Waiting on God the LORD’S Visits
April 2022 • Volume XX Number 08
”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:
ARTICLE REVIEW:
Greetings again my Brethren. Well, as they say April showers bring May flowers, but I am looking forward to getting back on the road in May. Please keep this time of ministry in your thoughts and prayers. Okay this month we are going to begin a new area and look at various circumstances in which the LORD (and not Lord or Jesus or an Angel) has visited man in diverse situations. Usually when the LORD shows up man seems to be in dire straits. All throughout the Scriptures God in one form or another has visited man for many reasons, but most often to warn people of coming destruction or doom. This was the case in Genesis 18 when the LORD (God) and maybe Jesus or three Angels showed up and spoke to Abraham. Here in Genesis we read, “And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; 2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,” (Genesis 18:1-2) and in verses 32 and 33 “And he said, Oh let not the Lord (Jesus) be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten’s sake.33And the LORD (God) went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.” (Genesis 18:32-33) This was the case here God was warning Abraham of the forthcoming doom of the City of Sodom. Now this visit is amazing if you really think about what you are reading. On the casual read you would find God Almighty Jesus creator of the heavens and earth, and two Angels come for a visit to speak to man called Abraham, but much much more is happening here. Of course we know our Sunday School lessons well and know this is the Bible story when God tells Abraham He is going to destroy the City of Sodom because of their ungodly evil, their waywardness (see Genesis 19:4-8) especially their homosexuality. What I would like to do this month is look at a few of the fine points in this story that will help us with our walk with the LORD and not get over into areas that will end us in the same place as the people of Sodom. The first point from Genesis 18:2, was the correct response we should have when the LORD shows up for a visit. Verse two says, “and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground.” WOW, Abraham did not wait for God Jesus, and the two Angels to come to him, oh no “he ran to meet them” and “bowed himself toward the ground” or assumed a position of worship. All throughout the Bible true worship is seen not by singing, dancing, painting, or any of that nominal foolishness of today, but bowing our head to ground. This is the Biblical definition of worship: to bow our head to the ground. Here “bowed” is Strong’s # 7812 used 172 times in the Bible and means to worship – 99, bow – 31, bow down – 18, obeisance 9, reverence 5. I wonder why we use the term “praise and worship” and then start singing? Well Abraham was not singing his mouth was shut in reverence and respect and worshiping. Another point, point two and I find this utterly amazing Abraham was able to dicker with God. These words appear all throughout the Genesis 18:27-32, “Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.” Abraham got God down to 10 people, but sadly God could not find 10 righteous people in all of the great the City of Sodom. I really believe God knew how many people the Angels would find. So only Lot, this wife (who was told not to look back, but did and was turned into a pillar of salt), and his two daughters survived the fire and brimstone that fell on the City of Sodom totally destroying it. But just think Abraham got God to change His mind. Yes, God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, but that does not mean He will not change His mind. Take heed my friend God’s word is Yea and Amen and things do not change IF we continue in His word and obey Him. God word says He wishes none to be lost no not one, but we also know daily Hell expands it borders. And the third point from this Bible story is in spite of God, Jesus, and two Angels showing up to warn Abraham of the impending doom the story ended sad. Just because God speaks does not mean things will end up great. You know we want to hear God speak, well God often speaks, but are we listening? The true proof or test of our listening is did we apply His words to our behavior. Here in this story everyone perishes, except for Lot and his two daughters who get Lot drunk and have sex (thinking they were the only three people let on earth) with their father. When God visits my friend we better pay attention and mind His words.
