The Call of God: The Call of David
March 2017 • 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. What a wonderful study of Isaiah’s qualifications for ministry we have been looking at these past months. Funny how when we read about Paul, Peter, or Isaiah we think they are unlike us, but in reality the only things that are really different is the time in which they lived. They had the same God and Holy Spirit empowering them as we do and yet we have the written word of God to explain things. I think we Christians today will have a lot of explaining to do when we stand before God. God does not love Isaiah any more than He does you or I. God did not call Isaiah (Paul, Peter, or even Jesus) into ministry any different than He does us. I am really glad to know I have the same chance to be used of the LORD as the next man. Brother Peter told us, “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:” (Acts 10:34) This mean there other qualifiers and disqualifiers that prevents from being used of the LORD. There are many disqualifiers and only a few qualifiers that we have discussed over the months, but make no mistake God is closely scrutinizes us in our walk with Him to see if we have what it takes to be called by Him to minister. We in our selves do not possess the ability to be called, but we do have the desire and “want to.” This is all it takes, God will take it from there to see if we truly are serious and committed. But before we get too far down the road let us finish up with our divine commission. Back in 1976 I joined the US Navy and served in many Enlisted jobs as a Corpsman, but God laid on my heart to go to college and try to become an Officer. I did not see far down the road as the LORD did, but He knew what my call would look like and He knew I had to be an Officer to fulfill my call. So in 1987 I became a Medical Service Corps Officer after graduating college. To become Enlisted all I had to do was complete some paperwork, but to become an Officer well it took much more paperwork, time, and even an act of Congress to receive my commission. So too in our lives. When God calls us into the ministry there is a personal commission that enables us with accountability, responsibility, and authority as when I became an Officer, but much greater. We all have a general call, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 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 28:18-20) What we call the “Great Commission,” but also there is a personal call something more important to our heart. We see this in the life of Isaiah, “And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. 10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. 11 Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, 12 And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land. 13 But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.
” (Isaiah 6:9-13) The text here says, “Go” then in italics we read “and tell this people.” Just the lone “Go” is automatically understood as YOU “Go.” Any time God directly speaks it is a direct implicit message to the one hearing. Here God spoke not to the people, but directly to Isaiah. God had a message for the people, but it was not conveyed by God’s lips, but from the lips of Isaiah. Thus Isaiah was commissioned by God (with all of His accountability, responsibility, and authority) to tell the people thus says the LORD. Today I hear a lot of preaching and teaching most from off the internet, sermon books, and commentaries, but seldom do I hear a message from God.
I cannot remember when I have heard “thus says the LORD” in a Church service. Yes in our monthly Home Group Meeting (that is what you get), but no in most services that are bulletin or agenda driven. He is a personal God and He personally calls His children to speak for Him. This is why just anyone cannot go for Him. Only the ones He calls can go and if He calls them then He will justify and if He justifies them they must be qualified. If you notice the message Isaiah (verses 10-13) was not the message the people wanted to hear. Seldom does God’s servant speak swelling words of grandeur into lofty heights of blessing, oh no most often God’s servants speak a word of correction and if heeded will bring repentance and life, but if not then the reward will be bondage and death. So too why God gives His servants a personal commission for if the servant does not know if they are sent by God then they will flounder and maybe walk away from God.
Next month we will begin to look at David’s call and the “Providence” involved for ministry. Providence is that act of God whereby HE makes ALL events fulfill His purpose. Listen closely my friend do you hear Him call now?
