”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)
Greetings again my Brethren. Okay let us continue looking at some places, what I call God’s “making places” in our lives where we can grow in the grace and knowledge of the LORD Jesus Christ. Spiritual growth and development just does not happen in our lives. Oh no, there must be a desire in us and there must be a pursuit to be willing to endure some things from the LORD, through His dealings and judgments, about us to get our attention. My friend nothing is free in God. Everything we get from God will cost either us or somebody else dearly. I hear many Christians glibly say, well, salvation is a free gift of God, well think again. Our salvation was bought, it was purchased at a great price. Our salvation cost Jesus His life. Our salvation was not free. Never think that for if you do then you will take what Jesus did (losing His life so that we can find our life) on the cross for granted. Last month we looked at prisons what a wonderful place to find God. You know we all are in a prison one way or the other. In our life we are either a prisoner of God or a prisoner of Satan. Some folks know prison bars and some folks have bars of the mind and heart. Never look down your nose at the men and woman behind the bars and wires of a prison. Karen and I go three times a month to Craven State Prison (State of NC indoctrination prison) in Vanceboro and share with the men there and would say we find more of a hunger for the word of God behind the bars at Craven than we do in most churches we visit and I minister in. This month let us look at another “making place” in God and probably one of the biggest areas we find in the Scriptures, a storm. In Matthew 14:24-33 we read where Jesus came walking on the water, but was planning to bypass the disciples at first. We read, “But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?32And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:24-33) Let me jump to the end verse 33, please notice after the storm and after they got back in to the place of provision Jesus provided for them they said, “of a truth thou art the Son of God.” Maybe that is the whole purpose (that is true my friend) of the storm, to shake us to the core, to bring us to our knees so we can get a good look at Jesus. You know they say the best view of Jesus is from the bottom of the barrel. I will let that sink in a minute. In verse 25 it said they saw Jesus, but in verse 26 they said it was a spirit and they cried out in fear. But, how long have they been walking with Jesus? Did they not know what Jesus looked like? And from the center of the storm Jesus speaks to them, “be of good cheer it is I.” Now I do not know about you my friend, but Jesus speaking in the midst of the storm ought to be enough to calm my fears and settle my heart. Now here is the lesson, not having faith to walk on the water as I have heard these verses preached for years, but when Jesus speaks telling us to “fear not” yet we leave the place of security and provision He provided to do something supernatural. We are filled with this desire to do supernatural things, do the impossible in God, but God just wants us to do what He tells us to do. My friend never leave what God has provided to do something greater in our eyes. If we do this then we will always get in trouble and sink deeper into what Jesus needed to save us from. In Peter’s case Jesus needed to save Peter from him self and the water. Yes, Jesus did say “come,” but Peter never walked on the water oh no, he walked on the word from Jesus to come. My friend never focus on Peter having enough faith to walk on the water, if you do then you will miss the lesson God is trying to teach us here. The lesson is not having faith, oh no, faith is God’s, He owns faith, He gives faith to us like with Peter and when we begin to doubt and not believe then the faith we receive dwindles and we have to be saved just like Peter. “Faith cometh by hearing a word from God.” (Romans 10:17 Geek) Jesus said to Peter, “oh ye of little faith” after he walked on the water. Never want to do the supernatural it will get you into trouble. Never leave a place of provision from the LORD stay in that place and learn what He is teaching you in it. I believed Peter learned nothing from this experience, because time and time again Peter failed Jesus in word and deed. It was not till Jesus could bring Peter to the end of his self in John 21:17, “He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”
More next month as we look at my favorite place and the last place the wilderness. 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:
The Education of God
