described at the beginning of this article, are not worth much. When we trust Him and learn to live by faith, then we find real value; value that affects our lives - and is eternal. Ask David, Peter, Paul, James, Mary Magdalene, and millions through history. We must continue on, looking at His character and confess with Job "though he slay me, yet I will trust him" (Job 13:20) and you will know also. Read the end of the story of Job and see what core relationships really mean. "Come and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up...Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord..." (Hosea 6:1, 3).

Behold He Prayeth

Sat, 19 Feb 2011 01:00:00 EDT

When Saul of Tarsus encountered Jesus Christ in a vision it changed his life. He was knocked to the ground and heard a voice. "And he trembling and astonished said Lord what would you have me to do." (Acts 9:4, 6)

Though he had been a very dangerous religious man, Saul was now a humble, broken, transformed believer in Christ. What really happened in this man's life? We realize on a human level that one event could trigger and produce a change, but this was very different. This event was not a car accident or the loss of a job or husband, or the winning of a pile of money, but an encounter with God.

On a divine or transcendent level, we read in the Bible what happened to Saul. He was translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His dear Son (Col 1:12-13). He was born again spiritually; he became a son of God (John 3:5; John 1:12). At least 95 things happened to Saul at the moment of his salvation. (Ask us for this list.)

He had been a notorious persecutor of believers but now became one of the persecuted.

God sends a believer, Ananias, to seek for Saul. "And the Lord said unto him go into the street which is called Straight...for behold, he prayeth" (Acts 9:11).

This statement is striking. God knows who is praying and where they are praying. He is aware of their present address and of the purpose of their prayers. We should be instructed by these simple words -- "Behold he prayeth."

Does God "feel" our prayers? If God was sharing information regarding you, would you be marked as the one who prays?

Lastly, I think we underestimate what it means to God that we pray. With a quick look through the Bible, we see God answering the prayers of Abraham, Jacob, Joshua, Hannah, David, Solomon, and Daniel. We could mention the prayers answered in the Gospels and Acts. Paul writes to the Ephesians of three specific prayers to be prayed - prayer for wisdom (Eph 1:17-19), prayer that Christ would dwell in our hearts (Eph. 3), and prayer that God would open our mouths to make known the mystery of the Gospel (Eph. 6).

Does the fervent prayer of a righteous man avail much? James 5:16 tells that it does. Imagine, God said these words to Ananias - "Behold, he prayeth."

"Happy New Year" or "The Place Where Two Seas Meet Year"

Sat, 15 Jan 2011 01:00:00 EDT

We celebrated our New Year with plenty of music, thoughtful messages and hand-pumping fellowship. The four hours flew by, who's counting when joy is present? The main thought of the night was the story of the Apostle Paul's shipwreck.

The Scriptures say, "When they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea...and falling in the place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground..." (Acts 27:40, 41)

We can imagine a strong ocean current going one way and another current going contrary to it. It was here where Paul's ship moved toward land, got stuck, was battered and destroyed; though all 276 passengers survived, as was promised by God.

Many times the believer will find himself in a place "where two seas meet." Adam and Eve in the Garden, Abraham leaving home, Noah building the ark and preaching, David standing against Goliath, Paul ministering, and Jesus' trial before Pilate - these were all places of contest.

This year will not, and should not, reflect anything else but being in a contest. The ship being destroyed represents the loss of something not essentially important. Being washed up on shore and all accounted for speaks of the gain of something irreplaceable. We gain character. We gain faith, love, and hope. We gain experience. Covered with wet beach sand we roll over and say, "Wow! - that was a ride!"

What does this year have for us? A Happy New Year rings hollow when we see what life is essentially about. Let us follow Jesus Christ this year and find ourselves trusting Him in the place where two seas meet. We will go for a ride when we stand on what He has said. We will come forth as pure as gold (Job 23:12).

Pastor Schaller

But the Servants Knew

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 01:00:00 EDT

Do we cry out for recognition or what? On a high cliff, perhaps 300 feet high, I see "RICK WAS HERE" spray-painted in large letters along a highway in upstate New York. Engraved in tree bark, or concrete on a sidewalk, we are eager to make our "feeble mark" in life. If we can't make it in the newspaper for good reasons, we might want to be there for bad reasons.

All of this design in our soul is not an accident. We who have lost our way are blindly groping, trying to find the Light. Why am I here? Could somebody recognize me? Let's have a birthday party for me. You come to mine and I'll come to yours. Please tell me my life means something - like the flag planted on the moon by the Americans. We were here. How about buying a brick with your name on it planted it in the municipal park? Not everybody is able to win a gold medal in the Olympics - or smart enough to discover that E=mc². No, most of us are just common folk. But do we count?

Listen - here is good news: ALL of this searching for me - my value and meaning - is over when the living Christ comes into my life.

Follow this story. At the wedding feast, the wine ran out. Christ performed a miracle by telling the servants to "fill the water pots with water." And they filled them to the brim. And he said to them, "Draw out now and take it to the manager of the feast. So they took him some" (John 2:6-8). The manager did not know where the better wine came from "but the servants that drew the water knew" (verse 9). The servants knew. When you are included in God's work, it has a great effect on you. It is like a child included in a family secret, a teenager entrusted with a confidence, a young adult understanding the value of a responsibility and its reward.

It is more than this. They understood in their hearts that the water in the large jars changed. Do we need our name remembered when we now realize we are part of Him? We are part of His marvelous work. We carry a very personalized secret in our hearts. It is written by the Spirit of God in the deepest fiber of our being.

The servants knew, but the manager of the whole affair did not know. Their worlds were so different from each other. One carries an internal, personal knowledge that will never be forgotten - written in the heart. The sense of being included in God's work and the sense of being trusted, meets our need for personal value. The other does not know this. He wants a connection with the ultimate meaning of life, but all he can find is his name in a newspaper or on a bathroom wall or in the Guinness Book of World Records. The servants could whisper to their friend the secret. "You won't believe it," they'll say. "The water was turned into wine." This personal understanding is what counts. This is what we need. We need the connection, the involvement and the invitation into the miracle. "Our mark" does not come from ourselves; it comes from God's personal care for us. It comes from him being close to us. It comes from God saying '...be glad because your names are written in heaven" (Luke 10:20). It comes from God's Spirit saying "you can be sure that whoever gives even a drink of cold water to one of the least of these... will certainly receive a reward" (Matthew 10:42); or "take off your sandals because you are standing on holy ground" (Exodus 3:5).

If you do not know this, then you look for something that will help you stamp your meaning into this world. But if you "know" then you are finished with the lower elements of this world. Nothing here compares. A dead man has been made alive. A sinner is made a saint. A lost man has been found. A missionary has seen it - and knows. A church knows that water is changed entirely into something "else," therefore, the members cannot stop meeting. It is too awesome! We hardly can believe it, but we will never deny it. Our God has His stamp on us!

Leading People After God's Heart, Not Possessing Them

Sat, 11 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT

The following article was posted in the August 2010 edition of the GGWO Affiliation Newsletter. Pastor Jim Morrison found what he called a "cassette treasure" in an old shoebox - a message preached by Pastor Thomas Schaller, June 1981 - and gave it the title "Leading People After God's Heart, Not Possessing Them".

A pastor is a person who doesn't analyze the Christian faith, but who lives the Christian faith. He doesn't take the faith and study it like a science, but he experiences the mystery of godliness in his heart. He comes to the pulpit not to teach systematically about the faith, but he teaches so that hearts are burning, and heads are not getting too big. Many times if our head gets too big, our heart is too little.

We could become people who approach the work of the Lord on the wrong basis. "This people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me" (Mark 7:6). "Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Prov. 4:23). Out of the heart comes the message, and we sense the presence of God. We see that the kingdom of God is real. We can't put our analytical "fingers" on it. When we try to put our fingers on it, we may be correct in certain things, but we miss the heart-influence that can only come through the Holy Spirit. Though we are correct in one sense, we are wrong. The Corinthians knew a lot, but they didn't know how to live as living epistles (1 Cor. 8:2).

We are often very confident in our analytical way of looking at things. But "so is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; and should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knows not how" (Mark 4:26-27). The seed grows and changes its form, but we do not know how it works. We have a faith that speaks to us in the heart. Then the heart takes care of the mind. "I will give you pastors according to My heart" (Jer. 3:15). His heart is a heart that loves and walks "the extra mile" and does not possess people.

Jesus, after His resurrection, walked on the road to Emmaus with two disciples. Then, coming to their house, "He made as though he would have gone further" (Luke 24:28). He does not possess people. Later He disappeared, and those disciples said, "Did not our hearts burn within us?" The heart of the Lord possesses us without possessing us. The heart of the Lord teaches us so that we can have hearts that are after Him. We end up like Job: "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in him" (Job 13:15).

If we are analyzing the truths of the Gospel from the wrong point of view, we miss God's heart. We just let Him go by our house. That happened to Jacob. He said, "Surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not" (Gen. 28:16). There are times when the Holy Spirit is present to heal and teach (Luke 5:17), but we don't receive His ministry. It's because we're not going after the heart of the Lord. The Lord said, "I will give you pastors who know Me, and their hearts will be like My heart. They will feed you with knowledge and understanding."

The Holy Spirit directs us not to say certain things. Good teaching is not explaining everything. It's avoiding certain issues while making other things a big issue. The ministry of a pastor is to get us to understand and know the things of God's heart. That might mean that the pastor puts some fields of knowledge "on the shelf," while he makes a big issue of the life of faith, the life of unconditional love, the life of living by the Word of God, and the life of meditating on the Word of God. That pastor has an ear to listen to people and their problems. He's understanding and compassionate. He doesn't possess people. You sense liberty in his presence. He'll teach you all about the Lord, and then make as if he'll just go by you. Then the people say, "Wait a minute! We want to go with you. What more do you have to say about the heart of God? What more do you have to say about the kingdom of God?"

Human hands cannot get a grasp on a Spirit-filled ministry's power and effectiveness. It is something that is given mystically, and we know not how. All we know is that we are a part of it, and it's effective and fruitful. We have knowledge, understanding, wisdom, and faith. Out of the heart come the issues of life. We go forward and we know it works, but we don't know how. But it's all to the glory of God! We have been taught not to be possessive of people or ministries or works. We are interested in knowing the heart of the Lord, and following Him, and then seeing what may come behind us. "Surely goodness and mercy" will come after us, and people have a tendency to follow after those things.

It's a wonderful thing to have a heart after the Lord. If we fear God we will have wisdom. "Rejoice and tremble" (Ps. 2:11). Have a great time in the presence of God, but tremble because you are a responsible person. You know that God is a living God, and He holds us responsible to follow after Him in truth and righteousness. We walk and we "mount up with wings as eagles" and "we walk and do not faint." We run patiently. Mysteriously, we don't get weary. We keep running for six years, and twenty years, and thirty years. Our hearts are still after the Lord, and our minds are affected. We know Jesus well, and He is our theology. If we know Him, He'll be the Great Issue. As pastors let's make like we're "going by," and we'll see people follow after.

God Is Standing Before You

Sat, 21 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EDT

Reading the biographies of great men of God reveals their unreserved commitment to God, i.e., their personal life decisions of huge magnitude. Life is usually dealing with the trade off between what it costs and the benefits. Marriage, friendships, education, joining the military, and, of course, church life, can be seen as simply what I offer and then what I receive. God is different. He has made an offer that operates in another economy. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths" (Proverbs 3:5,6).

What we "offer" God really is not needed by Him. "If I were hungry I would not tell you: for the world is mine and the fulness thereof" - He says, tongue in cheek in Psalm 50:12 . He is saying - do you have anything that I really need? No.

In life, marriage, business, and friendships are usually tradeoffs. If we happen to get a "real deal" it gives us pleasure - an extra week of vacation or pay, or a savings on a purchase, or a friendship restored. Forgiveness and grace are great words for people who see life as "payment for services rendered."

It seems, however, that there is a mystery in Christ that many people have not discovered. No tradeoffs, but simply a decision of unilateral, unconditional trust. We do not know where our trust will bring us; therefore, it is a huge decision of the heart. The heart does not naturally and automatically go to this place. The Holy Spirit leads our hearts to the place of selfless trust. We make NO DEAL with God - He is too big for such small thinking. "My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor my ways, your ways" (Isaiah 55:8).

We cannot leverage Him. We cannot focus our benefits as part of the return. This economy is of another nature. We enjoy the freshness of the ONLY WISE GOD who loves us and leads us to know Him. There are people that know church, know the Bible, know the Ten Commandments, and have a general understanding of love and righteousness -- but how many KNOW Him? They know the church creeds of their denominations and pray in the morning; but have they discovered the joy of a huge heart decision of trust? Why would the God of the universe cheat us of our real meaning in life? Why wouldn't there be another dimension - one that calls for "heart searching" that goes to our bones?

Can I trust Him for my life? Do I believe He is bigger than my smallness? Did He give us His treasured, most precious Son because He yearns for my heart?

People have discovered the treasures of Christ and it has resulted in deep love, deep thought, and big decisions. God is near all of us. He longs for our increase in another economy - a lasting one of infinite magnitude and value. Do not cheat yourself "bean counter' in the small cubical of your world of right and wrong. "God let me down, He never showed up when I needed Him," one could say. Small man, we understand and also pity you. You are cheating yourself. God is standing before you.

His Great Desire For Us

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EDT

It is a marvel that God has invited us into a relationship with Himself. This is evident by those stunning words said to Jacob by the "All-knowing God." "What's your name?" God said to Jacob as they wrestled. God does not know the name of the man wrestling with Him? I don't think so. "Let me go" was said, and this also by the Almighty God. God could not break his hold? I don't think so. Is this any different from a dad wrestling with his 11-year-old and feigning weakness and ignorance? Why do dads do this? They are looking for a meaningful relationship with their children. Is there much of a relationship with somebody who knows everything? Is my strength needed to compliment His plan?

Our "persona" wakes up when we can contribute, when we are needed. Love has two sides, it gives and it receives. When Christ wrestled with Jacob, He said - "Let me go" - in effect saying to him and to each of us, "You have real power and influence with Me. "I do? Yes, I do! I feel it, my life counts, I can make a difference. Have you felt that in prayer, in decision-making, in faith, in love?

When Christ said, "What is your name," perhaps He was searching for the correct name, for Jacob had previously impersonated Esau. He said "I am Esau," twice lying to his father Isaac (Genesis 27:19-24). Jesus brought Jacob to higher ground, changing his name to Israel for he now had power with God and men (Genesis 32:27-28).

A new identity from a wrestling match with God is nothing less than incredible. Our hunger for God does this to us. The Almighty, All-knowing God wants us to engage Him. He invites us and waits for our engagement. "I will not let you go" is coming from our desperate desire to live a meaningful life. He responds - we tackle Him and sense the greatness of His desire for us.

Thank you Lord!

Could We Miss the Bull's Eye?

Sat, 03 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EDT

Could We Miss the Bull's Eye?

Tom Sliva, in his book "I'll Pay You Back," tells of how easy it is to miss the point of living life.

"Two thieves may independently rob two different banks. As a result of the two independent actions both men find themselves in the same prison cell. The two can now identify with each other and cry on each other's shoulders and share their experiences with one another. These crooks have something in common but are essentially still living in the perpetuation of the crime. They both have settled in to an understanding of what misery is. They have not overcome their plight and their wisdom may go something like this: 'We should have listened to our friends who told us not to do it.' They laugh or cry, but heartily agree and are very sincere.

"This, however, is only the obvious moral answer for two people who are relegated to suffer loss because of wrong choices. They may use their unique opportunity to collaborate ideas. Maybe they discover that by putting their heads together that they can creatively find a way to break out of jail. They may together become resentful and lash out at society or they may turn inward and let their bad luck embitter them. These ideas are all weak, natural interventions and there are many others, some with more merit than others. Though seeming workable fixes, these are the limited kind of life's reactions that are the epitome of sagacity for many. This also included me." (Pages 34, 35)

Two thieves, two teenagers, two girls, two golfers, two professionals, two living in a house together, two people in Burma, Ethiopia, or on a rice paddy in Laos - the story goes on.

Do we miss the mark? Do we realize that our lives are limited by our unregenerate selves? No one can give a real, lasting answer to the problems we face. Have we seen deeply enough that our real problems are ourselves? We miss God. We miss truth. We are deficient, we lack Christ. OK, yes, we may believe in Him, but when it comes to everyday life do we realize He is our answer? We chicken out. We don't dare to really believe Him. We are afraid our "real" issue of pain and trouble will be addressed. "No, we believe God; but my friend and I have talked long and hard," we say.

"Come unto me," Jesus Christ said. "Learn of me. I am meek and lowly in heart. Take my yoke, it is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28, 29).

Yes, let's learn to train our ear to His words of truth that breaks the rock (Jeremiah 20:9; 23:29). Let's be bold enough to believe God for our lives.

