Waiting on God the LORD’S Visits January 2023 • Volume XXI Number 05 ”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:
ARTICLE REVIEW:
THOUGHTS FOR CONSIDERATION:
Greetings again my Brethren. Happy New Year! From Karen and I we hope that 2023 will be the best year so far in your life as you allow the Holy Spirit opportunity to lead and guide you to all truths, especially the ones about yourself. Let us continue looking at the “Oracles of God” and as we said last month we will begin to look at the diversity of how God speaks to us. Now, I know the word “diversity” has got a bad rap these days as it is generally tied to the woke crowd, but “diversity” just means many types of something. Sadly, it has been hijacked to mean many things keeping par with the destructive foolishness of woke folks. Now the word of God may come in many different or divers ways. The writer of Hebrews, I believe to be Paul writes, “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;” (Hebrews 1:1-2) I think we have looked at these verses before, but they are worth repeating and have significant impact and contribution to our discussion. So in the past God spoke to His people in many ways, during many different times, by many different people (usually Prophets), but in these present times (which would be the times Paul and the other disciples lived) God spoke to His people through the Person of Jesus Christ. You know in the Scriptures we read of the Prophets and think they were specially anointed of God to be a Prophet, but that was not the case. The Prophets were called by God to be a Prophet, some from the womb, but the life of a Prophets was nothing glamorous for most. But, the point is all they had to do was open their mouth and God would speak through them. God could have used a donkey to speak, well wait a minute He did with Balaam, so God could use anyone then to speak to His people, but NOW since the days of Paul and the disciples, according to Paul and the Scriptures, God speaks to His people through the Person of His Son Jesus Christ. And guess what? God has not stopped speaking to His people through His Son, “who he (Jesus) hath appointed heir of all things by whom also he (Jesus) made the worlds.” When I think of the Prophets of the Old Testament I really cannot recall any NAMED (like Isaiah, Daniel, Jeremiah, etc.) New Testament Prophets. Now the scriptures talks a lot about false Prophets which are Prophets none the less, they are just false, that is why they are called false Prophets. I will be honest I do not see the need for Prophets since the Holy Spirit came to man in Acts. I mean if the Holy Spirit is in us why do we need a man who could be tainted with bias to speak, “thus sayeth the LORD.” I talk with many folks on this topic, but I have failed to see what the function of a Prophet would be the year 2023 would be. Again with the infilling of the Holy Spirit I believe that does away with the need for a Prophet. But if you desire to hear from a Prophet just switch on your TV or any Christian social media site and you will find 100s of so called Prophets who are willing, for the right price, to speak “thus sayeth the LORD.” The top two ways the LORD speaks to us is one the written Word and the second is the Holy Spirit. The written Word (Logos) first, but not in precedence, because they both are the “Son” speaking to us. Examples of both from the Scriptures: In 1 Peter 1:17-21, Peter tells us, “For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. 19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” (2 Peter 1:17-21) and two, through the Holy Spirit in Acts 13:2-3. Luke writes, “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.” (Acts 13:2-3) In both cases it was the LORD speaking to His people through the Son. I will be honest I do not know what I would have done if the Holy Spirit had not spoke to me, in my spirit, during critical times in my life. As well, as the Scriptures, the Word of God, God speaks to me and others giving us revelation knowledge and spiritual understanding letting us know what is on the Father’s heart and what direction we should go. How assuring and comforting to know a Holy God loves us enough to speak to us through His Son, in the Word of God and through the Holy Spirit.
