Greetings again my Brethren. This month we will look at God’s most favorite element to communicate with us, sickness. Well, let me back off of that statement and rephrase my thoughts. Our sickness is NOT God’s most favorite way to communicate with us, but it is, in my opinion, God’s number one way He gets our attention. All throughout the Bible God will use sickness to bring people to their knees. Too many times in my life God introduced the possibility, to me, being sick with some malady and boy did He get me to prayer. I think we all can say Amen there. I have often thought about how God uses sickness in the affairs of our lives. I guess there is nothing more important than our health when it comes to our happiness. Matthew has a lot to say about Jesus healing the sick. In Matthew 4, we read, “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. 24And 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. 25And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.” (Matthew 4:23-25) So, Jesus used sickness or the healing of sickness to draw crowds of people. Notice the people came from Galilee to Jerusalem north to south and in a span of a three day walk or 70 miles and beyond the Jordan (River) west 21 miles or 1 to 11/2 day walk. But, here Matthew names the sickness of the people. I guess if I was sick and had no hope I too would turn to Jesus. Not only sickness but He cast out devils. In Matthew 9, we read where Jesus heals people again,
“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;” (Matthew 9:35-37) WOW Jesus healed “EVERY” sickness and “EVERY” disease. But, notice these folks with their sicknesses moved Jesus to have compassion on them. Not unlike us our sickness too moves Jesus to compassion. Now it says “EVERY” sickness and disease was healed and I believe it to be so, but many folks would say how about those who are not healed? Does Jesus not have compassion on these people? And that answer is I do not know. God has touched my body many times and even performed miracles in my life for physical healing, but I cannot speak for others. I can only speak for myself. Like the blind man in John Chapter 9, “Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner. 25He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.” (John 9:24-25) The who and the why God heals is a mystery, they are the secret things that belong unto the LORD. Moses writes, “The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.” (Deuteronomy 29:29) I have to keep this verse in mind when things do not go my way. Like when someone I love, like my sister in law Sharon, who recently died of cancer and we do not understand it; she was a great Believer, love the LORD, a true inspiration to 1,000s, yet she was not healed. How about her? I do not know why and I think nobody knows why, except God. This belongs to Him and only Him. One thing I have learned and that is I am not God. In Matthew 10, we read, “And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.” (Matthew 10:1) Now this verse is really interesting. Here Jesus did not heal the people, but gave the disciples power over all manners of sickness and diseases and power to cast out unclean spirits. Now I am sure He could have, but he did not. He gave us the power to heal people. Let me say that again. Jesus gave us the power to heal people. Now we do not have the power within ourselves aside of Christ, but Jesus gave us the power to lay hands on people and they be healed. Now I am not sure, but maybe (why some people are not healed) God is waiting for His people to believe His word and take up the responsibility to heal their sisters and brothers though the power of God? For sure when we do, then the reason God used sickness to get our attention will come into view, so that we can see His glory. There is nothing greater than to think we are on the way out and God steps in and saves the day. Oh, the joy, oh the glory that floods our soul.
Next month we will continue to look at other diverse objects God can use to communicate with us as we look at 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:
The Gospel is Enough
In The Purpose Driven Life Rick Warren (pastor of one of the biggest Southern Baptist Churches in America) said, “today the Bible is not enough to be saved.” It is no wonder Rick has evolved/waffled his position on the Bible’s view on homosexuality like many other big name speakers (cannot call them preachers) like T. D. Jakes. Deception is progressive just as is salvation. Either we walk in the truth of the word of God and it is enough for salvation or we shall walk in deception mixing other things and as a pastor or leader in a church deception begets deception on the people we lead. I am ever amazed (but I should not be) at how all types of churches use worldly means to try to hook non believers to come to church. Some churches have special services: like homecoming, pastor’s appreciation day, family and friends day or they will book a gospel group (that does not sing about the gospel) because they know people would rather be entertained with song and music, be recognized for some great act of service, or will rally together for a great social cause than to sit and hear the word of God. Most churches have failed at presenting a concise, heartfelt and heart directed message of the true word of God so they have to resort to gimmicks, promotions, tricks, and even lies to get people to come to their church. As bad as these are before God that is not the worst part of this charade the worst part of this charade is the pastors and leaders of these churches think they are doing God a big favor in misleading people to come church. Is that what the church has come to in presenting the precious and eternal Gospel message? Is this the picture of most churches today? Paul writes to Timothy, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;” (1 Timothy 4:1-2) Sadly I say yes not knowing the difference between the truth and a lie. And why . . . follow the money. Believe it or not the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10) is the root of all evil. Do we really need to represent half truths and parlor tricks to get people to come to church for money and influence? Around Christmas (I still have a hard time with