BEHOLDING HIS GLORY
December 2002	Volume I Number 04

”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. Here is more on Beholding His Glory. It is amazing how we become what we behold. This is a very important point to remember. We become, we turn into, we end up what we look at or understand to be true. If we behold the world and all of the things that make up the world we will become like the world. We will have desires and ambitions like the world, we will have a life-style like the world, and we will have a heart like the world. Also, we will have a thinking process that is like the world’s, thus we will never desire to seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness, instead we will seek a life of ease and comfort. We will never be able to come into the “Kingdom of God” whereby we come under God’s authority, His limitations and restriction where fullness and completion of life is found. Sadly, we will seek being self-seeking and all of those things that satisfy our self. Did you know the 91th Psalm was not written to Christian? They were not around yet. It was written to the one who dwells (or seeks to abide) in a secret place, under the shadow of the Almighty. This one is one who beholds His glory who beholds the Almighty. We always become what we behold. For us to be able to behold His glory we first must have a heart like His. How can we become like Him if we do not think like Him? Many people think God is going to take His magic wand and tap us three times on the head and puff, we will be like Him. Well, God does not operate like that. God wants to so fill us with His self that He elbows out sin in our lives. We are so full of God, there is no room for sin in our lives, we then will have no desire to sin, we will only desire to seek Him the more. And He then can bring us to a place of “righteous living,” His goal. Where we just live right and we do not even know it. I think to a certain degree we do a good job of seeking God’s physical kingdom, i.e. churches, ministry, and the like. But, we have miserly failed in seeking His righteousness. Why? Because we see no value in His righteousness. Have you ever wondered why God gives some Believers large amounts of money and other a little? Why some Believers work all their life for nothing and others God so graciously provides without them asking? Well some Believers see value in money and things, thus God cannot trust them. While others see value in seeking His righteousness, thus God can trust these Believers. What are we beholding today? In time you will find out. Because we always become like what we behold. More next month.

ARTICLE REVIEW:

CONFUSION, UNCERTAINTY, AND CHANGE

Lives of many Christians today are full of uncertainty and seemingly great confusion. Everything under the sun, especially the devil, is blamed for these situations in our lives. I agree that God is not the author of confusion, especially in a church service, for His word clearly states, "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints." (1 Corinthians 14:33) But, if you would ask Job, Moses, Joseph, and others they may tell you otherwise. As their lives were, "changed into the same image from glory to glory" (2 Corinthians 3:18) they encountered great confusion, uncertainty, and constant change.

When we walk in obedience to God’s word, for our lives, the result of doing so will manifest in constant change. Most Christians do not do well with change in their lives. We all are very content and all too comfortable in our place in God and the things He has provided us. This truth is very vivid when God begins to enlarge us ever the more or when God rearranges our lives so His purpose and plan for our life can continue to develop. Change, in God, is good for a Christian. This change will move us out of our routine life patterns and even out of the way we see ourselves, each other, and even God. This change will foster a desire in us to see God afresh, to see Him again as our Saviour and not only a God who can forgive our sins. This change will cause us again to see the King and His beauty, to see His strength, because our hands will hang down at our side and our knees will become feeble. This change will cause us to see Him as our great provider, for He may take away our provisions from what our past refuge was built. Change causes us to see God as our, "all and in all."

How we handle this change and uncertainty in our thoughts and heart is the measure of whether or not we will allow this inspired work of God to overwhelm or develop us. As long as we focus on the goal (being conformed into the image of Jesus Christ as we move from glory to glory) and daily move in what God is providing us, He will be allowed to continue His "good work." Developing us is God’s good pleasure! He knows how to give His children good gifts.

