The Call of God: The Call of David

April 2017 • Volume XV Number 04

”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 my friends we will continue to look at the divine providence so brilliantly displayed in the life of David by looking at a few of the characteristics  that connect David’s life to the divine call on his life.  There are ten characteristics we can see that connected David’s life (with other men of God under His providence I might add) as a web that God weaved to ensure success in the end for David. Now the underlining truth we must not miss here is if God (and He did) did it for David then He will do it for us, because God is not a respecter of person.  Peter tells is, “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: ³⁵ But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”  (Acts 10:34-35) Often we think God uses someone because they are special to God well that is not true.  We see here fearing God and working righteousness is the price we pay to be accepted by God and  along with the acceptance comes being used by Him.  We all are special to God (sinners and Saints alike) if God uses us it is because we have chosen to walk in the way God has for us to go, the way God has projected for us before the foundations of the earth was laid.  Paul tells us in Ephesians, “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:”  (Ephesians 1:4)  We all have been called, we all have a plan for our lives that God has ordained and through providence God will make it happen if we just participate with him in it.  Okay let us look at a few of the ten characteristics in David’s life.  The first one is David was born into providence.  In Ruth we read,  “And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.”  (Ruth 4:17)  Here we see the seed of David can be traced back to Boaz and Ruth a humble, but royal couple that God has blessed. For nine generations God protected the blood line of David.  And then God did not stop protecting that blood line in which Jesus was born.  In the field and in the wilderness God protected David against the bear and the lion until one day David was chosen by God to replace Saul at the tender age of 16 anointed King of all Isreal, but became King at age 40 some 34 years later.  The second characteristics we see is David was chosen to be King in providence.  We see this in 1 Samuel, “And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. ¹⁴ But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.” (1 Samuel 13:13-14) That man was David, “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.”  (Acts 13:22)Please notice God’s qualifications to be king was not David’s size, wisdom, strength, nor battle skills, but having a heart after God.  God does not do things like man does.  One would think skills and abilities to be king would require the candidate to be big, strong,  wise, knowledgeable, a warrior in battle (maybe like Saul), well not so in God.  God values a righteous heart over brains and brawn.  And the third and last characteristics we will look at this month is David was called in providence. In 1 Samuel 16: 1-13 we find David’s call to be king.  Again please know this call on David’s life was God’s plan for David before David was even born and it happened not because God wanted it to happen, but because David wanted it to happen even  unconsciously not knowing God’s plan, but consciously knowing what God is looking for in a righteous person.  And if we have such a heart God will use us beyond our abilities.  We see Samuel and God at work, “And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. ¹³ Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.”  (1 Samuel 16:12-13) David the youngest and smallest son of four a sons anointed a king. Not much of a coronation for a king, but God is not into all of that “look see pigeon” and showmanship He is into faithfulness, dedication, and obedience all of which David exhibited and God saw.   

          Next month we will add three more characteristics:  prepared in providence, sent in providence, and protected in providence. Listen closely my friend do you hear Him call now?

Written by David Stahl   

 

ARTICLE REVIEW:

                     What is Truth    

I think one of the most complete conversations in the Bible is between Pilate and Jesus when Jesus was before Pilate in the judgment hall. The questions and answers in their exchange of words contain all we need to know to understand this wondrous Gospel message and truth.  Make no mistake my friend truth and Gospel message are one in the same.  You cannot have truth as a standalone thought or function in our lives or in the world without some parcel of the Gospel message coming into clear vision. All that is good and holy is identified with truth, this is why many people who lurk in the darkness of sin and unrighteousness searching like Pilate groping for the truth and never finding it, yet all that was ever true stood before him.  It is not about seeking, knocking, and finding, but about having the humbleness and simplicity of heart to be able to recognize God in the beauty of a flower, a sun rise or sun set, even allowing God to speak to you in the clouds.  A young man came to Charles Haun one day and asked Charles to give him something deep in the Lord because he was to speak to some deep (not really sure what that term means) Christians in the faith, so Charles thought about it for a minute and said okay here it is, “follow the clouds.”  The simplicity of the clouds speaks of God’s majesty, power, and authority, yet they flow where the wind blows them without making much of a complaint or being disagreeable.  Truth has a two-fold action in us.  It will begin pleasing us, of course; quite agreeable, it has a great charm.  Now if we embrace it, if we actually open our hearts to it by saying Lord we want the truth we better be careful because the second fold of truth is it will slay us because God is not concerned with the carnal, natural setup in our lives.  Truth must go by way of death to our self-seeking, self-life before it can be released into our lives.  This is a law in the spiritual realm.  Even the preaching of the word of God is not to make us feel good oh no, the preaching of the word of God is to slay us, to kill us so that Christ can live through us.  Truth is not only objective (what we say), but when people yield their hearts and lives to the Holy Spirit, the Spirit, can take this truth and incorporate it into their lives (subjective what we and others see/discover) to such a degree until things which are purely judicial may be brought down to actual living, one of God’s major goals in our lives, righteousness living.  Truth is never ours unless we have allowed God to personalize it into our heart and spirit, until we have laid ourselves open to God in our inner being and the Spirit has been able to bring that truth in and we have, by faith, taken hold of it allowing that truth to do the work in us that it should.  Never forget truth is purely progressive in all forms.  The heart has to be conditioned for its reception.  It is an invisible miracle in the heart.  Ten, 20, 30 years from now the truth we allow God to work in our lives (as the Holy Spirit works on our hearts)  will have a much fuller meaning.  And why?  Because truth is eternally evolving, it is eternally moving, it is eternally inexhaustible.  This is the center of all which is in God.  God is infinite; truth is infinite too. Nobody can exhaust truth.  Nobody has a corner on truth, it is just too big.  What you get out of a revelation is what you have brought to it.  What we bring to truth governs very much what we get out of it.  Our testimony (not what we say but what people see us do) is what we have gotten out of the revelation and truth also will be governed by our own personal experience. Truth always comes by way of revelation; not by our mental processes nor by way of an emotional ascent to God.  And please know there is a price we pay for revelation from God and there is a price we will pay to know the truth.     

