The Call of God: The Call of David
August 2017 • Volume XV Number 08
”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. Well this month we will start a brand new teaching called “Waiting on God.” After God calls us to ministry and His glory the next thing we MUST do is wait for instruction from Him. So many Christians want to run off and fulfil God’s call in their life without knowing what they are to be doing. In Exodus 33 before Moses moved out deeper into the wilderness He waited to hear from God,
“Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people 14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. 15And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. ” (Exodus 33 13-15) Here Moses stopped and waited for God to speaks. How will Moses know where to go and what to do unless God tells him? More important how will Moses know God is leading and directing him unless he hears from God. Well to hear from God we must stop, wait, and listen. Moses was after three things from God. The first is to know God. God’s goal in our service to Him is always first and foremost to come to know the living God. Everything else is secondary to God. Second, he was looking for God’s favor and grace. How can we do anything for God unless we have God’s favor? Our success and favor of man originates in God. It is the favor of God man sees in us that allows good things to happen for us and all of the things we lay our hands to. And third, the people he was leading meant more to God than just a gaggle of folks assembled in one place. Moses wanted to make sure God had a plan for these folks we was asked by God to lead. Why would we do things for God when they have no purpose in God’s big plan? Many Christians like doing things for God and He will not stop them. God’s things (good works) have to be done, but in the end they may not have been the things God wanted us to do. We feed and clothe the poor and needy a good work, but God may want us to speak a word of correction or make a judgment that the people would not want to hear. Oh no God wants us to feed and clothe the poor see the Bibles tells us to do this well that may be true, but God has a purpose and plan that overrides general requirements and duties for daily living. Sadly some Christians see ministers on TV or worse know of people God is using and try duplicating what they see God doing in others lives and ministries instead of waiting for God to give them their instruction. We see this in preaching. Most preachers and teachers are way too busy to stop and wait to hear from God on what they ought to share with the people so they get something old and stale on-line or open up their favourite Bible commentary and “put something together.” It is no wonder most pew sitters know nothing of God. Oh they may know of the latest denominational program or the latest fad sweeping the church, but when it comes to hearing “a word from God” (Romans 10:17 (Greek)) from the pastor, preacher, or teacher they have been left out. And why? The pastor, preacher teacher is out of order. Like all things in God there is an order. Don’t you know God is a God of order and process? God is not flighty nor spontaneous. God has never done anything on the spur of the moment. All things God does are calculated and planned. Here is the order: Follow direction to find wisdom. God’s direction can be seen and somewhat understood as the Israelites first approach the Wilderness of Paran. “And the children of Israel took their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud rested in the wilderness of Paran.” (Numbers 10:12) This was not their choice rather it was God’s choice even as it was God’s direction for them. The Israelites simply followed the cloud stopping where it stopped moving when the cloud moved. The wisdom of God stopped in His direction. If we find His direction we will find His wisdom. We must follow this order to find His best.
Unless we stop, wait, and find direction when God speaks we will head out on our own without God’s protection and provision for us, our family, and those God has called us to minister to. So much is at stake. So much beyond our awareness for years to come is discovered when we wait before the LORD and as He shares with us His plans, purposes, and most important His heart to us.
Next month we will begin to look at the need of waiting on God as we look at four points that talk about what is to be observed as we wait before God. Do you have time? Will you make time? If you make time for God please know He will make time for you. Written by David Stahl
ARTICLE REVIEW:
Tell Me No Lies
Our words should matter more than what they do, but sadly today people (even Christians) tell us things they never intend on doing. Now I can kind of understand someone who in not saved and filled with the Holy Spirit after all I expect ungodly behavior and am not offended too badly, they can only be what is in their heart, but I cannot understand Christians who claim to be born of the Spirit of God, filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, who lie through their teeth. Something my friend is not right here, something just does not add up. Either lying is a part of the Spirit of God (which it is not) or the Christian who tells lies is not born of the Spirit of God. Oh they may be saved and may be on their way to heaven, but unless they are born of the Spirit they may not make it. There is a big difference between being saved where we have asked Jesus to forgive us of our sins and being born of the Spirit where we are walking in the Spirit and led by the Holy Spirit. Today there seems to be a lot of interlopers saying they are born of the Spirit, but have not really allowed Jesus to work in their lives thus working on their character. Do you know how much God is concerned about our character? More than taking us all to heaven. We make it to heaven because we have seen (by the Holy Spirit) the need to have our sins dealt with, but that is just the beginning. Most “Christians” want nothing more to do with the Holy Spirit when He comes calling to draw them the more they have their fire insurance no need to give any