THOUGHTS FOR CONSIDERATION: Greetings again my friends. Okay this month we continue to look at The Prophet of God as a Servant. Now I like that word “Servant,” something we all should strive to be in the LORD’s service, but above being a Servant we all MUST be obedient to God in all matters. We must be committed and dedicated to what the LORD wants not to just be called a “Servant.” Far too many Christians want to be a “Servant” unto the LORD and itself this is a good desire to have, but more than being the very best “Servant” unto the LORD we MUST be the very best committed and dedicated Believer to the LORD. The beginning of this happened when being a Prophet of God we are called by God. Unless we are called to be a Prophet by God we will never be a real Prophet of God. Oh how many Christians today run around in the church and say they are Bishops, Apostles, Prophets, even Prophetess, but I hear very few Christians today refer to themselves as a “Servant.” No praise or exaltation for cleaning dishes or scrubbing pots and pans, but now stand in the Congregation and speak “Thus sayeth the LORD as a Prophet (real or not) and men will rush money to your bosom. Now I love my sweet wife Karen very much. We have been married for over 45 years and with each passing year the more I see what a gift God has given me. Now the times are many that I have been proud of her, but the one that really sticks out to me and has had great impact in our family is when I retired from the US Navy in Stuttgart, Germany and she had to get a US government job for Connie and Josuha (our kids) to stay in the DoD School System. Well, her choices were either working at the child care facility or get a job working at the Chow Hall. For all of those non-military folks out there, a restaurant for military folks. Neither was glamourous, but she said she has raised four of her own kids (and they turned out great) and she did not want to raise others’ kids. So, she got the much sought after job as a kitchen worker. Duties consisted of mopping the floor, scrubbing a mountain of pots and pans three times a day, serving food on the line, a job no one wanted to do. And I was so proud of her. She was even known around the Base, no not as a Prophet, Prophetess, or Apostle, but that kind lady who would always say have a nice as she was scrapping food from dirty plates. One day she was married to a senior Officer and the next day she was scrubbing a mountain of pots and pans. A “Servant” so her kids could stay in the American School. It took a real woman of God to swallow her pride and selfishness to serve her family and community. Not too many Prophets, Prophetess, or Apostles have the amount of dedication and commitment she has even today. Above all, if we are in service to Him and His children we first have to be called of God. In John we read, “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. (John 1:6) My friend if you are not called of God then you are NOT called. I am amazed at all of the self- promotion in the Body of Christ. Everyone seems to want to be somebody, everyone seems to want to be an Apostle, a Prophet or Prophetess, a Evangelist, a Pastor, or Teacher, but no one wants to be called, by God, to what Paul referred to himself most often, a Bondservant or slave of Christ. Oh boy, you can get a title and the bigger the title the more money you can make. The bigger the title the more power you can build into your kingdom. I wonder why we cannot all just be “Servants” of God, called out men and women of God to go put and lay their lives down for the sake of Christ. But no, we even have Christian talk shows (an oxymoron) to discuss if someone is an Apostle, a Prophet or Prophetess, an Evangelist, a Pastor, or Teacher. Shame on those people who are more concerned about titles than being a Servant.” I have known many who started as a “Servant,” but now are “mature spiritual leaders” seeking more than being a “Servant,” and have forgotten where they came from. While I am here who puts their name with the word “ministries?” To me that is arrogant only to be out done by people who put their names on the Bible and then sell it. Now are there: Apostles, Prophets (Paul does not list Prophetess), Evangelists, Pastors, or Teachers, yes, but you can be all of these or some of these and not make a living. In Ephesians Paul writes, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:11-12) Notice the word “some” not “some people,” Now I do not know 100% so do not quote me here, but I feel Paul was taking more about the ability to serve as a “Servant” than the title of Office. We see in Luke where God called or appointed 70 more disciples. Jesus had more than 12 disciples, “After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.” (Luke 10:1) I am sure they operated in some of these Offices, but they were not given a title, they were just “Servants” like we need to be.
