BEHOLDING HIS GLORY
February 2003	Volume I Number 06

”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. God’s intention for us as we Behold His Glory is to be able to build a “deep” hunger in us for Him, His ways, and His people. David shares these words with us, ”Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.” (Psalms 42:7) Remember, deep in God is down, not too many Christian want to get deep in God. The way deep into God is downward, not upward. All that we become in God will come out from the hunger that God builds in us. And if He CANNOT build in us a hunger for Him, His ways, and His people, then God CANNOT use us, we have disqualified ourselves for His service. There is a deep call coming out from the Father’s heart to us. Can you hear it? If you can then God will be able to build in you, out from this hunger, a dedication and commitment to Him, His ways, and His people. People today in the church are dedicated or committed to “nothing.” Do you know “nothing” is really something? Many Christians in Heaven will be rewarded by God with “nothing,” because they suffered loss (1 Corinthians 3:15) at the judgement seat of Christ and now having “nothing” they are now in outer darkness (Matthew 8:12; 22:13-14; 25:30) gnashing their teeth. Heaven will be a place of many surprises. We are to be dedicated to God, His ways, and His people. And out from the hunger God can build in us an unwavering dedication. Dedication and commitment for many Christians are two problem words in their mouth, because they are not in their heart. Out of our mouth speaks the things in our heart. Christian marriage after marriage fall to the ground in loss. While in Ethiopia last year I saw many married Christians come for prayer who were HIV/AIDS positive. How can we be committed to God when we cannot be committed to our spouse? If we cannot be dedicated and committed, again God CANNOT use us we are disqualified. This is not God’s intention for us. He desires to build in us a hunger and dedication so that we can come to the end of this specific work in our lives, a surrender to Him, His ways, and His people. A surrender to Him is what He is looking for in our lives. The correct answer to God appeared on a plaque behind John Wright Follette’s desk, “Yes Lord.” Not to many Christians want to say “Yes Lord.” They seem to have something else to say. I cannot do it because I must do this. No Lord, I do not want to do what you or the Pastor want I have a better plan. When we truly Behold His Glory there will a great surrender in our lives. More next month.

ARTICLE REVIEW:

Having Nothing to Say

In December 2002, I had the great pleasure of spending a week in Constanta, Romania with Pastor Ghita Ritisan and a week in Silistra, Bulgaria with Pastor(s) Yanko Dobrev and Niki Markov sharing in both their churches, Bible Schools, and some village churches. These very gifted, great men of God are on the edge standing in faith without room to move backward. Forward is the only “way” ahead for them. Backwards is not an option. They are dedicated, committed as they continue to lay their lives down for their people. I am always amazed how those with the least do the most for God. It is always important to remember it is not what we do for God that counts, but how we do it. God is not too concerned how the seed is planted, but He is concerned about what was planted and what is growing, because He knows whatever is planted will grow. The day I arrived in Bulgaria there was a four member team from the States. The team consisted of a pastor, his wife, and two members from the pastor’s church. They all were very nice. When we first met I did not say anything and they thought I was a Bulgarian. Do you know nothing says a lot? You often say volumes about yourself when you say nothing. Nothing can be very loud and send a very strong message. Matthew shares these words, ”And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.” (Matthew 27:11-12) Jesus said, “nothing.” It takes great inward strength to say “nothing” when you are being accused or when someone is yelling at you. There was great resistance in Jesus as He stood before Pilate in submission to him and obedience to His Father by saying “nothing.” There is a big difference, for submission is an attitude where obedience is conduct. Jesus had the inward strength to say “nothing” because He learned obedience and humbled Himself. ”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) We will always think we have something to say unless we have learned obedience and have humbled ourselves. This was the secret of Jesus’ power, His obedience to His Father. This was the secret to His successful ministry, His humble and obedient conduct, unlike most of the ambitious ministers of today striving to build a big church and ministry for God. Jesus did only those things His Father told Him to do and say. This too is the place God wishes to take us, a place where we have nothing to say. Please always remember this spiritual principle, it does not matter what you do for God, but it matters how you do things for Him.

