Deeper Truths for Hungry Hearts
April 2014 • Volume XII Number 08
“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. Last month I asked the question, who would ever think conflict to be a teacher? God would that is who. One of the main tools God uses to fashion us into His image as we behold His glory and answer His call is conflict, doubt, and confusion out from His private teaching. As a backdrop let us look at the three men on the road to Emmaus. After the death of Jesus on the cross the Christians were on the run for their lives, what a time of doubt and confusion many faced. They saw Jesus do mighty miracles and hear His calming words, but now He was dead what lay ahead for them? So too in our lives God will use doubt and confusion to call us along the way He has for us to go and then personally teach us what He wants us to know. In the Gospel of Luke we find two such men on their way to Emmaus from Jerusalem only 60 stadia (12 km or four miles) taking roughly 40 minutes to walk. Luke shares with us, “And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.” (Luke 24:13-16)
Amazingly the person they were talking about they did not recognize. I wonder how often this happens with us when we miss Jesus? Then Jesus speaks, “And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?(Luke 24:17) Cleopas relies, “Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? 19And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. 22Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.” (Luke 24:18-24) The two men saw Christ as only a “mighty prophet indeed and word before God and the people.” They were confused they doubted that Jesus was the Son of God not a prophet. You know it matters how you see God? Many today see God as a big sugar daddy with a magic wand to give us whatsoever we need while others see God as a mean old grandfather wanting to discipline us, but in truth God is a loving father who wants to teach us obedience to His ways and will use whatever means it requires to get the job done. The hope of the two men was not in an eternal abiding with Him, but the one who would “redeem Israel” and not all of humanity. Their thinking was earthly and not eternal. And they doubted the physical resurrection Mary proclaimed. They were conflicted and confused they doubted what they once believed, but then Jesus opened up His heart to them “Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 28And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. 29But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. 30And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? (Luke 24:25-32) They did not understand the Scriptures until Jesus opened them and what a powerful time of personal private teaching! Before then the two men did not recognized Jesus they were confused the conflict in their lives drove out the faith God had spoken to them. Verses 30 and 31 says, “And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him.” Apparently this was not the first time they broke bread with Jesus. So to in our lives, we often are conflicted, confused, and doubtful when Jesus comes on the scene and opens the Scriptures to us, when He opens our eyes of understanding, when He opens up the answers to our questions the confusion, doubt, and conflict is all done away with. God uses these tools of doubt, conflict, and confusion (the point they can become our servants if we have the wherewithal to know how to use them) very effectively in our lives and when it is all said and done like the two men on their way to Emmaus we too can say, “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
Next month we will begin a new section and see how “the call of the Apostles” was made in divine sovereignty. Our service to God is also built on the shoulders of the Apostles and all who has come before us. Do you hear Him now?
ARTICLE REVIEW:
Our Struggles of Life
The longer we go with God the more struggles we will have in our lives. This is why many people turn their backs on God and walk no more with Him. All of these struggles in our lives center around our submission and obedience to God and His word. It is always about our submission and obedience to God. If we cannot be submissive and obedient to God our lives will be fruitless, unfulfilled, and God will not be able to use us as He desires. Now I know this on one level, but I really do not know this on another because I too often struggle in life. Often times we shift the heart of the struggle (our obedience and submission to God) to other things in our lives and get off track. We most often struggle in life because of our compromise, tolerance, and adversity to what God has said. Today our society, more and more, is built on compromise, tolerance, and diversity. Well these terms are not spiritual principles contained in the word of God. In America and around the world we see this shift away from the holy standard of God’s word to diversity, everyone is different and we must accept their individual expression and accept them for what they believe, well the Bible does not teach that. The Bible says we all were made in the image of God, in God there is no diversity. God expects us to look, sound, and act like Him not like some tattooed, body pierced, free thinking, anything goes person. Today we are told we must be tolerant. In the past the word tolerant meant to endure or put up with things and people we disagree with, but today tolerance means we must accept the differences of people where there is no right and wrong, no absolutes or judgment, everyone’s point of view is considered valid and has merit, where there is not a Godly bench mark of truth (as the word of God) to guide our lives. And in the world today it seems the best we can do is compromise, giving up something to get something. We see this in the contemporary format of most churches today. The days of the traditional God inspired preaching and music are gone. Rarely do you find a church that holds the line on proper attire and behavior in church. We have compromised the word of God in