Deeper Truths for Hungry Hearts
May 2016 • Volume XIV Number 09
“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. This month we will finish up with the call of God on Moses’ life and then look at some other mighty men of God (like you and I) that were called and the price they paid to be able (in God) to answer that call. As we have seen over the last few months the call of God is nothing to take lightly nor is it something we can do within ourselves. It is God’s call, it is God’s plan, and it is God’s power even supernatural power if need be to make it all happen. We seem to want to always go after and see the supernatural things, but that is not what God really wants. Supernatural things, miracles and the such are done for non Christians so that they would believe that a supernatural God is involved in situations and the affairs of mankind as a sign of accreditation. Thus man exists in two realms – the natural and the supernatural. Man likes to put God in the supernatural realm because they think it makes Him more of a God, but in reality God relates to man more in the natural realm than the supernatural. Most of the time God works with us on lower levels. In fact, Scriptures is in the lower form, even in the natural and physical form. That way, we all have opportunity to see His goodness. Things of God must be reduced for us children. Otherwise we would never grow into wise adults. So God must say, ” I am your Banner; I am your shield; I am the Lord Who supplies all your needs.” Almost everything from God moves in this level so that we ALL can grasp His truth. Hidden in the lower level language is the spiritual sublime. God will bring us through and beyond the lower level into the unknowable. He will transcend all that is high and noble in our culture, language, and bring the unknowable to the heart of man. He will instill within man such mysteries of the Kingdom of God (which is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit) that man is at a loss to explain them. But that which man cannot speak will be communicated as light flowing from that life. That which God has shared of Himself will be manifested in that human life and seen and felt by others. The love of God, His mercy, the grace of God, His faithfulness, cannot be translated into terms. But God’s qualities can be translated into a life. That which is not understood and not able to be known by the human mind is expressed by a life. Jesus, the character, in the Greek, meaning “impression” of God, becomes the greatest example of this life to us. Language and man’s mind will limit communication of God’s glory. The inner spiritual being of man breaks through this limitation. But even with this breakthrough the glory of God is still limited to man. The reason for the limitation is that man in all of his spiritual qualities is finite and God is infinite. Man does not have the capacity to contain the capacity of God so man goes after God in the supernatural and hopes for miracles, signs and wonders, and not for God. In Exodus 4:1-9 we read of all the miracles God has to do to get Moses to believe He was running the show, yet almost every time when Moses needed God to come through (and He did) Moses’ faith waivered (not unlike us) and God had to do another miracle. When the Children of Israel were boxed in by the Red Sea in front and 400 chariots of the Egyptian Army behind God told Moses, “Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: 16 But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.” (Exodus 15:15-16) God was saying why are you asking for me to do another miracles what do you want me to do? After all I have given you a rod that can become a serpent then a rod again. Do you not remember, “And the LORD said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow. 7And he said, Put thine hand into thy bosom again. And he put his hand into his bosom again; and plucked it out of his bosom, and, behold, it was turned again as his other flesh.” (Exodus 4:6-7) What else do I have to do for you to believe in Me? Well the LORD is saying the same thing to us. What else does He have to do to get us to believe? More miracles? More supernatural things? No of course not. God wants us to believe in Him in the natural world more than the supernatural, in the here and now. Do supernatural things happen yes of course, but please know they happen so that the lost (those who do not know a living Christ) will question their belief and hopefully comer to know Him first through salvation then next as a loving Father. God has already given us (like with the rod for Moses) everything we need to believe. God gave us His word and His Holy Spirit no more miracles are really needed. Let us see and learn of God in the natural and leave the supernatural to God.
Next month we will begin to look at the qualifications (and so much more) for the call of God on the life of Isaiah. Remember nothing is free in God (even our salvation Jesus died for that) especially if God is planning to use you in a great way. The greater the use the greater the qualifying. What is in our heart to object to when God calls. Listen closely my friend do you hear Him call now?
