Deeper Truths for Hungry Hearts
November 2014 • Volume XIII Number 03
“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. Let us continue to look at God’s divine provision as it related to the provision for His ministers. Now I will be honest from the start I do not believe it is good for the pastor or minister in the local Body of Christ to receive a pay check from the church or ministry organization (I do not take a salary from BHG) for doing the will of God in their lives. When I pastored in Germany I could have received money, but I choose not to and worked two jobs (substituted at the American High School and worked as teacher for KMP a German company that taught business English) to support me and my family. I was truly amazed at the opportunities God provided to share this wondrous Gospel message with the German people. Some I am still in contact with and have visited us in the States. However for those who do believe it is okay to receive a pay check from the ministry (and that is okay with me) we can find Scripture that would support such a belief. Paul writes, “If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? 12If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 13Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” (1 Corinthians 9:11-14) Even though Paul wrote these verses I believe he never took a red dime for His time serving God as he was a tent maker as Peter and other disciples were fisherman. Somehow I think there was some confession (as seen by the detail and many verses addressing this problem) going on at the Church in Corinth over this topic and Paul settled the matter to allow the Gospel to go forth. Did you know just because you are authorized in God to do something does not mean you have to. I believe Paul knew this and worked for his daily bread (by the sweat of his brow) as the people he preached to. Again if you feel authorized to take a pay check that is fine with me. The people I ministered to in Germany worked hard (Germans believe in working hard while at work) for their money and most were just one arrest away from being deployed back to Africa or Asia and I found I could identify (their heart aches, pains, and suffering) with the people much better if I too experienced similar trials and difficulties, oddly enough (now not all) it has been my experience those ministers who do not work outside the church seem to be the ones who give the Gospel a black eye after all idle hands are the devils workshop. I hear pastors and ministers say they want to go “full time” in the ministry, well I hope they are putting their heart full time into what God has called them to do, but sadly some pastors and ministers have dumbed down the call of God on their lives and service to the Body of Christ to dollars and cents. We must be very careful when we think we are owned money for serving and working for God. Every year many denominations have special services by way of appreciating members time and talents for different functions needed in the local church it in its self saying thank you is appropriate, but when it gets overboard giving money and cars away well . . . I think God takes a dim view of this. In God we seldom get a pat on the back from God that is why we look to our friends and followers, it is a mature person who needs not the pat on the back. Peter asked, “Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?” (Mathew 19:27) And Jesus replied, “Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. 30But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” (Matthew 19:28-30) As we will see next month a pat on the back from the LORD should be enough. After all it is not about God taking care of us? Does God know what we need” Did God take care of Paul and Peter even Elijah? “So he did what the LORD had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.” (1 Kings 17:5-6) If so (and He did) He will take care of us too.
Next month we will continue to look at God’s divine provision for His maintenance as we close out the year at how remuneration is NOT a condition for ministry. Can you hear Him now?
ARTICLE REVIEW:
Called by God
Lately I have received many emails and a few phone calls asking my advice about certain positions in ministry or even about whether or not they should go to Bible School. The advice I give most often (unless I feel the Lord saying otherwise) is just be led of Holy Spirit, He will not steer you wrong. God never leads us in a way that will end us in failure, but God always leads us in a way where, if we respond correctly in obedience, He can bring us into victory the place of God’s purpose and meaning. Almost every time I go to Africa a young man will come to me and ask should I go to Bible School and I ask why do you go to Bible School? I tell them there are millions of wrong answers, but only one answer and after five to ten minutes of saying wrong answers, (you know we are full of wrong answers) I tell them the right answer is because God said to. Unless God says to go to Bible School you are wasting your time and resources, especially the resource of time. Now please understand me here I am not saying not to go to Bible School, but I am saying be led by the Spirit of God and if He says go then go and be the very best Bible School student the school has ever seen. I have had the great pleasure and honor of teaching at the Bible Schools in Romania; in Suceava Headmaster, Marcel Lelcum and Headmaster Ciprian Bozdog in Constanta, also in Africa, and Asia, too many to name. I have realized the importance of getting the truths of God’s word in students, because then the word will have time to be mixed with God’s dealings and judgments in their lives, now that is a foundation God can use to build His character and nature in them. It is important to know when God calls us to ministry my friend we do not have to wait for the vote of any man or go to the right Bible School. No degree conferred or appointment carries the most important sign of Godly ministry, the revelation of God’s spiritual authority. The