church so now our lives too are compromised. Remember as the people go so does the church and as the church goes so does the nation. It is no wonder America is on her way out. We have given up Godly standards and principles to get people to come to church for the show. And what do they find – the compromised word of God that cannot save anyone. Standing our ground for the truth is not popular nor will it earn you much money or big crowds. Who wants to be poor in spirit when you can have a big church and travel around the world holding big services with millions of people? Now these terms are worldly terms, terms that are from the spirit of this age and of the world. We must always keep in the back of our mind, Jesus did not come to save the world (a system contrary to what God has said) it is lost and doomed, but Jesus came to save them that were lost. Luke tells us, “For the Son of man (Jesus) is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10) This is a critical thought we must get well into our spirit and understanding, if not we will mix the things of God with the things of this age and of the world confusing our self and others. Make no mistake the world is lost and cannot be saved only fallen man can.
Today in the world and sadly in many churches we hear of political struggles, struggles for equality and for civil rights, but these are not struggles against man, but in reality they are struggles within us against God because we have not aligned our heart and thinking up with Him. At the heart of every issue is always an issue of the heart. In Genesis we read of a man struggling with God. “And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled (struggled) a man with him until the breaking of the day. 25And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled (struggled) with him. 26And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. 27And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. 28And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. 29And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. 30And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” (Genesis 32:24-30) There are some points from these verses I would like for us to consider. If we have to struggle with God to be blessed we have not found favor in God’s sight. Our struggle is a thing of the heart where God must deal and judge in our lives to be able to bring us to understanding and peace. Like Jacob, we struggle when we are alone. It is God and us alone in the valley or on the mountain top. Struggle is something we allow God to work out of us so that He can work His life into us. The more we struggle the less of God we will have in us. There is a better understanding of God and His ways after we have struggled awhile. I wonder what blessing God would have given Jacob if he would have not struggled so and submitted? All he got was a new name and walked with a limp for the rest of his life. We must not struggle with God. But notice Jacob was getting ready to struggle with his older brother Esau who wanted to kill him for lying and deceiving their father. Struggling with God often comes before struggling with man so that we will have the right heart condition to deal with man correctly.
Paul was really good at helping us to deal with our struggles. In Ephesians he helped us when he said, “For we wrestle (struggle) not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12) The word “wrestle” here, Strong’s #3823, means to struggle in a contest between two people in which each endeavour to throw the other and which is decided when the victor is able to hold his opponent down with his hand upon his neck. Now Paul is not talking about spiritual warfare a divine spiritual principle not found in the Bible. Jesus nor any of the disciples used this term. Like most things we do not understand in the Bible we make up terms and names to support a thinking or doctrine we believe and want to spread to other people. This is why we have so many denominations and doctrines today. But, here Paul is saying we must not wrestle or struggle against man “we wrestle not against flesh and blood (especially our Christians brothers and sisters) because our struggle is against, principalities, against powers (Strong’s #1849, power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases), against the rulers (Strong’s #2888, the lords, kings, and rulers of this world) of the darkness of this world (Strong’s #4655, persons in whom darkness becomes visible and holds sway), against spiritual wickedness (Strong’s #4189, depravity, iniquity, wickedness) in high places.” The word “places” was added by translators. Paul is describing this world’s (then and today) subtle seductive philosophy and thinking that is contrary to God and what God has said. It is always eminent and in direct rebellion to God and His word. This thinking is a heart condition that wants its way that wants its desires and emotions satisfied to belong, fulfilled, and justified. Just watch TV and look at what Hollywood and all the beautiful people say success looks like. I do not know why many denominations have hi-jacked this verse to make it seem more spiritual, but if Paul was taking about demons then he would have said demons, but he did not. He was talking about the wicked worldly rulers, principalities, and those in power who exercise authority and who have brought great darkness to the church. We wrestle not against the kings, lords, and rulers (flesh and blood), but it is against the system they project in the world and as it manifests in our lives. Paul was telling us our struggle is against a world system that is contrary to God’s order and system. All throughout his writings Paul time and time again warns us not to be conformed to this world’s thinking and philosophy. For example in Romans, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2) How can we know what “is our reasonable service” and “present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God” if we are conformed to the world’s system of thinking and philosophy?
