Greetings again my Brethren. This month, and I think it is God’s most favorite, we will look at the object of sickness God can use to get our attention. Now, let’s stop here for a moment. One of the biggest misconceptions we have with God’s will for our life is everything that happens to us must be God’s will. After all He knows everything about us, true. After all He controls everything in the universe, well I am not so sure this is true. I am not so sure if God orchestrates everything in our lives down to the littlest details as some churches and denominations teach. Not that random chance runs our lives and God has little to nothing to say in events and circumstances that frame our lives, but I am saying sometimes bad things happen to good people that had nothing to do with God making it happen for our good or our bad. Oh, the people that say you must have sinned and God is punishing you, or maybe God is trying to teach you a lesson or get your attention through your car accident. Well, maybe so, but probably not. On the other end of the spectrum I have friends that tell me, God tells them everything. God tells them what clothing to wear, what shoes to buy to match their coat and pants I mean it goes on and on, well, I am not so sure God is really that concerned about our wardrobe as He is about our heart condition. Yes, God is involved with our lives, but mostly His involvement, in taking care of things, after the fact. He gives us a brain, good friends and Godly parents who have a heart for God, and more important He gives us His precious Holy Spirit to help us and guide us to righteous and Godly choices. I am not sure He needs to order our lives step by step every day of our lives, but when things go sideways or spin out of control by choices we have made or things out of our control, He is there to make sense of the chaos and confusion and then bring things back into to harmony with Him. Paul writes in Romans, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) Paul says he or, “we know.” I wonder why he can say this? Well, his life was often out of control and over in chao, so he knew, “that all things work together for good” or in the Greek, God works all things together for our good, “for them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” So, if we love God and are doing what He wants us to do, “called according to His purpose” then He will work all things out, usually after the fact, for our good. We see God best in the rearview mirror or after the fact. But we must never ever forget the reason bad things can happen to good people and that is in all things God will be glorified. We were made not to do ministry, do miracles, preach, teach, but for one reason and that is to glorify God in all we do. Even in the bad things, if our attitudes are correct before God, He will see us through the pain and anguish of some of the harshest troubles in our lives. My brother John just lost his wife of 54 years three months ago and is, I will be honest, is struggling to make heads or tails of Sharon’s death, but what impresses me is his attitude. He is searching for answers that are only found deep in his heart, but he is not angry with God for taking his wife. Now, he does not totally understand why, like me or any man who losses their wife, but the answers to his questions will be found in his attitude before God and God shining His light in his heart. I am proud of my big brother. Getting back God often uses sickness. In Luke 4 we read a story where Jesus healed Peter’s wife’s mother. “And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s house. And Simon’s wife’s mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her. 39And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them.” (Luke 4:38-39) Now did God give Peter’s mother-in-law a fever? Maybe Peter’s mother-in-law sinned and God was punishing her and the family. Or maybe God was trying to teach Peter’s wife’s mother a lesson? We do not know and we dare not assume any further than what we can read in the Bible. So, we will have to conclude maybe three reasons why Peter’s mother-in-law was healed from this story. One, Jesus wanted someone to minister to Him and the disciples, “and immediately she arose and ministered unto them.” Two, Jesus felt sorry for Peter and his family so He did a miracle. This answer is probably more accurate in keeping with Jesus’ love for people who were sick. In Matthew 4:24 we read, “And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.’ (Matthew 4:24) One and two could work, but without question the third answer, so that God could be glorified works the best. Any time a person is healed or a miracle happens, someone struggling with life’s issues is lifted as the answer comes make no mistake my friend God is glorified.
Next month we will continue to look at other diverse objects God can use to communicate with us as we look at the element of Ravens. 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:
At the End of the Day
Okay here is the good news right up front. At the end of the day (when our life is over and we stand before a holy God) it does not matter what our ministry was while on earth, how much money we gave the church, or what we did for the pastor and God’s people. Oh no, all of this is over. All of our good works and well intentions are over. At the end of the day (when our life is over and we stand before a holy God) what matters is what we did with Jesus Christ. God will say to us, “who do you say Jesus is?” A couple of days after Michael Jackson died I was sitting in a sauna with some friends (one being my dear friend Pastor Foster) and my friends (many call themselves Christian) were recounting Michael Jackson’s life, his dancing and singing ability. Well, I chimed in and said, “yes he was a great singer and dancer, but when he stood before God, He did not ask him to sing a song or dance a lick.” Well, the sauna got deathly quiet. You would have thought I let the air in the room out. I said, “oh no, when Michael Jackson (like us all will) stood before God, He only asked him one question, what did you do with my Son Jesus?” I cannot speak for Michael Jackson (maybe for him it is too late), but I can only speak for myself. In my heart I want to be able to say, “thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” as Brother Peter had this revelation. In Matthew Jesus was talking to the disciples and asked, “whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:13-17) The disciples were quick to reply with earthly responses, except for Peter. Jesus asked and they told the truth, “they said, some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.” Jesus then brought it home to the disciples as He always did, “But whom say ye that I am?” And of course Peter speaks up first not because he is a loose cannon, but because he has the right answer, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus was quick to commend Peter while giving him a back handed love tap. Here Jesus called him “Simon Barjona” (not his name) or blessed art thou old man of the flesh. I have also heard Jesus here was referring to Peter’s nature and comparing it (his nature) to the wild golden doves from the Isle of Barjona that could not be tamed. Saying Peter was like a wild golden dove beautiful in flight, but had a wild streak in him that could not be tamed. Now this had great significance for the other disciples because Jesus was teaching them to understand who Christ is, to be able to understand the kingdom, to understand anything of God it must not be by flesh or blood (man’s wisdom and ways), but must be “revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” We must