BEHOLDING HIS GLORY

BEHOLDING HIS GLORY

July 2006

                                                  Volume IV 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.  God’s work in our lives must be accomplished in us.  Many Christians in the church today do not hear this message of the cross and if they do they have no stomach for the truth.  The truth that bears witness in our inward man and our spirit. The truth that humility and brokenness must be worked in us through God’s dealings and judgments of sin in our lives. Many Christians wants to be raised up in great glory receiving the precious promises God has for us, but James tell us, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”  (James 4:10)  God’s hand is seldom 50 miles long and 50 miles wide, but often takes the shape of people taking advantage of us, talking about us, or maybe one who would sell us into slavery like Joseph was.  This is why Jesus said, love those who despitefully use you. If we can humble ourselves under people who despise us or hard and difficult problems in our lives we can be lifted up by God.  Now the condition to be lifted up is to first be humble.  The problem with most Christians (I include myself at times) is we are not humble, we think greater of ourselves than we ought. But Paul warns us of  this wrong thinking,  “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”  (Romans 12:3)  God must be able to humble us in areas that will reflect the truth of our heart and lives. Humbleness and brokenness walk hand-in-hand. They are two power twins in our spiritual growth and development.   

          There are two types of humility:  one false and counterfeit, the other true.  False humility belongs to those who avoid esteem and who avoid all honor so that they may be taken as being humble.  They go out of their way to speak often of just how very evil they are.  They do this so that they may be thought of as good.  Inside, they really do know their own misery yet they utterly despise the thought that anyone else would know. This is feigned humility this is secret and hidden pride, nothing more.

          True humility never thinks of humility.  Those who have it act with patience and live and die in God.  They care not for themselves nor anything created.  They suffer molestation with joy and desire  nothing from it other than to walk in the footsteps of their despised Lord.  They do not care to be thought of well by the world and are content with what God gives them.  They are convicted of their own faults with calm shame.  There is no injury which can disturb them nor trouble that can vex them, no prosperity that can make them proud.  True humility is an inward thing and has nothing to do with external acts. There is simply knowledge: an understanding of what the self nature really is.  Thus, two things must be discovered: the greatness of God and the vastness of the devastation of the fall as pertaining to our soul.   From these two revelations proceeds a glimpse of the grace of God; a grace which takes pleasure in encompassing that person with pure goodness of God, that person who can humble themselves under the mighty hand of God.    Always remember you cannot be hurt by men.  You cannot be hurt by devils.  You can only be hurt by self, your own pride, and the violence of your desires.  Your self is the greatest devil of all.

          God must be able to break us if He is going to use us.  We must allow God to work in our lives and take us though loss and fear of death.   For us to be really used of God He must be able to work in our lives and bring us to a place were we accept loss so that he can create in us a place to put His glory in us.  God must be able to develop a place in us to hold His glory and spiritual things. These places are created in us when we experience loss to the things of this world and our selves.  We sing songs of God giving us beauty for ashes, but how is God going to do that? Isaiah tells us, “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.”  (Isaiah 61:3)  It is important to notice here in this verse the remedy for the troubles is listed first: “beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness,”  this is most odd.  Usually in our human thinking, logic, and even other places in the Bible (Psalm 30:5, Proverbs 14:25, Ecclesiastes 12:13, and so many more) the order would be: ashes first then the beauty, mourning then the oil of joy, heaviness then the garment of praise, but not so in the Spirit. My friend for us to be called “trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified” we must be able to experience loss in our life.  How can we be planted and established if we have not allowed God to burn up our selfish nature and ways?  How can we be comforted by God if we never mourn? Jesus said, “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” (Mathew 5:3)  How can God make something beautiful out of our lives if we have not allowed God to devastate our earthly thinking and ways?  For this to happen we must allow God to break us. The broken alone are useful to God.  And only the broken are able to walk in the fullness of salvation. “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”  (Psalm 34:18) This my friend will kill us, but this is what is needed to make us useful. Even a horse must be broken to bear the saddle if they will be useful.  More next month on our great need for brokenness in our lives.     

