BEHOLDING HIS GLORY
July 2005	Volume III Number 11

”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. As we behold His glory more and more we are changed into whatsoever we behold, and as we are changed we then are able to come into certain understandings, by His Spirit, that will transform our lives. This understanding and change will effect our heart, our mind, and our spirit. Now all three need changed and God will do whatsoever we allow Him to do to make this change in us. Change in us comes by way of obedience and submission to God’s word in our lives, not by God’s power. One sign of “true” change in our lives is a God-made desire to be obedient to all authority in our lives. Man at his basic heart condition has no desire to be obedient to anyone. We all want to do and say what we think is right. We all want to go where we want to go, well in God you cannot do and say what you want to do and say and be successful in God. We must go God’s way, we must say and do what God wants us to say. Our heart, mind, and spirit is deceitfully wicked without us allowing God to change us through His dealings and judgements in our lives. But, how can we judge whether a person is obedient to authority? A person who has known authority will naturally try to find authority wherever they go. Only Believers can really obey, and they too must learn to obey, not outwardly, but from their heart. A person who has met God’s authority is soft and tender. They have been melted and not able to be hardened. They are afraid of being wrong. A person who “truly” knows authority never likes to be in authority. He does not take delight in giving counsel or controlling others. One in “true” obedience is always in fear of making error. A person who knows authority keeps their mouth closed. They are under restraint. They dare not speak carelessly because there is in them a sense of authority. A person who knows authority is sensitive to each act of lawlessness (iniquity or working outside the law) around them because they have a sense of righteousness and truth in them. The church is maintained by two essentials: life and authority. The indwelling life we have received is a life of submission, enabling us to obey authority. Most matters of outward disobedience mostly are related to a lack of inward submission. Paul in Ephesians share this important truth with us; “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:19) The unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God seems to be still so far away yet it is not actually that far off if we have known authority. The life we have received is not only for dealing with sin but more for obeying. When the spirit of rebellion leaves us then will the spirit of obedience be quickly restored to the church. And if all in the church walk in this way of obedience the glorious fact of the unity of the faith will suddenly appear before our eyes. This desire for unity in John 17 (which is really the Lord’s prayer) is what Jesus wanted for the Church. For us, “that they all may be one, as You Father, are one in Me and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory you have given Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one.” (John 17:21-22) How will the world believe the Father has sent the Son if those which are to have the glory of God do not walk in unity as the Son is in unity with the Father. We are to be in the same unity, “as You Father, are one in Me and I in You;”, as the Son is in the Father. This can never happen unless we become (a process of learning) submissive as the Son was to the Father. Submission (which is a heart condition) to all God-given authority in our lives is the secret of unity, “unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:” This process of learning submission has so much moving in it; dependence, obedience, self-denial, and so much more we must learn if we are going to know God and move with Him touching lives of those in the world who do not believe and are lost. More next month on this and other topics.

ARTICLE REVIEW:

Hearing God’s Voice

One of man’s greatest desires will always be a desire to be able to hear God’s voice. Not only Christians, but many non-Christians desire to hear from God. But I wonder why we fail at times to be able to hear God’s voice? For a Christian it is a big deal hearing God’s voice for in the hearing there is a knowing of Him and His will for our lives. In Philippians 3:10, Paul said, “Oh that I may know Him and the power of his resurrection.” In this knowing is the difference between failure and success, in God, for our lives. And, contained in this knowing is the resurrection life of God. We will never possess the resurrection life of God unless we come to know Him.

I think most often it is because we just hear wrong. It is not God not speaking for the Bible is full of examples of God speaking to man, but I believe the problem is we are not hearing right. Our heart and ears are not trained to hear His voice. Jesus told the Disciples in Luke, “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. Then He said to them, take heed how you hear. (in the Greek) with the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.” (Mark 4:23-24) Jesus was saying “take heed” or be careful not what we hear for we are not really in control of what we hear, but we are in control of how we hear. Do we hear with the right heart condition and with the right motives and intentions? Have we channeled what God said to do in obedience or have we gotten off track to do what we desire to do from what God has spoken? Do we hear with a heart full of love and goodness for the speaker? Often the things we hold in our heart towards people will color their words. Jesus was saying at the same measure you use your hearing “it” will be measured to you. How can we receive something from God or even other people if we do not understand what is being said? How we hear will determine the amount of understanding and truth we will be able to receive. Let us be careful not what we hear, but how we hear.