Isn't this the whole point of our new life - a new living dimension, a new grid, a new economy? It is sad to see the pain perpetuated as God pleaded with Israel again and again. (See Jeremiah chapters 2 -10, Hosea chapter 2, Isaiah chapter 56, and Lamentations.)

What can we say? Let us not turn our glory to shame, but decisively embrace Him and what He has said about us. He will turn us, He will heal us - He is here, and willing and able. His love surpasses the knowledge of one dimensional living. Lift up your eyes. God is here and love you.

Numbering Our Days - Baltimore Convention June 21 - 26, 2010

Sat, 15 May 2010 00:00:00 EDT

The earthquake research center has recorded five major earthquakes that happened in one day. This is now not unusual. To the believer it strikes the cord of Matthew 24: 7 where Jesus said "for nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places."

Weighty comments could be made regarding economic, political, moral and ideological climates of the world.

A few minutes ago, we were evangelizing on a Baltimore street with our Christian school students. One lady we talked with said, "The world is a troubled place, now - it seems to me, more than ever."

"I don't trust it," I answered.

What is happening?

The world is moving in a definite direction. We can see it. It isn't that it hasn't been this way before, but we are more globally conscious of its direction. We can imagine it one day running headlong into errors. The errors of the past were regional, balanced by God's light from other places. The Soviet and Chinese ideologies were balanced by the West. Nazism was challenged by the Free World. The Free World has plenty of its decadence and errors on all levels. What will happen when the whole world is on the same page in error?

Here are a few things to look for:

ANTI-SEMITISM -- If we have seen anti-Semitism in the past as a pattern of evil thought, then we can anticipate its continuation and increase. The Bible reveals the conflict between EVIL and God are manifest in the world's attack on Jews and Christians. If Christians will be "snatched" (raptured - I Thessalonians 4:16) from the world in a miraculous deliverance and the world is left to move in its own direction, we can be sure that Satan, with his increased powers and his "short time," will pick up his attack on the Jews and Israel.

ANTI-CHRISTIAN -- People with biblical perspectives will continue to evangelize and plant churches as Christ commissioned. As God gives grace for this incredible work to move forward, the "world" - human ideologies and human governments - moves forward in its agenda to see a one world global mentality of relativism and pluralism. People, groups, churches who will be targeted as retardants of the global agenda will be marginalized. And later, after the Rapture, those against this agenda will be targeted and exterminated.

In short, the regional evil that we see in history will become global evil. Easily that which is essentially good will be determined collectively, by the world community, as bad; thus fulfilling Isaiah's poignant words, "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isaiah 5:20).

"Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, 'peace and safety!' then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should over take you like a thief: for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober (1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 NAS).

Our international convention in Baltimore is titled Numbering Our Days. We will pay attention to the hour that we are living in and what the New Testament instructs us to embrace in this hour. People from many parts of the world will be visiting us during this time. God will instruct us, encourage us and lead us into this next year with a much needed sense of urgency and Holy Spirit fervency. We all need it.

One of These Little Ones

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 01:00:00 EDT

I'll always remember meeting a Chinese man holding his baby on a crowded street in 1979 China. Mao had died one year earlier and the devastation he left behind was obvious to our Western eyes. But this man recognized us as believers. I marveled as our group of 16 blonde and round-eyed Finns and Americans stood on that street. He held out his baby and wanted us to pray for his baby and dedicate him to the Lord. I looked into the man's face. He had a large smile and a clear face. "Do you believe in Christ?" I asked. "Yes!" he said clearly, "I am a believer." We had no time for talk. We took the baby and prayed. He was gone.

The purges of Mao's Long March were of great magnitude. His murderous Cultural Revolution is historic with perhaps 60 million killed. But the quiet radiant life of Christ is the treasure buried in the field. Have you recognized any of God's people lately? Every once in a while you see them. They are there. Sometimes they are the little people, the weak ones God loves. They are gifts, they pass their time without need for recognition. They love you and you do not need to love them back. They simply love you. They go to sleep in simplicity with love in their hearts. Sometimes, we think they do not know what is going on, but actually they are the ones who really know what is going on. They believe and trust in God with love. You cannot really do anything that would diminish their love for you because they are so taken up with God's love. You think they are naive, but actually they are wiser and more discerning than you think. They show up with the baby in their arms because they have been praying for the opportunity.

They know you are one of them when they see you, and you know also the Spirit of Christ in them. They are quiet, powerful people being prepared by God in this life to reign with Him. They are God's treasure in this world.

In a few days we will see a number of them in Budapest at a GGWO conference. They have saved pennies, prayed and traveled miles simply to love each other. They ask for nothing but to see Jesus, to get closer to Him, to hear from Him, to love Him because they know what LIFE is.

Consider this verse regarding our sisters and brothers "They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, and were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy :) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth" (Hebrews 11:37, 38).

That verse "of whom the world is not worthy" is sticking with me.

Out of the Haitian Rubble

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 01:00:00 EDT

The other night I saw another miracle story on the Internet - news of a Haitian woman being rescued after eight days of being buried between slabs of concrete. Her husband had been searching for her. You've got to see it. "If I die" she said in Creole, yelling up through the crevasses, "tell my husband I love him."

After three hours of digging, nine L.A. rescue workers pulled her out. Resting on the stretcher near the hole she just exited, and still covered with dirt and dust, this woman started to sing, "God has delivered me from death." With a strong, clear voice that defied medical science, she seemed to be manifesting multitudes of Scriptures. The Scriptures in my heart were speaking to me as a "living epistle" expressed truth in flesh and blood.

Again, another testimony of a woman buried and on her knees for five days not being able to move was asked by a CNN reporter, "How did you do it?" "The Lord Jesus Christ," she clearly answered. "I read my Bible every day and I trusted in Him. I quoted the Psalms as much as I could remember. I knew I would get out."

In a world where believers are locked in an ideological battle with unbelievers on many levels, there is something incredibly powerful emerging from the Haitian rubble. Voltaire, after a devastating earthquake in his day, who mocked God for the tragedy, is joined by today's skeptics with that age-old argument - "How could a good God allow this to happen?"

Perhaps, the Internet is being used to speak powerfully to searching hearts. There is an answer above the answer. There is a life singing praise. There is movement in the rubble. The movement is more than physical life - it is a testimony from the hand and breath of God. Yes, rubble is rubble, and to every miracle story there are thousands of other heartbreaking stories of loss. But let us approach God's ways carefully, for He has already told us that we do not understand.

Let us join our sisters and brothers in praise and thanks for God's salvation, His answers and His work.

In a way, we all lay on the stretchers, covered with dirt that is defying our faith and saying, "Curse God and die," as Job's wife advised him. Maybe the dirt is your marriage, your health, your finances, your natural life, or your sinful habits. But we know the One who is talking.

The faith and spirit of these people touch me deeply. It is great encouragement.

Herod the Great and Christ

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 01:00:00 EDT

Perhaps, a more cunning, clever, powerful and capable man could not have been found to contest God at His incarnation. Caesar reportedly said it would be safer to be a pig than one of Herod's sons. This is in reference to Herod having killed three of his sons in fearing a conspiracy and the fact that pigs are safe in "no pork-eating" Israel.

Recently, our Christmas season message on the KOSMOS brought to the surface the great contest between the "world" and Christ. Large signs on the sides of buses in the UK and on highway billboards across this country financed by atheist organizations declare, "Are you good without God? Millions are."

This is a great time of year to recognize the conflict between Herod and Christ. Times have changed, but not the conflict. With all our hearts, we celebrate the great grace revealed to us sinful people through Jesus Christ. Not all hear as we are told, and we pity those embracing Herod's world, which will one day vanish like dust and wind. Where is he today?

So we rejoice and weep. We rejoice for our salvation and the contagious sense of joy in our hearts. It is unbelievable, in a sense, that God would come to save us, but actually it is the only believable answer for our present state. Who has an answer for our sin? Who has an answer for death? Who has an answer for our loneliness and "lostness"? Only Christ. We weep for the blindness and the severity of those who are on the wrong side of the conflict.

Why is the world rejecting Him? Does He not bring to light, like no other, our motives? John 3:19 says, "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." Herod, threatened by the birth of another king, gave it his best shot. He ordered the murder of all children less than two years of age.

We see the repetition of this murder through history. What desperation and insecurity! Are we surprised at what lengths the human heart will go to protect itself? Do we realize that Christ came for this reason - to save us from ourselves?

Shift to His side of the conflict. He is the Winner, the One and Only. Who else is there? "Merry Christmas!" could not be said with more passion, sincerity and love when we see Him in the context of this ongoing conflict.

Lord, please open eyes, ears and hearts this Christmas season. Bless our hearts with the joy of knowing what we have! It will then be shed abroad.

Quench Not The Spirit

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Can you imagine how often the following conversation could have occurred between Adam and Eve after they were driven out of the garden?

Eve: "Adam." She says accusingly. "Why did you eat the fruit? You knew it was forbidden."

Adam: "You gave it to me!"

Eve: "You should have known better and been the 'real man' of this family. You know I trust you for right decisions."

Adam: "You are supposed to be my helpmate - not lead me into temptation. You are to HELP me."

In their long lives (930 years), can you imagine this conversation popping up every once in a while? Like on a family vacation; or, on a Friday night out to dinner. "Eve, could we get past this once and for all?"

Often, people cannot get past themselves because they have no way to do so. Their thinking does not allow them to do so. So they quench the Holy Spirit.

Who is the Holy Spirit? He is the third person of the Trinity sent by the Father to reveal to us the Son of God. He is described in Scripture as operating in us the following ways:

1. Teaching us (John 14:17, 16:13)
2. Filling us (Eph. 5:18,19)
3. Leading us (Rom. 8:15, Col. 3:16)
4. Interceding (Rom. 8:27)
5. Gifting us (1 Cor. 12:7,11)
6. Comforting us (John 14:17)
7. Baptizing us in the body (1 Cor. 12:13)

Essentially, the people that attend Holy Spirit-filled assemblies and are taught the Bible with personal application learn to think with God. We learn to "digest" life through God's heart and mind.

It is possible that Adam and Eve, after the fall, learned to relate to each other and what had happened to them through another context. The conversation through their lives could have gone like this:

Eve: "Adam, do you remember life before we sinned?"

Adam: "Yes, Eve."

Eve: "What do you think God is doing, Adam?"

Adam: "I think He is teaching us forgiveness and grace. Our sin has actually opened up to us a deeper knowledge of God's grace and love. He loves us, Eve. He loves us."

Eve: "What about our future, Adam? We buried our son, Abel. I have never seen a dead human being before."

Adam: "Yes, Eve. But God did not make us to die, but to live. He told us if we eat of the tree we will die. We have seen that. But we also understand forgiveness and the Holy Spirit leading us with Truth. I am deeply encouraged, Eve. I sense it in my heart. We will see Abel again, Eve. We will see him. I know it. Remember the blood sacrifice, Eve? It is critically important. I know it."

There is a definite line of thought, coupled with words that reveal God to us. We must be careful to reflect on the nature of God and minister that nature to ourselves and each other.

God has revealed Himself to us through Bible doctrine. It is this understanding that really changes our lives. We then walk in the Spirit and rejoice deeply in our hearts that we know God. Wow!

Pastor Schaller

Hearing is God's Way for Our Blessing

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Our church and Bible College is in a revival of hearing. This is the best kind of revival a believer can experience because Jesus Christ said "to him that hears more shall be given. "What could be greater than the continual increase and growth derived from God? Picture the sequoia trees, those huge, gargantuan trees - monsters! At one time, each tree was small and short and stubby.

Not all believers live in blessedness. Some start and stop and stumble and fidget and worry and fear and succeed and then ask, "What am I doing with my life?" Not so the hearer. He has an invaluable compass and more. The ship itself is in him and he is in the ship. He is a hearer of divine mysteries. He has a growing understanding of the nature and ways of God through Jesus Christ. He realizes the treasure that is in Christ that has become NEW LIFE. That new quality of life is not "an improvement of the old life;" it is not "the best effort of man with the old stuff." It is an entirely NEW LIFE; it is His LIFE - Abundant Life.

We rejoice with all brothers and sisters in Christ around the world and down through history who have discerned the joy of hearing the clear unfolding of God's revelation of His Son's PERSON and WORK through the Scriptures. Ephesians 1:17-19 was Paul's prayer for the church at Ephesus and great prayer for us. "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power."

On the other hand, we recognize the dangerous effect of departing from the living God in our hearts (Psalm 95; Hebrews 3). If we stop hearing, if our hearing is dull, then the effects, as seen in Hebrews 5:11-14, will be these:

1. Passive attitude toward hearing the words of truth with carelessness and indifference (verse 11)
2. Need to learn again the fundamentals of the faith; not deeply rooted (v. 12)
3. Immaturity in understanding the Bible, in handling the Bible, and in recognizing its very doctrines (v. 13)
4. Lacking moral, spiritual convictions rooted in understanding God's mind (v.14)

When believers are walking with God in the light, they will have a capacity to hear the Word of God directly from God as well as feast from the anointed ministry of men of God teaching the Word (Psalm 62:10; Acts 8:20; Ephesians 4:11, 12; I John 2:20-27; I Timothy 4:15,16; and Acts 6:4, 7).

When we find the blessing of hearing from God, we increase in discerning and recognizing God's mind. It is our privilege and our joy. What could be greater? There is no end to the unfolding of God's mind to the believer - it is God's desire and His way (Romans 11:33-35; I Corinthians 2:16).

Bible College, here at MBCS, starts August 31. Check it out. It's not too late. Simply hear and more shall be given.

Worship: The Very Heart of Our Calling

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The following article contains excerpts from a message preached at GGWO on July 12, 2009.

Scripture Readings: Romans 8:5-7, Joshua 5:13-15, Psalm 95:8-11.

My sister's friend had a pet raccoon. Someone commented that a raccoon can never really be tamed. It will always remain a wild animal. When the raccoon was three years old, it climbed on top of a dog's head and tried to drown it. That's like our carnal nature. You cannot trust it or tame it. It will not obey your commands. The carnal nature would like to lead us to believe that we are all friendly, responsible, and trustworthy human beings. The civilized world is based upon that fallen nature. But God speaks the truth to us that our natures are in "enmity against God."

Joshua was the leader of an army without weapons, coming to take the land by faith. Christ appeared to him, but he didn't know it was the Lord. Joshua asked, "Are you for us, or are you for our adversaries?" He was occupied with their purpose. The Lord answered, "No. I'm the Commander of the Lord's hosts." Then Joshua fell down and worshipped. As with Joshua, our own life is our reference. There are many things in our lives - finances, family, sickness, heartaches. When we meet the Lord, He asks us to go to a different reference. Joshua's shoes speak of that part of our life that is in contact with the world. Taking the shoes off is an attitude. It's making a calculation. I calculate, "This is God who is speaking to me!" That becomes my new reference. In worship our reference is no longer our purpose. It's no longer, "Are You for me or against me?" We go to a higher ground and we reckon on God. We think about Who He is - His attributes, His nature, His love, His immensity. He is no small God!

We carry a lot of baggage in our lives, but we weren't made for that. "Put off the old man." At the cross the old man has been crucified. We don't have to train it. We come into the house of God and we are ready to hear (Eccl.5:2). Joshua said, "What do You have to say to Your servant?" The Lord's answer wasn't, "Sharpen your weapon" or "Sit down and explain to Me all your problems." It was, "Loose your shoes from off your feet; for the place on which you stand is holy." When we take our shoes off, we are willing to say, "You are holy and now that holiness is here, and I am here. I recognize You."

We should confess our sin, and not live presumptuously. Arrogance comes with familiarity and apathy. That's what happened to Adam. God asked him, "Who told you that you were naked?" Adam answered, "The woman You gave me - she gave me the fruit and I ate it." He was saying, "It wasn't my fault." His feet were walking strongly in his own shoes, in his own reference. When he pointed at the woman, he was pointing at God. A carnal person will "mind the things of the flesh." A carnal mind has reference to carnal things. It's the "raccoon life" - living in civility, but not deeply knowing God. In Hosea 8:2, Israel cried out, "My God, we know You!" That's what it's all about. When worship is a regular part of our life, the Spirit is showing us God. But when there's not the peace, quietness, confidence, love, and wisdom in me, who is suffering? I am. Something is missing. I have my shoes on. There is no holy ground. It's my ground, my life, and my world.

The Lord says, "Come to Me and learn of Me. You're on holy ground now. The dimen-sions of your life are now changed. You'll forgive the person who has hurt you, and you'll be free. I'll bring you into a 'large room,' and make you to lie down in wide-open pastures." Hosea 4:16 describes the "backsliding heifer," a cow that has slid back into a narrow place and become stuck there. But the verse goes on to say, "The Lord will feed [His people] as a lamb in a large place."

