Waiting on God – His Characteristics 

July 2019 • Volume XVII 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.  Last month we started looking at Revelations 3:20-22 as we continue to look at the LORD’s call in particular we will look at what is emphasized in these verses.  We read, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”  (Revelation 3:20)  Here the communion and ministry of God to the one  God  is knocking on their heart’s  is contingent upon man’s response to the approach.  I believe God always stands at our heart and  knocks maybe he does not rap tat-a-tat-tat, but God knows how to touch (knock) our heart and our lives in ways that we know without a shadow of doubt it is indeed God knocking.  At times we may guess is that you LORD? But at other times God makes His wishes known loud and clear.  And at these times we must either open the door in submission and commitment or slam the door in the face of God shaking our fist in defiance. When we reject the LORD’s approaches this is what we say, “I do not need you I am the captain of my own ship I know better than you God.”  If we do this then there can be NO fellowship or communion (no matter how often we go to church, sing in the choir, how much money we chunk in the offering plate, etc.) with the LORD.  The most important word in this verse is not “knock,” “hear,” “voice,”or “open,”but “if.”  “If”sets the condition of receiving from God.  The spiritual principle is, if you do this (your fill in the word) then God will do this (you fill in the word). God is to us what we are to God.  David writes, “With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright; ²⁶ With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward. ²⁷ For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks.”  (Psalm 18:25-27)  In other words God will not be merciful to us (no matter how long and hard we claim how much God loves us) if we are not merciful to others. Now it is not about sowing and reaping that is a different spiritual principle, what you plant you will eat the fruits of your labours, like in Job, “Remember, I pray thee, who everperished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off? ⁸ Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. ⁹ By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.:  (Job 4:7-9) One is you get what you ask for and the other is as you act and treat others you shall be treated.  This extends even to our forgiveness, which is not open ended where we forgive a little and expect to be forgiven much.  Jesus told the disciple “as you forgive you will be forgiven.”  The emphasize is not on the forgiveness, but on the ‘as.”  As we forgive.  If we forgive much we will be forgiven much, but if we forgive little then we shall be forgiven by God and man little.  Even our forgiveness is not up to God, but to us.  So many verses in the Scriptures that talk of forgiveness yet we (that is a plural pronoun I include myself here) seem to stumble and fall out of the way in this area.  So the condition is hearing His voice and opening our heart to what He is saying. If we do this then He will “sup”(sit down to dine with us) and we have communion with Him.  I wonder what the LORD would serve “if”we sat down to the table with Him? Many people (Christians included) do not sit down at the dinner table with the LORD and “sup”because they miss the very first word in Revelations 3:20, “Behold.”  The word “Behold”means to stop and pay attention.  Far too many people (Christians included) are far too busy working for the LORD and fail to become the work of the LORD(see Ephesians 2:10).  They go to church and but the spiritual ideal that we are the church that the LORD is building by the Spirit for all eternity a habitation an abode for Him to dwell in. Paul tells us in Ephesians, “In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:²² In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”  (Ephesians 2:21-22) Amazing the God of the universe wants to live in us as His eternal abode, not the heavens (or the earth), the stars above, or even the galaxies He created, but inside of us.  I cannot explain it.  It is beyond my ability to understand why God would want to live in us, but He does.  What a complete communion we have with God when He is in us and we are in Him.  The door of our heart swings wide open and we are communing heart to heart (that is our heart to God’s heart) What else could we ask for?  

Next month we will continue to look at specifically what is emphasized in the LORD’S CALL as we look at our response. Do you hear Him calling?  Please know God is calling. 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:

