”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 friends. Last week we looked at how the educated had to be reduced by God before He could use them. Make no mistake my friend, God is really good at reducing us for service. We saw that especially in the life of Moses. Now please do not misunderstand me here my friend. I am not against education. I have a Masters degree, but it was God’s will for me to get my Bachelors degree in Hospital Management and then my Masters so that I could do the things He wanted me to do. My education was not a priority in our (my family) lives, God was, but it was very important to place me at certain places at certain times so that God’s will could be done in our lives. Anytime we put something ahead of God in our lives we will get off track. The world is full of schools (even Bible Schools) and opportunities to receive the knowledge and wisdom of this world, so take heed my friend. We must never forget where all of the knowledge and wisdom is found. Paul writes to the Colossians, “In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Colossians 2:3) ALL (that includes the world’s education) is “hid” in Christ Jesus. “Hid” my friend, where we will have to discover the treasures and riches of Christ. So, this week we are going to talk about the uneducated. How God uses the uneducated to share the truths of the Word of God with people in the world. In Amos we find this truth play out. Amos writes, “Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit: 15And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.” (Amos 7:14-15) Amos was no prophet nor was he a son of a prophet, oh no he was a shepherd and one who took care of trees. I cannot believe all of those on-line Bible Schools and Seminaries out there waiting to take your money. It is true a fool and his money is quickly parted when it comes to online Christian education. You do not need to go to Bible School or some doctrinal Seminary to be a minister of the Gospel. You do not need a degree to be a pastor. Paul writes to Timothy and helps him understand the requirements to be a pastor (Shepherd, Spiritual leaders within the Body of Christ. Paul writes, “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop (pastor, elder leader), he desireth a good work. 2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.” (1 Timothy 3:1-7) Nowhere in these God ordained requirements does education appear. Oh no my friend God is more concerned about our character, our integrity, our truthfulness, our heart than our knowledge and ability to remember facts and Scripture when leading His people. Oh no, education was instituted by man. I am reminded that Paul was in what we would call Bible School when God kicked him out. Take heed to your self my friend. If you feel God is calling you into the ministry, in a more formed way, I recommend you NOT run off to some Bible School or Seminary, but spend some time with the LORD go overseas get out of your comfort zone for some time and see what God has for you. You know before I take someone overseas with me, I recommend they listen to “Ten Shekels and a Shirt” by Paris Reidhead and see if you are the heathen that needs saved. In Acts we also find some uneducated men ministering. Luke writes, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13) Peter and John were fishermen. They had no formal education. I would be greatly surprised is they really wrote the Books of the Bible they are given credit for. They probably were transcribed like most writings of those days. But notice, when they saw their boldness (boldness is a character trait) not their great swelling persuasive words of wisdom and knowledge, then they knew they were with Jesus. Did you get that my friend. When these unlearned, and ignorant men spoke the world marvelled and they took note or “took knowledge of them” not because they graduated from some high-tech low drag Bible School, oh no, it was their “boldness,” then they saw “they had been with Jesus.” Our call to ministry, especially in a formal way, happens as we spend time with Jesus. Embodied in Jesus is all of the wisdom and knowledge. This is one of the biggest problems in the Body of Christ no one wants to spend time with Jesus. Take heed to yourself. Unless God leads, as it was for me to move along my military progression, education and schooling will not serve you well in the ministry. It is much better to spend time with Jesus.
More next month as we continue to look at the many diverse instruments God can use to communicate with us. Are you there my friend? In tough situations and circumstances? Have you heard His voice? Listen closely and you will. Written by David Stahl
ARTICLE REVIEW:
Our Faithfulness
Of all of the names in the Scriptures Jesus (such as Lamb of God, Son of Man, Son of God, the Messiah, the Good Shepherd, etc.) has I guess my favorite is Jesus as “The Faithful Witness.” John in Revelation shares, “John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; 5And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,” (Revelation 1:4-5) As we are to be like the Master in all things, He was faithful to His calling and He expects us to be faithful in ours. This is why the rewards that He has for us relates to our being faithful to our calling not for all of the good works and all of the spiritual things we do for Him. Today sadly the Body of Christ often focuses on the good works (clothing and feeding the poor, etc.) and all of the spiritual experiences in God (and yes these are important), but these miss the mark in what is truly important to God which is being faithful in the little things, those things we think God is not concerned with. In Matthew Jesus told us, “His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over any things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” (Matthew 25:23) The “joy” of the LORD” depends not on our ability in God, but on our ability to be faithful to God and man. It is not what we do that determines the reward we receive, but rather it is our faithfulness in what we do (well done, not much done), that determines our future position and reward. Many of us have experienced the let down of an unfulfilled promise and have felt the hurt and the disappointment that goes along with it. We were created in the image of God and feel, in a limited measure, as He feels. Just as we can feel disappointment so also our LORD can be disappointed when we are not faithful to the outworking of all that He has made available to us. We as Christians should be the most faithful people on earth. Our words that we speak should be true and honest with no pretense. How many times have we said, “I coming tonight” or “you can count on me brother” (all meaning well), but not following through on our words. Not doing what we say is still a lie in God’s eyes. God is listening and watching to see if our words are yea (yes) or nay (no). You know you are much further along in God saying nay and meaning it than you are saying yea and maybe meaning it depending on the situation. We see this truth also in the Revelation when the