Deeper Truths for Hungry Hearts
May 2015 • Volume XIII Number 09
“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)
Thoughts for Consideration:
Greetings again my Brethren. Did you know in God you cannot say what you want to say and do what you want to do and come to the end and purpose God has for you? In God (if we desire to walk with Him and do the things He wants us to do) we must say and do only those things God wants us to say and do. We must restrict and limit our words and deeds to only those things God expects of us. For it is limitations and restrictions not liberty and freedom that lead us to completion and fulfilment. Narrow is the way and straight is the path we must walk to come to the life of God (not heaven) for wide is the way and broad is the way that leads to destruction (not hell) and the Bible says, “and many there be which go in thereat:“ Make no mistake my friend even our life is not our own. I wonder why we think we own things? We come into this world without any earthly possessions and I promise you my friend you will leave the same. Everything we get along the way has been given to us by God not by our smarts, good looks, or our boss, but from God. Oh no my friend our life is not our own? Our body is not ours, our soul is not ours, our spirit is not ours they are owned by God. “Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:4) God is God and we are not, thus He can boldly make this statement. Today we defile our bodies with tattoos, and pins, color our hair at will, as we stain our soul with the smut and filth of this world. We blunt and sear our spirit with religion, self-seeking, and selfishness all the while expecting God to look the other way, well He will not. Here in Ezekiel He provides the standard for all times, “all souls are mine” and “the soul that sinneth, it will die,” This same standard applies to ministry. When we are led by the Spirit of God in ministry (any walk of our lives) we must surrender our will. Our success in God will only go as far as our surrender. Now there are three things moving here: surrender by us, subject to God’s authority, and His abiding assurance. These three are the bed rock of ministry and the call of God on our lives. Again our surrender will determine the success or failure in God not God’s power. God intends for us to surrender our will and desires to Him, this is the cross we must daily die on our will and desires laid over God’s will and desires. No surrender of our personal choices no power and authority. God will not invest His authority and power in the lives of people He cannot depend on. The Father invested His power and authority in Jesus because Jesus was so dependent on the Father. Jesus only did and said those things the Father told Him to say and do. Today it seems we often act independent of what the Father wants while going around saying we have the power, but in reality ours lives and ministry do not reflect the resurrection life of Christ. Next we must be subject to God authority. This my friend is a huge deal in our lives. Spiritual authority is God’s one focus in our lives. As a matter of fact God measures man (woman too) not by his abilities and talents (after all they were given by God), their looks (also given by God), wealth (also given by God), or influence (also given by God), but by the revelation he possesses of God. And we get revelation when we willfully come under God’ throne of authority in our lives. Did you know Psalm 91 is not written to Christians? Oh no the word “Christian” was not used till the New Testament, but Psalm 91 was written to the one who, ” abides under the shadow of the Almighty.” The one who comes “under the shadow” or is subject to God’s rules in His kingdom. Only that person can dwell “in the secret place of the most High” all others will be outside His place of protection and safety. All others will not be able to say, ” . . . He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.” (Psalm 91:2) The place of safety and protection today is still found in the same place “under the shadow” of the almighty.” With our surrender and submission to God comes the reward for our obedience an eternal covenant with God. Yes with our submission and surrender comes God’s assurance of He will never leave us or forsake us. How valuable is that assurance during tough times in our lives? What a promise from God that He will keep us in times of danger, confusion, strife, indecision, good times, bad times, all times. Jesus told the disciples as He commissioned the call of evangelism on the disciples, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:20) What an assurance “I am with you always.” 24/7 Jesus promised He would be with us and He is a gentleman who does not go back on His word. Even when Jesus was on the cross the Father never forsook Him (as He promised) As Jesus was becoming one with the Father where His total dependence (as in the past) was not required He said, ” . . . My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46) Now many say sin caused the Father to turn His back on Jesus (the Son), but this makes little sense because God looks at sin all day long, oh no God never turn is back on Jesus. I believe God has His focus and attention on His son as He fulfilled His mission on earth to die for the sin of all mankind. If God forsook Jesus then He may forsake us, but He did not. I believe God was on His feet saying, “this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. That’s it my boy, die well!”
Next month we will begin to look at the Call of Moses and why God called Moses into service. Guess what God’s call to Moses is no different than ours. Can you hear Him now?
