Deeper Truths for Hungry Hearts
October 2016 • Volume XV Number 02
“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. This month we will begin another area of Brother Isaiah’s call to ministry. In the past months we have looked at some elements from a vision from Isaiah; revelation of God and a revelation of service, both critical to be able to operate and flow with what God is doing. many ministers called by God want greatly to work for God, but never have a desire to be cleaned up by God. After all working for God you can get a big name, make money, and feel good about yourself, but allowing God to work on your character that is another thing all together. To become something in God will kill you (God’s idea), all of your dreams, hopes, and desires that are not of God. Do you know it is easier to build a big ministry and travel the world than to allow the Holy Spirit to show you your heart? A glimpse of our heart as God sees it is what we need if we are going to be able to keep for God. God will not use unclean vessels, God will not use people who have no self-control or ability to kept their tongue. If God is going to use us we must give Him permission to clean us up. After a revelation of God and of service next God must be able to give us a divine cleaning. Now in theory this all sounds good, but I promise you my friend this may be the most painful experience you have ever had in your life. A good cleaning by God will strip you of all of your carnal thinking and approaches to the ministry. The more of a stripping God can work in our lives the more useful we will be in the ministry. Brother Isaiah had such a revelation, “Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. 6Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: 7And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.” (Isaiah 6:5-7) When Isaiah saw God high and lifted up he also saw his heart condition, God’s glory is a reflection for all who have the guts to look into the mirror. Paul tells us, “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) As we behold into the “glass” or mirror we are changed into the same image, from one glory to another glory. Or from one stage of God’s development to the next higher stage of development. And the longer we behold (look into) the image we shall become like that image, which is God’s grand goal in our lives to conform us into the character and image (icon) of Jesus Christ. Now it is not the looking that does the changing, but the work of God in our lives as we desire to become like what we see in the mirror or glass. We look deep into the “glass” and see Christ high and lifted up and His trail (His glory) fills the temple, but then oddly He fades away and slowly coming into focus we begin to see our heart and all of the nasty things in us that are NOT like Him. All of the evil intentions, plans, ambition, pride, arrogance, and so much more that fills our heart and mind. God says, “how about these things David? What do you have to say about these things?” Now it is God’s intention we, “are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” to change us, to conform us into what we saw of Christ when we first looked into the mirror. The deeper the cleaning the deeper we will be able to move with God in His intentions and plans for our lives.
Next month we will continue to look at the four sub-elements that goes along with the divine cleaning; a revelation of self, a sense of unworthiness, the need for cleansing, and a cleansed state. Remember if God cannot clean us up (we cannot clean ourselves up) then He cannot use us we will disqualify ourselves for service. So please take a good study and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart. And listen closely my friend do you hear Him call now?
Written David Stahl
ARTICLE REVIEW:
Opposing God
I have had a very difficult time writing this article. My heart and spirit are so full of what the Lord would have me say, but I feel I do not have the words to express my thoughts. My hope is that the Holy Spirit (as in all of our articles) can communicate my heart to your heart. At the heart of this article is my resistance and opposition of God working in me and in the earth. When we speak (or even write) against what God is doing in the earth we are opposing God Himself and this my friend is very dangerous and troubling to our soul, heart, and spirit. God has a plan and He will bring it to an end even if we do not want to see it happen. Our wants and desires never really play into God’s plan and purpose in the earth. Oh God may slip some events in our lives to reveal to us more of His longsuffering and grace, but in the end God’s plan and purpose will be brought to the end that has been in His heart all of the time. In my life I see and even understand some events in the world that I know God is at work in, but in my flesh I resist what God is doing and find myself repenting time and time again. Now the repenting is good, but that is not what God is after. If the very best we can do is repent then so be it, God will honor that, but repentance again and again is not what God is after, oh no my friend, God is after submission, obedience, and acceptance the first time in our lives so we can have our heart settled and move with God correctly. If our heart is not at rest then we will be anxious and not established in the spiritual principles of God, ultimately we will move contrary to what God is doing and get off track. I see this moving in my life and am compelled to write this article. I guess I am not the first person to oppose God, Jacob was good at this too. In Genesis we find Jacob wrestling or opposing God. “And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. 25And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. 26And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. 27And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. 28And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for thou hast wrestled with God, and with men, and hast prevailed.” (Genesis 32:24-28) Now I want to go on the record to say I do not believe Jacob physically wrestled God (Almighty), but I do believe he wrestled with a man or an angel sent from God. From these verses I can see wrestling with God is not a good thing to do. Many Christians are taught Jacob was the winner, but as I read these verses all Jacob got was a name change and for the rest of his life Jacob had to walk with a limp as a reminder for his disobedience. I wonder what Jacob would have gotten from God if he would have submitted and not wrestled? I guess we will never know. This is one of the rewards (something we get from God out from our behavior) we get when we wrestle or oppose God, we miss out on God’s best for our lives. I do not know about you, but I want God’s best for me and my family for this we must be obedient and not oppose God.
