Deeper Truths for Hungry Hearts
April 2011 • Volume IX 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
Greetings again my Brethren. Over the past few months we have been looking at the many spiritual attributes of God that make Him who He says He is. Now that is a critical point and please do not miss it, God says He is eternal (Isaiah 57:15, God says He is omnipotent (Jeremiah 32:47), God says He is holy (Isaiah 6:1-7) and so on, it is God not us who establishes His spiritual attributes if it was us God would miserably fail, but God cannot fail. What a wonderful thought to know. If we are looking for failure you must go somewhere else because there is no failure in God. Now let us turn our attention to God’s faculties of communication something that walks in unity with God’s spiritual’s natures. Now please do not get confused with communication and communion. There is a huge difference between the two; communion is more a connecting of man and God by the Holy Spirit where communication is more a connecting through the powers of the body. So here is kind of like a way ahead. We will begin to look at God’s faculties and then look at the emotional nature of God something very misunderstood in the church today. To begin we first must define the word “faculties” a word we seldom use. It is a plural noun from the root word “faculty” that means any of the natural powers of the body; sense, speech, taste, touch, etc. It can also mean a special skill, talent or knack and also can mean all the teachers of a school, but here we are going to look at God’s faculties of communication through what we know as our senses by looking at certain scriptures. First let us look at Hearing. From Book Four of the Psalms we read, “He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see.” (Psalms 94:9) Here Moses talks about God planting or making us hear, “shall he not hear?” Yes of course God hears, He hears everything we say.
Now I do not know about you my friend, but at times this makes me ashamed. As a child I remember learning the little songs about my faculties: be careful little mouth what I say, little hands what you do, little ears what you hear, and so on. But as I grew up maybe I did not really learn that song so well. Make no mistake my friend God is listening to EVERYTHING we say and He is judging our words. Just when we think God is not listening, He catches us saying something we will be ashamed of and will cause a lot of pain. Miriam and Aaron Moses’ brother and sister found this out the hard way, “And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. 2And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it.” (Numbers 12:1-2) Aaron was punished around 40 years later; killed by God (Numbers 33:38) and was not able to enter the Promised Land. But Miriam not so long, she suffered leprosy for seven days, (Numbers 10-15) and was allowed back before they left for the Wilderness of Paran. Make no mistake, God is ever listening and His reward for our disobedience is sure it may take a long time as it did with Aaron, but it is true.
Jesus told the disciples, “Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, . . ..” (Luke 8:18) Strange we cannot help what we hear unless we willfully block our ears with wax or a plug, but we can “take heed therefore how we hear” do we hear things with the right heart condition if not it will lead us to do and say things like Aaron and Miriam did. Our ears are tied to our heart and God is listening to hear how we hear. Next month we will look at God’s faculty of sight.
ARTICLE REVIEW:
The Cost of Being a Spiritual Leader
Our ability to be a spiritual leader (not a leader after the world) will be seen according to our revelation of God. It is revelation not education, it is revelation not gifts or abilities, it is revelation not looks and fame where our authority in God to do things for Him is found. Revelation of God is the signature of His approval in our lives. The costs of being a spiritual leader are many and the ones with greater revelation will bear the stings and stones of those who have a more limited revelation. This is true all throughout the Bible. One of the greatest things Christians can do to learn more about God is to read their Bible. The Bible is and has always been the best commentary on the Bible. Now I do not know about you, but if the surveys are true most Christians spend less than 10 minutes a week reading their Bible. There is a price we will pay to know God. In God nothing is free, nothing. No one need aspire to leadership in the work of God who is not prepared to pay a price greater than his contemporaries and colleagues are willing to pay. True spiritual leadership always exacts a heavy toll on the whole man and his relationships, and the more effective the leadership is, the higher the price to be paid. This fact was taught by the Lord when He indicated we cannot save others and our self at the same time. Spiritual power in Spiritual leadership is the outpouring of spiritual life, our life. And those who desire to BECOME (a life-long process of us allowing God to work in our lives through His dealings and judgments) a spiritual leader must pay the price and seek the authority and power (both) from God.