real qualities of ministry are to be found in those who are willing to suffer for the sake of objectives great enough to demand their wholehearted obedience. Spiritual leaders are not made by election or appointment, by men or any combination of men, nor by conferences. Only God can make them. Simply holding a position of importance does not constitute one a spiritual leader, nor do taking courses in leadership or resolving to become a pastor or teacher. The only method is that of qualifying. Religious position can be conferred by bishops and boards, but not spiritual authority; which is the prime essential of Godly ministry and leadership. That comes, often unsought, to those who in earlier life have proved themselves worthy of it by spirituality, discipline, ability, and diligence, workers who have heeded His call. Spiritual ministry is a thing of the Spirit and is conferred by God alone. When His searching eye alights on a servant who has qualified, He anoints him with his Spirit and separates them to their distinctive ministry. Ezra shares the standard for all who desire to be a spiritual minister and leader, “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9) The standard is to have a perfect heart toward God or to have a heart like God’s, a perfect heart. Now the word “perfect” here does not mean flawless or mature, but selfless. To be a spiritual minister and leader we must have a selfless heart like God’s. As matter of fact, the greatest Apostle and teacher, Paul was in a type of what we call a Bible School and God called Him out. Paul said of himself, “I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.” (Acts 22:3) Gamaliel was the High Priest and a famous Jewish teacher that Paul served and was “brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel” or was Paul’s Bible School teacher. Paul was a great student, keeping the law, many Bible scholars believe Paul was being groomed to be the next High Priest, but God had other plans for Paul. God called Paul out of his Bible School and alone commissioned, ordained, and sent him the Apostle to the Gentiles. Paul did not need to have a degree or have someone mentor him, He was led by the Holy Spirit to a place where God took his physical sight so He could give Paul his spiritual sight. We all know the wonderful story in Act 9:1-9 how Paul was called into the ministry and if Paul was called without going to Bible School or a seminary then God can call others the same way.
It is important not to get ahead of God. God has His man whom He wants and we must not get ahead of what God wants. I believe this was the case when Matthias was chosen to replace Judas. From the beginning the 11 Apostles looked for one who had the history and ability to serve. Just like today in most churches we look for the educated and skilled to serve, one who has all the credentials the complete package, but take heed my friend they may not be the one God wants. In Acts we read, “Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. 23And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 25That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. 26And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” (Act 1:22-26) Now they did pray, but then they cast lots or voted. Does not that sound like most churches today, let’s vote in God’s man or worse let’s vote out God’s man. God’s will is never determined by man voting, but is determined by knowing the will of God in every given situation. Sadly most churches do business by voting, rules, charters, and by-laws no my friend church business is to be done by being able to hear from God and by knowing what He wants to have done. God does not select a man by the vote of men, but chooses a man for His purposes and His plan by His Spirit. My friend when God’s man arrives on the scene you will know, there will be no doubt in anyone’s mind that this person is sent from God to do God’s will and purpose. I really believe God chose Paul to be the 12th Apostle, but Peter and the others got ahead of God and chose Matthias. This is why Paul time and time again had to confirm to the people He was an Apostle called by God. “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,” (Romans 1:1), “Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,” (1 Corinthians 1:1), and “Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)” (Galatians 1:1) Also this thought can be found in Paul’s letters in Ephesians 1:1, Colossians 1:1, 1 Timothy 1:1, and Titus 1:1. I wonder if Paul was trying to tell us something? I know so because I did not go to a Bible School, but have been called, ordained, and sent by God to do His will and purpose within the earth. Even Peter got in the act, “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.” (Peter 1:1-2) Maybe Peter heard of Paul’s writings, but there arose an uneasy rivalry between Paul and Peter and at times it became quite testy. “But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.” Galatians 2:11), but finally they resolved their differences, “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.” (2 Peter 3:15-17) You know when we get ahead of God we can hamper God’s work in our lives and corporately within the local body we serve. But, Peter finally got it; Paul was called by God like he was called by Jesus to do the will of the Father, as we too are called by God to do the will of the Father in all the earth. You know it is not wrong for two people to disagree, but it is wrong and ungodly for two people (especially Christians) to maintain an unteachable spirit and anger for the other person. We will disagree that is a given, but what is important is to be able to try and see the other’s position as Peter did with Paul and be ready to allow reconciliation to grow forth in the relationship, but we must never compromise the truth of the word of God for unity of purpose even in the church. Never look for an apology that way you will never get offended if one never comes, let God worry about the apology you worry about following God.
