Waiting on God – His Characteristics
September 2019 • Volume XVII1 Number 01
”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 LORD’s call from the Book of Revelation and from the response merely not being a reluctant consent of the mind, but an active response in deed. God does things in our lives and he is looking for a correct response from us. Our response to God tells Him whether or not we got the message, we got the lesson He is teaching us, or He has to bring us along in a different way so that He can bring us back to the same lesson so He can work things in us that we will need for the future. In all that God does for us is to give us the things we will need for the future to do the things He wants us to do. How can God ever expect us to do the things He wants us to do if He does not give us the resources and abilities? We cannot use our resources and abilities oh we try, but our natural abilities can never work. Paul in Romans writes, “Because the carnal mind isenmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” (Romans 8:7-9) The word “indeed”means just that in deeds or in our doing. If we operate with the things of the flesh then we can never do the things that God wants us to do. Oh how we try, but oh how we fail. So often we try to make our assent to God with our mind in our natural reasoning by way of mental gymnastics, but that is not the way. God is a Spirit and His Spirit dwells in us. he gives us His Spirit to lead and guide us, to convict us of our waywardness at times, and so many more things. We often try to make our assent to God through music, if I can just get to my favorite praise and worship song then I can get to God. Foolishness, God is a Spirit and those who worship Him must worship Him in Spirit (in the Holy Spirit) and in truth. (see John 4:24) We must not forget this truth. Many Christians try to work God in only the Spirit (in hyper-spiritualism) and leave out the truth part and really get off track. They can stand in the sanctuary and speak in tongues prophesying(here could be prophet lying) all day then wag their tongues in back biting and gossip. The “truth”part is NOT bearing false witness and defrauding our brother and sisters. We try so hard to get to God in so many ways outside of what God has given us to get to Him. This will never work my friend. We must use the resources and abilities God has given us no substitute no matter how religious and seemingly spiritual they appear. It is not the consent of mind, but the consent of our spirit God is after in our lives. We see also in the Book of Revelation (not Revelationsthere is only one revelation of Jesus Christ) John, writes, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” (Revelation 3:22) Now we clearly see that NOT every person who calls themselves a Christian has an ear (an ability) to hear from God. As not everyone who says LORD LORD shall enter the kingdom of God, so too not everyone who says they are hearing from God are. God is not a chatter box be not deceived by all of the folks out there who say God told them “this” or “that” especially about you, take heed. If God wants to get your attention He will. God made a donkey (an ass) talk (Numbers 22:22) and if He wants to speak to you make no mistake He will get your attention. So everyone does NOT have a hearing ear and John writes, “let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Here John is not talking about today, but the seven “churches” (or assemblies, groups, or fellowships) in third chapter of Revelation. “Let him hear.” Well what is stopping him from hearing? Well we discussed not having the Spirit of God will stop him from hearing, but this is not the case now. They have the Spirit, but they are not hearing to a degree that will enable them to understand what the Spirit is saying. Jesus told the disciples in Luke, “For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thinghid, that shall not be known and come abroad.18 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 8:17-18) Now Jesus did not say take heed to what you hear because we really cannot help what we hear unless we stick something in our ears or drown out the sound of the words, but we can help hearing with the right heart condition. Do we hear with a soft and pliable heart? Do we hear with compassion and malice for none. Do we hear for the betterment or the worse of others. Of the seven “churches” only three (Smyrna, Sardis, and Philadelphia) did not hear words such as “nevertheless I have somewhatagainst thee.” They had the Spirit, but not too such a degree because they could not discern and understand what the Spirit was saying. And why not? Because they were hearing the Spirit with maybe a hard heart, but for sure definitely with a wrong heart condition. It matters how we hear. Our ascent to God MUST be with a right heart condition and not with carnal ways. If so we will never get to God. Oh we will have a good time in church singing and dancing, preaching and teaching from the Bible, even give an altar call and people may even come forth to be saved, but they will not.
