Waiting on God – His Characteristics
March 2021 • Volume XIX Number 07
”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. Many of my friends ask me what God is doing in the earth these days and I reply why ask me ask God, but if I would let them know what I feel the LORD is doing in the earth these days I would say what He is always doing, looking for faithfulness. The year 2020 was horrible for some; the pandemic, some lost their businesses some even lost their lives. Sadly I did a funeral for a dear woman of God who use to be the best of friends with my mother. Mrs. Vivian Winstead Severe (age 92) was a lady of the heart who did not know when to stop giving. I have known Mrs. Vivian for close to 50 years, always a lady of God and always a giver. But for other folks 2020 was another year. In both situations the LORD saw them and was working in their lives according to their faithfulness to him. Now I am not saying Mrs. Vivian was not faithful on my word no, but bound up in our faithfulness is the LORD’s plan for our lives out from the decisions we make. Mrs. Vivian ran her course and ran it well. The LORD has a plan and course we must run it was just Mrs. Vivian’s time to go see her Savoir as we all shall some day. Our plan and course is set in God’s heart (where we all came from) but whether we run the course and fulfil the plan the LORD has for us is not up to the LORD, His power or authority, but our faithfulness. One thing for sure the call of the Master will inevitably be revealed in us where our first loyalties lies. How faithful are we when the LORD tells us to do something? Does He have to speak a second or third time? Real faithfulness (and I would say maturity in God) to the LORD is seen when we obey and do as He asks the first time. My teacher Charles Haun tells the story of his teacher John Wright Follette’s office. On the wall behind his desk is a sign that read, “Yes LORD.” and as you sit in the chair in front of his desk (which the legs were cut short so all you could do was look up) the sign was the focal point of the counselling session. Well the truth is that is all the LORD wants to hear come out of our mouth “Yes LORD” when He asks us to do something. He does not want to hear our feeble excuses or our ideas of a better way to do things, oh no all the LORD wants to hear is “Yes LORD” His ears and heart is tuned to two words and will not settle for anything less. We must learn this lesson quite well if we are going to answer our call and walk with Him. It is no different with our earthly children when we ask them to do something we know they can do, “Yes Dad or Mom.” The LORD knows if we can handle it and what He is doing and asking. Saying no (which is just rebellion) or suggesting something else is another way of saying God You do not know what you are doing. In Luke Jesus was talking to some folks (maybe disciples) who desired to follow Him, “And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:59-62) In both cases Jesus knew the people could easily answer His request. It was not a question of not having the ability after all, all they had to do was “follow me” which takes no special skill or talent, but it takes a willingness and a desire to be faithful. I find interesting in both cases it is people that prevent them from following Jesus, the first is their father and the second their status is not mentioned. It is other people we will follow instead of Jesus. In Matthew Jesus really minces no words with His disciples to draw out of them faithfulness, “But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:33-38) We need to read this again especially now as times in America are getting a little more perilous. It will be our family and friends not our enemies that will challenge our faithfulness to God. Both in Luke and Matthew Jesus tells the disciples they are not worthy (G #514, deserving, comparable, or suitable in drawing praise) of Him if they do not take up their cross (not Jesus’ cross) and to follow Him. and in Luke Jesus says they are not “fit” (G #2111, not physically or spiritually healthy if they start and then fall away from Him. This we must never do.