When I consider the importance of being called by God, the critical need to be able to hear His voice, and our obedience to it I am always reminded of my teacher Charles Haun. Charles was invited to go and minister in North Ireland during the war. Well, Charles prayed asking God for His agreement and leading whether or not to go, nothing. So Charles waited and prayed, while invitations and money from other churches and groups came poring in, still nothing. You know sometimes praying is not enough, after prayer we must be led by the Holy Spirit. Without a word from God Charles made plans to go, thinking God would confirm his trip, but still no word. Charles went and spent two weeks of mighty services in the midst of death and destruction many were saved, healed, and filled with the Holy Spirit yet all along the way not a single word of agreement from God, but as the plane touched down at John F. Kennedy International Airport the Holy Spirit said, “Thank you.” Charles knew he was called of God to go and teach the word of God and if he goes people will be saved, healed and filled with the Holy Spirit. No man needs to tell us to go, only ask if we have the heart to go and help them. No man needs a special degree or some special training just go. If God says go then He will provide all we will need to fulfill the going for in our obedience of going God will supply all that is needed and out from the call of God we are changed more and more into the image of the one who called us, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: “ (2 Peter 1:3)
Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
Get it Right Now
Some of us want to grow in God but we want that growth to be on our terms. Unfortunately for us God wants us to grow up on His terms! He will use people that tick us off, people we don’t like, and even people we don’t respect to show us what’s in our heart. We want great awe-inspiring revelations from God, but sometimes what we get is hey knuckle-head look at the mess in your heart and that’s usually the kind of revelation we don’t seem to care for! God wants to show us what’s in our heart and brother that ain’t pretty. We have a choice get embarrassed here and now on earth in front of a few people or wait until we get before God then He’ll show us (and everybody else who is milling around) what’s in our heart and what we missed by not letting Him work on us while we are here. Pretty much a no brainer, I’ll take my lumps here please. Better to swallow our pride here and learn from it now and change ourselves. God will not bonk us on the head with a magic wand to change us. Jesus died for our sin. Regarding sin quit lying, quit being rebellious, whatever you are doing to miss the mark—stop it! Jesus didn’t die for our crazy personalities and hateful attitudes that’s our job we have to quit manipulating people, quit acting like we know everything (I guarantee you we don’t know everything) quit putting on airs. Stop thinking everybody is out to get us, stop nursing old grudges, let go of the past (try living in the now—it’s a lot healthier for you) realizing maybe our point of view IS wrong! Quit worrying about getting our way. We like to think we’re so smart and we’re such good Christians then the first time we get ticked off (offended) or somebody “gets our goat” we’re fussing and wailing to God and waiting for God to deal with the other person, when duhhhh He is waiting for us to deal with OUR attitudes. Don’t get your nose all out of joint and shun the other person, maybe just maybe God allowed this to happen to show what’s in YOUR heart and to get your attention. Instead of humbling ourselves and agreeing with God, yes Lord I am A-B-C-D and changing ourselves we whine complain and act like a two year old. You know we convince ourselves that the other person had it in for us. How dare they say, do, think, or whatever (fill in the blanks) to us. We are so good at deceiving ourselves it isn’t even funny. We have to protect our tiny fragile little egos and we’ll go through all kinds of maneuvers to save face. Oddly enough humble people don’t have to worry about their egos so apparently it’s just our foolish pride. Maybe it’s time for YOU to extend the olive branch of peace what have YOU done to restore peace and harmony in relationships?? Brethren let us take heed to our ways, that they please The Most High God. Paul tells us to, “Put on therefore, as elect of God holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind meekness, longsuffering. Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye, and above all things put on charity which is the bond of perfectness.” (Colossians 3: 12-14). Let go of the past, mend those fences now (are we that prideful that we can’t humble ourselves), and do that which we know is right to do lest all of Heaven be privy to our shallow behavior. Oh yes, all will be revealed in Heaven and we will be ashamed before all. So let’s get it right before it is too late.
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 TUESDAY 25 November 2014
232 Everett Drive
Sneads Ferry, NC 28460
Home: (910) 741-0489
at 7:00 pm, please RSVP
FUTURE SCHEDULE:
November: Bulgaria and Romania
December: Local Ministry
January: India
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.