 Believe it or not all of what I have said previously can be seen in the encounter Jesus had with Pilate.  Let us look at this encounter more in detail.                 

“Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? ³⁴Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? ³⁵Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? ³⁶Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. ³⁷Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. ³⁸Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.” (John 18:33-38) Notice this a time of judgment, our life before God (as Jesus was before Pilate) is always a time of judgment.  When will we learn this central truth?  God is always watching HOW we do things not WHAT we do, but how we do things and for what reasons and purposes we do them.  Do we do things for ourselves or for others?  What are our motives and intentions?  The answer to these questions will determine our heart condition and reward.  Pilate (a typical ruler) goes for the throat, “Art thou the King of the Jews?” Now notice how Jesus replies, “Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?” Jesus was not disrespectful, but strong in defiance and resistance to Pilate’s authority.  There is a difference between being obedient and submissive.  Obedience is an outward reaction (truth), but being submissive (progression in truth) is an inward heart condition.  We are to be obedient to all authority, but we must never be submissive to those in authority that directly contradicts God and His ways.  Every cell in Jesus’ body was resisting Pilate.  Pilate countered from a different angle, “Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?” Jesus relied, “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight . . .” Now that got Pilates attention, your kingdom he thought so he goes back to his previous thought, “Art thou a king then?” I mean if you have a kingdom then you must be a king, but in Pilate’s understanding there is no king except Caesar.  So too in the lives of many Christians; there is only one king and one throne our desires and wants. But here is where Pilate makes his mistake, Jesus replies, “Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” Jesus interjects truth into the conversation.  Pilate does not know truth so he asks, “What is truth?”  Pilate knew he was wrong, truth always brings us to a choice and always testifies of Christ’s nature and character.  Sadly Pilate missed the truth, but sadder many people today make the same mistake time after time God draws them and shows them Christ as King of Kings, but like Pilate when truth is interjected, the truth about ourselves as compared to Christ in many different situations we ask like Pilate, “What is truth?”   

Unless we learn to make a balance in truth, we will never have equipoise to stand in the Spirit.  The disciples were continually feeding themselves on one side of truth, i.e. Christ in exaltation, but the other side of that same truth is Christ in humiliation which is just as if not more important to personalize if we desire to walk in truth.  We do not make or originate truth it is owned by God, we discover truth.  Truth only confirms; it never disturbs. When an impact of truth comes to us it will never disturb or dislodge anything that is truth, but if there is something within us that is not truth when truth comes it will cause an uneasy feeling in our spirit and the longer we abide in the non-truth the greater this feeling grows in our spirit until we either reject the non-truth or we reject the truth.  At that point God will take His hands off and let us stew in our choices.  This process will continue in us until God finally says, okay love did not work so I will have to use my judgment to draw them.   If God cannot draw us to himself with His love then He will draw us to Himself with His judgment a very sad state of affairs to say the least.  We must discern the truth and live under the power and impact of it.  I think that is terrible not to be inwardly aroused to the inner consciousness of truth and to eject it.  In our journey back to the Father’s heart where we all started from and belong He will have to use truth over and over for our edification.  Truth is corrective, but it is also illuminating; it has strange mystical powers within us. Sometimes it will bring a terrifying disappointment, but with it also is a marvelous moving of the grace of God, so that in the end we would prefer the loss, the disappointment that we might have the grace which only comes through that method.  God says, “I can give you truth in one lesson that will take a life-time to work out.”  One of the greatest truths we will discover is about our character.  Our character is the sum total of our choices and decisions through life.  When we hear (see or understand) truth it has made its impact and we cannot erase it from our heart or spirit.  Many Christians believe their gifts and abilities in God erase or cover our character flaws, well my friend I am here to tell you this is wrong thinking.  Our character and integrity is what will carry our ministry not our gifts from God, talents, and abilities.  Many Christians believe their deep understanding and revelation that God gave them will rub out our nasty attitudes, short comings, and even the advantage we try to take over another Christian, but truth stands as a mirror reflecting what is in our heart.  Coming to know the truth about our self is the greatest revelation God can bring into our lives, it is far beyond any spiritual gift, talent, or ability.      