                    In God’s Words                                                                                  

As we walk this wondrous and mysterious walk with the LORD I see the importance of following God and His word as it is written.  Many Christians talk about the symbolism in the Bible (word of God) and I must agree there is so much I do not understand, but we are not to take the word of God and read or even interpret it as we wish.  Our opinion on the word of God matters little to God.  His word is settled in the earth and in the heavens.  His word is written from His perspective not ours, so when we read the Bible as we wish or interpret according to what we believe we get into great trouble with God and get off track. The Body of Christ today is in a mess because we have “selected reading” when it comes to the word of God and choose what verses we will follow and what verses we will shun at the sake of our spiritual demise. One of the hottest topics in the Body of Christ (other than ladies in ministry and speaking in tongues) is the conversation of our salvation in Christ (which is much more than having our sins forgiven) through faith or grace.  There are two camps out there:  the faith camp that says we are saved only by faith all we have to do is just believe in faith Jesus died for our sins and when we die (no matter how we lived our life) we will go to heaven and receive our eternal reward.  Just believe and that will get us through, well the Bible tells us demons believe.  James tells us, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. ²⁰But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:19-20)So it has to be more than just believing and faith. Then on the other hand there is the grace camp who says we are saved by grace (which is true) alone.  It is God’s grace that saves us and there is nothing we have to do, except receive of it and when we die we will go to be with the LORD forever and receive our eternal reward.  This doctrine is just as bad as the once saved always saved doctrine; when I was nine maybe ten I walked the aisle and made a commitment to Christ and now when I die I will go to heaven and live forever with my reward.  There must be more.  A few years ago, while in Bulgaria I sat down with a pastor over a cup of coffee (Bulgarians like coffee more than any other country in the world) who told me of his new revelation from God, grace. Well there is nothing new about grace (God changes not), but there are always new twists and misinterpretations of grace.  The pastor’s new revelation was nothing more than God’s grace repackaged and wrapped up with a new red bow and sold to his people as something new and fresh, “no matter what you do God will forgive you” and this is true, but this is not God’s grace this is a license to sin and then count on God’s and our brothers and sisters mercy and grace to give forgiveness without any consequence for our action. The pitch is God does all of the work and you can do whatsoever you want to do and still go to heaven.  And if you are really saved then God’s grace will prevent you from sinning.  Sadly if the members of his congregation have not allowed God to work in their lives (where they are the “workmanship of God”) where they can handle a little bit of Christian liberty (few Christians have) then the pastor is setting his congregation up for failure and a long way back to correction if they can find the way.  So which camp is right?  Well they both are wrong and both are causing great confusion, schism, and division within the Body of Christ.  Paul gives us the answer in Ephesians, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it isthe gift of God: ⁹Not of works, lest any man should boast. ¹⁰For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10)Our salvation (which is much more than having our sins forgiven) is by grace through faith and I will add this process happens in us as we allow God to work in our lives (taking us through some difficult times and situations) becoming (a life-long process) “his workmanship.”  We were created by God “unto good works,”and God ordained that we should walk in them.  Now the “good works”are NOT the good things we do for God and man, but the“good works”are the things we allow God to bring into our lives that help make us become “His workmanship”conforming us into the image (icon) of Jesus Christ.  If we get this wrong and get too far over into grace at the exclusion of faith our lives will manifest a lascivious (showing much interest in sex and lustfulness) life-style where our fleshly sins will rule and reign in our lives. We will know no limits or restrictions (which are what brings us to fulfillment and purpose in God), do what we want to do, say what we want to say, go where we what to go who cares what God wants.  This misapplication of truth will get us so far off track and the sad thing is Christians do not even know it.  They think they are walking in the light of God’s word, but in reality they are over into presumption (thinking they know the truth, but in reality they are wrong) and far off the path of knowing God.  Now just as bad as the grace camp is the faith camp. If we get too far over in faith then we will get over into legalism; a performance based religion where we think must do things (pay our tithes, clean the church cut the church grass, spend so much time reading the Bible or in prayers, and etc.) to please God to be saved and just like when over in grace too far we are over in presumption, wrongly thinking we know the truth of the Scriptures, but woefully missing the mark. Many Christians say the truth will prevent us from falling into either camp, well that is almost right.  In John Jesus gives us the key that will prevent us from falling into legalism or lasciviousness.  In John we read, “And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. ³⁰As he spake these words, many believed on him. ³¹Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, thenare ye my disciples indeed; ³²And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:29-32)  Now notice Jesus was talking to people who believed He was the Messiah, who believed He was the Son so it must take more than believing to know truth or even become a disciple of God.  Which begs the points to be asked, if we only believe are we a disciple?  I think if we only believed and then die we may (that is God’s call) go to heaven (and for some that is enough), but to be a disciple of Christ where we can do the things Jesus asked us to do in Matthew 28, “Go ye therefore, and teach(making disciples in the Greek)all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  ²⁰Teaching them to observe all thingswhatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, evenunto the end of the world. Amen.”  (Matthew 28:20-21)there must be more.  The word “teach”in verse 19 and “teaching”in verse 20 is translated from the same word in the Greek:  as making or becoming learners or pupils. We are called to make disciples (teaching all nations), to make pupils, to make learners, and to do this we must do more than just believe, there is a deeper level of commitment and dedication we must engage with God to be able to make disciples of all nations. And it is not about truth, but it is about knowing the truth.  Truth alone saves no one, but knowing the truth will set us free of ourselves and life’s many troubles and situations.  To know truth we must abide in the words of Christ that is what Jesus told the Christians who only believed on Him and if we do that then we will be disciples in deed (action and commitment) and able to do what Jesus asked us to do.  Sadly the majority of the Body of Christ cannot disciple someone, because they have never been discipled themselves.  There does not seem to be a big desire in the Body of Christ today to make disciples, but there does seem to be a big desire for evangelism.  I can get my name up in lights and make a name for myself.  And oh the money I can make for God’s kingdom. In evangelism you really do not get your hands dirty, just share the gospel and off you go to the next crusade where making disciples happens every day of our lives as we mentor and instruct people, as we deal with relationships, religion, denominations, attitudes, emotions, and the greatest enemy our flesh.  I am not sure when the switch happened to evangelism from Jesus’ words to make disciples, but we need to get back to living Godly lives were we can point at our lives as Paul did when he said, “follow me as I follow Christ.”  Now notice the reply of the people, “They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?”and “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. ³⁵And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: butthe Son abideth ever. ³⁶If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. ³⁷I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.³⁸I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. ³⁹They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham. ⁴⁰But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.”  (John 34-40) Now remember Jesus is talking to people who knew Him as the Son of God, who believed on Him, but seek to kill Him.  Jesus cuts to the chase and says, “Ye are of yourfather the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.  ⁴⁵And because I tell youthe truth, ye believe me not.”  (John 8:44-45)Again Jesus was talking to people who thought they were Christians who believed, but in the end they too were over in presumption.  You see it is more than truth it is more than believing, it is about knowing the truth, it is about allowing His words to abide in us, then and only then will we be free. 

