Deeper Truths for Hungry Hearts
February 2018 • Volume XVI Number 06
”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 God’s desire for man to wait. This month we will look at how this rest is obtained in the light of Psalms. Here is chapter 37 verses 1 – 5, we find David urging his men to patience and confidence in God by contrasting the condition of the Godly and the wicked. Verse one read, “Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.” Often times we get impatient to receive even from God when we see the ungodly prosper. Sadly this is but a greedy response on our part and at the heart of this emotion is a subtle admission to our lack of faith in God’s ability to take good care of us. How we can “fret” when we see someone less deserving than us excel in some way. And notice it talks about not being “envious against the workers of iniquity.” How can we be “envious” of those who work iniquity? Again when we get over in such feelings (the heart of this) it is our lack of belief God is able to take care of us beyond what the ungodly have. Make no mistake my friend our feelings and emotions will lead us out of God faster than sin or even the devil. I cannot believe the way the devil is blamed for every bad thing that happens to people. Many Christians even quote,
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17) to blame the devil, but in reality these verses James is talking about the heart of man being drawn about by our own lust. James tells us, “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.” (James 1:14-16) If the devil did all of the things we blame him for he would be a powerful force in our lives. Oh no my friend our problem is our self, our nasty, carnal flesh that is alive and well that screams to be alive and in control instead of God. Now the devil is there (make no mistake) and there is no denying him, but he has no power over us that we do not gladly lend to him. We must not get upset and jealous when we see the ungodly do well in life. This is their day and that is all they get. Our day is coming soon (make no mistake) and that day is far greater than earthly treasures and some fleeting happiness (not joy) that pacifies our emotions. Verse 2 from Palms 37 gives us the end of the story for those who work iniquity,
“For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.” The end of the line for these folks is they, “shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.” How can we get upset and jealous at these folks? We should have a heart of sorrow and sadness (that God has been able to work in us) for them. Do you now see the contrast? In reality we fret and get jealous over the ungodly when we should have a heart of compassion and sorrow for them. This is what David was telling his men. Hey do not be envious or jealous of the evil workers because they will “soon be cut down like the grass and wither as green herb.” In Psalms 37 David used the word “iniquity” (Greek #5766) which means evil doer, wicked, unrighteous, but Jesus used a different word in Matthew. Jesus in Matthew said of Christians waiting to enter in to the joys of the LORD, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:22-23) Here there is a different meaning and a different contrast to consider . In Matthew Jesus used the word “iniquity” (Greek #458) which means transgression of the law or lawlessness, doing things outside the framework of the law. God was talking to Christians who did mighty works of God, “have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? But, they did them in “iniquity” (Greek #458) outside the fame work of what God wanted things to be done. Did you know there are right and wrong ways to do things for God?
Remember it is not what we do for God that counts, but how we do things for God. Jesus told the disciples, “Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.” (Luke 8:18) Not what you hear, but “how you hear.” We cannot help what we hear sound is sound and noise is noise, but we can hear with the right heart condition to what is being said. The contrast is clear and many. Let us have the right heart condition to be able to hear what the Spirit is saying and “fret” not or be jealous when the evil doers’ ship seems to come in.
Next month we will look at how the rest of God is obtained in the light of Psalms 37 verses 3, 4, and 5. Walter Beuttler said if you build God a temple He will inhabit it. Have you built God a temple? If you do He will abide and wait for you.
