The Call of God: The Call of Isaiah
December 2016 • Volume XV 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. Well this year soon will slip into time. Funny how we analyze the past year so we will not make the same mistakes in the new year and of course the new year is always filled with well wishes to start over to put old habits and character flaws behind us, well God does not work like that. Maybe that is why the world and the “church” is so messed up. True change and forgiveness does not forget the past, but learns from the lessons of failure. Forgetting only promises more failure and heartache in the year to come, but learning, adapting, and applying the lessons learned ensures success and spiritual growth in the next year to come and if this process becomes a part of your everyday life in years after. I am writing this for our December newsletter the end of October so that we can met our deadline (will be gone for two weeks in November) in November. To be honest in my heart and thoughts I see danger, trials, and perilous times for the Body of Christ. I am afraid her inability to be able to discern between spiritual and unspiritual, holy and unholy, righteous and unrighteous will be the beginning of her loss of the legal right to be able to openly come together and worship God. Days of house to house, street to street, cellar to cellar will be the norm, but for the real Christians (the remnant) the future will be up lifting and spiritual as God redeems His own again and again. This month we continue to look at Isaiah’s qualification for his call to service. Make no mistake God does not call just anyone, oh no my friend He calls those who want to be chosen according to God’s plan and purpose for their lives. And remember, “many are called but few are chosen.”
Let us turn our attention to Brother Isaiah. This month we will close out “Divine Cleansing” by looking at the need. In Isaiah 6:5 we read, “Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.” Please notice God did not say, oh Isaiah that is not true you are not a man of unclean lips and you do not dwell in the midst of unclean people. The next few verses we see God sending an Angel to take care of Isaiah’s speaking. Why do we think times have changed? I would say unless we allow God to deal and judge in our lives we will have unclean lips because of our unclean heart we have not allowed God to cleanse. What the church needs is a good cleansing, but they (the church) thinks not, oh no they continue to sing and dance their way further into themselves and their self-seeking religion of good works and self-gratification humanistic self help doctrine and teaching. God desires not to help our flesh God desires to kill our flesh so our spirit can come alive. This is what God was doing to Isaiah. What the church needs is an old fashioned humbling and my friend it is coming by the hands of our government in days to come. God will see to it. He needs a remnant to continue on He has always kept a remnant in the wilderness to relight His plan for man. The question is what camp are you in? If we look at verse 6 and 7 we will find the cleansed state God is after, “Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from offthealtar: 7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.” God desires to touch our lips and take away our iniquity and purge us of our sin, but He cannot do that unless we give Him permission in our lives. Isaiah saw God and His glory and then saw His wretched heart as Paul in the New Testament did. “But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” (Romans 7:23-25) Unless we can see God’s glory we will never be able to see our wretched lost soul. The Angel to the Church at Laodicea in Revelations wanted to bring the Church to this revelation, but the best He could do was, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.17Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” (Revelation 3:15-17) If we will not allow God to cleanse us then the best God can do in our lives is judge and correct us hoping this will bring us to a place of awareness of Him.
Next month we will begin to look at “A Personal Call” another qualification in the revelation of service taken from Isaiah 6:6-8. So Please take a good study and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart. And listen closely my friend do you hear Him call now?