Next month we will continue looking at the “Oracles of God” as we continue to look at the Diversity of Divine Communication by looking at a few examples of communication. Do you hear Him draw near? He is speaking to us, but do we have the hearing ears to hear what the LORD is saying to us? Written by David Stah
Growing Up
The longer I go in God the more I see the critical need for spiritual maturity and development in God and why many Christians refuse to grow up. Growing up is painful that is why little babies and children cry so much. Especially today the need for growing up is more pressing because in the days to come (I believe) unstable and immature Christians will be manipulated, deceived, and used (more than what they are now) by forces and powers to further ungodly agendas and policies, even imprisoned, tortured, and killed for sport. Are we any better than the Christians before God in the early church? I think not. The future for Christians looks bleak in the natural realm because many denominational and the nominal church has failed to minster the truth of the word of God to a lost and dying world and have purposely (for money and influence) kept young Christians weak and sickly spiritually. But God’s desire for us is to grow up in Him. I promise you my friend this will cost you dearly, things (purposely of our selves) that most Christians are not willing to pay. After all why pay the price for development and spiritual growth when I can just sit on the church pew every Sunday and go through the motions after all the pastor told me I was a Christian. I have been baptized and when I die I will go to heaven, well my friend it does not work that way it is God who is the judge not the pastor. There is a price we pay for all we get from God. Even our salvation was not free it cost Jesus His life. Paul tell us, “But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.” (Romans 5:15) I have often thought of this wondrous free gift of salvation, nothing can stop the giving of this gift from God, but it is us the receivers who can stop the receiving and the point I really like is it must be free (no strings attached) to be a gift. There is nothing we can to do to earn it, no work, or performance on our part will impart this free gift of salvation, but many Christians (term used loosely) are working hard to go to heaven. Well they may not make it. In the early days of being a Christian there were times when I became spiritually stirred and promised the LORD all kinds of things. I felt that I had received specific direction, purpose, and revelation, but the next thing I knew I had fallen apart and all spiritual vision and inspiration disappeared. Then I picked myself up, shook off the dust, returned to the starting line, and began again. Growing up in God begins with many failures, but as we fail we are to learn and not make the same mistake again and again. Babies learn to walk by falling and falling till they can get their balance and before long they are walking. This pattern also takes place in our spiritual experience when we are truly growing up. Life is never easy. We all have our ups and downs. There have been times when I told the LORD, “I will never doubt you again.” Soon I was saying, “LORD, where are you?” It is time for us to grow up and out of these patterns and begin to move upward and onward without variance. It is very important that the foundation upon which we stand is our LORD Jesus Christ and that our life is built on Him and His divine spiritual principles. If not our spiritual experience is resting on sand, that is, if we are trusting our own abilities we will fail when the pressures of life increase, but here we endure till we learn to exchange our abilities for His abilities (the learning process) and come to a point where we do not fail. When difficulties affect us and we begin to lose our spiritual direction we must become quiet and look to the LORD if we can do this we will recognize that beneath our variance is a layer of spiritual strength and hope that had been deposited within us through our identification with Jesus in His death and resurrection, which was confirmed in the peace that came when He took up His abode within us. Most seasoned Christians have a settled knowing that they have gone too far in their spiritual experience to turn back now and that at any price we have no choice, but to press upward and onward. Once we realize that we have gone beyond the point of no-return we can only say LORD for better or for worse my life is Yours. Oddly the older I get and the more the world churns in turmoil the less I like to fly on airplanes (most common reason why Christians do not travel overseas), but to do that which God wants me to do at times I must board an airplane. As the plane is waiting to rush down the runway I utter these words, “into thy hands oh LORD I commend my body, soul, and spirit.” No matter the outcome I am committed to the plan and will of God for my life even if it is to be on a airplane that falls from the sky at 40,000 feet from some act of terrorism or accident. The LORD is pleased with this because true commitment is never in words alone, but always have actions that support our words. They say words are cheap (how true) actions always means you have some skin in the game. The varied struggles that each of us face are very real. However it is not the struggle that is important, but rather the way we view and respond to it. We live in a worldly environment where all sorts of things war against us and many times it seems that there is more against us than for us. This gives us ample opportunity to either feel sorry for ourselves and fall into despair or to rise above these things and meet our LORD as an overcomer. Our Country today in embroiled in a struggle over what many people (even Christians I still use this term loosely) call racism well it is not about racism, but about a heart condition that has never been dealt with by God. Many people gather in rallies and peace demonstrations as they act out with violence in the name of justice, hogwash they are selfish, know not God and His ways, and just want their grievances heard. If we have the King of Peace in our heart we need not go to a peace or unity rally. Paul in Romans clearly states, “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:17, 18, and 21) Pastors and spiritual leaders (black and white) gather on the battle line to fight and protest things that deal with the heart, but try to solve them with fleshly means. It will not work my friend. All of my life people groups after people group have protested and complained