The night before Jesus was crucified He asked the disciples, “Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” (Mark 10:38) and of course they glibly and oh so blindly (as we all often do), “We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: 40But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared. 41And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.” (Mark 10:39-41) What a glorious moment, Jesus asking the disciples if they could follow in His footsteps, but please notice what happened, they got offended. Often when God speaks to us His words will offend us. This is one of the many edges to the sword of truth. As a matter of fact it is God’s words that cause us to get angry, presumptive, and wrathful. Our reaction is to protect our selfish, self-life, but God’s intention is to kill our selfishness and self-life, and guess what? We get to choose who wins. Now I will be the first to admit I am not there yet, but God took me three hours outside of Suceava, Romania in over two feet of snow to a special needs orphanage to teach me this lesson. I was devastated, oh blessed devastation. Speaking from observing and/or participating for over 47 years most problems with church leadership is offense. The deacons get offended with the pastor or vice versa. Or the people get offended with the leadership of the local Body or vice versa. God must be powerful to get anything done through us. Did you know if there is no offense in us we cannot be offended? Offense happens in us when some ones words or actions touch the offense in us. But, my friend this offense in us is not bad if we can learn to allow God to work it out of us. How do we know we have offense in us? Well . . . out of our mouth speaks out heart. Getting offended again and again is an outward sign (open rebellion to God) of not allowing God to work in us. I hear men of God say they get offended again and again (I shutter) and think nothing of it. At the first sign of offense in us we must give God full reign of our heart and allow Him to purge our thoughts changing our heart condition. Always remember, at the heart of every issue is always an issue of our heart.
The offense of the disciples was not Jesus’ idea of spiritual leadership. Jesus set a new standard for the disciples to use to establish the Body of Christ, not the church. Never forget the church is not some building we try so hard to groom and make beautiful or some denomination we try so hard to win people to, but we the people are the church. And judgment always starts at the house of the Lord, us! Jesus called the disciples and said, “Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship (leadership) over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, (leadership in the Body of Christ) shall be servant (slave) of all. 45For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:42-45) This my friend is not leadership as the world knows it with marketing, strategic projection and plans, or even with heavy board and committee administration. I have found the least people at the top the more people at the bottom can be served. But Jesus goes very deep to the central core of the disciple’s offense by addressing their heart condition where true spiritual leadership always resides, “whosoever of you will be the chiefest, (leadership in the church) shall be servant (slave) of all.” Not too many leaders in the Body of Christ want to be a slave, but according to Jesus (and not Dave Stahl) this is the requirement to be a spiritual leader. And in the local Body the pastor is the lead slave on the chain-gang; if not, they have forfeited the call of God in their life. When I pastored in Germany I sought out who I believed to be the least in our local Body; a German lady who was mentally ill and daily took her on in service to her, my family, our local Body, and God.
The cost and price of the true spiritual leader are many. I would hope you could list more, but I would like to share some thoughts from a teaching outline (without the margin notes I have paid dearly for) God gave me many years ago from some thoughts from a book by J. Oswald Sanders. I have had the pleasure of teaching this outline in many Bible Schools and churches around the world. And yes, I have experienced these costs time and time again, even this week. No servant of God who has never experienced at least some of these costs are not worth their weight in salt.
A. Self-Sacrifice. Self-sacrifice is part of the price that must be daily paid. A cross stands in the way of spiritual leadership, a cross upon which the leader must consent to be impaled. Heaven’s demands are absolute. “He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” (1 John 3:16) The degree to which we allow the cross of Christ to work in us will be the measure in which the resurrection life of Christ can be manifested through us in spiritual leadership. Remember, scars are the authentic marks of faithful discipleship and true spiritual leadership.
B. Loneliness. By its nature, the lot of a spiritual leader must be a lonely one. He must always be ahead of his followers. Though he must be the friendliest of men, there are areas of life in which he must be prepared to tread a lonely path. Human nature craves company, and it’s only natural to wish to share with others the heavy burdens of responsibility and care. Moses paid the price for his leadership, alone on the mount, and alone in the plain; the crushing loneliness of misunderstanding, criticism, and impugning motives. And times have not changed, there is nothing new under the sun.