Written by David Stahl
ARTICLE REVIEW:
God Does Have A Big Stick
If I hear another pastor say, “God does not have big stick to discipline us” I am going to scream. I cannot believe how a pastor can read (maybe they do not) all of the examples in both the Old and New Testament of the Bible and say God does not have a big stick of judgment. From Genesis to Revelation God flexes His muscles in an attempt to get us to do the things we must do so that He can bring us to the plan and purpose He has created us for. Now many Christians say this is not true or it is not important, let us focus on God’s love for us after all God is love, well God is, but here is the problem with this wrong thinking when we lose the fear of God (by believing He does not have a big stick of correction) we also lose restraint and an understanding of the Godliness and righteousness in our lives. We also lose the desire to have obedience worked into our lives. Our thoughts and motives are unto ourselves, like sheep we all have gone astray each to their own way. We see this today in the world and even sadder we see this thinking infecting (like a quick growing cancer) the church. God is the old man with a white beard upstairs who loves us and only wants good things for us. He would never do anything bad to us. Joel Osteen and many others you watch on TV are good at telling this half truth (also known as a lie) not preaching on God’s requirements to receive His blessing, sin, hell, or that God will not hold us accountable for our actions. My friend if there are no consequences for our actions then we will always take the path of least resistance. Our desire for righteousness, obedience, and wisdom will not be needed in our lives, our choices will always be selfish and self-centered, our earthly lower nature will rule our mind and spirit. Please my friend do not be deceived by them, they have been deceived by the humanistic, new age religion, and diversity gods of this world out from a desire to gather people for personal gain and ambition to be held high in man’s eyes, but in God the way up is down. This thinking reveals a great disrespect for God. Many Christians think God the ruler of the universe, creator of all things will not and cannot correct or punish us, rubbish. This thinking reflects a willful disrespect for God’s plan and purposes in our lives, thinking we know better than God. Their words reject God’s authority and it is an out and out rejection of God Himself. These folks are fools and know not God. David said, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.” (Psalms 14:1) When we cast off restraint and think there are no consequences for our actions we have told (in action and maybe not in words) God; He is not God we are the captain of our ship a very dangerous presumptive place to be in. It is an admission of our inability to be discipled and to be taught, we “are corrupt” and “have done abominable works.” If this is your perspective of God please repent of your wrong (most denominations, after all it takes a lot of money to run a denomination and the bigger the denomination the more money it takes to keep it alive) thinking and ask God to give you a heartfelt wisdom and understanding to the truth from God’s perspective. It is our perspective that must match up with God’s not the other way around. My friend God is a loving God, but please never forget God does have a big stick and it is only His long suffering and mercies (that are new every morning) that keeps Him from smiting us. One of my favorite Far Side cartoons is God at His computer and on the screen you see a man walking down the street and a piano is being held over his head by a rope while God has his finger ready to touch the smite button. Also in the Psalms David also said, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.” (Psalms 111:10) The fear of the Lord always brings us to God on our knees broken and contrite before Him which is the beginning point of all wisdom. The place of being useful to God. Watchman Nee said, “the broken and humble alone are useful” and boy do I see that more and more as I get older in my life. The writer to the Hebrews encourages us to come boldly before the throne of grace, well I promise you my friend if you come before the throne of grace with the wrong perspective of God you will leave from God’s presence as you entered probably still misguided and disillusioned. God will let you enter, but to receive from Him there must be the right heart condition in us He is looking for (a pre-condition) and an understanding of who God is and how He operates, if not we will have nothing of God, nothing of His Spirit, and no hope of a future in Him.
I know I turned out well. The lessons and training my parents invested in me was well worth their dedication and commitment to see me turn out to be a Christian and a productive citizen of society knowing right from wrong, knowing honor and integrity when I see it. But when I was a child growing up I was petrified of my father. Now I know my father loved me very much even if he did not tell me, because every day of my life I saw his selfless actions of love providing for his wife and six kids. You know most often words are cheap, actions speak louder than words. His hard work and dedication sometimes working three jobs to make sure we had food on the table and clothes on our backs gave me stability, I was (even in his death) so proud of my father. I did not want to disappoint my father because I knew if I disappointed my father I knew what was coming. He had a narrow leather dress belt which was the fashion at the time we kids (John Chris, and I) called it “the fire belt” and I can remember many a time dad lit a fire on my butt with it for my own good. My dad also had the fastest wrist in the world. In church we kids would not sit with our friends like today in most churches oh no, we would have to sit in front of our parents in the next pew and if we even looked like we were going to talk my father would hit us in the back of the head and have the song book back in the holder before we hit the pew in front of us or the floor. My parents were concerned about our behavior and attitudes, concerned that they be what God expects in our lives. And that was accomplished out from a healthy fear and respect of my father. Today my prayer for my brothers and sisters is that they remember what our parents taught us and if need be return to the fear and wisdom of our heavenly Father. Growing up I saw the usefulness in my life and tried to instill this training and usefulness in the lives of our kids.