 

ARTICLE REVIEW:

           

             Death to Our Self Life

                       

In the Book of Philippians Paul shares with us an inward thought of his spirit, an intimate longing and desire he carried deep within his heart and mind all the days of his life and probably was not fulfilled during his time on earth, but will be fulfilled some day maybe soon, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.”  (Philippians 3:10-11)  The word “know” here in verse 10 is quite different not in spelling, but in intensity.  Here the knowing of God Paul desires is a deep intimate understanding not touched with our senses, logic, or our mental ascent to God, but an understanding that can only be touched with our spirit through His work in our lives.  Now I find it strange that Paul would use these words in Philippians 3:10, because at least once I believe Paul was resurrected from the dead, he knew God’s resurrection power, “And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.”  (Acts 14:19) and many times Paul was joined with the “fellowship of his sufferings.” As he neared the end of his life, Paul said, “Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.”  (2 Corinthians 11:24-27) And after all of this Paul still had an intimate desire to be “made conformable unto his death.”  Paul was more concerned about being conformed to Christ’s death then His life. Paul knew the secret of living a victorious life in God and that was dying to our self life.  Jesus taught the disciples and us too, “He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 10:39) Please notice if we find our life (our self is alive and well) we shall lose our life.  But if we lose our life (our self life is put to death by God’s dealings and judgments) for His sake we shall find it. Now please also notice losing comes first finding comes second. Our self life is subtle, even religious at times. It tries so hard to be satisfied by our carnal nature and it will say and do anything it must to stay alive. It even will deceive you into believing you are correctly moving in God, doing what He wants you to be doing, while all along you are over in areas of presumption and not doing what God wants you to be doing.  For us to live the overcoming life of God we must like Paul have this intimate desire to be “made conformable unto his death.”    

So many Christians today read these verses and glibly recite them (I too can include myself in this group) wanting what Paul wanted, but are not willing to pay the price Paul paid.  You know there is a price we will pay to know God’s presence, to feel Him, to know He is beside us.  There is another price, a cost we will pay to know God’s power and have His power course through our body to touch lives and hearts, even to do signs and wonders.   And my friend there is a different and separate price we must pay to know His person.  This is an absolute, unflinching cost that Paul was willing to pay and if we desire to know the person of God as Paul did we too must willfully lay our self life down for His sake so that we may find the life God has for us.   

I just returned from two weeks in Nigeria what a wonderful time, but what a very dangerous time. Pastor Israel Ibironke, Senior Pastor of the Faithfuls Church, Lagos and Pastor Mike Olufemi from Aviele took great care of me as we traveled the highways and the country side sharing the Gospel. While in the Muslim town of Aviele we had the opportunity to strengthen Pastor Mike’s young church and hold a crusade.  Pastor Israel is a very charismatic speaker. I told him, I will stand them up (get them here because I am white and from the States) and you can knock them down (deliver the Gospel message in their language and method) and oh how God moved.  When night fell and out of the darkness over 400+ Muslims came to hear what we had to say.  But, in all this victory and extreme danger I just wanted to go home and see my wife and children.  As strange as it may seem my desire was to save my self life, save my self from all of the constant police harassment and dangers that lurked in Nigeria. I wanted nothing standing in the way of me departing Lagos when I was scheduled to fly.  My desire to depart grew stronger the closer I got and the closer I got the more I thought something would stop me from leaving.  Now this was not fear it was God killing my self life the more.  You see when God speaks to us it is His very words that begins to kills our self life.  “David go to Nigeria and share the Gospel,” in His words to me and for me to be obedient and successful some of my self life needed to die.  It is our obedience to His words that begins to kill our self life.  And all along the way of walking in obedience our legs will be weak and our hands will hang at our sides.  We will need to be strengthened after the inward man if we are to be successful and do that which God has asked us to do.  It is God’s words that threaten our self life that threaten all we want to do and say.  Our self life screams; I want to live, I do not want to do that, I do not want to go there, I do not want to say that, our self life wars within our thoughts and spirit for control of our heart and mind. “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?  25I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.”  (Romans 7:19-25)  This battle over our self life ever rages as long as we are alive on planet earth, but there is coming a time when the last battle will be fought and the war will be over and we shall reign victoriously with Him.