Joshua discovered that place, but there was a price. I have to drop things that may be important to me. I have to come with an attitude of thanksgiving. Worship is "worth-ship." It's all about His value. The "raccoon" doesn't know the value of God. Joshua understood that God was with him. He had peace, as he was about to go into military conflict. He was on holy ground. Worship makes the difference between one believer and another. God delights in our worship, in our songs, in our attitude, in our spirit. We are hearers, living in an attitude of thanksgiving. You may never solve your problems, but you can always come and worship the Lord on this holy ground. "Come, let us sing unto the Lord. Let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation." He's a great God! I say to Him, "Lord, forgive me that I have reduced You to something so small." In your kitchen just drop down on the floor, and worship Him. Have that as the attitude and spirit in your life. Then we come to the assembly and this Book is opened. We find the marvelous mysteries of Christ revealed.

All week long there's another world that's saying something else, presenting its lie. God says, "Harden not your hearts." He's saying that it is possible for us to become hardened. I've seen that happen. People carry a grudge. There's no worship, no power, and no freedom. Don't allow it to happen to you. Can you stop and take your shoes off? Can you come before God? Can you recognize that God is the God of history, and knows all the details? Can you see that God wants to speak to you, and that His Word will go into your heart, and you will become a worshipper of God - even in the midst of trouble? Learn to sing, meditate, be thankful, walk by faith, and pray. Worship has to be the basis of our life.

If we're grumpy, judgmental, angry, holding grudges, then we'll lie down in that place. Things will not get better. But if we confess our sin, it is gone. If we go to the cross, we are free. If we surrender, we are liberated. If we die, we will live. Become worshippers in your home, in your meditations, in your attitudes, in reference to everything. Worship will become a covering for you. Worship is at the very heart of our calling. The angels do it day and night in Heaven. Worship is an occupation with the worthiness of God - the immense, infinite, awesome God who created the heavens and the earth!

Words - The Shell and The Content

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Recently, during our services and raps we have considered the value of a godly vocabulary. Couldn't it be considered that just as the physical body of a person is indwelt by spirit, words are also like a shell and indwelt by the immaterial? Let's take our time and think about this.

First, words are powerful and very significant for the quality of our lives. It is obvious that God has designed man unlike the rest of His material creatures to live by words. Wasn't it God who ordained for Adam's world to be defined by words when Adam gave names to the animals? The first Adam gave names to animals and the last Adam, Christ, revealed to us God's mind. We are students of that mind by the ministry of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13; John 14:16, 17).

These spiritual words are spoken, listened to, understood, mediated on, collected, remembered and imagined. They are essentially the building blocks of our immaterial world. What if our vocabulary is extensive, but lacking in spiritual content? What if our vocabulary is thin, but power-packed with meaning? A simple man may build his life on a few principles that are true and dependable and discover the qualities of words such as LOVE, TRUST, KINDNESS and GRACE through Jesus Christ. Surely, the fishermen who followed Christ discovered the meaning of words that impacted their lives so powerfully that they became the multi-dimensional expression of those words.

The Pharisees of Jesus' day, on the other hand, could not grasp what He was really saying. We have seen this happen personally -- perhaps more than we realize in our own hearts -- and with others. The shell of the word is not a guarantee that we understand the content of the word. Because people use the word "God" does not mean that they have recognized the content of that word. Only the Spirit can show us what that word means. The Holy Spirit teaches the humble (Psalm 25:2). Could the word "love" actually be seen to be a big "rip-off" after all? Yes, of course.

George Orwell's book 1984 makes reference to man's use of language to his own advantage. Could the descriptive metaphor "wolves in sheep clothing" be also used for words? Couldn't a word appear to be something that it isn't? Is the word "love" packed with a wolf nature? Can words be deceitful, misleading and untrue though on the surface they are shining? What if God is using all this to so we desperately run to Him? Pontius Pilate asked Christ the question, "What is truth?" It is our calling to want to know it. Not on the surface, but in reality.

Our only hope in all of this is to listen with humble hearts to what God says to us and do it (John 13:17; Matthew 7:24). The words of God are more than shell - they are Spirit and life (John 6:63). "Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because you can not hear my words" (John 8:43).

Think of the emptiness of human hearts watered with the emptiness of words. This is a recipe for deep discouragement.

Rather, let us think of how high our thoughts and hearts can soar when God puts the meaning of His words in us. What communication will we have with each other? Loving communication. What will be the nature of our self talk? Edification in reality. How will we counsel ourselves? On the basis of Christ. This is happening in God's assemblies around the world. No wonder the Spirit-filled meeting hall takes hours to empty. No wonder rap sessions lead to more rap sessions. No wonder people are filled and satisfied with God in their hearts. He is speaking to us. Is this a Word of God revival?

This whole world is to be understood through the last Adam, Jesus Christ. He is the one who speaks not only with words, but with power (I Corinthians 4:20). The spiritual content of words is what people are hungry for. Full churches are evidence of hungry souls feeding on living, memorable, useful, biblical, satisfying words. It is no surprise that when we have found these words they are the joy and rejoicing of our hearts (Jeremiah 15:16).

Praise Him!

Remembering Pastor Stevens

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

In our Wednesday service, June 3rd, we reflected on the memory of Pastor Stevens' life and ministry. One year ago, on June 3rd, he passed into Christ's presence. Pastor Lou Kahlenback shared as did Pastor Steve Andrulonis, Pastor Steve Scibelli, and I. We all shared touching stories of the past regarding the faith of our founding pastor. We could sense God's love in the congregation.

The key word in the book of Deuteronomy is "remember." There are many events locked away in our spiritual memories. I wonder how many times faith heroes in the Bible reflected on their victories. Did Paul remember the shipwreck and the message he delivered on board? Did Peter reflect on the first days he met Christ and started to follow Him? Did Abraham reflect on and remember his prayer for Sodom and Gomorrah? Some events were fantastic as with the flood of Noah and Israel leaving Egypt. Other events were more normal and less dramatic, but not less important as with Paul writing his letters to Timothy. Did Timothy reflect on the effects of Paul's teaching in his life?

What do we remember about the ministry of Pastor Stevens that led our lives to meaningful relationships with God? Was it a message? Was it a rap session with a small group of people? Was it a word in the parking lot when he agreed it was time to make a radical decision for God? Was it our observation and appreciation for the brethren that we never had before? Was it a new desire to reach out to lost and needy people?

We have realized that appreciation for the work of God and the words of God are never to be underestimated. Throughout church history, saints have reflected on those meaningful relationships - the Jonathan-David, humility of the heart relationships that have defined their lives (I Samuel 18:1).

Timothy followed Paul as Ignatius did follow Polycarp and Melanchthon, Luther. Surely Jonathan Wesley, Charles Spurgeon, D.L. Moody and Billy Graham saw God knit their hearts with others.

Effective ministry reminds me of the words of George Whitefield regarding Richard Baxter's ministry, in the town of Kidderminster, fifty years after he passed. "I was greatly refreshed to find what a sweet savor of good Mr. Baxter's doctrine, works, and disciplines remained to this day."

May this be said regarding all of God's faithful, hard-working, gifted servants.

Baltimore Convention 2009

Wed, 06 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

These words are to encourage people to come to the GGWO Annual Convention in Baltimore this year.

"Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together as is the habit of some people, but admonish (warning, arguing, and encouraging) one another ALL THE MORE FAITHFULLY as you see the day approaching," (Hebrews 10:35, Amplified)

Weekly meetings were part of the Jewish calendar, as also were yearly meetings -Exodus 34:24.

"For I will cast out the nations before you and enlarge your borders; neither shall any man desire your land when you go up to appear before the Lord your God three times in a year."

When the Jewish man of the household would leave his property vacant in order to travel and visit Jerusalem three times a year, God would supernaturally protect his property.

Convention over the past thirty some years have been for us spiritual, pivotal points of growth and change. Church leaders and church members gather to hear from God. This is the best thing for us and our people - to make ourselves available by faith to hear what God is saying.

Affiliated pastors, please express in your pulpits your desire and plans to attend the International Convention in Baltimore the last week of June.

People will be attending from many parts of the world. Last week, I was in India and greatly encouraged as Indians spoke about listening to Grace Hour, ABD classes, Eurocon on the web, and also attending Convention in Baltimore.

We will hear about victories among our brothers and sisters, greatly encourage each other in the faith, and look firmly into the future. These are the days when we pack our cars with our kids and stuff, and bring our few disciples -- or many disciples -- by faith to Baltimore for a life-changing, spiritually invigorating adventure in Christ. Yes, Lord!

We are praying daily now for this earth-shaking week. Pastor Scibelli mentioned that 10 pastors from Africa are coming. And, we have heard news from Peruvian, Russian, Zambian, French, Hungarian, Azeri, Turkish -- yes, people from many places are making a spiritual effort to be here.

Pray and plan now to be at Convention. We are at the seven-week countdown.

Scott Dubay and his crew have started renovations on our Fellowship Hall and, in June, will gobble up two more classrooms to enlarge our Book Cafe.

This past year 30 more missionaries have lived on the field and they will be returning with their fresh hearts of faith and love.

How many more times will we gather? What will God say to us? As a local pastor, feed your people now with faith words, prayer times, and lead them to attend. The Lord will protect our properties back home and even more will continue to say to us, "This is the way, walk ye in it." We need to hear that. I believe we will become like teenagers again in our faith.

Yes, Lord! Until You come!

The Empty Tomb is the Answer for my Empty Soul

Sat, 18 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EDT

In the Moffatt translation, Proverbs 25:2 reads, "Mystery is God's glory, but a king's glory is to search out secrets." The New King James Version reads, "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter."

How much is unknown to man? Consider the last 4,000 years of human history; we can see how much has been discovered scientifically. Yet, how much is hidden? What we know may be much in the context of our more primitive past, but it is next to nothing - or worse, down right askew -- in light of God's reality.

The resurrection of Christ from the dead is one of those truths hidden from some and yet revealed to others. Christ, obviously, went only to select ones to reveal His resurrection from the dead. Others were left to "search it out" -- or not.

Enough was said and done. God "hiding" or "concealing" a matter is His business. The weights are in His bag. He decides when and to what extent a mystery is revealed. The Body of Christ, the doctrines of the believer's unsearchable riches, prayer, and the resurrection of the dead are a few of those mysteries. Unfortunately, people easily orient themselves at superficial levels. Food, sex, sleep, and empty friendships can hijack people from discovering what is hidden and yet revealed to the seeker. Christ promised, "If you seek, you shall find."

It is our honor to search and find. A vein of gold can be followed into a mountain; so also when we follow Him the passion surpasses the empty life. The empty tomb represents the concealed truth that can also be found if you seek Him. When we find Him, we find the meaning of life - and the honor of being human.

God loves you and cares.

Easter - This Is Our Celebration

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EDT

When all the tumblers in a lock line up, it opens. The second we hear the "click" for the first time, there is a sense of "AHHA"...a relief, satisfaction, or maybe comfort. Easter is that "click" that makes all the sense in the world.

The tumblers all have names. Many are philosophical, some are practical - like "Dad, tell me again that I'll see mom in heaven" said the eleven year old boy at his mother's graveside.

The elderly, the sick, the guilty, and the tired should hear the joyful sound. Peter ran and told the other disciples.

Scientists, like Blaire Pascal, made a good point when he said "Which is the greater miracle - that two human cells would intelligently divide and multiply billions of times to a human being in the womb of one of them, or God would raise from the dead a man that has already lived"?

There is no doubt that some people have no faith and some have no desire for the lock. They will live their lives and be accountable for their decisions.

Others can not find greater comfort than in the One who has been raised. Everything hangs on this one hinge.

We are delighted! Hallelujah a million times from deep in side - He is risen!

Information Is Not Matter; Spiders, Embryos, Ants and Information

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 01:00:00 EDT

In his book, "In the Beginning was Information", German scientist Werner Gitt clearly states that INFORMATION is a "fundamental entity on equal footing with matter and energy." He then raises the obvious questions. "What is information? How does information arise? What is the function of information? How is it encoded? How is it transmitted? What is the source of the information found in living organisms?"

Information is a defined value in the world of science. Matter and energy have been paramount over the years, but now information science has our interest. There is Intelligence that uses energy and matter to give the world order and then obvious design and purpose.

Someone gave me the book for Christmas and I have gleaned from it a few useful applications for sharing the faith. Though the book is beyond me with its scientific approach to the subject, I feel as if I found a treasure.

First, the vocabulary is useful. The word "information" is a scientific term usually not connected with religion or faith. Secondly, it is a "fact that information is required for the start of any controlled process, but the information itself is preceded by the True Source of all information." Hence, the title, In the Beginning Was Information.

The author uses the spider as an example of purposed definitive design by the Creator, the information sender. "The design and structure of a spider's web is very brilliant and a spider uses the available material very economically. The required rigidity and strength are acquired with a very minimal amount of material. The spiral threads do not merely cross the radial ones and the two sets are not attached at the points of intersection only, rather they run parallel over a small distance where they are tied together with very fine threads. It means if you put a very powerful electron microscope on a web, each intersection is seen to be joined with 'knots.' Every spider is a versatile genius. It plans its web like an architect and carries it out like the proficient weaver it is. It is also a chemist that can synthesize silk, employing a computer-controlled process, and then use the silk for spinning. The spider is so proficient that it seems to have completed courses in engineering, chemistry, architecture and information science. But we know this is not the case. Spiders don't go to school. So who instructed it? Where did it obtain the specialized knowledge? Who was its adviser? Most spiders are also active in recycling. They also eat their webs in the morning and then the material is chemically processed and then used for a new web."

The point of this is Romans 1:20. "For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse." What are the "invisible things of Him"? They are the information and the will to send the information. It is the Mind that is behind the spider and its ability. Imagine, in this very small creature there is such intelligence and capability.

The second example Dr. Gitt mentions is the human embryo. "During the first four weeks of the new life, the cells arrange themselves according to an amazing plan to shape the new human being. Around the 15th day, a dramatic new development occurs. The first blood vessels appear. A few days later another wonderful event takes place. Within the tiny breast of the embryo, two small blood vessels join to form the heart, which begins to pump blood into the tiny body. Before the end of the third week, the tiny heart provides the brain with oxygen. In the fourth month, the heart of the fetus already pumps 30 liters of blood per day and at birth this volume will be 350 liters. In the embryonic stage, the body after two months is only 2-3 centimeters long. It is so small that it could literally fit into a walnut shell. But even at this stage all organs are already present. During the following months, they will all increase in size and assume their following shape." Notice something: In these two cells that come together to make the 46 chromosomes that make up a human being, there is a transfer of information.

Where does the information come from for this process? The scientists say that it is packed in our DNA. There is so much information packed in the human DNA that it is beyond comprehension. This is amazing.

The third example used in the book is the ant. Dr. Gitt writes, "Today all the telephone numbers of a city can be saved on one microchip and their speed of operation is so fast that the Bible could be read 200 times in one second. That is how fast this information can be transferred. There is one thing that all the chips in the world can never be able to do; namely, copy an ant and all it can do. We have studied the chemical processes, physical processes, we know about the energy and the matter, but the thing that we are fascinated with is the mind that is behind it."

If someone said the universe is an accident, then it contradicts the whole nature of science. When a scientist thinks only in terms of unbelief in the Giver of Information then he so aptly expresses the verse Romans 1:22. "Professing themselves to be wise they became fools...." The word "fool" is offensive in English. In Greek MORAINO used in the passive sense means that they have been made foolish. Their system of thinking has resulted in wrong conclusions that would be embarrassing if they were aware of it. Sometimes they are aware. We pity the unbeliever who gets so close to confessing God in his science but can not do so for personal reasons.

Notice the verse Psalm 14:1 - "The fool hath said in his heart, 'No God'." He has embraced his unbelief in his heart, not solely objectively and intellectually in his mind, but subjectively in his heart.

Science is telling us that behind the matter and the energy, there has to be information and information is neither physical nor material. Information is of another nature. It is of a different dimension. Information is from a Mind and that Mind has decided to send the information. God is the Sender, He did it and He is talking to us all the time every day.

Jesus and Sports Stars - TREND or REALITY?

Sat, 31 Jan 2009 01:00:00 EDT

For more than 2,000 years, there has been a clear testimony of the reality of Christ in life. The unbeliever being suspicious and, in some cases, just dead set against the faith suggests TREND.

We see and hear differently. Kurt Warner, the Arizona Cardinals' quarterback, doesn't back off. "Everything I do and everywhere I go, I'm trying to represent Jesus."

"My faith helps me in everything," Warner says. "The biggest thing about my faith is it helps keep everything in perspective. You understand the highs and lows. You understand what's going on."

Other professional football notables who speak boldly and confidently about Christ are the evidence of REALITY. If Jesus Christ gives us peace, love, joy, wisdom, and some depth of character and thought, then let us rejoice deeply in Him.

Just a few weeks ago, we saw Tim Tebow, the son of missionary parents, show his super athletic ability and godly drive in quarterbacking Florida to college football's national championship with "John 3:16" etched in black and white on his face.