Next month we will point out some spiritual principles contained in some verses found in the Book of Revelation 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:
The Main Message
As Karen and I were driving from Sneads Ferry, NC to Mentone Alabama (about 10 hours one way by car) to spend some time with our son Daniel and his wonderful family (Sarah, Abigail, John, and Hannah), Jeff (our ex son-in-law) and Connie (our daughter), and with Dan’s Pastor Jack, his charming wife Debbie, and their son Jason. What a wonderful time we all had up in the Alabama mountains where we all stayed in a huge three level cabin, hiking many miles on trails in the national and State parks, splashing in the streams, waterfalls, and lakes, fishing, just a wonderful quiet time with family. God has given us rest to enjoy. It was much needed after my long trip to Ethiopia and the death (that is okay she is in Heaven and I will see her again) of my mother shortly after I returned. God was so gracious to allow me to be home when she passed even though I was not in her presence when she entered the presence of the LORD. As we drove my attention often is peaked by the many churches along the road I see. Karen always tells me I need to knock off the skylarking when I am driving, but I seem to have a hard time being obedient when it comes to looking at God’s handiwork (nature) and man’s handiwork (buildings some call churches). Now I did not say, “God’s handiwork, the “church” because “churches” are not God’s handiwork (or workmanship) we and nature are God’s handiwork not a building. We are the house (the church) and unless we allow God to build us we will never ever become the instrument God is looking for to represent Him in the earth. Solomon said, “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh butin vain.” (Psalms 127:1) Now Solomon should know because for a time he did NOT allow God to build him. For a time Solomon was building idols (that turned the heart of Israel from God) in high places for his many wives and concubines. Sadly Solomon then was looking for a new life and a new beginning with his new religions. Let us not follow that example. In Matthew Jesus said, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18) We are the bricks in the wall of the Body of Christ that Jesus said He will build. Paul also knew this truth when he said, “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)We are the workmanship of God not the fancy buildings or all of the good works we do in ministry, oh no it is our lives that God takes and molds, fashions, and shapes. When we submit our lives into the “good works”of God’s dealings and judgments that He brings our way we then are built on the revelation Christ spoke to Peter, “upon this rock”not a stone or building, but on the main message, built on the revelation of who Christ is.
But as we traveled on I began to notice many of the “church” buildings had names like: New Covenant, New Beginning, New Life (there is a ton of church buildings named New Life) and maybe it was just the area we were traveling in that liked the name, but the “New” was always accented (like big letters or underlined) and preceded the focus of the congregation’s target what will be new. The message was if you come to our “church” you will have a “new” covenant, beginning, life, etc. Funny though I never saw any “churches” named “New Creatures” (it probably does not ring right to the ear of most people) which is the thought of the verse these “churches” give their names and the focus they are projecting, but Paul said, “Therefore if any man bein Christ, he isa new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) Now Paul did not say we would have: a new life, a new covenant, or a new beginning oh no, Paul said we will be“a new creature.” Now there is a big difference between having a new life and becoming a new creature. Having a new life means the problems and situations in our old life have been done away with and everything now is sunshine, lollops, birds are singing, babies are smiling, and ships are at sea, but becoming a new creature now that can take time and can be a very painful process in our lives. Who wants to tell someone if you come to our “church” God may be able (if we allow Him) to make us “a new creature”where “old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”Now I really like the word “behold”here. In the middle of Paul’s thought he stops and says take a good look; “behold”youtake a good look at this new creature! Do you want to become it? We become “a new creature”not because our external situation and circumstances have changed, but because our internal (thoughts and intents of the heart) attitudes, desires, motives, and motivations have changed. God does not need (and does not want to) to change our surroundings that is what man wants, but God is after changing our heart so that the bad surroundings, situations and circumstances in our lives only drive us to Him and the more we go towards God the less we will be worried about our bad surroundings, situations, and circumstances. As we travel the world I have had the good pleasure to meet people who live in grass houses, sleep on dirt floors, and do not even have a pot to pee in, but have a smile on their face and a joy that three BMWs cannot give and a richness in God that humbles and drives me to my knees. Yes “old things are passed away”not by God bonking us on the head with His magic wand, but by us submitting to His work in our lives. Once God begins to work in us (oh yes it will be painful) we will cry and kick, even scream like a big baby who wants their own way, but when our tears stop and our selfish cries for self-preservation ends we then will be able to get a glimpse of some of the work God is trying to do in our lives. Isaiah said, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:7) If we go our way then we can never go God’s way and my friend God’s way is narrow, limiting, and restricting not much room to do what we want to do. I am afraid in America you will not get many takers for this message. Most want the new life and a new beginning without any work in their lives, without any change in their behavior or character, well my friend God does not work that way. This is why there are not really a lot of Christians in America that are “new creatures”only old creatures hoping for a new life.
