BEHOLDING HIS GLORY
December 2005	Volume IV 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. As we behold His glory more and more we are changed into whatsoever we behold not what we want to be changed into or even what we believe we will be changed into. As we saw the last two months it is critical we learn to hear God’s voice, for as we hear what the Spirit is saying we receive faith and all that is needed to accomplish God’s will for our life.

In 1 Kings 17:11-16 we see faith’s character. Always remember our real character like our testimony is what people see of us and what we speak. “And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand. ¹²And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. ¹³And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. ¹⁴For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth. ¹⁵And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. ¹⁶And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.” (1 Kings 17:11-16) Here in these verses is contained the character of what our faith MUST be to be able to operate with a holy and sovereign God. First and foremost our faith MUST be obedient. (verse 15) It is the obedient alone that are honoring to God. If God cannot teach us to be obedient, to Him and man, then He cannot use us. We disqualify ourselves for service. God must be able to work obedience in us. Please note I said God and man. Many Christians think they must obey God, but treat God’s man and His children any old way, well my friend this is wrong thinking that will move you quickly out of God and if we are not careful it will lead us to death. Next our faith must always give away. (verse 13) Giving is at the heart of the Gospel, “for God so loved (dedicated) the world He gave . . . ” (John 3:16) Like our obedience, if God cannot teach us to be a giver He cannot use us. We disqualify ourselves for service. Now I am not a prosperity teacher, however, I have learned it is easy to give our heart to the Lord, but once He gets a hold of our wallet He has all of us. God must be able to teach us to open our hand and give if not He will not be able to bless us. Our receiving from God is directly proportionate to our giving. This is why it is more blessed to give then receive (Acts 20:35). Next our faith always sacrifices something. (verse 12) Sacrifice always calleth for God’s help in time of need. Today many in the Church seem to want to avoid persecution and not endure sacrifice, well this is not God’s way. “Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. ¹²Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:11-12) Maybe this is why many in the Church do not “live godly in Christ Jesus.” Always remember, to sacrifice just to sacrifice will do nothing for you, but if we sacrifice and learn the lesson God desires to teach us, through our sacrifice, we will not sacrifice in vain. It is best to give God the sacrifice He is looking for and remember God gets to pick the sacrifice, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” (Psalm 51:17) This too is why the broken alone are useful to God. And lastly faith always operates in the supernatural. (verse 16) This operating in the supernatural while simply believing keeps the application of faith in the simplistic and practical realm. Do not expect God to operate in the natural. He has given us a good mind to do this, but we must expect God to operate in the supernatural where only He can make changes on our behalf and others. God does not give us His supernatural power and ability to see who can get the most, but God gives us His supernatural power and ability to do supernatural things for Him and when we receive faith it opens the door to the supernatural. More next month on this and other topics.

ARTICLE REVIEW:

Now is the Time

When I was flying up to Bukoba from Dar Es Salaam, last year, I flew on a twin engine Beech Craft turbo-prop that experienced what the pilot called a technical problem, now I would have called it a little more then a problem. The plane took off without any problem heading for Mwanza, scheduled on to Bukoba my final destination for the day. The weather was sunny and very hot. The sky was quickly filling with white puffy clouds as I peered out the small window. Suddenly and with a big thud the wheel well opened up and the landing gear rolled out of its locked position and extended itself. The pilot retracted the landing gear and tried closing the wheel well with no success. Again and again he tried but the outer doors to the wheel well would not lock into place. The pilot got on the radio and informed us of the technical problem and told us we did not have enough fuel to fly to Mwanza with the landing gear down so we had to return and land at Dar Es Salaam to fix the plane. We turned back to the airport and as we made out final approach to the airport the pilot spoke to us again. He said he was not sure if the landing gear was locked into place so we needed to prepare for a crash landing. The pilot then said, “if you are a Christian now is the time to make sure.” I knew this was an African way of saying there was a very real chance we all could be killed in the plane crash. I continued to look out the window and was not moved. Within me there was no desire to pray, in faith I thought like Esther “if I perish I perish.” It was strange, there was a great calmness, a still peace that I have never experienced before came over me. It did not matter to me what happened. As I sat in my seat and as the plane drew closer to impact the only thought I had was not wanting to miss my son Joshua’s football game and senior night on 5 Nov. I thought, if I die today I will not be able to walk Joshua and Karen “my sweetheart” out on the football field and I will miss Joshua’s last regular season football game. Well, the plane came in and as the nose touched down the landing gear gave way and the plane’s nose skidded down the runway to a rest. Four hours later I was in another plane and on my way to Mwanza.