Written David Stahl
ARTICLE REVIEW:
Givers and Takers
One thing I find so refreshing as I study (not casually read) the Scriptures especially the Gospels (John is my favorite) is that the ministry of Jesus was revolutionary and hard to handle by those who were a part of the established religious sects. Jesus’ ministry did not placate the traditions and rituals of men, but it revealed them for what they really were before God and man. We too must love God and man enough to be willing to call a spade a spade and tell the truth. But we seem not to want to do this. But Jesus had no problem with telling the religious folks of his day the truth, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. 28Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.” (Matthew 23:27-28) If Jesus would do this today he would be run out of most churches I know. I wonder why we dance around the truth not wanting to offend? Believe it or not the answer may surprise you. Why we fail to keep the standards God has established is because we lack truthfulness and integrity within the Body of Christ. I will be the first to say oh me here at times. If we really cared we would be quick (by loving them enough) to let our brothers and sisters know when they are getting off track. Do we not do this with our own children? And does God do this with us? Yes! The Writer of Hebrews shares, “And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.” (Hebrews 12:5-8) Jesus endured chastening by His Father and is the servant greater than the Master? Please make no mistake my friend I take no pleasure in tickling your ears with denominational falsehoods and plain lies, my goal is to share things with you, God has worked into my life that will help you to grow in the grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. My friend when it is all said and done this is God’s goal in our lives and if we have not allowed Him to do this in us then we have failed, not succeeded. If we truly want to serve God we will have to step outside the accepted religious norms and all of the busy work that goes along with membership at a church and be led by the Holy Spirit. We cannot follow (Matthew 7:13-14) the crowd, remember it is the broad road that is crowded with people fighting to get ahead in a world of business, religion, and traditions, but this road leads to destruction. This road is filled with many deceived people my friend. The other road Jesus talked about the narrow road (which leads to life) take heed my friend Jesus also said, “few there be that find it” Find what the road? No the life of God which is only found on the narrow way, the restricted, and limited way we must walk to be able to enter into God’s life. Yet today in most big churches we have “new member” classes when someone gives their hearts to the Lord. Why? Are we indoctrinating or sharing the Gospel? Are we not one body? Paul thinks we are, “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:12-13) Who are we trying to fool, certainly not the world, they know better. Even those in the world can read between the lines and see how we have set up ourselves ahead of God in so many ways. We are not to be so concerned with making peace with man that we forsake the requirement to make peace with God. It seems many Christians today are more concerned and would rather disappoint God for the appearance of unity and peace, so people will come, give money, and fill up their building, than to be honest before God. Why are there so many different denominations? I have been asking this question for years and no one can answer my question.
In the church today this deception and disillusionment is easily seen between the two groups of people Givers and Takers. We can further break them down into carnal and spiritual if we want. Now from the start we must establish how important giving is. Giving is the heart of the Gospel message. John captured this truth well when he recorded God’s heart, “for God so loved the world that He gave . . .” (John 3:16) Giving is at the heart of all we do in God. And if God cannot teach you to become a Giver He cannot use you. I will even go further and say we cannot be a real Christian unless God can teach us to be Givers. Now giving is much more than throwing in a few bucks in the offering plate when it passes by. God is not after our money this is a selfish and self-centered worldly concept that gets its power from our greedy carnal unrepentive nature. I am amazed at the number of messages I have heard in my life about giving money to the church so God will bless me. Is God’s blessing tied to money? How vain and presumptuous to think so. Being blessed by God in America means you drive the right car, wear the right clothing, or live on the right side of the tracks, how shallow. If this be true all of the Christians I have met in Africa and Asia who have no money must not be blessed. Well, my friend I would say they have been blessed far beyond (the Western churches standards) measure with: hope, peace, contentment, joy (not happiness), and so much more. Who would want money when you can have all of this? And I find it amazing these people who have nothing would give you the last bite of bread. Maybe they have learned something about giving. Pastors and preachers who preach on money are Takers. God is not interested in our money oh no God is interested in us giving ourselves unconditionally to Him. He knows if He can win our heart then our wallet will follow. Charles Haun always said, “once God gets a hold of our wallet He has all of us.” But our wallet is not God’s target it is our heart broken and submitted before Him. We Christians in America need to forget about money and start focusing on God what is truly important in what God wants to do in our lives. Here are some points that highlight the difference between Takers and Givers. I am sure you can think of more, but I would ask you to prayerfully evaluate yourself against these points.
Takers verses Givers
- A Taker is more concerned with what they get from their giving, but a Giver is only concerned with what God is doing.