Next month we will continue to look at some circumstances in which the LORD has visited man as seen in some diverse situations. Do you see Him draw near? Please know God is near to them who are near to Him. Do you feel His presence? Do you see His hand in your life? He is waiting on us to make our first move. Written by David Stahl
Just Give them to Jesus
Now I am not Catholic, but I would have to think very long and hard to find another person who possessed the integrity, simplicity, and Christ-likeness character more than Mother Teresa. Affectionately known in the Catholic Saint world as the “Saint of the Gutters,” Mother Teresa was speaking to a very large group of Nuns and when she finished she took questions. One sister raised her hand and asked, “why are so many Nuns joining your Order? Mother Teresa thought a moment and said, “I give them Jesus next question.” The novice Nun quickly raised her hand again and said, “Mother Teresa please wait a minute I asked why so many Nuns were joining your Order. Is it because they do not have to wear a habit or do not have bulky clothing to care for each day?” Mother Teresa replied, “No I give them Jesus next question.” A third time the novice Nun raised her hand and asked, “Mother Teresa please tell me more there just has to be more.” Mother Teresa calmly walked down off of the podium, into the crowd, and laid her hand on the young novice Nun’s shoulder and said, “I give them Jesus there is nothing more.” Did you get that, “I give them Jesus there is nothing more.” Mother Teresa had it right all we are to give the world is Jesus and Him alone. Mother Teresa had it right she taught the young nun what she needed to know. This was the same principle Jesus put forth as He instructed the disciples in Matthew. Jesus taught, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:19-20) Jesus did not say go evangelize all nations, but “teach all nations.” Did you know there is a big difference between the two? My friend the world has been evangelized time and time again, but what needs to happen now in the world is to sit the people down that have come to Christ and teach them “to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you,” but you can make more money and get your name up in lights in evangelism, plus teaching is hard and time consuming and requires a personal relationship and commitment by both the teacher and the student something strange to have these days. Jesus spent over 80% of His time teaching (everyone) the rest of His time was spent dealing with the religious folks, traveling from one town to the next, doing signs and wonders, and just dealing with life. But not too many evangelists, pastors, and preachers want to identify with the gutters oh no not much fame and popularity down in the gutters, but oddly enough Jesus was a man who could get down in the gutters where most people live. The question is can we follow Jesus’ example? How low can we go! Did you know Jesus never called Himself the son of God? Oh no Jesus referred to Himself as the “Son of man” taking a lead from Ezekiel. In the Book of Ezekiel the expression “Son of man” is used 92 times in reference to himself, but also prophetically speaking of Jesus Christ. Who wants to be the “Son of man” when you can be the son of God? Oh no we want the power of the cross without the shame and loss we must identify with. This is the message Jesus was teaching in Luke 9:57, “And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 58And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” (Luke 9:57-58) If we really want to just give them Jesus we will have to identify with the sufferings and heartaches of this world and come to grips with the reality of the deceitfulness and wickedness of our emotions, desires, and heart. To do this right as a teacher God will have to really be able to deal with us for us to be able to give life in our teaching, if not then we will give death to everyone we teach. Sadly we give the world everything and I mean everything, but little do we give (teach the world) the world Jesus. At most churches we give the world entertainment: a light and sound show, smoke and fog for special effects, poems, skits, dramas, music far beyond our ability to hear, announcements, upcoming board meetings (all ad- nauseum), and when it is time to hear the word of God well, has our heart been prepared? No of course not so all we get is a sermon with a good moral thought and not a life giving word from God. Paul teaches us, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14) We must be so careful with emotional music, pageantry, traditions of men, and administration (boards and committees) they are so destructive in the Body of Christ. If what we do in church does not point everyone to Jesus we have failed. When we started our church in Germany God told me not to burden me and the people with a lot of committees and ministries they keep the people working and their mind off of my Son. By the way what happened to the old hymns of the church? They have been replaced by the feeling, humanistic contemporary music that feeds our flesh and not a heartfelt song that is sung to God as a hymn does. The words of contemporary music are directed to God so that He can come and make us feel good, well God is not so concerned about making us feel good as He is concerned about us allowing Him to conform us into His image and character which