Written by David Stahl
ARTICLE REVIEW:
Our Heart Condition
There are spiritual laws in our lives that God operates through. Just like how God works through His physical laws God must work through His spiritual laws. For example God can only minister to the glory of God in us that we have allowed Him to develop in us. Many Christians pray and even beg God to minister His power and touch in their lives, but He will not because He is a God of order and operation. It is our place to allow God to develop His glory in our lives as we “grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.“ (2 Peter 3:18) He then can minister to the work of God in our lives. There is another spiritual law that I would like for us to look at in this article and that is God deals with us according to our heart condition. God is to us what we are to Him. His heart condition towards us is always for the intentions that He has planned and purposed for our lives and He will do (short of directly twisting our arm into submission) whatever it takes to bring them to pass. Everything in our lives is fair game for God to use. And if God cannot get through to us with His mercy, longsuffering, and love then He will have to use wrath, punishment, strong discipline. Now it is important to know God has nothing really to do with developing our heart condition. Our heart condition is our responsibility and reasonable service before God; it is a culmination of many spiritual and non-spiritual ingredients in our lives: our personal understanding of God and His word, our experiences in God, our moral characteristics; honesty, attitudes, perceptions, faithfulness, integrity, our social life, our work ethics, even our friends and places we go. Did you know there are some people you cannot hang around and some places you cannot go and still walk with the Lord? All of these spiritual and non-spiritual ingredients are poured into our heart and our heart condition is now formed. I see this process play out every day of my life when I compare my wife Karen (my Sweetheart) and myself. Karen has such a soft heart condition where it is not so in my life. She has such an air of naiveté about her where I am educated at the Masters level. Karen almost always finds the simplicity in matters where I look for the more sophisticated. Karen is brutally honest now I am honest too, but I seem to lean towards the gray areas more often. In Karen’s case her heart condition has been developed (I believe) from her early Catholic beginnings (she still talks about Sister Theophane Marie) and her sense of always wanting to do the right thing from her parents, especially from her grandfather William Kreiss (we called him “Poppy Seeds”) who always told her: pray every day, read your Bible, and go to church. Now it is also important to know our heart condition can change according to the different ingredients we pour into our heart. In Proverbs we read, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: . . . ” (Proverbs 23:7) In the Greek this verse is translated, “as a man opens the gate of his heart, so is he.” As we open our heart to different things (good and bad) in our lives they are poured into our heart and our heart condition is changed from once it was. If we open our heart to wrath, bitterness, and the things of this world then we will pour wrath, bitterness, and the things of this world into our heart. But if we open our heart to things that are of a good report and the things of God then we will pour things that are of a good report and the things of God in our heart. The choice is ours not God’s as to what we swing wide the gate of our heart. The word “heart” here in this verse is “gate.” All throughout the Bible the word gate is always a metaphor for a place of decision. So too with our heart condition, what we decide to open our heart to, we will be that.
Sadly today often we (I have used the pronoun “we” which includes me) the Body of Christ have opened our heart to the things of the world and not the things of God. Thus, our heart condition towards the Lord is hard-hearted and our relationship with God is strained at best. Before we can overcome Satan we first must be able, in God, to overcome our fleshly desires and our lusts for the world. Unless we allow God to deal with “our lust” for the things of the world we will never be able to discover the victory (overcome) God has for our lives. This is God’s intention for us to lead us into victory, but first we must allow God to deal with “our lust” through His dealings and judgments in our lives. In James we read, “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” (James 1:14-15) This death that we take behind the gate of our heart will taint our heart condition and produce death in us. It is not Satan causing this death in us, but our choices not to do what God has told us to do. Remember, at the heart of the issue it is an issue of our heart. And the choices we make develop our heart condition either towards God or away from God.
Our choices also impact on what we believe which helps to develop our heart condition. Either we will have a soft, supple heart for God to work His words and ways into or a hard, stony heart that rejects His words and ways. True belief has a manifestation – obedience and submission. But sadly as I travel the world (especially in America) I find most Christians (as high as 70 to 80%) do not really know what they believe they are confused with what God says (both written and oral) and what denominations teach. My friend attending a new Believer’s or new member class will never develop obedience and submission in our lives. These types of classes only teach what the church (denomination) believes. What is developed in us is the denominational church rules and regulations we must memorize, recite, and follow to be able to participate with a local body of Believers and this my friend will never do. The only way we will be able to come to the understanding of what God says and wants for our lives is when we crack open the word of God and allow Him to speak to us; then His words will become our words and we will take on an understanding of what God wants and how He wants things to be done. In doing so we are developing our heart condition to be more like the Son of God, Jesus Christ. You know everyone believing the same thing does not make it right. We have many denominations in the world with millions of followers all believing the same mistruths and unless they come out of this deception they will lose any work of God in their lives (God forbid) and end up in spiritual places God has no intention for them. Ultimately their final destination (God forbid), unless they allow God to open the eyes of their understanding and work in their lives, will be Hell led by religious leaders with hard, stony heart conditions.
