Deeper Truths for Hungry Hearts
December 2010 • Volume IX Number 04
“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 Greetings again my Brethren. Let us continue to look at the essential attributes of God as we come to know Him in a personal way. You can know the words, but unless you come to know the presence, power, and person, of the words you are wasting your time and setting yourself up for a great fall. Knowing comes not by intellect or education, but by a personal experience that will cause us to look within ourselves and evaluate what we see. It will cause us to reflect on our integrity our inward strength, and our honesty. It will cause us to see ourselves the way we truly are, a most frightening sight to see if we are honest with ourselves.
This month let us look at one of a holy God’s greatest attributes His omnipotence. Like most of the last attributes we have looked at let us go to the dictionary to get a better handle on this word omnipotent. According to the dictionary the word omnipotent means: having power, authority without limit, all powerful. What a powerful thought to know we serve a God who is all powerful and knows no limits. A God who has never and will never know defeat, but only knows victory! And this is what God wants for our lives, but victory in our lives is not up to God (it is His intention and plan), but is up to us. Are we freely willing and are we obedient to what He wants in our lives to be able to walk in the victory God has for each and everyone? I do not know about you my friend but that makes me honored and respectful to know I serve a God with such ability and power, how could I let Him down? God gave Jeremiah a glimpse of His omnipotence,
“Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying, 27Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me? (Jeremiah 32:27)
Now when the Bible says “all” it means all. God is God to all flesh even if they do not acknowledge His Lordship, it does not matter. Some day those who reject the Lordship of God will stand before a holy God and eat their words. You know God is good at making us eat our words. God also spoke to Isaiah and gave him a revelation of His omnipotence, “I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: 6That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. 7I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.” (Isaiah 45:5-7) can you believe God creates evil? If not then you cannot believe God creates peace. If not then you can not believe God creates light. The same God who creates, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17) is the same God who said, “Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it. 9Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands? 10Woe unto him that saith unto his father, What begettest thou? or to the woman, What hast thou brought forth?” (Isaiah 45:8-10) the same God. To understand the omnipotence we must understand God is God and we are not. He can do anything he wants to do. He does not have to take us all heaven, it is His call. He does not have to heal us. He does not have to bless us. He is all powerful and holds all authority in our lives. When we can come into a place of rest and understanding with God’s omnipotence we will be able to come to a place of not needing to go to heaven or needing to be healed. God will be our all and in all. Whatsoever God brings our way we will be content and happy in us. Val Castillo, a good friend of mine, asked Charles Haun if he prayed and asked God to heal him of his cancer, well, Charles’ (as only Charles could do) eyes got really big like Val’s question was a surprise to him and said what a wonderful idea, but no I am content in whatsoever the Lord brings my way.
Now I know 100s maybe 1000s of people prayed for Charles Haun to be healed (me included), but it was not meant to be God had other plans for Charles Haun’s life (ours too) and no matter how much we fasted, prayed, begged, cried, kicked, and screamed God’s plan and purpose for Charles’ life on earth was brought to an end. Only total submission to the king is the sign of a dedicated servant, our work and good deeds only reflect God’s character being built in us, but when we willfully lay our life down in obedience can we truly come to know God as being omnipotent. Next month we will look at God being eternal.
ARTICLE REVIEW:
Contending for the Faith (Part II)
The longer I walk with the Lord the more unsure I am about some things I thought I had settled in my thinking. The things I thought I knew and taught around the world now I am not so sure. What I believe and teach I stand on to be the truth, but as I grow in God He is able to open up to me another wrinkle to the original truth. My teacher Charles Haun once said, “the longer I go with God the less I know” I am beginning to understand what He is saying. Now I am not talking heaven and hell issues, they are settled, but I am talking the characteristics and nature of truth. When we are a babe in the Lord God can only open up truth to us according to our ability to receive. It is not that God does not want to show us all truth, but we at this time do not have the spiritual ability to understand and hold the truth within us, but when a bit more mature, God can now open up more of the truth to our understanding. There are four principles of truth that will help us here: (1) truth never changes (2) truth in the word of God is contained in the words (Bible translation matters as much as your teacher) as revealed by the Holy Spirit, (3) truth is progressive, and (4) truth is always from God’s perspective. If we can keep these principles straight in our heart and mind we will go far in understanding Scripture and God Himself. Often there in lies our misgiving of truth that causes a great struggle within our inward parts and outwardly with the world.