Pilate missed the truth.  He asked Jesus, “Are thou the Kings of the Jews?”  (Jesus was and so much more), but in John Chapter 19 we read Pilates spiritual revelation with his encounter with Jesus,  “Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.  (I really believe Pilate knew the truth about Jesus.  He knew Jesus was the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, but) ⁵Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!”  (John 19:4-5)  Twice Pilate said he found no fault in Jesus, yet His revelation of Jesus was “Behold the man!”  Pilate chose to believe Jesus was a man.   Later on in Chapter 19 the real battle between Pilate and Jesus begins, “And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. ¹⁰Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? ¹¹Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.”  (John 19:9-11)  Pilate’s hollow threats did not move Jesus.  Jesus even questions Pilate’s authority, “Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above:” I can imagine Pilate’s anger, “who does this man think he is to question my authority?  What is truth?  Truth is from God, it tells us of our heart condition, and it brings us to our cross, is the servant better than the Master? 

Written by  David Stahl           

 

THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:    

                        

     Change of Mind Change of Life   

                                         

       Brother Paul told the Believers in Rome, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect, will of GOD.” (Romans 12:2).  Sound advice for us also, even after 2,000 years!  GOD does not want us thinking and behaving as the rest of the world does. In 2 Corinthians again Paul encourages us in this area,  “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.¹⁷Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,”  (2 Corinthians 6:16-17) Now do not think the “temple” is a building made with hands, oh no we are “the temple of God” made by God.  Unless we think right and come out from the world we will NEVER become the temple of God. If we don’t know what GOD expects then how are we supposed to think and act?  How do we know what GOD thinks about things? How is what happened centuries ago relevant to our times?  Read the Bible.  GOD gave Moses the  10 commandments ( NOT the 10 suggestions!) and other directives centuries ago. He has not changed his mind about them. GOD said, “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” (Leviticus 18:22). No matter how hard the world system is trying to change yours and God’s mind, GOD has not changed his mind. There is forgiveness for any homosexual, (thief, murderer, adulterer, liar etc. etc…..) at the cross of Christ, but GOD expects us to change and not do those things anymore. The world’s system says it’s okay to be homosexual, it’s okay to kill unborn babies, well I’m here to tell you it definitely is NOT okay with GOD!!! How many churches these days say that you can basically have your cake and eat it too in regards to salvation and sin. Believe in Jesus to save your soul, but you can continue to live and come to church just as you are.  That is cheap grace, but it was not so cheap for Jesus it cost Him His life.  Oh no my friend grace is not an excuse to continue in our sin as some denominations and churches teach. If your church teaches this  lie get out of that church!! GOD expects us to grow up, stop sinning, and stop doing those things that displease Him. When our children were small we expected them to grow up didn’t we? Do we not raise our children to grow up and be self-sufficient, law abiding citizens? That is the basic idea of child rearing isn’t it?  For us Christian parents we want our children to have their own relationship with Jesus so they will follow Him down the path that He has for them and their families.  One of the many, many lessons we ALL have to learn is;  it’s GOD’S way — not our way. We can’t hang on to the world with one hand and hang on to GOD with the other. No sir! We must hang on to GOD and do things HIS way, NOT the world’s way. John tells us and is a theme in his writings,  “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world.” (1John 2:15- 16). Unfortunately though people try their dangedest to do both  — hang onto GOD and the world.  We refuse to grow up and see things His way and we refuse to do things His way. There is no such thing as a gay or homosexual Christian.  No sir! If a gay person really and I mean really gave their heart to the Lord, really asked Jesus to come into their hearts and cleanse them from ALL unrighteousness then they would have to give up that ungodly lifestyle.  And you can substitute any sin for homosexuality—liars, thieves, murderers…etc.  Paul tells us in Romans,  “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; ²⁴ Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”  (Romans 3:23-24) We all have sinned, but we are justified by grace, then there will be a change in our lives AFTER we take our redemption truly into our lives.  A change MUST take place or it is not real. If you are a Christian you should NOT be the same person you were 5 years ago, 10 years ago even 20 years ago!!! There must be an inward change from the Holy Spirit working within our lives. “That ye put off concerning the former conversation (conduct) the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind.” (Ephesians 4:22-23).  The Holy Spirit helps us to understand the Scriptures and how they apply to us as He prompts us to daily learn those lessons GOD wants us to learn so we may someday live with HIM in HIS heaven.  It is time, nay past time to grow up in ALL things and change! Read your Bible. It’s all in there. 

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:

25 April 2017 at 7:00 pm

At 232 Everett Drive

 

Sneads Ferry, NC  28460

7:00 pm please RSVP

Home:  (910) 741-0489

 

FUTURE SCHEDULE:

                                         

          April:  Local Ministry

          May:  Local Ministry

          June:  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.