David Tyree, the N.Y. Giants' receiver, is interviewed on Grace Hour about his remarkable, game-changing Super Bowl catch. The Ravens' Matt Stover points to the heavens after every field goal kick and publicly confesses Christ. Colts' Coach Tony Dungy has written a moving book about the suicide of his son pointing to Christ as the answer.

I am convinced that all of this easily could not happen. The media is not excited about such testimonies. Reality has a way of looking at people in the face. May we recognize God's work and rejoice deeply in it.

Thank you, Lord! It is REAL!

Free to Forgive

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 01:00:00 EDT

In 1999, a group of Hindu fundamentalists in India set fire to a jeep, killing Australian missionary, Graham Staines and his two young sons. The missionary and his family ran a home for the lepers in Orissa state and the mob was angry over the Christian conversions among villagers in the area. The wife and mother, Gladys Staines, heard the news and she told the Indian media that she forgave those who killed her family. The killings, the arrests related to them, and Mrs. Staines' attitude toward it all captured the attention of the nation. Now, this woman's last name has become a term used to describe great forgiveness. Those who forgive great wrongs done to them are said to be "doing a Staines."

The radical forgiveness that becometh the saints of God is something other religions and philosophies have difficulty comprehending. The ideas of revenge and repercussion dominate other messages, but not the message of the Gospel. Christian forgiveness brings trembling to many places in the world. It shakes the Hindu world. It shakes the Islamic world. It shakes the Communist world. It shakes the capitalistic world. It shakes our world.

saying, "Lord, whether I get out of here or not, I worship You as the One who has saved me and forgiven me and given me Your Holy Spirit." No wonder Stephen's face was shining like an angel. No wonder our churches have such a future, for we live in the Spirit and live in this faith and live in this love. The Holy Spirit is saying, Amen! That is My nature! Love one another very much. Forgive one another very much for I have forgiven you.

This is a great teaching and a great theme. It is the key to our anointing. When you will not forgive, the anointing God may have given to you is lifted and you become like an empty shell. You may continue and continue, but you don't have the power because you are not forgiving. We have to guard the work of God for we are not natural men, we are people of faith and we believe God will do this.

God doesn't ask much from us. Only that we live in the light. When you forgive your husband or your wife, just continue and don't change. When the thought about what happened resurfaces, just purpose to forget it. Just continue in the same spirit that you are called to walk in. Give grace, give mercy, give love. Deal with bitterness as Joseph learned to deal with it. Give the thing to God.

(an excerpt from Free to Forgive, by Pastor Thomas Schaller)

Incarnation Celebration

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 01:00:00 EDT

On December 20th, all day in Baltimore, we had an "Incarnation Celebration" in our services. The Holy Spirit was bearing witness to us about the marvel of the Incarnation.

Evening service included a short skit with Elisabeth and Mary in dialogue. We spoke about the divine among us. In the morning, we reflected on the verse "the less is blessed of the better" (Hebrews 7:7). Though we know life is full of the better being used to bless the least, sometimes we fail to grasp the best example of all - the Incarnation. God knows we are so lost we hardly grasp the simple truth - we are in trouble. Not only is Satan the god of this world, but our sin has blinded us and then killed us. The law is continually powerless in changing things substantially. Add to that our fourth, vast, profound problem - the grave.

Do we realize the radical shift, the ultimate move by God on our behalf? No, we can hardly understand it. It is the ultimate marvel.

Martin Luther stated simply with a thought-provoking analogy, "Even so has our Lord God dealt with the devil; God has cast into the world His only Son as the hook and upon the hook has put Christ's humanity as the worm. Then comes the devil and snaps at the (man) Christ, and devours Him, and therewith he bites the iron hook that is the godhead of Christ, which chokes him. And all his power thereby is thrown to the ground. This is called sapientia divina, divine wisdom"

The less - our world, corrupt and contaminated by us - has been served by the best. The unsurpassable perfection is the result. We now by the Holy Spirit sense the celebration, as the shepherds did with the angels. It is incredible!

A Little Strength

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 01:00:00 EDT

In Revelation 3:8, Jesus, speaking to Philadelphia church, said, "I know your works... for thou hath a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name." A little strength, that is a very comforting thought to me. How much strength do we need? Only a little, the Word of God is telling us. Imagine a huge machine, a big engine with a switch. The only thing needed to get the whole thing going is a little strength, a flip of a switch and this huge thing happens. The signature of a man on a legal document and there is a fortune behind it. He has just a little strength just to write his name and that is enough to trigger a transfer of great wealth.

When Israel was warring with Amalek, Moses was there with his arms held high. When his arms were up, the battle went Israel's way. However, Moses' arms got tired and he had to drop them and then the enemy began to gain control. Aaron and Hur discerned the trouble, found a rock for Moses to sit on, and then they stood beside him and held up his arms. All they had to do was to keep his arms up and Israel would win the battle. It just took a little strength.

That's what the Lord said that to these believers in Philadelphia. He said you have a little strength and have kept my word and have kept my Name. You don't need much strength. You just need a little.

In John 6:28, Jesus is asked how to work the works of God. He said, "The work" for us is but to believe on the One God has sent. In Ezekiel 2, the Lord said to Ezekiel stand on your feet. The Spirit of God came in him and he stood on his feet. In Ezekiel 3:1, the prophet was told to eat the scroll and the Spirit caused him to eat the scroll.

These passages are encouraging for us because we don't need to do much. We just need a little strength.

"Quicken me in Your righteousness," that's what the Psalmist prays in Psalm 119:40. In the seven verses previous to that one, the Psalmist tells the Lord to teach him statutes, to give understanding, to make him go the right way, to incline his heart, to turn his eyes from evil, to establish the Word in his heart... I love this for only God can do this for me. And I don't need my natural strength. I need God to do this for me. With a little strength, just a little strength, and God can do so much. He strengthens me, gives me, makes me, inclines, turns away my eyes, establishes His word, turns away my reproach and he quickens me.

Why does he do that? Because the ministry of Christ to us is the ministry of grace. And that means that no one at any time has ever merited the works of grace that are happening to us. It is so simple. Just take this little step and God comes running to you. Make one little prayer and it changes everything. Decide to trust.

Moses hands hung down and all he needed was somebody on one side and another person on the other side to lift up his hands. God does this. And, the enemy is defeated and I feel that way in our ministry, we are sitting back and we are watching these verses happen.
Teach me, oh Lord.

Give me understanding.

Make me go in the path.

Incline my heart unto your testimonies.

Turn away my eyes from vanity.

Establish your Word unto your servant who is devoted to your fear.
Turn away my reproach and quicken me in your righteousness. (See Psalm 119:33-40)

Now, Joseph had a coat of many colors in Genesis 37. The coat of grace that's on us is colored with many colors. Our lives take on different hues. When we are getting older in life it is a work, it is another color! We have a color here and we have another color on our coat there. When everything is going really well and you are just running through a troop, you have a color of grace. When everything collapses and just tumbles into a pit, and Joseph wound up in a pit, you have another color of grace.

When Joseph is sold to the Ishmaelites and he goes into Egypt and he gets into trouble there in Genesis 39 as Potiphar's wife sets her sights on him. It is amazing story about how he decided to live by the Word of God. He refused the seduction and that is exactly what got him in trouble. He was soon in prison, the victim of a false report by this woman. Often, when you live and this grace is happening in your life you become targeted.
When you are an object of grace, it is very simple and your way is right and clear. God turns you into the right path. I think the amazing education of the Spirit in Christ in the body is invaluable. God is giving us His grace and this is really easy. It is a little strength that is required. For me, there are problems, but I just have to fall but into the arms of God. To say at some times, "God, help my unbelief," is really enough. A mustard seed of faith can move a mountain. A little strength and believing that the Word is yea, and Amen.

There is a great story about Billy Graham. When he was in California before a major Los Angeles revival, he had a question put in his mind by many of his friends. They were saying to him that the Bible is not dependable, that it is not inerrant. So Billy Graham went to a hotel room and he was there for three days. He prayed for he had to make a decision. And he made his decision and said, "I will believe that this Book is fully inspired and that every word is totally dependable and the Bible is inerrant." He went out to the platform that night and preached with a sense of the power of God like that he had not had for months. There was no internal struggle. He just believed and it was enough and God poured upon him. It took only a little strength.

And that is the way it is in your life. You are like Joseph, a man with a coat of many colors. At your working place and in the world and maybe even among friends and relatives, you are a target for mocking and ridicule. Even your own heart may present questions: Is it really so? Is it really true?
I must believe it with all my heart. I need to believe in something higher than myself with all my heart. You are filling me, God. You are causing me to be righteous. You are leading me in your Holy Spirit. You are speaking to me in my heart. You are praying in me and through me (see Romans 8:27). You are the God of all grace who said Your mercy endures forever.

Every morning, when you get up -- I don't care how you have lived recently -- I would like you to know that this is not about your sin; this is about God saying to you, "I gave my Son so that your life could be different."
With a little strength just turn to God.

Street Preaching - A Godly Effort To Reach The Lost

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 01:00:00 EDT

Waking in the morning knowing that the day would be a day for street evangelism was always quietly exciting. People are God's creation made to reflect His Image. In Eastern Europe, we knew that many people would stop and recognize our efforts. They might not linger for long, but we almost always had an audience.

It takes a measure of determination to preach on the street, but always we would return home refreshed and encouraged by meeting and talking with at least one.

Late night sketch-board to reach the late crowd in Budapest or on the boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland, could generate conversations with curious young people. Prayer, a prepared heart, courage, a little technique and faith with one or two others can result in one soul that causes the angels to rejoice.

During the 1990s in Hungary, we found street preaching our primary method of meeting people and getting out the message. We calculated that between 4,000 and 10,000 people were evangelized in one month.

Jonathan Wesley's diary of his work in England was a handbook of inspiration for us. What great stories of preaching in villages and towns! "Why not now?" we would ask ourselves. What is the difference between 18th century England and 21st century Europe? God must anoint us with His love, His thoughts, and His heart. He loves people through the Gospel. Imagine, the answer for our greatest fear - death.

Churches are planted and grow and people are trained in ministry by going to the streets. God said simply "open your mouth wide and I will fill it" (Psalm 82:10).

Let us pay attention to God's heart to reach the lost. Street preaching does work.

Insulation But Not Isolation - This is an Announcement

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 01:00:00 EDT

John 17:11 And now I am no more in the world, these are in the world...
John 17:16 They are not of the world even as I am not of the world.

When Jesus said we are in the world but not of the world. He was saying that when we live in the world we are under the influence of contrary thoughts and purposes. We are not however subject to their penetration. Martin Luther referring to temptation said that birds may fly over my head, but it's another thing if they make a nest in my hair.

Pastor Lange this Saturday will instruct us about insulating our young people from these influences. Our teenagers and young ones are not isolated and they should not be. We are in the world. We can not be isolated from it. How do we counsel our children regarding the Internet, video games, and technologies that need our oversight?

Do we know what we are doing and are we aware of our children's peril? Sexual promiscuity is off the charts. Our children are subject to warfare against their souls and bodies. We have heightened responsibility.

Our church is responsible to sound the alarm to all our parents. Are we insulating our children from dangerous infections?

Attend Family Round Table this Saturday at 4:00pm with Pastor Brian and stay in touch. Young children are precious to us.

Pastor Schaller

Our Lost Virtue (11/7/08)

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 01:00:00 EDT

Are we being cheated? In the whole scheme of things, are we being ripped-off? Have you ever noticed that the primary direction of our society is aimed at discovering, knowing, and propagating happiness? That might sound right, but we should ask ourselves whether or not justice and what is right is part of the equation. It is very unpopular to ask those questions because today, even rightness is relative.

Happiness, then, seems to have pulled the trump card and beaten us all at the game. "Congratulations," says Happiness, to all at the table. Happiness wins. Go ahead, divorce, be unfaithful to your spouse, cheat your boss, lie to your colleagues, and steal from the company. All of it is up for grabs. After all, your happiness means everything...or does it?

The prophet Isaiah said, "Truth has fallen in the street..."

While the quest for happiness may reign, it doesn't seem to bolster our confidence that everything is alright. Even the "happy" atheist has periodically the vague worry that maybe he is wrong. Does a man, after his third or fourth woman, wonder if there is something he is missing? Really, anyone could ask that question, "Is there something missing?"

Life is designed by God and He has not directed us to ourselves, but to Himself. Without Him, we have a plaguing concern, a certain uneasiness, a shifting of our soul - even when happiness has its upper hand.

God speaks to us. God requires truth in the inward part (Isaiah 51:6), but we sometimes avert responsible accountability to truth by explaining it away. A sick man will say, "I am okay," and refuse to go to the doctor. Do we avoid our mail because we know we will find bills there, or bank statements? Have you avoided Christians because God might speak to you? When we are wrong, we refuse to admit it. We would rather avoid the truth so we can "Be happy! Be positive! Be strong!"

It is time to reach down deep into this dusty world and pull truth out of the ash heap. It is here, but it is overlooked. It is ridiculed and continually shot at.

Some of us know the value of truth and what great things it will do for people. Christ said you shall know the truth and it will set you free and you shall be free indeed. (John 8:32-36)
It is truly amazing when the uneasiness leaves the human soul because truth has entered in.

The tragedy of life is how the human heart can settle for something less than what it is designed for. Happiness is too cheap for us. Truth has its price, but the benefits abound. Buy the truth and sell it not. (Proverbs 23:23)

Fishers of Men

Sat, 20 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Recently, we celebrated the dedication of a new church building in Searsmont, Maine, and the GGWO ordination of its pastor, Pastor Peter Sheff. Believers gathered together, many of them old friends from the area, as well as Pastor David Stambowsky, Pastor Wally White, Pastor Bob Colby, Wayne Luce, David Umstead, and others.

It's a joy to consider that the words said on a lake far away and years ago are still applicable today. They are ringing in our ears - "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19).

At the end of the day, eventually when all is over, said and done, we will look and see that God has done it. One brother from Sri Lanka, looking for moderate weather in the U.S. and a Bible College, found us on the Internet. He is one of the more than 70 new students here in Baltimore who has come from one of 21 different countries. His testimony is like the one by the lake.

There are twists and turns in life, but our heart is alive to the knowledge of God. We are stirred. Our prayer is that in Maine, as well as in hundreds of thousands of places on the earth, those words would still be said.

In the dark and in the quiet, where man meets God, we too should follow. It is still happening. We are thankful for Pastor Sheff and all other pastors that labor and serve so that many can hear and follow. God truly does make men "fishers of men." Absolutely awesome!

Pastor Schaller

Lose the Surface Life to Gain the Deep

Sat, 09 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT

"Counsel in the heart of man is like water in a deep well but a man of understanding will draw it out." (Proverbs 20:5)

Recently, in Finland, we spoke at our summer convention about the cry of the heart for the deep things of God. The surface living that is so common amongst us does not really satisfy. Christ is the Man of understanding who is able to cut through the layers of superficial thinking and living, and speak directly to our hearts with boldness and clarity. We fall in love with Him because of it.

When the Queen of Sheba traveled 900 miles to investigate Solomon's persona and kingdom, she must have sensed her advantage. Large quantities of gold, exotic spices, and unique gifts accompanied her. But Solomon's wisdom took her breath away. The tables were turned. He spoke to her heart. Isn't one greater than Solomon amongst us?

There are elements in life that draw us to the surface like a cork. The fear of rejection, acceptance by the group, the need for love and importance, as well as our bodily needs for food, water, and shelter draws us to the surface. Here we starve. Here we are tempted. Here we are torn. Here we sin.

In the Gospel of John we see the interaction between the "surface people" and Christ and his penetrating words. Interestingly, we could use the story of John 5 as an analogy of surface living and its' impotency.

The legend of the day was that "an angel went down at a certain season with the pool, and troubled the water...And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity 38 years." (John 5:4 and 5) There is a lot of action on the surface but no real change. A lot of words and noise but nothing stunning. The surface water never helped him; it only exacerbated his problem.

Comparatively, using another story from the same Gospel, we read "Jesus answered and said unto her, 'If thou knew the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water'. The woman saith unto him, 'Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep...'." (John 4:10 and 11)

On one hand, living on the surface of life does not really change me. On the other hand, Christ is fascinating, marvelous, refreshingly bold and real. Ministering is not about people maintaining their niceness, or socially capable people enjoying their skills. It is about real awesome change.

Ministry is born in the hearts of people when Christ transcends layers and introduces Himself to them. They are now newly motivated. They think differently. They know Him. Their life is now new. Like in Song of Solomon, the one loved is enraptured by her lover. When we have met Him and understood His understanding and love for us, we enjoy the deep water. We are designed to be loved by nothing less than the infinite God.

The superficial life of man is easy. We even enjoy it momentarily.

In the words of Blaire Pascal - "Man is infinitely more than man." We are cheating ourselves if we have not met Christ; if we have not met this challenging Person; and if we have not had the sweet release of being held accountable and responsible by those penetrating eyes of love and forgiveness, and heard those great words "peace be unto you".