Another reason we often do not hear God’s voice is we are listening to other voices. This is where Eve got into real trouble with God. Before the serpent spoke to Eve the only voice Eve knew was either Adam’s or maybe God’s. When we get off track from our wondrous walk with God it will probably be because we are listening to other voices, we are listening to voices not from God, not listening to what God has say to do. One of the greatest revelations we can have of God is, “and God said.” We must be able to see God as the creator of all things in our lives and know if God does not say it then no matter how hard we pray or fast, kick, shout, or scream, it will not happen. This hearing will build a dependence in us for God and what He desires to do in our lives. We must be able to see God saying it and then doing it, creating each and everything in our lives. If we can come to this revelation of understanding then God will be able to unlock the mystery of His sovereignty to us. How wonderful that would be, but this too comes by way of hearing God’s voice. But, sadly many Christians tune their ears to other voices, voices of the world, voices of false Bible teachers and preachers. The world is full of other voices to listen to. But, we are the ones who choose which voice we will listen to, not God. His intention is always for us to listen to His voice, but we often do not. Let us take heed and learn to hear God’s voice. Let us be careful and tune our ears to God’s voice.

But probably the greatest reason we do not hear God’s voice is our false expectation of what we believe hearing from God sounds like. In I Kings we read about Elijah and his revelation of hearing from God. “Then He said, Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord. And behold the Lord passed by and a great strong wind tore into the mountains and broke rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire and after the fire a small still voice” (I Kings 19:11-12) With each manifestation of God Elijah expected to hear from Him, but did not. Today we run from crusade to crusade expecting to hear from God, well God is not in the strong wind, earthquake, or fire crusade, oh no my friend, God is in the small still voice of quietness. It is amazing how far some people will travel to attend a crusade, but not be able to attend their local church. Today we desire to experience God and will travel sometimes from coast to coast even to other countries. My friend we must “be still and know I am God,” (Palms 46:10) both inwardly and outwardly. Many Christians today cannot be still long enough to hear God’s voice. The more we can be still in our mind and spirit the more we will have an ear for God’s voice. Stillness of mind and spirit is an inward sign of acceptance and assurance to God’s plan and purpose, even if we do not like it, for our lives. God is after this stillness in us and if He cannot get us still and quiet, then He cannot use us as He wishes.

While I was praying and planning (both must be done) for my trip to Germany, Poland, and Czech Republic I felt the Lord saying to depart Jacksonville on 15 July and I would be leaving for Germany from Dover, Air Force Base (AFB). So I contacted my little Sister Deb Sullivan and Mike her husband in Charleston, SC to ask if it would be okay if Karen, my sweetheart, could drop me off so I could start competing for military Space Available travel at Charleston, AFB. Of course they said yes. Karen, Connie, and I then departed on 15 July and drove the five hours to Charleston, once there we had a wonderful time with other family members. About 8:00 pm I decided to call the Air Force Base to see if there were any military flights (C-17 or C5) going to Ramstein, Germany. I was told no sir, none for 24 hours. So I asked, how about to Dover AFB, the Airman said yes sir, and it goes on to Ramstein, Germany the same night. I said great when do I have to show up for roll call, he said in 10 minutes. I smiled because I knew I had heard God’s voice. The Airman said, sir there are only 3 people waiting for one of the 40 open seats on the C-17 and if you get here in the next 60 minutes we will hold a seat for you. When God speaks His provision is His way for us to go. We must not delay, the door God opens will close on us if we delay. I was there in less then 30 minutes. Once at Dover, AFB I had to compete for a seat to Ramstein, Germany. After they loaded cargo, there were 20 seats released for passengers. I quickly counted the people in the terminal I was number 21, knowing I was a retiree (category 6 and the last to go) chances of me making this flight was not very good in the natural. Just then a fellow leaned over and said, “Can you believe they will not allow me to go to Germany?” I said why not? He said, “I do not have a passport.” I was now number 20 and had a seat.

