Greetings again my Brethren. Let us continue looking at the many ways the word of God, through many diverse ways, can be directed toward us. Last month we looked at sickness. I do not understand how and why a loving God will use sickness to get our attention, but make none mistake when He says He wishes not to perish he means it. This has to be one of those mysteries of His will Paul talks about. Paul writes, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:” (Ephesians 1:7-9) Brother Peter picks up on this thought when he says, “the Lord is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Peter writes, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) Make no mistake my friend God use everything in His arsenal of goads to get our attention so that we will come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Or maybe better said, God will use whatsoever we allow Him to use in our lives that will get our attention. And yes sickness is one. I do not know about you my friend, but it seems when my old body feels sick or I am in pain, God seems to be even more closer to me. This month we will look at another object God can use to get His word to us and a story that highlights this object and it is a Raven. Stange how literature never paints the Raven as a majestic bird of prey, but it seems writers always paint an evil picture of the Raven and even portray it being a bird of death. But, in reality a Raven is nothing more than a big crow. In 1 Kings 17, God used the Raven to feed Elijah the Tishbite. We read in 1 Kings, “And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, 3Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. 4And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.” (1 Kings 17:2-4) Now why did God use a Raven to feed Elijah? I do not know, but I am sure there are books and commentary of speculation trying to answer this question, but at the end of the day it does not matter what God used. He chose a Raven and a Raven He used. You know God could have used a hippopotamus to feed Elijah, it does not matter what He used. What matters is the obedience of Elijah. Notice God did not tell Elijah to go to “a” brook and He will send the Ravens, oh no, God was specific. How many know we serve a specific God? God told Elijah to go to the “Brook at Cherith” and He will send the Raven with food. If Elijah would have said, no! I will go to this brook or that brook then he maybe would have died of hunger. Elijah’s place of provision from God was at the “Brook of Cherith and nowhere else. The word Cherith means: (Strong’s #H3747) to make a cut or chop, to make a covenant. Like when Abram made a covenant with God (Genesis 15:7-11) and he cut or chopped up the animals (to include turtle doves and pigeons) selected and laid them out as God directed. God was making a covenant of life with Elijah, if he was obedient. In all that God does for us they are only ours if we move in obedience to God’s words to us. Those precious promises of God will be ours ONLY if we move in obedience. Peter writes, “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1:4) What wonderful promises from God. WOW, “escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” and “partakers of the divine nature,” but they are ONLY ours when we do that which God wants us to do. Nothing in God is free. Even our salvation is not free, it cost Jesus His life. What matters is our obedience to God. This story in the Bible is to show us if God can feed Elijah (which He did) with a big crow (a Raven) then God can use whatsoever means get food or whatsoever we need that He promises us. I know it sounds rather simplistic, but the word of God is not complicated. We seem to make it complicated by adding so many things that matter nothing at the end of the day. We look to the skills and abilities that God gave us and when we use them we think we have done something great. No my friend. The only thing we can do great is be obedient to God by doing what He wants us to do. Everything else is look see pigeon and not a Raven.
Next month we will continue to look at other diverse objects God can use to communicate with us as we look at how God used a widow. 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:
When The Clouds Move
Often there will be times in our walk with the LORD when we do not understand what is moving or why things are moving in a certain direction. Now I will be honest at these times I kind of like serving a God I cannot figure out, but on the other hand the uncertainty of not knowing can be a frustrating (sometimes to some debilitating) emotion in their life. At both times we must push beyond our feelings, our plans, our ambitions, and try to see what God is doing in this situation. In the past when I was making plans for a trip to Nepal to minister to the Nepalese people who are already under the gun, no pun intended. The government as tightening the screws on the Christians and making it very difficult for foreigners to come and share this wondrous Gospel message. If caught converting a Nepalese one could get 18 months in prison which is really a death sentence, Nepalese prisons are notorious for beatings, suicides, and murders. If a foreigner is caught evangelizing they will be arrested and deported within seven days. This holds true for India (much worse) and other parts of South Asia. At that time we were still planning to go, but God may have another idea. I know the Christian witness of the LORD by the Nepalese people and especially through the radio station Good News FM 105.1 (just upgraded to 500 from 100 watts) is of a far greater value to the LORD than us coming and being a bull in a China shop. Here we must push beyond our feelings and plans to see what God is doing here. Now we could go. We have the money (savings), we have the contact, we have plans in place, but what is God doing? What is God saying? You know it is easy to operate and flow with God when everything works out, but when things do not work out as we have planned and we still feel the LORD is moving then what? After all God wants us to shake the nations for His glory, right? No God wants to shake our heart with His love. We are to go and make disciples of all nations, right? Well no, we are to become a disciple of Christ first and then when He wants things to happen He will make them happen not us. One of the wilderness truths I so enjoy is the cloud that abided over the Children of Israel in the day providing shade and at night a pillar of fire providing warmth. In Exodus we read about the cloud, “And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness. 21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: 22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.” (Exodus 13:20-22) Wow, God expects night travel! I really like verse 20 they camped at the edge of the wilderness. It almost sounds like God had (He did) to push them into the wilderness. So who is at the edge of the wilderness? God and He will push us in so He can get our attention, so He can