BEHOLDING HIS GLORY
October 2006	Volume V Number 02

”But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. “ (2 Corinthians 3:18)

THOUGHTS FOR CONSIDERATION:

Greetings again my Brethren. Let us continue to look at our critical need for God’s revelation in our lives. Again God measures man not by how long he can preach or speak in tongues or by how many people are healed when he prays, but God measures man by how much revelation of God they possess. Revelation and authority are the two measures of man by God. How much does the man know God, His ways, and how does that man handle spiritual authority. The more man knows God the more of God’s authority God will be able to trust the man with. It is no wonder the church of today is anaemic and powerless it has a works complex (building, doing, creating) and not a knowing (personal experiences of God’s dealing and judgments in our lives) complex. We are to know the person of God and not just His power and presence. And it is through revelation (enlightenment) we come to know God and His ways. It is through these times of revelation and experiences we come to know God. It is during these times of revelation and experiences God uses to conform us into the image of His dear sweet Son Jesus Christ. In short no revelation no knowing God, thus no spiritual growth and development.

There is a process and a condition we must meet in our lives before we can receive revelation from God. The condition we have already discussed; brokenness and obedience. And the process is quite simplistic, like God, but allusive also like God. The more we met the condition to receive revelation the easier we will be able to hold it and use it correctly. The process begins because God sheds His light in our spirit causing a burden in our spirit. Now this thought just amazes me. How God can cause a burden in our spirit. The light flashes as a fleeting ray; it requires our thought to fix this light firmly or else it will simply fade away. The more we are still and quiet before God the more light will be shone in our spirit. As we practice being silent before God and as He gives us light we are able to hold it. After the thought succeeds in fixing the light we will need to seek God for words perhaps just a few words which can interpret that light given by God. While thinking you may think of some words which you later write down. Or we may sense something which we utter afterwards. Then we voice the feelings, decision, or opinion we have in a particular matter. As we express our inward feelings, decision, or opinion the burden in our spirit begins to diminish. The more we talk the more the light in our spirit which has been fixed by our thoughts is released. As we are speaking, writing, or thinking God accepts it as His word because we have been so thoroughly wrought upon by Him. This is the ministry of the word. We only receive light and burden in us; the feelings, decision, and opinion, are our own. But as we think, feel, and decide God gives us a few words to enable us to express our thoughts. We then in turn share these words from God with others. How imperative then for man to rise high in the Spirit so as to be a minister of the word. Any defect in thinking, feeling, or emotions will disqualify us from being a minister of the word. This is why the Bible again and again talks about renewing our mind. Paul tells us, “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;” (Ephesians 4:23) Remember it is our mind that is the battleground for our soul. Paul again shares, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” (Philippians 2:5) Many Christians are often stirred and thrilled concerning putting on the whole armor of God. But how many are equally stirred and thrilled about arming themselves with the mind of Christ. That sounds good to every Christian until they find out what it is. In 1 Peter 4:1 it is suffering in the flesh. “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;“ (1 Peter 4:1) In Philippians 2:5-8) it is becoming a servant. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: ⁶Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: ⁷But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: ⁸And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8) Not to arm ourselves with the mind of Christ leaves us exposed. The preaching and teaching that moves with the desires of the flesh wounds souls not armed with the mind of Christ. When the self-centered desires are not realized the soul is devastated. Peter also tells us, “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;” (1 Peter 2:11) If we do not think like Jesus thought, then we are subject to the thinking that is rampant in many Spirit-filled circles today. No suffering in the flesh! No wonder there is no ceasing from sin.

The responsibility of a minister of the word is great since he is to speak for God according to his (not God’s but ours) feelings, thoughts, opinions, and judgments. If our feelings, thoughts, opinions, and judgments are wrong then all we say will be wrong. Thus we must allow God to work in our lives, through His dealings and judgments, to a place where our most delicate feelings can fully represent God’ feelings. It is independent and personal, yet dependent and of God. God never ceases to fashion us according to the image of Christ. The Holy Spirit is in the man fashioning, building, and organizing till the character of the Lord is gradually produced and stabilized in him. As the Holy Spirit works and builds the man is changed from glory to glory. More next month on revelation and other related topics.