Now back to the team. As we traveled around town each team member began to reveal their heart, “out of our mouth speaks our heart.” Solomon in Proverbs 23:7 says, “as a man thinks in his heart so is he.” In the Greek it is translated, “as a gate opens, so is he.” Our heart is our gate and what ever we allow behind the gate we will be that, and whatever we are, it will come out our mouth. Well, the pastor’s wife was a very nice lady, but she never shut up. She was always talking, she never shut her mouth. And what she was staying had nothing to do with anything. She started talking about Americans abroad. I then spoke, she was very surprised I was an American and understood what she was saying. I told her there was a saying in Eastern Europe that you can always tell the American in the crowd because their mouth is always moving. She got offended at me, I smiled. Our next stop was to a hotel and I went to the bathroom, it had eastern toilets. (a hole in the flooring or ground in which to ease your self into, the nice ones have a place to rest your feet) I returned and informed the ladies the bathroom was down stairs if they had to go, they quickly rushed off and quickly returned in shock. It was the first time they saw an eastern toilet. She had more to talk about now. I told them 70% of the world uses eastern toilets, but I do not think they believed me. We then headed off to church, it was very very cold, maybe 25C. We heard of seven people who died from the cold the week I was in Silistra. The team was asked to sing a song before the pastor spoke so the couple and the pastor’s wife took the stage. Once on stage the pastor’s wife stepped in front of the couple and did sign language as they all sung in English. It was easy to see the pastor’s wife has never learned to come under limitations and restrictions in God for her life. Those who know authority keep their mouth closed. They dare not speak carelessly because there is in them a sense of authority. One’s cleverness, opinion, and self -thoughts all must be broken. Those who are naturally talkative, opinionated, self-conceited automatically disqualify themselves for service. Limitations and restrictions bring us to fulfillment and maturity. For out from God’s dealings and judgments in our lives they teach us about discipline so that we like Jesus can say, “nothing.” If we cannot learn from the limitations and restrictions God brings into our life then He cannot use us, we have disqualified ourselves for service. God will not use one who has not learned when to speak and when not to speak. God’s limitations and restrictions teach us about authority and to submit ourselves to things we do not want in our lives, but we need to come into the image (icon) of Jesus Christ. Jesus learned obedience through limitations and restrictions in His life, He learned to come under authority, He learned when to speak and when not to speak, and is the servant greater then the Master? Written by Pastor David Stahl

I Asked God and He said, NO

I asked God to take away my habits.

God said, No.

It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. God said, No.

His spirit is whole and his body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience. God said, No.

Patience is a by-product of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is learned.

I asked God to give me happiness.

God said, No.

I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain.

God said, No.

Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow.

God said, No.

You must grow on your own! But I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life. God said, No.

I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.

I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me. God said... Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.

Author unknown

CURRENT NEWS:

Changes for 2003 has already began. Back in April 1997, God began to lead us in the “wilderness way” and still He continues to move us. In 2003 Christliche Gemeinde will move from Fellbach to Bad Cannstatt. My schedule for 2003 ever grows. I believe 2003 will see me in China. Karen and the kids are doing well. Sarah, Daniel’s wife, spent Christmas with us. I feel in my spirit, “2003 will be a very bad year for the world, only those separated (judge themselves) unto God will withstand.” These words I hand wrote in Beholding His Glory for January and still believe them to be very true today. I am not sure what tomorrow holds for Family Stahl, but I personally know who holds tomorrow. Thank you for remembering us in your thoughts and prayers. We are like Paul said, “one bread.” Not independent, but dependent on God and each other.

FUTURE SCHEDULE:

January: Open

February: New London, CT with Pastor Doug Price (tentatively)

March: Lagos, Nigeria with Pastor Mike Olifume

April: Hyderabad, India with S. J. Peter (tentatively)

May: Nairobi, Kenya with Pastor Joseph Mutua

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 items for the printing service and new church building in Bulgaria is still before you. John Balole who translates for me when I go to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania heading to Pinecrest Bible Training Center still needs $500. God has already provided $500. Also in the country of Djibouti Getahun Jorga is attending Bible school from a distance education program still needs your help. Bill and Charlene Pepper are in a critical phase of building a new home in Alaska and need support to continue ministry efforts in Peru, China, Mongolia, and many more countries. The change from year 2002 to 2003 does not change the need. 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:

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)

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