Deeper Truths for Hungry Hearts
September 2015 • Volume XIV Number 01
“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. Wow here we are starting our 14th year by the grace of God. I so thank the LORD and all who have stood with us and BHG, may the LORD richly bless and keep each and every person who supported us through prayer, finances, or any other means.
After Moses’ initial attempt to deliver his people from the iron hand of Pharaoh was a complete failure God had to take him literally to the desert to drain him of all of his self-sufficiency and self life. In the Book of Exodus we read, “Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well. 16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock. 17 And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock. 18 And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to day? 19 And they said, An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us, and watered the flock.
20 And he said unto his daughters, And where is he? why is it that ye have left the man? call him, that he may eat bread. 21 And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter. 22 And she bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land.” (Exodus 2:15-22) Moses was on the run from Pharaoh for his life, but in reality he was on the run for the death of his self-life. Did you know God has a desert for us too? Not the physical desert that Moses endured, but a wilderness: a time of many many troubles, confusion, dissatisfactions, and distractions. A time of many many misunderstandings, offenses, arguments, challenges to our self, but all meant to refine and define our character. This is what God was after in the life of Moses and this is what God is after in our lives. The wilderness at first glance is a barren land with no life, full of rocks and snags, no well watered place to sink our roots into where our self life can thrive. Oh no it is stark, gray, and dark, but it is the place of spiritual growth and development as Moses found out. It is the place where we go and get alone with God, where we can yell and no one will hear us, except God. It is the place we learn to lean on our beloved (Jesus Christ) where we learn to keep our peace, where we learn to speak when we must speak and be silent when it is time to be silent. It is the place of spiritual growth and maturity in God. In the Song of Solomon we read, “Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved?” (Song of Solomon 8:5) The “who” is the one who enters into the wilderness and learns to lean on their beloved. Not the one who goes into the wilderness many Christians go through tough and trying things in their lives, but if they never learn to lean on their beloved (Jesus Christ) then their time in the wilderness is all for naught. And they will stay in the wilderness (if they have a heart for God) until they learn the lessons they must learn. Yes the wilderness is a wonderful place and as we learn and grow we will find out time spent to be quite satisfying even when we return again and again we will not be so afraid, we will know the purpose and God’s intention for our visit. Learning is to be this way. The more we learn the easier learning is to become. So true in God. The more we learn the more we can apply to what we need to learn next. We even see this divine spiritual principle in little children as they learn. Before they can learn algebra they first must learn what 2 + 2 equals. And as they learn the basic skills they can go on to more difficult skills and lessons. So Moses now in the desert (in a wilderness of God’s and his doing) it is now time for him to learn. The way back to Egypt and his friends was by way of the desert. The way ahead for Moses was found in the desert. All that God had for Moses was not found anywhere, but the desert of Midian. There God ordained Moses’ appointment and there God would meet Moses on many occasions. Moses did not know where he was he thought he was running from Pharaoh, but in reality he was running into God’s loving hands so God could kill his self-sufficiency. God had a plan for Moses’ life as He has a plan for all of our lives and before God could use Moses He had to kill the self-life, ambition, presumption, arrogance, and so much the more in Moses’ life. And my friend this process is very painful and at times it hurts, but this is the place and the time God has for all of His children to grow up. In verse 21 we read Moses was “content” a wonderful place to be when God is dealing and judging in our lives. Maybe you find contentment when you stumble into the wilderness.
Next month we will see how 40 years in the desert changed Moses from a “somebody” into a “nobody.” Now there is the place God can really use us. Can you hear Him now?