There is a saying (even in the “church” today) that says, a reader is a leader, well that my friend is flat out false. God’s education for leadership comes not by books, videos, courses, lectures, or tests, but by the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and revelation as we submit to His work. In John we read, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” (John 16:13) Now when “the Spirit of truth is come” talks about the coming of the Holy Spirit a promise to send the comforter and also when He comes into our lives we will begin to know truth and understanding the things and ways of God. Later on in John 16 we read, “All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take (talking of the Holy Spirit) of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” (John 16:15) That is the Holy Spirit will take the knowledge and understanding of Jesus and show them to us, how simple. This is how we can have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5). Notice Jesus did not say we had to go to Bible School (also include seminaries) for two, three, or four years then do two more years for a Masters and another year or two for a doctorate to learn the things God has for us. Why Brother Paul (Saul then) was in Bible School and God kicked him out. in Matthew Jesus was talking to Peter and He said, “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 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 16:17-18) What was revealed to Peter that “flesh and blood” (man’s teaching and ways) could not reveal to him? “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16) The revelation of who Jesus Christ is. Oh, my friend I am here to tell you unless the Holy Spirit reveals the things of the Spirit to us if not then we will never get them. I shared this truth to the pastor of an Original Free Will Baptist Church in our area and now Karen and I were told we were not welcome. Now I will be honest I never spent one day in a Bible School as a student yet, I have taught all over the world in Bible Schools. I am NOT saying Bible Schools are not of God (I have seen some really good ones), but will say most Bible Schools are a big waste of time and money. They use man’s education and not God’s education. I mean if God has called you to minister the word of God, why go to man to learn how? Oh, I know it is easier to learn from man who you can see than from God who you cannot see. Anyhow God’s tests hurt we must die to our ambitions and desires, but not so in man’s Bible School. In my training days (which are still ongoing) I was in the US Navy and Charles Haun would come and stay weeks (while he would travel to churches and places in our area) with us and Charles and the Holy Spirit would take me to “school” or I would travel to FL where Charles lived and “school” was in session. For years this happened and for years God would open (by His Holy Spirit) my heart and mind and fill it with deep revelations, truths, and understandings that are not found in a Bible School where head knowledge and worldly ways are taught. An education in God like this is priceless, but this is the way the disciples and others that followed them were educated. There were no Bible Schools in those days just the Holy Spirit and men as teachers who paid the price to receive understanding and revelation from God through experiences and His dealings and judgments. With less men of God who really know Him and His ways around gave great rise to resident Bible Schools (students on campus) to fill the void. In recent years (say the last 100) numbers have really sky rocketed. And of course with all of the Bible Schools comes the denominational doctrine and specific unique teachings from those who sponsor the Bible Schools. What follows can only be false or at best half-truths, with both are deception. Do all of the Bible Schools teach the same thing? Do they all have the same Spirit? No and No. Thus, the graduates of these Bible Schools will only add to the confusion and deception within the Body of Christ. Oh, I know your favorite denomination says they teach the truth, but if so I guess everyone else is teaching lies/non-truths. What is the standard of truth taught in a Bible School? Please do not say the word of God for many Bible Schools do not use the Scriptures. Maybe the number of Bible Schools have much to do with the deception that fills the pews and hearts today. After all most teachers (not me) want to be called “Dr.” or a professor,” but no one wants to be called a servant. After all, with the title “Dr.” comes prestige, honor, and if getting paid for preaching or pastoring the title “Dr.” or professor” commands more money. And now you can go on-line and get a doctorate degree in six months or worse go to one of these fly by night Bible Schools that are so called “accredited” not by a professional organization, but by a church or organization that wants to make money for the staff. Maybe they are well meaning, but the spirit of these schools (will not call them Bible Schools) are all wrong. I for one am tired of seeing these charlatans rob people, but worse spread more confusion and deception within the Body of Christ. Now I know it is the person’s money and let the buyer beware, but most Christians (especially young) have little to no common sense when it comes to things of the Spirit. After all a good snake oil salesman can even sell ice to Eskimos. In the end they have turned the LORD’s house into a den of thieves. They have stolen money, defrauded people under false pretense, and worse caused more confusion and deception within the Body of Christ. Jesus told the Bible