Deeper Truths for Hungry Hearts
July 2015 • Volume XIII Number 11
“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. Last month we began a new section as we began to look at God’s call in the life of Moses. Seen in Moses’ life are three major areas that must be a part of our lives if we are going to be useful to God when He calls. Again the three areas are: preparation, qualification, and providence. All of the areas are equally important and are to be progressive in nature in us as we walk with the LORD. This month we will look at Moses’ empathy and how he was mindful of the covenant he had between God and himself. One thing you can say of Moses is he had heart for his people. Many times when the people rose up in rebellion Moses fell on his face before God for them. After 430 years of captivity the LORD told Moses, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; 8 And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.9 Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.10 Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.” (Exodus 3:7-10) Moses’ call to lead his people out of bondage was not based on Moses being a great leader, but on God’s plan for Moses’ life. God told Moses I am going to lead the people out of slavery and I am going to send you. I am convinced Moses was selected by God to lead the people (yes for the plan for his life), but as important based on the love he had for his people. And to think Moses just found out he was a Hebrew after all from a baby he was raise by the Pharaoh’s daughter as Prince of Egypt, but when God called Moses I believe his heart changed. We can never do the will of God in our lives if we have not had a change of heart. Our heart must not be hardened, but soft and open to the LORD to hear His voice. A soft heart of compassion and service is what we must have for God to be able to call us and then for us to answer the call. Many people never hear God’s call for their life because their heart has been hardened by hardships and situations in their lives God is using to qualify or approve them for service. Worse many Christians hearts have been hardened by the world they watch TV programs (we all have our favorite programs), read things, believe things that are contrary to what God has said thus hardening their hearts to what God desires for their lives. You know I find it amazing God seldom comes down to the earth in the physical, but almost always sends someone like Moses or an Abraham to do what needs to be done. The Bible says, “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. . . . . ” (2 Chronicles 16:9) Again the condition to be used by God was not our ability but a “heart which is perfect toward him.” There is a spiritual principle that says it does not matter what we do for God, but what matters (in God’s eyes) is how we do it. Do we do things (even for God) for the right reason and with the right motives?
Also in Moses preparation God honoured His word. God always honors His word, but it is in His time as we see in verse 23, “And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. 24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. 25 And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.” (Exodus 2:23-25) God’s word is God’s not man’s. Man cannot honor God’s word even though we think we can. I cannot speak for God I can only speak what God has said. A good pastor friend of my asked me one day how many people I have saved and I foolishly replied maybe 1,000 and he said really you saved someone? My friend we cannot save anybody, we cannot heal anybody the best we can ever hope for in God is to be a servant and vessel of God for what He has asked us to do. Here Moses was selected (yes again God’s plan) based not on Moses, but on the covenant God had with man. Moses writes, “and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.” I wonder if the word “remembered” means He forgot for a time? To be honest I do not know probably not, but if it does that must be okay because God is God and He can do whatsoever He desires to do. The bottom line is God had a time in mind that His people would be freed and not one second sooner. So too in our lives God has a covenant with us and we must never forget God has a plan for us just like Moses the question is not what is the plan, but what is the condition of our heart?
Next month we will continue to look at Moses and at his initial attempt to deliver God’s people. Can you hear Him now?