Now there are two areas I would like to discuss in this article, I am sure there are more and maybe in your life they are different. When I study the Bible I do not see many of the things the nominal religious (mainstream denominational and non-denominational churches) church of today say are in the Bible. For example, I do not see a mighty end-time revival (word “revival” not found in the KJV of the Bible) that most preachers (on TBN and other Christians TV networks) and pastors of big mega-churches talk about. But I do find, in the Bible, what I believe to be the description of the apostate church and its new age contemporary prosperity Gospel message as described in 2 Peter 2. Peter begins Chapter 2 by warning the Church at Rome and some in Asia Minor of her habitual drifting away from God and His ways into a contemporary selfish, self-seeking church as it interfaces with worldliness and a humanistic philosophy. Serving God for what you can get out of it. God’s plan is for the church to influence and change the world, but sadly what we see today is the world influencing the church and slowly transforming it into the apostate church in 2 Peter 2. Ungodly worldly thinking has subtly crept into the church transforming it into a place of self-exaltation and self-gratification. You see, there were false teachers who dealt in half-truths regarding the Christian faith and Peter’s letter provided a clear response to them as it exposed their lies and deception. As today 2 Peter 2, mirrors the same worldliness and humanistic philosophy. My friend there is nothing new under the sun. Peter writes, “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” (2 Peter 2:1-3) and at the end of the Chapter Peter writes, “But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; 13And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; 14Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:” (2 Peter 2:12-14) When was the last time you heard a message from God on this Chapter? Yet it is there all 22 verses, judging and condemning all of those who would pervert the true Gospel message of Jesus Christ. Now here comes the twist, I believe God is using TBN (and other Christian TV networks) and the mega-churches to usher in the apostate church as described in the Book of Revelation. There has to be a deceptive religion (one world religion) that the world will worship for the events of Revelation to take place around. And again I believe God is using the TBN, etal and the mega-church crowd with all of their money hungry, arrogance, and presumptive heart condition to usher in this one world religion, yet when I speak out against TBN, etal I am speaking out against God and His plan and purpose for TBN, etal. Why would God do it this way? To use a so called Christian TV network and mega-church structure to usher in the one world religion I do not know, but I do know I am not God and His ways are not my ways. The solution for me was the same solution for Jacob, to submit to what God is doing and willfully throw our lives in the very capable hands of God. To guard our lips and heart, but speak out the truth in love to see people turn from their deception. Karen made the observation (and I most strongly agree) people who are deceived by their denominational and non-denominational doctrines and religion cannot recognize the truth when they hear it. The power of these lies in their lives must be broken by the power of God and this will only happen when we speak the truth in love and then as the Holy Spirit speaks to their hearts. When I was wrestling with the Lord over the loss of a good friend who walked away from our friendship of over 30 years, because I would not do what he wanted me to do, God told me, “do not worry about <name>, let me worry about <name>, you worry about following me. Jesus gave the same advice to Peter, “Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? 21Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 22Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.” (John 21:20-22) Great advice for us all to heed.