Written David Stahl
ARTICLE REVIEW:
They Overcame
After Thanksgiving 2009, Jake and I departed for Nairobi, Kenya to be with Pastor Joesph for a few weeks. Niki from Silistra, Bulgaria joined us when we arrived from Mombasa. We were asked to share at a week-long conference Pastor Joesph was holding and in some local churches during the week-ends. Jake brought a deep mysterious word that left the hearers in quiet contemplation and thought. He prefaced his word by saying, “if you do not understand what I am saying hold my words before the Lord and in time He will give you understanding.” I have known Jake for over 30 years and have had the pleasure of hearing him speak these many years, thus I know the depth of his message and his ability to skillfully weave the scriptures. Niki brought a strong relevant word mixed with humor which the people really responded to. It was his first time in Africa and he was magnificent. Humor sometimes helps the medicine go down. I can see in Niki a Timothy today and a Paul tomorrow, Lord willing. I brought a more sublime yet simplistic word directed at their hearts that enabled the folks to apply my words to their difficult circumstances and situations in their lives. Unless our words reach their hearts then what we say will profit the hearers little. The heart should always be our target and our goal must always be to see how low we can come down in our self so that the word of God we speak will be able to take root in their heart and lives. Jesus was a master of this, simple in His approach using wine, bread, water as examples to convey deep spiritual meaning that the people understood. I wonder why we try to get so deep and try to unwrap the dark mysteries of the Scriptures. Jesus talked about a corn of wheat falling into the ground and dying (John 12:24) to be fruitful. Maybe we should reevaluate our approach.
From the start of our trip I knew God wanted to do some things in my life, things that needed to be done. At first I was reluctant because as Karen and I travel and minister from church to church, both in the States and around the world I hear a great desire to be an “overcomer.” Now this in itself is not a bad thing God desires to bring us to victory in Him, but where we miss the mark is the desiring and all that goes into the presumptive approach to God and not the developing, the way God has designed for us to come into victory. Why there are even conferences and seminars today in the church where the theme is “Overcoming to Fulfill Our Destiny in Christ” (or something like that), but seldom do you hear of the real requirements at conferences and seminars to become an overcomer. John gives us three requirements to become to be an overcomer, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” (Revelations 21:11) They overcame him, “by the blood of the Lamb,” “by the word of their testimony,” and “they loved not their lives unto the death.” We will talk more about the last requirement in detail. Most Christians will agree today in the church without the shedding of the precious blood of Jesus Christ (the Lamb of God (John 1:29)) we would not be able to overcome anything, so this is kind of a given, but the other two well they will require much more from us if we desire to apply them to our heart and lives to become an overcomer. John said, “by the word of their testimony.” Please know the word of our testimony is not what we say, but what other people see us do. I can tell you swelling words of faith, words that would bring tears to your eyes, words that would manipulate you to do things for me, but if my life does not reflect what I am saying then my words will profit me little to nothing and not benefit you at all. Remember, if you want people to give you money or do things for you just tell them what they want to hear and what they already know. But to be a true overcomer our lives and words must match up in unison with what the Spirit of God is saying. I do not care how many miracles God uses us to perform or how deep our revelation of God and His word is, if the work of God in our lives and the revelation we possess never affect changes to our character then it is all for nought. Make no mistake my friend I am talking about myself here. One thing I have learned at the heart of every issue it is always an issue of my heart. God’s work in our lives is to change us first then others second. Our understanding, wisdom, and knowledge of God must ultimately bring us down into a place of humility and humbleness if not we are no better than sounding brass and tinkling cymbals. Paul shared this critical truth with us in 1 Corinthians when he said, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:1-3) Now many call 1 Corinthians 13 the love chapter, but Paul does not use the word “love” but uses the word “charity” here and is at the heart of what Paul wanted to convey to us. The word “charity” has been translated agape, but it comes from and gets its root origins from Strong’s #25, “agapao” to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of which has little to do with love and much to do with being a humble and lowly servant. Agape, Strong’s #26, is a stronger mature love that has to do with a dedication of ourselves towards someone, as Jesus dedicated Himself toward the world in John 3:16 or a dedication that a husband has toward his wife for giving him 30 years of her life. Paul was talking about giving help to people in need, a kindness in judging people, and a good will to all other people. It is this heart condition that is greater than faith and hope. Now reread verse 2, “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. Do you see the difference? Jesus said it this way, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) Jesus was not talking about giving one’s life so another may live, but laying one’s life down as a lowly servant, losing their life so that they may find it in servant hood to the Brethren. It is not about love, but about being a lowly servant like Christ. All throughout Paul’s writing he warns the newly established churches (and us also today) take heed not to think highly of our self. “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3) There is a subtle danger here to exalt our self that can over take our witness and destroy our character. Again I can say amen here. If we desire to become an overcomer we too must lose our life and all those things that we think elevates us above our brothers and sisters. How arrogant we are to think just because God has given us something special it makes us special, oh no my friend anything that God gives us (special or not) should bring us to our knees and make us a servant to the Brethren the more.
