The Call of God: The Call of David
May 2017 • Volume XV Number 05
”But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. “ (2 Corinthians 3:18)
Thoughts for Consideration:
Greetings again my Brethren. Let us continue to look at the providence of God. Yes we are looking at the call of David and how providence was used by God to call him into service as God does in our lives. There are areas of providence or the characteristics of providence I would like to look at this month: prepared in providence, sent in providence, and protected in providence. The three go together like peas and carrots and cannot be seen one without the other. The first David was prepared in providence as we all are. Even those who never walked with the LORD in any degree are prepared in providence so when the time and hour comes to move from darkness into the light the life has been nurtured to a point that acceptance or rejection of the Gospel message, at that time and understanding, can be made. In 1 Samuel we see in David’s life the selection process to be king did not go as one would think, “Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these 11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.” (1 Samuel 16:10-11) In the natural it is the oldest, bravest, smartest son that is selected, but not so in God. God already choose His man and age, strength, and intelligence were not qualifications to be king. God looks at the heart. I am not sure what disqualified David’s brothers, maybe nothing except God had already chosen David. David was working with his father’s sheep, we can see the symbolism developing. Even to this day being a lowly sheep herder is the best job to have. The next area of providence we are to look at is, sent in providence. Not only was David prepared from child hood (because of his faithfulness and dedication to his father) as he slew the lion and the bear which would serve him well as he begins his epic struggle with Goliath (1 Samuel 17:15-58) that propels him throne ward. I think every little boy or girl knows the story of David and Goliath. Jesse (David’s father) sent David to battle to bring some food to three of his older brothers. Now Saul’s army which was engaged in a Mexican standoff blathering at each other, but when David arrived he wanted nothing to do with such babbling. Ultimately David convinced Saul he could defeat Goliath (over nine feet tall), “And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:40) Now here is the sending in providence.
David was armed with weapons he knew how to operate from past experience and past victories. I know I am speaking to some folks here! He knew how to use his staff, which he did not need. God had already prepared David for the day of battle defeating lesser, but just as deadly opponents. David knew how his weapons worked and he knew his strength was in God, how could he lose? David collected five smooth stones, but only used one smooth stone on Goliath. For years I have wondered why David got five smooth stones? Well after David defeated Goliath and beheaded him, “the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron.” (1 Samuel 17:52) David needed those four other stones to kill more Philistines. When God prepares and sends you my friend only victory in is in store. There was a great slaughter that day and the next verse said they came back and spoiled their tents. And the third area of providence we are to look at this month is protected in providence. In 1 Samuel 18:5-11 we read of the beginning of the end for Saul as God protected David and gave him favor before the people and even Saul.
“And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.” (1 Samuel 18:5) David was a faithful servant to his father Jesse and Saul. God likes that in His servants and because of that God gave David favor that no one could dispute. How much more valuable is favor over money? Favor and protection to the point the people would sing, “Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands” that angered Saul to the point he threw a javelin at David, but God protected him. Sadly verse 10 says an “evil spirit came upon Saul.‘ When God takes away His protection my friend you are on your way out as was Saul even taking his own life. The favor and protection of God is valued far beyond gold and silver by those who know the LORD.
Next month we will look at three more areas of divine providence so brilliantly displayed in the life of David: enthroned, preserved, and chastened providence three areas one would not think of being divine, but never the less areas of providence in David’s life that enabled him to become the man God wanted him to be. Listen closely my friend do you hear Him call now?