ARTICLE REVIEW:

God Getting Our Attention

For us to do the things God has planned and purposed for our lives He must be able to get our attention. Getting man’s attention seems to be something God has problems with. God loves His children whom He has created very much and will stop at nothing, short of bending our will, to get our obedience. God comes to us first in His love, grace, and mercy this is the wonderful story of the Gospel, but if God cannot get our attention with His mercy, grace, and love then He will use other means and ways such as His judgments and wrath to get our attention. For many Christians this is a real revelation. Most Christians refuse to believe a loving God would not draw His children to His side through harsh dealings to get us to our knees. The Bible is full of examples of God dealing harshly with man to get his attention. In Isaiah we read, “That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. ⁷I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.” (Isaiah 45:6-7) Many Christians reject these verses. We cannot choose what verses we want to believe, it is either we believe all or we believe none of the Bible. The word “evil” here in the Greek is often translated calamity. What, God creates calamity? Yes my dear friend read the Bible. Yes a loving God creates calamity to get our attention so that we might get back on track with the things He has for us to do. What, God creates darkness? Yes my friend God creates darkness so that we may be able to learn to lean on Him as we come into the light He has purposed for our lives. Every time the Children of Israel or anyone in the Bible got off track God brought, when His mercy and grace did not get their attention, calamity to get them to bring them to their knees and to get them back on track. It seems from our knees we have just enough light to see the way we should go. When God brings His judgments and wrath on His children it seems He always uses one’s enemies and other things of His creation to get their attention. Many Christians still today do not believe on 11 September 2001 God was trying to get our attention. Well my friends was it not the enemies (whom we are to pray for) of America who flew our own planes into the World Trade Centers and the Pentagon taking the lives of almost 3,000 people? Did these planes go unnoticed by God? Did they take God by surprise? Is not God in control of the heavens? And now we have a hurricane (named by man) called Katrina which means pure, to make pure, or to purify. Is not God in control of the winds and the waves? God always uses His ways and means through the things He creates to judge the sin of man. Here in New Orleans, Mississippi, Alabama, and all of the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina God, in His loving mercy and grace, has again judged America and found her wanting. This time I believe the death toll could be twice what it was on 11 September 2001. And if America does not turn her heart back towards God and humble herself under His mighty hand, as led by a repentant Church, the next time (and it will happen) the death toll will be double what Hurricane Katrina cost in lives for disobedience, selfish delights for fleshly Mardi Gras and gambling. “ . . . for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. ⁶Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: “ (1 Peter 5:5-6) In the Jacksonville paper (5 September 2005) on the front page was the picture of a man sitting in great despair from the devastation with his head in his hands, but turn the page and you can read of the Southern Decadence Parade (a week long gay festival second only to Mardi Gras) which was held in the French Quarter last Sunday. Jesus said, “And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12) In the face of great loss of life and hope many in New Orleans exalted themselves through their lustful homosexual and decadent ways, in open defiance to God, refusing to humble them selves “under the mighty hand of God.”