One of God’s great tools to help develop our heart condition and prevent us from ending in Hell is conviction. What a precious blessing in our lives. Conviction is God telling us we are going the wrong way and we need to repent (about face) and go the other direction. James tells us, “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist (flow in the opposite direction) the devil (slander, sin, evil), and he will flee from you. 8Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” (James 4:6-8) In other words, if the devil (and all he is) is going in one direction we must go in the other direction and then we will be able to “draw nigh to God.” We do not stand and say, “I resist you, I resist you in the name of Jesus,” oh no, we take the initiative and move in the opposite direction, the direction God is going. Please remember, true conviction has few words it is a work of the Holy Spirit, where condemnation (what many Christians heap on the heads of their brothers and sisters) is a work of man with many words. At times I am amazed at the length of an altar call. Jesus never had an alter call, why do we? If someone is really under the convicting power of the Holy Spirit you will not need to hold an altar call they will run at break neck speed to get to a place (may not be an altar at a church) where they can get free of the burden that sin has saddled upon them. Conviction is a burden on the soul that enlightens our conscience and pricks our heart to the critical need to be reconciled back to God. This is the message of the Gospel and it should be the only message of the church, our eternal need to be reconciled back to God then we can have correct fellowship with Him and man. But many words and much speaking just heaps condemnation on someone twisting their arm to do something they need to do, but do not have the strength of God in them to submit to God. Often it is the words from others that support our self-life to reject the draw and prick of the Holy Spirit. Let us keep quiet and let the Holy Spirit do the work He desires to do in our lives. Let us be aware of the most blessed conviction in our lives. In doing so we are developing a soft heart condition that will be open to the moving of the Spirit of God and His touch.
I often hear someone say, “let us give God glory” or “give God a hand clap praise,” how foolish. Why do we think talent and ability can glorify God? This is a selfish and self-seeking thought on our part. These examples do not glorify God one bit. My friend God does not care how well we sing, dance, or clap, how high we can jump, or how fast we can run. These are humanistic expressions of fleshly ability. It is our obedience and submission alone that glorifies God. Why are we told we need to come to church to get refreshed or cleansed from the world. Going to church will not do this my friend yet countless millions of Christians today believe this. Only God can refresh our soul, mend a broken heart, or give joy when our lives have been decimated and destroyed before our very eyes. No need to go to church to receive God’s spiritual works in our lives God has picked out a wilderness of blessings for us. But now we are to go to church to be equipped by the teaching of the word of God and to edify the local body by blessing someone. I wonder what our churches today would look like if people picked out someone in the church (before they come to church) who they wanted to bless in some way? I guess there would not be time for other things in church that do not bless or edify people. Why do we spend so much time singing and giving announcements about church activities in the service? I wonder what songs we will sing in heaven? I seriously doubt we will sing any Christian rock and roll or contemporary music, well then why do we spend so much time singing these types of songs in church? Do we seriously think we will play electric guitars and key boards in heaven? If not, then why do we play them in church today? Music is very persuasive. Please take a good look at how cultures; especially groups like the Nazi party, the communist Chinese, the Former Soviet Union, or any group that has manipulated people to do heinous things to other people used music to get people to follow them. Everyone likes a good marching song with a quick beat and the church has capitalized on the power music has on our emotions. We think all of these fore mentioned things gives God glory, no my friend they all are only distractions to God’s desire for obedience and submission to Him.
Our heart condition will manifest our usefulness and future in God. For those who have allowed God to develop in them a soft, delightful (pliable, malleable) (Psalms 37:4) heart condition their future in God is bright, but for those who have not allowed God to develop a soft heart condition in them the way ahead will be rugged, only hope (and God’s long suffering and grace) to make a change for the right direction stands between God’s will and His best or spiritual loss and destruction. Let us choose today who we shall serve with the right heart condition.
Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
If the Righteous Scarcely be Saved
Brother Peter tells us, “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of GOD: and if it first begin at us what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of GOD? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of GOD commit the keeping of their soul to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful creator.” (1 Peter 4:17-19) Last month I had written on the kindness of GOD. We learned in Lamentations, “This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. 22 It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:21-23) However, that does NOT give us carte blanche to behave or act anyhow. Nor to believe anyhow. Think of the most righteous person you know maybe Mother Theresa perhaps, a pastor, or one of the saints. The Bible says, “if the righteous scarcely be saved” what a sobering thought. What if a casual belief in Jesus for “fire insurance’ is not enough? Have we had a REAL conversion? Have we really repented: “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented (regretted) of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” (2 Corinthians 7:10). The sorrow of the world is more of a sorry I got caught, because IF we were really sorry about something, well dang we wouldn’t do it again would we? We realize that not only have we offended (fill in the blank), but more importantly we offended GOD. There’s going to be a lot of surprised people sitting in hell because they lived anyhow, never REALLY repented, or turned away from their sin. Oh a lot of people say they believe in Jesus, but have they had a REAL come to Jesus meeting? Is there a notable change in them? How about their character God’s number one focus in us? Then they’re probably NOT saved. Religious maybe, but not saved. A nice person maybe, but not saved. The difference between having a “come to Jesus meeting” and being religious is that we can fulfill all the obligations of our religion/denomination, live any way we want, and still (like a dummy) believe we’re “covered” by our religion/denomination, thus insuring a “good standing” with the Lord. Whereas if we’ve had a REAL conversion, a REAL come to Jesus meeting we’d know beyond a shadow of a doubt we’re on the right track and in good standing with the Lord and we wouldn’t want to live anyhow. GOD Himself would keep us on the straight and narrow and we’d want to stay there. We would abhor our former sinful self and yearn to be more Christ like. There’s power in a REAL conversion. True repentance, true conversion brings a REAL change in an individual’s life. The thief will stop stealing. The liar will stop lying. The drunkard will stop drinking. The religious will stop being religious. We no longer see these dramatic conversions today because we are lulled into a false sense of security by our denomination/religion. Just repeat after me, just do this or that, never mind what GOD says! Woe to these religions that pat people on the back as they walk blindly to their own doom–an eternity without Christ in eternal torment. IF we don’t have Christ in our life NOW, then when we’re dead it is too late. There are no second chances and if you believe any different you are seriously deceived. GOD has bent over backwards to make salvation easy for us, but His long suffering will not go on forever, “behold, now is the day of salvation.” ( 2 Corinthians 6:2). Time for a come to Jesus meeting, because if the righteous scarcely be saved……..
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:
27 February 2018 at 7:00 pm
At 232 Everett Drive
Sneads Ferry, NC 28460
7:00 pm please RSVP
Home: (910) 741-0489
FUTURE SCHEDULE:
February: Local Ministry
March: Local Ministry
April: Local Ministry
I am still available to share what God has given me at churches and/or home groups. If God moves on your heart to support BHG or other ministries we personally know we would be honored to serve as a go between. Remember, if we want a blessing from God the spiritual principle is we must bless others. Remember, God is to you what you are to God.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address:
David and Karen Stahl
232 Everett Drive
Sneads Ferry, NC 28460
Phone:
Home: (910) 741-0489
Mobile: (910) 382-9287
FAX: (910) 741-0489
Email:
dstahl@beholdinghisglory.com
Website:
www.www.beholdinghisglory.com/
Blog:
http://bhisglory.blogspot.com/
The AuthorHouse link below will lead you to our latest book, “Thoughts for Consideration.” Just copy it into your web browser and return. Also you can purchase two of our other books “Adventures with God.” and “God Still Performs Miracles: A Book of Personal Encouragement.”
http://www.authorhouse.com/AuthorCenter/Protected/BookHome.aspx?bookID=61464
Please take a minute and take a look, they all make for a great encouraging gift, giving hope and sharing God’s love through a deeper teaching that someone can enjoy again and again. All of our books can be purchased at all book stores like Barnes and Nobles, Borders, Book-A-Million, and etc., any Christian Book Store that orders, and all book ordering on-line companies like Amazon.com. Or if you are like me from the old school just contact us, we will let you know the price and then we will mail it out to your home address. Postage and handling is on a case by case basis.
If you know someone you think would enjoy receiving this newsletter or if you receive this newsletter and do not wish to please let me know. Contributions to this ministry is always appreciated and needed the more time continues. Please feel free to contact us with the above information. The cost is great, but the cost for not supporting to others is even greater. And remember, all donations are tax deductible.