more of themselves. Well I am here to tell you there is more much more God is after and if He does not get it well our future with Him may not be as rosy as we think. We sing songs about heaven and tells stories to each other what we think heaven is like, but in reality we do not know. I know it is going to be wonderful because Jesus will be there and that is enough for me. One thing I do know is no liars will be in heaven. John tells us in the Book of Revelations those who do these things shall not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven, but will end up in hell. John says, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Revelations 21:8) Notice John lumped the liars with the abominable, murders, whoremongers, and idolaters. Is lying as bad as all of these? Oh come on a little white lie doesn’t hurt anybody does it? I would say yes and more. Do you mean when I say I am coming over at 1:00 pm and do not make it till 2:30 (or not at all) I am lying? Yes and even more. You know we do what we want to do. Do you mean when I say something like you can count on me and not do what I said I will do God is concerned? Oh I just miss spoke, no it is a lie and God is listening. God is concerned about our words, our words do matter. Karen and enjoy really enjoy going to a wonderful local church and one Wednesday after services we were standing around and talking about chicken eggs and I made the statement chickens have ears and the color of their ears tell what color the egg is going to be. Well you would think I told everyone the biggest lie in the world. They all (most were raised in the country) laughed at me and told me I did not know what I was saying. Even the humble pastor thought I was pulling their legs. I could have shrugged off the ridicule and went on about my way, but my word matters to me and God. How could I say I speak the word of God one moment then tell people lies? If given another chance to minister at church will my words that may seem strange in their ears because they (my words) may be deeper than what they have heard before or will my words be cast aside as a lie? I had no choice but to provide the truth. I found the proof easily on the internet and provided copies Saturday at a church function to those who laughed at me. My word matters to me and God. The following Sunday the Sunday School Teacher apologized (which speaks well of her) for laughing at me. The laugher did not matter I have big shoulders, but what mattered was my word as a man of God. My friend God is concerned about our character flaws, especially when it comes to our words. James helps us here with this need in our lives, “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.” (James 5:12) In other words let your word be yes to the things you say you will do and no to the things you say you will not do, “lest ye fall into condemnation.” If we cannot keep our words we will be condemned by God AND man, thus not make it to heaven. Here God’s word is clear, but there is still much more here I would like to share that will really help us with our walk with the LORD and will help with our prayer life. All throughout my childhood my parents drilled into me and my siblings the importance of honoring our words. Maybe it was my father’s military service and when I joined the U.S. Navy it just resonated within me the importance of keeping my word. I knew (even as a child) there was a spiritual significance other than we are lying when we do not do what we say we are going to do, but I never could put my finger on why these seemingly little falsehoods or white lies really mattered after all they seem so insignificant and n o one is really hurt. Well that is so far from the truth. As I held this before the LORD recently He opened it up to me where little falsehoods and white lies greatly harm us spiritually. When we do not do what we say we will do we are teaching our heart and spirit to believe we really do not mean what we say. We are teaching our heart our words do not really matter. How can we convince our heart we are serious over big things in our lives when we lie about the little things? When we lie we are teaching our heart our words do not matter. How can we believe in our heart for great things of God when we say things to our brothers and sisters not meaning to fulfill them and expect great things from God? How can we engage our faith with God in situations believing we will speak in the name of Jesus to the mountains (trouble, circumstances, and situations in our lives) and they will be removed (Matthew 17:20 and 21:21) when we cannot keep our word. We only deceive ourselves and sadly the truth of the word of God is not in us. And it happens so subtly without anyone or anything telling us what to do. Remember in God things are automatic. If we are not drawing towards God then we are automatically rejecting God. There is no neutral ground or half measures. It is 100% in either direction. Either we are 100% saved or we are 100% lost. Either 100% in heaven some day or 100% in hell some day. The world’s system of distractions, influences, indulgences, and selfishness has trained the youth of the world through technology not to be able to hear the voice of the LORD, not to be able to hear that small still voice. Karen and I go to the gym usually three days a week. One day last week we arrived early having to wait about 15 minutes, well there were five younger people who beat us to the gym and all five were plugged into social media on their cell phone, As I sat there the LORD spoke to me and said, “they will never hear my voice.” I thought, they have been conformed to this world through observation without anyone telling them what to do. A few years ago Karen and I were up in Pinhook, VA a town way way back in the kountry (that is further back then in the country) during the week of the 4th of July at Scotty’s fertilizer warehouse and church. Every year over the 4th they have services all week with different speakers each night. While I was ministering I asked who puts their cell phone in their back pocket? Now the congregation of about 300 was made up with folks mostly in their 40s to 50s, but 70% of the congregation raised their hand. I asked them who told you to put your cell phone in your back pocket? They quickly dropped their hands. Then I said you all have been conformed to this world without anyone telling you what to do. It happens that easy. Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook wants to replace the church with a “Facebook Community” and many pastors say it will never happen, well I am not so sure. Today many churches (many I know personally) use Facebook to communicate church events, programs, donations (PAYPAL), and use it to facilitate personal relationships with those on Facebook in the church All others well, they are catch as they can. In Proverbs we read, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 14:120) The “death” is not immediate, but all along the way the life of God contained relationship is lost and without relationship the body will die. Facebook all seems right, smells right, even feels right, but in the end (as Zuckerberg and others want to see) is death. Oh I know it sounds like I am over blowing the evil tentacles of Facebook and other social media platforms (and you can poo poo me if you want), but many were right when they sounded the alarm over TV yet were called crazy. Sadly today many Christians have their favorite Hollywood driven TV and computer games that have snared them pushing God’s voice further and further away. God will not be in competition with the world, He will let you go until you wake up one morning dead in your sins. Take heed my friend the more we go after technology the less of God will be in us. The less our words matter to us (when we lie) the less God will be able to flow through us and out to the world and our heart will know the truth. Tell me no lies my friend. Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
It’s Automatic
The LORD speaking to Moses said, “Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse. A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your GOD, which I command you this day: And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your GOD, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods which ye have not known.” (Deuteronomy 11: 26-27) There’s not a lot of gray areas in GOD. That is a human outlook. There’s righteousness and there’s unrighteousness, holiness and unholiness. The problem is us and our stinkin thinking. We don’t know what GOD thinks so we go along our pernicious ways and wonder why things in our life don’t work out. For one thing we don’t read the Bible for ourselves. Our Brother Paul writes “All scripture is given by inspiration of GOD, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of GOD may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Words matter and everything in the Bible is for our benefit. GOD does NOT joke, HE means what HE says . We need to get onboard with GOD’S thinking! Secondly, concerning GOD a lot of things are automatic which is to say; this results in that. God has established laws in which to operate, natural laws and spiritual. They both are automatic with a cause and effect relationship. I do not think I need to talk about the law of gravity, but for sure if we reject the law of gravity our time on earth will be very painful indeed. For the production and harvesting of food and a routine and established order in our lives GOD has set up seed time and harvest, “While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” (Genesis 8:22) This natural law is perpetual (never ending) while the earth remains. As critical as GOD’s natural laws are for our well being GOD’s spiritual laws are more important. Proverbs has a lot to say about GOD’s spiritual laws. Here are two examples that really hit the mark and effect our eternal future: “Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.” (Proverbs 30:33) and “He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth( is careless in) his ways shall die.” (Proverbs 19:16) Even the blessings and curses in our lives are on auto-pilot. You don’t think so, read the Bible. It’s all in there. This action causes that action. If we aren’t faithful in little things we won’t be faithful in big things. If we tell little white lies we won’t have any problem telling whoppers down the road. If we take home a stapler from work we’ll fudge on our income tax. Not right in the head, (thinking) not right in the heart. If a person is cruel to animals they’ll be cruel to human beings. If we have no respect for parental authority we dang sure aren’t going to respect civil authorities. We are ALL born with a sin nature (Jesus was the only one who was NOT born with a sin nature) this is why you don’t have to teach a child how to lie or how to cry and manipulate mommy to give in to the little darlings demands it’s already there! A parent’s job is to raise them so they accept Christ as their savior and overcome their sin nature–NOT GIVE IN TO IT. If not the child begins a life of sinning and continues down the slippery slope of sin. HOWEVER, when we ask JESUS into our hearts to save us we stop sliding on the slippery slope and then we begin the upward climb unto righteousness. Things get set into motion it’s automatic. We were watching Frances and Friends one day and Donny Swaggart made a statement which although short and sweet is very powerful. He said, “if you reject the truth, you automatically accept a lie.” I’ll go a bit further if you’re not for Jesus you are against Jesus. Just cut and dry, no on the fence, no gray area, Either you is or you ain’t. Folks we need a love for the truth to keep us on solid ground and to keep us from deception. We need to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of GOD and KNOW that HE runs the show, not us. Then everything else will take care of its self. If not then our life will be an automatic failure.
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:
22 August 2017 at 7:00 pm
At 232 Everett Drive
Sneads Ferry, NC 28460
7:00 pm please RSVP
Home: (910) 741-0489
FUTURE SCHEDULE:
August: Local Ministry
September: Local Ministry
October: 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.