contemporary music will never do. For the conforming to happen we must endure the dealings and judgments of the LORD in our lives, but again who wants to identify with the “Son of man” when we can desire to identify with the son of God and all of His blessings. I am amazed at the number of churches who play DVDs and tapes (to get our emotions moving) from a Christian concert or service; over and over so loud thinking God is in the repetition and volume, but God is not. Elijah found out, “And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.” (1 Kings 19:12) We come to church and look for the earth to quake and for us to be set “on fire for the LORD,” but all of that is not of God. He is a simplistic, sublime God of righteousness and holiness that operates in the recesses of our heart that manifest His love out from us to the world, as we teach the world about Jesus. When the Nazis would ship the Jewish people by train from the ghettos to Poland and all around Eastern Europe many German Christians knew of this practice and they even knew of the train schedule when one would pass by on its way to Auschwitz and other places well, the pastors of the churches would tell their people to “sing a little bit louder” as the trains passed by so that they would drown out the sound of the train and their responsibility of knowing this horrible genocide was going on, yet today we still do this. In most churches people are encouraged to “sing a little bit louder” to get in the spirit while all the time the people are ignoring their responsibilities before God to allow Him to search their hearts. Why do we give such a show of entertainment when we can just give them Jesus? Remember what we use to win people to Christ with we have won them to that. If we use a hip Jesus message with worldly means (music, lights, smoke, drama, etc.) then we have won them to that, but if we use the word of God then we have won them to the word of God which will stand and serve in their lives as an anchor that will hold them. When we do this (win them to Christ with the word of God) we have given them Jesus. You know there are so many great parables, stories, examples, just plain wonderful advice in the Bible, but they should not become the main message. They are not, they are just wonderful things in the Bible that point us to a loving God. Often this simplicity of heart is lost due to hyper-spiritualism which preys on and destroys feeble minded people. Everything is spiritual, making a cake, going shopping, buying clothing, well God has given us a mind. This is why it is critical we study (not read) the word of God if not we will get over into areas that sound right, look right, and feel right, but in the end are not of God. Not everything we do in God must be spiritualized. There seems to be two camps in most churches today; one camp not led by the Spirit of God and the other camp those led by the Spirit of God. If this is not confusing enough the ones who are led by the Spirit of God can spiritualize everything (hyper-spiritualism) and become no earthly good to just give them Jesus. I think these folks are more damaging to the Body of Christ than the non-spiritual folks. We must be led and guided by the Holy Spirit to all truths (especially about ourselves) so that we will be able to move and function with the LORD now and in our next life to come. Many Christians are not moving with the LORD not because there is sin in their lives, but because they have missed the sublime move of God by trying to make everything more than what it is. We need to relax, take a good deep breath, and just give people Jesus and He will take it from there. We must get involved with the lives of people again. Not to the point of becoming a busy body, but to the point of a genuine concern for souls. Time is drawing to a close and I will be honest most people in the church have lost the desire to see souls won to Christ and how do we do this? We just give them Jesus. The nominal church of today has built walls that are safe, warm, and cozy thinking their programs (seemingly spiritual enticement) and goodly facilities will draw in the lost, but that is not the model we find in the Bible. My friend Jesus went out after the lost sheep, He left the 99 in the wilderness (the wilderness has ways of taking care of problems in our lives) and went after the one lost sheep. Not evangelizing like we do today. Oh no Jesus knew the lost sheep that is why (not because it was lost) He went after it. In Luke Jesus said, “And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” (Luke 14:23) We are to go after the lost people in the world not waiting on them to find our church and when we find them we are to give them Jesus and teach them to observe all things that Jesus taught the disciples nothing more nothing less. You know my friend the main message of the Bible is the message of the cross. Yes there are other messages that point to Christ, but they are not the main message. The only message that points our sinful flesh to life in God is the message of the cross. Paul taught, “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of non eeffect.18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:17-18) On our cross (the battle of wills between our desires and the desires God has for us) we must die as Jesus did. The cross is an instrument of death on which we must willfully impale ourselves so that we may come to know the resurrection (Philippians 3:10) life Paul talked about. If we give them Jesus we give them life what else more is there? Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
