Deeper Truths for Hungry Hearts
November 2016 • Volume XV 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. This month we will begin to look at divine cleansing and how it relates to Isaiah’s and our call to ministry. Make no mistake my friend God will not use someone He has not cleansed. Not someone who has cleansed themselves, we cannot cleanse ourselves, God must be the one who cleanse us. He is the one that does the calling so He is the one who knows how and to what extent we must be cleansed. Do we have to be purified and cleansed to the last degree? Yes, but God does the cleansing. God knows our frame, God knows our thoughts and heart condition, and He is patience and faithful to work on us as we hold the dire in us to be worked on. The second we lose the desire to allow God to work on us and cleanse us that very second we stop in our progress towards His call. It is like having a desire to know all truth. Knowing all truth is not as important as having a desire to know all truth. Or loving everyone is not as important as having a desire to love everyone. We can never know all truth and love everyone, but if we have a desire to know and love then it is possible for us to grow in areas of loving people and knowing all truths. And for this happen we must be cleansed. In Isaiah we read how God cleansed Brother Isaiah, “Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. 6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from offthealtar: 7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.” (Isaiah 6:5-7) Let us look at two areas in this divine cleansing. The first is a revelation of self. In verse five we read where Isaiah saw his heart condition, “Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. Isaiah could have this revelation of self because He saw the LORD high and lifted up. Any time we really see the LORD it automatically reflects as a mirror our lack and worthlessness. Our true nature is exposed for what it is as compared to God’s nature and character requiring us to be changed into the glory we can behold. Not all of God’s glory, but into only the glory of God we can hold in good conscious and in right mind. See God will devastate us if not we love ourselves too much. Unless we have such a revelation we will never be useful to God. Remember only the broken are useful to God. The second area in this cleansing process in our call is a sense of unworthiness. What do we value? My friend we will not see the King and His glory if we see value in us. Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.: (Matthew 5:3) Now Jesus did not say, “Blessed are the rich in spirit” oh no he said “poor in spirit.” The words “poor in spirit” is translated spiritually bankrupt. Those that see no value in themselves. Why are they blessed? Because they see no value in themselves and they can see the value in the LORD and the benefits of serving Him instead of themselves. What a refreshing breath of air to meet someone who see no value in themselves. The church is full of self promoters, arrogance. power seekers, ambitious, relationship built on money, influence, and manipulation. I look back over the years and see many of my “pastor friends” especially from Africa who allowed me to come and minister in their church or churches (now their people call them Bishop or Prophet) so that they could establish a relationship where money could flow one way. Instead of a relationships built on the divine principles of God whereby each gives and receives what God has given them (a real divine transfer), rather a relationship of a taker and when done taking the usefulness of the relationship is over unless I would go out of my way and do something the taker needs or wants. I have seen this play out again and again especially in Africa. Sadly the taker thinks they are entitled to what they can get, they see value in themselves and the kingdom they are building on earth for themselves and maybe God so they go after money and influence at all cost, even the cost of seeing themselves unworthy before God. My friend the more we allow God to cleanse us the more useful we will be to God.
Next month we will continue to look at the two other qualifications: the need of cleansing and a cleansed state. Please take a good study and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart. And listen closely my friend do you hear Him call now?
Written David Stahl
ARTICLE REVIEW:
Are You a Heretic?
A few weeks ago I received an email from an internet reader who asked if I was a heretic. At first I got offended, but then I remembered what Charles Haun taught me, we cannot be offended if there is no offence in us. Is that not strange to know? We get offended when someone’s words reach out and touch the offense in our heart and we get upset. Then out of our mouth speaks the offense in our heart. When we get offended again and again this is a spiritual sign of us not allowing God to work in our heart and lives. Offense is a big deal in our lives. As a matter of fact, getting offended is the number one obstacle that prevents us from hearing from God as we need to. Let us guard against offense in our lives.