C. Fatigue. “The world is run by tired men.” The ever increasing demands placed on a spiritual leader drain the nervous resources and wears down the most robust physique. But, the true spiritual leader knows where to go for renewal. Paul knew this secret well, “For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:15-16) If you have never learned this lesson you are not operating in God’s strength and ability. Only when we allow God to strengthen us in the inward parts will we be renewed.
D. Criticism. There is nothing else that so kills the efficiency, capability, and initiative of a person or directs one’s attention toward their inabilities as criticism. There are two forms of the word criticism. Yet, it is where we get the word “critique” a most valuable tool in our lives if we ever are going to grow up in God and face the truth. I find the deeper the writings the more destructive criticism the writer gets, but that is okay. To be perfectly honest I relish criticism, (both forms) because I find they both make me a better Believer and man proving to me and approving what is in my heart. So please do not stop helping me to become better for the glory of God.
1. Destructive Criticism. It chips away at his self-respect and undermines his confidence in his ability to cope with his responsibilities. No person is exempt from criticism, and his humility will nowhere be seen more clearly than in the manner in which he accepts and reacts. The Godly way to deal with destructive criticism is, “A soft answer turneth away wrath.” (Proverbs 15:1) A soft word in return always unarms the angry, jealous, and offended.
2. Constructive Criticism. An essential tool in our lives needed for spiritual growth and development that sets one toward self-examination, heart-searching, and prayer which always leads to a deeper sense of utter dependence in God. We must move from destructive to constructive criticism if we expect the kingdom of God to dwell within us. When someone criticizes us we must not get offended, but examine our self before their words and see if God is speaking to us. We must never run their words though our education, religious, and personal bias, but open our heart for true reflection so that God can deal and judge in our lives, now that is Godly strength and ability.
E. Rejection. “No man is ever fully accepted until he has, first of all been utterly rejected. The rugged path of utter rejection is trodden not only uncomplainingly, but with rejoicing. We often times will go through the fire and pruning, but this is the divinely appointed way to the wealthy place in God. God’s way is full of limitations and restrictions leading us in a very narrow way, but ends in a broad place in God, full of life. Man’s way is broad without limitations and restrictions and ends up in a very narrow way that leads to ruin, loss, and death. “Often the crowd does not recognize a spiritual leader until they are gone and then they build a monument for him with the stones they threw at him in life.”
F. Pressure and Perplexity. God treats the spiritual leader as a mature adult, leaving more and more to his spiritual discernment and giving fewer sensible and tangible evidences of His guidance than in earlier years. The longer we walk with the Lord, the less we will hear His voice and maybe feel His presence. This perplexity adds to the inevitable pressures incidental to any responsible office. But do not worry, when the time comes to act, God always responds to His servant who trusts in Him.
G. Cost to Others. There is often a very real cost that has to be paid by persons other than the one entrusted with leadership. Indeed, it is they who sometimes pay the heavier price. Right or wrong they follow the direction they are being led.