We are cheating ourselves - until we have stood before Him and run the risk of losing something to gain something else. Follow Christ at all costs. Learn of Him by His ministry through His broken ministers. At all costs develop an ear and a disciplined heart to believe and worship Him. At all costs follow Him. He will draw the deep waters out of your heart. Lose the surface life - to gain the deep.

Men of God

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

On June 3, Pastor Carl Stevens passed into the presence of the Lord. Leaving his body, he now sees more clearly what he believed and preached; he must be full of joy.

We also experience that joy. Wednesday, in our service following the news of his passing, we could sense in his congregation the deep joy of knowing and believing these Biblical truths and how they relate to Pastor. We could breathe the victory.

God's leadership always points us to Christ. God is Everlasting Life, a Rock higher than ourselves, a Provision that is always there.

The testimony of Pastor's unique and able ministry, his many gifts, and personal care is seen in what remains.

J. Oswald Sanders wrote in Spiritual Leadership, "When a movement develops around a dominant personality, the real test of the quality of his leadership is the manner in which that work survives the crises of his removal."

Christ-centered people who love their Bibles, love each other, and care to reach lost people, both at home and abroad, represent good fruit.

Controversy is also part of the package. How could a man of God, as defined in the Scriptures as imperfect and also opposed by evil, not find himself sooner or later in controversy? Men of God, sometimes because of themselves, sometimes because of evil, and sometimes because of both, are in trouble.

In this human landscape, we find ourselves fascinated by real men of God. Are not the full biographies of Abraham, Noah, Samson, and David there for our learning? The fact that God puts His hand on these servants for His purposes and according to His own terms is incredible.

What we love, in these Biblical and present day biographies, is that at the end of the day we see people who believed in God. We also see clearly God's work of grace. What did God see in their hearts? We should be careful regarding His work for God sees not as man sees (I Samuel 16:7).

As Oswald Sanders states, "Only after his removal are the characters and achievements of a leader fully revealed." Judging by the nature of God's people who have benefited from the personal ministry and teaching of Pastor Stevens, we see God's good hand, faithfulness, and abundance of grace through Christ Jesus.

It is worth repeating: God started a work where the Word of God was flowing and revealing God's life to us through the ministry of Pastor Stevens. By God's great grace, and through the testimony of His faithful people, this work continues.

Glory to God!

Pastor Schaller

Belonging

Sat, 17 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Balaam, a typical false prophet, ran to error. He could not stop himself. He had passion, desire, ideas -- a whole constitution that he could not change. Even an animal speaking with a human voice could not turn his determined mind and lusty passion.

I get the same feeling about the world we are now living in. Too many people are excited with glee over the fast-paced technology, evolving global politics and hope of solving potentially devastating world problems. (Nuclear proliferation, world hunger, climatic change, etc.) "We are the people!" could be a mantra that means we believe in ourselves. Balaam's foot was crushed against the wall and even a "humanly speaking donkey" could not separate Balaam from what he belonged to.

There is another group, however, that has attained another "Belonging." It is totally different.

Here's a short list to describe who we are: Believers, Acts 5:14. Children, 1 John 3:10. Disciples, Matthew 10:1. Saints, Acts 9:13. Servants, Acts 4:29. Faithful, Acts 16:15. Brethren, Acts 9:30. Friends, John 15:14. Beloved, Colossians 3:12. Heirs, Romans 8:17. His Own, John 13:1.

We see the world differently. We belong to God. Consider three points about this belonging:

1. The world is moving strongly and decisively in one direction, but we move in another. We are the children of the day not of the night. We know more or less what is going on and enjoy the insight. "Fear not little flock. It is the Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32). We are not to be ignorant, nor caught off guard. We are instructed. Our Heavenly Father cares for us. He has given us the Word, the Holy Spirit and the Body of Christ.

2. We are pessimistic about the nature of the world system, but optimistic about its purpose in preparing a bride for Christ. The Psalms are more a "Diary of Struggles" revealing God's care and hoped for provisions. We are not afraid of trouble. It is made for us. We are different.

3. We belong to a "Great Nation." David transcended his own life, his trouble, desires, ambitions, and pain by being blended with the big picture. Who did he belong to? Who did he look to? Who was his family? Was life really wrapped up in the nation? Yes! Was the nation poised for world evangelism? Yes!

Ours is a holy nation, a special treasured people, a royal priesthood with designated privileges.
We have the great commission. We are sent. We have sisters and brothers worldwide. We are part of the unique Voice that sounds like the voice of many waters (Revelation 19:6).
We do not belong to a driven ambition that can not be curbed. We have been translated into the Kingdom of God's dear Son (Colossians 1:12). We are different because of who we belong to. We are led tenderly by our loving, caring Heavenly Father who gave us His Son!

Multiplying Wives

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

"But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the Lord hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way. Neither shall he multiply wives to himself that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and Gold." (Deut 17:16, 17)

I am convinced that many people in our churches need to learn more clearly the subject of the filling of the Holy Spirit. We presume that it is enough for people to be present and pleasant for healthy church life. Not so. People are being deprived of rich, abundant living that is exciting and fully satisfying, because they are not instructed, led, and challenged in the Biblical teaching of Spirit-filled living. The Finished Work is the work of Christ that established the "legal" ground for our privileged abundant living. The Holy Spirit is present to unfold, empower, and make real this privilege.

Why then does the evangelical church in our present culture allow for other spirits to flourish? Why is the Laodicean church boasting in its wealth when Christ calls it miserable, wretched, and blind?

Anything short of Spirit-filled living will multiply wives, gold, and horses. In Deuteronomy 17:16-17, kings were told not to multiply these things to themselves. These correlate to three lust patterns of human nature -- horizontal relationships (wives) at the expense of knowing God, material wealth (gold), and power (horses).

As pastors/preachers, we are vulnerable to trends, thoughts, notions that emerge from unguarded, un-fervent, unfocused, passive hearts. But, we are also capable of fervency. "He maketh his angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire." (Psalm 104:4)

We are capable of being examples, for God has called and equipped us. God's people were told to make no covenant with the seven nations occupying Canaan; instead, they were told to destroy them with no negotiation and no compromise (Deuteronomy 7:1, 2).

The kings of Israel can easily fall and so can pastors. On the other hand, read the Psalms of David and Proverbs, chapters 1 - 8. There is no question -- fervency, diligence, interest, addicting focus, joy, gladness, and the constant discovery of the Person of God was the experience and life of the psalmist.

We will settle for nothing less. Nor will we allow our people to be misled into multiplying wives, into attaching themselves to things that draw away their hearts. Life is too precious, our calling and purpose is too important. We cannot live carelessly. Hours in prayer, deliberate control of heart and mind, and constant praise at the Cross - these we can multiply to ourselves. He fills us.

Recommended reading: Lewis Sperry Chafer - Volume 6, Pneumatology
E.M. Bounds, The Compete Works of E.M. Bounds on Prayer

Repentance in the Downpour

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Just 42,360 Israelites returned to their native land after they had been in captivity 70 years in Babylon. Out of this number, 113 men had, while in captivity, married non-Jewish women. Ezra and the leadership realized the gravity of their national sin and after years of God's dealings recognized the necessity of a real and genuine walk before a serious but merciful God.

Mediation on chapters 9 and 10 of Ezra could awaken our understanding of God's care over important details. The people repented and those relatively few (113) divorced themselves from their foreign wives and also distanced themselves from the children. These are severe measures recorded in the Scriptures for our learning. Interestingly, the Scriptures tell us, "All the people sat before the house of God, trembling because of this matter and because of the heavy rains" (Ezra 10:9).

It is well known that after many American Civil War battles (i.e.: Antietam, Gettysburg, and Vicksburg) there were downpours that lasted days. It is also well known that Abraham Lincoln believed that the war was God's chastisement upon us as a nation for our national sin of slavery. "Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said, 'The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether'" - Second Inaugural Address, March 4, 1865.

We could wonder: Did those rains wash the blood of our national youth into our soil as judgment? Or, was the rain a sign of God's appeasement and pleasure? We do not know, but we do know that we as a people have felt the sins of our society creep into our souls. God is personally and intimately involved in our lives. We have personal and national accountability to Him. The 113 Israelites out of 42,360 could have been overlooked, especially when we talk about marriage commitments and our children.

The Scripture is written. If we can take it to heart, perhaps we'll find the refreshment of a cleansing, purging, yea and even powerfully life-changing downpour. The price is sometimes very high to get our lives right with God. It is not fashionable to speak in such radical terms. Perhaps this is one reason there is so much emptiness and "lost-ness" around us. Repentance is our privilege; the downpour is His business.

He is real and desires to give it - abundantly, but only on His terms. "Please, Lord, lead us to listen and heed. Bring a healing to our hearts and a downpour to our land."

Pastor Thomas Schaller

Two Kinds of Simplicity

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 01:00:00 EDT

"He caused their chariot wheels to swerve and he made them drive with difficulty." (Exodus 14:15) "What is crooked cannot be straightened and what is lacking can not be counted." (Eccl 1:15)

"I would not give a fig for the simplicity this side of complexity, but I would give my life for the simplicity on the other side of complexity." Oliver Wendell Holmes

There are things in this world that are broken, busted and bruised. Some things swerve, shift and shake. Unglued, rambling, rumbling and tumbling some things are falling apart. Philosophers talk about complexity in their thick books and long dissertations. They ramble along and get stuck. Some of us prefer denial. The simplicity on this side of complexity sounds like this: "It doesn't matter." "I don't care." "Let's party." "I have no problems." "Eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we die." This is beneath our dignity.

There are other people who look for the answers that are provoked by the problems. What shall we do... God? Christ is not the God of denial but the God of engagement. When life hurts it is not time for retreat but for engagement.

God said to Job "Now gird up your loins like a man, and I will ask you and you will instruct Me!" (Job 38:3) When God hurt Job, Job was full of questions. His chariot wheels were swerving. He was bogged down in complexity. God ministered to him by asking him 81 questions to humble him.

Job ended up on the other side of complexity. We are made for the simplicity on the other side of complexity. Christ is simplicity of the highest kind. Have you met seasoned experienced people who have clear eyes - fair as the moon, clear as the sun and terrible as an array of barriers? Song of Solomon 6:4

There are people like Joseph and Paul who despite the trouble did not withdraw but moved forward and found the ultimate solution for the swerving chariot and the crooked that stubbornly refuses to be straightened.

Recently one of our dearest brothers, John Von Buchwald, passed on to be with the Lord. We have seen God's great hand at work with everything crooked, even death. The crooked is made straight after all. (Isa 40:4) We have found simplicity that satisfies. We have found the "I Am" who stands with us in our trouble and makes a way in the desert. In the presence of Christ there is life rather than death, truth rather than a lie, and love that endures, bears, and believes all things. This simplicity is incredibly beautiful and glorifies our heavenly Father. Thank you Jesus.

Pastor Schaller

When the Trial Comes

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 01:00:00 EDT

When Korah rebelled against God in the wilderness, he contaminated a whole group of people. The Korah rebellion was led by a group of men who were men of celebrity status. We should be careful of what we hear and who we hear it from. There is always somebody standing around available to express an opinion that doesn't fit the holiness of God. Sometimes important people, people of influence can set a city on fire against God's work. In Acts 17:5 and 19:23-41, Paul encountered such opposition.

Our only way of living then is through discerning God's ways. God's ways are made known to us through the Scriptures. All of Korah's grievances fit nicely into the hearts of suffering people. Beware, for in your personal pain, Korah may be your miserable counselor. Be sure to MARK them which cause divisions and AVOID them (Romans 16:17). "And if any man obey not our word... note that man and have no company with him... and REJECT him (II Thessalonians 3:14). "I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me," (Psalm 101:3). "When a man's ways please the Lord, his natural force is not abated" (Deuteronomy 34:7). Your opinion should be derived from quiet reflection from a heart that is humble before God. Moses stood before the holiness of God. Should it be different with us?

When our hearts become bitter and discouraged with life and its circumstances, then we are on the road of being one of Korah's prey. He may be very close to you. Job's wife was ready with the worst counsel a man can receive the moment his trial hits. Your best friend in the garden party may be your worst enemy in the bunker. How doctrinal is your heart and your brother's heart?

Every church must be established in healthy doctrine. There is no other way. "I have written unto you, young men, because you are strong and the Word of God abides in you and you have overcome the wicked one. The way to overcoming our flesh and Satan is by living by the Word of God (Matthew 4:4,7,10).

Be like Moses spending more time on your face before God in service than in front of the mirrors of men. You will live better and longer.

The Path of the Pilgrim

Sat, 09 Feb 2008 01:00:00 EDT

We've heard about the plow horse that grudgingly goes to the field for a day of work. The same horse hurries home at the end of the day to receive his reward - food, water and rest.

The path of the pilgrim is sweetened by his sense of eternal destiny. Even more the missionary is encouraged in his calling by the sense that his labor is not in vain - it is filled with glorious purpose. The pilgrim has eternal life and eternal reward.

We are extremely blessed people because we know where we are going ultimately and why. Our future form will be like His and everybody who knows this has a hope that purifies him (I John 3:2,3).

The way to a feast is good even if we have to walk through the brier patch and a swamp. We'll talk about the feast, the friends, the music and the intimate talk with full anticipation. It makes all the difference concerning the journey. Your local church fellowship should wet your appetite for the coming kingdom. Are you purified by a living hope?

On the other hand, if you are on the road to an execution or condemning judgement, there is no hotel room, no rose garden, no conversation that can lighten the way. There is no laughter that can lighten the load. "It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than a man to hear the song of fools" (Ecclesiastes 7:5) A plush hotel room, the company of friends cannot solve the problem of ultimate lostness. A pilgrim is different. He knows where he is going.

Unfortunately many people live under the shadow of imminent eternal rejection. How great the Gospel is for WHOSOEVER WILL BELIEVE. I should not first consider the way, but rather the end of the way. Where am I going? If I get the destiny correct, then I will walk in the light of that great truth.

Are You Really Prepared?

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 01:00:00 EDT

"The preparations of the heart in man and the answer of the tongue is from the Lord," (Proverbs 16:1).

When Paul was onboard a prisoner ship sent to Rome, he was prepared. His preparation was not the result of living life on the surface of things.

On the ship after the storm erupted, we see something else erupted. He stood before the crew and prisoners and said, "God, whose I am..."

If you cannot say "God, whose I am...," then you will never be really prepared for those unpredictable episodes of life. You will stumble over details, lack the courage and whimper in the corner until life comes crashing in on you. No, the only preparation is a totally yielded life to Him - daily. "God whose I am..." means we are not our own. The mystical result of this trust will be God's presence and sufficiency. Out of your heart will erupt a sense of the grand scheme of things.

Can you imagine Paul trembling, confused, or foolishly jesting, or depressed on board the ship? I can. I've been there.

Paul was alert to what was happening on the ship. Evangelism and the testimony of Christ was in his mind. He understood that God was in charge. God saved all 276 lives and they had met a "prepared man."

Our preparation is not the result of predicting the future - nor the result of controlling external circumstances or people, it is simply reckoning on God with absolute surrender and worship as a way of life. Through His Word and His people, He then gives us strength, wisdom and peace. What an incredibly invaluable perspective - God only "whose I am and whom I serve" (Acts 27).

Let us come to God for doctrinal thinking and godly preparation. We will not be ultimately ashamed. There is a poor wise man who can grasp the weight of the hour and the message of Christ. Let us ask Abraham, Moses, Joseph, Noah, David, Esther if God gave them divine preparation. They are our examples.

Are you awake? Are you prepared?

Godly Leadership

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 01:00:00 EDT

One man prayed, "Oh God, why would you choose me to be a pastor - there are so many other capable men?" God's answer seemed to be AMEN, there are many other "better" than you, but they're not listening. One leader said "A good leader is not the person who does things right, but finds the right things to do."

Men who have discerned the secret of communion with God in God's thoughts are men who have something to give beyond themselves. They speak from Him and not themselves. He is the issue. As John the Baptist said, "I must decrease, but He must increase." What are you pointing to? Your inability of God's ability? Your opinion or God's truth?

Good leaders in the world inspire men to have confidence in them, a great leader in Christ inspires confidence in God. When people trust God on the basis of God's truth, then they gain confidence in life. Although potential leaders are born, spiritual leaders must be born again.

Spiritual leaders must be made through the cross. Spiritual leadership is not natural; it comes through a full persuasion that what God has said is true whether others believe it or not. The cross was a lonely place for Christ, so also will it be for God's leaders. Are you looking for your advantage or for God's glory? God has a way of passing the good men in order to use the broken men. David was the least obvious choice. Perhaps, among us today in the midst of the good and the talented, God has His hand on somebody very special. Is it you?