Written David Stahl
ARTICLE REVIEW:
What Shall I Do
We as humans think we have to do things to better ourselves or get ahead in all we do on earth, well not so in the kingdom of God. Sadly this wrong thinking has infected the thinking of many Christians to the point where they are deceived to the truth of the Gospel message. After all it is so much easier to do something than to become something. It is much easier to build a big international ministry traveling around the world preaching and teaching the good news of the Gospel than to allow God to open up to us what we consider to be the hidden secret areas of our lives. Those secret sins or worse our flaws we ignore and God ignores until it is time for them to be dealt with in our lives. We are really good at ignoring areas in our lives, maybe not frank and open sin, but areas none the less that God desires to expose and reveal to us. So in the church it is easier to do programs and activities than to abide, evolve, and become like the Father’s precious Son Jesus Christ. Knowing the Body of Christ is made of raw material; redeemed humanity God’s emphasis and number one goal in all the world is building a Spiritual Body of Believers and not upon redeeming the world. And to do this He uses a cross as a tool on which to open our understanding. Not too many people want to volunteer to be crucified on a cross, but you will find Christians will stand in line and even give their treasures to be involved in doing something they can be proud of or even get a plaque for. Oh no, when Jesus first introduces the cross it is to Christians. Jesus never places a cross on anybody. It is our volitional power of will to choose. Jesus does not lay a cross on us so we can love Him! No, we voluntarily take it. He never imposes it; it will be the instrument on which we will be slain. Our cross will be the most liberating and sets free everything in salvation and the things of God. If we sidestep the cross and miss its ministry we will go to hell. The cross is the instrument of death, but it brings a fuller revelation to our hearts and lives than that of any other agency in God’s economy. John Wright Follette said, “The more spiritually-minded we are in heart and life, the more we can understand the revelation of God, and the more we understand the cross.” Now please know I am not speaking in literal terms however, some Christians around the world are literally hanging on a cross and dying, but I am talking in spiritual terms. Your cross and my cross will vary according to the disposition and the calling of our lives so we do not have the same cross in that sense, but everyone will have one to bear. Never forget your cross is your crown in disguise. Nowhere in the Bible do we see this truth revealed more than in the story of the Rich Young Ruler. What a title, he was: Rich (what is seems we all want to be) Young (what it seems everyone is striving to maintain) and a Ruler (power and authority what people admire), he seemed to have it all. In Mark we read an encounter the Rich Young Ruler had with Jesus. “And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. 19Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. 20And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. 21Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. 22And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.” (Mark 10:17-22) Please notice the Rich Young Ruler was zealous “he came running” after Jesus, he was respectful “and kneeled to him” he even called Him “good Master” he knew who Jesus was and asked, “what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life” please notice he did not say “what shall I do to go to heaven like most Christians. The Rich Young Ruler is the pattern and portrait of the typical (non- denominational or denominational) Christian of today. They know what to do and say to be called a Christian, but have missed out on the real work of becoming like the “Good Master.” The focus is not on a relationship with God and His work (Ephesians 2:10) in their lives, but on doing things to earn eternal life. In John Jesus tell us what “eternal life” is, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3) Knowing God not just working for God is “eternal life” knowing God personally, not with our emotions of feeling, but by the small still voice that resonates in our spirit instructing us to move in what He wants us to do. I am amazed at the number of times God speaks to me not with an audible voice, but a small still voice that is later confirmed it was God speaking by coming to pass what I asked and God told me would happen. The Rich Young Ruler knew and was all of these things yet he was missing the point and the ultimate goal of God of what it really means to inherit eternal life. Jesus automatically corrects and aligns the Rich Young Ruler thoughts correctly and says, “Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.” Now I was not there, but if I was I believe I would have seen the countenance of the Rich Young Ruler drop as his hands hung at his side. Next Jesus does something strange something I have never understood, Jesus takes the Rich Young Ruler’s to the law, and not grace or mercy, to show him the error of his ways. Well, there is a spiritual principle moving here that is almost always missed today in this non-consequences for our actions or no accountability for our bad behavior society in which we live and worse this thinking is the mainstream thinking of most Christians. If I miss it, well God will forgive me and I promise I will do better next time, but that my friend is not the way God operates. Here Jesus takes the Rich Young Ruler to the law, because it is the law, not grace, mercy, and forgiveness that shows us our sin and if we do not allow God to show us our sin then we can never be saved. Paul tells us in Romans, “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” (Romans 3:19-24) It is the law that brings us to Christ, that shows us of our need for Christ. This is what Jesus was doing with the Rich Young Ruler (and what Jesus does with us all), but please notice the Rich Young Ruler’s response when Jesus brought him to the place of totally selling out, Jesus said, “One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.” (Mark 10:21) When Jesus said this and as the Rich Young Ruler was kneeling down (often an outward sign of religious worship) he thought there was nothing he had to do. Ah, but Jesus said, “One thing thou lackest:” Now if Jesus would have said go and sell what you have to the poor giving them a good deal he could have done that, but that is not what Jesus wanted Jesus wanted the Rich Young Ruler to sell totally out and give what he had to the poor. The Rich Young Ruler knew what to do, he knew the law, he knew how to be a good Christian, but could not sell out to what Jesus wanted in obedience. Selling out in obedience is what Jesus wants not all of our doing for Him or our rituals and traditions we call religion, all of the doing we do to make us think we are serving God in Spirit and truth, but in reality we are deceived to the real truth of the word of God and the real truth of walking with the Lord. Now the Rich Young Ruler also knew in his heart (like many Christians today) he could not do what Jesus wanted and the story sadly ends, “And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.” (Mark 10:22) This is the last time we hear of the Rich Young Ruler. The Bible is full of examples where an individual is brought to a place spiritually of decision before God and moved not according to what God wanted for their lives; Saul, Jonah, Sampson, Judas, Ananias and Sapphira all readily come to mind. In all of these examples they lose their lives early or pay a horrendous price as in the case of Jonah. Dear friend we MUST take heed to ourselves my brother and sister when God draws our choice MUST be to move according to what God wants for lives. The consequences of our wrong decisions are far reaching, even further than our mortal lives and the impact it has on the lives of others.
