The Call of God: The Call of David
November 2017 • Volume XV Number 11
”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 remaining two points as we look at the need for waiting on God. The last two points of what is to be observed when we wait on God seem to be more personal in nature. God’s blessings are always personal when they are accomplished even though they may start from a collective place. Our wondrous salvation through Christ Jesus was done for all, God wishes none to be lost no not one, but when it is settled in our heart it is has a rich personal application. His death was for all, but ends in individual salvation. In Proverbs we see there is a promised blessedness for those who wait for him.
Solomon tells us, “Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. 35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.” (Proverbs 8:34-35) We are “blessed” if we daily (not monthly or yearly) hear at His “gates.” There is a personal application of happiness, grace, mercy, wisdom, understanding from God that can be applied to the man who hears, watches, and waits. Now the “gates” are not doors or something made of iron as we think of in a castle, but is Strong’s #1872G, but comes from Strong’s #1802G means figurative to draw out, deliver, lift up, and enough. In Proverbs 23:7 we read, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.” (Proverbs 23:7) The “as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” is translated as a gate swings wide opens. Here the “gate” is a place of decision behind our heart, as with one of the 12 gates that would give entrance into the City of Jerusalem. This gate was called the Gate of Decision where business, commerce, and the affairs of the temple and community were transacted. This also was where Absalom stood by to influence people to over throw his father King David, “And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.” 2 Samuel 15:2) But whatsoever we allow behind the gate of our heart we will be that. As whatsoever decisions we made in our lives we will become those and if we make the decision to wait on the LORD then we shall receive the blessings of happiness, grace, mercy, wisdom, understanding as promised by God. And His promises are true and amen. The last of four (but second this month) is that this blessedness awaits everyone without exception. Isaiah helps us with this very well known Scripture. “And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.” (Isaiah 30:18) Isaiah starts off by reassuring us if we wait on the LORD he will wait on us. The “therefore” means because of what has already been said, this will happen. Because of this then this will happen. It is a cause and effect relationship, this and then this. Everything we get from God has this relationship attached. If you do this I will bless you, but if you do this I will curse you. Did you know salvation is NOT for everyone? Even though God wishes no one to be lost no not one many and not a few will be lost. Salvation is for only those who accept Jesus Christ as their savior. A this then relationship. Here, “therefore will the LORD wait,” (this) and the (then) “blessed are all they that wait for him.” My friend God will NOT wait on those who do not wait on Him. Also here beyond the personal blessing is much more. The next promise for those who wait on Him is “that he may be gracious unto you,” What is the value of God’s graciousness in our lives? Can words tell of His excellence of graciousness in our lives as we encounter problems, situations, and circumstances beyond our control? Oh I know often we (maybe it is just me) try to do it before we entreat God to join in our struggles, but God is there not waiting to do it for us oh no that is a selfish perspective where God does all of the work and we get the credit. God is there to advise and assist being gracious to us as we plod the field of life together, but it is our hands and back bearing the plow. Not only is God gracious, but he is merciful, “and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you:” Wow grace and mercy from God if we learn to wait on Him who could ask for more? But there is more, “for the LORD is a God of judgment:” God is a God of judgment!
All of the mercy and grace we receive from God comes out of His judgment. How will God know how much mercy and grace to give us? Do we always get all of His mercy and grace? No my friend. God knows. He knows our heart and He is gracious to those who wait on Him. It is not some cookie cutter model do this and God gives you this amount of grace and mercy oh no. God looks at our heart, He judges our intents and motives then applies His grace and mercy according to our heart condition based on our love for Him.
Next month we will begin to look at why God waits in His response to man. Do you have time? Will you make time? If you make time for God please know He will make time for you.
Written by D. Stahl
ARTICLE REVIEW:
God’s Longsuffering
Connie and Jeff a few years ago moved in with us for about a month before they leaving for Okinawa, Japan. With luggage, excess food, and “stuff” from their home in Jacksonville they also brought a five month (at the time) old boxer puppy name Heidi. We (really like her) call her Heidi Ho because she is consistently on the move. Youthfulness is always exciting, full of life and motion, but if you are a seven year old boxer who enjoys his long naps and leisure moments, well life may not be so enjoyable. Often we ask God to reveal the mysteries of life and His ways to us (and complain to Him when He does not), but if we have an open heart for the truth and an eye for understanding we quickly will discover God’s ways and truthfulness are right before us in the clouds (flow with Him in whatsoever He brings into our lives), in a babbling brook (make no resistance to things in our way, become as water and move around them), or in an old dog that puts up with the impetuousness, zealousness, and youthfulness of a young dogs actions and antics. Karen and I too had a boxer, Grimme, the seven year old boxer that enjoyed his long naps and leisure moments. Grimme would be laying on the floor enjoying the life of a sleeping dog and Heidi would come and jump on Grimme (without being invited) and start playing with him. I must say Grimme (in Karen’s words) was “a good ole slob.” He would lay there for awhile on his back and play with Heidi which usually increased Heidi’s zealousness and desire for more action and energy out of Grimme. At times he rewarded Heidi’s youthfulness by getting up to his feet and taking her on (the way an old dog teaches a new dog how to behave) by putting her down, but most often he just laid there and engaged half-heartedly. You know I can see a parallel to how God deals with His children in all of this. When we first come to the Lord we are like Heidi full of ourselves, sure of our abilities, zealous, quick to run, quick to speak and slow to think and understand what God wants in our relationship and character. God is like Grimme, understanding, longsuffering, patient, does not mind getting batted around and jumped on, able to endure the exuberance of childish children, but now here is my point there is a time when Grimme says enough. There is a point in the tussle between Grimme and Heidi when Grimme has had enough and Grimme lets Heidi know enough is enough, a time when Grimme puts Heidi in her place. The sound of Grimme’s voice is un-mistakable as is the reaction of Heidi’s quick and complete submission. Well, God is the same way with us and expects the same reaction from us. We can play fast and loose with God for only so long then God will say enough and puts us in our place. There is a time when God expects us to grow up and stop being a baby, a time after our schooling and lessons from preachers, teachers, and tutors in life to grow up and come to certain levels of maturity in Him. As Grimme handles Heidi so too God will handle man in all the earth.