Next month we will continue looking at the “Prophet of God” as we look at how they should not talk quickly not presumptuously. Is this is you my friend? Are you a Prophet of God? To be a Prophet we must be able to hear His voice. Listen closely and you will. Written by David Stahl
ARTICLE REVIEW:
More Than a Good Story
Every year we pass through what many folks (some Christians included) call the Christmas season. I find it amazing how the wondrous Gospel message can be boiled down into countless pageants and cantatas with a good moral meaning that talk around the birth of Christ, but never really express the heart of God and the truth of the message. The world makes billions of dollars every year on the good Christmas story and the ideas of what is projected in the Bible, but never embrace (Christians included) the message or take it to heart. There must be more. There is more. In a few months we will have a another good story with Jesus at the heart, but instead of Jesus being born He is killed. Every year these stories play out. In December Jesus is born and in April Jesus is put to death. No wonder people (Christians included) are confused. Now do not misunderstand me here the birth of Christ is wonderful and what can we say about the death of Christ on the cross? The death of Christ is one of the biggest events in history, even time is measured by Jesus’ death. Funny how people who disclaim His life use His birth and death to keep time. Without the death, burial, and resurrection (the Gospel see 1 Corinthians 15:1-11) of Jesus Christ we who are alive today would be hopeless without a promise of knowing a loving God and a promise of an eternal life with God. If we are alive today we shall live eternally this is the way God has arranged things, but not accepting Jesus Christ as the LORD of our lives we automatically (God has arranged this so) will be separated from God in hell for eternity. If we are alive today we all live forever some where: in heaven with God or ultimately in the lake of fire with Satan forever, our choice. I am not discounting the birth or death of Christ, but what I am saying is there must be more (there is more) than these good stories we hear every year and that the world sees. To the world (and some Christians) Jesus is a story book character. He is born we sing songs, trim trees, give each other gifts, and eat too much food then we kill Him and sing songs (Up from the Grave He Arose), talk about the Easter Bunny, give gifts, and eat too much food. Then in December He is born again and the cycle repeats it’s self to our shame. Praise God He arose from the grave in great victory and power and now I too can taste of some of His death and of His resurrection power. Most Christians do not want to taste of His death, but if we do not taste of His death there will be no newness of life in us. Paul tells us in Romans, “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 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.5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:” (Romans 6:3-5) Now this is where I want to get in my thoughts the LORD gave me for this article. Our Christian walk must be more than good stories in the Bible or the parables and teachings of Jesus Christ. Again, the parables are wonderful and are needed so do not get me wrong here, but there must be more, there is. There must be more in us than what we can mentally access from the Bible. There must be more than good stories, gift giving, and eating too much food. God is looking for more. In all of this God is looking for spiritual growth and development in our lives. And like in Romans our “newness of life” begins with our “likeness of his death.” God is looking for us taking what we have learned from the Bible (all of those good stories and parables) add the personal experiences (experiential knowledge = wisdom) He has been able to work into our lives, shake it well (not stirred) with confusion, heartache, disappointment, some sorrow, and voila’ you have some spiritual growth and development. God has no magic wand to bonk us over the head and then magically we have gained spiritual development. Oh no, spiritual development in God is painful and can hurt. But after the lesson (the test, situation, circumstance, you name it) we stand still smoldering in the morning from the refiners fire (those who have went through such things know what I am talking about) with a sense of knowing that propels us further along the way that God has for us to go. This work does not happen in church or good times, but in the recesses of our heart and the corners of our lives. This is the more God is looking for in us to unflinchingly pay. This death we experience to our self, as in Romans, is the beginning of our life. We say we want to know the power of His resurrection, well only dead people are resurrected. This was one of Paul’s desires, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” (Philippians 3:10) Know the “fellowship of His sufferings?” Oh no I want to know His power, well God does not work that way. To know His power we must identify with His suffering and death. The Gospel message must be brought down to the heart level. Most sermons today flutter around the good stories and parables, they go only so far, but never go down deep into the bowels of our thoughts, into our innermost hidden inward places where God desires to dwell. I find people today are longing for the message of the Gospel to be brought down to the heart where true change is affected in our character. We say we want to know the power of the cross, but ignore the shame of the cross. The power of the cross is found only in us as we identify with the shame of it and with the shame of our own arrogance and haughty heart condition. Now I am talking (myself at times) to Christians here. I have pondered why this is so, maybe because we all are like Brother Peter who was radically committed to Jesus, but did not often know how to show his love for Him. And yet I know there must be more. Where does this more come from? The work of God in our lives.