I can personally speak of this great change and uncertainty. In December

1999, the Lord spoke one word to me, "retire." What change and uncertainty this one word brought to me, my family, and my church in Stuttgart. What faith it would take, on my behalf, to retire after 24 years in the U.S. Navy. But, on 01 August 2000, with a thankful heart, I retired from the Navy. I do not believe God uses a lot of words to speak to us. Often times we miss God’s timing by waiting on Him to share more of His plan, but this He seldom does. He expects us to correctly move in what He has already provided. He knows, for us to be successful in big things we must learn obedience and be faithful first in little things. And, as we walk in obedience to His word our way ahead becomes clear and we then see where our next step is to be. Obedience, in faith, to God’s word cuts through the fog of uncertainty and confusion allowing the change God brings into our lives to move us to the next level of glory. We can see then we must, "live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." It is when walking correctly, by faith, in each word that God speaks to us He will reveal the next portion of His plan for our life, word-by-word and step-by-step.

Is there uncertainty, confusion, or change in your life? Is your future unclear? Does your life seem like it is spinning out of control? If so, fear not, be of good cheer for His desire toward you isn’t "confusion, but of peace." His "peace." His peace that comes to us as we are obedient to His word. His Peace as we endure the uncertainty and confusion, by faith, knowing He is the author of all things in our lives. Oh friend plod on! Do

not look at situations and circumstances. If you do, you will not be able to endure and loss will overcome you. Be at rest as things one-by-one fall into place. Hide the word that God speaks in your heart as He develops you, as He moves you to the next level of glory. Jesus said even a corn of wheat must fall into the ground, die, and remain alone before it brings forth fruit (John 12:24). But, out of the confusion, uncertainty, and even death comes forth greater life. Written by Pastor David Stahl

RHINESTONE CHRISTIAN

I met a woman who was wearing one of those rhinestone crucifix. I thought about it. Rhinestones although flashy are cheap imitations of real diamonds. Flashy and fake. Real diamonds in the rough are almost unrecognizable compared to the stunning jewelry they become through much chipping away, cutting, and polishing. Not unlike our Christian walk. To become “Christlike” are we willing to endure God’s cutting away of those things in our lives that hinder our ability to shine as a Christian. Do we allow God to chip away those things that are not pleasing to Him? Are we willing to endure the uncomfortable polishing that God will do in our lives?

It is easy to say you are a Christian, God loves you, or life is rosy. Yes, God does love you, but do not stop there. Allow God to do His work in you. You “are His workmanship . . .” (Ephesians 2:10) Let God take those areas in you life one by one, and bring them to light and deal with them. It will hurt, It will be uncomfortable, but in the end your Christlikeness will shine like a diamond. Do not be a rhinestone Christian, fake and flashy, be the real thing. Written by Karen Stahl

CURRENT NEWS:

The year 2002 has been yet another wonderful year of God showing His faithfulness to me, my family, and our church. Did you know God is to you what you are to Him? My trip to Addis, Ethiopia was long and intense, but God met us in a powerful way changes lives and establishing His “Spiritual Authority” in many people. The year 2003 will prove to be more active then 2002. God has added four new nations to my schedule: Norway, Greece, Nigeria, and China. Please pray with me for His timing and my patience. From Karen, our kids, Pastor Joseph Ojatabu, and all of the members at Christliche Gemeinde send their greetings and love for a prosperous 2003 in God. Did you know Biblical prosperity means to push forward in God? Push on my Brethren.

FUTURE SCHEDULE:

December: Constanta, Romania with Pastor George

December: Silistra, Bulgaria with Pastor(s) Yanko and Niki

January: Open (maybe States)

February: Open (maybe States)

March: Hyderabad, India, Pastor S. J. Peters

April: Lagos, Nigeria Pastor Mike Olifume

If God moves on your heart to bless the ministries I visit and share God’s love with I would be honored to make it possible for God and you. The need for the items for the printing service and new church building in Bulgaria is still before them. Pastors Yanko and Niki still need your help. And now there is a wonderful young married man John Balole who translates for me when I go to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. John has been called to attend Pinecrest Bible Training Center, thus he stands in need of $500. God has already provided $500. John too needs your help. 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.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

American Address

CMR 480 Box 517

APO AE 09128

German Address

Pastor David Stahl

Ulmenweg -5

71706 Markgroningen, Germany

++49-7145-931152 (Voice)

++49-7145-931153 (FAX)

(Church Website)

If you would like to contribute to this ministry please feel free to contact me with the above information. And remember, all donations are tax deductible.