In the church today there seems to be a great desire to fight or contend for the things we believe. Now some of this is good we must always stand up for the truth, but this contending often can cause us to miss the mark and get us over in some areas that God does not approve of. In one of the smallest Books of the Bible is found some very profound words. John challenges us today and the church at Rome when he said, “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 3) Now please understand the church in Rome was going through extreme and harsh persecution and for John to say “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” meant there were some people (like today) who were not contending for the faith. When I hear the word contend I think of a boxer who is highly ranked and in the running for a title fight, they are a contender. But John was not using such an expression. The word “contend” here in the Greek is Strong’s #1864 from root words back from #75, #73, to #71 which means: to lead, to guide and direct, to lead through conduct, to impel (to push forward) forces, and influences of the mind. This is not as much an outward struggle like fighting, protesting, and picketing for Christian rights as some Christian organizations do or being put to death by Nero as the church in Rome was, but a struggle deep within our heart and spirit to hold the line with all diligence and loyal honor to God with simplicity, integrity, righteousness, and holiness. My friend God expects, God’s intention for our lives is for us to hold the line and not to compromise or waffle the truth of the word of God for expedience of a life of ease, monetary gain, or influence and power even at the cost of our physical lives.
As I travel around in ministry I am ashamed and before God embarrassed to see how many churches have waffled on the preaching of the word of God. No longer is it “thus says the Lord,” but all we hear from the pulpits today are self-help sermons from Pastors Teachers, and Evangelists, preachers reciting a Bible story that has a happy ending to make us all feel good, or worse yet using the Scriptures to manipulate people for money or when work is needed to be done to keep the grass cut, walls well painted, or parking lot clean. You know only in a land where money is routinely collected is having a nice church important. Most Christians in the world do not have a building to keep up with and if they do it is spartan at best. All of this self-centered preaching and works based religion feeds our flesh and keeps it alive. God is not trying to make us happy or help us to have the best church in town, but will do all we will allow Him to do to conform us into the image (icon) of His precious Son Jesus Christ. My friend our flesh is enmity (an evil enemy) with God and He wants to kill our flesh not keep it alive. What we need to hear is what God is saying to His people through a broken and contrite servant, but this my friend requires Pastors, Teachers, and Evangelists who are sensitive to the Spirit of God and not afraid to lose their livelihood. Is not truth more important than position and title? What is desperately needed is Pastors, Teachers, and Evangelists who are more concerned about preaching the truth than belonging to a denomination or political group. My friend Godly leadership in the church is extremely rare in these days of compromise. If the church once again is going to make a difference in lives throughout the world there must be a change of heart beginning with Pastors and then filtering down from there. God’s system of leadership has always been a benevolent dictatorship top down approach. Jesus, the Pastor, the people. Responsibility for success or failure of any church by scripture rests squarely on the shoulders of the Pastor, it is the Pastor God holds accountable. Paul in Romans tell the church in Rome and us today, “Because the carnal mind (our flesh) is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” (Romans 8:7-9) God has established His standard of holiness in the Person of Jesus Christ and said, “be ye holy for I am holy” and guess what? God meant it. But as time goes on I think many Christians do not believe God is serious about living right and handling truth correctly. The message of faith that was delivered to me 49 years ago by my Mother is not the same message I see and hear today in most churches. And I believe it is because we have not internalized the message, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to lead, to guide and direct, to lead through conduct, to impel (to push forward) forces and influences of the mind. Now I know some of my religious denominational friends are probably saying there goes Dave Stahl again criticizing the church. When is he going to stop finding fault with the church? Who does he think he is judging? Doesn’t he know we are not suppose to judge? Dave Stahl needs to read, “Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” (Matthew 7:1) My friend I am not criticizing or finding fault with the church, but am sounding the alarm (take heed take heed) against fire and disorder. Jesus knew the hearts of the people He ministered to. He had total knowledge of everything they did and will ever do. And if you read the entire passage you will understand Jesus was not talking to people who had the Holy Spirit abiding within them as we are to have within us. Jesus was teaching to a huge crowd of non-believers and many disbelieving disciples. Knowing this Jesus told them not to “judge;” Strong’s #2919, to separate, put asunder, to pick out, select, choose because they would be judging out of their own hearts which Jeremiah tells us is deceitfully wicked. If they judge then they will be “judged;” Strong’s #2917, condemnation of wrong, the decision (whether severe or mild) which one passes on the faults of others. Take heed my friend often times we (I insert myself in the we) too make judgments out from a wicked heart with wrong intentions and motives, which ought not to be. Jesus was not saying not to judge, oh no. But who wants to be judged? No one wants to be judged and found guilty, but this is the first step in salvation. Our salvation begins with agreeing we are guilty of breaking the divine spiritual principle of God. Why do we need to confess and repent? Because we have been “judged” by God and found guilty, but thanks to the work of Jesus Christ on the cross our penalty has been paid. Man does not like to be “judged” so we act religious and twist verses like Matthew 7:1 to our advantage thinking we have escaped God’s principles, but no my