Most Blessed Forever

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 01:00:00 EDT

"For thou hast made Him most blessed forever," (Psalm 21:6). In this Psalm the prophet speaks of Christ as Most Blessed. These words should arrest us. The Scripture does not say, "He is blessed", or, "He is more blessed". Imagine something being red or more red or the most red.

Christ is Most Blessed. It means that it is impossible for Him to be any more blessed. Can you imagine the greatness of His stature before God. It makes any contest with Him to be absurd. Is there any lie that could whisper with smooth voice before His Most Blessedness? Is there any temptation with enticing allurements before His Most Blessedness?

Let us put our weary sinful heads in His arms and confess to Him our sinfulness and thank Him for His grace. Song of Solomon 2:6 says, "His left hand is under my head, and His right had doth embrace me."

Imagine the Most Blessed One embracing you personally and accepting you with the most perfect love and the greatest blessedness.

Is it any wonder that the person who knows Him is moved by that love? "I sleep, but my heart waketh; it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh..." (Song of Solomon 5:2) He loves you with a never-failing love. If He was a person like ourselves, we could understand our indifference. But if He is the Most Blessed of God, then there is nothing in this world that possesses greater meaning.

"He brought me to the banqueting house and His banner over me was love," (Song of Solomon 2:4)

Before you get involved with yourself, get involved with Him who is GOD'S MOST BLESSED ONE. Cut through the tile of the world's roof and get before Him. He is the only ONE who is MOST BLESSED

Bring My Sons From Far

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 01:00:00 EDT

World missions is the greatest work of God taking place in the world today. Put your mind on this great phenomenon. A team of missionaries specifically trained to evangelize and serve the 'elect' on the other side of the globe is sent by a local congregation. Imagine! If Christ is real and there is healing in His wings, then what could be greater?

Hardly can we compare it with anything on the earth: let's send one billion dollars to a foreign people; let's send a group of Peace Corps workers, engineers or English teachers; let's build a steel mill or set us a publishing company in a foreign country. Think of the greatest service imaginable to a foreign people and we don't rise one percent to the height of what Christ does in one heart with the Gospel.

Like the man healed of demons and sitting peacefully in his right mind at the feet of Jesus so likewise all of our converts are absolutely changed. But some people don't notice them. They see the drowned pigs and pray a miserable prayer... Jesus, leave our coasts, please leave us alone.

Are your eyes open? Do you see the value of one changed life, or do you see the messy consequences of the healing... in this case, drowned pigs.

Problems exist in mission work, but do you see the blessing? Do you know the power of His Holy Spirit when we go forward preaching the Gospel into all parts of the world?

Jesus Christ asked the healed man to go home and share with his family what he had done for him. Some time later, the people who asked Him to leave were waiting with anticipation for his return.

We should not stop. People who wished for our departure are today waiting for our return. Perhaps they realized that they also need Jesus Christ. God sends us out with power. He said, "Bring my sons from far and my daughters from the ends of the earth," (Isaiah 43:6).

Another Option

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EDT

We are studying II Corinthians in ABD class and recognizing Paul's God-given skills in hitting the mark.

Spiritual life is unique and experienced only by the death of Adam's self life. Resurrection results in manifestations of unique judgment calls.

There are no moral boxes that are the "end all" of moral conclusion for life. What can we say morally about a tragic car accident? Only that it should not have happened, or someone is responsible.

We go beyond the box to God's mind and see His glory in the face of Jesus Christ. Here, there are no limits. People are "taken out" of the ministry by getting stuck in the "it should not have happened," or "if you had been there my brother had not died." (John 11:21)

The epistle of II Corinthians reveals the other reality. We are a fragrance like roasted lamb that drifts through the air crossing borders and boundaries. Some people hear the railings against God, His people, life itself; others recognize the life of a walk with the living God.

No one has a definitive answer for the mystery we call life except the Mystery we call Christ. He is unique.

Hands of Care

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Once in Kiev, Ukraine, when knocking on doors in a typical Soviet-style apartment block house, we met a sixty-year-old woman who came to the door, started to speak to us, and then broke into tears. Oleg and I listened to her story. She spoke with confidence and then brokenness overwhelmed her. "My husband wants me to poison him. I cannot leave him alone. He is partially paralyzed and I must care for him always."

Through the open door behind her, we could hear her husband crying out to her in tearful muffled tones. Then we could hear him shuffling to the door, saying something and then breaking into tears and weeping. We asked the lady if we could come inside and speak about God to both of them. The apartment was clean with everything neatly in its place. The varnish on the wood parquet floor had worn off years ago. Old electrical appliances with old cords and plugs, like many things in the Ukraine, remind you of those glimpses of life that we got from our parents who lived their childhood in the Depression of the 930's. Linens, table clothes, tapestries, throw rugs, tables, chairs, lamps were all thread bare, dulled, discolored, worn and old.

They sat on the edge of his bed, as Oleg and I started to explain who we were and what we were doing. We spoke about Christ, God, our loving Father who cares for us. She, sitting next to him, would periodically wipe the tears from his face with her fingers and the palm of her hand. With the big, sweeping, careful and gracious movements of her large, softly padded hands, she cared for her husband.

We ministered to them and with reverential attention, they listened to the Bible. We read it, quoted it and encouraged them. He spoke, with intermittent breakdowns of tearful emotions, and then immediately came the sweeping hands and hugs of encouragement from his wife. She buried his old head quickly in her shoulder and madetender rebukes. "Stop it," she would say firmly, but with great love and care. Oleg and I sat and listened and watched. We watched every detail. This is life for these two. We were teachers and students simultaneously. We studied and loved these two people facing tough times. They were both tearful, but those hands of care represented the essence of life. Problems, yes, but life is more than these details. It seemed that behind all of it, there is love. If there is love, there is hope. If God can touch us with His hands, if God cares for us, we can make it... day by day.

Of course, He is enough. We need the simple and real solution for our lives-truth and grace. Perhaps, we will not have this or that-but are not those hands enough for the moment? Aren't God's big sweeping hands enough for us... moment by moment? May God send laborers to the white harvest fields in this world. Let us pray: "Send laborers into the harvest fields with loving hands, big sweeping hands of comfort and love."

This story appears in the book "Field Days" by Pastor Thomas P. Schaller. The book, which features a collection of stories and meditations from Pastor Schaller's days on the international field, can be ordered from Grace Publications (410) 483-3700.

Develop Personal Godly Convictions

Sat, 25 Aug 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Last night, August 15, in our service, we spoke about the need for individual believers to develop godly personal convictions.

We used Aaron as an example of a spiritual marshmallow - a good voice and good speech but when pushed by people he could not stand his ground. Moses had been gone for 40 days and when the people led Aaron in their foolishness he could not stand (Exodus 32:1).

The Lord said that when Aaron would see Moses, he would be glad in his heart. We all need to be with people who walk with God - this helps us in our lives and our convictions.

In his booklet Categorical Meditations: The One Answer to All Problems, Pastor Stevens wrote, "As believers we turn over categories in the Word of God one at a time until they produce personal convictions. We turn them over until we have communion with God in fellowship. We turn them over until the theme of the subject breaks our hearts and we are quickened by the words of meditation. Then as prepared vessels with prepared hearts, we have a prepared message for communication. The Word of God says in Psalm 143:5 'I muse on the work of thy hands.' That means to ponder, reflect, concentrate, focus, reiterate, rehearse, respond. 'While I was musing the fire burned' (Psalm 39:3). 'I will meditate in thy precepts' (Psalm 119:15). Precepts means categories of doctrine. 'I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches,' (Psalm 63:6)."

When sin rises in our heart, we bring it to God and put it on the table in His presence; and then we listen to God. If we confess our sins, He will cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We then walk in faith and believe God for the filling of the Holy Spirit. We meditate on the Word and embrace personal godly convictions that come from those words. The reason why many people struggle with their flesh and live in many temptations is because they have not developed personal, dogmatic thinking that challenges the flesh and its lust patterns.

Get feisty in your walk with God and get stirred in truth. David said that he "will behave wisely in a perfect way.. I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set nothing wicked before my eyes"... (Psalm 101:2,3). When we walk with godly personal convictions then God will give His provision. Make room for God in your heart and mind by faith and He will make all things possible.

Our victory is clear through Jesus Christ. Wow! Taste and see that the Lord is good (1 Peter 2:3) !

A Walk With God

Fri, 27 Jul 2007 00:00:00 EDT

"The Spirit of the Lord began to move him at times" (Judges 13:24)

God had His eye on Samson and wanted to use him. The Holy Spirit moved him. Some people move by soulish impulse. Some people make decisions out of compulsion. Pressured living can make us poor decision-makers. Sometimes we feel that to be sly foxes - always looking back over our shoulders - is the only way to survive.

A walk with God is of utmost importance. When Moses met God at the burning bush, God told him indirectly to slow down and become a worshipper. The Lord said to Moses, "Put off thy shoes from off thy feet" (Exodus 3:5). Surrender, believe, listen and worship. Get out of the way. God will move.

We have seen God moving people in their hearts. Every morning a group of our men meet at 6:30 for prayer.

After service last night, as often happens, we are dismissed but few move. We are still because our hearts are deeply moved. We love being together - on holy ground.

The Spirit of the Lord began to move people, one by one, fitly framing together the Body. If men and women could realize the importance of God's work, they would gain the simplicity of godly living. It is simple and powerful.

Perhaps some will discover, as Samson did, that carrying 800 - 1,200 pound gates more than 50 miles to higher elevation is not difficult when God moves you (Judges 16:3). Could God move you to love your wife, care for your children, forgive your neighbor, leave home and go to Bible School, pack up and head for the mission field? I think so. We have seen it and it was not our work, it was the Lord moving.

Pastor Schaller

The Cross Life

Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:00:00 EDT

In the year 2007 when the world is saying, "Preserve your life, prepare for your future, gain security, and build bigger barns." We say, "Wait a minute; Matthew 6:33: Seek first the kingdom of God, and His Righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you."

We don't know the details of our life five years from today: Where we will be employed, what we will be doing, or if we will be alive. Matthew 6:33 is a verse that never grows old. Seek first the kingdom of God. The question of my life is what is in my heart and how do I think. The world does not teach me how to think with God and the importance of the cross.

In John 12:24, Jesus said, "I assure you most solemnly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies it remains just one grain. It never becomes more." He said this solemnly. He was very serious about this. Life is serious. Life is significant, critical, powerful, important. Do we love our life? Of course, we do. My life -- what is benefiting me, my self-interest, me -- is my primary concern. I am made this way; self-preservation, self-absorption, referencing life to myself. This is our nature, but God offers to us something unique. He says if you love your life you will lose it, but anyone who hates his life in this world, he will keep it to life eternal (John 12:25).

How could I go from loving my life to hating my life? In Galatians 6:14, Paul said this: "But far be it from me to glory in anything or anyone except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah, through whom the world has been crucified to me and I to the world." Far be it from me to glory in anything.

What do we glory in as people? We glory in many things but not the cross. And this is what Paul said: "I don't glory in anything but the cross." This is an attitude that must be cultivated in our lives. It is a surrender of my thoughts; it is bringing every thought into subjection to doctrinal teaching so that my orientation, the background for everything I am doing and thinking, is rooted in truth (2 Corinthians 10:5). This truth is blended with worship. I believe that the only thing that has made my life unique and valuable has been the cross. I believe that when Jesus said lose your life, He was telling us the truth. When I in my heart decide that my life is not about me, but instead it would be better for me to loose my life and gain him, I believe that this mental attitude that the scriptures lead us in is the one thing that we can glory in.

We are in this life only for a short period of time. Why not in my heart decide that it is wise to trust the Lord with all my heart (Proverbs 3:5) and follow him even if it is to my own hurt (Psalm 15:4). If self-preservation is dealt with by a mental attitude that God gives to us at the cross, we will live and walk with an authority in our soul. How is it that you have joy? The cross. How is it that you are motivated in your life? The cross. How is it that there is something different about you? The cross. Why is it you never get really discouraged? The cross. Why is it that you are always moving on with joy, freedom, love, and peace in your heart? The cross.

We can say this: that if. in my heart, I lose my life at the cross, I will gain the presence of God. I will gain the thinking, the wisdom that comes from God. We will gain God's life, God's love, God's way. There will be a mystery governing our lives. Unless the grain of wheat dies it will be alone. But if it dies it produces many others and yields a rich harvest.

Prayer is the cross life. Bible study is the cross life. Obedience to God is the cross life. Loving my enemy and doing good to people that hurt me is the cross life. Living by faith is the cross life. The anointing, powerful prayer, and discipleship come through the cross. Deliverance from sin and true freedom is through the cross. It has changed our lives. It has even made an impact worldwide down through the centuries. It is the key to our future. It is the way to live. It is important. It is serious. It is the way to life and real victory. It Is God's secret. It's the place where God meets man and reveals to man who God really is.

Reality Check

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 EDT

"You fall on the rock and are broken or the rock falls on you and grinds you to powder... And they feared when they heard these words..." Matt. 21:44, 45.

God who is the God of divine order and precept has designed the physical universe with specific parameters. This is obvious to us, even more obvious to those who study its science.

Jesus Christ also said very profoundly "did not He that made the outside (the physical) make the inside also (the soul)." We find it amazing that people are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139). Connected with the order of things and the wonderful design of our soul is the consequence of violating their parameters.

A man falling from a building experiences the law of gravity. It's better for him not to fall. A man lying discovers guilt and complicated thinking. A soul that lives in his prescribed design experiences the benefits. When we violate the rules, we suffer.

More than this are the spiritual laws that the natural man has very little knowledge of and interest in. Man is lost and does not fit. Like a man putting on a three-finger-glove, he struggles not understanding and asking, "Why the problem?" Man has been upright but he has sought out many inventions (Ecclesiastes 7:29).

God made man and addresses his lost state saying if you fall on the rock you will be broken. We can add, using our analogy, your hand will fit in the glove. Falling on the rock could be likened unto submitting and believing the Gospel. Believing, turning to God for life is what is needed. This is why the Gospel must be preached in the world. People believing in Christ happens as a result of preaching. Preaching is the result of preachers. Preachers are the result of healthy teaching and Body life. The glove fits! When our life is blessed with spiritual power and we are at peace with God then the anticipation of our future life with God grows. Faith, hope and charity become the quality attributes of healthy people that fit in the world God made. We should all consider the enormity of our privilege to bring the message that results in the reality of Christ being formed in people. Incredible!

On the other hand, violating these parameters of God, result in the rock falling on us and grinding us to powder. The word picture is graphic. No sympathy, no mercy and no hope. We should have moments of reflection on the nature of the world. Sometimes we think the rock is hanging over our hearts, and the meaning of life is to eat and drink and be merry as much as possible before it falls.

It is coming. Surely people are shocked by the tragedy. Before that day God sends us signals. Life is serious. God warns us along the way. Have we ever been thirsty, hungry, in pain, depressed, lost a friend or loved one? These realities are undeniable and are messages to us. We should fear God. The people in the world should fear God.
Christ must come into our life, or we will be tragically lost and lost forever.

Life will continue forever and ever. The wrath of God is his nature as it relates to violating truth. It is an attribute of God for it is the consequence of His nature being resisted or violated. The wrath of God is not malicious retaliation, any more than a broken body after a fall. It is the predetermined judgment of God on the violation of truth.

Man made in God's image doe not cease to exist; his design and purpose is too high.

The world is either a serious place for people to decide to believe in Christ and find life's real purpose or it is something other and it will tragically, ultimately grind them to powder. There are only two possibilities, not three.

Let us labor with the seriousness of life in mind. Let us labor and consider that men need the message, our work needs laborers, and we will see people broken on the Rock to escape the terrible wrath of God.

Thoughts on Agape Love

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Last week before I left for Eurocon, Pastor John Love handed me a copy of Charles Finney's remarkable message on love entitled Charity Thinketh No Evil published in 1849. On the plane over, I read it and found it full of encouragement, wisdom and profitable instruction. Our European Conference held in Budapest actually revolved around this theme. I am very thankful for how the Holy Spirit used this man to clearly define the nature of the spiritual man and God's love in him. It is absolutely exciting that we have such clear definition for our lives and also realize that this thinking in AGAPE love never fails.

I believe every believer should read and re-read this teaching. Please consider prayerfully this theme and ask God to lead you in this more excellent way. It will deliver us from much trouble and make us useful for His service

- Pastor Thomas Schaller

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The Oberlin Evangelist
Feb 28, 1849
Prof. C.G. Finney

Charity thinketh no evil. --1 Cor. 13:5

The context in which these words stand is doubtless familiar to many of you; but it may not be amiss for me to read it. "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."

You observe that I have selected for my text but one of the many attributes of charity;--namely, that she "thinketh no evil."
In considering this attribute more extensively, I propose,

I. TO INQUIRE WHAT IT IS TO THINK EVIL IN THE SENSE OF THE TEXT;

II. TO SHOW THAT IN THIS SENSE CHARITY THINKETH NO EVIL;

III. TO GIVE SOME OF THE EVIDENCES OF EVIL THINKING;

IV. TO ADDUCE SOME EVIDENCES OF THAT CHARITABLE STATE OF MIND WHICH THINKETH NO EVIL.

I. 1. Thinking evil in the sense of the text includes thinking unjustly. Forming unjust opinions of others, and giving indulgence to feelings in correspondence with our unjust opinions is certainly evil thinking.