Written David Stahl
ARTICLE REVIEW:
Lack of Hearing the Word
A few years ago Karen and I did a book signing at the US Marine Corps Exchange (MCX). I so enjoy doing book signings, what a wonderful time sharing the Gospel with complete strangers and selling a few books to support Beholding His Glory. We usually bring a six foot folding table and two comfortable folding chairs, many items from Africa and Asia for the people to handle which opens the door for questions, copies of our newsletter, some of our contact cards (not business cards the sharing of the Gospel MUST never be reduced down to becoming a business), some books, and of course our Bibles. We usually stay around six to eight hours or as long as our bottoms can last. Well by ten o’clock we were all set up, people were scurrying about (on that Saturday morning) things really looked promising, but as time slowly moved on no one stopped. Karen and I just sat there talking to each other as people passed by, it was like we were not there or invisible. A couple of our friends who saw us stopped, but the majority of the people walked by not even stopping to say hello or to see the strange and interesting items on our table. As I sat there the Holy Spirit brought to my mind these verses from Amos, “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: 12And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.” (Amos 8:11-12) I thought today is the day. Few people really want to hear the good news of the Gospel, but then I remembered it is God who will “send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD.” Now I have always read these verses and thought I understood them, but they really came alive (as we were sitting there) in my spirit due to the lack of curiosity or attention. They could see it was a Christian book and I am sure they saw my Bible maybe that was enough to keep them at arms length. Now I have some Christian friends who would have a problem with this verse, knowing it was God Himself that sent the famine in the land of hearing the word of God. Not the preaching of the word, but the hearing or having the spiritual ability to understand and comprehend what God is saying by His Spirit through His written and spoken word. They would say God would never do this He loves us so much. Oh yeah? Can you believe God creates evil? If you cannot believe God creates evil than you cannot believe God loves you. Most Christians do not believe this they pick and choose what they want to believe, but in the Book of Isaiah we read, God talking about Himself, “I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: 6That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. 7I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.” (Isaiah 45:5-7) Well my friend they do not know the true God of the Bible. God has been known to send evil spirits (Judges 9:23). God even hardened Pharaoh’s heart (Exodus 7:14) to bring His will to pass. Can you believe God would turn over (give up on) people (who were once Christians) to a reprobate mind? This does not say much for the Southern Baptist once saved always saved doctrine. Oh my friend, do not be deceived. Paul tells us, “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;” (Romans 1:21-28) Now Paul was talking about Christians in the local body at Rome. They knew God, but became vain, were not thankful, and glorified Him not. In the paper Karen read to me an article about a Presbyterian Church that started a service for their dogs (how about cats, snakes, turtles, birds, etc.) in hopes to draw more people into church, what foolishness. Special services, promotion, programs, and gimmicks will not draw people to Christ, only the Holy Spirit as we lift up Christ. Jesus said, “If I be lifted up (not your animal, denomination, or religion) from the earth will draw all people to Myself.” (John 12:32) They are worshipping creatures and a worldly thinking and not the Creator in Spirit and truth, because of their lack of hearing the word of God and their continual walking (in presumption) away from God, how sad and oh so dangerous. Paul said, “God gave them over to a reprobate (Strong’s #96, that which does not prove itself such as it ought, unfit for, unproved, spurious, reprobate) mind.” God did these things, because these people heard the word of God that could meet the lack in their lives, but like the people at the MCX they did not recognize the real word of God because (I believe) they have been attending churches and denominational religious services that have been telling them lies and half truths ignoring the word of God. Karen and I had the truth we had the word of God, but the people did not stop they were too busy within themselves and spiritually lacking a hunger and thirst for God’s word in their lives. Many have heard the half truth message of the Gospel (like one man we knew from the past who stopped) and in their heart they have been numbed, deadened, and stripped of the power of the word of God’s convicting Holy Spirit. Oh my friend take heed, having our hearts hardened (like Pharaoh) by God to the hearing of His word, a lack of knowledge of who God is to us, and our great desire for a worldly waywardness are some of the most dangerous things in the world, because the end of this process in our lives is destruction. Amos shares these words with us, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. 7As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame. 8They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity. 9And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings. 10For they shall eat, and not have enough: they shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase: because they have left off to take heed to the LORD:” (Hosea 4:6-10) Please never forget God is to us what we are to Him. If we reject God my friend He will reject us. Listen to the last verse, “For they shall eat, and not have enough: they shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase: because they have left off to take heed to the LORD:” Does that not sound frustrating? Oh my friend let us take heed to the Lord never to walk away from the Lord, but let us always have a open heart for knowledge (God’s personal dealings and judgments in our lives), and a desire not to walk in the way of the world or in the counsel of the ungodly.