If we do not see God having a big stick not to beat us, but discipline and train us then we can never be called His son or daughter, the requirement for his favor and honor is quite restricted and according not to God’s love and mercy for us, but according to our ability to endure God’s chastening and rebuke. Again the writer to the Hebrews says to us, “And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.” (Hebrew 12:5-8) What do you mean God does not have a big stick? Read that verse again. Now I am not talking about the hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, famine, and etc. at His disposal that He often uses to get our attention , but of the deep work God must be able to do in our heart and mind to correct our thinking to get us to think like and act like Him. Even Jesus had this work done in His life and is the servant greater than the Master? Yet again in Hebrews we read where Jesus learned obedience. Please do not think Jesus became the author of eternal life because He was God’s precious Son, oh no the Bible says, “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;” (Hebrews 5:8-9) Does God have a big stick? Please read those verses again, “yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered” and “being made perfect.” Again is the servant better than the Master? In Philippians Paul tells us of Jesus, “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:” (Philippians 2:7-9) Jesus, “humbled himself and became obedient unto death (death to His self-life and His desires), even the death of the cross.” I would consider a wooden cross a big stick. If this was the way everlasting the Father had for Jesus (the Master) to go what then will be our way to go? I wonder what does God use to comfort His children? Well, David gives us a clue to God’s tools of comfort, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (Psalms 23:4) What strange tools to use to comfort someone. You would think God would use these tools to chasten His children with, but no David said, “they comfort me.” We would think God would use a good blessing, a new car, or new job, but here we see God uses a metal rod and a hard wooden staff. How strange but not so, if you understand the relationship between the shepherd and the sheep. Many years ago I was in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for about two weeks ministering in huge churches and wherever we would go I would see a shepherd herding the flock from the back of the flock. Now the sheep close to the shepherd did not stay near the shepherd too long because the shepherd had a whip and he knew how to use it quite skillfully. The shepherd would keep the flock moving and discipline them by striking the sheep closest to him. Not too many of the sheep wanted to be close to the shepherd. They would quickly jump free of the swing of the shepherd’s guidance and get over into the fringe of the flock where danger like a car or bus was waiting for them. Not too many sheep wanted to stay in a safe place under the shepherd’s discipline, but the ones that did were safe from all harm. So too, not too many Christians desire to stay near to God, nor near His discipline. Maybe that is why the shepherd has to do other things to bring the awareness of danger and destruction to the sheep. We have a statue given to us by Karen’s brother John many years ago. I am sure you probably have seen one it is of Jesus standing with His staff (to strike or hook the sheep around the head so that He can get the sheep’s attention) in His hand and a on his shoulder. I always liked that statue and theme until I traveled to Israel and found out why Jesus was carrying the lamb on His shoulder. I thought Jesus wanted the lamb to rest, He would do all the work or Jesus did not what the little lamb to get its little feet dirty, but these were not the reason. The reason Jesus was carrying the little lamb was because Jesus broke the leg of the lamb. It was straying too far from the flock, out on the fringe where the wolves the enemy lurked so to teach the little lamb to stay close the shepherd would break a leg and carry the lamb around his neck giving the little lamb a good smell of the shepherd. Now the lamb can learn to know how the shepherd walks and talks, and really learn the shepherd will take care of its every need until his leg mends. Now the lamb has learned to stay close to the shepherd for only near the shepherd is life found. The lamb also learns the shepherd has a big stick that can both care for and discipline him. This is way God has to break our heart sometimes and hopefully He will not have to break a leg, but for those who walk with a limp they know the Good Shepherd’s (Jesus Christ) loving touch. Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
My Dad