I remember an old camp meeting song very popular years ago. Every year we would have camp at Union Grove Camp Grounds an Assembles of God site for a few weeks, wow what a time. The first week was called “Camp Happiness.” Well, I have learned names usually mean the opposite. “Camp Happiness” was not a happy place for us. Not much to do, no programs we were too poor to have the summer things that most camp grounds had. Then a week of nightly services. Here is where I found out about “Chick Tracks,” my favorite is “Holy Joe.” But we would sing songs like “Like a Mighty Sea” written by A. J. Zelley. “Like a Mighty Sea, Like a Mighty Sea, Comes the love of Jesus sweeping over me, The waves of glory roll the shouts I can’t control, Comes the love of Jesus sweeping o’ver my soul.” Now I can easily believe that Brother Zelley was so lost in the grace of God when he said, “the waves of glory roll the shouts I can’t control” he was literally telling the truth. There was a work of God in his life that enabled him to write such words with passion. Remember passion is not emotion. Emotions are from our five senses, temporal and soulish, but passion has a purpose and flows from a deep experience we have had. You know many who sing, “the waves of glory roll the shouts I can’t control” can control their shouts easier than they can control their lust and their temper. If the average Christian would sing it this way, “the waves of glory roll my tongue I can’t control” they would be telling the truth. When we sing we seem to do a lot of lying to God. I suggest if we cannot feel it we do not sing it. Let us compromise and put it like this let us sing it saying it in our heart. Without the work God had done in Brother Zelley’s life in us we just mimic the words because we lack the work of God in our lives. Not just this song, but all hymns. The hymns have been birthed out of sorrow, soul-searching, depression, a feeling of hopelessness, but in the end victory though Christ Jesus. This is why they have lasted through the test of time. The new songs are here today, but gone tomorrow because in most cases there has not been any work of God done in the lives of the authors. Maybe we should study the origin of the hymns instead of singing them over and over without the understanding of the personal sacrifice that God required of the authors. There must be more than good stories to preach about. There is much more if you have the heart for it and for God. Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
Paul’s Parameters for Young Women
Our friend Paul in Titus talking to the aged women, “The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things: that they may teach the young women to be sober(to abstain from wine, vigilant, circumspect, wary), to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet (of sound mind, self-controlled, temperate, sober-minded, modest, chaste), chaste, keepers at home, good obedient to their own husbands, that the word of GOD be not blasphemed.” (Titus 2:3-5). One time someone lamented as to why the older women didn’t teach the younger women, to which I thought, well would you listen? That answer would have been no. Some folks have to learn things the hard way—for whatever reason. So, here’s a quickie lesson on being a good wife for young women:
1) GOD has set up the man to be the spiritual head of the home. As such his word is law. Respect is given to the husband whether we think he deserves it or not. And if you don’t respect your husband, you have severe problems. Also, no nagging from our part or trying to manipulate him, that’s evil. He is the CO (Commanding Officer) the wife is the XO (Executive Officer). If you don’t like being told what to do, DON’T get married!!
2) GOD holds our husband to a high standard of accountability. Be they Christian or not. We also will be held accountable—especially if we purpose in our hearts to make his life a living hell.