friend we all (sinner and saint alike) will stand before a holy God and be “judged.” It is better we allow God to deal with our sin and heart condition now than when we get to heaven. Now we have God’s grace, but in heaven for those saved God will deal with us with fire. “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed (judged, to uncover, lay open what has been veiled or covered up) by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.” (1 Corinthians 3:13) And those not saved sadly hell is their eternal home. We do not have total knowledge of the hearts of people as Jesus did and must rely on His precious Holy Spirit to enable us to discern between those things that are; ungodly and godly, those things that are unholy and holy, and those things that are unrighteous and righteous. Not doing so just leaves us open and vulnerable to getting over in areas of sin and coming short of the glory of God. All throughout the Bible God has valued the ability in His children to be able to judge a situation or person that is unrighteous and unholy and separate themselves from it before they too get tainted. Judging is a natural process in our lives. Every day of our lives we judge fruits and vegetables, the weather, do we have enough gas in our car to go to work, and on and on, so why not spiritual matters of the heart? This is one reason most Christians are in such a poor spiritual demise they do not have the ability to judge righteous judgment and then separate themselves. Do you know there are some people you cannot hang around with and be a Christian? Do you know there are some places you cannot go and still be a Christian? And do you know there are some things you cannot say and do and still be a Christian? All of these questions require us to judge the situation and people to make certain choices. Judging is critical in our lives. If we want something from the Lord to help us with our daily walk with Him asking for the ability to judge righteous judgment (not right or wrong the Bible tells us that) which will carry us further down the road of spiritual maturity.
Our struggles in life like John told the church at Rome are inward struggles with dedication, consecration, submission, and obedience to God and His holy word. The contending John talks about in an inward work of the heart we must allow God do in our lives so we will be able to hold the line with all righteousness and holiness. I will be the first to admit I am not there, I have a long way to go, but I do so desire this in my life and the lives of my family. I really wish we could go back in years to a more simplistic time when a man’s word was his bond, a time of innocence, and a time of goodness, but I am afraid these days for now are over. Our only hope is being found “in Christ” and allowing God to work His dealings and judgments in our lives so that we too can stand and deliver to the next generation the truth of the word of God that was once delivered to us.
Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
Karen will not be sharing something this month.
THE SEVEN SPIRITS OF GOD
By Michael Olufemi
KNOWLEDGE
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no longer priest to me, seeing that thou hast forgotten the law of thy God.” (Hosea 4:6) Carnal knowledge abounds. The society is in decay because of the knowledge and beliefs in science, religion and politics, and TV programs have taken over Bible study. Church service is stage and talk shows. No one is interested in the knowledge of God. They hear about Him, They sing and dance about Him. But they don’t know Him. To know Him is to care about Him. To care about Him is to love and honour His name.
UNDERSTANDING
To understand the wisdom of God is gift from God, “Give me understanding, and I shall keep (do) thy law: yea I shall observe it with my whole heart.” (Psalm 119:34) You are not on earth by your will or purpose. You are on earth to do His will and purpose. God is eternal and you are from eternity, “According as He has chosen us in Him before the foundation of the earth, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.” (Ephesians 1:4) You must understand that your name is written in heaven if you love Jesus Christ and know that you are His purpose on earth.
JUSTICE
Blessed be The Lord God which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because The Lord loved Israel for ever, therefore made he king, to do judgment and justice.” (1 Kings 10:9) You are more than King Solomon of Israel because Jesus Christ is in you. We are Kings and Priests in Jesus Christ .You are to love judgment and justice and not judge because you are justified, “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” (Matthew 7:1) Criticism can destroy relationship, “There is that speaketh like the piecing of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.” (Proverbs 12:18) The faults and qualities of humans are different. Even as Christians, we have faults. We are called by grace .We are to bear the faults of each other.
EQUITY
Equity is equality. “The King’s strength also loveth judgment: thou dost establish equity.” (Psalm 99:4) The issue of separation and superiority is prevalent among churches and Christians. Denominations goes against each other. The roots cause of this are RELIGION RACE AND PREJUDICE.
RELIGION
Many crimes and atrocities are committed in the name of religion. Faith is organized. Organized religion have different faiths. Many organized churches and Christians labour after faith because of the substance. (Gold and silver) Religion is earthly and the organized churches are numbered. The church in heaven is a great multitude without number, “After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude which no man could number, of all nations, and kindred and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before God.” (Revelation 7:9) The earthly is under time while the heavenly church is for ever. “For ever oh lord thy word is settled in heaven, “And has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:6)
RACE
Race is division according to color, culture and cultivation. There are churches for blacks and churches for whites. Discrimination because of color is not of God. Political culture is now in the church. Leaders of the church can be voted in and out. There is electioneering and in fighting for position. There is also class culture. The rich and influential never mix with the poor. Some Christians purposely cultivate an air of superiority and sophistication and arrogance. There are churches for blue chip workers which no manual worker dare approach.
