Deeper Truths for Hungry Hearts
February 2012 • Volume X Number 06
“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)
Thoughts for Consideration
Greetings again my Brethren. As I said last month this month we will look at another one of God’s many mysteries, His love. God’s love is a great mystery to me. How could God be love? John tells us this most amazing truth, “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” (1 John4:8) But, why would a loving God love a very unloving person like me? John continues, “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4:9-10) Why would the God of the universe first love us? John again helps us here, “We love him, because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) Why would God send His only begotten Son to earth to face shame, humiliation, and death of the cross? Paul tells us, “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:” (Philippians 2:8-9)
Now do not make the big mistake in believing as some teach that Jesus was “highly exalted” because He is God’s Son and we too being sons and daughters of God are to be “highly exalted.” Oh no if we are to be “highly exalted” like Jesus it will be because we (like Jesus) humbled ourselves and become (a process of God being able to judge and deal in our lives) obedient. Did you know children must be taught obedience? Kids today know not obedience this is why kids today know not God even at a young age, whereby they learn to know God first through the instruction and teaching of obedience in their lives. And as they grow older it becomes natural to kids to come to know God which is one of His main purpose in our lives. God’s love will humble us and make us obedient to the Father. This is why “He that loveth not knoweth not God.” Yes my friend God’s love is amazing and mysterious. Why would God ask of His Son to take off His divinity and put on humanity? We said the cross Jesus bore was unbearable, but for Jesus it was bearable. What love, but I think Jesus becoming man when He was equal with the Father in heaven was more unbearable than facing the cross and death. I do not know about you my friend but God’s love is beyond my understanding and comprehension. Why would Jesus willfully desire to suffer for you and me? I do not know about you my friend, but the older I get the less I enjoy cold water and suffering.
The writer of Hebrews tells us, “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;” (Hebrews 5:8-9) Here is that “obedience” word again. Could it be safely said without obedience to God we cannot love as He would love? Because Jesus “learned he obedience by the things which he suffered” and “being made perfect” by the things He suffered “he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;” If Jesus had not suffered and learned obedience He could not have become the author of eternal life. That is not me saying that this is the Bible saying that. Did you know Jesus did not die for everyone? Now dying for everyone was Jesus’ intention, having all to come to salvation is God’s heart through the death of Jesus, but only those who “obey” Him will come to eternal salvation. Sadly those who do not “obey” Him will be lost. Even John 3:16 tells us this truth. “that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” We must believe or obey or we will be eternally lost. With that being said we must never forget the main reason for God’s love. It was mentioned earlier in this section, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us. As strange and as unbelievable as it may sound God’s love can be summed up in these words. As His reason is plain so that we may come to know Him. To come to the intimate knowledge of a loving God.
Next month we will look at jealousy another emotion some Christians say God does not have.
ARTICLE REVIEW:
How Are We Running?
We are told from childhood we must win in life, but learn as we get older it takes a life time to determine what that means. I do not know how many times I have heard, “he with the most toys at the end of life wins.” Well my friend that statement is just plain wrong in God. Winning or losing in life has nothing to do with having or not having toys, houses, money, cars, or a huge portfolio, rather winning or losing in life is based on whether or not we know God by accepting His precious Son Jesus Christ as our personal savior. Starting from kindergarten (some even sooner) we are taught winning means these things and losing means those things, but seldom are the things racked and stacked then run through the Scriptures to see how they measure up with what God says winning and losing is. Sadly this winning and losing concept has subtly yet pervasively invaded the church. Sadly today competition between denominations and large non-denominational churches for people, resources, time, and dollars (to see who can get the biggest and best looking church in town) has only blurred the truth of winning and losing in God. This thinking is nothing more than vain hearted, self-seeking religious pride. The hook is sharing this wondrous Gospel message, but at the heart of this fleshly projection is selfishness and greed. There are many well intentioned Christians trying to do that which is right, but sadly because of ungodly leadership and wrong teaching (which always results in wrong thinking) many Christians get off track and compound their deception by leading others off track.
Jesus told Nicodemus, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:6) We must stop all of this marketing and selling of the Gospel. Merchandizing the things of God are just wrong. Everything is for sale: we sell tickets to conferences and Christian musicals, CDs, books, seats in church, why we even have Christian book stores selling everything that will turn a profit. The church is born of the Spirit, yet we sell it, Why? To satisfy those things born of the flesh. Shame and again I say shame on those who would sell the Gospel to earn a living. Jesus saw this going on for years in the Temple, but right before He was crucified He had enough. Jesus cleaned His house of the greed and marketing that was going on (like today) and He will do it again, hide and watch.
We twist verses in the Scriptures to support our presumption for ministry. Everything is a ministry; singing, dancing, drama (poor choice of word to describe Godly ministry) painting, decorating, cutting grass, driving the bus, how we have cheapened the Scriptures shame on us. The Bible is clear and defines what ministry is, read it. The word “ministry” (Strong’s #1248 and #3009, one who executes the commands of another, esp. of a master, a servant, attendant, minister even at their own cost) has nothing to do with doing things, but submitting ourselves in righteousness. We want to work for God, well God wants us to submit to Him in obedience. Ministry is about obedience to God. But it is far easier to do something for God than to become something in God.