Now I never really thought about the word “heretic” until the Lord began to open up my understanding. As I think back now and apply what I have learned I guess I am a heretic, but that is okay Jesus and the disciples were heretics also. The word heretic is a very interesting word not so much for what it means, but for how it is used or rather misused. Actually, the word neither denotes anything bad or good. It is a neutral word applied to both good and bad. The adjective is used in Titus, “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 11Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.” (Titus 3:9-11) applied to an unhealthy area. The verb form of heretic is used in “Behold my servant, whom I have chosen (“Hairetizo” (heretic) Strong’s #140, to choose); my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. 19He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. 20A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. 21And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.” (Matthew 12:18-20) in God choosing Jesus. In the second century Church centralization and control began to solidify. By the third century it was well enough in place for those in high power to begin to wield their power. The fourth century saw the Church entrenched in the power of the state, now with the teeth to enforce its will. Those outside this organized and empowered Church were heretics. A new definition of the word comes and stays on the scene. A heretic was and still is one who simply disagrees with the Church. They were sought out and executed. In 384 Priscillian, because of his influence in teaching the word of God was beheaded, along with six of his followers. For over 1000 years this continued. John Huss was a heretic. He preached holiness, speaking out against the vices of the clergy. He was burnt at the stake in 1415. William Tyndale was a heretic. His crime was translating and distributing the New Testament. For this in 1536, he was strangled and his body burnt. Most of the people mentioned in Fox’s Book of the Martyrs were branded and labeled heretics. I guess I am in good company.
Strangely enough today we are more merciful. Heretics are still “those” (like me) who do not agree with the denominational structure of organized religion, but we do not physically kill them; we unobtrusively attempt to slay them with our tongue. This is a more deadlier form of death than being beheaded or burnt at the stake. “The wounds of a sword will heal, but the wounds of the tongue cut deeper than the flesh, and are not soon cured” wrote C.H. Spurgeon. And this is a destructive force in the spiritual life of the tongue wielder. Karen and I cannot begin to mention the number of people, in the last ten years, who have walked away from us because we hold fast to the traditional, Holy Ghost, Spirit-filled belief of God’s word. If the Bible does not say it then we must not be pushing it out there as being from God. Remember, what you use to win someone to Christ you have won them to that. If you use things like; contemporary Christian rock-n-roll music instead of hymns, a watered down humanistic (what is in it for me) sermon instead of a fresh message from God, or a bunch of feel good religious church activities that gives the people something to do while deceiving them into thinking they have been won to Christ instead of having true heartfelt repentance and a broken and contrite spirit conversion. We will not retreat, we will not compromise, we have come too far to turn back now. We do not care if everyone in our family or everyone who reads our website walks away from us, our desire is to continue to “grow grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.” We know there is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun, we know and it is our prayer, “And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Hebrews 6:11-12) If we are to be called a heretic for this desire and prayer, then so be it.
We often see this wrong thinking in the lives of the disciples. It is so easy to get caught up in all of the; looks right, feels right, everyone is doing it so it must be right, but when you critically look at it from the Scriptures you see it is wrong. Remember if the world is running after you, your writings, or your church God is not. In John we see how the disciples were caught up in this wrong thinking. “And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 3Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” (John 9:1-3) Now the disciples walked and talked with Jesus, they saw the miracles, they even saw this miracle, but still they asked, “Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?” Where did this thinking come from? It sounds right, looks right, passes the religious common sense test, but where did this thinking come from? It came from the doctrine of the Pharisees. This is what the Pharisees (those who have spend their entire life in studying the Old Testament) would have asked, but it was in the hearts of the disciples. We must be careful not to take on the thinking of the Christian religious world nor of the world system into our lives for if we do we will be looking for some heretic to punish. After all, if we can find some sin in our brother or sister then we will feel better about ourselves. One of the classic signs of NOT being heretic is running from church to church and running after this Bible teacher (male or worst female) at this special conference. If we are going to run after something worth while let us run after knowing God in an intimate, simplistic, and holy way. When Jesus said, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) He really meant it.
Sadly there is another use of the word heretic. A heretic also is one who denies the redemptive work of Christ and who introduces such doctrines. I am sure we all have seen this before, because the Bible says, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” (Romans 5:6-9) Thanks be to our Lord Jesus Christ. But the heretic here has no desire for truth and the real things of God. Their life is characterized by sin into which they entice others. Their goal is to take advantage, for personal gain and glory, as many people in name of Christianity and God. The real sadness in all of this is how the heretic affects the lives of others. Be careful who you follow, it does matter who your teacher is. I have seen this time and time again in my almost 50 years of being a Believer. Those who shout the longest and bow the lowest often are pretenders, actors, nothing more than a deceiver of the brethren. Let us keep ourselves pure from sin and denying the truth. Let us return to the purity of the Gospel where we can show mercy to all men and pray for the worst of them. The only adequate defense of the truth is the practice of the truth.