Some denominations today struggle with their past. Recently I read of a pastor who has asked his entire denomination to embrace the administration of President Obama saying it would go a long way in the reconciliation process between blacks and whites making an atonement in ways for the denomination’s support of slavery in the past. Well, this pastor has been deceived in his heart and blinded to the real need. The issue is not the need for civil rights or even the need for reconciliation between a black and a white man (which is good and must happen), but clarity of heart and understanding as to what God’s word says about the issue. The Bible is clear in God there is no slave or free, male or female, no earthly nations only Christ and Him glorified in our lives one (unity) in Him. Paul tells us “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26-28) If you are a Christian (black or white) and you are struggling over slavery then you are held captive in the prison of your heart to the things of the past because of the lack of understanding of God’s word. It is not about the ugliness and inhuman treatment of many wonderful black people in the past, but what God has said. The real reason (and if it is not shame on them and I hope God gets them) why this denomination and other Christians cannot totally support our present administration is because of their ungodly position on such topics as: abortion, sodomy, lesbianism, and so many others. Now I pray for President Obama and wish him and his family well, but we will either believe what God has said in the Bible or we will believe what the government says is true. And rarely do they agree. One is of the world (perishable) and the other is what God says (eternal). The word of God (the Bible) is very clear on these topics. God calls them sin (an abomination in His eyes) and in our heart and life-style we in America say no God is wrong these things are okay and we will do them. We thumb our nose at God shaking our fist in open defiance saying we know better. Well, either we in America (that includes Christians) will call things true what the world says is okay or what God calls them. We as Christians must not support (with our time or money) any organization or anyone who supports things such as abortion, sodomy, lesbianism, anything which is in direct rebellion to God’s word. How can any Christian denomination support such lies and open rebellion? How can we call ourselves Christians and be in support of such a philosophical agenda that supports such heresy against God’s word? We cannot, but if we do then we have been deceived by the gods of this world and the truth of God’s word is not in us. How can we be called Christians (Christ like) and support the shedding of innocent blood of babies and other things God calls an abomination? It is not a reconciliation issue, but it is an issue of obedience to God’s word. When we believe the Government and the Supreme Court over what God says (the Bible) on spiritual issues then we have called God a liar. Just because the Supreme Court (which is made up of men and women) passes laws that does not change nor makes God’s words null and void. When will America learn?
God’s answer for our struggles is submission and obedience to His word. Obedience to God always brings us into a place of inward rest and contentment the place God desires we all allow Him (our choice) to bring us to. Who cares if the world is falling apart? Certainly not the one who is at rest in God and has stopped struggling. You know dead men (spiritually speaking) are dead to their selfishness and self-seeking and do not do much struggling. They are at peace with man because they are at peace with God. Peace and joy seems to be a great struggle for man, well guess what my friend there will be no peace and joy on the earth until Jesus comes back and sets up His earthly kingdom, until then we can only have peace and joy in our heart. We struggle for unity and peace (even in the church) through politics and worldly practices, again worldly philosophy and thinking, but God’s idea of peace and unity is through our submission and obedience to His word. Only when we have submitted to God’s word can we cease from the struggles in our lives. Oh we will feel the pain and anguish, but it will not matter our focus will not be on the struggle nor on the world, but a higher call to come up near God.
Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
The Making of a Wimp
The title makes a simple statement that painfully most couples (even Christian couples) do not know. It’s quite simply this, if a woman does not respect the man’s God given authority in the home and undermines his authority at every turn, by seeking to get her way there is a wimp in the making. Respect and honor is given voluntarily because it is due (with Christians) NOT because we think it has to be earned—that is worldly thinking! Let me say that again respect and honor is NOT given because you think it has to be earned, but given because it is due. If you can’t respect someone and they must earn your respect that is wrong thinking, not godly and certainly shows how shallow and self centered we are.
A man is not a man in his own home if he has to talk out everything (ad nausea) with his wife. If you’re a Christian lady and in Biblical subjection (1 Peter 3: 1-5) to your husband there’s no need to talk things out why, because his word would be law. This modern day notion that we have to talk everything out is just a slicker form of head-to-head, nose-to-nose, I have to get my way, manipulation, and rebellion. It’s just another way of saying I know better, you don’t. That is rebellion! Allow me to soften the blow a bit. Jesus didn’t get his way so why do we think we have to get our way all the time? It’s impossible to throw a man and woman together in marriage an expect them to walk together down life’s highways without someone being the boss. Now that is not saying the husband is to be a dictator and allow the wife no input on matters dealing with the home and the kids. Amos helps us here, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed? 4Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing? 5Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him? shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all? 6Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?” (Amos 3:3-6) Surprisingly the answer is yes. Dave and I have been married going on 35 years and even today there are areas we do not totally agree on, but these disagreements do not prevent us from walking together if we know our roles in God and guard them with all diligence. That someone (to be the boss) in God’s divine order, is the man. He’s responsible before God for decisions made in the family. God said so. Women don’t think like men and don’t always see things like men do and they are easily deceived. We can quite easily deceive ourselves right into hell if we’re not careful! Talking things out can quickly get out of order because we know if you’ll listen to us and we badger you long enough we can change your mind about anything. There are always two sides to the story and there are always shades of gray in between black and white, but for Christian women we MUST be in subjection to what our husbands say. It does NOT matter how we feel our feelings are like the wind here today, gone tomorrow. Of course we are not always going to agree with everything our husbands say, but quite frankly God doesn’t care. If our husband is a true Christian God will work things out in their (and our) lives. To expect our husbands to be girly and listen to every whine and whim that pops into our head is ungodly. Men aren’t women. God wants men to be men and listen to Him. Sometimes we women just need to sit and be quiet and just go along with the program. The earth does not revolve around us. We are not supposed to get our way here on earth. Did Jesus? I don’t think so. Do you think He was comfortable wandering around for three years without a pot to pee in, no roof over his head, no change of clothes, no regular meals, no comfy bed, twelve grumbling hard headed disciples to teach, his own people turning their backs on him then he gets to be beaten, humiliated, and crucified for us. Is that getting his way? No instead He washed the disciple’s feet this is our example. Jesus died on the cross that is our example too, death to self not getting our way. How often did Jesus get to do what He wanted to do? Jesus said, “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me and to finish his work.” (John 4:34). Read it, it’s in the Bible! Ladies this is a hard truth for us, but it is God’s truth be not deceived by the ways of the world. When we give in to our flesh and are only interested in that which is for our benefit we become wimps ourselves. Selfless people are not wimps. People that put others ahead of themselves are not wimps. We damage our own souls by being self-serving and self seeking. God does not like whining or complaining. It’s not respectful and it’s not godly. Toughen up ladies the man is the head of the home and we are not. That’s God’s rules not ours. Nowhere in the Bible does it say we can change that. Let us not turn our husbands into castrated, wimpified shadows of real men (thus not respecting them at all) by wearying them with our demands having to have our feelings validated, badgering, crying, and I wants. This will trickle down to our sons and they’ll not know how to be real Godly men, with mom calling all the shots, how could they? Peter says, “And to you men treating your wife like the weaker vessel.” (1 Peter 3:7), is not the same as giving credence to every whine and whim of the wife, its two different things. Husbands God holds YOU responsible for the family. If it’s easier for you to just give in rather than take your wife to task over things, well you’re already a wimp and God help you and your family. Peace at any price is devilish and silence is compliance. You are not walking in godly authority in your own home, how sad. Husbands man up before it’s too late, seek the Lord if you don’t know what to do. He has the answers. Wives let us all “be sober to love their husbands to love their children to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good obedient to their own husbands that the word of God be not blasphemed” (Titus 2:4-5) Time is short, let us read our Bibles and learn what God expects of us men and women alike. God bless. The best is just around the corner.