train us, so we can learn the lessons He has for us that will enable us to be successful when we come up out of the wilderness. The wilderness is a place we never build a home in only an expedient shelter. If we never go into the wilderness (God’s making places) we will never grow up and just stay babes, we will never learn the lessons that will help us move and flow with Him. We will be unschooled, untaught, uneducated to God’s ways God does not hold classes in well watered, fruited lands. Oh no my friend God holds school in dry, austere, troubled situations, and circumstance. Problems where we think we will die, but with God’s instruction we learn our way through. But what happens when the cloud moves? One thing for sure if in the wilderness you better move with it. The Children of Israel moved, but usually under great protest. It is not about the moving of the cloud, but about our heart condition to the moving of the cloud. If we do not go and do for God it is not about us not going and doing, but more about how we feel about not doing and going. We have these great plans: conferences, crusades, we have spent money, people informed, and we do not go. How do we feel about that? No I really mean it, how do we really feel about that? After all what will our friends say? My friend all of that does not matter. What matters is what is God doing in all of this. The cloud was a visible sign of provision, a wealth of opportunity, and even security. What happens when the cloud dries up? Even a bigger question what happens when God changes direction for our lives? Maybe this thought is for another article, but make no mistake my friend in God a few things are consistent and one of these is change. In God, problems are seldom what we think they are. We blame others for our short comings and failures, but in reality we are the problem. Remember at the heart of every issue is an issue of our heart. In Proverbs we read, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23) The words “issues” here are the good and so called bad things in our lives. No matter what happens in our lives God is looking at our reaction to whatsoever happened have it be what we call bad or even something good. I think it is the good things that happen to us that can get us in more trouble with God. After all good things rarely draw us closer to the LORD. When something good happens often we get a big head, want a pat on the back, and then have trouble getting our big head through the door way, but now a good problem well, for most Christians that will bring us to our knees. In 2 Corinthians we see Paul has been under the cloud for a price, “It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. 3And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 4How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. 6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.” (2 Corinthians 12:1-6) Now many people say it was Paul that was “caught up in the third heaven” or “caught up into paradise,” but here Paul says “I knew a man about 14 years ago” plus “And I knew such a man that was caught up in paradise.” Odd that Paul used the word “paradise” and not heaven. Jesus had already died and rose from the dead, no more paradise heaven was a reality. Here Paul was talking about two men he knew not himself, however without any question Paul did receive special revelation from God. But the issue was not about the revelation or the “unspeakable words” and things in heaven, but the issue was Paul willing to endure his infirmities (and he had many) to receive the wonderful revelations God had for him. Revelation is God’s measuring stick of a man. Revelations are not handed out like candy canes on a Christmas tree they are earned with each scar on our face from the smitter and each humbling by God. Now the cloud moves notice Paul’s reaction. Ready read, “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) Even Brother Paul wanted the “thorn in the flesh” removed as we all would, but God had a deeper purpose than sticking Paul in the flesh. Now Christians try to figure out what was the “thorn in the flesh.” Was it his poor eye sight from his Damascus road experience? Maybe it was some unfulfilled longing in his life for greater companionship, or maybe it was an angel sent from Satan to get him off track no one really knows, but did you know it was NOT about the “thorn in the flesh” it was about Paul’s reaction to the “thorn in the flesh.” It was about what God was doing with the “thorn in the flesh” in Paul’s life. So too in our lives it is not about what we have done (or not done) or what has happened to us now or in the past. It is about our reaction to what we have done (or not done) or what has happened to us in the past. Do we handle it in God as Paul did? Yes, three times Paul prayed (I probably would have prayed more) for God to deliver him from this “thorn in the flesh,” but when God says “no” Paul’s reaction was, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” Again, it is not about the thorn or even the revelation it is about our reactions to the thorns and revelation when the cloud moves and make no mistake my friend the cloud will move God will see to it. Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
Me and My Big Mouth
The Bible says, “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how to answer every man.” (Colossians 4:5-6). Wow, I wish I had that tattooed in my brain and heart! I know you’re going to find this hard to believe, so brace yourself, sit down and take a DEEP breath, Karen has a big mouth, yes its true. And if I’m NOT saying it, I’m probably being a wise guy and thinking it. I’ve had the opportunity recently to reflect on the wrecked relationships in my life. Some I’m sorry for, some probably won’t be fixed anytime soon, and others well, I don’t know. Perhaps when I’m gone the offended parties will think better of me. (Thank God that old hag is dead!!!) Now there were sometimes I said what I said and would say it again, and probably add to it!! Then there were other times I wished I had softened what I said, or not said anything at all. So, what to do, Mrs. Big Mouth has wrecked a few relationships in her life what now? Honestly, I don’t know, all I can do is back off and hope things get better down the road. Hopefully, before I croak. So, for those of you reading this: 1) think before you speak. 2) if you say something is it going to help the situation? 3) Will it be received? If probably not—keep it to yourself. 4) You MUST always speak the truth, with as much love as you can possibly muster up. Being a smart aleck as I am this is usually a bridge too far for me. 5) Some people you just can’t talk to, it’s just the way it is. So, it is best to steer clear of them and remember points 1 through 4. So, GOD bless you all. Read and study your Bible. 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:
29 April 25 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: Mombasa, Kenya
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.
