Waiting on God – His Characteristics 

March 2019 • Volume XVII Number 07

”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 divine enabling in our lives.  I know it is hard to believe, but many Christians have a hard time believing it is God who enables us to do all of the great things we do for God.  They mistakenly think it is from their strength, talents, and abilities (even the abilities and talents God gives them)  they can minister the word of God, do all of their great works, or be used of God in any way.  To be honest it is quite bizarre in way.  I think the root of this wrong thinking is from the enabling we do in the lives of others and ourselves.  People like helping other people with their problems, but sadly what one person receives as help (and yes we are to helps others) and they change while another person takes advantage of this help and does not change while continuing in an ungodly life style that the word of God condemns.  Now here is the problem, the person giving the help thinks (wrongly) that they are helping someone, but in reality they are not they are enabling the person to continue in their ungodliness. I have seen this scenario sadly play out time and time again.  Yes we are to influence people by our word and  actions, but we cannot use ungodly means (that are against God’s and man’s laws) and expect to have God be glorified and there be a change for the good in the life of the person who is being enabled.  Let us take heed to our words and actions when parenting and providing advice.

The writer of Hebrews gives us some great spiritual advice on enabling, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, ² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”  (Hebrews 12:1-3)  These “witnesses” are the people what have gone on ahead of us and have kept the faith, they were true witnesses whose deeds, actions, and words from the past encompass about us as a cloud to encourage us to stop or “lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us.”  In other words because of what and who we know of the past we must stop sinning.  Please notice these are not the mortal sins (like committing murder, the BIG sins) or the venial sins (like lying, stealing, the smaller sins), but the ones that “so easily beset us.”  The ones that we think are so insignificant and have no bearing with our walk with the LORD or our salvation.  For the truth to be known the smaller the sin the more God closely scrutinizes us.  we think it is the big sins, well God is looking at the little sins first because he knows if He can get us to hold the line with the little foxes (sins) then the big foxes will not be as much as a problem. We will have learned to guard our heart and not allow the tender work of God in our lives to be spoiled, cut, or even cast away.  Solomon said, “Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.'”  (Song of Songs 2:15) Jesus said it this way,  “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.”  (Luke 16:10)  did you get that?  How can you be faithful in the big things if you are not faithful in the little things? In Hebrew 1:1 it ends “let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”Well how do we do this?  Verse two, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” Our faith must be in Jesus Christ and the finished work on the cross, in the grace and in the faith is where our  justification over sin is found.  Our sins are forgiven and we are justified through grace and faith.  This justification then is the enabling we receive from God once we receive the free gift of salvation.  Man cannot provide what we need to work for God (and yes we must do good works for God) this is the evidence of faith.  James tells us, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. ¹⁸ Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.”  (James 2:17-18) Not sure if it can be made plainer than that.  James is not saying I will show you my faith by my works, but is saying I will show you my works so you can see what God, by faith, is doing in my life.  James uses the faith of God, God’s enabling to do the works he does.  Remember what Jesus said in the Gospel of John, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”  (John 15:5)   And He means it.

Next month we will continue to look at God’s divine enabling as we look at walking circumspectly while continue  to wait on God. 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:

