BEHOLDING HIS GLORY
May 2023 Volume XXI Number 09
”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. Okay let us continue looking at the many ways God’s word comes to man. Oh yes, God’s word comes to man in many ways; once by the written word, we call the Bible, the Holy scriptures, and sometimes through the spoken word, we a call that preaching or teaching, and better than teaching or preaching a direct personal word to us from God to our spirit, and yes sometimes even in visions. You know often we get all wrapped up about how God’s word comes to us. Some say written is better than preaching or teaching, but you know my friend at the end of the day it does not matter how we get God’s word, what matters is we get God’s word, they are all God’s word to us. Recently, I released an article on the Ashbury outpouring. I will not use the word “revival,” because the word revival is not in the Bible. I feel God gave me this article, “A Move of God” get and read it I know you will enjoy it. Now, I never went to the Ashbury Campus, so maybe I should not have commented on it, but after sending it out to our distribution, WOW what a firestorm of dissent that is out there. I will be honest I do not know what happened all I do know is something happened and it is over. Again, flesh overrides Spirit, if it was a true outpouring of God’s Spirit. One of the main reasons for the disputing is the involvement of the homosexual, LGBTQ+, queer, and transgender communities with the services. Well, Ashbury is a very liberal Methodist College that supports the woke agenda. As we look back in history and at a “true” outpouring of the Spirit of God, He is always original, Holy, and pure in Spirit at the beginning, but as the outpourings goes on the less and less of God will be moving until man shuts it down with its ignorance, religion, and pride. This was the case in Ashbury, yes, homosexual, transgenders, etal communities where there in all their presumption and gay pride, but the Bible is true. Paul writes, “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to
do those things which are not convenient;” (Romans 1:25-28) Such people shall not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven, oh no, they may have led the music (very typical of deception) at Ashbury, but they already have their reward and face the Lake of Fire unless they come to know Jesus Christ as their savior. Okay back to visions. I will use a personal story about visions in my life. We were living in Georgia and I was up for orders or waiting to see where we would be stationed next. My detailer, the one who cuts my orders, told me I had two choices. Choice #one to Korea stationed at a three star US Army Component and United Nations Command or a four star Joint Command US European Command in Stuttgart Germany. Well, for me either command would be a career enhancement and guarantee my next promotion so I was open to either. Now I had a wonderful friend, Val Castillo (who has passed from COVID last year) who also was up for orders and he would get the command I did not want to take. Val was a special Christian friend and Navy Officer of my rank. Well, one morning early about 4:00 am, or so, I was sitting before the LORD and as I started to get and begin my day the LORD dropped “Acts 16:6” in my spirit. I thought, “Acts 16:6.” What is Acts 16:6, I mean, I know John 3:16, but Acts 16:6? So, I grabbed my Bible and turned and read, “Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,” (Acts 16:6) WOW! “forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia.” The Lord just spoke to me and I am to select orders to US EUCOM in Germany and near Macedonia. I got so excited I ran upstairs and woke Karen up and told her we are going to Germany. I went down stairs and kept reading, “And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.? (Acts 16:10) Of course this is known as the Macedonian Call of which I too was called. And with my obedience to God’s word and answering this call, our lives in the States took on an international flare and so much more, Beholding His Glory was birthed in the Spirit, we have visited 88 countries for the glory of God, millions of lives have been changed mine included.
