Waiting on God – His Characteristics
October 2019 • Volume XVIII 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 start a new section within the LORD’s Call and that is some principles contained within some verses that pertain to the call of God in Revelation 3:20-21. John writes, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.21To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” (Revelation 3:20-21) Here John gives us some direction not by way of movement to location, but by way of attention to awareness. The word “Behold”all throughout the Bible always means to look and pay attention. John’s arrest our attention to make known God’s desires and to obtain a response. Did you know every time God does something He expects the correct response from us. God speaks to us and tells us to do something and He expects not His intention, but His command that we would do that which God tells us to do. And sadly if we do not do what God tells us to do then it is sin. My friend sin is not the evil act of taking a life lying, cheating, and etc. but the act of doing that which God says not to do. James tells us, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth itnot, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17)It is the “mark”and the “prize”Paul talks about in Ephesians, “I press toward the markfor the prizeof the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 3:14)To know and to do or not do what God tells us. If we know and do not then it is a sin against God’s word which is a sin against God Himself. God says do not lie and we lie. Do not cheat, steal, covet, etc. and if we do these things we sin. But when Jesus came He raised the standard higher; to even if we think about committing sin we have already done it in our heart. Jesus tell us in Matthew, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: (see Exodus 20:14 and Deuteronomy 5:18)28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28) Now many Christians say we do not need to keep the Ten Commandants of the Old Testament Jesus fulfilled the law, but that is not totally true. Yes Jesus came and fulfilled the law in His death and gives us two new commandants, “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment.39 And the second islike unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)Yet for us all on the earth today the Ten commandants are still in the Scriptures and still in effect today just as the commandants of the New Testament are. And why? That is easy, because God said them both. We cannot pick and choose what we believe when it comes to the Scriptures, either we believe ALL of the Scriptures or none of the Scriptures. So here in Revelation 3:20, God says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock.” Attention please I am knocking on your heart to see if you love Me in some way. Attention please I am knocking on your heart to see what desire you have for Me. Attention please I am knocking on your heart to see what and how you will respond to Me. The “heart” all throughout the Bible is our place of decision. And whatsoever we allow behind the door of our heart we will become that. In Proverbs we read, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so ishe: . . .” (Proverbs 23:7)This is translated in the Greek, “whatsoever we open (or think) the gate of our heart to we shall become that.” Or “as the gate of our heart swings open wide we shall become that.” Our heart is a gate that keeps bad things out of our lives and good things in our lives, but make no mistake my friend whatsoever we allow behind the gate of our heart we shall become that. Jesus was saying this very point. Attention please I am checking to see what you have allowed behind the gate of your heart and to see if there is anything in your heart that has a desire for me. And if so what will be your response to my knocking? I find it amazing the LORD (who knows all things so he must know what is in our heart) is knocking for opportunity to come in and supp with us. Next month we will pick up on this word “opportunity.” God knows our heart He knows all things yet He gives us great opportunity again and again to come to know Him and His call in our lives. Here I believe the LORD is knocking to see if the person has a desire to fulfill the call of God in their life. And the correct response is “yes LORD.” This is always what the LORD wants to hear from us.