Brethren let us like Paul intimately desire to be “made conformable unto his death” not His life.  The word “made” here gives us a clue that God will take us through a process, through His dealings and judgments, that at the end we will be able to say “If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.”  (Philippians 3:11)  Only when we have allowed God to work in our lives bringing death to our self life more and more will we, like Paul, be able to say, “by any means.”  Written by David Stahl

 

THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:

               

              Shape-up or Ship-out

         

          I like the Apostle Paul.  He had gone through so much and yet his encouragement and exhortations are still just as valid today as they were centuries ago. When we go through God’s dealings and judgments, in our lives and are slowly and painfully molded into the image of His precious Son Jesus, and as we read the Bible it becomes a source of comfort, encouragement, a learning tool, and often times a good old rebuke. One of my Dad’s favorite sayings when we were growing up was “shape up or ship out.” An appropriate saying for a hard headed lazy kid such as my self.  Also it is rather appropriate for hard-headed and lazy Christians.  Now “shaping up” is on our shoulders not God’s, though on more than one occasion I have wished that God would just miraculously change me and my heart.  Paul too had the same thoughts, “For I know that in me (that is in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.  For the good that I would I do not’ but the evil which I would not, that I do.” (Romans 7:18-19).  I have inwardly winced at the revelation that I’m not “Wife or Mother of the Year.”  I’ve cringed at realizing that my behavior and attitudes would be better suited for the Jerry Springer Show (bless his heart) then for family life.  I guess I have “shaped up” some, but it has been hard, painful, and real ugly. The revelation of the darkness and wretchedness on our own hearts as God reveals it to us can be gross and even depressing.  Because you see, we never really quite “arrive” even though we think we do.  This will always be an on going process needed and necessary in our lives to be conformed into the image and character of Jesus Christ. Which brings us back to Paul and the need for us to read the Bible.  Paul shares these words with us, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”           (2 Timothy 3:16-17) As we read the Scriptures the Holy Spirit gives us guidance in righteous, corrects us if we get off track, and encourages us to endure until we are established in God. So there you have it, one of the means to help us “shape up.” Another means is faithfully going to Church, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25).  Of course the best means is allowing God to judge and deal in our lives and not wiggle out of those tough circumstances and confusing situations that is brought our way for our spiritual development and perfection. Now the, “All things work together for good . . .” (Romans 8:28) are not always pretty and pleasant, usually they are painful and remorseful, but always profitable for us spiritually in the long run.  So in the words of my beloved earthly father let us, “shape up or ship out.” I guess many Christians do not really believe there will be a “shipping out” if they do not “shape up.”  Maybe that is why they do not heed Paul’s words?  Friends let us get serious about our spiritual maturity.  We think God will do it for us and God is counting on us to do it for Him.   My Friend let us purpose in our hearts to shape up so that God can use us for His glory, if not then there is nothing left but the “shipping out.”  Remember the best is yet to come.

Written by Karen Stahl

         

                   

POETRY CORNER:

 

                   Limitless

  By Arlen C. Russell

 

I’ve wondered Lord how it can be

You hear me when I call

I’m only one of millions and

Your love is over all.

 

How can it be Your holy ear

Is tuned to hear my cries?

How can You know what trouble me

And see tears in my eyes?

 

Do I presume too much when I

Approach Your sacred throne

And dare to think that I can spend

Some time with You alone?

 

Some times I am so weary I

Don’t even want to pray

I feel confused things all look wrong

I don’t know what to say.

 

In quietness and confidence

I seek a place apart

And rest until I feel Your Spirit

Touch my trembling heart.

Although I cannot understand

Somehow I know You’ve heard

Like lovers who communicate

Without a single word.