Written David Stahl
ARTICLE REVIEW:
At the End of God’s Line
Often times we mistake God’s longsuffering for His faithfulness. Now that is worth repeating again, often times we mistake God’s longsuffering for His faithfulness. Did you know there is a plum line of righteousness and truth we must walk correctly in to exist in God? I wonder why we think we can do and say whatsoever we want to say and do and think we are existing in God? Oh no my friend existing in God is far more than just going to church, paying our tithes and offerings, singing in the choir (or a special number on Sunday morning), or working around the church. Existing in God is an understanding and a knowing of how God operates and functions and this only comes to us by way of our daily submission and obedience to God’s word and His ways. At the heart of this submission and obedience is our requirement (in God) for us to discipline (a nasty word to most Christians, and me too at times) our thought life, desires, and our selfish, self-seeking ways. Alone, by our self effort, nor with religion (what most Christians use to make an approach to God) can we discipline ourselves enough to be able to walk with God, but only with the power of the Holy Spirit moving in our lives can we ever hope to be able to walk in the ways (exist) of God and come to know Him as He desires. Isaiah shares these words with us, “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. 17Judgment (translated instruction, discipline, and punishment in that order) also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet (leveling tool or instrument): and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.” (Isaiah 28:16-17) Of course Isaiah was prophesying of the coming of Jesus Christ the “foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation:,” but please notice the end of verse 16, “he that believeth shall not make haste.” The word “haste” (Strong’s #2363) is translated to make haste or hurry, here to quickly lay a foundation. Now God does not build on man’s foundation, nor should we. God always builds one stone at a time as the stone is fitly joined into the foundation and if the stone is not the right shape or size the builder (God) will fashion the stone until it can fit into the foundation. Verse 17 tells us what God will do if we in “haste” lay a foundation, “Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet:” Now please do not think this judgment from God is spiteful and vindictive, oh no God’s judgment for those who love God is meant to cleanse or wash and prune our lives. And those who do not love God, well God’s judgment is a reward (what we have earned) of punishment for our disobedience and waywardness. This not God’s intention, but make no mistake my friend God will keep us on the line only for so long, He will allow us to play fast and loose only so long then with a mighty heavy hand God will come to us personally or a nation (like America) and execute His holy righteous judgment. I really believe the church (for years) has presented God’s judgment wrong so that many could manipulate and control people. Did you know people will willfully give all they have and even lay their lives down for someone who says they have the power to withhold God’s judgment or they will pray for them and God will heal or bless them? I have seen this for years. Oh no my friend God does not operate like this. The heart of God’s judgment for man is for learning and without this “judgment” (instruction, discipline, and punishment) moving in our lives we will never be able to build correctly on the “sure foundation,” our foundation will always be unleveled, uneven, and not plum. Our lives will be a wreck every relationship we build will crumble like a house of cards. Everything we try will never come to completion and purpose in God, oh we may have some success (in man’s definition), but the end that God has planned and purposed will never manifest because it has been built on a foundation not of God.
We seen this divine spiritual principle in salvation and especially in the spiritual growth we are to have moving in our lives after we complete kindergarten. The writer of the Book of Hebrews shares “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ (kindergarten), let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.” (Hebrews 6:1-2) We are to go on “leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,” but most Christians camp out here in verses 1-2 all of their lives waiting for Jesus to come and take them to heaven, well that is not God’s idea. God has much more than salvation for us. And for us to be able to walk in what God has (and expects) for us we must move on from the elementary things of the faith. Now we must not forget what Jesus did for us on Calvary (this must be an anchor that always grips our heart), but we must not allow the “principles of the doctrine of Christ” to be the central focus of our Christian life, there must be spiritual growth and development in our lives if we are to come into the stature and fullness (Ephesians 4:13) of Christ. In John we read, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) Now do not believe (as some preachers teach) Jesus removed sin from the world, no He did not, because if He did then there would be no sin in the world. All we have to do is take a honest look at our heart condition, ambitions, and motives or watch the news on TV or read the paper to see sin is alive and well in the world. But Jesus did something more important and even harder than taking “away the sin of the world,” He took upon Himself the sin FOR the world. John 1:29, in the Greek says, “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and says, “Behold the Lamb of God, the one taking up the sin of the world.” The words, “one taking up the sin of the world” indicates that Jesus alone bore the entirety of sin as He took upon Himself (not removed them) the sin of the world and made a way for us to be free of sin, death, hell, and the grave. It was such a completeness that it is written, “He was made