We run to and fro to conference after conference for what? What are we looking for that we cannot find at our home church or time spent with God? I hear many say this man has a special anointing come hear him, oh really? Show me his scars? Anointing comes by way of paying a price (not in dollars) to receive God’s ability and power. No scars no anointing. No price paid no authority. No scars no power. Shame on us for all of this running around deserting our family duties and responsibilities. What are we looking for? Why do we do this? All of this is nothing more than zealous religious ritual, like the Hindus, Buddhist, and Muslims have their festivals we have become sounding brass and tinkling cymbals instead of becoming more like Jesus Christ. We pay money and time for thrill seeking and special favor to hear from God, but the Bible I read says it is those who wait upon the Lord shall receive. We run ourselves into the ground for what? Service to our brothers and sisters? I think not. Most often to be told well done or to get a pat on the back from the Pastor, well . . . we have our reward. Limited resources at the local church are exhausted so that many can attend a meeting or conference for what? To feed the poor, provide shelter, or clothing for the needy as Jesus had asked us to do? No of course not. In the name of fellowship we have a group come (adding even more work and more stress to the folks) to our church or we go somewhere else to be “ministered to.” This is selfish and self-centered. My friend that is not Jesus’ idea of ministry.
Jesus our Master said, “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45) The teachings of Jesus is to get us to a place where we willfully lay our life down for people. Our service in God is not for our selves, but so that we may be a blessing to others. We give not to receive, but so that others may be able to receive. The writer of Hebrews tells us, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2) Now here is where we get the idea we are in a race and the winning or losing concept takes root in our thinking. But if you read the next verse correctly it tells us how to run, “looking unto Jesus” not running to and fro from church to church or conference to conference, but being patient and settled “enduring the cross, despising the shame.” My friend if we want to “set down at the right (the place of honor and glory) hand of the throne of God” we must endure our cross and like Jesus “who for the joy that was set before him” find the joy within us, through His Spirit, as we too are despised. Now I bet you have not heard that message at any conference lately. What are people looking for when they go to conferences and meetings? Information or revelation? Information they will find it is from man, but revelation is from the Holy Spirit. Information about God is a mental projection that never can take us to God, but revelation comes by way of spending time with God and is a spiritual projection that gives enlightenment to our need for more of God in our lives. No man can give us revelation only God through the precious Holy Spirit. I cannot give you revelation I am just a dispenser of the truth.
Why do we have signs in front our churches advertising our name and when services begin? Is a church (place where Christians gather and then go out to help those lost and undone in the world) like a business? Remember John 3:6? Would it not be better if those lost in the world knew this no named building, right here, is a place where Godly people gather, who have something special in their lives, and they can go and get help? Make no mistake those in the world know what time church starts and also know the truth about most churches. They also know where they can go to get help. If your church is growing by people moving in and planting themselves from another church your church may be in trouble. God’s idea of church growth is by conversion (the lost and undone redeemed by the precious blood of Christ) not Christians warming their hands at others fires.
Paul tells us, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:” (1 Corinthians 9:24-26) Paul draws a comparison to our wondrous walk with the Lord to those in a foot race. Again many get off track here. Only one person can win this race, but not so in God. For all that run the race correctly in God they shall receive the prize of an incorruptible crown. To run, win, and receive an incorruptible crown does not go to the strongest nor the swiftest of foot, but to the one who endures, does not get entangled with the affairs of this life, and the most important qualification for victory, “except he strive lawfully” (Strong’s #3545, function or operate within the law or within the framework and plan God has established things to be done) Paul taught Timothy these truths, “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 5And if a man also strive for masteries (Strong’s #75, metaphor. to contend, struggle, with difficulties and dangers), yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. (2 Timothy 2:3-5) My friend running the race is not about winning or losing, but about how we run the race. Do we run the race “lawfully” within the framework God has established or do we run the race for our own glory and to get things? We seem to think the bigger the church and the more people we have we are winning, not so in God. God can do more with a hand full of dedicated people than He can with millions of well intended, but misled people. Do we run so that others may win or do we run with our winning as the goal? Can we lose so that God can win?
Today this thinking of running to win is best seen in the heart of some Pastors, Teachers, and Evangelists. Did you know there is a big difference between a gifted preacher and broken preacher? God does not care what you know, but cares greatly how much you care. A message filled with the knowledge of the world full of facts and quotes is not of God. Well written sermons or even some messages with pages of notes and cute hip sayings does nothing for the move of the Spirit of God. A gifted preacher has many notes and follows them, but a broken preacher follows the leading of the Holy Spirit because he is counting on Him to carry the service. The broken preacher is well tuned to what the Spirit is saying. I do not see many broken preachers today. I see many pages of notes being turned, but no tears or contriteness of heart. I see self-strength ability and self-made educated men with great zeal try preaching the word of God, but never touch the hearts of the people. My friend these types of preachers are dangerous and will never be used by God. It is in the place of brokenness the Spirit of God is discharged. We have replaced the Holy Spirit with worldly; education, Bible schools, and seminaries. Lord help us all.