I’ve written some of these thoughts about a month ago in anticipation of my father’s impending death. I thought I’d be able to say a few things at his funeral which wasn’t the case. My Dad had a Catholic funeral and the priest does all the talking so it would’ve been in bad taste to run up to the front and start spouting off a few thoughts not to mention Mom would’ve been mortified. The repast was the venue to speak such words and I was able to share a few thoughts. Most of the thoughts expressed at the repast were happy memories of my Dad and it all worked out well. So I will use this venue to write a little about my Dad. My Dad grew up in the great town of Bayonne, NJ which as of last month still looks remarkably good! He was the third of four sons. He LOVED the Navy and joined as soon as he could. I believe my grandfather had to sign for him to join. His two older brothers were in the Navy and the call of the sea, patriotism, and far away adventures beckoned Dad also. After he married my Mom, he traded crackerjacks for business suits to support his growing family. The Navy became a part-time venture until years later when he was able to go back on active duty and do recruiting. I found his love of the Navy infectious and joined the Navy myself after the Viet-Nam War. Since then I’ve learned that life is a lot like boot camp the things we learn here on earth will serve us well not only in this life but also in the next life. If we’re smart and listen to GOD and have a soft heart for GOD we will learn much. I also learned that people who are faithful in the least — will be faithful in much. Towards the end of my father’s life he was a little demanding and stubborn, two traits that weren’t a normal part of Dad, he was actually pretty easy going. I think the stubbornness was a result of frustration since he was bed ridden and couldn’t go and do for himself. Stubbornness is definitely NOT a fine human trait for any of us. Nowhere in the Bible is it lauded as a desirable trait because you see, stubbornness ( I’m not talking about my Dad here) says, “I’m going to do things my way” or “I know what’s best.” If we’re stubborn to people I can double-dog guarantee you a person will be stubborn to GOD Almighty. If we’re soft hearted to GOD we will be soft hearted to people and I say this because my Dad was soft hearted towards his family. He sacrificed a lot for his family, he gave of himself, and put his needs, wants, and desires aside to make others happy. He was far from stubborn. I believe a good relationship with our earthly father will help us with our relationship with our Heavenly Father. If we’re loved and cared for by our Dad, disciplined, and taught to do right it’s so much easier to believe in an invisible GOD that we cannot see or hear. On the flip side if we don’t listen to our earthly Dads and obey them how can we be expected to obey an invisible GOD?? This is why it is so important for earthly dads to step up to the plate and raise their families right and exercise their GOD given authority insisting on respect and obedience from their wife and children because their children’s very salvation is on the line. If your kids don’t obey you how can you expect them to obey GOD? If you grow up with a missing Dad or have an abusive father that experience will automatically taint your perception of our Heavenly Father unless that hurt has been healed by the LORD. Jesus is the only one who can go back in time to heal the hurts and disappointments in our life. If we don’t allow Jesus to heal our inner wounds then we will become bitter and resentful. If we can’t trust a man who we can see and hear we’re certainly going to be skeptical about trusting an invisible GOD! Fortunately for me and my siblings we had a great earthly father. And although when we were younger he didn’t always say he loved us, we had no doubt that he loved us by his actions. He loved us when we were unlovable, and showed mercy when we didn’t deserve it, much like our Heavenly Father. He will be sadly and greatly missed, but I’d like to think that I’ll see him again in Glory Land. Until then, “all hands on deck, batten down the hatches, aweigh all anchors, and full steam ahead.” LORD here comes Andy Kreiss. Fair winds and following seas Dad till we meet again. Written by Karen Stahl
NEEDS NO WANTS:
- 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.
- 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.
- In Suceava, Romania Pastors Nicu and Marcel at St. Andrews Church. They are still standing by God’s grace.
- Pastor Joseph Mutua in Nairobi, Kenya needs your prayer and financial support.
- Pastor Mike Olufemi in Aveile, Nigeria. He needs our prayers and support to be a light in great darkness.
- Pastor S. J. Peter, Founder of DAWN Ministries in Hyderabad and Pastor Wilson and his son Pastor Julian in Sankaraguptham, India.
- Pastor Metin Mintaz, Dan, Cathy, and members of Uskudar Son Buyruk Kilisesi in Istanbul, Turkey.
- Pastor Elieti Msangi in Dar Es Salaam and Pastors Isreal Mutaitina and John Balone in Bukoba, Tanzania.
- Monthly financial support for Vivian’s Maternity and Child Care Clinic project in Aviele, Nigeria.
- Pastor Tek Dahl at Gethsemane, Church (his church) and their radio station “Good News 105.1 FM” in Kathmandu, Nepal.
- Bishop John, Samuel Kamanzi (from the Congo), and, Emmanuel Ndolimana in Ruhengeli, Rwanda.
NEXT HOME GROUP MEETING:
28 February 2017 at 7:00 pm
At 232 Everett Drive
Sneads Ferry, NC 28460
7:00 pm please RSVP
Home: (910) 741-0489
FUTURE SCHEDULE:
February: Turkey
March: Local Ministry
April: 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:
dstahl@beholdinghisglory.com
Website:
www.www.beholdinghisglory.com/
Blog:
http://bhisglory.blogspot.com/
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.