Make no mistake Church of America, God will not allow America to thumb her nose at Him forever. God will not allow the Church to play fast and loose forever. God will not allow the Church of America, who He has raised up for a time like this to share the Gospel around the world, to exist in her fleshly pursuits and desires for popularity, fame, ambition and a feel good religion. God hates this spirit of bigger, nicer, and better. God hates our self-exalting and self-seeking approach to Him with our emotions and feelings and not our heart and spirit. Well my friend this is wrong thinking out from wrong teaching and a wrong heart condition towards God and man. God takes great exception and will bring us to our knees one way or the other. “He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” (Proverbs 29:1) The spiritual well-being of a country reflects the heart and desires of its spiritual leaders. Let us be honest and face the truth. Many spiritual leaders in America have gotten off track and are drunk with the spirit of bigger, nicer, and better. Many spiritual leaders today desire popularity, fame, are ambitious, and go after a feel good religion that will allow them riches of this world instead of teaching truth from the word of God. And because of this, even in the face of God’s loving grace and mercy, “shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” Let us be honest and face the truth. We the Church of America collectively have failed to get the true message out to America and the world. We have our part of shame in God’s judgment and wrath. We must do better. We must fall to our knees, “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17) We, the Church, are the house of the Lord and judgment begins with us. Brethren we must not allow this special time of God’s dealings and judgments with America get lost in all of man’s strength of salvation through wonderful organizations such as the Red Cross and others. After 9-11 God was after repentance, but America gave Him patriotism. God is still after repentance. Now please do not misunderstand me this all is needed, but the main focus for man’s salvation must come from broken people as they share the glorious message of the Gospel, “saved by grace, not by works unless any man would boast.” I watched a very well know black TV evangelist and pastor squandered his God-given opportunity by telling the world what his church has done to help the people in New Orleans. Who cares? What people need to hear is a message that points them to God. What people need to hear is a message of repentance and their great need to call on God to save them and their family. What people need to hear are words that will point them to a loving heavenly Father. Our charitable organizations and Government will take care of our physical needs (as we do our part here also) but, our mission as called by God to be light in darkness is to share the Gospel to those who are suffering. While I watched this pastor blowing his own horn I thought of John Wright Follette when he told the story of an evangelist who took the pulpit and asked, is everybody happy? John Wright Follette thought who cares if we are happy or not, give us some truth. Brethren we must be about giving America and the world the truth. We must not be about politics and government favor. Nor is it a black or white issue, we must understand it is a heaven and hell issue. Too many churches are “silent no more.” Well, I implore them to be quiet and fall on their face in obedience to God’s word, fall on their face before a holy God and His sovereign plan for America. I would beg they heed, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: ²⁰For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” (James 1:19-20) Now please know I am not making excuses for those who choose to turn their backs on God, even in light of the Church of America’s failure, we in America have no excuse before God. But it is our responsibility before God and man to pray for our leaders and be quiet as our life shines forth to the lost. Let us allow God to get our attention through His love, grace, and mercy, if not He has other ways to get our attention. Written by David Stahl

THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:

The Popsicle Stick House

(or How I was Killed in Nepal)

The two day Beholding His Glory Conference Dave shared at went well, however the two regular scheduled Saturday services the next day killed us. In Nepal the Church meets on Saturday, it is like our Sunday.

There was the morning service in which Dave spoke and after he shared the word of God he prayed individually for the congregation. A possessed woman Dave prayed for was totally delivered from years of torment and bondage. Pastor Tek Dahal said it was her second time in church she was looking for help and today she found it in God. When Dave finished praying for the people we retired to Pastor Tek’s office for lunch and a brief rest before the next service. The next service started uneventfully, the message as in the last service was received extremely well. Pastor Tek said a few words in Nepalese and sat down on the platform. I thought they were going to pray for some people again so I nudged Dave when some of the people in the congregation came up to us, shaking our hands, and stuffing money into our palms. In days gone past we would call this a Pentecostal handshake. We could not believe it. Pastor Tek’s elderly mother was one of the first. From that point on it snow-balled out of control as they crowded around us, hugging us tightly, and stuffing money into our hands. We both broke down crying, it was too much. We both knew these folks were not wealthy people yet here they were stuffing paper bills into our hands, not one person brought a single coin. Old ladies, young men, kids, teenagers, women with babies, men with babies freely came, hugged, and gave. The more that came the more we cried. When the giving started to flow Rajeena, a young lady, gave Dave and I each a small gifts made with popsicle sticks. Mine was a home beautifully decorated with a red bow and wrapped in plastic and Dave’s was a bowl also beautifully decorated and wrapped in plastic. A little boy who was crippled by polio really like Dave’s bowl so Dave gave it to him and before he knew it Rajeena had placed another bowl within his hands.

