Deeper Truths for Hungry Hearts
June 2014 • Volume XII Number 10
“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 continue to look at the call of God in our lives and in particular the call of the Apostles. When we think of the Apostles we think they were great men of faith far above us in spiritual ability, but in reality they were no different than us. They had the opportunity to walk and talk with Jesus which I believed strengthened their ability to believe greater than us. It seems with each passing generation there seems to be less and less faith moving in the lives of Christians. In Luke we find Jesus; words on this topic, “And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:6-8) I can see how this will be true because over my many years (almost 60) I have seen less and less faith moving in the lives of people. This verse (eight) should be a warning to us all to take heed (me included) and not allow the truth of this verse to be active in our lives. We have the authority of whether or not this truth will be moving in us not God. God intends for us to be filled with faith, however, whether it happens or not is not up to God, but us. Will we do the things to allow faith to be activated in us. Remember faith comes not by a mighty wind, good intentions, singing, dancing, working for God, etal, but hearing. In the KJV first we read, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17), but I know people who read the Bible, hear the Bible preached, even hear the Bible on CD or tape yet have no faith. It is more than hearing. Now in the Greek version of the Bible we read from Romans, “So then faith cometh by hearing a word from God.” (Romans 10:17 (Greek)) Do you see the difference? When we hear a word from God we will have all of the faith we will ever need to do that which God has called us to do because in the “word” is contained our strength, resources, faith, whatsoever we shall need. No wonder Jesus was so submitted to the Father in harmony with His divine purpose for His life. We see this with divine purpose when the Apostles were called, “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; 14Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, 15Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, 16And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.” (Luke 6:12-16) Please note Jesus called ALL of His disciples (more than 12 present) and then He selected 12. This selection was not based on them being good men, but because God had a purpose and plan for their lives. But the point I would like to make here is Jesus’ ability to select the correct apostles was based on the submission Jesus had with the Father. Please notice Jesus did not select them, His Father did, “that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” When He (Jesus) finished in prayer then Jesus selected the apostles. Harmony in divine purpose with the Father is only accomplished when we send time with the Father.
Then when we are in harmony with the Father’s divine purpose signs follow those who have answered God’s call. Luke picks back in Chapter six, “And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; 18And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. 19And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.” (Luke 6:17-19) Jesus, the 12 apostles (which are also disciples), and the remaining disciples showed up somewhere and “a great multitude of people” showed up. In Africa they say if you build it they will come. Well in God if you build Him a tabernacle God will dwell in it not the one made of stone, but the one made of submission and commitment. The word “virtue” in verse 19 is “strength.” The people wanted to touch the strength of the LORD. Tangible strength that the people could feel came out of Jesus as He (Jesus) touched them and as they (the people) touch Him. Where is this today? Oh to have this power today, well it is ours (LORD help my unbelief) for the hearing not for the asking.
Next month we will continue to look at the call of the apostles as we look at the expectation of their response and that they should be with Him. Can you hear Him now?
ARTICLE REVIEW:
Praying to the Father
Prayer is one if not the most mysterious working of God in our lives. I will be honest I do not know how prayer works, but I am glad it does. God had to take me to India and weaken me of my physical strength to teach me, “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6) Make no mistake my friend all we do that will matter for God and all we receive from God will be by His Spirit, prayer is no different. It is interesting to know I pray not because I want something from God, but I pray so that others may receive (some how) and because Jesus told us to. But one thing for sure it is easy to see where someone is in God, by how they pray. Sadly most prayer is spent on our self, I do not believe that was God’s purpose and Jesus’ intention when He instructed the disciples how to pray. In Matthew six we find the beginning of what many call the model prayer. “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11Give us this day our daily bread. 12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” (Matthew 6:9-13) Now Jesus was not saying to pray these words, Jesus said, “After this manner therefore pray ye” not to pray these words. Is it wrong to pray these words? I cannot begin to tell you the number of times at half time or after a game the coach said, “take a knee boys” then yelled and screamed at us for awhile, but most times at the end of the chewing out we recited Matthew 6:9-13. Maybe we did it to ease the coach’s heart condition anyway it is never a bad thing reciting verses from the Bible especially if you believe what you are saying. But Jesus was doing something greater than teaching us some words to recite He was showing us the direction “Our Father,” our attitude “Hallowed be thy name,” His purpose “Thy Kingdom Come,” and so much more. Jesus was showing us the pathway to the heart of the Father through prayer. Remember the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, apparently they always saw Him praying and then saw His prayers getting answered so they too wanted to know the secret of His power. Well, the secret of Jesus’ power in prayer was praying; not only in words as the heathens