                    True Worship                                                                                 

As we enter what many Christians call the “Easter” season I am reminded of the greatest display of worship man has ever seen and that was when Jesus (willfully) laid down His life for us on a cross and arose from the dead on the third day as He said he would.  This last point is critical to our belief in our salvation for if Jesus never rose from the dead then all of our good intentioned church activities are in vain.  In Matthew we read, “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. ²²Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.”  (Matthew 16:21-22) Am I ever glad Peter never had his way with Jesus.  Can you imagine if Peter would have won out and Jesus would never have died?  Where would we all be?  Lost and undone, but Jesus’ words were true and up from the grave He arose with a mighty power against His foes, He arose praise God, Christ arose.  Now we have a hope and future. Without the death of Christ we would not have a hope and a future.  Paul taught the Church at Corinth, “Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: ¹⁴And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. ¹⁵Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. ¹⁶For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: ¹⁷And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. ¹⁸Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. ¹⁹If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”  (1 Corinthians 15:12-19)  My friend if Christ not be risen from the dead then we have no hope for ourselves to be risen from the dead and notice verse 19, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” My friend if our hope is only in this life then at best we are miserable (Strong’s #1652 pitied).  What a hope we have in Jesus!  But notice our hope and future is based first on the death of Christ then the resurrection.  Paul in Romans tells us, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. ⁵For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:” (Romans 6:4-5) The only way to walk in the Father’s newness of life is to die (some physically) and be raised from the dead. Many denominations use these verses when they do a water baptism, but Paul was not talking about a water baptism he was talking about dying spiritually.  Jesus with His death on the cross was teaching us about true worship.  There is a divine spiritual principle in play here, to have true worship something or someone must die.   True worship is a willful act of the heart and sprit and not of our intellect and emotions.  Even when we do not want to worship God, “in spirit and truth” we must willfully die to our selfish desires and self-seeking ways. We go to church and say let us begin our worship and start singing songs, playing music, and in some churches wave flags and call that worship, well that is NOT worship that is singing songs, playing music, and waving flags.  True worship is a thing of our heart NOT our emotions trying to get our spirit charged up or our fix for the week.  Biblical worship is to bow our head to the ground.  In Exodus 34 we read, “And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshiped. ⁹And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiff-necked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.” (Exodus 34:8-9) Moses knew where his strength came from. When Moses was confronted by Korah and the 250 elders again we see Moses in a spirit of worship instead of defending himself or vilifying his enemy, “And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?  ⁴And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face:” (Numbers 16:3-4) Again Moses worshiped and again Moses knew where his strength comes from.  Moses died to his pride and arrogance, he put his leadership mantle (how refreshing to see this) on the altar and allowed God to choose between him and Korah.  In Genesis 22 we read where Abraham and Isaac worshiped the LORD. “Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. ⁵And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you. ⁶And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. ⁷And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?  ⁸And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. ⁹And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. ¹⁰And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.”  (Genesis 22:4-10)  What faith? Did you get that?  “I and lad will go yonder (I wonder where “yonder” is) and worship and come again to you.”  I wonder if Abraham knew something about worship?  At that time Abraham had every intention to sacrifice his promised son (of his old age) to God in worship. Again something or someone must die to have true worship, but God provided the sacrifice for Abraham and Isaac which is always the result of true worship. God provides for us when we lower our heart and head to the ground, like with Moses and Abraham.  Maybe that is why not many people receive from God not much death in us we want to live well, God wants us to die so that He may live through us.  My friend worship is not singing or dancing, but dying. Who wants to die?  Not many, but Jesus did so that we may have everlasting life. Take heed when we make melody in church and call it worship.  In John Jesus said, “Verily, 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 12:24-25) Who wants to die, oh no our flesh screams, “I want to live!” Well to live we will lose our life.  True Worship is not conducted by instruments, it is born of the Spirit.  It is not mechanical, but uplifting and ascending to God, to a holy God – holy, holy, holy – something fresh we offer from our heart.  No flesh can stand in His presence, “that no flesh should glory in His presence.” (1 Corinthians 1:29) These days this needs to be brought out and emphasized because we try to bring God down to our level. Our highest vocation is not ministry, but it is to know and worship God.  The more we come to know God the more we will want to worship Him.  Many churches spend hours trying to work the people and the Spirit up (and they call that worshiping) to worship God, but if they really knew God there would be no need to work anybody up. We do not worship because we do not know God. Our attitude in God often counts. Worship is a tremendous self-giving to God, something that comes from within, and is going right up to God and right back to us to worship Him the more.  We cannot worship in ourselves. Worship is born of the Spirit then He can worship through us for the world to see.  Many Christians say we will have all eternity in heaven worshiping God well we better get it right down here on earth (and learn of the quietness of His heart) to be able to function correctly in heaven.  How far we are from this in so much we see and hear.  Oddly enough when we get really get into true worship we find He is just about 1,000 miles away from so much stuff we are doing, but that holds us it fascinates us and it keeps us going.  A.W. Tozer said, “The feeling that we are to make converts at any cost has greatly wounded the church of today.”  We cannot make converts we can only share the message and the LORD does the converting.  If someone does not come forward to accept Christ we feel we have failed, the message of the Gospel has not went forth, but that is not true.  We are to present the truth and then let the Holy Spirit do the converting. He (the Holy Spirit) needs no showbiz parlor tricks, music, light shows, or smoke and mirrors to do this.  This soft and fluffy idea that in order to keep people coming and giving we do not need to offend them is not the message of the Jesus of the New Testament. The preaching of the Gospel must offend us if we are going to be changed. The crowds-at-any-price mania has taken a firm grip on American Christianity and is the motivating power not the power of the Gospel.  My friend true worship must precede evangelism. For it is evangelism that God desires to use to draw those out of the world and from that group God will find His elect to sit with Him for all eternity.  But, today we are working contrary to what God wants.  We are bringing the world into the church. If we can but get some big shot (sports figure, Hollywood movie star, some celebrity) to say nice things about us or our church we rush to the media and airwaves to repeat the wonderful things they have said about us, but who cares what the world says about us?  We need to be concerned about what Jesus says about us.  The truth is Christ saves us to make us worshipers and workers and the more we know Him the better worshipers and workers we will be, but sadly we are ignoring the first principle the worshipers and only making workers.  Christ calls men to carry a cross, we call them to have fun (be blessed and highly anointed) in His name.  Christ calls them to forsake the world, but we assure them if they but accept Jesus the world will be their oyster. Christ calls them to suffer even endure persecution, we call to them to enjoy all of the comforts modern civilization can afford, in the name of Jesus.  Christ calls us to self-abnegation and to death we call them to find their destiny and fulfillment in God.  Yes my friend we have gotten off track.  There must be a turning from this humanistic, amusement-based, pseudo-religion that the church of today around the world is.  Way too much activity (too busy) and you know noise is not worship. It is far past time for the church to get back to worshiping God, “in Spirit and truth.” Let us learn to know God and worship Him rightly He deserves it.  Let us learn to die so that He may be resurrected in us.