“Now is the time to make sure,” the pilot said. I often hear many Christians speak of the good ole days of God or worse yet I hear Christians talk about the future. In God there is no past or future only now. The only time we can operate and function with God is in the now, today. The writer of Hebrews encourages us with words of the Holy Spirit, Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “while it is said: Today, if you will hear His voice Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” (Hebrews 3:15) The word “today” is translated in the Greek as “now.” Today, “now” is the acceptable time of salvation not tomorrow or yesterday, because they do not exist. We can only move and function in a dimension of time that exists. Whatever happened in the past is over; either we have learned the lessons God had for us or we harden our hearts and did not learn them and must “now” walk in the consequence of our rebellion to the truth God presented to us. We cannot disregard truth. Truth as it comes to us from God must be dealt with. As a matter of fact how we handle the truth is the measure of our spiritual growth and development, not how long we can speak in tongues, prophesy, or how much money we give the church. As we are brought to the truth, of any given situation or circumstance in our lives, we will either receive it and move in obedience doing God’s will or reject it and receive the reward that comes with meeting the conditions of disobedience. Remember, a reward is something we receive out from our words and actions; they can either be a blessing or a curse to us according to us meeting the condition that God has established. God promises us, if we bless Him and others, He will bless us. But also, God promises us, if we curse Him and others He will curse us. God is to us what we are to Him and others. All of our praying and fasting over the past will not do us any good. The past is the past and “now” is all we have. God’s plan is for us to be learning and ever learning the things that will enable us to be successful in Him. If not we will disqualify our self for service. Why do we think God can use us if we lack the qualities, abilities, and skills needed to function successfully? We are only fooling ourselves and the truth is not in us. Even in the natural realm to function and operate as a physician I must go to medical school and learn the lessons that will enable me to be successful in medicine. I wonder why some Christians think it is different in the spiritual realm?

In Ecclesiastes, the Preacher shares these words with us, “I returned and saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to us all.” (Ecclesiastes 9:11) “Time and chance happen to us all,” this time is “now” not in the past. Here the Preacher returns to the common end for all. Since the only thing in life that is certain is death, enjoy life while you have it. My life could have been snuffed out that day in Dar Es Salaam, according to God’s will, “the Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord,” but it was not to be at this time. Since then, I have come to appreciate this word called “life” a little more and the importance of doing the things God needs us to do. Brethren we must live our life to the fullest in God. We must love our family and friends. With each breath we take, with each day God gives us we must reach out and touch lives with all that is within us. We must live our life in the “now” learning those things God has for us. We must move correctly in God touching deeply those things of the Spirit of God. We must be able to go and do those things God needs to be done. How will God’s purpose and will on earth be accomplished if we do not fulfill it? God has purposed man who is made in His image (icon) to go and speak for Him. To love like Him, to touch and cry like Him, and even to be like Him. God has chosen man to have a relationship with Him, to share His glory and power with Him. Brethren, God is counting on us to do what He needs done, “now.”