 

You are so great! I am so small

I’m glad it is this way

All things are possible with You

You hear me when I pray.

 

Great God of all the universe

In joy or in distress

I rest myself in all You are

For You are limitless!

 

DEAR FRIENDS:

 

          One of the greatest characteristics of God is His simplistic heart.  Jesus often manifested this as He was humble and lowly in Spirit.  Sadly this is not the spirit I see and hear operating in the Church. Today many Christians go towards being great and exalted among the brethren, but Jesus said, Mark 10:42, If we want to be the head we first must want to be the tail.  Many quote, the head, and not the tail, but if you are going to be the head God desires you  first to be a good tail. It is no wonder the average Christian desires such ambitions for they are only reflecting what they see and hear from the leadership of the church. I could not believe my eyes when I saw on  the Trinity Broadcasting Network’s (TBN) latest beg-a-thon, send us your monthly cost for what you spend for your  monthly prescriptions and God will give you your supernatural miracle healing. Shame! Shame! on TBN. Speaker after speaker (I cannot call them ministers nor will God) read from the Bible and twisted the Word of God for their  profit and gain. Their message, plant your seed (your money) in the ground (their ministry) and you will get a bigger harvest. (parable of the sower) No where in the Bible does God acquaint seed to money.  Seed is the word of God  (verse)  This again is the twisting of scripture for their gain and profit. My friend God does not work that way, we give so that others may receive. As Christians we need not be begging for money.  If God is involved with you and wants you to minister His word He will supply what is needed to do that, no begging is needed. (verse seed and begging bread) These words from TBN and their celebrities who appear on this network only reflect their greedy and selfish heart.  They should be ashamed of their actions and should repent of their manipulation of the Body of Christ.  I have seen and heard first hand the destruction TBN and other greedy Christian TV networks have done spiritually around the world. Who, within the Body of Christ, hold ministries accountable? The answer is, no one holds ministries accountable for their actions. Where are the fathers in God of wisdom and righteousness who would hold TBN and other ungodly ministries accountable? In our silence of not wanting to judge situations and to keep the peace we are condoning ungodly behaviour and destroying many lives. I for one am compelled by God to speak out against such lies and deception.  In Romans Paul commands us to “mark” false teachers, (verse). Brethren, do not be deceived by TBN and other so called Christian TV networks. Open up and read the Bible for yourself, see what is says for yourself.

          God is a loving God who know how to meet our need.  God meeting our need is not based on how much money we give, but according to His good pleasure. A few months ago Karen and I visited Spring View Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church (we have been there before) in Hampstead, NC. After the preaching Pastor Newton asked those who wanted pray and for the Elders of the church to come forward.  The Pastor also asked me to come and help with prayer. I stepped out and joined them back.  As I started to pray for the lady in front of me my thoughts and spirit quickly shifted to the Elder who was standing beside me. I reached out and put my hand on his heart (front and back) and prayed for his heart.  There was no thunder clap or lightening bolt that told me to pray for this fine fellow, just a simplistic thought and a humble desire. He did not fall down or even jump around the church, we finished praying and returned to our seats.  To this day I do not know the man’s name.     About a week or two later I called Mrs. Vivian (a very special friend of ours) and she said, oh I was just about to call you and let you know what happened at church today.  She said an Elder in the church told her God healed him when I prayed for him.  He said when I laid hands on him and prayed for his heart and God did a miracle and healed his heart condition. I had no idea, I did not need to know.  My friend God works in simple ways, not in giving to Him to get.  God loves us and knows what we need.  Our service to Him is because we love Him and want to serve Him, not because we can become influential, rich, and powerful.  Our service to Him is so that others may receive of the life that Jesus laid down and picked up so that we too may be able to lay down our life and receive of His life and share it with the Brethren. And my friend this is always done in a way of simplicity.             

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:

                               

          July:   Kathmandu, Nepal

          August:  Local Ministry

          September:  Rwanda and Congo

 

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.