Now there is no mistaking God does love man very much and is very longsuffering towards our waywardness, but my friend we often confuse God’s grace with His longsuffering. God’s grace and love will never come to an end, they are new every morning like His faithfulness, but not so with God’s longsuffering. There is a point where God’s longsuffering comes to an end. The Bible is full of examples where God lets a man, a nation, even mankind itself continue in their self-indulgence and selfishness up to a certain point then God brings them into judgment. God is a holy and righteousness God and He expects us to be holy and righteous too. In the very end God will not put up with man’s continued evil and perversion as we see today nor will He put up with the continued drifting away of the church from His standards and holiness. For God to be a holy God He had to judge Sodom and Gomorrah and other people and nations for their continued sinfulness and waywardness, why do we think God will not judge America and the world? Just six short chapters from the creation of man, “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 7And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.” (Genesis 6:5-7) In other words God said He was sorry He made man. Yet He made a way through Noah to continue His longsuffering for man’s total redemption. This is another reason God gave man the Bible for us to cheat and read the back of the book to learn those who are dedicated and committed to Him win in the end. Time and time again in the Old Testament God’s children turn their backs on God, God draws them back, they repent for awhile only to turn their backs on God again. This is not the process God has in mind for His children. We are to be learning (in school under a school master) and ever learning, not what we seem to have today in the lives of most Christians and churches; learning, but never learning. Paul told this to Timothy, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 3:1-7) This sounds like what was going on in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah and in the church and the world of Paul and Timothy. This is why Paul wrote this letter to Timothy, again context is important. Paul knew his execution was imminent and knew he would never see Timothy again so he wrote letters to Timothy to encourage him to be faithful in the face of hardships, desertions, and error. At the time of the writing of this letter only Luke (2 Timothy 4:11) was left of the disciples (and others) had deserted him for various reasons. Yet God’s longsuffering towards man continues even unto today. Still that does not change God’s intention for us to stop all of this foolishness and turn whole-heartedly to Him. Even the man Job who God said of him, “was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed (turned or depart from) evil” had to snap him up by the nape of his neck after complaining about how God dealt with him and his family. God’s longsuffering with Job came to an end and God had to put Job in his place, “Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, 2Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? 3Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. 4Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. 5Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?” (Job 38:1-5) Here God had to only speak to Job to bring correction this reveals Job’s openness to God and Job’s soft heart that is easily turned back in the way God would have for him to walk. But, never the less, even Job had to have a Grimme moment. If God cannot get through to us with words then He will raise the ante. There is a progression in God’s dealing with us and if we do not knuckle under to Him then He will, in His time, move on to the next level. All throughout the Bible we see how God uses conviction in our lives (a most precious Spirit of God) and if this does not work then He moves on into open rebuke, (you can ask King David how Nathan’s words felt) next are chastisement and judgment, and lastly if these do not work in our lives to move us back into the way we are to walk then God moves us into reprobation where our salvation can be lost. What a terrible thought. Many denominations teach once saved always saved, but if we read the Bible with a honest heart and allow the Holy Spirit to minister the word of God to us we will see our salvation can be in jeopardy of being lost if we willfully walk away from God. Please do not believe the “once saved always saved” doctrine that will strand many people before God. Still through all of this, God’s longsuffering is still in place with His love, mercy, and grace to draw us to repentance and to lead us into salvation. With a soft heart God can get through to us with His words (conviction and open rebuke), but after that there is hell to pay.