I hear many Christians walk around saying they have the victory or we need to get the victory over Satan. Why do we talk about needing to get the victory? It is a shameful thing for a Christian to talk about getting the victory, because Jesus (our victory) ought to have us so completely we need not worry about victory. It is one thing to say we have Jesus, but it is a totally different thing to say Jesus has us. Do you see the difference? All we need to worry about is allowing Jesus to meet our lack in our lives. Why should we worry about having faith to do something? If Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith we need not worry having faith, we will live “by the faith of Jesus Christ” and every word that proceeds out of His mouth. Paul shares these words, “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” (Galatians 2:16) I am ever amazed at the women we know who may be qualified (have the schooling and ability), but are not authorized to teach the word of God. But they do anyway in direct rebellion to the word of God and are not content with being the wife of their husband. The Holy Spirit through Paul was very clear on this topic, “Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.” (1Timothy 2:11-14) How can we walk with the Lord and lack such understanding? Is getting our way that much more important than God’s word being held high above our denominational religious rituals and customs? These women (and other Christians) have a famine of hearing the word of God in their lives as “they wander from sea to sea, (even in ministry to the nations) and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek (in conferences, crusades, and seminars) the word of the LORD, and shall not find it. It is God’s word, He will open it up to whom He desires and that person is the one who has qualified and approved themselves before Him in sacrifice and obedience. Only God can meet the lack in our lives. When will we really (that includes me too at times) learn that? When will we (me again at times) wake up? The day is far spent and night is soon upon us let us keep our thoughts on Him, He who can meet our lack in Him, He who can met our need.
Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
God Doesn’t Make Mistakes
Gentle reader, we must as Christians be so cognizant of what we feast our minds on during the day. A famous athlete has recently came out publicly stating that he wants to be a woman. He is going through various steps to fullfil this, for lack of a better term, craziness. Brethren get this please GOD DOES NOT make mistakes. If you have the appropriate parts for a woman then guess what, you’re a woman! If you have the appropriate parts for a man, well guess what, lo and behold you’re a man! This particular athlete has fathered several children during his life yet he wants to be a woman. It’d be almost comical if it wasn’t so sad and pitiful. Of course no one in the media will ever say he needs a shrink and the nominal church won’t say he needs Jesus. Well he definitely needs Jesus and perhaps a talk with a mental health professional wouldn’t hurt. Look, God does not make mistakes. Period! Why would God call homosexuality an abomination but make homosexuals as the world teaches? No the world is wrong, God does not make mistakes. But we do. We are in control of our thinking and unfortunately wrong thinking just abounds these days. Hey, if I wanted to sit in our garage and go beep-beep and think I am a BMW would that make it so??? Well heck no! That’s wrong thinking on my part and if Dave allowed me to continue on with that charade, especially if he knew better, he’d be wrong too. Get that point? We are held accountable for what we think. Our thoughts are in our control. And there are consequences either way. Current research has shown that pornography over time can rewire someone’s brain. On the flip side if a person seeks wisdom in their life then their brain will be rewired and more developed in that area. Our mind is very powerful indeed and it is our responsibility to watch what we feed our mind. And, if you have children it is doubly important to watch what is going into their little minds. Garbage in garbage out. Don’t let them grow up thinking the world revolves around them or that the world owes them something. They need to know there are consequences for their actions and obedience to parents is a good thing. If children don’t obey parents who they can see, how can we expect them to obey GOD who they can’t see? There’s enough adults around that think the world owes them something—but that’s another article. It cannot be emphasized enough for Christians to read their Bible to