Now on this trip to Africa one of God’s main intentions (as I said) was for me to become more of an overcomer in a certain areas. I knew right from the start God’s intention for me to be successful during this trip was for me to walk in restrictions and limitations to maintain my health, I could not eat what I wanted to eat and drink what I wanted to drink, but I had to maintain strict adherence to what I knew to do to fulfill what God wanted me to do. As a matter of fact the first opportunity I had to speak I spoke of how restriction and limitations not freedom and liberty bring us to completion and fulfillment in God. And I knew I would have to love not my life unto death. I knew God wanted me to go to Africa, to endure, to preach the word He put within me, and finish the trip strong in Him. Now this was first time I have traveled in the last two years. Before that a few of my trips were cut short due to health problems. For years I have pushed myself (zealousness in God is not what He is looking for) going abroad six to seven times a year, the air miles, stress and strain of ministry took a heavy toll on my health and on my desire to endure in the face of real sickness to the end. Now I will be honest this really bothered me. How could I stand and teach endure till the end and all I could think about was how I could get home sooner. But now on his trip I knew God wanted me to stay the course, finish strong in Him. For God to be able to do this I would have to love not my life unto the death. I would have to come to a place of assurance and rest (beyond what I have experienced before) in God that He will take care of me even if I get sick and He would make sure I get treated and come and go home as scheduled. I know all of this may sound strange, but this is where I found myself. Like Job I had to come to a place where I said and believed, “though God slay me yet I will trust Him.” Or like Esther, “If I perish I perish.” Now that is real faith. If we really desire to become an overcomer we must allow God to work in our lives, through His dealings and judgments, and bring us to the place where we willfully give over our physical life to God. We are not ready to live in God until we are ready to die in God. Each time the airplane lifted into the sky I would say, “Lord I commit my spirit, soul, and life into Your hands.” It is funny how the older we get the more our mortality is ever before us. How we can see our days quickly coming to an end and in our heart we bristle against what we see. The older we get the more we are concerned about our health and develop a desire for ease, good food, and comfort. It seems the older I get the more I enjoy hot water. When I was younger hot water cold water no problem, but now I like hot water. Well, if God will still use me as I feel He desires He will have to work in my life and get me over this desire for ease and comfort. I do not think I am any different than the next man we all are touched by our infirmities and weakness as grass we shall wither away some day to be with Him, but it is wonderful to know God knows our frame and He will work in our lives, if we desire Him to help us become (a process of learning to lean on our Beloved, Song of Solomon 8:5) an overcomer. I leave you with the words Jesus spoke to the disciples before He was taken to the cross to die for you and I, “Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:32-33) Please hear the end of verse 33, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” It is nice to know Jesus too was an overcomer.
Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
Follow Thou Me
Jesus was talking to the disciples in the Book of John and admonishes a miffed Peter, “And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. 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? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him. If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.” (John 21: 19-22) You know it doesn’t matter what the other guy does. We are supposed to keep our eyes on Jesus. Sometimes we have high hopes and expectations for other Christians only to be let down, why? We’re all at different levels of spiritual growth and development and should be worried about OUR own walk with the Lord. When we go to church and wonder where’s the love in this church? We should be asking where is the love in our heart? How much love do we show? If we get smacked down every time we show love to people, that’s ok we get up and show more love. It’s not about us and the loveless church it’s about us and Jesus! It doesn’t matter if everybody in church is hateful. It doesn’t matter if nobody is led by the Spirit to meet our needs. Are we in tune with Jesus—so we don’t have to worry about other people meeting our needs? Is the Spirit asking us to meet someone else’s need, but we’re so busy worrying about our own needs that we can’t hear the Holy Spirit say to bake some cookies for a neighbor, cut their lawn, or put a couple of bucks in an envelope and give it to someone to meet their needs. Dave always says” we go to church to be a blessing not to get a blessing.” Maybe GOD wants you to attend a certain church or move into a certain neighborhood NOT for your needs, but for others needs! GOD wants us to be led by the Spirit. For those of you that have little kids this is why it is important to make them obey first time, every time. If they don’t listen to parents who they do see and hear how can we expect them to listen to the Holy Spirit whom they do not see? If our kids don’t take correction from parents how in the world do we expect them to take correction from their teachers or authorities, and then GOD. GOD has sent His precious Holy Spirit to teach us in all things. Jesus told us, “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, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” (John 16:13). HE’S not going to send Moses or Elijah to us today so we can glean wisdom from them. They’ve come and gone that’s what the Bible and the Holy Spirit is for. GOD has already given us what and who we need in our life. Peter tells us GOD, “hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness through the knowledge of him, that hath called us to glory and virtue.” (2 Peter 1:3), but the problem is we just don’t like or we totally disagree with who He’s put in our life to glean from. God gave Joseph: his brothers, Potiphar, the Baker, the Wine Taster, and even Pharaoh to help him, but who would have thought they could be sources of wisdom and understanding? Are we listening? Or are we too busy lamenting? Are we stagnant because we’re not teachable and learning what we’re supposed. At the heart of NOT listening to people correcting us is stubborn human pride— we know best, how dare they speak to me in that fashion, who do they think they are?! You know just because someone says something to us in a maybe not so politically correct fashion doesn’t’ mean they aren’t right. If we don’t like what people have to say about us and to us (especially if it’s true) then how can we tolerate what the Holy Spirit tells us especially, since He REALLY knows our stinky heart. God uses people to correct us and teach us, however, people only see bits and pieces of our lives and hearts, but GOD now HE sees everything. Yikeees! There used to be an old saying, “Now I’m telling you this for your own good.” We don’t hear that so much these days. I believe it’s because most of us want to continue in deception and not the truth, The truth about ourselves STINKS! It hurts, it’s painful, our pride gets hurt, our nose gets out of joint (figuratively not literally!), and quite frankly we don’t like it. Geez to admit to someone hey you’re right. I am a such and such or I was wrong in such and such, but hell will freeze over first before we admit we’re wrong to another human being– that’s pride! GOD hates pride! With Christians once GOD starts shining his flashlight into all those nooks and crannies in our heart to flush out those areas He wants us to deal with we can either agree with Him and say, “yes Lord you’re right, I am bitter, I am prideful, I am unkind, I am greedy, I have no patience, I really don’t trust you, I am self centered, I really can’t stand that person, I am lazy, etc. and etc., please help me.” OR we can just keep on deceiving ourselves that, “we’re okay it’s everybody else that’s not.” Yes folks we are a part of the Body of Christ, but GOD does move us aside from others to work on us in the inside, but we must keep our eyes on Him to allow this change in our lives. We have to want the truth and remember the words of Jesus, “Follow Thou Me” that’s what we’re supposed to do and allow the Holy Spirit to guide and teach us in all truths. Just like with Peter, it’s not about the other guy it’s about us and Jesus. Remember at the heart of every issue is an issue of OUR heart. Jesus said ” I am the light of the world he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12) Let us walk in the light and keep following Jesus it’s about us and HIM not us and them.
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 MONDAY 14 September 2015
232 Everett Drive
Sneads Ferry, NC 28460
7:00 pm please RSVP
Home: (910) 741-0489
FUTURE SCHEDULE:
September: Local Ministry
October: Local Ministry
November: Bulgaria and Romania
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.