God spoke not with an audible voice nor did He write on the wall, to leave on 15 July from Dover, AFB, but He spoke to my spirit in a small still voice and it was so. When God speaks to me, if I am not careful I will miss it. If I am not in a certain place spiritually to hear His voice I will miss his voice and lose out on what He has to tell me. How can we afford to miss God’s voice? If I am not near Him in a place of stillness and listening, in a place of expectant receiving from Him I will miss His voice. It is when we are near Him we are in a place of revelation. Standing beside God, near Him is the place of hearing His voice and receiving from Him.

Let us Brethren ever be near Him. There is a special joy the Father has when His children are near Him. I know when I am near my wife and family there is a great joy I experience, so too it is with God. We must develop an ear for God’s voice. Let us ever be near Him so we will be able to hear His voice, in doing so we will be able to move and operate successfully with Him. Written by David Stahl

THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:

My Father’s Father

Poppy as we called him, was one tough man. A hard worker most of his life, a U. S. Army soldier during World War I, I am sure he has seen plenty of heartache and joy. A father to four sons, a regular contributor to the local letters to the editor column, and a well published poet. A regular church goer, husband to one wife (she died when I was a baby), a land-lord he rented the upstairs portion of his home. Poppy was not a Clint Eastwood or John Wayne tough guy, but a “been through it all” tough guy. I only saw him as my grandfather, though he was a multi-faceted man. I only saw one small part of his life. I do not ever remember him raising his voice. He was always patient and tolerant. He was always kind. Sometimes when Dad took us to Poppy’s house my Uncle Bill or Uncle Chris would be there. They would talk in the little greenish-blue kitchen. Us kids would go to the park or watch TV, much to the chagrin of my Uncle George. Dad would give me money and a list to get ice cream cones at the corner pharmacy. There was sometimes donuts, always Stella Doro’s cookies, always something to eat; spaghetti, meat loaf, or chicken soup. When we would leave most times Poppy would give us each a buck or two, and a loving admonishment to study hard in school and go to church. I loved Poppy he was always so good to us. When I was older and brought my kids to visit Poppy always encouraged me to read the Bible and would tell me about some of the Old Testament Books in the Bible. He was the perfect grandfather. He showed concern without prying, kindness without spoiling us. He would tell us to pray and go to church. How unfortunate many people are not to be blessed as we were with Poppy. A godly grandfather is a blessing that few seem to have. Godly parents are also a rare commodity. My dad always liked going to Bayonne to visit Poppy. As I look back on these times it was wonderful to see the love my dad had for his father. My dad was a good son to Poppy. The importance of the father in a home is quite often understated in our secular society. As we are disciplined, taught, and loved by our earthly father we can catch a tiny glimpse of how our relationship to our Heavenly Father is supposed to be. As Jesus was obedient to His Father even to dying on the cross for us, “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:8) and “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; ⁹And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” (Hebrews 5:8-9) so we are to be obedient to our earthly fathers and as much as possible not giving them grief and sorrow. The example the father displays before his children will carry them throughout their life. Whether or not you believe this all fathers will give account to the Almighty as to how they raised their children not what they provided for them. “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4) Did they raise them up in the “nurture” and “admonition” of the Lord? Have they taught them the things that are necessary to be successful in God and to make it in this world? Some misguided souls think all they are responsible for is throwing money at their children’s mother to take care of their physical needs while neglecting their spiritual and emotional needs. How sad, children need their dad as much, if not more, then they need their mother. And why? Because if a child cannot learn to depend on their earthly father to protect and guide then how can they learn how to depend on their Heavenly Father? There is a spiritual principle in operation here. As we learn to operate on earth, so shall we be able to operate in the heavenly. This is why Jesus said, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10) and in Matthew again, “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19) The word “bind” here means “to gather to our self, like gathering sheaves of straw or wheat” so, whatsoever we gather to ourselves on earth we will have that gathered to us in heaven. If we learn how to be obedient to our earthly father we then will be able to learn how to be obedient to our Heavenly Father. If children cannot go to their earthly father with their joys and sorrows then how can they expect to reach out to their Heavenly Father? How can they have a relationship with God, if they do not have a relationship with their earthly father? I should add their mother too. Now I realize there are some people, whose father was missing in their lives, go on to have a relationship with God and become excellent fathers to their children, but they are the exception not the rule. Teaching our children about our Heavenly Father is our joy and duty that even impacts on our earthly relationships. Thank you Poppy for imparting this to my dad and thank you dad for your love and wise counsel to me, and for being an example of our Heavenly Father’s care and concern for us. Now remember, the best is yet to come. Written by Karen Stahl

