Waiting on God – His Characteristics
April 2020 • Volume XVIII 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. This month we will start to look at a new area of the LORD’s call, His “knocking” throughout the Scriptures. Before I start let me explain something that many people seem to be confused with, and that is the word “LORD” and “Lord” in the Scriptures. When we read the word “LORD we are talking about Adonai, the owner, ruler, master of all men and as we are God’s total possession and He the creator of all things where as the word “Lord” (little letters) refers to Jesus Christ as owner master teacher the savoir of the world. The words are not interchangeable due the gravity of the meaning applied. I hope this helps.
Now let us get into the knocking of the LORD not the Lord. There are six such passages in the scriptures and we will tackle two maybe three to help us understand the importance of the LORD knocking in our lives. We will start in the Book of Hebrews. The writer says, “For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 12 For the word of God isquick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.’ (Hebrews 4:10-12) Did you get that, “let us labor therefore to enter in that rest.” Now the word “labor” (Strong’s G#4704) to give diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavor, labour, study. There is work and study we must do to be able to enter into the rest of God, but most of all we must “cease” from our own labor. We will labor this is God’s idea, but whether we labor in our own self strength or labor in the strength of God depends on us. This is the point the writer (I believe to be Paul) is making. How easy is this to cease? If you say easy then you and I both know you are lying. We cannot do it on our own, but if we can hear “the word” of God, if we can hear (not read the written word) God knocking on the door of our heart then we will be able to at least have a beginning of an ability if we move with the Spirit to cease from our own labor. We do not have the strength God must give us the strength as we hear Him knock we gain the strength. Verse 12 tells us the ability and power “the word” has in our lives, “is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit.” What else do we need? The ability to enter into the rest of God is found in our ability to come to a rest of our labors. The next verses I would like to look at are found in 1 Corinthians and the second form of knocking on our heart door is by “the Spirit.” Paul writes to the Church of Corinth, “Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. 23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judge of fall:25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.” (1 Corinthians 14:22-25) All that we do in God must be by the Spirit, but here Paul was correcting the Church at Corinth from misusing the gift of speaking in tongues (not tongue) in a church service. Now it is true there is nothing new under the sun, this practice continues today I believe so that mature Christians can show off their Spiritual prowess. Notice verse 13, “ And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest;” It is the secret workings of the spirit that reveal the truth of the Spirit of God to us. In all we say, do, and teach we must get to the Spirit level. If we do not get or give things by the Spirit then we and others will never get the things of God. This is what Paul was saying we must do things by the Spirit and in a way that people will understand them. When the Spirit knocks on our heart we will know it. A word on “tongues” and “tongue” from the Spiritual prospective. These two words are often alike in thought, but confused and misapplied in application. When we read the word “tongues” in Scriptures it can mean a given language learned or it can refer to the supernatural ability, by the Spirit, to be able to speak a language where you have no learned ability, or to prophesy, or explain the unknown language. Some Pentecostal denominations also believe there is a heavenly prayer language spoken known only by God. For example: “Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? 13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.” (Acts 2:11-13) Now “tongue” is the same in speaking a given language or speaking an unknown tongue. (only in 1 Corinthians 14:2, 4, 9, 13, 14, 19, and 27)
Next month we will continue to look at more of God’s knocking. Do you hear Him calling? Please know God is calling. Walter Beuttler said if you build God a temple He will inhabit it. Have you built God a temple? If you do He will abide and wait for you.
Written by David Stahl
ARTICLE REVIEW:
Our Will
If you have ever had any second thoughts if God loves us just watch an animal show on TV. Karen and I like to watch (no we are not tree huggers) National Geographic Wild or Animal Planet (there seldom is anything worth watching on TV to include what we call “Christian” TV a real oxymoron) We are amazed at how God patterned the animal kingdom after its own kind and imprinted in their lives the desire for self-preservation (if you do not believe me just go fishing and draw a fish from the water it will do everything it can to escape to save its life) and a desire to produce seed after it own kind. We are amazed at how God put in place indwelling drives and desires to eat certain foods; some animals (no matter the size, age or sex) are meat eaters while others eat plants trees, and leaves. What a perfect balance to life and death God has built into the animal kingdom. Now some people would say this all happened by accident or at best it all was random selection starting from an one celled animals — to this I say, “camel cookies!” Back in the Book of Genesis (which is not a book on creation) God spoke the animal kingdom into existence (which means the chicken came first and not the egg) and then He made man. “And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was good. 25 And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.” (Genesis 1:24-25) Then God made man. “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his ownimage, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:26-28) The Book of Genesis is not about creation if it is then God sure left out a whole lot of details, oh no my friend the Book of Genesis is about what God says and does. In the first Chapter alone God said (“And God said”) and did something 18 times. This my friend is a continual theme all throughout the Bible that we must allow to grip our soul — if God says something then it will come to pass if we allow it to happen in our lives. Remember God’s speaking is always His intention for us and whether it comes to pass is not up to God nor His power, but up to us by being willing to walk in the condition God has measured out for us to meet so that we will be able to move in the revelation of His speaking to us. Funny how God’s will has little to do with God, but