Next month we will continue on with more spiritual principles contained in verses found in the Book of Revelation as we look at our response. 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:
What Shall We Recieve
One of the biggest drivers in our lives as to why we do things (even things for God) is based on our understanding of a reward system. Most rewards from God are not external although the church preaches this. How can you be “blessed” (which means happy) if you do not have a church of 1,500 members with big buildings, well manicured lawns, paved parking lots, or a network of churches so people can call you Apostle or Bishop? How can we be “blessed” if we do not have a BMW, Mercedes, Land Rover or a big house with a circle driveway to entertain friends? How can we be “blessed” if we do not have a mighty ministry traveling around the world? For some strange reason we think since we are in service for the LORD He must give these things to us to show the world He is on our side (an African term), but not true. My friend God is not really too concerned about all of this stuff, but He is concerned about our heart condition and why we do things for Him. Funny He already knows our heart yet He allows us to continue in our selfishness and presumption hoping we will turn from our evil ways giving Him the preeminence. God said of Joseph, “And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.” (Genesis 39:2)All Joseph had at that time was a loin cloth and God. God did not list Joseph’s possessions because he had none, but what made Joseph prosperous? Well the Biblical definition of being prosperous has nothing to do with things, but means to push forward in God. Joseph was pushing forward in God as he allowed God to work in his life from the pit, to Potiphar’s house, to the prison, then to the palace. No palace unless there is a pit my friend. Man (both men and women) even Christians (both men and women) often go after the external rewards because they have never really allowed God to work in their lives (like God did in Joseph’s life) and seek the external rewards because they feel unfulfilled in their lives (and heart) and secretly do not believe their eternal reward from God is waiting for them in Heaven. Karen made this observation and the more I observe people spiritually functioning in church the more convinced I am of her words. Now I find myself here often with my fellow brothers and sisters (I have not made it yet) and make no bones about it. I have a long ways to go (please pray for me), but God does not want to change our external situations and perceptions of our lives, but wants to change our inward desires and motives for external things. This is why in Ephesians Paul said, “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;” (Ephesians 3:16) Not with might by His spirit in the external man, but the inner man. Yes believe it or not God cares little about our external, but is intent on changing us inwardly and will do whatsoever we allow Him to do. Now before you get all depressed do not feel too bad Brother Peter suffered from the same ambitions and desires. In Matthew Brother Peter asked Jesus, “Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?” (Matthew 19:27) Peter exposed his heart for why he did things for Jesus and why he followed Him. Peter wanted to know what he was going to get for serving the LORD. What is his reward, what shall he get for all of his troubles. I have met so many Christians (at all levels of spiritual growth and development) with this same question. Some ask in words, but others ask in deeds and actions. When we moved back from Germany to Jacksonville we started an once a month Home Group Meeting in our home. We continue this time of fellowship in our home in Sneads Ferry and it is a great joy in our home. How can we not use our home (something God has given us) as a place to gather people to hear His word and fellowship with His children? God gives us things so we can use them to bless others. When we started I asked a friend (I still call him friend) I have known for over 30 years, traveled overseas many times in ministry, who lived 30 minutes (now 60 minutes) from our home, and is a great Bible teacher to come monthly and share with us. At first he was delighted (or so I thought) the people just loved him, he brought a strong word. Sometimes he would bring his wife and they would minister. When Karen and I would have friends from around the world come and stay with us (I would preach them around the area) they too would speak at our Home Group Meeting. It was a wonderful time many people (me included) looked forward to each month. But as we were driving back from a trip to Africa my good friend informed me he was no longer coming to our Home Group Meeting. To be honest I was not surprised you see while in Africa he asked me a question about his character and I told him the truth; what people in past have failed to do because if they told him the truth they risk him breaking off relationship with them, which he has done with me and many others. Call me crazy, but if I care about you and our relationship I will not try to blow smoke in your ears, but try my best to share my heart, have it be at your level of expectation or not. But now what really surprised me was the reason he gave me. He said, “sometimes I come and receive no money.” Now that was true, however there were also times he would come (and I know for a fact) he would receive $100s of dollars, so what was his motive in coming? Was it for the people to share (his wonderful gift to teach) the word of God or to make