The Call of God: The Call of David
September 2017 • Volume XV Number 09
”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 looking at two of four points to what is to be observed when we wait before God. Many Christians seem to have no time for God maybe that is why God has no time for them. Remember God is to us what we are to God. Oh God is there for them as He is there for everyone, but for those who have turned aside as Moses did on Sinai to see (understand, revelation) the glory of a bush that burns yet was not consumed. James tells us to, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” (James 4:8) The action is on us first to “draw near,” but how do we do that? We think we know how to “cleanse our hands” and “purify our hearts” (not really), but how do we “draw near to God?” That is easy we wait for Him. You know we are in such a hurry. If you think not just go to a busy shopping centre and get in line to buy something. In our busy life style we have become so impatient. Our world moves so fast, technology spins our lives out of our control, and we seem to be in perpetual motion not having time to stop and hear from God. Please know this is our fault. You know I find we always have time for the things we think are important. Karen and I were in a local church we use to visit regularly one Wednesday night the pastor was taking prayer requests. One lady who was a mover and shaker in the church blurted out, “Satan has me so busy I do not have time for the things of God.” Without thinking I said that is not true. Well after church I was chastised by the pastor for not being sympatric. What foolishness. Satan does not make us do anything. He has no power over us, but to deceive and lie to us. We take it from there. When we do not make time for God it is because we are either too busy for Him or worse we see no value in the time we spend with Him. Oh no my friend the values of waiting on God are beyond the eternal treasures God has for us. For in them (the treasures) is the person of God we must come to know if we are ever going to know Him and come to the place in Him we can handle some of what God has called us to do. We will never be able to do that which God wants us to do unless we wait on God. There are four points as a introduction I would like to share. The first point is the seeking on God involves a waiting FOR God. In Lamentations Jeremiah writes, “It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. 28 He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him. 29 He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope.”: (Lamentations 3:27-29) Here the man (could be a young man in age or in the LORD) bears the yoke of the LORD. Unless we bear the yoke of the LORD in our lives we will never to hear from God. Our mind will be running 1,000 miles a hour and our heart will be filled with our ambitions and desires. The yoke of the LORD puts us into restraints and limitations where we can hear from God and where He can break us so He can fix us. So much can be learned when we can close our mouth. So much can learned of God when we are drawn away from people and the world. You know there is not much talking going on when you have a mouth full of dust. The second point is found in the Book of Isaiah, “And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.” (Isaiah 30:18) Now it is nice to know if we make time for God He will make time for us. But please know the opposite of this is also true. If we will NOT make time for God He will NOT make time for us. Truth as a double edged sword cuts us both ways, coming and going. Here the other side of the sword automatically cuts us to our heart and soul, no time for us if we make no time for Him. But if we do we find the LORD will wait on us. Our time sitting before him in silence and in the quietness of the moment will not be in vain. The promise here from God is He will be “gracious unto you.” Who wants God to be gracious unto them? I would think everyone who has any common sense. Now God has and is always gracious to us when He sent His wonderful Son Jesus Christ to come and die for our sins, but Isaiah is not talking about salvation here. Isaiah is talking about something maybe just as special he is talking about relationship with God and in this relationship He (God) will be gracious to us. I have had many relationships with many people who have not be very gracious to me. I have had some relationships with people I have not been very gracious to them, but the relationship here is not based on being kind one to the other, but on God’s sovereignty, holiness, and truth. It is based on the character and nature of a loving God. And there is a second promise in this verse, “that he may have mercy upon you.” Who wants God’s mercy? Everyone should have their hand up. What is the value of God’s mercy? Not enough tea in all of China, but notice God’s mercy is for the one who waits for Him. Also notice God’s judgment comes ahead of God’s mercy. This is a divine spiritual principle, judgment comes before mercy. Before the judgment God is gracious (why He does not openly consume us for our failings) to those who wait on Him and after the judgment God extends mercy. What is the value of mercy? Well the answer to that question can only really be answered by the one that waits on God.
Next month we will look at the remaining two points as we look at the need for waiting on God. Do you have time? Will you make time? If you make time for God please know He will make time for you.