The second area is near and dear to my heart. Many know I am retired from the U.S. Navy after 24 years of dedicated, faithful service to God and country. I will be honest I love my country in which I live. I was raised (unlike many children today) to respect my government and those in authority over me. Now I want to make it perfectly clear, I do respect our government, I wish no ill will or harm to come to any President or any member of the Congress or Senate, but when I study the Bible I do not see America or any country like America around. I am confused because I see denominational and non-denominational churches canvassing for political position, money, and influence, but we as Christians have the truth that transcends politics. We are the lighthouse set upon a hill in great darkness. We have the message of truth, grace, and forgiveness in Christ Jesus not the government or any politicians. When we get involved with the political struggles of the day we willfully pull ourselves out of the spiritual high ground God has placed us in. Jesus never got involved with any of the political social issues of His day (the Roman occupation, slavery, taxation, feeding the poor, etc.) nor did He encourage His disciples or the people who followed Him to. Jesus was above this and He expects us to be above the political social issues of our day. Jesus kept telling the people who followed Him, “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” (John 18:36) do we really believe this verse? If so, why do we dig our heels and hearts into the earth and do everything (like buying the finest car and home) we can do to make our time on earth overly eased? Bigger is not better, even in the things of God. If so, why are the churches of today so involved with politics? Especially the black churches in America. I have some wonderful black pastor brothers who preach the message of redistribution of wealth and social justice while ignoring the message of the Gospel. Not only the black churches, but white churches canvass for promotion and give money to governments (Local, State, and Federal) and politicians for favor and influence so they can spread their agenda and power. They push the philosophy of social involvement (code words for a social Gospel) i.e. global warming, human overpopulation, and the entire “green” movement. The Southern Baptist Church (the biggest evangelical denomination in America) has softened their position on sodomy and lesbianism while endorsing and collecting money for global warming international efforts. Whatever happened to the Gospel of Jesus Christ? All of this is evil and ungodly it is destroying the moral fiber and soul of America. Now here is the twist, I believe God is using these immoral leaders of the church and our present government who lack integrity and truthfulness to bring America to her knees in repentance, and if she does not repent then God will remove her candle stick from the world, American will be no more. America was raised up by God not to spread freedom and democracy in the world. Freedom and democracy are man-made terms not biblical terms. God operates in restrictions and limitations not freedom and democracy. In God you cannot do what you want to do and go where you want to go and really be used of God. America was raised up to spread the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world and when we stop doing this (as we almost have) America will be no more. America use to be #1 in sending missionaries, but now America is 13th and fading fast. I really believe the President and his government has been raised up by God to serve as a vessel of dishonor to bring America into judgment and wrath if she fails to turn back to God, because of America’s continued waywardness to God and His word. The Supreme Court has passed law after law that is in direct conflict to God’s word and now God’s laws have been replaced or totally forgotten in the heart and minds of most Americans, well my friend God does not play second fiddle to man. Just because the Supreme Court makes a law it does not over ride the truth of the word of God. America through the years has been turning her back on God. It has been a slow progressive deliberate drifting from God and in the 20th Century, especially in the 1960s, America’s counter culture era things really began shifting into over drive. America today rests in her military might, but even the greatest military (chariots and horses) ever assembled cannot stand against God’s judgment. America must get back to the heart condition in these verses, “Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. 7Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. 8They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. 9Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.” (Psalms 20:6-9) before it is too late. Personally (and I hope I am wrong) I think it is too late for America. I feel America’s best days are behind her because the collective of churches in America, the core fiber of any nation has sold their souls for fame, money, and power. They have thumbed their noses at God and said we know better. The humanistic purpose driven denominational (and non-denominational) churches playing a contemporary new age Christian rock and roll music that glorifies a self-centered man and exalts the physical virtues (strengths) of man has forgotten, it is not about them, but about humbling ourselves before a righteous and holy God. They are drunk on themselves, they have merchandised the Gospel, “For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. 4And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 5For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.” (Revelation 18:3-5) But still in the face of all of this truth, in my heart and in word I oppose God when it comes to the pulling down of America; call it selfishness, call it blindness, call it what you wish, but I find myself getting angry at God when I see God working out His plan and purpose for America. In my heart I know what God is doing, but I do not like it. Please pray for me. At the heart of these two issues is the selfishness in my heart. When we get upset with God over issues likes these it is because we have not gotten our way, our selfishness is screaming, “I want my way.” When we oppose God it is our selfishness that gives ear and voice to our desires. Let us allow God to kill these in us before it is too late.
Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
Repentance First
Jesus said, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of GOD is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” (Mark 1:15). Why do we make things so complicated? If all sin is against GOD then how is it we have these rituals and traditions that go completely against the Bible, and yet we think it’s ok? There’s a BIG difference between repenting as the Bible teaches and confessing our sins one to another. Why do some denominations teach us to confess our sins to a priest/ pastor or worse the whole congregation and somehow magically that squares things between us and GOD??? What?????? We are to confess our sins to another person IF we’ve sinned against them not to the entire congregation so they can gossip about it. Or dump “our sins” on another human being (priest or pastor) and either entertain him or gross him out and ruin his day. How can a third party forgive us of our sins if we didn’t even sin against them? That’s nuts!!! Show me where that is in the Bible. If we confess our sins to GOD himself we can be assured that HE hears us and through the shed blood of Christ we will receive forgiveness if we repent (first) AND forsake our sins, BUT we have to believe that GOD will do this. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (1 John 1: 9 -10), but part of the problem is, it’s easier to talk to some guy (a third party) and say a few prayers for penance then it is to trust an invisible GOD who seems so far away while continuing to do the same old sins everyday with no thought of forsaking them and REALLY repenting. I can assure you GOD is not that far off in the universe nor is HE too busy to listen to you. If we say we believe GOD does forgive our sins then why on earth do we continue to go through these manmade traditions, rituals, and worse yet believe in our hearts that this makes us in good standing with GOD? Forgive me but that’s nuts. Apparently if you’re doing this you don’t believe GOD will forgive your sins, go back to the above scripture and reread it!!! Or maybe you don’t “feel” forgiven unless you go through these manmade rituals. You’ve sinned against GOD what does anybody else have to do with this??? It makes no sense. What does this third party have to do with your relationship with GOD? Nothing –that’s what. Confessing our sins to a man has nothing to do with TRUE repentance to GOD from our hearts. Jesus said, “repent and believe” (in that order), it’s cut and dry. It’s so simple, “go and sin no more.” Repent is an “about face” so we go in the opposite direction and STOP doing whatever sin we are doing. The heart action of repentance is always listed first in Scripture then comes the reward or the punishment. In Mark one of the first divine spiritual truths Jesus set into motion when He started His ministry was repentance first, “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” (Mark 1:15) GOD has bent over backwards to save us from our sins through the shed blood of his precious son Jesus and we slap HIM in the face by “confessing” our sins to another human being who we didn’t even sin against and we expect this other human being to forgive us???? That is what it is folks a slap in the face, so do not think you are in good standing with The Almighty, if you continue in this foolishness— yes it is foolishness. If it doesn’t line up with the word of GOD it’s foolish. If you put the rituals and traditions of men, religions, or denominations between you and GOD woe unto you. GOD wants you to come to HIM by yourself not through the pastor, dead “saints,” Mary, the local deacon, your religious Aunt Sally or whomever!!!! GOD wants you to come to him in faith through Jesus Christ ONLY. Read the manual—the Bible it’s all in there. If it’s religious but not in the Bible it’s wrong. Brother Paul said this, “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him : Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil (plunder you or take you captive) through philosophy and vain (empty) deceit, after the tradition of men, after (according to) the rudiments (basic principles) of the world and not after (according to) Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality (rule and authority) and power.” (Colossians 2:6-12) Don’t tell me certain denominations haven’t taken people captive through their religious dogma and outright lies. Many good intentioned yet stubborn and misguided people have put themselves in hell because they’ve put religion ahead of a direct relationship with GOD the FATHER, through Jesus Christ. Yes they are in hell even as you read this. That’s why it is imperative to READ the Bible–know why and what you believe and how the different religions and denominations stack up against the Bible. Better to forsake your religion and denomination in this life then GOD forsake you in the next life.
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 18 October 2016
232 Everett Drive
Sneads Ferry, NC 28460
7:00 pm please RSVP
Home: (910) 741-0489
FUTURE SCHEDULE:
October: Local Ministry
November: Bulgaria, Macedonia and Romania
December: 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.