allow God through the Holy Spirit to reveal the secrets of the kingdom, the mysteries of the Gospel, wisdom, the mystery of God, of Godliness, all of these and more must be revealed to us we cannot learn them with head knowledge or book learning. I do believe this is what Paul was teaching the Church at Corinth when he said, “Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.” (2 Corinthians 5:16) or if we have known Christ in salvation and then try to know Him after the flesh (book learning and through carnal ways) then we know Him no more. God must reveal Himself personally to us by the Spirit. Remember “carnal” just means not of the Spirit, worldly. We Christians like to make this word something more than what it is. Too many Christians try to know God after the flesh, carnally: through books, education, music, dance, flag waving, even service to our brothers and sisters, but that is not the way God wants us to know Him. God wants us to come to know Him through the Spirit, through revelation as the Holy Spirit reveals the truth of God’s nature and character to us. What benefit is it to us if we come to know about Him and even use some of His power yet never come to know His person? Oh, how we go after the truth in the word of God, but when God begins to reveal the truth about our nature and character (oh me) quickly we shut down. At the end of the day (when our life is over and we stand before a holy God) it does not matter what we have done or said for God, all of our good works will be over. I remember when Charles Haun was gathered to his elders (and I believe he is with the LORD) in July 1996 his wonderful wife Violet was left with his Bible, his ministry, all of his office (how I use to enjoy him and his office) equipment, all of his outstanding writings, his luggage that he used to travel countless 1,000s of miles, his watch, his personal clothing, his tooth brush all of this and more now was in Violets care. I looked around and wondered what will happen to all of my things I hold near and dear to my heart. I have laid out in my last will and testament who gets my swords and weapons, and some other things, but in the end all of this stuff does not matter. What matters is what did we do with Jesus and did we keep the faith till the end. In Ecclesiastes the Preacher gives us “the conclusion of the whole matter.” He writes, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14) The “whole matter” is to “Fear God and keep his commandments.” There is a day coming when we all will stand before a holy God, great and small, sinner and saint alike. Not because I say it, but because the Bible says it. In Revelations John says, “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” (Revelation 20:12) So we shall be judged as the Preacher says in Ecclesiastes and John says here in verse 20:12. What will be judged according to John will be our works. Maybe that is why so many Christians want to do good works for God thinking the more good works they do the greater chance they have making it into heaven. Well not so fast my friend. Our works will be judged, but it will not be how many or what kind of works we did for God, oh no. What will be judged will be how we did those works for God. Did we do them with the right heart conditions, motives, and intentions. These will be the standard our works will be judged. You see in God, it does not matter what we do for God, but it matters how we do it. Do we do things with the right heart condition and for the right reasons. One of the first times I went to Nairobi, Kenya I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting Faith Mutua. Faith is the wife of Pastor Joseph Mutua. Well, one day I was talking with Faith and we got on this subject and I made the statement, “it does not matter what we do for God, but it matters how we do it” and Faith (a tiny lady) looked at me and jumped up on the chair and said, “I see now. I see how I can compete with someone like you. I am just a house wife and you all travel the world in ministry, holding huge meetings, sharing deep truths. I thought I was in some type of completion, but now I see it matters not what we do for God, but it does matter to God how we do things for Him.” At the end of the day (when our life is over and we stand before a holy God) our works will be judged and rewarded (maybe for another article) accordingly. It will not matter what we do for God then, but it will matter then how we do things for God, have we kept the faith to the end, and what we have done with Jesus Christ. Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
All or Nothing
Jesus had some stern words for the disciples and us too, if we want to truly follow Him. In Matthew, Jesus throws down the gauntlet for all who would come after Him, “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. 34Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. 37He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” (Matthew 10:32-39) Folks, we cannot have it both ways. We cannot have one hand hanging onto Jesus and one hand hanging on to the world, religion even friends and family. Read verse 37 again, “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” Stern stuff indeed. I’ve been thinking about how when we are young (those of us that have had a half decent upbringing) how important our parents were to us and the daily living with our siblings, Cousins, Aunts and Uncles. Basically, the familial unity that we enjoyed as children—I guess the recent holidays made me think of that. When we have children, I guess it’s the same thing over again. However, when we become Christians, well partner, there’s a new sheriff in town our loyalties change. The familial unity is replaced by our unity to Christ. He demands it. As much as we love our family (parents aunts, uncles, cousins, adult children, grandkids), but if they do NOT espouse Biblical tenets and beliefs and have a Godly world view themselves I’m afraid we must be very careful around them so we too do not get over into things that would prevent us from serving God, even to the point of keeping our distance from them. We cannot save them and they can certainly cause us to compromise our Godly beliefs for the sake of familial unity. The good side of this (if we separate ourselves) is perhaps GOD will deal in their lives to bring them to salvation. The bad side is if we compromise our Biblical beliefs for “unity” we may be in danger our self of falling away. People (I don’t care who) will pull you down faster than you can pull them up. Just pray for them, yes, you’ll miss them, and yes you’ll feel bad, but you will feel a heck of a lot worse if you fall out of GOD. True spiritual unity does NOT COME OUT OF compromise with God or man. First of all, GOD doesn’t cotton to compromise, either we are with Him or we are not. In the world compromise may appear like unity, but if one’s heart isn’t with GOD it certainly won’t be with you, if you are a real Believer. Get used to it. You’ll find out down the road how much they are with you or not. As a Believer we are automatically the “black sheep” of the family, friends, church club, whatever. Leave your loved ones to Jesus. Take care of your young at home kids, separate yourselves from those non-Believers, and allow GOD to work in both lives; yours and theirs. Don’t be the king or queen of compromise. Stand strong with and for Jesus. It’s all or nothing. Let Christ have your all. 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:
18 February 2025 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:
February: Local Ministry
March: Local Ministry
Aril: Mombasa, Kenya
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