I know my words seem incendiary and some folks would even call them blasphemous, but who gets to speak for God? If my words have ruffled your feathers, good. My goal is to offend you. Never forget the preaching of the word of God is to offend us to the point where we see our need for soul searching and reflection. If you reject my words no problem (I still love you), but someone needs to stand up for the truth and sound the alarm before it is too late for many in the world. All I ask is for you to keep my words before the Lord in your heart and in time and if you allow God to work in your life you will see the value of my words. My friend we in the church today have played the harlot for too long. For too long we have been deceived by church leaders who are pushing a denominational doctrine and a man-centered agenda. Enough is enough. We must wake up, read the Bible, and allow the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to the truth. We must embrace the truth in the word of God. How long will we be deceived and misled. For the love of God, wake up before it is too late. How long will we halt between two opinions? On my friend, I prophesy the signs, religious division and strife, and years of denominational folly will be pulled down and brought to naught in our life time, God will see to it. It would be far better for us to willfully take them down now before they are taken down for us. When shall we learn to work together and flow with the Spirit of God? In Heaven? I think not. If we do not learn the lessons here on earth we need to learn to be useful in our next life we will spend our time (in our next life) in school learning those things we ought to have learned on earth. How can God use us if we do not know how He operates and functions? My friend if you are proud of your denomination take heed you are NOT proud of Jesus. And take heed your place in Heaven may be in question. Jesus taught no one can serve two masters. Take heed my friend, come Lord Jesus. When He comes and if we are not ready He will remove our candle stick. How is our running? Let us continue to walk with the Lord and not run, but let us turn our hearts from our selfish greed and denominational parochialism towards the Father and straight way walk into the heart of God where we once came from.
Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
“Mind Your Own Business”
A very wise lady from Staten Island, NY (my Mom) and a very wise man from Bayonne, NJ (my Dad) use to say this to a youngster who was getting too nosy in things that were none of her concern. Yes it was me (to my shame) my parents knew “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child.” (Proverbs 22:15) and corrected me with those precise and very blunt words. It didn’t hurt my feelings, but I got the message in fact I got it even better if my mother raised an eyebrow and my father raised his voice. Some things are not kid’s business. Today every body’s business is on TV, in magazines, on the internet, now we can get everybody’s business on our phone. One would think we’re entitled to know everything about our favorite celebrity, be they politicians, sports figures, actors, singers —you name it. Some stuff is just none of our concern. God doesn’t think we need to know everything. With God as with some of our top secret organizations things are on a “need to know” basis. Not we need to know but does God think we need to know. Sometimes if God gives us a little tid-bit here and there it may be (in Dave’s words) for edification and not notification. So it behooves us to also have a bit of discretion in this area. Sometimes God doesn’t want things blabbed all over the place, we’re to keep things to our self and just pray about them. On the other hand, God will warn us about unrighteousness in places or people. We must heed these warnings and perhaps take action now this IS our business. And we certainly are not to cause drama where there is none, enough people do that.
We are not entitled to know everything about everybody. I’m a firm believer that familiarity does breed contempt. And I also believe what Paul (God bless that man!) says, “And that ye study to be quiet and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.” (1 Thessalonians 4:11) Paul also goes on to say, “Warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves and to all men.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14-15) All of the above can be done without being so nosy and intrusive into other people’s lives. Brethren, let us not get caught up in today’s notion that we have to know everything and have instant access to all things at all times. A simple quiet life is of great gain and reward.
Written by Karen Stahl
NEEDS NOT WANTS:
1. In Silistra, Bulgaria Pastor(s) Niki Marsov and Emil Nedelchev. Times are troubled in Bulgaria and need much prayer.
2. Constanta, Romania Pastor George Ritisan at Lighthouse Church, and Ciprian Bozdod at the Mission Bible School. They too are expanding making more room for God and ministry to Eastern Europe, Turkey, and Asia.
3. In Suceava, Romania Pastors Nicu and Pastor Marcel at St. Andrews Church.
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 and the 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 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.
FUTURE SCHEDULE:
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
Our latest book, “Thoughts for Consideration” has been published by AuthorHouse, where you can also purchase it online. You can also purchase two of our other books “Adventures with God” and “God Still Performs Miracles: A Book of Personal Encouragement.”
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.
We are projecting to use the royalties for: our maternity clinic in Aveile, Nigeria, radio station in Katmandu, Nepal, TB clinics in Ethiopia, and Lord willing the Bible Schools in Kenya, Rwanda, and the Congo, and to help publish more books. We have five more books at different stages of production. 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.