The Bible is an amazing book, the more I read it the less I know and what I thought I knew I find out I really did not know it at all, funny how that works. This is the operation and ministry of truth in the word of God and in our lives. But in Genesis just six short chapters after God created man the Bible says, “And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 7And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.” (Genesis 6:6-7) Wow God repents what a lesson for us, but God repented not of any sin (God has no sin), but of “making man on the earth and it grieved him at his heart.” Wow God has a heart, but God’s heart was grieved because, “ . . . the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Genesis 6:5) It was the things man was doing and saying that caused God to destroy His most precious creation, man. So too today as I look around the earth (and especially at the humanistic approach to God of the church worldwide) I see the wickedness of man ever increasing in the earth and it is God’s longsuffering and patience (not His mercy because mercy always comes after judgment) that is preventing God from smiting man and the world again. We must never mistake God’s longsuffering and patience for His grace and mercy. I “truly” believe this time of judgment and wrath “as it was in the days of Noah” is coming very soon. What shall we do to escape His wrath to come? Believe it or not God does have a big stick and is able and willing to use it, despite what the most of the denominational religions teach. You have to be a total fool to not believe this. What shall we do? Well not what the Rich Young Ruler did, but we must totally sell out to God in obedience and take up our cross (not the cross of Jesus) and become (a process of dying to our desires, thoughts, plans, dreams, etc.) a follower of Him, knowing Him. There and there alone is eternal life.
Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
Small Things
“And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. And when she knew Peter’s voice she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in and told how Peter stood before the gate. And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. But Peter continued knocking and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.” (Acts 12:13-16). This is the only time in the Bible that little Rhoda is mentioned. To most folks they would say she didn’t really “do anything,” because she didn’t even open the door for Peter, however in the face of unbelief and insults she constantly affirmed that Peter was at the gate. The people there were praying and presumably they were praying for Peter as they knew he was imprisoned, but as soon as he shows up at the “prayer meeting” they are amazed. What I find interesting about this story is: 1) that little Rhoda was even mentioned in the Bible and 2) all she did was tell the others Peter was at the gate, she did not even open the door. Such a small, little story in the Bible, but what an honor for little Rhoda. After all small things are very important. If you think about it we all come from small beginnings; us, the plants, animals, trees, even birds. We all start out teeny and with proper conditions all will grow and mature to their pre-determined size. The only thing that should stay small in us humans is our pride, actually that should be non-existent, but we already know what GOD thinks of that! GOD is interested in small things and faithfulness in small things is a big deal to GOD. The Bible says, “He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful in much; and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” (Luke 16:10) King David started out small watching his father’s sheep, but as we know from further reading those hours out watching and taking care of his wooly charges and the time he spent with the Lord hours and hours in the pastures were a part of his training as a man and soon to be king. The one thing that was NOT small in David’s life was his communion with GOD. My friend this is one area we must be faithful in. Time spent with GOD is never wasted time. Had David not been faithful keeping the sheep I doubt GOD would have used him, but again it wasn’t the sheep as much as it was the faithfulness and the time spent with GOD. After all David was the youngest and smallest of the brothers for Samuel to select from to anoint as king. Strength and size matters not to God, but a pure heart and clean hands are the qualities GOD is after. It is faithfulness in the small boring mundane things in our lives that will eventually lead to bigger and better things in the Lord maybe not here right away, but in the next life for sure. As Dave always says, “is not about doing for the LORD, but becoming something in the LORD.” This is all preparation. As our friend Ray says, “my time of waiting is GOD’s time of preparation.” God is interested in the small things!!! Back to little Rhoda. She told the people there about Peter at the gate. Oh how important that is. Why is it so important for us to tell people about Jesus? After all it’s small, but in reality a soul’s eternal destination hangs in the balance. Brethren let us strive to be faithful in the small things because GOD is ever watching and you know what? To GOD the small things are really big things.
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 TUESDAY 20 December 2016
232 Everett Drive
Sneads Ferry, NC 28460
7:00 pm please RSVP
Home: (910) 741-0489
FUTURE SCHEDULE:
November: Bulgaria, Macedonia and Romania
December: Local Ministry
January: 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.