My friend we must abide in the word of Jesus by abiding in the word of the Scriptures. If it says (and it does) “we are saved by grace through faith”then believe it and then stake your life upon it.  Let’s go back to God’s words and stop trying to be interpret and change up what God is saying (so that we can get a big name or make a lot of money) to us in His Scriptures.  They are His words not ours, we are to be His disciples and this will only happen when we allow God’s words to abide in us.    

Written by David Stahl

THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:                              

The Heart of a Servant 

Brother Paul in Philippians says about Jesus, ” But made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant,and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore GOD also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth…..” (Philippians 2: 7-10)  In an episode of the old Andy Griffith Show an English gentleman’s gentleman got sidetracked in Mayberry and ended up staying with Sherriff Andy and earned his keep by cooking, cleaning, driving etc. whilst Aunt Bea was away. What I liked about this particular episode was the English guy’s attitude; he genuinely enjoyed helping Andy and Opie. Back in England he was a man servant to some Colonel so it was natural to fall back into the role temporarily in Mayberry. So since I don’t know any servants per say I’ll use the term worker–even though they are being paid the concept is the same. I think it a rare thing indeed to find workers whether they’re in a grocery store, clothing store, food service, etc. with a good attitude. Oh there are some —the REAL Christians,  but let’s face it the heart of man wants to go up higher and is rarely satisfied with staying at the bottom, especially if there is little to no financial incentive! If you think about it though as Christians we’re supposed to be servants (whether we are recompensed or not!!) and in this world we’re all servants to something or someone.  But as Christians we are to have a servants heart not so much to each other first, but to GOD first. Because if that’s right then we’ll have the right attitude to other people and we’ll want to serve others.  In John 13:1-20 we read the account of Jesus washing the disciples feet as an example of correct heart condition not necessarily a church ordinance. Strange how denominations take a parable and make an ordinance.  The whole three years of Jesus ministry was spent serving people. Telling them the good news, healing whomsoever asked him, feeding people etc. etc, and ultimately dying on the horrendous cross to save all of mankind from their sins, thus finishing the work of his Father. To think that one has to supplement what Jesus did on the cross by “good works” or sacraments is blasphemy. Jesus said, “It is finished!”  In Matthew Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you and learn of me: for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls: For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11: 29-30).  It’s no wonder why the good Bible schools have their students cleaning bathrooms, doing laundry, working in the kitchen etc. If you can’t serve your fellow man in simple, menial things how are you going to serve GOD in spiritual matters? We know a very spiritual and very successful Bible School in Romania where all of the students must complete their daily chores and take their two weeks in the kitchen (on a continued rotation) helping to prepare and serve their class mates. Jesus had a servant’s heart so we’re expected to have one too.  A real servant will not expect a lot of money or much recognition (the old pat on the back) they will be more concerned about the service they provide to their friends and family than the rewards they could receive. That being said it’s hard to be a servant if you’re always thinking about yourself.  Back in Philippians we see Jesus received a “name which is above all names”not because He was God’s Son , oh no, but because He humbled Himself and became (a process of learning to be humble) a servant. Any time we humble ourselves God will see to our needs and even our rewards. GOD Bless, read your Bible.

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:

09 July 2019 & 23 July  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

7 July 19 Sneads Ferry Community Center 11:00 am

14 July 19 Sneads Ferry Community Center 11:00 am

21 July 19 Sneads Ferry Community Center 11:00 am

28 July 19 Sneads Ferry Community Center 11:00 am

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

FUTURE SCHEDULE:

July: Local Ministry

August: Local Ministry

September: Istanbul, Turkey 

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.