3) Our job as the XO is to help with managing the home, keep the recruits (kids) in line, and properly train said recruits. That being said, it is imperative that the CO and XO be on the same page regarding the household and especially training the raw recruits (kids). There is nothing worse than an untrained, undisciplined child who can do whatever he/she wants to do with no correction. Proverbs says: “The rod and reproof give wisdom: But a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.” (Proverbs 29: 15).
4) You cannot change your husband, nor should you try, Women for centuries have been marrying men thinking they can change them, not going to happen, If, they (the husband) are REAL Believers, GOD will deal with them in the areas He wants them to change in.
5) Our (women) thinking is to line up with their thinking. NOT the other way around. They’re the boss, men do not think like we do, which is a good thing! So, try not to get upset when he doesn’t seem to understand you. It’ll take a while and he will irk the mess out of you, but you will have to learn to let things go and accept that men are not women.
6) Men feel obligated to “fix” things that means us too sometimes. So, if
he says something to “correct” you or enlighten you don’t take it as a criticism. Just remember they are trying to “fix” things.
7) Don’t keep score. Forgive, forget, and move forward. If you don’t you’ll just carry around a ton of resentment and anger—let things go.
Apparently in Paul’s time, and like today, in the Church on the Island of Crete, where Paul left Titus to lead the Church and they were having problems with some of the ladies. The main purpose of this letter was to instruct Titus on how to handle the challenges he faced as he lead the Church in Crete, which was known for its moral shortcomings. Paul reminds Titus about the importance of appointing elders who possess good character and strong faith. These leaders are expected to teach sound doctrine and refute false teachings that could lead the community astray. Anytime Paul addresses issues in his writings to a specific Church it is because they are going on. You know it’s a sad thing indeed to have to tell women to love their husbands and children, but if the women were as rebellious then as women are now I can see his concern. The Bible says, “for rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft.” (1 Samuel 15:23). We need to keep this in the back of our mind, as the world and its ways rush head-long into hell. Rebellion has NO place in a marriage or with raising our children. GOD bless you all, read your Bible. Written by Karen Stahl
NEEDS NOT WANTS:
1. In Dobrich, Bulgaria Pastor Niki Marsov and in Silistra Pastor(s) Yanko, and Marcho. Times are troubled in Bulgaria much prayer and support is needed.
2. Constanta, Romania Pastors Luke and Jacob at Bethel Church and in Agigea Brother John Vlad as the Director of the Romanian Center for Cross-cultural Studies Bible School.
3. Pastor S. J. Peter, Founder of DAWN Ministries in Hyderabad and Pastor Wilson and his son Pastor Julian at Gospel Assembly in Sankaraguptham, India.
4. Dan, Cathy, and members of Uskudar Son Buyruk Kilisesi in Istanbul, Turkey.
5. Pastor Elieti Msangi in Dar Es Salaam and Pastors Isreal Mutaitina and John Balone in Bukoba, Tanzania.
6. Pastor Tek Dahl at Gethsemane, Church (his church) and their radio station “Good News 105.1 FM” in Kathmandu, Nepal.
7. Bishop John, Samuel Kamanzi (from the Congo), and, Emmanuel Ndolimana in Ruhengeli, Rwanda.
8. Christian and Ina Kopjar Missionaries to the County of Liberia.
NEXT HOME GROUP MEETINGS:
23 September 25 at 7:00 pm
At 232 Everett Drive
Sneads Ferry, NC 28460
7:00 pm please RSVP
(910) 382-9287
BEHOLDING HIS GLORY ON THE RADIO:
On WJCV Jacksonville, NC
“Pebbles of Truth”
1290 AM or 98.3 FM
Every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 7:30 am
FUTURE BHG SCHEDULE:
September: Romania and Ukraine
October: Local Ministry
November: 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:
Mobile: (910) 382-9287
FAX: (910) 741-0489
Email:
Website:
Blog:
http://bhisglory.blogspot.com/
FREE OFFERS
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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