Next month we will continue looking at more Diversity of Divine Communication by looking at a few examples of communication. Do you hear Him draw near? He is speaking to us, but do we have the hearing ears to hear what the LORD is saying to us? Written by David Stahl
ARTICLE REVIEW:
Love is Not Enough
I was sharing the Gospel with an acquaintance and another (I suppose) Christian kept cutting me off in mid conversation to tell me how important it is to love, but to be honest their words and actions just got in the way and made it awkward. I found myself having to re-circle their comments and try to draw them (their words) in to what I was saying. I achieved my goal and later as I thought about the conversation I realized they were disputing and contending with the word not because what I was staying was wrong, but because they wanted to be seen as important and knowledgeable. Now do not misunderstand me here I like the word love. Did you know the word “love” is used 280 times in the New Testament? And did you know the Greeks use eight words (some say 12 words) for what we use one word to mean. For example the word “philia” to have attachment for with a friend, “eros” where we get the word erotica (not a good word for love), “stogy” an attachment as a mother has for a child, or “agape” which means dedicated. In John we read, “For God so loved (dedicated) the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) Jesus dedicated Himself towards the world, He did not love it. There is a big difference between loving someone (you cannot really love a thing) and dedicating yourself towards them. Karen my wonderful wife gave me four wonderful kids, stuck with me as we have romped around the world, and has faithfully served me for almost 43 years. If I only loved her “eros” or “philia” because of her strength and beauty, when it fades as grass (we all like grass will wither and fade) then I too would fade away, but how could I do this? She has dedicated “agape” herself towards me, oh no my friend it is much more than love. Love is never enough. It takes more than love or even loving someone for someone to go to heaven. We can love someone with all that is within us and they still will go to hell unless they understand what sin has wrought in their lives, confess, and repent. Would it not be nice if all we had to do was love someone? Oh no, God has laid out a plan (His big idea) for us to follow (understand what sin has wrought in their lives, confess, and repent) and we cannot change that plan no matter how we try or want to. When we try to change it we are moving outside the fame work of God’s plan for salvation, moving in direct rebellion (even in love) to what God has said and done. Christians that dispute the word and try to do things their way do so because of their immature thinking and strong doctrinal beliefs. They cannot cut through all of their religion and presumption and just let the Holy Spirit minister to the person. I am waiting on the right time to let my Christian (she says she is) friend know, but for now I know she cannot handle my words of correction so instead of losing her I will be long suffering and try to include her in things without losing sight of what God is doing. You know our love is a reflection of our emotions and feelings not an expression of one’s need for salvation. To say you love someone yet do not tell them the truth of their need to understand what sin has wrought in their lives, confess, and repent is all about your need to be exalted and stroked and not the person’s need for salvation. We must love them enough to put up with and endure the scorn, ridicule, and even the loss of their friendship. Paul told the Church at Ephesus, “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” (Ephesians 4:14-15) One can only imagine what was going on there. He did not tell them to just love them, “but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things.” Love without truth is useless and destructive, it is selfish, and carnal wanting its way without confronting the sin that is at hand. Sin must be dealt with by us. God has done His part He sent His Son Jesus to die in our place for our sin, but before we can receive our salvation we must “confess” or agree with what God is saying about us is true and that is “for we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) And make no mistake my friend if you agree with “speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things” you will hated by acquaintances, neighbors, friends, and most of all family. I have seen this in my immediate family still to this day we have been excluded in family outings and not made a part of family plans because of our stance on the standards of God’s word and the Gospel. Oh my family would say just love them (do not judge me) and everything will take care of its self, wrong. My dear and precious mother (who I believe to be in heaven now) whom I love and cherish so much had this area wrong. We cannot turn our head away from sin (even for the sake of family unity) and say to just love and pray for them that will never lead them to salvation, but gives them excuse and cover to continue in their ungodly ways and lifestyle. As I look back and now can see the condition of the lives (I was told to just love and pray for) involved I can see the word of God is true. Their lives today are even more messed up and sin has strengthened its heinous grip in new ways. No, my friend loving them is not enough. Love is not enough. If we come to Christ we all must come the same way: understand what sin has wrought in our lives, confess, and repent now this is God’s love. Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