Written by D. Stahl
ARTICLE REVIEW:
Called Unto Glory
I remember Charles Haun asking two pastors from Africa what is the best commentary on the Bible? Both pastors debated awhile among themselves and finally said Strong’s Concordance. With a little twinkle in his eye Charles shook his head and said, “no the Bible.” I usually do not quote this much Scripture to share my message, but how can you go wrong using the Bible as a reference. To be able to understand what the Holy Spirit is conveying to us in the word of God we must be able to follow three lines of expressions: the context, the setting, and the words. The truth of the word of God is contained in the words as the Holy Spirit enlightens our understanding this is why it is critical to have the precious Holy Spirit operating in our lives. The individual words that were purposely selected by the Holy Spirit fills and follows a certain context and setting that projects the spiritual lesson. We must never step out of the original context and setting when applying, discussing, and especially teaching Scripture, if we do then we willfully twist and manipulate the word of God to meet our agenda and projection. This is why all of the newer translations of the Bible mislead so many in the world from the truth of the word of God. And remember the original word was written through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and contains the truth and effectual power in our lives to help us make the changes God is looking for in our lives. To understand what the Holy Spirit is saying to us, the Body of Christ, and the world we must study and not just read the word of God. We must find out (for ourselves so we will not be deceived) what the original words mean, therein is the context and setting of the truth in the word of God. This is the same advice Paul gave Timothy, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.” (2 Timothy 2:15-18) It is no different today. We must study, we must “rightly divide the word of truth,” if not we will be like Hymenaeus and Philetus who “has erred” (not accidently mind you, but willfully and knowingly leading people astray) and “overthrow the faith of some.” Beginning in the late 1970s there was a subtle shift in presenting the word of God from evangelism to teaching this by the very nature will develop within the Body of Christ many false teachers and “profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness” of which we are to “shun,” but if we do not know the truth how can we shun this “ungodliness?” Only by studying the word of God for ourselves and allowing the Holy Spirit free reign in our lives!
Sadly this is not the context and setting we find the Body of Christ in today. We do not study the word of God (most Christians seldom read the Bible for that matter) to discover the truth and have had our faith not overthrown. Remember, “Faith cometh by hearing a word of God.” (Romans 10:17 (Greek)), not by reading. When we study the word of God the words come alive in our spirit with power, authority, and God can speak to us and out from His speaking we receive revelation from God (God’s sign of power and authority in our lives) and now we can move correctly in Him. I am ever amazed to the growing number of denominations and doctrines. Every time someone stubs their big toe and something happens a new doctrine is developed. We saw that in Toronto, Brownville, and so many other places, but now? I cannot believe how gullible the Body of Christ is; recently Hollywood has discovered a huge untapped source of new revenue, the Church. And has anybody noticed all of the “Christian movies” (that are not very Christ-like) in the market place like “The Passion of the Christ,” “One Night with the King,” and more recent “The Blind Slide” that everyone proclaimed was so wonderful, but never exalted Christ. Has anybody seen the big push in the church by the new agers, global warming and free love same sex crowd to get the church to support their agendas? Groups that openly support things God calls an abomination, yet they are making great inroads in many main-stream denominational and non-denominational churches. I will even go further and predict it will not be too long before the Southern Baptist Convention (the biggest evangelical denomination in America with over 16 million professing members) will start ordaining openly gay and lesbian pastors. Not to mention the huge push by the federal government to have evangelical churches and ministries (like CBN, TBN, etc.) support their “faith-based” programs all for political and personal gain. I speak shame on them all, they know not the truth of the word of God and are adrift and tossed on every wind of doctrine and lie that promises prosperity and wealth. Lord please open all (me too) our eyes so we can see only Jesus.