As we sat there weeping and calling for Pastor Tek (to make them stop) someone just started putting the money, which by now was spilling out of my hands, into my backpack. Someone handed Dave a plastic bag to collect his money. The people would stop at Dave first slip money into his hand then move to me and slip money into my hand. It was killing us. We just cried and cried. It was devastating. By the time I stopped bawling most of the people had left. Rajeena and her younger friend came to me and asked me to pray for them. I told her it would be better if my husband would pray, keeping in correct spiritual authority. Dave had just left to go up stairs to Pastor Tek’s office so I ushered them up there and we prayed for them there.

Later I asked Pastor Tek why he allowed them do that he replied they do it on their own. When we have special guests it is their way of showing their thankfulness and gratitude. Their sacrifices killed us ever the more. Their sacrifice was not our reward, as no man’s sacrifice is another man’s reward, but it humbled us. As they freely gave to us, God now could freely give back to them. God bless them for our reward, brokenness what a true treasure indeed. Remember the best is yet to come.

Written by Karen Stahl

POETRY CORNER:

The Chapel of Life

By Edward Lawler

A little white chapel it looks sometimes empty and bare,

But let me show you step inside for your Lord Jesus Christ awaits you there,

Many speakers have come and gone and they are blessed from above, For they profess wise and wonderful feelings all my people they profess all my love,

Gather unto each other all believers and leave no stone unturned,

For this is what you have sought in life and for what you have yearned,

Many times you will be tested and sometimes you will fall,

But pick yourself up wipe your self off and on my name you must call,

I shall give you all the answers which in life you will yearn,

And of the wonderful life I will offer if of my commandants you do learn,

I shall gather you to my bosom and keep you safe and sound,

Whenever you need an answer call and I will always be around,

Always in your world there will come trouble and also strife,

But be of stout heart my children welcome to the chapel of life.

DEAR FRIENDS:

Back in July Karen, Linda Stroud, Laura Cannon, Betty Salter, and I had a special honor and great privilege of visiting Pastor Tek Dahal, his wonderful wife Jit Maya, their personal family, extended family, and wonderful Church Gethsemane Church. We travelled very narrow roads that ended in extremely high places. Such beauty and majesty Nepal is cloaked in. One such place was over 2,158 meters high where Karen, Pastor Tek, his son Shalom, Behr, and I had lunch. We had real Chinese food. Nepal’s beauty is second only to the softness of the people. Behr (Bare), our driver, was one of these soft people. In the 11 days we were in Kathmandu and he drove for us, he may have spoken five words, but within him was a steadiness and established character of knowing his job, his place in the group, and just doing it. There was a peace and confidence Karen and I had as we wound up and down narrow mountain roads knowing Behr was at the wheel. But the quality of silence and knowing his place was special. We stopped at a restaurant, at 2158 meters, for lunch. Behr wanted to stay with the truck, but we wanted him to seat down and eat with us. Not that we were better (oh no my friend I would think we were much worst off then Behr), but Behr came in and sat at another table, he did not assume he could eat with us. It was after much asking we got him to sit with us and then he was very uncomfortable. When the food came he happily went back to his table to eat. Our last service (you always praise in public and discipline in private) I shared how pleased I was with Behr, well he was so embarrassed he got up and had to leave the church. He came back later when I moved on. His character and nature just spoke so much of God to Karen and I. If you ever travel to Kathmandu to see Pastor Tek ask for Behr you will be impressed with him too.