I am amazed at how the people in the Bible knew the prophets were men of God and spoke for God, but the people did not listen to what the prophets said. So too today, we read the Bible and see what happened to the Children of Israel and the Christians in the New Testament Church, yet we continue to follow after and fall to the same things that got them off track. Paul writes to the church in Corinth,
“But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 6Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 11Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 12Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:5-6 and 11-12) We are to read and understand how the Children of Israel missed it in God so that we do not follow after their example. Yet we (I include myself at times) presume on God’s longsuffering time and time again instead of doing the right thing the first time. Oh Lord helps us! In the 28th Chapter of Deuteronomy we find 14 blessings (verses 1-14) and 28 curses (verses 15-68) all rewards for either their obedience or disobedience. I find it amazing there are twice as many curses as blessings. Maybe God would rather curse us twice as much as bless us because God knows a good cursing will carry us much further along in Him than a good blessing. We can see this same line of thought with regards to blessings and curses in Leviticus 26:1-13 (blessings) and 14-28 (curses) read them (and ones in Deuteronomy) mark them, know them well, because unless the Church in America and in the world returns back to the conservative Godly standards of holiness in the Bible she will be led away into captivity by her enemies as in the past. Yes God is longsuffering, but make no mistake my friend there comes a time in our lives and in the life of a nation when God takes His hand of protection off and we are on our own. This always happens out from disobedience. As I was reading these verses and writing this article the verses from Deuteronomy really stuck in my spirit, “Thou shalt beget sons and daughters, but thou shalt not enjoy them; for they shall go into captivity. 42All thy trees and fruit of thy land shall the locust consume. 43The stranger that is within thee shall get up above thee very high; and thou shalt come down very low. 44He shall lend to thee, and thou shalt not lend to him: he shall be the head, and thou shalt be the tail. 45Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed; because thou hearkenedst not unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee:” (Deuteronomy 28:41-45) “America take heed less ye fall. My hand is against thee. Repent, turn from your evil ways if not I will come quickly, remove your candle stick from the world forever, and my intentions for you shall be no more, thus saith the Lord.”
Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
Peace
I wasn’t sure what to write about for this month so while I was in the shower I started thinking about peace. In John 14:27 Jesus said to the disciples, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid..” Shortly after saying this to the disciples Jesus was hauled off and the disciples scattered until after the crucifixion. So many things Jesus told the disciples that they just didn’t get until after He arose from the dead and expounded on things. So what’s our excuse? We have the Bible, we can read (for ourselves) anytime of the day or night the precious promises of GOD and the words Jesus spoke. Anyway, I’m getting off track, people in today’s world have no peace in their hearts. Which is sad because we try soooo hard to get that elusive peace! I was thinking of people that get plastic surgery, Now I’m not talking about people that (GOD forbid) need plastic surgery. I’m talking about a nip here, a tuck there to reverse the effects of gravity and ageing and a lift for those boobs, butts, and saggy chins! Truthfully, yes I’d love to have baby skin on my face again, no lines, no wrinkles, no splotches, who wouldn’t? But, I guess I just don’t want to go under the knife to try to erase a few years off my face. I’m at peace with my looks, but now my weight, that is another matter……….. The peace that Jesus spoke of to the disciples would come after time to strengthen them and hold them in the rough times ahead. The three years spent with Jesus absorbing all the truths and seeing all the wonderful miracles was still not enough to make them stand fast as Jesus was hauled off and they scattered. I can’t blame them they were only human, after the Holy Ghost came upon them they were much stronger to handle the things that life threw their way. So too it is with us. The more we learn to depend on GOD, the more we see HIS faithfulness and we learn that yes GOD does indeed “have our back.” It takes all sorts of experiences in life to get to the place where we realize that no matter what comes our way we can handle it with GOD. That inner peace will not be shattered by whatever external “crisis” comes down the pike. Now in the past I have tried to make my external life peaceful—which when we had the four kids at home didn’t always work. When we try to make our little world peaceful we do that by eliminating as much external stress as possible, but that still doesn’t give us internal peace. One thing that worked for me was letting go of things I simply could not fix, like almost everything. Sometimes we try all kinds of things to get peace in our hearts. Sometimes we just need to forgive ourselves and other people. Peace in our hearts is NOT the absence of strife or difficulties, hardships or pain in our lives. Peace is knowing the one who is greater than all the hard things in this life. It is knowing that you know GOD is not wringing HIS hands over anything that is going on in our lives. To put it short and sweet, I saw a tee shirt with this saying and it is SO true. No Jesus No peace. Know Jesus, Know Peace. That’s it folks straight off a tee shirt, but it’s absolutely correct as we get to know Jesus and allow GOD to so work in our lives we will get that elusive peace in our hearts and lives and hopefully we’ll be able to give it away to someone else who needs it. GOD bless and dust off that Bible and read it.
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 November 2017 at 7:00 pm
At 232 Everett Drive
Sneads Ferry, NC 28460
7:00 pm please RSVP
Home: (910) 741-0489
FUTURE SCHEDULE:
November: Greece, Bulgaria, and maybe Romania
December: Local Ministry
January: Local Ministry
I am still available to share what God has given me at churches and/or home groups. If God moves on your heart to support BHG or other ministries we personally know we would be honored to serve as a go between. Remember, if we want a blessing from God the spiritual principle is we must bless others. Remember, God is to you what you are to God.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address:
David and Karen Stahl
232 Everett Drive
Sneads Ferry, NC 28460
Phone:
Home: (910) 741-0489
Mobile: (910) 382-9287
FAX: (910) 741-0489
Email:
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.