faithful Angel was talking to the Laodiceans, “And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” (Revelation 3:14-17) Because of their lack of faithfulness they did not know they were deceived in their daily living. This speaks volumes of the world in which we find ourselves in (even Christian) today. See God is listening to our words and watching our actions to see not if they are good or bad, but to see if they are righteous and faithful to His expectations for us. It would have been much better for the Laodiceans if they were just cold, but because they were “lukewarm” (not honest or a liar) God’s judgment was to spue them out of His mouth. God is really concerned about our faithfulness and even goes beyond our daily living. Our eternal abode is at stake. We really see this faithfulness principle in the parable of the five wise and five foolish virgins all ten received lamps (were saved and going to heaven) and went forth to meet the Bridegroom, but the foolish did not take a supply of oil with them. “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. (Mathew 25:1-8) I find it amazing “all slumbered and slept” even the wise virgins, but when the LORD delayed His coming their lamps went out, even the wise virgins (same lamps, amount, and time will empty at the same rate) because it says they (the wise virgins) “trimmed their lamps” or filled their lamps and adjusted the wick. The LORD is faithful to us as He gives us a daily readymade supply of oil for our lamps, but the foolish did not develop or carry a means to resupply their oil. Again the “lamp” represents our salvation. All ten were saved. The oil speaks of the LORD’s enabling grace and anointing which quickens and maintains our spiritual life and strength. When we are not faithful to maintain a personal relationship with the LORD we use up the supply of oil that we had allowed God to fill our life with and soon if not careful our light too will go out. And all along the decreasing flame we wonder why. To be faithful on our part means that we take seriously our need to spend time in the presence of the LORD to receive from Him. The oil is available, He who is ever faithful is waiting to pour spiritual life and substance into us. The foolish took their spirituality for granted and did nothing to make room to receive more oil. The result was that their lamps went out (as the wise virgins did) and they could not enter into a deeper level of communion with Jesus. In Psalms we read of David desiring to fill his lamp with oil, “As the hart pants after the water brooks, so my soul pants after You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; when shall I come and appear before God?” (Psalm 42:1-2) Here David is crying out for an enlargement of his spiritual capacity. He had his faults, but he maintained a hunger for God that was so intense that the LORD moved him from tending sheep (the most esteemed profession in Israel) to the throne room. But we may ask, “How can I become so spiritually hungry that I will be found among the five wise rather than with the foolish, in that day?” There is no simple answer, but the first step is in our will. We must make the decision to make room for God and spending time in His presence. The LORD often comes in the night to knock on the door of our heart. Although our bed may feel warm and comfortable we must make a firm decision that we will get up and spend time in His presence. The second step is to guard what we allow to enter into our being. Carnal relationships, television, social media, etc. will rob us of our spiritual perception and hunger. Our life patterns must be broken and a schedule set so as to make room for God and His things. We must determine to remove those things that could become a substitute or distraction for our spending time in the Word of God and in prayer. We will never become the overcomer who finds himself among the five wise unless we develop a disciplined pattern of life. The foolish said, “give us of your oil.” But the wise responded, “Go and buy for yourselves.” No one can give to another their commitment to spiritual obedience. But they can share the testimony of what they have received, which will make others so hungry that they also will begin to seek for themselves. The third step is to spend quality time in the presence of the LORD. There is no substitute for the time we spend with the LORD. When we do our part the LORD will do that which we cannot do. He will create within us the hunger to propel us into great depths in Him and develop in us a hunger for faithfulness something we MUST have moving in us if we are planning to see Him some day. Make no mistake my friend our walk with the LORD will only be as good as our word to God and man. Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
Lying
Last month we talked about the first of the seven deadly sins—pride, this month I’d like to briefly touch on the second deadly sin lying. Looks like this might become a series. Again, let’s look at the verses, “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” (Proverbs 6: 16-19) Lying is intentionally deceiving or misleading others through false statements or actions. Lying damages relationships, erodes trust and has negative consequences for the liar and the one lied to. We lie to get what we want, to save face, avoid punishment, or we lie to get ahead. You know most Christians would not believe lying is just as bad as, “murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters,” but there it is lying listed with the “unbelieving and the abominable.” John writes, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8) Perhaps we lie to spare someone’s feelings, but unfortunately, little lies lead to big lies. Though we may feel like we’re getting away with deceiving people it’s smack dab in GOD’S face and He hates it. Our GOD is the embodiment of truth and holiness and deceit/lying IS NOT a godly attribute. When we lie, we damage our reputation and credibility—we can’t be trusted. Once lost it’s hard to earn back trust. One of the worse types of lying is lying to and deceiving ourselves to the point of losing our salvation, “Oh I’m not that bad, these people are much worse than me.” Oh yeah, read the Bible, it has plenty to say about lying. GOD sees and knows; we can’t fool a loving and Holy GOD. We can lie to everyone in the world and even lie to ourselves, but we cannot lie to GOD. Brethren, Paul writes in Colossians, “Lie not to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.” (Colossians 3:9-11) GOD bless, read your Bible, spend time with the Lord. Written by Karen Stahl
NEEDS NOT 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 Brother John Vlad as the Director of 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.
NEXT HOME GROUP MEETINGS:
24 September 24 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:
September: Romania and Ukraine
October: Local Ministry
November: 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:
Website:
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.
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.