2. So is thinking enviously. When envy governs our opinions of others, we are guilty of evil thinking.

So of suspicious thinking. It is another modification of thinking evil. When we are suspicious of others' motives, we think evil of them.
The same is true of all malicious thinking. Thoughts of malice are of course evil.

Nor can we say less of revengeful thoughts. They are evil and only evil, continually. Unkind and ill-natured thoughts partake of the same general character. None can doubt that all such thoughts are intrinsically evil, and not good.

Again, dwelling upon others' faults, real or imputed, is evil-thinking. Even if those faults are real, it is not wise to dwell upon them, certainly not unless we can answer the ends of benevolence by so doing. If we can devise means to correct them, so much thinking as may be necessary for this purpose may be good; but thinking of others' faults for any other than a good object is certain to work evil.

What then shall we say of brooding over those assumed faults of others which are not real but only imputed? Perhaps they owe all their apparent evil to the tinge they get from your morbid imagination, or your jealous heart. In such a case what can be worse than the fermentation of such a mind as yours? It not only wrongs others, but terribly corrodes your own mind. There can be no peace to him who indulges such evil-thinking.

Thinking over personal injuries, whether real or imaginary, is evil. In such a world as this it will often happen that men are really wronged. But even then why should they double and treble the evil resulting to themselves by dwelling upon it, poring over it, talking about it till they get every sensibility of their being on fire? What is the use? None at all. He only spoils his own peace, and the peace of as many others as he can bring under his poisonous influence. Such thinking is surely a great evil.

Worse still if the supposed injury is only imaginary. Then wrong is done to the assumed authors, besides all the mischief to the self-tormenting sufferer who perhaps is himself the only cause of all the evil, resulting first to himself, next to his friends, and last but not least, to the man wrongfully accused of the imaginary injustice. Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth! Is not all thinking which kindles up such fires, "evil?"

II. Charity thinketh no evil.

The word here rendered charity means love. This is its legitimate meaning, and in other passages in the Bible it is usually rendered love. It refers especially to love as the action of a renewed heart--to holy love, and not to any form of the social or domestic instincts. Of this holy love, it is said that it "thinketh no evil." This is popular and not strictly metaphysical language; for in strict phraseology, charity does not think at all; nothing can think except a mind. The meaning therefore is that a charitable mind thinketh no evil. This is plain, and very true.

It is not however implied that charitable men are blind to facts, or that they are incapable of thinking of things as they are. God's mind is all love--supremely under the control of benevolence; and yet He sees evil none the less; thinks of it and estimates its real nature none the less accurately. So of the human mind under the control of love.

Again, charitable minds may misjudge, but cannot really think or do any evil, subjectively considered. In a charitable state they can not consent to say or do anything wrong. For example, charity can not be subjectively unjust. It can never intend injustice. It will always form its judgments honestly, according to its best light. It may form opinions objectively wrong, that is, wrong as to fact--wrong in themselves considered; yet even in forming these it will be subjectively right because under the control of love. For the same reason charity can not be envious or suspicious. There will be the greatest simplicity in such a mind. Conscious of its own uprightness, it will not be looking out for hypocrisy in others. It is remarkable how simple-hearted the charitable mind will always be; so truthful, so upright;--it has no thought of suspecting others, for it seems a stranger to the idea of wrong. But the uncharitable mind is the reverse of this. It is an old adage--"Set a rogue to catch a rogue." He seems to have the art of suspecting, and knows a world of things about the ways and works and signs of the rogue that no honest man should be expected to know.
When you see a man very suspicious, you may usually suspect him. If he is a hypocrite he will suspect others of being hypocrites, for he is very familiar with that state of mind. If he is a liar, a thief or a counterfeiter, it will be easy for him to suspect others of some equally scandalous form of vice.

But on the other hand, the charitable mind is eminently simple-hearted and unsuspicious.

Again, charity cannot be revengeful. It naturally abhors revengeful thoughts. Suppose the charitable man has been injured:--what then? Shall he study revenge? No. He "suffereth long and is kind." It is in his nature to be not revengeful, but kind. Who does not know this? He is inclined to put the best possible construction upon the acts and the motives of others. You do not find him brooding over all the apparent wrong he sees, and magnifying it in his imagination. For example, think of the conduct of parents who really love their children. You do not see them dwell exclusively upon their children's faults, to the entire neglect of their excellencies. Love never does that. Nor can candor and honesty do it. What should you think of a man who should get a telescope of sufficient power to reveal to him one black spot on the sun's disc, and who then gazes at this till it fills his whole vision, and the whole face of the sun seems only black and dark as midnight? You would think him no better than crazy. His mind labors under a hallucination, and does not by any means see things as they are. So of men who gaze at their neighbors' faults till their own minds become so green as to give a greenish hue to every thing they see. The mind seems in some peculiar circumstances to have a wonderful power of unconsciously imparting its own moral complexion to the character it contemplates. Hence a very charitable mind often puts upon the conduct of others a more charitable construction than strict truth will sustain; and much more often on the other hand does an uncharitable mind impart its own dark and foul type to the character which it pretends to delineate.

That is always an ill-natured state of mind which loves to dwell upon others' faults where no interests of benevolence demand it. Think of a husband who is for ever poring over the faults of his wife and has no heart to notice her excellencies. He has only evil and not good to say of her, and the more of evil he finds to think of and talk about, the more his mind is fed and feasted. Is not he a monster? Do you believe that he has the heart of a man within him? Of one thing you may be very sure; he has none of that charity which "thinketh no evil." The charitable husband would be grieved to notice her faults, and certainly would never speak of them unless compelled by the sternest necessity.

The same principle is often developed in the hearing of sermons. Some men notice only the faults they can find; and if a sermon has ninety-nine good qualities and but one of a questionable character, the latter is the only thing thought of, and no pains are spared to discuss and display its demerits. Of course such hearers are only cursed, never benefited, by hearing sermons; no sermon can ever be good enough to bless their souls. They will lose all the good by watching for anticipated and desired evil. Of course you would not say that such hearers are in a charitable state of mind.

A charitable man cannot dwell upon injuries received. It grieves him to think of them, and he will of choice banish them entirely from his mind unless some important interests or rights are so involved as to demand his attention to them. He finds more pleasure in dwelling upon the good received than upon the evil.

III. Some evidences of evil thinking next demand our attention.
Some things under this head have already been anticipated. Hence I shall be the more brief now.

Evil speaking of course evinces a state of evil thinking; for "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh."

Evil treatment makes the same development. Some men don't like to speak out all they think, but they can not easily prevent its working itself out in their actions. Their looks and their whole demeanor will show it. Perhaps they refuse to exchange the common tokens of civility, and will not even shake hands--their state of mind is so uncharitable.

A disposition to find fault with others is an evidence of evil thinking. How remarkable that some men say almost nothing else but in the way of fault-finding. If they attempt to speak or pray, fault-finding is uppermost. If they speak in a church meeting, you can anticipate the strain of their remarks--always some form of fault-finding. It seems as if the man was forever brooding over the faults of his brethren. He sees no bright spots ever in any brother or in any church. His temper is morose and crabbed;--he is a natural-born Arab;--his hand is against every man and every mans' hand against him. You may always know that his bosom is the prey of perpetual evil thinking.

A disposition to complain of the ill-treatment received from others is another evidence. Fall into conversation with him where you will, he is complaining of having been injured. Somebody has injured him, and it engrosses his mind to the exclusion of almost every thing else. This man is given to evil thinking.

Another evidence of evil thinking is a disposition to complain of being neglected. Some persons have a world of trouble on this score--alas, they are always overlooked; nobody cares as much for them as in their humble opinion they deserve. This state of mind becomes a source of great uneasiness. It proves that they are given to evil thinking.

Others show their evil thinking by a disposition to question the purity of other's motives. You see some people who can scarcely ever believe that their neighbors and acquaintance are really what they profess to be. It seems most natural to them to assume that every body besides themselves is dishonest. It may happen that all appears right in their neighbor's conduct. "Well," in such a case they will say--"that will do--if--IF he is honest in it." Now you may know without an if that such men are evil thinkers. Their very souls are putrid with jealousy and suspicion. They can not even put a good construction upon what appears unexceptionable.

The same is true substantially of those who are always disposed to question the piety of others. A man may do some things which are entirely wrong, and yet his general character may be so good that you have no sufficient reason to question his piety. In such a case let charity prevail.

You sometimes see the evidence of evil thinking in a slowness to credit professions of repentance and sincerity. Sometimes there may be good reasons for being slow in this matter. I speak of cases where the backwardness is not really warranted by anything in the individual's character, or in the present circumstances.

Evidence of evil thinking is seen sometimes in a readiness to question the truthfulness of others. On this point it should be considered that men may state what is really false, and yet be in heart entirely truthful. They may misapprehend the real state of the facts, may truthfully state the case as they understand it. I have heard during my life thousands of men state things which I knew to be false; yet I did not for this reason feel authorized to say they lied. To assume that they lie is uncharitable--so long as it may be the case that they misapprehend the facts. Memory is sometimes at fault, and sometimes the man may be in real fault for lack of care to inform himself of the certainty of what he affirms; but charity forbids us to put any man down a liar till we are well assured that he affirms for truth what he knows to be false.

The disposition to impute lying to a man on the slightest occasion should be reprobated as in the highest degree uncharitable. Often the mere fact of a man's stating what is not true affords scarcely the shadow of evidence that he lies. We must not believe the man lies unless the circumstances utterly forbid the charitable conclusion.

A readiness to hear evil is another indication of a state of mind which thinks evil. Sometimes persons will not allow themselves to originate evil reports, but will take them up, believe and circulate them without scruple. It is remarkable that the Bible places these two classes--the originator and the receiver of evil reports--on the same footing, for it promises an abiding place in God's holy will to him "that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor." Whoever therefore takes up a reproach against his neighbor, saying, "Aha, aha, so would we have it"--may be known as one that "thinketh evil."

Moreover, when men manifest a readiness not only to hear but to believe evil reports of others, you may know they are evil thinkers.
An unhappy state of mind is often an evidence, for it is a development of thinking evil. From the very laws of mind, such persons are always unhappy. You never see persons of evil thinking habits whose countenances shine with the joy of their hearts. Show me an uncharitable man, and I will show you an unhappy man.

Men who are discontented with their present position are wholly given to evil thinking. Mark those men who cannot bear the neighborhood they live in; those students here who are forever uneasy, rasped, vexed, discontented--who want to get away, and are forever restive for some change; mark them I say; for if you could know the bottom of their hearts, you would find evil thinking there. They are brooding over the dark features of others' character and conduct, and practically forget that there are many good things in almost all men and all situations. Uncharitableness breeds misery and discontent.

A general want of confidence in others betrays a heart of evil thinking. You see some who seem to have lost confidence in every body. The Psalmist once said in his haste "all men are liars." If you read that psalm and mark his state of mind you will see that he seemed not to know whom to trust. He didn't believe any body is pious. He has no confidence in any man. The trouble lies--at least in part with himself; his heart is thinking evil continually.

Another evidence is the absence of pain in view of any exhibition of uncharitableness. For example, if you hear persons speak uncharitably and it does not give you pain, you have great reason to suspect yourself of an uncharitable mind. If your own mind were deeply imbued with love, you could not fail of being shocked whenever you hear uncharitable speaking.

An indisposition to pray for others is yet another evidence. I do not now allude to cases where Christians have no ill feelings at all towards others, and yet for reasons to themselves unknown seem to gain no access to God in prayer for them; but I allude to cases in which men have such a state of uncomfortable feeling towards certain persons that they feel no spirit to pray for them. Such a sign is ominous.

Finally, evil thinkers may be known by their not rejoicing at the prosperity of others, and not mourning in their adversity. Whoever finds this to be the case with himself may know that he has an uncharitable mind.

IV. The evidences of a charitable state of mind, which thinketh no evil, are the very opposite of those which I have just been adducing. Where men do not speak evil of others, but speak well, where their treatment of others is benevolent and kind; where instead of fault-finding, you see a disposition to vindicate, apologize for, and commend; where there is no apparent love of dwelling upon others' faults, but a delight in dwelling upon their virtues; in all such cases you see evidences of a charitable spirit.

The charitable man is not morose, but cheerful; wishes no man evil but every man well; if ill-treated, does not complain, nor is disposed to dwell upon it; don't know as he has any enemies,--certainly does not feel as if he had; for although he may know the fact as Christ did in his own case, yet like Christ it is in his heart to say--"Father, forgive for they know not what they do." He loves to overlook injuries, and is by no means disposed to dwell upon them.

Some men always think they are persecuted and wronged--suppose everybody is their enemy; while others seem never to dream of any such thing. You hear them remark--such a man thinks ill of me, but he is misinformed; he doesn't mean any wrong. You have seen such persons; their state of mind is so sweet that they don't seem to think any body can do them any harm. In a charitable state of mind, it is very natural that they should take this view. They manifest no disposition to regard themselves as neglected by others. A pastor who visits his people occasionally, has often a good opportunity to notice the great difference which obtains among persons in this respect. I call on one family, and in the course of our conversations I observe, "It is a long time since I have seen your family at your own home." "Yes," the reply is, "I thought my pastor had neglected me. I began to think he never would visit us again."

I call on another family; I remark to them that it seems a long time since I have seen them; but they have not a word to say about being neglected; no they say--"We know you have a great deal to do--so much to do that we could not expect you to turn aside from your urgent and more important duties, to see us; we are all exceedingly glad to see you--but really we never could blame you if you should not call upon us." Sometimes such a family will go much farther in excusing me than I can in excusing myself, so that I have often felt ashamed and condemned by their apologies for me. Now all this is natural for a charitable mind; but if the mind is in an uncharitable state, every thing is horribly distorted.

Again, those whose minds are charitable have no disposition to question the purity of others' motives. They love to put the best admissible construction upon every man's conduct. Herein is fulfilled that truthful and beautiful sentiment--"Charity shall cover a multitude of sins."
REMARKS.

1. Many think evil who do not speak it. Often such persons take great credit to themselves for not speaking evil, when really they are thinking a great deal of evil. The reason they do not speak evil is not because their hearts are full of love and good will; but perhaps because they have not a good opportunity, or because some motives of policy restrain them. It is a great mistake to be proud of such virtue.

2. Many forget that charity thinketh no evil. It seems to escape their minds that the law of love reaches to the heart and to the most secret thoughts.

3. Evil thinkers are for the time being impenitent. Theirs is not a religious state of mind. This is most manifest, for nothing can be religious which is not charitable. The uncharitable man, remaining such, can have nothing really good about him.

4. This state of mind is exceedingly deceptive. The uncharitable man dwells so much and so intensely upon the faults of others, and gets so much excited by his own thinking and talking on the subject, that he makes himself think that he ought to be uncharitable. Oh, he has been so egregiously wronged; he would forfeit all self-respect if he did not resent it and manifest his indignation. Those fearful wrongs done himself--how they fill the whole field of his vision, and seem to be the greatest wrongs that ever fell to the hard lot of any mortal. And can it be wrong for him to dwell upon them and condemn their author?

5. Those who sympathize with each other in this state of mind can see neither their own nor each other's faults. All being alike in an uncharitable state of mind, they are unfit to judge correctly of the moral quality of their own, or of each others' moral exercises. The same causes which blind the uncharitable man to his own sins, blind him also to the sins of his neighbor, provided those sins sustain and vindicate his own. Hence where a church falls into an uncharitable state of mind, there is the less hope of any remedy originating from themselves. Hand joins in hand, and heart sustains heart in defense of uncharitableness. Their moral state becomes dark indeed, and the prospect of any improvement is gloomy.

6. The manifestations of this state of evil thinking are often odious and shocking. Sometimes men make these manifestations without being themselves aware of it. I recollect the case of a minister who once spent some time at our house. After he had gone, one of the children said, "Don't you think Mr. ___, has a bad spirit?" "Why do you ask that question?" "Because he is finding fault with every body." If ever I see him again, I mean to tell him what impression his conversation made on my children. I have warned him against this practice of evil-speaking, and I can not acquit my conscience without rebuking him again.

It is astonishing that a man can be so blind as not to see such things in himself. But there are men who will manifest a spirit which will shock even a child, and yet be quite unconscious of being in a bad state of mind.

7. Our own blindness and self-conceit make us think ourselves abused when we are not. Hence a man may regard the treatment he received from others as wholly wrong, when it is really occasioned by his own position and circumstances. If this man is honest and candid, and should come to see things as they are, he would cry out--"I certainly have deserved a thousand times more than I have received. I once thought myself wronged, but I have changed my views. I now see that the wrong was chiefly and perhaps wholly on my side." I have known cases of this sort. Men are sometimes so blind to their faults, that they cannot bear to have others say of them what is most just. It is hence common for men to attribute to others a bad spirit, when if they saw things as they are, they would see that themselves are chiefly in fault.