Next month we will continue looking at some areas we may not think about when we respond to the call of God in our lives. Do you hear Him calling? Please know God is calling. Walter Beuttler said if you build God a temple He will inhabit it. Have you built God a temple? If you do He will abide and wait for you. Written by David Stahl
ARTICLE REVIEW:
Training for Obedience
The Children of Israel were brought to the Wilderness of Sin by God to learn obedience and to learn how to fight in the wilderness and for the promised land, but they failed time and time again. They were brought there to be given weapons for warfare, the right diet, the manual, even tactics of warfare, but they did not learn because they were disobedient. Obedience seems to be one of the hardest things for Christians to do. Now do not misunderstand me here I have not made it in always being obedient to the LORD, but I have learned the more obedient to God we are the easier being obedient to God becomes. So too is the learning process in our lives: learning, experiencing, and obeying. The more we learn of the LORD the easier learning becomes and the easier learning becomes the more we will experience in greater depth His nature and character which will cause us to willfully obey. The Prophet Samuel said, “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” (I Samuel 15:22) Our training begins on an elementary level, nothing too difficult. As we progress, we are brought to more difficult levels and on to more difficult levels. As we continue in the LORD proving or testing us we will also increase in His rewards as well. The LORD would not prove a babe at the same duration and intensity He would a father in the LORD. He wants to get from us the greatest degree of fulfillment possible. Obedience is an extremely important area very very important. Samuel said, “obedience is better than sacrifice” and God means it. It has such far reaching implications that it defies the imagination. Obedience is certainly necessary in our lives in order to function properly in God. How can we function properly in God’s intentions if we cannot and will not obey? We will function as properly as we obey. We cannot function properly in God if we are disobedient. God attempts to bring us to obedience which is immediate and without reservations. Hopefully, it becomes automatic. We do not have to think to breathe, breathing is automatic, so too is God’s idea of obedience in our lives, but it is not put into us automatically. Our training and learning is to become so ingrained in us that we just do it without thinking. God is after perfect obedience — full, complete, immediate obedience without taking the time to think about it. Perfect obedience is far reaching. It is necessary among other reasons for the purpose of functioning properly in the millennium and more. Learning obedience now is a necessity to fulfill God’s intentions now and in the ages to come. How do we expect to know how to function in ages to come if we cannot be obedient in the here and now? Here are a few reasons why obedience to God the first time He speaks is so critical in our lives. Obedience works purification into us. Peter gives us a clue about the importance of obedience as it relates to our soul. Brother Peter says, “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:” (I Peter 1:22) Learning to obey purifies our soul in honesty, integrity, and righteousness qualities greatly lacking in most Christians today. Most Christians see no importance in being people of their words and actions, thinking God understands their dishonesty and His grace will cover them, but without learning to obey we will never be able to love “one another with a pure heart” in other words we will want to love people with an impure heart trying to get over on them in all we do. Our motives and intentions will be vile, corrupt, selfish, and self-seeking. John tells us, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (I John 1:7) Did you know the word “if” is the most important word in the Bible; it always sets the stage for receiving a reward — something from God have it be good for us or what we would consider bad for us based on our behavior. The result of that obedience is “the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” How can we have fellowship with our brothers and sisters if we are always trying to cheat and defile them? Obeying the truth which we have is quite important. There are believers who do not walk in the light which they have. Some will neglect one area of light which God gave them, in order to fulfill a certain desire or ambition. We cannot do that and still come to the fullness which our Father has in mind for us. We have to obey that which He brings to us; we have to walk in the light which we have; we have to obey the truth which we know and understand. Some folks will worry so much about the truth which they do not know or understand. Walk in the truth, rather than neglect it. We will not get any more truth until we walk in what we have. Obedience to the truth is necessary for the work of God to continue in us. There are two directions we can follow. In obeying the truth, there is a growth in obedience. This means that one grows stronger and is more deeply rooted in God. His obedience becomes more habitual and complete. In disobeying the truth, there is a growth in disobedience. This means that there is a stronger inclination to follow one’s own will, ever drifting further and further from living in the truth. Obedience to the will of the Lord will enable us to abide forever. Again Brother John helps us here, “And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” (I John 2:17) Plainly said, no obedience no abiding forever. Now please notice I am not talking about eternal life that is something totally different. Eternal life is not living forever. John tells us, “Now this is life eternal that we may know God . . . .” (John 17:3) Eternal life is coming to know a holy and loving God now on earth and in the ages to come. Man since time eternal has been chasing his tail when looking for the fountain of youth where they would live forever while all of the time it is found in the Bible and all you have to do to find it is just read the Scriptures. Everyone alive or have ever lived will live forever; eternal life in that sense is for everyone, but the question still stands before everyone who has ever lived where will they spend their eternal life in hell or with a loving and caring God? The choice is not God’s nor the devils, but ours. This way he that does the will of God is woven into the eternal purpose of God that He purposed in Christ Jesus. As one does the will of God they remain in God and continue on in the purposes of God. He that is obedient and does the will of God is transformed by that will which is one of God’s goals in our lives to be transformed from the earthly to the heavenly in thinking. Transformation and conformity to God’s will enables us, “That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;” (Philippians 1:10) We then can make the proper choices not only for today, but also for tomorrow. Thus our ability to choose correctly tomorrow is based upon our choices today. We say God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8), but really there is no yesterday nor is there a tomorrow there is only today. Our choices today dictates our tomorrow (which will be today when we get there) out from our obedience to God today. Just how important is our obedience today? Our future depends on it.
Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
Chastening
Last month we talked about truthfulness and honesty in regards to allowing the LORD to deal in our lives and us being honest with ourselves that maybe we need to work on a few areas in our character. As GOD deals in our lives and as we (Believers) are His children He will chasten us. The Bible tells us this in Hebrews, “….My son, DESPISE NOT THOU THE CHASTENING OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN THOU ARE REBUKED OF HIM; FOR WHOM THE LORD LOVETH HE CHASTENETH, AND SCOURGETH EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVETH. If ye endure chastening GOD dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement whereof all are partakers then are ye bastards and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits and live? For they verily for a few days chastened (Strong’s #3811 educate, discipline (by punishment) instruct, learn, teach chasten, reproof, admonition); us after their own pleasure but He for our profit that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; never less afterward it yielded the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them that are exercised thereby.” (Hebrews 12: 5-11)Wow, can it get any clearer? If you don’t like being chastened then you may be unteachable because the writer to the Hebrews (I believe to be Paul) says “all are partakers” and GOD chastens us for OUR profit. Woe unto you stiff necked, stubborn, UNTEACHABLE people. It is GOD that chastens us. Now we get to where the rubber meets the road. How does GOD chasten us? If you’re a married woman He’ll use your husband to chastise you. I know I’m stepping on toes here, but too bad. I’ve been there so don’t think I don’t know what I’m saying. No one likes to be corrected or yelled at for doing something wrong we get our nose all out of joint, but we know deep in our heart that they (our husband) is right. When I was young I screwed up the check book all the time so I got “corrected” a lot, now I do not screw up the check book! It is out of the rebellion in OUR HEART that we IGNORE and discredit what they’ve corrected us over. AND it is a lack of RESPECT. It is our unteachable spirit that rebels against our husband’s GOD-given authority as head of the home that we stiffen our necks and say no I won’t _________ fill in the blank. If your husband is a real Believer (if not you have a bigger problem than being unteachable) GOD will hold him accountable and IF your husband is wrong in whatever he yelled or corrected you over GOD will get his attention and correct him. However IF you persist in YOUR headstrong attitude and YOUR wrong decision making —you will reap what you sow. And sister it ain’t going to be pretty. Best listen to your husband . Why destroy yourself. It is our job to listen and not be so prideful and stubborn. Of course it hurts our pride to be yelled at and of course you’ll feel stupid, but get over YOURSELF and move on. Nothing unholy makes it into Heaven, and rebellion is unholy. If you’re a man and you let your wife do whatever she wants (even continue in wrong thinking) well you’re not much of a leader and I really don’t know what to tell you, but you need to man up. It certainly is NOT laying your life down for your wife –it’s called enabling. Your endorsing and enabling your wife to continue in her rebellion, wrong thinking, and disrespect while you pat yourself on the back thinking you’re such a good Christian husband, really?!? You sacrifice your God-given authority and responsibility (not to mention your manhood) and become a doormat and you think that’s GODLY? You’re made in the image of GOD and GOD is NOT a doormat nor is He warm and fuzzy. In Exodus it says, “The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.” (Exodus15:3) Now that does not give the man the right to rule over the wife and family as a conquering king, but shows the warrior, the leadership side of GOD’s character man was made for. In Ephesians Paul was correcting husbands and wives in this very area of their relationship. Paul shares, “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. 22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so letthe wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;” (Ephesians 5:21-25) Notice these verses address both the husband and the wife in “submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God” if this is not done correctly then everything else in the relationship is doomed. Paul then makes a parallel comparison between the husband and Christ for; leadership, decision making, guidance, direction, etc., even spear catching what the “head” of the body does. Now here is where some husbands turn into a door mat and step outside of GOD’s plan. Next Paul shows the husband the extent of the; leadership, decision making, guidance, direction, etc., even spear catching knowing as Peter said, “the wife is the weaker vessel.” (1 Peter 3:7). Paul is NOT telling the husband to give his life for his wife physically, domestically, or spiritually, but to provide leadership, decision making, guidance, direction, etc., even spear catching to his wife and family as Christ provided them to the church. I know many husbands today that have (while quoting verse 25) turned their wives into Jezebels enabling them to usurp their authority and take control over the household, finances, and even the lead in the relationship. This my friend is not GOD’s plan for the husband and wife. The man has the lead in GOD’s plan in all areas of the relationship. No matter how much we disagree (or kick and scream) with what GOD has established, it will not change GOD’s mind. I as a woman don’t know how you are to correct this situation, I truly don’t. But, did you know GOD will use circumstances like letting us reap what we sow out from our wrong thinking and motives when we make bad decisions? Yes, we just may have to endure some bad results. GOD is good at giving us what we think we want until the chickens come home to roost. But, when we grow a brain and HUMBLE ourselves HE is more than willing to help us when we realize and confess our mistake and seek His forgiveness and help. The key word here is Humble ourselves. You know sometimes we will get a word of correction from someone (maybe parents or grandparents) else or The Almighty Himself. You know you have really screwed up if GOD has to snap you up. There have been times in the past where I’d swear the pastor during a message was talking to just me! Gulp—-better shape up! Again it is usually OUR unteachable (if you are a know it all you automatically have an unteachable spirit) spirit and OUR stubborn pride that says, “no they don’t know what they’re talking about. I don’t have to listen to them. They were wrong in this area or they misspoke so everything else that they say must be wrong.” Really? Sound familiar? So I guess you’d be ok if someone thought the same of you. That’s just disrespect and an unteachable spirit better get a hold of that now before it is too late. You know if you cannot or will not learn from people who you can see and hear how on earth can you learn from GOD with that same arrogance towards people.