about injustice while dismissing the true heart of the matter, their heart not being controlled by God. It is the Gospel not protesting and rioting that heals hearts, that corrects perceived injustice, grievances, and inequalities. We (Christians) must not allow ourselves to get angry and divided out as the world does if we do all will be lost. My friend God must be able to shut our mouth so He can open our heart. Paul tells us,“And that ye study to be quiet, and to do our own business, and to work with our own hands, as we commanded you;” (1 Thessalonians 4:11) Strange we have to “study” to be quiet. Again, God must be able to shut our mouth. One of the first signs of growing up is being able to shut your mouth and the second is not needing to have your opinion heard. You know there is a desire in the heart of the LORD for those who will stand with Him and His words to us in full redemption that He can accomplish on our behalf and trust in His faithfulness alone. This requires us breaking out of the mold of our past insecurities and an entering into the security of our being seated with Him. Here as we rest in His victory the Holy Spirit who brought Jesus forth from the grave what appeared to be a total defeat will also lift us from our place of discouragement and variance into an overcoming victory in His presence. Since we are created in the likeness of the LORD this desire is also in the One who created us. Thus the LORD desires that we come to Him alone in trust and appreciation for His redemption in our behalf. These variances in our faith can rob us of our being able to give this satisfaction to our LORD. If we will hold the potential that rests within us before the LORD in simple child-like trust we will be enabled to rise above the limitations (growing up) that we place upon ourselves and enter into all that He has made available for us. Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
Drawn Away
Jesus more than once blasted the Pharisees and Sadducees during His short time here on earth, one example is taken from Matthew. Matthew writes, “Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. 8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.” (Mathew 23:1-9) Finish reading the rest of this verbal shellacking during your Bible reading. Now Jesus was talking to the Jews, however as we can see this is applicable to us today , although we don’t have Pharisees and Sadducees we do have plenty of fake Pastors–hirelings–as Dave calls them. They water down the gospel, and deceive the people. Dave always says you need a little bit of truth moving in a lie to deceive people. Ain’t it the truth! Most people who call themselves Christians don’t even read their Bible to discover the truth contained within its pages, they are quite content to be deceived and live in deception, after all its easier to live in deception then in the truth, because if you hear or read the truth and know it’s the truth you are supposed to act/live in the truth, and one truth is: you can’t live anyhow and call yourself a Christian that is a big lie. The once saved, always saved gang is wrong. You can walk away from GOD, and lose your salvation. Another truth is: that we are saved by grace through faith NOT doing this or that. Sacraments will NOT save your soul. This is another big fat lie. You can do everything your religion tells you to do and still be throughly lost and on your way to hell. You can pray to every Tom, Dick and Harry, Mary anyone and everyone that’s ever died and still NOT touch the heart of the Father and your prayers just hit the ceiling and go nowhere. The truth of believing that Jesus did it all on the cross for our salvation is hard for some to handle also. ” Why we just have to do something to save ourselves!” Folks, what on earth can we possibly do to secure our place in heaven when the precious Son of GOD came to earth and shed His sinless, holy blood for us? That’s just crazy thinking. We are told in the Bible, “For by grace are ye saved through faith: not of yourselves: it is the gift of GOD.” (Ephesians 2:8) Cut and dry, short and sweet. Our brother James tells us, “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” (James 1:14-15) It is often OUR own lust that will deceive us. It’s so much easier to believe a pack of lies and wrong doctrine because quite frankly it’s not easy being a real Christian, because once God gets a hold of us and starts dealing in our lives it gets ugly. In 2 Timothy Paul writes, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4) Now you want to talk about fables, you take a good look at some of today’s ( and centuries old ) denominations and see how they DON’T stack up against the word of GOD, don’t take my word for it, read and see! Brethren we will be held accountable for our wrong beliefs no matter how strongly we believe a lie, if we have a Bible and if someone has told us the truth and WE REJECT it, it’s on us. The truth rejected is a lie accepted. Many people have sincerely held beliefs but are unfortunately sincerely wrong, may they realize their error before they die. No second chances once we’re dead ( another lie–we are NOT going to burn off a few sins in purgatory then schlep into heaven ). Jesus is our example ( He IS the way, the truth and the life. John 14:6) and the Bible is our standard, that and the love for truth should keep us on the right track. Don’t be drawn away your soul depends on it. Written by Karen Stahl Written by Karen Stahl
NEEDS NO WANTS:
- In Dobrich, Bulgaria Pastor Niki Marsov and in SilistraPastor(s) Yanko, and Marcho. Times are troubled in Bulgaria much prayer and support is needed.
- Constanta, Romania Pastors Luke and Jacob at Bethel Church and in Agigea Pastor Jacob as the interim Director for the Romanian Center for Cross-cultural Studies Bible School.
- Pastor S. J. Peter, Founder of DAWN Ministries in Hyderabad, and Pastor Wilson and his son Pastor Julian at Gospel Assembly 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.
- 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 Ruhengeri,Rwanda.
- Christian and Ina Kopjar Missionaries to the County of Liberia.
- Brother John Vlad, (serving as the Operations Officer), his wife Cristina, and three daughters aboard the international ministry ship Logos Hope.
NEXT HOME GROUP MEETING:
27 December 22 at 7:00 pm
At 232 Everett Drive Sneads Ferry, NC 28460
7:00 pm please RSVP Home: (910) 741-0489
FUTURE SCHEDULE
December: Local Ministry
January: Local Ministry
February: Kathmandu, Nepal
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. 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.