Written by David Stahl

THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:                              

                  Know Jesus

Nicodemus, a Pharisee came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from GOD: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except GOD be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God .” (John 3:1-3).  They go back and forth until Jesus plainly tells Nicodemus, “That whosoever believeth in him  (Jesus) should not perish, but have eternal life.  Jesus said, “For GOD so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’  (John 3:16) Then Jesus said, “For GOD sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world: but that the world through him (Jesus) might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned :  but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of GOD. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth TRUTH cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are WROUGHT IN GOD.” (John 3:17-21) Our deeds are to be “wrought in GOD,”  NOT in a denomination. We are justified through Jesus (read Romans 8: 30-33). Jesus constantly was battling the Sadducees and Pharisees of his day because although highly RELIGIOUS and supposed teachers of the law and prophecy they scorned the Messiah that was right in front of their faces.  They couldn’t understand it was faith and a  heart condition that GOD is after, not the do this or all of  that religious stuff that the Scribes and Pharisees added to the commandments and ordinances GOD had already graciously provided.  Nor could they grasp that Jesus was going to pay our sin debt once and for all. It is about a  heart condition.  In Matthew Jesus really drove the point home.  “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (Matthew 15: 8-9)  Folks if the heart is right the head will be right.  If the heart ain’t right the head ain’t  right. GOD has provided a way for us to be able to approach HIM and to get to heaven.  In the Book of Hebrews we read,  “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus (on the cross over 2,000 years ago and not some wafer) Christ once for all. And every priest (the Levitical priests of the day) standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of GOD: From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Whereof  the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.”  (Hebrews 10:10-18)  Later on in the same chapter the writer writes,  “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from as evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith (in Jesus NOT some denomination) without wavering.” (Hebrews 10:22-23).  I’m ever amazed how people who confess to be Christians never flip open their Bible to check what GOD is saying to us. Oh they know their denomination (I won’t call them churches) talking points,  but what the word of GOD says, what the red words ( the words of Christ) say,  no way.  I don’t know where I saw this maybe it was a tee shirt, but on one side it said ,”Know Jesus, Know Peace” then the other side of the shirt said “NO Jesus No peace.” Folks any denomination or religion that says you can’t know that you are saved and you must do this or that to help yourself or someone else is a lie. A big fat LIE!  “For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of GOD: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his (GOD’S) workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, (the works GOD gives us NOT some requirement from a denomination!) which GOD hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2: 8-10) Jesus answered and said unto them, “This is the work of GOD, that ye believe on him whom He hath sent.” (John 6: 29). The Bible is chock FULL of assurances for us in our walk with GOD we can know  we are saved!!!! Read your Bible. Crack that Book open read the four Gospels, read Ephesians, read Romans, read the New Testament. Our salvation is bought and paid for by Jesus Christ that is why they call Him our Savior and the Son of GOD. Nothing else needs to be done to enter heaven, but to believe that Christ paid for our sin debt on the cross, died, was buried, and  rose from the dead on the third day (as the Old Testament said) which is the Gospel message. We only must believe the Gospel and not traditions of men, stories, and fables to be saved. Now this of course does NOT give us carte blanche to live anyhow.  Our justification is through the shed blood of Christ.  READ it,  Believe it, Live IT. You can have peace in your heart of your salvation if:  1) Confess —  agree with God what He is saying about you is true and that is we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  2) Repent – turn away or about face from your ways that you know are sin.  3) Ask Jesus into your heart.  There is a big void in our heart and only HE can fill it. Religion and religious “works” cannot fill this void. Nor can religion work in our heart to save us.  If we believe the precious blood of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Messiah of the whole world, The Son of GOD which was shed on the cross for all of us is not enough for our salvation, then I must ask — what is Jesus to you for your salvation?  Know Jesus know peace, no Jesus no peace.