learn what GOD expects of them and to learn what HE thinks about things. Paul told Timothy, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings; for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” (2 Timothy 2:15- 16). We are also admonished to, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2) If this were not possible for us humans then GOD wouldn’t have said it. Sometimes we need Jesus himself to assist us, but don’t think He’s just going to bonk us on the head and BAM we’re suddenly thinking right! We are to put forth the effort and we have to WANT the truth in our lives. Yes that especially means our stinky little personalities! If you really want the truth about anything GOD will show you, but be for warned; He’ll point out the truth in our life how we’ve missed it or where we’ve gone astray. The issues that need to be dealt with or things that are in OUR heart! Sometimes GOD has to tear down before He builds up. He will not build on another’s foundation. What do I mean? Well if you were raised believing one thing GOD may have to tear down those beliefs/ thoughts and get them out of the way to show you the truth. If everything you were taught in the past was a lie (well thank GOD you found out now!) He will show you the correct way and your part is to let the past go and go on towards the future with Him. We are His workmanship. He wants us to think and do right. He wants us to be as His Son Jesus and that takes a lot of work on both sides. And it’s not going to be easy it’s going to be hard, because we humans tend to hold on to things even if they’re wrong and often we’re scared to let go. Folks our faith in GOD must be greater than our fear of the unknown and stepping out of our comfort zone. We must line up with the word of GOD and the only way to do that is to read the word of GOD, the Bible, and to be obedient to the Spirit of GOD as He moves in our lives. If you disagree with what’s in the Bible guess who has the problem? Here’s a hint; it sure isn’t GOD! We must repent of our rebellion; yes it’s rebellion, do you know better than GOD??? Just because you don’t understand something in the Bible doesn’t mean it’s wrong and you’re right! Repent and ask GOD to reveal His truths in the Bible to you, but here again He will only reveal things to us as we spend the time with Him and in the Bible, and it may take years before you get a revelation of a particular scripture (or maybe not). There’s a cute little acronym about the Bible: Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. God has big plans for us. Brethren let us: cast off doubt and fear, and go with GOD we are made in His image and GOD doesn’t make junk nor does He make mistakes! We can trust in our Heavenly Father’s love, and guidance . So let us endeavor to think His way, “And the peace of GOD, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of a good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4: 7-8 )
Written by Karen Stahl
NEEDS NO WANTS:
1. In Silistra, Bulgaria Pastor(s) Niki Marsov and Emil Nedelchev. Included now are missionaries from Romania Nicu and Elena. Times are troubled in Bulgaria much prayer and support is needed.
2. Constanta, Romania Pastors Luke and Jacob at Bethel Church and George Ritisan at the Romanian Center for Cross-cultural Studies Bible School and the Faru (Lighthouse) Church.
3. In Suceava, Romania Pastors Nicu and Marcel at St. Andrews Church. They are still standing by God’s grace.
4. Pastor Joseph Mutua in Nairobi, Kenya needs your prayer and financial support.
5. Pastor Mike Olufemi in Aveile, Nigeria. He needs our prayers and support to be a light in great darkness.
6. Pastor S. J. Peter, Founder of DAWN Ministries in Hyderabad and Pastor Wilson and his son Pastor Julian in Sankaraguptham, India.
7. Pastor Metin Mintaz, Dan, Cathy, and members of Uskudar Son Buyruk Kilisesi in Istanbul, Turkey.
8. Pastor Elieti Msangi in Dar Es Salaam and Pastors Isreal Mutaitina and John Balone in Bukoba, Tanzania.
9. Monthly financial support for Vivian’s Maternity and Child Care Clinic project in Aviele, Nigeria.
10. Pastor Tek Dahl at Gethsemane, Church (his church) and their radio station “Good News 105.1 FM” in Kathmandu, Nepal.
11. Bishop John, Samuel Kamanzi (from the Congo), and, Emmanuel Ndolimana in Ruhengeli, Rwanda.
12. Money for an industrial strength potato peeler at the Mission School in Romania.
Next Home Group Meeting:
Our next Home Group Meeting will be TUESDAY 21 July 2015
232 Everett Drive
Sneads Ferry, NC 28460
7:00 pm please RSVP
Home: (910) 741-0489
FUTURE SCHEDULE:
July: Local Ministry
August: Local Ministry
September: 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.