to be sin” (2 Corinthians 5:21) Do you see the difference? Believe it or not John the Baptist did not see the difference. After serving as the fore runner for Christ, in prison, John (Jesus’ cousin) said, “ . . . having heard in the prison the works of the Christ, sent by his disciples, 3 and said to him, Art thou the coming one? or are we to wait for another?” (Matthew 11:2-3) John was at the end of the line God had for him. We all have an end some sooner than others, some more painful than others, but all will come to the end of the line God has for us. Again in Hebrews we read, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1) Please notice the writer of Hebrews encourages us to, “let us lay aside every weight and sin which easily besets us.” Every weight is not sin. There are two things moving here in Hebrews 12:1, weights; those things that are not sin, but cause us to get off track like our wrong motives, hard hearted heart condition, wrong ambitions, desires even our plans and dreams that are not God sponsored and of course our sin. Now we know how to take care of sin in our lives, we have already talked about Christ taking upon Himself the sin of the world, but how do we take care of those weights that so easily beset us? That too is easy, by us studying (not just reading) the word of God. When we read the Bible (God’s words) the words contained on the pages are Spirit and life to our mind and soul. And as we study the word of God (if we have the right heart condition) the Holy Spirit will be able to wash us of our negativity and wrong thinking and clean our heart of impurities. Jesus described this process in John 15. Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” (John 15:1-6) Now the word “purgeth” (Strong’s #2508, to cleanse of filth impurity) in verse 2 is not a pruning or cutting away from the vine, but a washing or cleansing. If God cannot wash us of the dirt of this world and our selfishness and self-centered heart then God cannot use us. The more we study (not read) the Bible and the more we allow the Holy Spirit free reign in our heart and mind the more we will be able to “lay aside every weight that easily besets us.” Please notice verse 3, “Now ye are clean the word of God which I have spoken unto you.” And please do not miss the warning (take heed my brothers and sisters) here in verse 6, “If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” If we do not abide in Christ we are “cast forth” or picked/stripped from the vine because we have withered, we lack the power and strength to stay connected to the vine, and look to “men” not God, but “men gather them and cast them into the fire and they are burned.” Many today in the church would say God would never do this, well my friend do not tell Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11) or anyone else in the Bible where God’s judgment has fallen on them. Take heed my brothers and sisters. There is a cleansing and a washing in God so that we will be more fruitful, but so true also my friend there is a stripping/picking away, a gathering, and burning for those God brings to the end of their line and turns their back on God. Please do not be deceived by the “once saved always saved” doctrine. Yes, if we stay connected to the vine and live by every word that proceeds out from the mouth of God nothing will be able to remove us from God’s hand, but if we once were saved and walked with the Lord (the Bible is full of examples) then we turn our backs on God we will wither (no mechanism to receive strength from the vine), be gathered by men, and burned up. Make no mistake my friend God has a line for all to operate on and loves to bring us to the end, not to see us flop around or squirm, but to see us stand and withstand in His might enduring, in Christ, all that He and life throws against us.
Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
Going Through Things
Everybody goes through something in this life. We go through physical problems, money problems, mental issues, family problems, work place problems, you name it we all go through things. Our dear brother Job lost everything in one day. After being told his children died, “Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” (Job 1: 20-22) People with good in their heart, that love God will always see GOD as good no matter what comes their way. People with not-so-much-good in their heart, who don’t love GOD will see GOD as bad, non-existent, or worse as a heartless, compassionless dictator. David said in the Psalms, “With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful: with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright: With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward. For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks.” Psalm 18: (25- 27) No matter what comes our way, though all forsake us, though loved ones die, illness strikes, or whatever, we must never, ever even entertain the thought that GOD doesn’t care about us. Our faith and our love for GOD should be must be stronger than any earthly problems and earthly ties. GOD comes before everything else in our life and if He doesn’t guess who is at fault? It sure isn’t His fault! GOD is to come before our: parents, spouses, kids, grand-kids, workmates, neighbors, you name it, GOD is to be at the top of our list. He’s number 1! The end of faith in God is not to lead us to success, but to be conformed into the image of Jesus Christ. So no matter what comes our way folks GOD is the answer and we can always count on GOD. Let us keep our gaze steadfast on our precious Heavenly Father the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
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.
12. Money for an industrial strength potato peeler at the Mission School in Romania.
Next Home Group Meeting:
Our next Home Group Meeting will be TUESDAY 26 May 2015
232 Everett Drive
Sneads Ferry, NC 28460
7:00 pm please RSVP
Home: (910) 741-0489
FUTURE SCHEDULE:
May: India
June: Local Ministry
July: 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.