POETRY CORNER:

And God Said
By Charles A. Haun

The power of the Word of God
Is mystic in its work and light.
It is seen and heard and touched
But not by earthy ear and sight.

It moves in mystery and majesty
To build a kingdom of great worth.
It comes to open, hungry hearts
To live forever in song and mirth.

But first it moves in pain and sorrow,
Working in dark nights of woe,
For to bring the glorious dawning.
And God said, and it was so.

DEAR FRIENDS:

My trip to Nigeria was long very dangerous, but at the same time very rewarding. God showed Himself strong in my life protecting me time and time again. After ministering four days in Lagos Pastor Israel Ibironke, Foley (Pastor Israel’s driver and bodyguard) Pastor Mike Olufemi, and myself set out for Aviele Mike’s home town. It was a long and dangerous six hour trip. Aviele is a strategic point of influence for the Gospel to spread. Travellers to the North stop over for the night. These travellers who hear the Gospel carry it all over Nigeria and beyond. The people of Aviele are Muslim. They are peaceful and accommodate Christians. Christians make up 40% of the population and Muslims make up the other 60%. Our objective was two fold; one to share the Gospel and strengthen the Christian Church and two discuss with the Muslim and Christian Counsel the desire of putting in some water wells. We were well received by King of Aviele Onojie Habeeb and his Chiefs during our third meetings we learned they needed a maternity and child’s clinic more then water wells. In Africa if a lady has a problem with delivery they often die and so does the baby, Aviele is no different. King Habeeb is a wise man and looked beyond the immediate need to something more lasting for his people. Providing a maternity and child clinic would soften the hearts for the Gospel to grow and develop a critical partnership between the Muslim and Christian communities. What an opportunity God has given us to shed His love abroad to others. I have sent the money for the wells to Mike as a seed to plant into the ground (starting the project) hoping and praying a clinic sprouts forth someday. Before we departed I told the King and his Chiefs; this is a long project, I do not have the money to build the clinic we all agreed God will have to make it happen as we work together doing our part. We sat as “Brethren” together and prayed for God to help us in this needy endeavour. Brethren let us look within our means and see what we can do to make this clinic become a reality saving life at birth and souls after living. Please contact me with what you can do. Thank you in advance.

Karen “my sweetheart” and the kids send their love. Life is worth the living the more if we can see God as our source. God has been so faithful to me and my family how can I not love Him the more?

NEEDS NOT WANTS:

1. In Silistra, Bulgaria Pastors Yanko and Niki and the church.

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, their Bible School, Christ for Romania, and for the $60,000 needed to complete the training center and summer camp building.

4. Pastor Joseph Mutua in Nairobi, Kenya needs your prayer and financial support.

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: “God Still Performs Miracles Today: A Book of Person Encouragement.”

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. The Maternity and Children’s Clinic project in Aviele, Nigeria.

FUTURE SCHEDULE:

July: Local ministry

August: Khartoum, Sudan (planning)

September: Local ministry

I am still available to share what God has given me at churches and/or home groups. Also, 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

If you know someone who would enjoy receiving this newsletter or if you receive this newsletter and do not wish to please let me know. Also if you would like to contribute to this ministry please feel free to contact me with the above information. Costs ever increase.

PLEASE look within your abilities to begin supporting or to increase your support to cover these costs. The cost is great, but the cost for not supporting is even greater. And remember, all donations are tax deductible.