do, “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” (Matthew 6:7-8), but praying by the Spirit of God with an utter dependency on His Father. For us to have our prayers answered we must spend time in prayer with the Father there is no short cut or other way around, this is a real revelation for some Christians. Prayer is of the Spirit of God and at the heart of prayer is submission that reflects total dependency to the will of the Father. It is more than asking or beseeching the Father, but us aligning our desires and will with the Father’s. Prayer is a thing of the Spirit of God that should be coming out of us 24 hours a day. Not living our lives stopping to pray, but where our lives become a prayer 24 hours before God and the world. Do you see the difference? Now I am not there yet, but this is what the people saw in Jesus as He walked from town to town. This is what the people felt that drew them to hear His words and to follow Him. If we truly want to reach the world, our city, town, village, our family for Christ this is the place we will have to allow God to take us to. But few find it. This is the “strait gate” that few find. Talking of this spiritual place in God, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. 13Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:12-14) and prayer is the pathway to the “strait gate.” “Enter ye in” to what? Certainly not heaven, Jesus was not talking about going to heaven, He was talking about entering into this place in God, “which leadeth unto life” the life of God. But please notice, few not many find it. The many are not willing to endure the dealings and judgments of God in their lives so that God could bring them to such as place, but it is the place never the less we must come to if we desire to have the life of God in us. Prayer is the pathway that leads us to the life of God, not words and communication with God, but communion with God.
There are five points I would like to share that will help us to come into this place of prayer. Never forget in prayer there is no order, format, or routine, just heart to heart communion with God.
1. The first is confess our sin. Even as we know God is aware of all our faults, failures, and sins it is important to let God know WE are aware of them as well. Too often we can hide and even deny areas in our heart that keep us from Godly relationships with God and man. Too often the world rushes us on and we allow situations to fester. Confession leads us to some painful realization as to our need for seeking forgiveness, reconciliation, and guidance.
2. The second point is give God praise. When we come into the presence of God, it is a time for reflection and introspection, a pause from our activities to focus on God and God alone. Spend time praising God for who He is and for some of the specific blessing He has given us and our families reflecting our gratitude and utter dependency, two qualities we must possess for God to be able to trust us.
3. The third point is give God thanks. After we have worshipped Him and come clean then we are ready to give God thanks. God knows our heart and does not like it when we stand with dirty lips. We count our blessings as we recognize all that God has done for us. From the smallest gift to the awesome love of God in the grace and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we give Him thanks.
4. The fourth is pray for specific requests for others first then yourself. Remember first things first and what the word JOY stands for: Jesus first, Others next, and Yourself last. Spend some time praying for specific needs, but please do not get bogged down on praying for yourself. God knows what you need and He will take good care of you if you take good care of Him and others.
5. Lastly praise God for answered prayer. Conclude by expressing faith and confidence that God will answer our prayers and give Him praise for what He will do, but this in no way is a formula to get God to do things for us. If we want God to be God to us then He gets to do what He wants to do and when He wants to do it. Our part is to count it all joy and endure until God thinks we are ready to handle Him answering our request. God is listening for the song in our heart. Are we singing “No One Knows The Troubles I Have Seen” or are we singing “Blessed Assurance” in tough and difficult times. God is listening to what song are we singing.
The first time I went to Israel back in 1984, I went for a walk and by chance came across a potter. I stood there and watched the potter work some clay on the wedging board then wet his hands and spin some clay already formed. At times he would get up and check the fire under the kiln and when the fire was just right he would take a piece of pottery already formed and put it into the kiln and close the door. Well I stood there for about 15 minutes then it struck me, how does the potter know the pot in the fire is done so I asked. With a big open faced smile he replied, “when the pot is done it begins to sing a sound, a whistling sound that tells me to get it out of the fire or it will be destroyed.” I thought our Heavenly Father is just like that, He too is listening to what sound we are making to see if we too are finished and He will keep us in the fire until just the right time no matter how much we kick and scream, because like the potter our heavenly Father wants to make a quality pot, a pot that can stand the pressures of life, a pot that can hold life-giving rivers of the Gospel that flows out of our bellies. Prayer is the pathway to the heart of the Father. Let us allow God to work so in our lives that He will be able to mold and shape us into the vessel he desires us to be. Like the potter, our heavenly Father has the right to, “Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. 19Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? 20Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 22What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory” (Romans 9:18-23) Who would have thought this word prayer even extends to our obedience and submission? My friend it all extends to our obedience and submission and prayer is no different. But the one who “might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory” is the one who has learned the secret of prayer, it is a thing of the Spirit of God.
Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
Not in the Book
Brother Luke gives us a small hint of ways in which women can serve the LORD. “And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years (84), which departed not from the temple, but served GOD with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise (Simeon had seen baby Jesus first see Luke 2:25-35) unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” (Luke 2:36-38) Now there are a few critical points here which are important:
1) Anna was a prophetess, but did not have a “prophetic ministry”
2) She was a widow, speaks volumes about her faithfulness
3) She stayed in the temple and didn’t depart from it, faithfulness again
4) She served the Lord with fastings and prayers, it does not say she became high priest or started her own ministry, but just told others about Jesus what we are to be doing
5) She was NOT the first one to see Jesus, Simeon was
There is an order in GOD which is ignored these days; I guess we’re all so “enlightened” that we can go against the Book (the Bible). Aren’t we just a bunch of smarty pants? Who wants to serve the LORD with fastings and prayers night and day? Only the truly humble and obedient will want to do this, but unfortunately we’ve seen and known too many women who want to “serve GOD” from the pulpit. Dear reader this ought not to be, not because Karen says so, but because the Bible says so. Brother Paul teaches us, “Let the women learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.” (1Timothy 2:11-14) It’s in black and white read it, know it. Just because a woman is ordained by some guy or some religious organization or maybe has a degree in theology being qualified by man does not mean she is authorized by GOD. Qualified but not authorized. Look if a woman really wants to “serve GOD” she could go the same route as Anna. But no, there’s no recognition in fasting, there’s no glory in praying into the wee hours of the night, no pats on the back or atta girl. Your picture won’t be up on a wall in the church foyer, no good book deals, no fancy robes (don’t get me started on the robes), no write up in the local paper, there would be zip, nada, nothing. But you may get a well done thou good and faithful servant from GOD on that glorious day in Heaven. Your prayers may avail much in other people’s lives, but you won’t know it till you get to the other side.
Look I’m not trying to bash women, but if it’s not in the Book (the Bible) what are we doing? Are we just going to make up stuff along the way and justify our rebellion? Yes, it is rebellion. There are plenty of men around to preach, lead the service, pray for people, do communion service, and etc. etc. There is no need for women to set themselves up in supposed authority over men. It’s not authorized by GOD. Read your Bible!!! Don’t get caught up in this worldly religious thinking steeped in selfishness and arrogance. It doesn’t matter what this organization, denomination, or board says. Read the Book! There is no such thing as a lady Pastor, a lady deacon, a lady Bishop, or lady elder. In the Bible they are all men. Also in 1 Timothy Brother Paul teaches us, “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;” (1 Timothy 3:1) What part of “the husband of one wife” do we not understand? If you have to use a woman as a pastor, deacon, elder, or bishop maybe God has not called the church or organization into the Body of Christ. God will not go against His own word to fulfil His word. We can’t pick and choose what we want to believe in the Bible. What’s wrong with us are we that rebellious and so wanting OUR way that we go against the Bible—GOD’S written word. What are we doing? God makes the rules, not us. Let us humbly serve the LORD in our little corner of the world and do things HIS way.
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.
Next Home Group Meeting:
Our next Home Group Meeting will be 24 June 2014
232 Everett Drive
Sneads Ferry, NC 28460
Home: (910) 741-0489
at 7:00 pm, please RSVP
FUTURE SCHEDULE:
June: Local Ministry
July: Local Ministry
August: Local Ministry
I am still available to share what God has given me at churches and/or home groups. If God moves on your heart to support BHG or other ministries we personally know we would be honored to serve as a go between. Remember, if we want a blessing from God the spiritual principle is we must bless others. Remember, God is to you what you are to God.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address:
David and Karen Stahl
232 Everett Drive
Sneads Ferry, NC 28460
Phone:
Home: (910) 741-0489
Mobile: (910) 382-9287
FAX: (910) 741-0489
Email:
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.