Many Christians do not see the importance of moving and living in the “now.” My friend, the present the “now” determines your future. What you do today for God, will determine if you can handle more responsibility in the future. How we move in the things of God will determine if God can trust us with more of His authority and power. Just asking God or having people lay hands on us to impart God’s authority and power is NOT how God awards it, oh no my friend, they are awarded to us by us approving and qualifying for God’s authority and power this is the process God uses. We demonstrate we have learned the lesson, we prove to God we can handle the additional responsibility and then and only then does God grant us, empower us with more of His authority and power. Many lack power and authority today in the church because they are out there doing good workings hoping God will take notice of their efforts or waiting for man to impart God’s power and authority to them, but it is God’s power and authority and God only gives it to those who have qualified for them.

Brethren we must live in the now and appreciate all that God has given us, we must live each day of our lives in God to the fullest. Paul 102 times in his epistles kept saying “in Christ Jesus.” We must live our lives to its fullness in Christ Jesus. For only in Christ Jesus is life and fullness. Let us not waste time, “now” is the time to do the things God needs for us to do. The past is over we cannot change it, but “now” determines our future. Let us live in the present and learn those lessons that will enable us to qualify for the things in the future. Written by David Stahl

THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:

Karen will not be adding something this month, but remember, the best is yet to come.

POETRY CORNER:

He In You

By Charles Haun

God dons the cloke of darkness lack

And hides Himself from fleshly men:

Robes of silk and cloth of sack.

Beggars, Kings, and next of kin.

Disguised in forms quite unexpected,

Christ manifest Himself abroad

To those He loves, to the elected,

Hiding from the worldly horde.

Jesus clothes Himself with you,

Moves about upon you feet:

Black and white, gentile, Jew,

In fleshly robes He walks the street.

Can your feet take Him to lands

To cleanse some souls, set them apart?

Can he reach out through your hands

To touch with light a darkened heart?

Lend yourself to the clothe the Lord,

He has given you His all;

He and you in one accord.

One with Him, that is your call.

DEAR FRIENDS:

Well my Friends it is hard to believe another year has almost slipped into our remembrance. God has been so faithful to me and my family. How can we not love Him the more. So many partners of Beholding His Glory have been so faithful to God and me: Vivian Winstead, Randy Blanton, John and Beverly Stahl, Daniel and Sarah Stahl, John and Mary Papalski, Belinda Koeller, John and Linda Stroud, Carl and Jane Sutton, Cliff and Penny Engle, Beth Sanborn (my travel agent) to name just a few. Also Enon Chapel Baptist Church has greatly given to Beholding His Glory ensuring God’s will be done on earth as it is Heaven. I love you Pastor Jim Kelley. One thing for sure, if you walk with the Lord any length of time, you will see just how dependent we are on God and on each other. And the longer you go with God it seems we become more dependent on each and less dependent on God. This is because we have learned the lessons He has desires to teach us and now we can move in His ability and revelation touching lives with His love. God is really busy upholding the universe and all of mankind, He needs His children to grow into maturity to be able to come along side Him to plow the field together and flow with Him by His Spirit. God’s intention is for us is: “therefore grow in the grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18)

Dear Friends 2005 has been a great year of growth. Spiritual growth always comes by spiritual experiences in God. It is the experiences we have in God that He uses to conform us into the character, image (icon), and nature of His dear Son Jesus Christ so that we may be able to receive His precious promises. Also 2005 has added many more contacts and opportunities for yet more experiences. I usually travel out every other month, but in 2006 to meet what God wants I will need to travel some months back to back. This also will require more support; prayers and financially, but I know my Saviour liveth.

Lastly, I really feel 2006 will be a dangerous and yet a rewarding time to be a Believer. If we think the calamity and destruction we saw in 2005 was unbelievable, I believe 2006 will see even more of God shaking His children to see whom really is holding on to Him. Oh dear Friend let us hold on tight to Him who is able to keep that which we have committed unto Him. God shakes the tree we call life not to see who He can shake out, but to see who is holding on with all their might. Hold fast, hold tight unto His unchangeable hand.

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

FUTURE SCHEDULE:

December: Germany, Romania, and Bulgaria (projected)

January: Local ministry

February: Istanbul, Turkey

March: Sankarguptum and Bombay, India

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