Written by Karen Stahl
NEEDS NO WANTS:
1. In Silistra, Bulgaria Pastor(s) Niki Marsov and Emil Nedelchev. Included now are missionaries from Romania Nicu and Elena. Times are troubled in Bulgaria much prayer and support is needed.
2. Constanta, Romania Pastors Luke and Jacob at Bethel Church and George Ritisan at the Romanian Center for Cross-cultural Studies Bible School and the Faru (Lighthouse) Church.
3. In Suceava, Romania Pastors Nicu and Marcel at St. Andrews Church. They are still standing by God’s grace.
4. Pastor Joseph Mutua in Nairobi, Kenya needs your prayer and financial support.
5. Pastor Mike Olufemi in Aveile, Nigeria. He needs our prayers and support to be a light in great darkness.
6. Pastor S. J. Peter, Founder of DAWN Ministries in Hyderabad and Pastor Wilson and his son Pastor Julian in Sankaraguptham, India.
7. Pastor Metin Mintaz, Dan, Cathy, and members of Uskudar Son Buyruk Kilisesi in Istanbul, Turkey.
8. Pastor Elieti Msangi in Dar Es Salaam and Pastors Isreal Mutaitina and John Balone in Bukoba, Tanzania.
9. Monthly financial support for Vivian’s Maternity and Child Care Clinic project in Aviele, Nigeria.
10. Pastor Tek Dahl at Gethsemane, Church (his church) and their radio station “Good News 105.1 FM” in Kathmandu, Nepal.
11. Bishop John, Samuel Kamanzi (from the Congo), and, Emmanuel Ndolimana in Ruhengeli, Rwanda.
Next Home Group Meeting:
Our next Home Group Meeting will be 22 April 2014
232 Everett Drive
Sneads Ferry, NC 28460
Home: (910) 741-0489
at 7:00 pm, please RSVP
FUTURE SCHEDULE:
April: Local ministry
May: Ethiopia
June: Local ministry
I am still available to share what God has given me at churches and/or home groups. If God moves on your heart to support BHG or other ministries we personally know we would be honored to serve as a go between. Remember, if we want a blessing from God the spiritual principle is we must bless others. Remember, God is to you what you are to God.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address:
David and Karen Stahl
232 Everett Drive
Sneads Ferry, NC 28460
Phone:
Home: (910) 741-0489
Mobile: (910) 382-9287
FAX: (910) 741-0489
Email:
Ministry E-mail: dstahl@beholdinghisglory.com
Personal E-mail: mtnebo@hotmail.com
Online:
Beholding His Glory Website
Beholding His Glory Blog
The AuthorHouse link below will lead you to our latest book, “Thoughts for Consideration.” Just copy it into your web browser and return. Also you can purchase two of our other books “Adventures with God.” and “God Still Performs Miracles: A Book of Personal Encouragement.”
http://www.authorhouse.com/AuthorCenter/Protected/BookHome.aspx?bookID=61464
Please take a minute and take a look, they all make for a great encouraging gift, giving hope and sharing God’s love through a deeper teaching that someone can enjoy again and again. All of our books can be purchased at all book stores like Barnes and Nobles, Borders, Book-A-Million, and etc., any Christian Book Store that orders, and all book ordering on-line companies like Amazon.com. Or if you are like me from the old school just contact us, we will let you know the price and then we will mail it out to your home address. Postage and handling is on a case by case basis.
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 us 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.