- A Taker counts the cost of his giving while a Giver gives beyond his ability.
- A Taker always looks for a return on his investment while a Giver does not care what they get back they have been taught it all belongs to God.
- A Taker can tell you every time they gave and did not get something in return while a Giver never keeps track.
- A Taker delights in reducing men to service for their personal gain while a Giver just delights in serving.
- A Taker enjoys the power of authority, being in the limelight, and directing affairs of others while a Giver likes the back seat of the car.
- A Taker goes for comfort while a Giver does not mind enduring.
- A Taker likes surrounding himself with people (who look to him as the leader) while a Giver gets the bags while the Takers looks on.
- A Taker acts like they care, but in reality they are only concerned about how things impact them while a Giver does what it takes to ensure success.
- A Taker is out for himself while a Giver always thinks about others.
- A Taker thinks he has a deep revelation from God while he Giver just lives his life for God.
- A Taker does not know he is a Taker, but the Giver does.
Givers please be careful Takers will eat your last bite of joy that God has been able to work in your life and consume it before your eyes. If we look at numbers of Takers and Givers we will find eight out of 10 Christians in the church today are Takers. No small wonder relationships in the church are a struggle at best. In every relationship we enter into we will find ourselves as either a Taker or a Giver, amazingly enough the choice is ours. I wonder what Jesus was a Taker or a Giver?
Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
Just Like a Ship
Sometimes we are our own worst enemy. Our thinking is wrong and we wonder why things don’t go well in our life. GOD expects us to become the image of HIS dear SON and our precious savior Jesus Christ and as we allow GOD to work in our lives HE will ever so slowly yet steadily bring certain things to our attention so we may deal with them. Now we can ignore GOD and HIS dealings, but in the long run that isn’t exactly in our best interest, is it? The more worldly things we go after: what we read, watch on TV, what we put our time and effort into the more we must counteract those influences with more GODLY pursuits. Think of it this way, if we spend let’s say 2 hours reading secular books and magazines or watching secular TV what are we going to be filled with? What about the people we hang around with? Some people we just can’t be around. There are some places we cannot go (Dave always says this) and there are some things we cannot think. IF GOD wants us to be like HIS SON Jesus (and HE does) we have to put on the mind of Christ. Paul tells us in Philippians,
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” (Philippians 2:5)
Brother Peter said it this way in 1 Peter, “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” (1 Peter 1:13) Both in their own way style and manner were saying the same thing, we are to think like Jesus thinks. This is where the ship comes in. A ship in the water displaces water with its bulk. We are to displace wrong attitudes and wrong thinking: be it religious, cultural , regional etc. etc. just like a ship displaces water. How do we do that, well one way is to read our Bible. GOD gave us the Scriptures for a reason and at great cost to other men in the past. It also helps to spend time with GOD and let HIM do the talking not us. Just take some time to sit quietly in HIS presence and wait on HIM. It’s hard I know, there’s so many needs out there and the temptation to beseech the LORD on others behalf is over whelming. but it can and must be done. We can all find some quiet time during the day (if we really want to) and just sit and wait on the LORD. We always expect GOD to be at our beck and call whenever an emergency comes up, well guess what He is there for us, but I can assure you GOD is NOT wringing his hands over anything on earth or in Heaven. And for us to get to that place of complete trust and rest in HIM we must read our Bibles, spend time with HIM, and allow HIM to work in our lives—which isn’t going to be easy. We also MUST have a love for the truth—for without a love for the truth we will not be able to agree with GOD when he points out those things in OUR lives that need change—-it’s so much easier to see the things that need changed in someone else’s life, but when it gets down to the nitty gritty in our lives—-uh oh. So full steam ahead brethren with God we can sail stormy seas (at times), in full assurance of making our home port with HIS help and guidance.
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.
12. Money for an industrial strength potato peeler at the Mission School in Romania.
Next Home Group Meeting:
Our next Home Group Meeting will be TUESDAY 24 May 2016
Guest Speaker: Pastor John Balone from Bukoba, Tanzania
232 Everett Drive
Sneads Ferry, NC 28460
7:00 pm please RSVP
Home: (910) 741-0489
FUTURE SCHEDULE:
May: Local Ministry
June: Bukoba, Tanzania
July: 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.