So I ask you, are you a heretic? I know what kind of heretic I am, one who is tired (and God said, “I am tired too”) of the religious manipulation and deception of people who desperately need to hear a word from God, but most of the Church leaders of today are too busy playing around not willing to dedicate themselves to the process in being able to deliver the word of God to a lost and dying world. I am one who is often shunned and ignored by my so called friends for what I believe and hold dear, but that is okay with me. Are you a heretic? If so, what kind are you?
Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
Harmony
A song we used to sing in church got me thinking about the word “harmony” one of the verses in the song went like this, “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me, let there be peace on earth the peace that was meant to be with GOD as our Father brothers all are we let me live with my brother in perfect harmony…..” Well a partial definition of the word “harmony” is: a pleasing arrangement of things, parts, colors or peace and friendship, agreement in ideas, feelings etc. The word “harmony” is NOT in the Bible. You can’t live in harmony with people who don’t live in harmony with God. You can’t live in peace with people who don’t live in peace with GOD. The Bible is full of stories with the children of Israel and their neighbors and all the people who want to destroy Israel. Not much is changed (nothing new under the sun) even this day plenty of folks out in the world would just as soon see a pile of ash where Israel sits. On a few cars in the area where we live we see the bumper sticker “COEXIST” which contains the Christian cross, the Star of David, the Crescent Moon, and other symbols I can’t remember. I submit to you my friend that unless people have a love in their heart for GOD and a belief of Jesus atonement on the cross the best we can hope for is an uneasy truce with other people. If someone’s relationship with GOD is “off” or non-existent don’t ever count on a great relationship with them it can never be for the center of that relationship is not God, but selfishness, self-gain, manipulation, and so much more Not right with GOD—not right with people. If we don’t have a proper relationship with GOD how can we have a proper relationship with other people?? It will be very superficial because for those WHO DO love GOD, GOD will so deal in their hearts as to make relationships with others most difficult. What do I mean well for one thing there will be a separation not only from those we really love and enjoy, but a slow gradual drawing closer to the Lord also. GOD must separate us as it is much easier on us and for us to learn those lessons GOD wants us to learn. There WILL BE more restrictions and limitations put on us as we plod and stumble onward to the prize GOD himself. If we have a right relationship with GOD we will have a right relationship with other people. However, worldly people, and worldly Christians well not so much, but that is ok. We must set our hearts upon the hard tasks of turning our back to the world and turning our hearts to HIM.
We cannot put the things and the people of this world between us and GOD and yes that may even mean family. If GOD orchestrates a separation then we must go with it. Let GOD deal with things. Let God be true and every man a liar! We want so badly to hold on to things and people even to our undoing! Let them go. We must believe in our hearts that GOD loves _______ (fill in the blanks) more than we do, wants the best for them, and has plans for them. Let them go. Go about your life in peace, integrity, and security knowing that a sovereign GOD is running the show. And be ever thankful for His kindnesses and benevolence . GOD knows how to deal with people unfortunately we just get in the way sometimes. We don’t mean to, but never the less we do. So really the only “harmony” we need to worry about is between us and GOD. Jesus himself said, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” (Matthew 10:34). A sword to cut our love for the world out of our heart. Of course in this Chapter Jesus was talking about people that are sold out to Him. Are we sold out to Him? Do we allow GOD to cut us out from the world and all its trappings? Do we put Him first before all others? Are we rightly related to Him and Him alone? Is Jesus first in our lives or does He get the crumbs of our lives and live on the back burner of our hearts? Are our problems and financial woes occupying more space in our heart than Jesus? God wants to cut us out from the world and its thinking. Are we willing to be cut out of the world?? Then and only then can we live in “harmony” with our GOD. And everything else will eventually fall into place. Dust off those Bibles and get reading it’s the best answer book in the world!
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 22 November 2016
232 Everett Drive
Sneads Ferry, NC 28460
7:00 pm please RSVP
Home: (910) 741-0489
FUTURE SCHEDULE:
November: Bulgaria, Macedonia and Romania
December: Local Ministry
January: 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.