Written by David Stahl
ARTICLE REVIEW:
God’s Eternal Habitation
While I was waiting before the Lord preparing for our monthly Home Group Meeting the Lord impressed upon me Ephesians 2:18-22. I really love it when the Holy Spirit opens up the Scriptures to me in revelation, especially when He opens up something I have been holding before the Lord for years. There are many things I do not know that only God knows and He is not telling, so I must wait. I often wonder why God does not open them to me I thought maybe God does not know, well that is foolish God knows everything if not then He would not be God. After some time of playing a game I call stump the dummy (me being the dummy) I rested in knowing God is God and I am not, it is like prayer. Why do we pray? God knows what we need before we even ask. Jesus told the disciples, “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 7But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” (Matthew 6:6-8) It is not God needs to be informed of our needs, but we have a great need in us to tell Him. I believe the importance of prayer is not the communication to God, but the communion with God and it is in our telling we find a peace and solace in our heart and spirit. There seems to be so much in God (the longer I go it seems the less I know) I have experienced and then forgotten (maybe I am the only one this happens to) having to relearn the lesson again and again. I am not sure if this is good I hope so, but until I can manage to be able to eternally hold on to certain divine principles in my life, I guess I will have to continue in learning and then relearning if need be.
For a few months I have been sharing on the Body of Christ; how ministry was about being obedient to God’s word to us in doing what He desires and not going and doing things for God on our own, how the Body of Christ is not a denomination or religion, but a spiritual expression of God to the world. How we must be one with God before we can be one with others and unless we partake of His death we will ever be able to walk in the newness of His life. How we must walk in restrictions and limitations, to die to our selfishness and self-seeking ways so that we can be able to be strengthened in the inward man, by God, enabling Him to bring us to the purpose and end He has created us for. Now that all brought us to lesson three (of a four part teaching) on the Body of Christ – the Building of the Body of Christ where we looked at the importance of willfully entering into God’s building program and allowing God to pull down those areas in our lives that have been built by others and our worldly affections. All of our religious traditions and practices will be exposed for the world to see and our heart will be filleted for us to see. We learn operating in spiritual gifts and abilities is not a sign of spiritual maturity, oh no signs of spiritual maturity are: knowing when to speak and when not to speak, giving honor where honor is due, able to give to someone who can never repay you, or saying in the midst of being afflicted it is good to be afflicted by God. These are signs of spiritual growth and development not needing to be delivered, but able to stand strong in God while all of hell assails against you. Being developed and not delivered is God’s objective in our lives and if God has to deliver us from this situation or another situation do not think we have succeeded oh no we have failed. God will deliver us only because He knows the work of God in our lives is in jeopardy of being lost. My friend God does not want to deliver us He wants to develop us as He did with Moses, Daniel, the Three Hebrew Children, and even His precious Son (is the servant greater than the Master?), and so too in our lives. This way of the cross, the death to our self-life (God’s building program) is the “more excellent way” Paul was re-teaching to the Church at Corinth. “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.” (1 Corinthians 12:27-31) This “more excellent way” my friend will kill you dead, but that is okay this is another objective of God, He knows if we can lose our life for His sake then surely we shall find. Jesus told the disciples, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:24-26) You can find in the Gospel of John similar words from Jesus, “The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. 24Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 25He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.” (John 12:23-25) Losing comes first in God then finding, death to self in God first before glorification which is a divine spiritual principle.
Now here is where the verses from Ephesians come in. I have always been told and taught for many many years God’s grand plan for our lives is to be able to conform (even transform) our earthly character and nature into the heavenly character and nature (His icon) of Jesus Christ. Now this is true, but here is where this thought stopped. The obvious next question is why? Most denominations say so we all can go to heaven, but that does not make sense in God we seem to have this projection towards going to heaven, but that is not what the Bible says, man is of the earth and is made for the earth and the earth will be man’s home for all eternity. God is not so much concerned about heaven as man is, but God is concerned about having an abiding place. In 1 Kings we read, “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?” (1 Kings 8:27) And the eternal answer is, “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.” (Psalms 24:3-4) Adam was given the earth (Genesis 1:26-28) and Adam sold it (through disobedience to God’s word) so when Christ came He not only redeemed us, but also redeemed all creation that groans and moans under that sin until there is a great release in all creation a great redemption for all creation out of the bondage and coming soon there shall be a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness and here comes the Bride, the tabernacle of God, out of heaven from God to earth and we shall reign with Him forever, where in heaven? Oh no we shall reign with Christ on the on earth. In revelation we read, “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:9)