H. Reaction to Adverse Opinion. Paul set before us a valuable pattern in this regard. “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10) To Paul the voice of man was faint because his ear was tuned to the louder voice of God’s appraisal. He was fearless of man’s judgment because he was conscious he stood before a higher tribunal. If we too truly desire to be a spiritual leader we must never be a man pleaser. Our words must stand for something, even if it hurts feelings or offends. Our services must never be bought. Jesus paid a great price for the Gospel message and we must never cheapen it by compromising what we believe to be true for money or favor. Lastly, remember when we justify our selves before men we willfully make them our judge. Now I am not talking about spiritual authority (God also gave me a teaching outline on spiritual authority that I have paid for dearly and have taught around the world, we know spiritual authority), if someone over you in authority (especially spiritual authority) wants a piece of you, you better listen and take heed, but just because someone wants you to justify yourself, well this is man pleasing something we must never do if we desire to be a servant (slave) of God. We must function and operate like Peter and John, “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20) This too is our choice and just like all things in God there is a price we and others will pay for our choice. Written by David Stahl
Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
Even The Little Things
In the Book of Matthew Jesus said, “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10: 29-31). We all want a touch from God sometimes as we go through life. Most of the time we go about our daily routine day in and day out without a word or a touch from God. This is by grand design to keep us ever seeking God, through the good times, the bad times, the mundane times, any time—we should always be seeking the Lord and His ways. And just because we don’t hear from Him does not mean He is not there. He is so great and powerful that He could be right next to us and we not even know it. But fear not, if He wants His presence known we’ll know it even in the little things. I’ve recently experienced a small touch from God in an experience brought on by our dog Grimme and Daniel’s (our son) chickens. While visiting Dan and his wonderful family one of the things I was very much concerned about was his chickens and our dog. Grimme seemed interested in these big birds, yet wasn’t tearing at the cage to get in with them – a good sign indeed. However a chicken out of her cage might be a massive temptation that needed to be investigated. Now one particular chicken “Sparkles” was the escape artist of the little group and routinely escaped the confines of her cage and went about the yard looking for bugs, unmolested by the family dog—Lilly.
This would be an excellent example of living within restrictions and limitations, but it’s not the major point of this story. Well, Sparkles flew the coop one day when Grimme was in the yard and got a BIG surprise, he just had to investigate this big bird and got a hold of her. By the time we got to her, her neck feathers were all wet with boxer slobber, exposing the back of her neck, she was a little stunned—if not in shock. I was horrified just what we need for a good family visit; our dog killing our son’s chickens, kids upset and crying, and Grimme the big bad villain, my mind was filled with gloom. So we waited a few minutes and placed her back in the coop, well the other chickens and particularly the rooster started pecking her (not exactly sympathetic little critters) so Sarah (our son’s wonderful wife) put Sparkles in a dog crate with food and water to let her rest a day. I felt so bad what if the poor thing died? What if the other chickens didn’t accept her back into the flock? Oh dear God in Heaven, please don’t let Sparkles die or be rejected by the other chickens. I prayed and prayed, I did not want Abby (our granddaughter) to be more upset over this situation than necessary. She really doesn’t like our Grimme that much anyway and this would definitely sour things the more. I felt so bad, but you know what the next day Sparkles neck feathers had dried from all the slobber and looked normal and she was acting normal, so Sarah put her back with the other chickens and after a few little pecks all was well they accepted her! Thank God. But true to her form the crazy chicken escaped AGAIN and Grimme almost got her. This time I was able to call him off before he got a chance to slobber all over her and play the “what’s this” canine investigation game. Whew, it was a close one. Folks, God is concerned with us and our lives. Make no mistake our walk with Him is very important and is needed now more than ever. John tells us the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16) constantly bombard us to keep us from seeking Him. Take heed to yourself and don’t let this happen! Run to God!! Stay the course and don’t give up the ship. God will be there when we need Him, even in the little things like praying for a chicken. He is not on the other side of the galaxy, but he lives in our hearts. Oh we may not always feel Him, but He is there none the less. Depressed – He is there. Sick – He is there. Divorced – He is there. Persecuted –He is there. Death –He is there. Let us humble ourselves and daily seek His glorious face. For He is all we really need in this life, and yes He is concerned with even the little things of our lives.