Written by Karen Stahl

NEEDS NO WANTS:

1. In Dobrich, Bulgaria Pastor Niki Marsov and in Silistra Pastor(s) Yanko, Marcho, and Emil. Times are troubled in Bulgaria much prayer and support is needed. 
2. Constanta, Romania Pastors Luke and Jacob at Bethel Church and Ian at the Romanian Center for Cross-cultural Studies Bible School.
3. In Suceava, Romania Pastors Nicu at St. Andrews Church. They are still standing by God’s grace.
4. Pastor Joseph Mutua in Nairobi, Kenya needs your prayer and financial support.
5. Pastor Mike Olufemi in Aveile, Nigeria. He needs our prayers and support to be a light in great darkness. 
6. Pastor S. J. Peter, Founder of DAWN Ministries in Hyderabad and Pastor Wilson and his son Pastor Julian in Sankaraguptham, India.
7. Dan, Cathy, and members of Uskudar Son Buyruk Kilisesi in Istanbul, Turkey.
8. Pastor Elieti Msangi in Dar Es Salaam and Pastors Isreal Mutaitina and John Balone   in Bukoba, Tanzania.
9. Monthly financial support for Vivian’s Maternity and Child Care Clinic project in Aviele, Nigeria.
10. Pastor Tek Dahl at Gethsemane, Church (his church) and their radio station “Good News 105.1 FM” in Kathmandu, Nepal. 
11.  Bishop John, Samuel Kamanzi (from the Congo), and, Emmanuel Ndolimana in Ruhengeli, Rwanda.

NEXT HOME GROUP MEETING:

12 March 2019 &  26 March 2019 at 7:00 pm

At 232 Everett Drive

Sneads Ferry, NC  28460

7:00 pm please RSVP

Home:  (910) 741-0489

NEXT SERVICES FOR THE ROCK FELLOWSHIP AT SNEADS FERRY

3 March 19 Sneads Ferry Community Center 11:00 am

10 March 19 Sneads Ferry Community Center 11:00 am

17 March 19 Sneads Ferry Community Center 11:00 am

24 March 19 Sneads Ferry Community Center 11:00 am

31 March 19 Sneads Ferry Community Center 11:00 am

POCs are Freddy Everett (910) 545-7918 or David Stahl (910) 382-9287

FUTURE SCHEDULE:

March: Local Ministry 

April: Local Ministry

May: 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/

NEW OFFER

Booklets on Spiritual Authority,  Spiritual Leadership, Prayer, Body of Christ, and Righteous Living the Four Anchors of God are now available by contacting us and requesting one.  You can see them on our home page.  Get one now.

The Author House 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.