Now I cannot not explain it or even come close to understanding it, but God Almighty the creator of the heavens (all three) and the earth desires His eternal dwelling place, His eternal habitation to be in the heart of man. Please do not ask me to explain I get a headache just thinking about it, but God desires to live in humans as His eternal abiding place that is God’s intention. Therefore when He calls us He calls us with the objective to make us what He needs for us to be in order to fulfill all of His intentions. We must have clean hands and a pure heart for God to be able to dwell in us. This is why, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10) We must become the workmanship of God so He can make us His eternal habitation. God “hath before ordained” not man, but God. So He calls us and out from those He has called there will be some who will respond to the presence of the Lord and the working of the Holy Spirit and the leading of God and the convictions of the Holy Spirit and the word of God and the message of God, there will be those who respond and give God what He wants and those He will choose and the others He will not choose because there has not been a proper preparation and conditioning, a proper arrangement which allows us to fulfill God’s intention and to function as God has ordained. Strange as it may seem God does not desire to dwell in temples made with hands; huge buildings with fancy landscaping and stain glass windows, God desires to live in our heart and for our heart to be His eternal habitation. In the Book of Acts, Steven told the religious folks of his day, “Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, 49Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? 50Hath not my hand made all these things?” (Acts 7:48-50) and they killed him. Make no mistake my friend if you say the same to the religious folks of today they too will kill you. I have felt in the past and still feel today the sting of their rocks and their lies spoken against us. The more you go with God and stop running with man from show to show the more of the sting of death, which is sin (1 Corinthians 15:56), you will feel.
What a revelation from God, we are to be conformed into the character and nature of Jesus Christ our wonderful Savior so we can be an eternal abiding place, built by the Holy Spirit of God as an eternal place of God’s habitation, “For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:18-22) Let us desire to become that eternal abiding place of God. Let us allow God to work so in our lives through His dealings and judgments to such a degree we too will be able to stand with clean hands lifted and pointed to the heavens with a pure heart open before God for all the world to see.
Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
Happy Wife Happy Life.
There’s a saying, “Happy Wife Happy Life.” I do not know where that comes from probably the same place where, “If Mama ain’t happy nobody’s happy.” For us Christians both sayings are WRONG and hokey at best. GOD is not concerned if we’re happy (men or women). Christian couples say marriage is a 50 / 50 partnership, well this too is wrong. God established an order that He blesses. Unfortunately there are Christian women who say they submit to their husband’s GOD given authority, but if you spend a modicum of time with them you’ll see who runs the show and it ain’t Papa. Skewed feminist thinking permeates the home. They (the wives) have no concept of what submission to their husband really means. A friend of ours put it quite simply. If her husband wanted to paint the walls of their house a different color than what she wanted she would let him paint the walls (his choice of color) and BE OK WITH IT. In other words his decision wouldn’t bother her. That pretty much sums up submission and that speaks volumes about their relationship with each other and God.. We women have to get to the place where whatever decision our husband makes we’re ok with it. He makes the decisions and we go along with it—without whining, expressing our feelings, stomping out of the room to sulk, nagging, belittling, crying, or badgering our husbands to death till they relent etc., etc. One does not have to go too far in the Scriptures to see this type of ungodly behavior in action. In the Judges, Samson a mighty man of valor and strength could not stand before his crying, nagging, badgering wife. “And Samson’s wife wept before him, and said, Thou dost but hate me, and lovest me not: thou hast put forth a riddle unto the children of my people, and hast not told it me. And he said unto her, Behold, I have not told it my father nor my mother, and shall I tell it thee? 17 And she wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted: and it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told her, because she lay sore upon him: and she told