A Little Piece of Heaven
Having recently returned from my second trip to Nepal, my first trip being over 15 years ago, wow, what a whirlwind trip! Maybe because we were so close to the clouds, high up in the Himalayan Mountains, but it seemed like a little piece of heaven. Life is hard, but slow, simplistic, and deliberate. The average salary for a Nepalese person is $648 a month. At church the people came in with a big smile on their face like they were really glad to be there. Worship was heartfelt not plastic and they took their seat on the floor in rows
and in order. I really noticed how harmonious the rural areas in Nepal were during a short drive to an elephant training/breeding facility. As we drove, we passed two or three elephants with their owners walking at a good clip down the road headed home after a busy day of toting tourists around. Cars slowed down and gave the elephants a wide berth, dogs kept a respectful distance and held their tongues, while chickens darted in and out of their yards. It all seemed so harmonious to me. Heck even the driving seemed to have an ebb and flow, except for the motorcycles and scooters which seemed to have right of way. Dogs kept out of the way of cars and just went about their doggy business, even while in the mountains the goats kept out of the way of cars. I guess the not-so-smart dogs and goats got their butts run over, the smart ones learned. I noticed this also in Romania and Bulgaria too. I only saw dogs go after one horse drawn cart and the horse just paid them no mind and kept on going. When we drove from Bulgaria to Ukraine, I noticed an ebb and flow of driving there also, as if everybody knew what everyone else was doing. Not so here in the States. Heck I can barely walk around the block without having to keep an eye out for drivers and sometimes the escaped dog. We definitely are not on the same sheet of music when driving here, you just don’t know what the guy in front of you or next to you is going to do. Rarely do you see street smart dogs making their rounds without bothering anybody. Perhaps it’s the Buddhist or Hindu people’s seemingly respecting animal life (perhaps maybe not so much with their fellow man) I don’t know. I guess being on the same sheet of music as our fellow man is one thing, but being on the same sheet of music as Jesus is quite another thing, which is the one thing we all as Believers should strive for. It doesn’t matter what family in-laws or out-laws do with Jesus. When we’re on the same page as Jesus everything else will fall into place. It won’t be perfect! But that’s OK GOD didn’t promise us a rose strewn path in life, He promised to be with us and that’s enough. And until we die, occasionally we’ll get a small glimpse of heaven right here on earth. Written by Karen Stahl
NEEDS NO WANTS:
1. In Dobrich, Bulgaria Pastor Niki Marsov and in Silistra Pastor(s) Yanko, and Marcho. Times are troubled in Bulgaria much prayer and support is needed.
2. Constanta, Romania Pastors Luke and Jacob at Bethel Church and in Agigea Pastor Jacob as the interim Director for the Romanian Center for Cross-cultural Studies Bible School.
3. Pastor S. J. Peter, Founder of DAWN Ministries in Hyderabad and Pastor Wilson and his son Pastor Julian at Gospel Assembly in Sankaraguptham, India.
4. Dan, Cathy, and members of Uskudar Son Buyruk Kilisesi in Istanbul, Turkey.
5. Pastor Elieti Msangi in Dar Es Salaam and Pastors Isreal Mutaitina and John Balone in Bukoba, Tanzania.
6. Pastor Tek Dahl at Gethsemane, Church (his church) and their radio station “Good News 105.1 FM” in Kathmandu, Nepal.
7. Bishop John, Samuel Kamanzi (from the Congo), and, Emmanuel Ndolimana in Ruhengeli, Rwanda.
8. Christian and Ina Kopjar Missionaries to the County of Liberia.
9. Brother John Vlad, (serving as the Operations Officer), his wife Cristina, and three daughters aboard the international ministry ship Logos Hope.
NEXT HOME GROUP MEETINGS:
23 May 23 at 7:00 pm
At 232 Everett Drive
Sneads Ferry, NC 28460
7:00 pm please RSVP
(910) 382-9287
BEHOLDING HIS GLORY ON THE RADIO:
On WJCV Jacksonville, NC
“Pebbles of Truth”
1290 AM or 98.3 FM
Every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 7:30 am
FUTURE BHG SCHEDULE:
May: Local Ministry
June: Local Ministry
July: 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:
Mobile: (910) 382-9287
FAX: (910) 741-0489
Email:
mtnebo@hotmail.com
Website: www.beholdinghisglory.com/
Blog: http://bhisglory.blogspot.com/
FREE OFFERS
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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