everything to do with us. God can only do and say what He wills (His desire for our lives) He does not try to trick us or set us up for failure He only speaks His will to us in ways (both written and spoken word as well as by the Holy Spirit to our inner spirit man) we know that we know for sure God is speaking to us. Here in verse 24 God said some things and they came to pass. Then in verse 28 God said more things and they too came to pass and notice “God blessed” (God’s first blessing) man and woman. Man was made much different than animals, fish, birds, etc. Man was given a will of His own to make choices that animals (like Angels for that matter) were not given. Animal have no choice (they have been imprinted from birth) what they will eat, where they will live, when they will procreate, and to a certain degree when they will die. All it takes for a huge giraffe to die is get separated from his mates and for him to meet a pride of lions. Funny though how man seems to think more of animals than they do of people. Today (maybe only in America) an animal’s life seems to be more sacred than a human life. The will of man to keep life alive in the womb has been lost since 1973 and man keeps passing laws to fulfill his selfish desires (to fulfill man’s will) against what God says to be true and lawful. Just because the Supreme Court of America passes a law to sanction the death of a baby does not make it okay with God. America is answering for this today. Yet in all of this man is different he was made in God’s image. God loves man very much in spite of man’s open rebellion. God gave man a soul and blessed him (and woman) with an ability to do the things animals cannot do. And one of those things God gave man was a free will. There are 1,000s and 1,000s of churches in American (many types of denominations) to remind us of this. We all have a free will. If we have been born into the earth we all have a free will and at times we can choose not to do what God would will for our lives. Jesus told the disciples and people who followed him, “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Mark 8:34) Now we cannot not take up Jesus’ cross we all have our own personal cross to take up and I believe it has something to do with our will. It is our will which is a part of the cross we must take up and bear — our will laid across God’s will for our life and in the construct of the two wills is our response of obedience (or of no obedience) God is looking for. Even Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane had a will that was not what the Father wanted for His life, but Jesus knew His purpose and reason for living and that was to die. In Matthew we read of Jesus, “And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.” (Matthew 26:39,42) If you want to go with God you must always go “a little further” and fall down on our face, but here Jesus clearly has a will that was contrary to the Father’s. Jesus here demonstrated not once, but twice what God is looking for when our wills clash, “not as I will, but as thou wilt.” God is always looking for our obedience to His will the first time He speaks. If God has to keep speaking to us again and again, twisting our arms then our obedience is not genuine from our heart, but has been coerced. This is not what God is after in our lives. God is after obedience the first time thoughtfully and willfully. We all have a will and at the heart of our will is the way we conduct ourselves. I know some of the greatest losses I have experienced is the loss of relationships by a willful act. I have written in the past about a friend (yes I still consider him a friend 30 years is a long time to throw under the bus) and who I love very much (and am hoping he changes his mind), but he has made a willful decision to break off relationship with me because I spoke the truth (even though he does not believe that from his perspective) to him. Measure your words when you tell someone the truth about themselves. And now he has made another willful decision to gather people (people we both know) against me. I sent an email to a pastor friend in Kenya (who I have known since 1995) who replied back thinking he was sending an email to my friend asking him if he can talk to me. Well I emailed my pastor friend back and asked him why he has to ask my friend’s permission to talk with me and got back a flowery email saying how much he loves and appreciates me, but we both know this was a lie. Words cannot cover the real spirit of a man if one has a spiritual discernment. Our will is powerful it can come with great deception to the truth if we refuse to honestly examine our heart (I have done this before) and then lead people astray thinking they are in the right and justified in their actions. Yet I too have a will and have chosen to look past and to be honest my heart is heavy from the loss of relationship. We must take heed to how our will is employed especially when it comes to people we esteem and value. I see a growing trend and danger in the church globally where leaders are looking to men instead of the Holy Spirit. The practice of mentorship (a business term) and accountability before men is ever growing in acceptance, well this all is nothing more than old fashioned manipulation and control to bend ones’ will after another’s will or to get them to do and think a certain way. In the church it is the appearance of the perceived spiritual prowess of the mentor where the deception is found. We must take heed in this area. The writer to the Hebrews says, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith,” not looking at man and his abilities to lead or inspire. Mentorship is not a spiritual principle in the Bible and we must not get caught up in such a worldly practice.
Lastly as I read the Bible I see verses that talk about a perfect will and a good will and even have heard people talk about God’s permissive (word not in the KJV) will and yes I use to believe God allowed these different wills into our lives, but now I do not believe this is so. God’s will is not by degree or doled out, but is like His salvation either we are saved or we are not there is no middle ground. Either we are in God ‘s will or we are not and only God’s will comes to us out from our of obedience to Him. Funny how we really know if we are in God’s will. Oh we may try to fool people into believing we are doing what God wants us to be doing, but in our heart we know the only person we have fooled is our self. Recently my big brother, Karen, and I were talking and he made this statement, “ministry is a good place for people to hide. We can do all of this stuff and not allow God to deal in our heart.” Looking back over my many years of ministry I can see this to be true in my life at times and in the lives of others. It is our will right or wrong that keeps us going and if not careful it will be our will that will take us far out of God.
Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
Arm of Flesh 2
Last month we talked about the “arm of flesh” (see Jeremiah 17: 5-10) and this month let’s see how GOD helps us as we come to HIM. Folks it’s one thing for us to tell someone to “buck-up,” but it’s quite another when GOD says, “buck-up.” Human inspiration only goes so far. Oswald Chambers said, “GOD does not give overcoming life. He gives us life as we overcome. When the inspiration of GOD comes and He says– “Arise from the dead,” we have to get up: GOD does not lift us up. Our Lord said to the man with the withered hand–“stretch forth thy hand,” and as soon as the man did so his hand was healed, but he had to take the initiative. If we will do the overcoming we shall find we are inspired of GOD because He gives life immediately.” My Utmost For His Highest 16 February. So get up!! When GOD inspires us get moving. If we want GOD to help us we must do the things we know we must do. Read and study the Bible, fellowship with like Believers, pray, spend time with Him, etc. Is there despair in our lives? Forgive, forget, repent, trust GOD then move on to the next thing GOD has for us in our lives. Regrets? Forgive, forget, repent, and go on with GOD. Anger? Let it go. Pray for whoever is angering you. And remember, “anger resteth in the bosom of fools.” (Ecclesiastes 7:9) Are you a fool?, No one wants to think of themselves as a fool, but if we’re angry the Bible says otherwise doesn’t it? Is there unforgiveness in our lives? GOD said, “vengeance is mine: I will repay, saith the Lord.” (Romans 12:19). Jesus commands us to forgive our enemies. If we don’t forgive, we won’t be forgiven. (Mark 11: 25-26) Do we spend time with GOD? Do we allow the Holy Spirit to correct and guide us? Basic things! Yet how many Christians don’t do the basics while they wonder why GOD isn’t helping them. GOD works slow, but fine so we must resist the urge to jump ahead of Him and take back whatever problem we put into His capable hands. Let us not get impatient with GOD (as James tells us, “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James 1:4)) and interfere with whatever He is doing. GOD knows what He is doing. Lastly, we know, “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.” (Jeremiah 17:7)We can trust in God and must never trust in the arm of flesh.
Written by Karen Stahl
NEEDS NO WANTS:
- In Dobrich, Bulgaria Pastor Niki Marsov and in SilistraPastor(s) Yanko, Marcho, and Emil. Times are troubled in Bulgaria much prayer and support is needed.
- Constanta, Romania Pastors Luke and Jacob at Bethel Church and Ian at the Romanian Center for Cross-cultural Studies Bible School.
- In Suceava, Romania Pastors Nicu at St. Andrews Church. They are still standing by God’s grace.
- Pastor Joseph Mutua in Nairobi, Kenya needs your prayer and financial support.
- Pastor Mike Olufemi in Aveile,Nigeria. He needs our prayers and support to be a light in great darkness.
- Pastor S. J. Peter, Founder of DAWN Ministries in Hyderabad and Pastor Wilson and his son Pastor Julian in Sankaraguptham, India.
- Dan, Cathy, and members of Uskudar Son Buyruk Kilisesi in Istanbul, Turkey.
- Pastor Elieti Msangi in Dar Es Salaam and Pastors Isreal Mutaitina and John Balone in Bukoba, Tanzania.
- Monthly financial support for Vivian’s Maternity and Child Care Clinic project in Aviele, Nigeria
- Pastor Tek Dahl at Gethsemane, Church (his church) and their radio station “Good News 105.1 FM” in Kathmandu, Nepal.
- Bishop John, Samuel Kamanzi (from the Congo), and, Emmanuel Ndolimana in Ruhengeli,Rwanda.NEXT HOME GROUP MEETING:
HGM cancelled for the month of April IAW Gov. Cooper’s migration plan. HGMs for May will be 5 and 19 May at 7:00 pm.
At 232 Everett Drive
Sneads Ferry, NC 28460
7:00 pm please RSVP
Home: (910) 741-0489
FUTURE SCHEDULE:
April: Local Ministry
May: Local Ministry
June: Local Ministry
ROCK FELLOWSHIP AT SNEADS FERRY
5, 12, 19, 26 April at 232 Everett Drive (in Chadwick Shores) Sneads Ferry, NC at 11:00 am
Email: charliegolfone@outlook.com
ROCK FELLOWSHIP ON THE RADIO:
On WJCV Jacksonville, NC
1290 AM or 98.3 FM
Every Sunday morning at 9:00 am
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:
dstahl@beholdinghisglory.com
Website:
www.www.beholdinghisglory.com/
Blog:
http://bhisglory.blogspot.com/
NEW OFFER
Booklets on Spiritual Authority, Spiritual Leadership, Prayer, Body of Christ, and Righteous Living the Four Anchors of God are now available by contacting us and requesting one. You can see them on our home page. Get one now.
The Author House 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.
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