As soft as the people were even this was over shadowed by their unending desire to please us. What a combination in God; being soft, tender hearted, and desiring to please. Now this is an extremely hard task, to please four American women and one American man. Every time Pastor Tek or Jit Maya would do something for us they would say, “oh no it is our pleasure.” Now I knew it was not really their pleasure, but they were willing to sacrifice their needs and just wanted so to please us. After all Jit Maya was working wedding (we attended) plans for their daughter as she took care of us five and nine others living in her home. I was amazed when she had us all over to her home for a wonderful dinner. But as time grew so did the stress on her. When we would come to her and ask something of her I would see her facial expression and her slight drawing away due to their wearying. It was like she was saying with her face “oh boy here they come again,” but at the same time she would smile, answer their question or do what they wanted done, and say “it is our pleasure.” What inward strength she possessed. It is easy to say it is our pleasure when things are going well, but being able to say it is our pleasure when life seems to be overwhelming us now that is a different matter. Both Pastor Tek and Jit Maya (all of the folks at church) were so wonderful, they killed us with their kindness. The last service an elderly lady came up to me and gave me a bag of fruit (I could not eat them so I gave it to Behr) another lady gave me an ink pen (I gave it to Pastor Tek he needed one that day) what an offerings. Now many people would think these offerings were their reward for service, but one man’s sacrifice is never another man’s reward. What sacrifices were made, what personal plans were sat on the back burner for our personal plans, what unselfish motives and attitudes from Pastor Tek and Jit Maya were sacrificed, as they laid their lives down for us, all the while doing and saying, “oh no it is our pleasure.”

NEEDS NOT WANTS:

1. In Silistra, Bulgaria Pastor Yanko, Pastor Niki, and their church. Pastor Niki is enhancing their print shop and needs $12,000 to upgrade their ability to print Bible and books, a most critical need in Eastern Europe.

2. In Constanta, Romania Pastor Ritisan, the Lighthouse Church, and their Mission Bible School.

3. In Suceava, Romania Pastors Nicu and Marcel at St. Andrews Church, and their Bible School, Christ for Romania. Romania is undergoing new religious persecution from their government.

4. Pastor Joseph Mutua in Nairobi, Kenya needs your prayer and financial support. The famine and drought in East Africa is killing 1000s.

5. Pastor Mike Olufemi in the north of Nigeria. He needs your prayers and support to be a light in great darkness.

6. Pastor S. J. Peter, Founder of DAWN Ministries and Pastor Wilson and his son Pastor Julian both near Hyderabad, India.

7. Financial support for the printing of: “Adventures with God.”

8. Pastor Metin Mintaz and the members of Uskudar Son Buyruk Kilisesi in Istanbul, Turkey.

9. Pastor Elieti Msangi in Dar Es Salaam and Pastor Isreal Mutaitina in Bukoba, Tanzania.

10. Major Rob McIntosh, Chaplin, Gatwick Airport, Salvation Army, London, England.

11. Vivian’s Maternity and Child Care Clinic project in Aviele, Nigeria.

12. Pastor Tek Dahl, his Church, and the radio station project in Kathmandu, Nepal.

13. Pastor Sharief Ramsis, Khartoum Evangelical Church, (his Church) and their feeding and lodging ministry of the 1000s of children from the famine and war regions.

FUTURE SCHEDULE:

October: Local Ministry

November: Bulgaria

December: Romania

I am still available to share what God has given me at churches and/or home groups. If God moves on your heart to bless the ministries I visit and share God’s love I would be honored to make it possible for God and you. God told Abram, “I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you.” (Genesis 12:3) If you want a blessing, then bless someone. Remember, God is to you what you are to God.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Address:

David and Karen Stahl

141 Coke Place

Jacksonville, NC 28546

Phone:

Home: (910) 346-1739

Mobile: (910) 273-5712

FAX: (910) 346-1739

Email:

dstahl@ec.rr.com

Website:

www.beholdinghisglory.com

I am pleased to announce “God Still Performs Miracles: A Book of Personal Encouragement” is now available and FREE FOR THE ASKING. No cost for the book, but I will ask for mailing cost.

If you know someone you think would enjoy receiving this newsletter or if you receive this newsletter and do not wish to please let me know. Contributions to this ministry is always appreciated and needed the more time continues. Please feel free to contact me with the above information. The cost is great, but the cost for not supporting to others is even greater. And remember, all donations are tax deductible.