8. Just apprehensions of ourselves would often remove the temptation to think hard of others. When you come to estimate yourself rightly, you no longer wonder that men should think evil of you. So I have found it in my own case. Hence, when men feel themselves tried, they would do well to say--Is there not a cause? This is always wise; for it may be that a candid self-scrutiny will put the whole matter in a new light before our own minds. It certainly can do no harm for us to ask--Now really, am I not full as bad as others think me to be? In very many cases you will find by honest searching of yourself, that there lies the cause!

When persons find themselves tempted to take a wrong view of a matter, instead of brooding over the wrong, they should ask--What does God intend by this in his providence? Lord, search me--let him say--Lord search me, try me, and know my thoughts, and let me see whether these people are not thy rod. As Shimei cursed David, and David said--"Let him curse; the Lord hath bidden him"; so we should look upon those who speak evil of us, when we are ourselves conscious of having occasioned it. In such a case what have we to do that we should retaliate? God has designed it for our good, and it becomes us to receive it from his hand. Let us then inquire--May there not be some truth in these charges or these insinuations? Is it not for some good reason that the Lord has permitted the tongue of evil men to run loose against me? What is the lesson which God in his providence would teach me by these things?

Right over against this is the other course--"I do well to resist and repel; somebody has spoken evil of me, and I am a grievously abused man." Now shall I take this course under reproach? No. I would as soon take arsenic. Shall I cry out--"Oh, I have been abused--My God, take my part, for I am greatly abused"? No; let me rather say--O, my God, what wouldst thou teach me? Wouldst thou have me pray for my enemy? Then let me do it. If a man has smitten out my right eye, let me first inquire what God means by permitting such an event. And moreover, let me also inquire, not only what provocations they actually have, but what they may think they have. How often have I wished that I could see myself through other people's eyes! I should love to place myself in their position, and ask how things look from their stand-point of observation. Perhaps they are so situated as to know only the evil things of my character and conduct. It was so even of Jesus Christ. Those who knew Him only through the wicked Scribes and Pharisees would of course hear no good of Him, and much evil--not indeed, in his case, evil that He had ever done, but evil that they alleged against Him.

9. Evil-thinkers are self-tormentors. This has been intimated before. A man who is continually brooding over the real or supposed faults of others, the injuries he has received, and the evil that others have done, is in any other than a desirable state of mind. He renders himself completely wretched, and from the very nature of mind can not be otherwise. We see some men in almost every community who seem to be always unhappy, discontented. They are complainers, murmurers, fault-finders, and are a source of vexation to themselves, greatly to be pitied, and greatly to be blamed.

10. Again, evil-thinkers are a curse to their families. If either fathers or mothers allow themselves to think evil, they almost of course become censorious and fill the minds of their children and all over whom they have influence with prejudices against others. They so often speak of the faults, real or supposed, of their neighbors, and oftentimes of their nearest friends that they create the impression in their family that these persons are not to be trusted. Consequently the minds of the family become filled with evil thoughts, evil-surmisings and suspicions which work like poison itself through the moral heart and constitution of the whole family. It is remarkable to witness the state of religion in a great many families, owing manifestly, at least in a great degree, to the fact that some influential member of the family, perhaps the father or the mother, is in the habit of indulging evil thoughts, and of manifesting these thoughts either in conversation or in conduct to the family. A man can in scarcely any way be a greater and more sure curse to his family than by such a course as this. See that man who is a father. He seldom speaks in such a way to his family as to give them confidence and charity towards any of his neighbors. He brings home little else to their ears than the evil reports of the neighborhood in respect to every body about him. His family soon become a band of evil-thinkers and evil-speakers, and slander is the order of the day.

11. An evil thinker is a curse to the church of which he is a member. He does much to undermine Christian confidence, create prejudices and alienate feelings. He is a root of bitterness, springing up and troubling the church. He is suspicious of his minister, has little confidence in his brethren. He broods over their faults, without seeing or commending their virtues. He finds fault. He makes his minister and his brother an offender for a word, and overlooks what is excellent and of good report. The sooner a church can get rid of such a member, the better for them.

12. An evil-thinker is a great stumbling-block to the world. What can be a greater stumbling-block to the world, than for a professor of religion to overlook all the virtues, and retail all the failings, real or supposed, of his brethren. How greatly do ungodly men feel themselves strengthened in their opposition to the church when they get the countenance and support of such a man as this.

Again, a charitable mind insures peace and quietness of spirit. An individual who thinketh no evil, but who "hopeth all things and endureth all things," has that peace and quietness of mind to which all other persons are strangers.

Again, we see how to account for the discontent and unhappiness of a great many persons in the church and out of the church. You mark one of these discontented spirits when and where you will, and will find that they are evil-thinkers, that they are ready to say, or have said in their hearts--"All men are liars."

Again, how important it is to control the thoughts aright; important to our peace, important to our own usefulness, important to our own salvation, important to the peace and usefulness and salvation of all around us. A great many people seem to lose sight of the great importance to themselves and others of obeying this precept of the apostle, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

Copyright (c)1999, 2000. Gospel Truth Ministries
Used with authorization, This file is not be changed in any way, nor to be sold. www.gospeltruth.net

How Close Does Evil Come?

Wed, 21 Feb 2007 01:00:00 EDT

Jesus Christ said that the kingdom of heaven can be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while the man slept, someone came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. "An enemy hath done this," said the man.

Notice two phenomena: The growth of wheat and then the invasion of "lying-wheat" next to them. The parable further reveals that the man who owned the field says, "Let them grow together until the harvest" (see Matthew 13:24-30). Truth is planted and the lie takes its own preferred place next to it. They continue growing together, one very close to the other. Lucifer, in heaven, challenged the living God and started his allowed trafficking. Lucifer traveled through heaven among the angels propagating his lie. How could God allow the devil to work in heaven right next to the truth? One third of the angels fell as a result of the lie. There are many illustrations of this phenomenon.

This is awesome because it is first a reflection on God's nature, and secondly it reveals something of His plan.

First, God is very secure. If God allows for the lie to express itself right under the nose of truth without flinching, then it speaks of God's uncontrolling nature. Only authoritative, controlling, insecure people will eliminate all opposition immediately. But God allowed Satan in the Garden of Eden after He planted it. God allows the lie because He shows us that the strength of truth in the heart is REAL STRENGTH. When we see it, we fall in love with it. Why would Jesus Christ allow Judas Iscariot to handle the moneybag knowing he was a thief? Does God allow the lie, the work of evil to come very close to Him and to us? Does He use evil as a tool to reveal His nature of love and truth? When Christ stood before Pilate, the lies had been sown in Jerusalem and were working here and there throughout the country.

The phenomenon continues today. It is a wonder that the Almighty God of the universe allows such trafficking across the planet. It is actually a chief criticism by unbelievers against the existence of God: Why is there such evil in the world?

When Christ silently stands before Pilate, He is also speaking. As He is manifesting security in the presence of a lie, our hearts are drawn to the virtues of His patience, kindness, longsuffering, and strength of wisdom. Ecclesiastes 9:16 says that wisdom is better than strength.

If God allowed Balaam to teach idolatry and fornication in the camp while Moses is in the tabernacle worshipping, if God allowed Israel to have a king that will do them great harm, and if God allowed Solomon to be influenced by foreigners taking the nation away, then we see not only God's security but we also realize that His plan has depth.

If we were in charge of this world, we'd get rid of all the poisoning elements, wring our hands and say, "That's that," sit down, and have a glass of iced tea. After we dealt with all our enemies and looked at everything we created we would say, "Anybody have any questions?" Would free will be free will if evil could not come as close as our own hearts? If we could not hear the lie whispered in the garden - "you shall not surely die" - then would we have a test in our hearts? Would we have a meaningful choice? Would the free will in our hearts be exercised? Would we have meaningful relatedness?

God allowing evil to come close to us is the evidence of His security and, secondly, the evidence of the depth of His plan. He wants a unique people. He wants a people born in the crucible of choice. He has designed the world so that it is possible to lose our way. It is possible to be misled, deceived, and tricked - not in a short game with simple temporary effects- but, fearfully, in real life where there is the risk of everlasting consequences. Why would God run such a risk of great loss? He made the world this way with the interest of making a people, a unique people. If it was not so, how would we have meaningful relationship with Him and with the world?

By our new birth, we are equipped and promised all we need to live in the truth. The Holy Spirit's ministry is to reveal to us the value of our choices. We live as a constant object of God's love and care with unwavering guarantees of our ultimate destiny by the boundless grace of God through His Son Jesus Christ. We should be well taught and very much grounded in our new state of uncontestable favor with God. From this position, we can approach the awesome privilege of living in a dark and evil world.

In this world, we recognize that God is not simply eliminating all opposition with the wave of His hand. Rather, He is showing us His nature and revealing the privilege we have of embracing Him in the presence of our enemies. The truth is rolled around on our tongue while the lie is breathing down our neck. The result of our privilege is the sense that God trusts us.

Trust is at the heart of all relationship. If God whispers in our hearts "well done," then we know it has meaning. We have had a thousand initiations of lies that contested everything - but we decided, embraced, walked, and deeply rejoiced in God who reveals truth to us. At the end, all believers will not be judged as to how close evil came to them, but rather as to how they embraced the truth in their hearts and walked in it. Believers will not be judged regarding how things appeared - but rather on what they in their hearts believed and embraced.

There is great rejoicing among those believers who experience God's nature now. How great it will be when we realize that God has had great pleasure in us while we chose Him in the contest. Amen.

Taking a Lickin'

Tue, 23 Jan 2007 01:00:00 EDT

Recently, while flying to Peru, I reflected on this Proverb: "He who spares his rod hates his son but he who loves him disciplines him diligently" (Proverbs 13:24).

Would it be wrong for God to discipline us, if He tells us to do so with our own children? The danger of any discipline is the possibility of a seed of bitterness growing up in our hearts. I've met people who have turned away from God because of how they feel about how they have been treated. Hebrews 3 warns us "Take care, brethren, lest there should be in any one of you an evil unbelieving heart in falling away from the living God"(Hebrews 3:12).

Could we say that the believer's humility and walk of faith is tested when we are dealt the rod? In Hebrews 12, we read, "All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness. Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble and make straight paths for your feet so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed," (Hebrews 12:12-13).

We are living in an age and culture where it is not positive to talk about "taking a lickin'" in life. Life should be positive, successful, and happy. This reminds me of the 400 false prophets who told Ahab what he wanted to hear. I'd rather search for the Elijah or the Paul who lives a high quality life. Living high quality life teaches us that "beatings" are a normal part of successful living. These are not physical beatings, but rather "searchings of the heart."

We may feel confused, ashamed, or guilty. We may fail in the presence of our brothers. We may be ridiculed, derided, mocked, laughed at, teased, taunted, scorned, publicly embarrassed, or found hopeless and helpless. We may be poor, abused, physically hurt and have no permanent address (no certain dwelling place), but consider Psalm 141:5: "Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head."

Why wouldn't we learn to be admonished by the Scriptures, by the Word, by the Message, by our brothers in Christ?

Wouldn't we rather take a lickin' and learn Christ in this world, so we glorify our heavenly Father very much? We do our churches a disservice if we do not lead our people into the deep waters of suffering well. How can I help others to suffer well if I myself have not found the preciousness of that in my own heart?

It is frightening when we as pastors and believers can no longer take admonition, when we no longer continue in the face of opposition or difficulty. Many of our brothers and sisters in persecuted countries show us how to take a lickin'.

It would be ridiculous to think that the church isn't to have any fight in it -- no contention, no correction, no rod, no Elijah, no David, or no Paul. Ask any NFL player going to playoffs if beatings and lickin's are not part of the path to success. If Einstein, Microsoft, the New York Stock Exchange were always right and never corrected, confronted, and readjusted, then would they in the real world mean anything?

Let the Lord shame us and drag us before the magistrates. Let the Lord call us to the foolishness of preaching and the foolishness of the Cross. If we can take a lickin', then the Holy Spirit will show us His power and His healing.

Pulpits grounded in knowing Christ in the midst of deep trouble manifest the power of God. God is on the side of the afflicted - God gives an answer when we don't know how to answer. There is a great mystery in all of this. May we always and continually love to see His work and His hand when we are afflicted. "He hath torn and He will heal us, He hath smitten and He will bind us up" (Hosea 6:2). A trained ear can bear the testimony of these people who have learned the secret of taking a lickin' from our Heavenly Father.

Yes, Lord, please lead us in this marvelous mystery of grace.
Pastor Schaller

Defining The Work of God

Sat, 16 Dec 2006 01:00:00 EDT

"Jesus said unto [His disciples], My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work." (John 4:34). "But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work" (John 5:17). In other words, "The Father is working up until now, and I am also working with My Father." "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work" (John 9:4). What does it mean, "I must work the works of him that sent me"? Jesus was healing the blind man in this chapter. That is the work of God. In Matthew 8, Jesus met the leper, and He healed him. In John 6, Jesus spoke to His disciples and then multiplied the bread. He was doing the work of public ministry through the Holy Spirit until it was time to go to the Cross. At that time, He stopped His public ministry, and He was revealed as the Lamb, slain from the beginning (Revelation 13:8), that takes away the sin of the world.

Though the crucifixion was seen in public, we could not see that as the Lamb on the Cross, He was both the expiation and the propitiation for our sin-an offering made unto God on our behalf, satisfying both the judgment and the justice of God for the penalty of our sin. That work was done out in the open so that everyone could see the salvation of our God (Isaiah 52:10).

"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up" (John 3:14). "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me" (John 12:32).

This is the work of God. Creation, and He did it. Redemption, and He did it. Now what is He doing? In 2 Corinthians 5:20, it says that we are here in His place, in His stead-ambassadors representing the kingdom of God. He sent the Holy Spirit into our lives, and He is ministering to us, in us, and through us.

Seeing the Grace of God

"And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision" (Galatians 2:9).

When the others saw Paul, they saw that he had personally received the grace of God. They saw him as a Spirit-filled believer. They knew about his background as one who persecuted believers, but now he was different. Perhaps he had a beautiful smile. We don't know. But when they saw his countenance, his spirit, his heart, his words, and his attitude, they saw the grace that was given unto Paul for his personal life.

Secondly, they extended the grace of God in fellowship. We not only have grace for our personal life. We also have grace for our fellowship.

We give the right hand of fellowship to our brothers and our sisters. We are not policemen. We are ministers of grace, and we say, "Grace, grace" unto that mountain (Zechariah 4:7), for this is the work of God in this period. Someday we will be finished, and He will say, "It is done, for I am Alpha and Omega." We will enter into an eternal age where there is no question or doubt, no shame or guilt, no fear or insecurity. But now there is a work of God and the work of grace.

Extending Grace to Others

We see it all the time. We love each other in the Holy Spirit, and out of our bellies flow rivers of water (John 7:38). God has commanded a blessing where we are. "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1). It is the work of God, the work of grace, among us. We do not shun people. We do not judge people's motives. Instead, we give the right hand of fellowship that was extended to Paul and to Barnabas because they saw the grace of God. This right hand of fellowship is the characteristic of our heart, our spirit, our mind, and our life. It is the life that we now live.

The third work of God, as we see in Galatians 2:9, is reaching out to the lost: "...that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision." Grace was seen in Paul and he was given the right hand of fellowship. And then they had the faith and the grace to believe that they were to go on and to reach out and to touch. It says, "that we should go unto the heathen."

We could change that word and say, "Go unto various people groups." Beginning with the apostles, we go unto the various ethnic groups throughout the earth. In India alone, there are 17,500 different people groups with hundreds of languages. It would seem impossible, but they had the right hand of fellowship. They had the grace of God that they knew was with them, and they had the desire and the vision to go into the world with the Gospel message. They believed that Paul and Barnabas were to go unto the heathen and they were to go to the circumcision, to the Jewish people, because grace does that.

Health to Thy Bones

Grace makes us healthy on the inside. Grace builds us up with words, Kingdom words in our heart and spirit. Grace gives us a vision for the regions beyond. When you are healthy on the inside, this is God's work, and He is still working. Jesus finished His work on the Cross, and then on that third day, the Father did a great work for us when He raised up His Son, our Savior.

Then God sent the Holy Spirit into us. This is the work that God is doing until the day when all the tears will be wiped away, when the world that we live in will be perfect, when we will be absolutely glorified state personally, and we will live in a universe that is perfected. Until that day, this is the work that we are doing right here. First, we perceive that we are objects of grace. Next, with love in our hearts we give the right hand of fellowship to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Then, we are here for the various people in the world who have not heard the Gospel. We are here on the earth to have a ministry and to do the work that God has sent us to do.