teachers in His days “And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.” (Mark 11:17) Not just “a house of prayer” as Luke and Matthew says, but much more it is to be “of all nations the house of prayer.” In the Greek, the words: “all” (Greek #3957) everything, everyone, and wholly and “nation” (Greek #1484) gentiles or heathens. In other words, the house of God is to be all and all to everyone and a wholly place. It is to be the place where truth is taught, the place where we can become whole again before God), the place where we find reconciliation with God and man, but in Mark we read the religious folks (like many today) and even the Bible teachers of the day have marketed the house of God to a point Jesus had to refer to His house as a “den” (a place of vipers, snakes, and not a place where God’s Spirit dwells) and called the people who run the temple “thieves.” The Gospel is not for sale my friend. Yet “Christian education” is bought and sold every day. A diploma in “Christianity” is sold to the lowest bidder, but in reality the integrity and wholesomeness of the Gospel has been cheapened and in some cases I know totally lost for money and influence. My friend the Gospel is not for sale. Jesus paid a dear and eternal price (His life) for the Gospel and we must not sell it by marketing and merchandising the Gospel in fly by night on-line and pseudo resident (classes two or three days a week) Bible Schools. If the course material is from books and videos of people (who you have never met) you are not getting anything of the Holy Spirit at best you are going to get that person’s revelation and for me that will never do. It is the Holy Spirit who will lead and guide us to all truth not a video, self-help book, or a special curriculum. My friend most Bible School’s provide head knowledge, but revelation comes by way of the Holy Spirit. God’s education is received not by reading textbooks, watching videos, writing papers, or taking tests. It is not won by promotion, but by many prayers and tears. It is attained by confession of sin and much heart searching and humbling before God; by self-surrender, a courageous and uncomplaining embracing of the cross, and by an eternal, unfaltering looking unto Jesus crucified. It is not gained by seeking great things for ourselves, but rather, like Paul, by counting those things that are gain to us as loss for Christ. That is a great price. but it must be unflinchingly paid by one who would be not merely a nominal but a real spiritual person of men, a leader whose power is recognized and felt in heaven, on earth and in hell. God’s highest level of education is reserved for those who have qualified in secret. It is that element of sovereignty that begets awe and a great humility in those to whom dedication and commitment is entrusted. The Church is painfully in need of education by the Holy Spirit not from books and videos. I wait to hear a voice and no voice comes. I love the back seat in conferences. I would always rather listen than speak, but there seems to be no clarion voice to listen to. God’s education come is by way of loss to one’s self and ambition. I wonder how much that will cost? Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
Despise Not The Chastening
Paul in writing to the Hebrews and said, “For Consider him (Jesus) that endured such contradiction (hostility) of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint (be discouraged) in your minds (souls). (Hebrews 12:3). Paul was encouraging Jewish believers to hang on to Christianity and not go back under the law because of persecution by their own countrymen. He also encouraged them in Chapter 12 to endure the chastening of GOD in their lives. We read, “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.” (Hebrews 12: 6-8). The message here is crystal clear. IF (the most important word in the Bible) we despise or reject GOD’s chastening we will not, we cannot, we shall not be a son of God. In verse7 “chastening” (#3809) means: tutorage, i.e. education, or training by implication; disciplinary correction, instruction, chastisement, nurture. So, GOD Himself is our tutor, concerned with our life’s instruction, and He will also nurture us as He is concerned with our upbringing. How wonderful is that?? GOD is not a taskmaster ready to smite us when we fail, He will chasten or correct us, dust us off, and then get us headed in the right direction. IF we allow Him. Hopefully our heart will soften under His tutorage and we will be willing and obedient servants of the Most High GOD. It’s up to us. GOD will not force our hand or heart to serve Him. Oh no my friend. But, our stubbornness, hard headedness, hard heartedness, which leads to disobedience will end us in the Lake of Fire. GOD wants, so much, for us to be righteous as His precious Son is righteous. We must not harden our heart, but willingly humble ourselves to His purposes and will as He leads. 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:
9 April 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:
April: Poland and Czech
May: Local Ministry
June: 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.