money? Well out of his own mouth spoke his heart. Now I do not share this story to demean him or make him feel bad (I would love to have fellowship with him, again he is a great Bible teacher), but I share this story so that we can learn from the loss I bear and feel in my relationship and somehow somewhere someone will not make the same mistakes. Also I share this story in hope (as strong medicine for both of us) it will be a means to come together again as the Bibles commands us to do, settle the offense in our heart, and once again join our God given strengths together to minister edifying the Brethren. You know we think God measures our ability in keeping relationship by the number we keep, well I am persuaded that is not true. God measures our ability in keeping relationships by how many we have lost not how many we have. I guess our entire relationship of over 30 years was not what I thought it was. Godly relationships are not one sided they are mutual in respect. One person is not over another oh no we all are to be servants, but when one thinks they are the boss or even a “mentor” (a mentor is a worldly business term) (even if someone willfully puts him in that place of authority in their life) they assume the role of providing guidance and direction which is the role of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said of the Holy Spirit, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, thatshall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” (John 16:13)Jesus said “all”and He means “all.” We must not allow ourselves to be led astray in these areas even when it comes to people we look up to and admire. By all means we must live a Godly life and we must allow people to observe ours, but we must never allow people to pattern their lives after our or live their lives according to our understanding of God. Mentor relationships are not Godly they are selfish built on arrogance, control, and manipulation the biggest sin of church leadership today. I have seen it all my life and on five continents. These relationships are not built on Godly principles, but built on an inward lack of the mentor (or mentoree) and their need to be esteemed and exalted. At its best any mentorship program (or mentor relationship for that matter) in a church is nothing more than a humanistic approach at leadership. Now friendship is much different it is based on mutual respect which honors the values and contributions each brings to the relationship. This is what God is looking for in relationships. It is amazing how we all seem to hide behind verses in the Bible when we are confronted with things about our character we get all spiritual ignoring people (but this is manipulation at its finest) who either made a heartfelt mistake or who would dare to speak the truth in love.
Since I am on a roll I would like to touch on another touchy issue that is destroying relationships at all levels within the church and that is the endless stream of preachers from all over the world coming to America and even Europe on their annual business trip to get money and support for their church. That is not the model you find in the New Testament. Yes the disciples did carry money church to church, but they did at the direction of the Holy Spiritthey were not manipulated and quilted into giving money as I see going on today. I will be honest African pastors have mastered this as a art. When I pastored in Germany our congregation was about 70% African and how the apostles, bishops, pastors, prophets, etc. would try to get their greedy little fingers in the heart and wallets of our people, but I would not allow them to come and fleece the flock which often caused problems between my African Associate pastor and me. I have gone to some churches who were having special services for such “men of God” and it was appalling to watch the manipulation and downright foolishness in the name of the LORD. In Africa I have sat in the office of pastors as they counted the Sunday offerings from four or five services (they are not that poor) and as pastor belonging to the greater denomination would bring in their money and add it to a money making pyramid scheme (a fee for service) for a spiritual covering within the country. This is not the model found in the Bible. But this foolishness also happens in America. Apostles, bishops, pastors, prophets make their way across the pond to America to see how much money they can get for their churches. I have heard them measure the successfulness of their trip by how much money they got. Now do not get me wrong I do believe in helping out churches overseas in need if I can, but it is at the direction of the Holy Spirit. Relationship is never the reason to make money. Relationship is the reason to join hearts and lives together, to come along side each other and work together. You know if your church cannot stand on its own two feet then maybe your church does not need to be standing. If God is not enough to provide what you need then all of the money in America will never do.
Peter asked Jesus, “what shall we have therefore?” And Jesus said unto them, “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. 30But many that arefirst shall be last; and the last shall befirst.” (Matthew 19:29-30) Did you get that? I did not see where Jesus said you will get money for driving a few miles once a month, crossing the oceans and living in squalor, or you will get a big name and be honored in the nations, but our reward is 100 fold IN OUR NEXT LIFE for those who can wait, those who like the back seat, and those who do not mind being last.
Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
A Short Lesson In Obedience
We’ve been talking about raising kids lately in the last few newsletters when Dave and I recently went through a short test of obedience ourselves. The recent hurricane Dorian, a CAT 5 winds of 157 mph hurricane at its peak, which devastated the Bahamas barely glanced our area in North Carolina and the South Carolina coast. Praise the Lord! For safety’s sake due to the uncertainty of Dorian which was a CAT 2 winds of 111 mph off our coast we packed up and headed to the US Marine Corps (USMC) Base hotel to ride out the hurricane for a couple of nights. After a few texts to Connie (our daughter) and a neighbor (thanks Matt) we knew it was safe to venture home. Fortunately as I said above Dorian barely glanced our area. In retrospect we could’ve stayed home as the power never wavered and there was no major tree damage or tree debris to clean up, but now I will get to my point. No matter what the outcome of the hurricane was our job was to be obedient. A lot of times our obedience to GOD doesn’t seem to make sense and people will laugh and even scoff at us, but in hind sight we will see the why’s and what for’s after the fact. We most often see GOD the best in the rear view mirror. Well, Dave felt the LORD told him we were to go to the USMC Base, so we went. Most REAL Christians will understand this, but REAL religious people will not.
If we take a look at John 5:1-18, where Jesus healed the lame man who was infirm for 38 years we can see this very point. Jesus healed the man on the Sabbath and told him to, “rise, take up thy bed, and walk.” (John 5:8)The Jews (the Pharisees and Sadducees) were fit to be tied! Never mind the miracle for the poor lame man all they cared about was Jesus healing on the sabbath and the guy carrying his bed. Folks religious people have a hard time being obedient or even understanding someone else being obedient to GOD. Obedience to God often is done in the unknown where GOD dwells. Here are a few points why religious folks do not understand. First of all, because they can’t hear from GOD, they automatically assume that you can’t hear from GOD. And if what you do or don’t do is against the “norm” they really won’t “get it” and may even get offended at you, well welcome to the club. Second, religious people operate outside the realm of faith and grace by the fact that they are religious and way too busy “working” for their salvation through traditions and rituals trying to get to GOD. The thought that Jesus did it ALL on the cross escapes them. I’m here to tell you as long as we’re obedient to GOD it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. GOD has the right to tell us to do “A,” “B,” or “C” and our job is to say, “yes LORD” and do it. It doesn’t matter who thinks what. After Hurricane Dorian our daughter Connie came by with her dogs and helped us with the yard cleanup, which was WAY less than Hurricane Florence last year thank GOD. Before she came over I was thinking about her dogs (Heidi and Lucy), now when we watch them our routine is a little different than hers and our requirements for certain behaviors and doggie obedience is a good exercise in their obedience to us. If we work with dogs and horses in their obedience with different training scenarios shouldn’t we as Christian parents work with our kids and ourselves? And doesn’t GOD have the right to also test or check out our obedience? I think so. As God He reserves the right as our creator to test, create, or fashion us into whatsoever He desires. And to check our attitude and thinking towards Him in obedience in the insignificant things like go to the USMC Base and ride out the hurricane. Because HE knows if we’re not obedient in small matters we won’t be obedient in big matters. Same thing with kids, same thing with dogs and horses. Obedience matters to GOD, ours and then our kids. Do our kids see us being obedient to GOD, do we make sure our kids obey us? If children don’t obey parents who they can see and hear how can we expect them to obey a GOD who they cannot see and hear? Read and study your Bible.
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 Ndolimanain Ruhengeli, Rwanda.
NEXT HOME GROUP MEETING:
08 October 2019 & 22 October 2019 at 7:00 pm
At 232 Everett Drive
Sneads Ferry, NC 28460
7:00 pm please RSVP
Home: (910) 741-0489
NEXT SERVICES FOR THE ROCK FELLOWSHIP AT SNEADS FERRY
6 October 19 232 Sneads Ferry Community Center 11:00 am
13 October 19 232 Sneads Ferry Community Center 11:00 am
20 October 19 232 Everett Drive, Sneads Ferry NC in Chadwick shores 11:00 am
27 October 19 Sneads Ferry Community Center 11:00 am
POCs are Freddy Everett (910) 545-7918 or David Stahl (910) 382-9287
FUTURE SCHEDULE:
October: Local Ministry
November: Bulgaria 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:
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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