Written by Karen Stahl
DEAR FRIENDS:
The older I become and the longer I go with the Lord the more I see the critical importance of walking well within the restrictions and limitations God has provided for us. In my health the older I get the more I like good water, fruits, and vegetables. The older I get the more I like a good nap in the afternoon and see the importance of exercise. When I work out at the gym everything just works right, what a blessing. God has put these physical principles into place to maintain our optimum levels of health and by keeping them our physical life is preserved and we can operate at maximum functioning capacity. Well if God has built these things into our physical lives how much more do you think He has built into our spiritual life? I wonder why we think we can do and say whatsoever we want to say and do? No restrictions, no limitations whatever we want to do and say is okay with God. Well this thinking is dead wrong in God. In Proverbs Solomon tells us, “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” (Proverbs 29:18) The word “perish” here has nothing to do with dying, but to cause to refrain or to show lack of restraint. What “law” is Solomon talking about? Why those spiritual principles that God has laid down in the Old Testament. And for us today those divine spiritual principles in the Scriptures if we do not keep them we will suffer the consequences. There is a cause and effect for everything we get from God. We do those things God has asked us to do then we will get a certain reward (remember a reward is something we get out from our behaviour) and if we do not do them we get a different reward, maybe not so pleasing to us. Did you know everything God creates has the expectation by God to come to completion and fulfilment? So too in man, this is why God wants us to walk in the limitations and restrictions of His words so that we will be able to come to completion and fulfilment. This too is why the church today in the world lacks the authority and the anointing to be the example as Jesus was. Jesus walked under great limitations and restrictions of His Father; doing only what the Father told Him to do and doing only what He saw the Father do. Jesus said, “of myself I have no power except for what the Father gives Me.” I see and hear the church world-wide do everything they can do and say except come under the limitations and restrictions of God, it is the secret to God’s authority and anointing.
NEEDS NOT WANTS:
1. In Silistra, Bulgaria Pastor Niki Marsov and Pastor Yanko. Times are troubled in Bulgaria and need much prayer.
2. Constanta, Romania Pastor George Ritisan at Lighthouse Church, and Ciprian Bozdod at the Mission Bible School. They too are expanding making more room for God and ministry to Eastern Europe, Turkey, and Asia.
3. In Suceava, Romania Pastors Nicu and Pastor Marcel at St. Andrews Church. St. Andrews is still a key brick in the wall of God to the nations of Eastern Europe.
4. Pastor Joseph Mutua in Nairobi, Kenya needs your prayer and financial support. Kenya has seen much change and experienced much upheaval, they need your prayers for safety.
5. Pastor Mike Olufemi in Aveile, Nigeria. He needs your 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. Financial support for the printing of “Wandering in the Wilderness: Call to Ministry.”
8. Pastor Metin Mintaz and the members of Uskudar Son Buyruk Kilisesi in Istanbul, Turkey.
9. Pastor Elieti Msangi in Dar Es Salaam and Pastors Isreal Mutaitina and John Balone in Bukoba, Tanzania.
10. Major Robin McIntosh, Chaplin, Gatwick Airport, Salvation Army, London, England.
11. Monthly financial support Vivian’s Maternity and Child Care Clinic project in Aviele, Nigeria.
12. Pastor Tek Dahl at Gethsemane, Church (his church) and their radio station “Good News 105.1 FM” in Kathmandu, Nepal.
13. Pastor Sharief Ramsis, Khartoum Evangelical Church, (his Church) and their feeding and lodging ministry of the 1000s of children from the famine and war regions.
14. Bishop John, Samuel Kamanzi (from the Congo), Mashuli Etienne, Emmanuel Ndolimana in Ruhengeli, Rwanda, and the plans for a Bible School and K-12 school.
FUTURE SCHEDULE:
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:
Ministry E-mail: dstahl@beholdinghisglory.com
Personal E-mail: mtnebo@hotmail.com
Online:
Beholding His Glory Website
Beholding His Glory Blog
Our latest book, “Thoughts for Consideration” has been published by AuthorHouse, where you can also purchase it online. You can also purchase two of our other books “Adventures with God” and “God Still Performs Miracles: A Book of Personal Encouragement.”
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.
We are projecting to use the royalties for: our maternity clinic in Aveile, Nigeria, radio station in Katmandu, Nepal, TB clinics in Ethiopia, and Lord willing the Bible Schools in Kenya, Rwanda, and the Congo, and to help publish more books. We have five more books at different stages of production. 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. The cost is great, but the cost for not supporting to others is even greater. And remember, all donations are tax deductible.