Written by Karen Stahl
NEEDS NO WANTS:
- In Dobrich, Bulgaria Pastor Niki Marsov and in SilistraPastor(s) Yanko, Marcho, and Emil. Times are troubled in Bulgaria much prayer and support is needed.
- Constanta, Romania Pastors Luke and Jacob at Bethel Church and Ian at the Romanian Center for Cross-cultural Studies Bible School.
- In Suceava, Romania Pastors Nicu at St. Andrews Church. They are still standing by God’s grace.
- Pastor Joseph Mutua in Nairobi, Kenya needs your prayer and financial support.
- Pastor Mike Olufemi in Aveile,Nigeria. He needs our prayers and support to be a light in great darkness.
- Pastor S. J. Peter, Founder of DAWN Ministries in Hyderabad and Pastor Wilson and his son Pastor Julian in Sankaraguptham, India.
- Dan, Cathy, and members of Uskudar Son Buyruk Kilisesi in Istanbul, Turkey.
- Pastor Elieti Msangi in Dar Es Salaam and Pastors Isreal Mutaitina and John Balone in Bukoba, Tanzania.
- Monthly financial support for Vivian’s Maternity and Child Care Clinic project in Aviele, Nigeria.
- Pastor Tek Dahl at Gethsemane, Church (his church) and their radio station “Good News 105.1 FM” in Kathmandu, Nepal.
- Bishop John, Samuel Kamanzi (from the Congo), and, Emmanuel Ndolimana in Ruhengeli,Rwanda.
NEXT HOME GROUP MEETING:
23 March at 7:00 pm
At 232 Everett Drive
Sneads Ferry, NC 28460
7:00 pm please RSVP
Home: (910) 741-0489
FUTURE SCHEDULE:
March: Local Ministry
April: Local Ministry
May: Local Ministry
Email: charliegolfone@outlook.com
ROCK FELLOWSHIP ON THE RADIO:
On WJCV Jacksonville, NC
1290 AM or 98.3 FM
Every Sunday morning at 9:00 am
I am still available to share what God has given me at churches and/or home groups. If God moves on your heart to support BHG or other ministries we personally know we would be honored to serve as a go between. Remember, if we want a blessing from God the spiritual principle is we must bless others. Remember, God is to you what you are to God.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address:
David and Karen Stahl
232 Everett Drive
Sneads Ferry, NC 28460
Phone:
Home: (910) 741-0489
Mobile: (910) 382-9287
FAX: (910) 741-0489
Email:
dstahl@beholdinghisglory.com
Website:
www.www.beholdinghisglory.com/
Blog:
http://bhisglory.blogspot.com/
NEW OFFER
Booklets on Spiritual Authority, Spiritual Leadership, Prayer, Body of Christ, and Righteous Living the Four Anchors of God are now available by contacting us and requesting one. You can see them on our home page. Get one now.
The Author House link below will lead you to our latest book, “Thoughts for Consideration.” Just copy it into your web browser and return. Also you can purchase two of our other books “Adventures with God.” and “God Still Performs Miracles: A Book of Personal Encouragement.”
http://www.authorhouse.com/AuthorCenter/Protected/BookHome.aspx?bookID=61464
Please take a minute and take a look, they all make for a great encouraging gift, giving hope and sharing God’s love through a deeper teaching that someone can enjoy again and again. All of our books can be purchased at all book stores like Barnes and Nobles, Borders, Book-A-Million, and etc., any Christian Book Store that orders, and all book ordering on-line companies like Amazon.com. Or if you are like me from the old school just contact us, we will let you know the price and then we will mail it out to your home address. Postage and handling is on a case by case basis.
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