Overcoming
One of the bad things about organized religion is that it allows us to stay the same. Modern day churches hardly hold their parishioners feet to the proverbial fire. Nor do they hold people accountable for sin. When was the last time you heard the pastor speak about sin? It’s all around us. My friend GOD is a Holy GOD and quite frankly He doesn’t cotten to sin in His presence. Nothing unholy will get into Heaven. When we come to Jesus and really mean business with Him we will stop being religious. Then He can mean business with us. Ever so slowly and methodically He will point out those nasty things in our hearts, and say “what about this attitude?” “how about that little lie you just told?” Quite frankly we are very dense and either don’t want to hear it and ignore Him (because otherwise we’d have to clean up our act!) or we continue on our own pernicious way and ignore the Holy Spirit to our peril. Religion enables us to stay the same, Jesus doesn’t. Following Jesus will take us out of our “comfort” zones in order to help us—let’s be frank—to grow up. One by one our fears, doubts, nasty attitudes, personality flaws, character flaws, and the more will be scrutinized by Jesus and brought to the surface for us to deal with. Oh joy. Either we overcome life or life will overcome us. OUR choice! No victimhood in Jesus’ world. And if we don’t overcome anything in our lives how do we expect to inherit anything of God? Know this, that Jesus wants us to overcome life! When the Holy Spirit led Jesus (Matthew 4: 1-11) into the wilderness for 40 days and nights, don’t you think Jesus would’ve liked a bed or cot to sleep on? Don’t you think Jesus got VERY,VERY hungry, and very thirsty? Think He wasn’t hot or cold in the wilderness? He could’ve done something about all those things but he didn’t. Personally, one night in the wilderness would’ve done it for me, oh no, here comes the Hampton Inn and room service! But, Jesus was sowing to His spirit, He was being obedient to His Father. The writer to the Hebrews (I believe to be Paul) tells us, “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” (Hebrews 2:18) When Jesus and the disciples came across the fig tree with leaves but no fruit He cursed it (Mark 11: 12-13) and it dried up and died straight away. And why? Well, because it was not doing what God intended it to do. At this stage of development the fig tree ought to be able to bear fruit, but it did not. God intends us to overcome. He has given us everything we need just like He gave everything needed for the fig tree to bear fruit. God expects us to be fruitful and overcome ourselves and the world because He has overcome the world. Jesus tells us in John, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) The Bible says, “Though he were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which he suffered: and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him: called of GOD an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.” (Hebrews 5:8-10). Jesus learned obedience first at the hand His parents. Perhaps Joseph had to take a switch to Jesus when He was a child because as we read the Gospels we can see that as an adult Jesus was VERY self disciplined. Jesus didn’t run amuck as a child, I can guarantee you Joseph and Mary snapped Him up if he needed it. As we need to snap our kids and selves up. Now as I was writing this I’m thinking to myself, “wow, you’re one to write this article on overcoming, because there’s areas in my life that I definitely have not overcome.” To be honest we all should say amen to this, but on a different side of overcoming our deceased brother Oswald Chambers states the following: “….the life comes after we do the bucking up. GOD does not give us overcoming life, HE gives us life as we overcome.” February 16, “My Utmost For His Highest.” We have to do Godly things, things born of God to be able to overcome. How many times have we heard we reap what we sow? If we sow to our fleshly desires guess what we’ll reap? That’s right, corruption. We can’t do just any old thing and expect to overcome. “For whatsoever is born of GOD overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of GOD?” (1John 5: 4-5). Only those things born of God will enable us to inherit all things. Inheriting all things is not for all Christians oh no. John tells us, “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” (Revelation 21:7) Inheriting all things is reserved for Christians, but only for those who overcome. Written by Karen Stahl
NEEDS NO WANTS:
- In Dobrich, Bulgaria Pastor Niki Marsov and in SilistraPastor(s) Yanko, and Marcho. 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.
- 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.
- 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:
19 April 22 at 7:00 pm
At 232 Everett Drive
Sneads Ferry, NC 28460
7:00 pm please RSVP
Home: (910) 741-0489
FUTURE SCHEDULE:
April: Local Ministry
May: Local Ministry
June: Local Ministry
Email: charliegolfone@outlook.com
ROCK FELLOWSHIP ON THE RADIO:
On WJCV Jacksonville, NC
1290 AM or 98.3 FM
Every Sunday morning at 9:00 am
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.
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