To me these “churches” projected the message that they represented. Their focus and projection is all about starting over, a second chance after messing up you get a do over, but believe it or not that was not the message Jesus taught when He was on earth, His main message was not about a second chance, but an opportunity to be able (or choose) to tap into the power of God Almighty. Later in Ephesians Paul says, “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;” (Ephesians 3:16) WOW!Again Jesus message is not about changing situations and circumstances in our lives, but about changing our thinking and heart condition so that we will be able to endure life’s many problems, situations, and circumstances. Matthew, Mark and Luke all agree on this. In Mark we read, “Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” (Mark 1:14-15) For us the kingdom of God is always at hand all we have to do to enter the kingdom of God is just reach out and grab it in your heart by believing Jesus died for our sins and repenting (turning away, turning our back on) of our sin. Jesus came preaching the kingdom of God is at hand NOT you can get a do over if you blow it. And please know the kingdom of God is not Heaven, a place, an address, something to eat, drink, or wear, but is a heart condition, an understanding of what God wants for our lives, a way we are to treat our brothers and sister, even our enemies. Many Christians equate the kingdom of God to some earthly kingdom with lands to rule over, armies in which to conquer the enemy, and authority to judge the nations, well the only authority we have is what God gives us (we can earn it or take it) and the only land we will ever rule over (for now) is when we allow God to be seated as king over our heart, and remember the highest rank in God’s army is a private. Paul again helps us with this point in Romans, “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 14:16) The kingdom of God is the righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit that we have allowed God to work and build in our lives. Please notice “righteousness”first (order matters in the Bible) before “peace”and “joy.”God is a righteous God and wants His children to be righteous. No “righteousness”then none of God’s “peace”and “joy.”
As we drove on and the more I thought on these “churches” the LORD spoke to me and said, “They have chosen the wrong message. They have focused on another message and missed the main message” which only opened up more thoughts like; I wonder why they shifted from the main message of Jesus to another messages? How could they (we) do this? Now, yes we do get a second chance, but that is not Jesus’ best, not even His intention for our lives. Jesus does not want nor does He expect us to mess up again and again because He has made a way (by us coming into the kingdom of God) where we can prevent this continual roller coaster ride of failure and victory. It is not God’s intention for us to keep making mistakes again and again so we can keep asking forgiveness from Him and our brothers and sisters. I do not know about you my friend, but I do not do things in my life with the intention or hope of making a mistake, if so then we will always be repeating everything we do. Example: oh I hope I mess this cake up when I make it. No we say I hope I make this cake right the first time, but if I do not then I can make another one. But even in making the second cake there is a cost we will bear for our mistake. This is why God does not want us to keep making mistakes. Oh no my friend we do things with the intention of doing things right the first time. Now if we make a mistake thank God for His grace, His longsuffering, and the grace and longsuffering of our brothers and sisters too. Yes forgiveness for our sin and our coming short of His glory is a part of the salvation package (the beginning of becoming a new creature), but believe it or not it is not the main message. Did you know if you focus not on the main message you will settle for other messages which may work to a certain degree, but in the end God’s plans and purposes will not be accomplished in our lives. Man seems to always go after something new: a new teaching, a new song, a new doctrine, something new. We are conditioned so by the world. Do not look at your old truck too long or you will begin to remember the new truck ads. Jesus did not come preaching the kingdom of God so that we can have new things, get a do over, or so we all can run off to heaven, but He came so that we can help others come into the kingdom of God. Jesus came to give us life, His life. In John Jesus tells us why He came, “The thief (not the devil here, but Strong’s #2812, an embezzler, pilferer, the name is transferred to false teachers, who do not care to instruct men),cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have itmore abundantly.” (John 10:10) Jesus did not come to give us a new beginning, new life, or anything new oh no Jesus came to give us of His life so that we might be able (our choice) to stand and withstand life, deal with our love for the world and our self, and all that comes our way. Now that is more than just getting a do over.
Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
Put the Things of GOD in
Last month we briefly spoke on disciplining children so this month we’ll talk further about training the little tykers. Nowhere in the Bible are we commanded to make our children religious. We are to instruct them about GOD and HIS ways, NOT the doctrines and idolatrous practices of certain religions and denominations. It’s the parents job, NOT the churches’ job to teach the little tykers about the LORD and what the LORD expects of said little tykers. Paul said in Ephesians, “Children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture (Strong’s Greek #3809, tutorage, i.e., education or training, disciplinary, correction, chastening, chastisement, instruction. NOT coddling, not babying)and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:1-4) Last month when we talked about disciplining children, the above scripture is the reason why, “so it will be well with them.”Parents are expected (the LORD expects this) to raise their children to serve the LORD in whatever capacity the LORD deems fit down the road. Folks, if children don’t obey parents who they can hear and see how in the world are we to expect them to obey a GOD whom they cannot see and often times cannot hear? In Proverbs we read, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)Also “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:15-17)Notice Paul did NOT say religion will make you wise unto salvation. The Bible as we know it was given to us for a variety of reasons. Here are four: “All scripture is given by inspiration of GOD, and is profitablefor doctrine, for reproof, for correction for instruction in righteousness.….” (2 Timothy 3:16)NOT the teachings from the Catholic church, the Presbyterian church, the Baptist church, the Pentecostal church etc., but from the Bible alone. Raising children is not a crap shoot, in other words, whatever happens happens. No sir. Someone once told me that the reason Dave and I have good kids is because GOD knew we couldn’t handle, let’s just say a more challenging child. What rubbish! What foolishness! If GOD takes the same type of child and sends it to five different families you’re going to get five different outcomes. The behavior and outcome of the child is based on the home life and the teaching of the parents. This too is why it is critical there are two parents a male and female. It’s not rocket science! Do as the Bible tells you. Go back to the above scripture of Proverbs 22:6. The Bible says don’t lie, do you tolerate lying from your children? Or do you correct and teach them to tell the truth no matter how hard. The Bible says children are to be obedient and respect their parents, do you let them act anyhow and make excuses for their shoddy behavior? If so shame on you. Do your kids whine when they don’t get their way? GOD doesn’t like whiners, “nip it, nip it in the bud.” Solomon writes, “Even a child is known by his doings whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.” (Proverbs 20:11)People know who the good kids are and they know who the bad children are and worse they know who they belong too. Children do not have to be taught how to steal, to lie, or even how to manipulate their parents to get what they want. It’s in their sin nature, it’s our job as Christian parents to train it out of them and not pity them nor spare them from consequences and correction, but to encourage, and correct them to move forward. Do not pity them! Self pity is from the pits of hell. The worse thing to do is to allow a person and yes even a child to indulge in the luxury of self pity. No sir! GOD wants us to grow up and move on. Not wallow like pigs in whatever situation or circumstance we or they find themselves in. Heck even dumb animals don’t even do that. I remember watching Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom as a kid and seeing a gazelle or wildebeest (don’t remember exactly) who broke its leg as the herd rampaged across one of those swollen (and probably crocodile infested) rivers, but what struck me was the poor thing despite the pain and the fact its leg didn’t work right was trying it’s level best to keep up with the herd. Isn’t it something that dumb animals don’t feel sorry for themselves? Oh they’ll whimper in pain (maybe) but they just do the best they can and continue on. Take the hint. GOD wants us to move on. Some of life’s lessons will be hard, but with GOD’s help we and our children can overcome any obstacle. Teach them how to overcome. Teach them that GOD IS there. Displace the bad things in life with the life-giving prose of the Bible. Teach them that GOD has a plan for their lives and that (whatever situation) the only thing that really defines who they are in this world is who they are in Christ. GOD bless. Read Your Bible.
Written by Karen Stahl
NEEDS NO WANTS:
- 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.
- Constanta, Romania Pastors Luke and Jacob at Bethel Church and Ian at the Romanian Center for Cross-cultural Studies Bible School.
- In Suceava, Romania Pastors Nicu 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.
- 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:
10 September 2019 & 24 September 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
1 September 19 232 Sneads Ferry Community Center 11:00 am
8 September 19 232 Sneads Ferry Community Center 11:00 am
15 September 19 Sneads Ferry Community Center 11:00 am
22 September 19 Sneads Ferry Community Center 11:00 am
28 September 19 Sneads Ferry Community Center 11:00 am
POCs are Freddy Everett (910) 545-7918 or David Stahl (910) 382-9287
FUTURE SCHEDULE:
September: Istanbul, Turkey
October: Local Ministry
November: Bulgaria and Romania
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.