PREJUDICE
The soul of mortal men is very potent and subjective. We inherit prejudices and beliefs from our earthly parents. We have likes and dislikes. We prefer certain customs and traditions and dislike others. We even dislike people because of their nutrition. Prejudice can influence us and can make us hostile against others not like us, “I THEREFORE the prisoner of The Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called. With all lowliness and meekness, with long suffering, forbearing one another in love. Endevouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling. One Lord, One faith, One baptism. One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Ephesians 4:1-6)
DISCRETION
“That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.” (Proverbs 5:2) Are we free to do or say all things? Is God open, confidential, secret? God is confidential and reveals His secrets to His own, “The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.” (Deuteronomy 29:29) Freedom is restriction those who are matured in Christ Jesus. Freedom is not to do our own will, “O lord, Know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” (Jeremiah 10:23)
INSTRUCTION
“Hear instruction, and be wise and refuse it not.” (Proverbs 8:33) To hear is to pay undivided attention. We can pay God for all His rewards and love for us by our time. Intimacy is a close and personal relationship. God desires such from us, “Can two walk together except they agree?” (Amos 3:3) Instruction from God and intercession on behalf of anyone are interrelated. We don’t know what to pray for except we have to walk with God. “Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening and lot was sitting in the gate. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them, and bowed himself with his face to the ground.” (Genesis 19:1) Lot could see the angels because Abraham interceded for Lot. Intercession for our brothers and neighbors in the church and the world is rewarding and pleasing to The Almighty God.
INTERPRETATION
“To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words and their dark sayings.” (Proverbs 1:6) Interpretation begins by having a purpose in the heart for God. The heart without Jesus Christ is a dry spring. Daniel purposed in his heart not to defile himself. The interpretation of the Book of Daniel has a mystery to many without wisdom from God. The Book of Daniel was closed but is now for those with wisdom from God to interpret, “Those who are wise shall shine like brightness of the firmament. And those who turn many to righteousness like the stars for ever and ever.” (Daniel 132:3)
More on the Seven Spirits of God and love next month.:
NEEDS NOT WANTS:
1. In Silistra, Bulgaria Pastor Niki Marsov and Pastor Yanko. Times are troubled in Bulgaria and need much prayer.
2. Constanta, Romania Pastor George Ritisan at Lighthouse Church, and Ciprian Bozdod at the Mission Bible School. They too are expanding making more room for God and ministry to Eastern Europe, Turkey, and Asia.
3. In Suceava, Romania Pastors Nicu and Pastor Marcel at St. Andrews Church. St. Andrews is still a key brick in the wall of God to the nations of Eastern Europe.
4. Pastor Joseph Mutua in Nairobi, Kenya needs your prayer and financial support. Kenya has seen much change and experienced much upheaval, they need your prayers for safety.
5. Pastor Mike Olufemi in Aveile, Nigeria. He needs your 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. Financial support for the printing of “Wandering in the Wilderness: Call to Ministry.”
8. Pastor Metin Mintaz and the members of Uskudar Son Buyruk Kilisesi in Istanbul, Turkey.
9. Pastor Elieti Msangi in Dar Es Salaam and Pastors Isreal Mutaitina and John Balone in Bukoba, Tanzania.
10. Major Robin McIntosh, Chaplin, Gatwick Airport, Salvation Army, London, England.
11. Monthly financial support Vivian’s Maternity and Child Care Clinic project in Aviele, Nigeria.
12. Pastor Tek Dahl at Gethsemane, Church (his church) and their radio station “Good News 105.1 FM” in Kathmandu, Nepal.
13. Pastor Sharief Ramsis, Khartoum Evangelical Church, (his Church) and their feeding and lodging ministry of the 1000s of children from the famine and war regions.
14. Bishop John, Samuel Kamanzi (from the Congo), Mashuli Etienne, Emmanuel Ndolimana in Ruhengeli, Rwanda, and the plans for a Bible School and K-12 school.
FUTURE SCHEDULE:
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
Our latest book, “Thoughts for Consideration” has been published by AuthorHouse, where you can also purchase it online. You can also purchase two of our other books “Adventures with God” and “God Still Performs Miracles: A Book of Personal Encouragement.”
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.
We are projecting to use the royalties for: our maternity clinic in Aveile, Nigeria, radio station in Katmandu, Nepal, TB clinics in Ethiopia, and Lord willing the Bible Schools in Kenya, Rwanda, and the Congo, and to help publish more books. We have five more books at different stages of production. 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.