the riddle to the children of her people.” (Judges 16-17) I believe Delilah saw how Samson folded like a cheap suit. In Chapter 16 we read of Delilah’s badgering, “And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death;” (Judges 16;16) King Solomon knew something about women since he had over 700 wives and over 300 concubines (1 Kings 11:3). In Proverbs we read, “A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.” (Proverbs 19:13) and in 21:19, “It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.” (Proverbs 21:19) Ultimately they turned his heart far from God and maybe lost it all his soul included. You get the picture. Ladies GOD knows how to deal with men. When we step down and allow the man to be the man and make the decisions we can rest in GOD knowing that GOD will take care of our husbands and He will take care of us through our husbands. It doesn’t matter. If WE think they’re wrong, but does GOD think they are wrong. The problem is us we want our own way. We think we know better (we don’t, remember EVE was deceived not Adam). GOD has set up a patriarchy not a matriarchy. Now the “church” does not address this topic if they do they know they will lose some folks and worse money. Rebellion always wants its own way and will do whatsoever it takes to survive. A matriarchal household will be out of GOD’s divine order if the husband allows his wife to run the show. When we set up our little matriarchal kingdom we blaspheme the word of GOD by not obeying our husband and giving him the place of honor and respect in the home. Many would ask how do we blaspheme the word of GOD ?” Paul tells us in Titus, ” . . . . . to be discrete, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of GOD not be blasphemed.” (Titus 2:5). When the wife calls the shots in the family and it’s her way or the highway (or there will be hell to pay) the family will be out of order and you can see it no matter how grand it looks on the outside. The children too will suffer in wrong decision making and skewed feminist thinking. In the world’s system today we see the spirit of Eve (feminist and other movements) in operation. Even Hollywood is greatly complicit in this ungodly spirit. Movies and sitcoms (that Christians flock to) depicting females better, smarter, stronger, more skillful than males. Movies and sitcoms (that Christians flock to) that portray males as buffoons and stupid that need to get in touch with their gentle side and even to explore their gay feelings. That recommend young men explore feminine rolls not the traditional alpha male protector roles. The goal is not equal pay for equal work, but the destruction of the home by destroying what God has established in His word. As the wife manipulates to get her way unwittingly she is emasculating the husband slowly over time. So too are the male children in the home, slowly over time emasculated from being fed a steady diet of skewed feminine thinking and the worst part is the husband may not even notice. Much like the poor frog in the frying pan, when you slowly turn up the heat the poor dumb thing just cooks to death without jumping out of the pan—never tried that but the analogy fits here! Over time a strong willed or even a weak willed, BUT persistent woman will assuredly castrate (not literally) her husband by her needling, the cold shoulder, withholding sex, whining, sulking, manipulating and badgering etc, none of which is Godly and shouldn’t be a part of our character. If this is you, well sister it’s time to get rid of that! These are character flaws that must be dealt with for a happy home life and successful child rearing, but it will also be a sin issue IF you continue in it and don’t deal with it. You will answer for it. Oh yes the husband will ultimately be held accountable for the family, but don’t think for one minute that GOD won’t hold YOU accountable for battling your husband and NOT being submissive. GOD expects us to, “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18). Continuing in these flaws and in our self centered ways is hardly growing in the “grace and knowledge.” GOD made the man the head and sister if you don’t like it, too bad, that’s just the way it is. These are GOD’s rules not ours. It’s His ballgame not ours. The word says, “wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands as it is fit in the Lord.” (Colossians 3:18). You put your whole family at risk and set your husband and kids up for failure by NOT submitting to your husband,, stepping down, and allowing him to be the head of the family as GOD has ordained. When you do figure that you need to change, I guarantee you it won’t be easy you’ll be miserable for a while, so settle it in your heart, mind, and spirit that you aren’t going to get your way and your husband is the boss. Let GOD worry about your husband—He knows how to deal with him. We wives are not the Holy Spirit, GOD can and will deal with our husbands, IF he makes wrong decisions. We must be willing to swallow our pride, back off, step down, shut up, stop deceiving ourselves that we know better, and we know everything (I can assure you we don’t!!!) Let your husband make the decisions and be ok with it and let GOD work!
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:
23 May 2017 at 7:00 pm
At 232 Everett Drive
Snead Ferry, NC 28460
7:00 pm please RSVP
Home: (910) 741-0489
FUTURE SCHEDULE:
May: Local Ministry
Jun: Local Ministry
Jul: 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
mtnebo@hotmail.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.