But I am even more amazed to the number of Christians who want to be glorified who cares about repenting and having our sins forgiven? All I hear in most churches is, “it is our destiny to be glorified” well this is true, but their earthly understanding of the word glorified is much much different than the biblical understanding. Now we have been called unto glory. This call is a part of God’s original call to man. God always reminds me, He did not create us because He needed us (I use to believe that), but He created us for two reasons: To do His pleasure and to do His will. God always moves toward these two striking objectives in His creation: His pleasure and His will. These are the two great objectives toward which life as a Christian is focused, but to do this we must be glorified. We see this “glory” misunderstanding running all through out the Bible. Remember, either we understand correctly or we misunderstand. This misunderstanding is best seen with the disciples. Here the sons of thunder miss the mark, “And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. 36And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? 37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. 38But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? 39And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: 40But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared. 41And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John. 42But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant (slave) of all. 45For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:35-45) Please notice Jesus does not choose who sits at His right or left hand (verse 40), we are approved, we qualify for this great honor through our obedience, dedication, and commitment. Did you know every problem in the Church today can be solved with these Scriptures: if we have studied them and allowed the Holy Spirit to show us the truth. James and John are no different than us today. They both wanted to sit with Jesus, who among us would not desire that? Jesus probes their commitment and dedication a little further, “Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”and of course they responded in total ignorance like us today, “We can.” Jesus sees their selfish and greedy heart and tells them they shall surely drink of the cup and be baptized, but not of the cup and baptism they think. Jesus calls all of the disciples and gives them a new spiritual principle, “But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.” Now they did not understand, especially James and John (because Jesus would often take them and Peter a little further in the Spirit) they were still thinking who among them would be sitting on the right (a place of great honor) hand and the left (a place of less honor) hand. They thought what in the world is Jesus saying. I do not want to be a slave (servant) and serve everyone I want to be the “chiefest,” and be served and sit on His right hand. Here Jesus too was establishing the spiritual principle of glorification. The spiritual principle is death before glorification. In God we are not called unto glory to be with God in the heavens (that all is a selfish and self-seeking thought), but we have been called unto glory to lay our life down so He may be able to live through us. And after we do that then we can qualify, we can be trusted to handle some of God’s glory in the earth and beyond. Even Jesus experienced this principle when He died on the cross for our sins. In John we see, “And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. 24Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 25He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 26If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” (John 12:23-26) The condition to be glorified and be fruitful in God is to fall into the ground and die; and if we can lose our lives in this world “they shall keep it unto life eternal.” Where are we to follow Christ? To heaven? To ministry? Healing the sick and preaching and teaching all around the world? No, we are to follow Christ in our death. Is the servant greater than the Master? Paul understood this lesson all too well. He knew by personal experience, persecution, trials, tribulations, that if he wanted to come after Christ he too had to drink the cup and be baptized (the same cup and baptism the disciples indeed drank of and was baptized in) into the same death of Christ. Paul told the Christians at Rome, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:” (Romans 6:4-5) Brethren we have been called to glory, but not the type of glory that is preached and taught in most churches today. We have been called to know ourselves truly in God whereby we can identify with the suffering and persecutions of Christ so that He will be able to reign in us now and in our next life to come. We have gotten off track. The hallmark verse of our ministry Beholding His Glory reads, “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) The “open face” is the truthfulness of our approach to God in the Spirit and as we make our approach to Him we are changed into the same glory we can behold. Not all glory like many denominations preach and teach, but only the glory that we have allowed God to work into our lives. What we understand of God we can become that, nothing more. As we lay our lives down (identifying with the death of Christ) allowing God to work in our lives the fear and anguish we feel in our earthly flesh becomes the sweet aroma in the nose of God. The loss we experience in our natural man becomes the place in our lives where God can fill us. Either we are filled up with the world or God. The more of the world and our selfishness we can lose the more we can be filled with Christ. Our loss makes room in our heart for more of God’s work. This is why God measures our spiritual growth and development not by what we can gain, but what we can lose. Here too is another spiritual principle in operation. The condition to be filled is first we must be emptied. How full do we want to be of God? The answer will be seen in how much of our self and the world have we allowed God to shallow up, to empty in our lives. Do you hear God calling you today? Do not listen to the false teachers and preachers of today, you know them even by the Spirit. God is calling us to glory, but it is to a glorious death that will enable us to be raised in newness of life whereby we can live on forever. Death before glorification! Listen close, faint is His voice. In the August 2010 edition of Voice of the Martyrs there is an article and some words on page five that really struck at my heart. Naasir and Hoda are able to keep evangelizing (not teaching like in America) in the midst of the iron furnace (Egypt as in Deuteronomy 4:20) only because their foundation in Christ is firm. Naasir said, “The first lesson we were taught is how to count the cost. (I wonder why that is not taught in America?) In Egypt, our theology is the theology of pain. It is not a theology of prosperity. We do not know the theology of prosperity, but we know Jesus.” Maybe that is why many are called, but few are chosen. The chosen know the truth, hear His voice, and are willing to endure the pain to respond and move correctly.
Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
It’s Automatic Part 2
Last month we talked about things that are automatically set into motion by GOD. Things in the natural like seed-time, harvest and things in the spiritual like blessings and cruses. GOD wants us to “choose life that both thou and thy seed may live.” (Deuteronomy 30:19) Things in the spiritual can be set into motion as well by what we believe, what we speak, and how we act. And, no, I’m not saying “name it and claim it”. It ever astounds me to no end how many Christians do not even pick up their Bibles never mind read or study it. Brother Paul tells us in 2 Timothy, “All scripture is given by inspiration of GOD, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, That the man of GOD may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3: 16-17) As we read the inspired word of GOD—the Bible, IF we have a heart to be admonished, and IF we have the gumption to learn and be instructed in righteousness we automatically are corrected and instructed as we soak up (like a sponge) the Bible. Who of us needs not correction? Who of us has arrived at total righteousness? It absolutely floors me that people will know “all” about church or denominational doctrines, or the latest church fads as it relates to THEIR beliefs, but they won’t pick up a Bible to see what GOD says, and what GOD thinks about things. Oswald Chambers puts it this way; ” It is possible to know all about doctrine and yet not know Jesus.” ( August 16, My Utmost For His Highest”). Church or denominational doctrines will NEVER save anybody. People will follow (to hell) wacky and even main stream denominations, wacky leaders, and do all kinds of wacky things BECAUSE they don’t know what the Bible says. They do not know right from wrong. They willingly are led astray. Brother Paul tells us ” Be not deceived: GOD is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption: but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Galatians 6: 7&8. Right thinking leads to right believing and the opposite is also true, wrong thinking leads to wrong belief. No church or denominational doctrines OR traditions trumps what the Bible says. Pure and simple, wrong thinking equals wrong belief. Most of the oldest religions or denominations in the world at best are erroneous, if not downright pagan. Are they right in their views or positions because they are old? Is idolatry acceptable because an old religion or denomination says it’s ok? I don’t think so. If your denominational beliefs are different from the Bible, guess who is wrong??? It isn’t the Bible. The more we stray from the truth of GOD’S word the more we deceive ourselves . The real danger then is the less real truth appeals to us even if we hear it AND know in our hearts it is truth. We then will reject it. If you’re not embracing the truth you AUTOMATICALLY reject the truth and will embrace the lie. Never forget GOD’S truth is more important than our truth. Wrong teaching from a denomination (don’t care how long it’s been around or how big it is.) makes GOD’S word of none effect in our lives. And this my friend is dangerous ground indeed, again wrong thinking—wrong belief. Brother Paul again tells us, “Ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. BEWARE lest any man spoil (plunder you or take you captive) you through philosophy and vain deceit after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” (Colossians 2:6-9) Churches and denominations are not above taking a truth and twisting it for their own reasons. Take idolatry for example. GOD will not share his glory with ANY ONE and yet some denominations elevate certain people from the Bible, and /or current pastors, preachers, teachers and church leaders to the status of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as if they were the ones who hung on the cross for our sins!!! If we pray to anyone but GOD the Father through Jesus Christ we are committing idolatry!! READ it!!! Just ask GOD, He will tell us and when HE tells us we’ll have two choices continue in our rebellion or stop, repent, and change. Idolaters don’t make it into heaven —-This is Almighty GOD’S rules not mine ( Revelations 21:8). Please believe it ’cause GOD doesn’t joke. Edward Mote said it this way when he penned these words from the song “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less.”
“On Christ the solid rock I stand
all other ground is sinking sand”
On Christ is the only sure foundation on which we can build our lives any other religion or denomination is sinking sand which leads to destruction and an eternal death from GOD.
Written by Karen Stahl
NEEDS NO WANTS:
- 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.
- 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.
- In Suceava, Romania Pastors Nicu and Marcel 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.
- Pastor Metin Mintaz, 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:
22 September 2017 at 7:00 pm
At 232 Everett Drive
Sneads Ferry, NC 28460
7:00 pm please RSVP
Home: (910) 741-0489
FUTURE SCHEDULE:
Sep: Local Ministry
Oct: Local Ministry
Nov: Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania (projected)
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/
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.