that word) we have Christmas parties and have Santa Claus show up in his red suit and black boots and we say it is for the kids, but in reality we find the pictures taken posted to Facebook of the adults. After all who (no matter the age) does not want to sit on Santa’s lap? We sell this misrepresentation of the truth as ministering to the community or an outreach for the kids in the neighborhood, but in reality we are not honest enough to stand for the truth of the word of God and wink our eye a little to have some fun and who knows someone really might come and who knows someone really might hear something that will touch their heart, and who knows someone might really give their heart to the LORD. Well after all we pastors do have reports to send up the chain and we would not want to make our bosses unhappy, why they may even break our rice bowl and move us on. Then where would God be in all of this if we get our walking papers? Not just Christmas (still kind of sticks in my mouth), but over the passion week we have invented a cottage industry of half-truths from events taken from the Scriptures in hooking people to come to church instead of using the Gospel message. The word “passion” is used one time in the Scriptures. In Acts we read, “To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:” (Acts 1:3) Which means suffering or vexed. (Strong’s G#3598) Yet we have our holy week (holy week? I thought God is holy and He wants us to be holy, but a week?) starting with Palm Sunday which has nothing to do with the Gospel message. My friend the glorious Gospel message is found in 1 Corinthians we read, “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) I read nothing here about palm branches. Any way the people that cried, “Blessed is he that comes in the name of the LORD” misidentified Jesus as only a prophet and were the same folks that cried, “crucify him!” in a few days latter. I do not want to wave palms and be identified with them. On Thursday we have Maundy Thursday that remembers the last supper. Yes, Jesus and the disciples did eat a meal together (they kept the feast 1 Corinthians 5:6-8) before He was crucified, but it could not have been the passover, if so that would make John 18:28 not true, anyway what does that have to do with the Gospel? Next, we have Good Friday. I do not believe Jesus was crucified on Friday, but Wednesday. On Wednesday opinion states that there were two Sabbaths that week. After the first one (the one that occurred on the evening of the crucifixion (Mark 15:42 and Luke 23:52-54), the women purchased spices—note that they made their purchase after the Sabbath (Mark 16:1). The Wednesday view holds that this “Sabbath” was the Passover (see Leviticus 16:29-31, 23:24-32, 39) where high holy days that are not necessarily the seventh day of the week are referred to as the Sabbath). The second Sabbath that week was the normal weekly Sabbath. Note that in Luke 23:56, the women who had purchased spices after the first Sabbath returned and prepared the spices, then “rested on the Sabbath.” The argument states that they could not purchase the spices after the Sabbath, yet prepare those spices before the Sabbath—unless there were two Sabbaths. With the two-Sabbath view, if Christ was crucified on Thursday, then the high holy Sabbath (the Passover) would have begun Thursday at sundown and ended at Friday sundown—at the beginning of the weekly Sabbath or Saturday. Purchasing the spices after the first Sabbath (Passover) would have meant they purchased them on Saturday and were breaking the Sabbath. Therefore, according to the Wednesday viewpoint, the only explanation that does not violate the biblical account of the women and the spices and holds to a literal understanding of Matthew 12:40 is that Christ was crucified on Wednesday. The Sabbath that was a high holy day (Passover) occurred on Thursday, the women purchased spices (after that) on Friday and returned and prepared the spices on the same day, they rested on Saturday which was the weekly Sabbath, then brought the spices to the tomb early Sunday. Jesus was buried near sundown on Wednesday, which began Thursday in the Jewish calendar. Using a Jewish calendar, you have Thursday night (night one), Thursday day (day one), Friday night (night two), Friday day (day two), Saturday night (night three), Saturday day (day three). We do not know exactly what time He rose, but we do know that it was before sunrise on Sunday. He could have risen as early as just after sunset Saturday evening, which began the first day of the week to the Jews. The discovery of the empty tomb was made just at sunrise (Mark 16:2), before it was fully light (John 20:1). But in the grand scheme of things, it is not all that important to know what day of the week Christ was crucified. If it were very important, then God’s Word would have clearly communicated the day and timeframe. What is important is that He did die and that He physically, bodily rose from the dead. What is equally important is the reason He died—to take the punishment that all sinners deserve. John 3:16 and 3:36 both proclaim that putting your trust in Him results in eternal life! This is equally true whether He was crucified on a Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. My friend there was nothing good for Jesus on Friday (if then) he was crucified. It was a painful, horrid beating and slow death that He endured out from His love for us as he willfully went to the cross. Is that not enough? Paul tells us, “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:17-18) God sent us to preach as He did Paul not to make up some holy week. The preaching of the cross the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. Yet we make up things to try to get people to come to services (I believe) because we really do not believe the Gospel (and the Gospel alone) is the power unto salvation like Rick Warren thinks we need more. Then the crowning jewel in the week of religious activities the Sunday sunrise service. Do we really need to use religion to draw people when we have the Gospel message? No in great power Jesus came forth from the grave in victory and great power, the tomb was empty, He is Risen!! Is not that not enough? That is a part of the Gospel!! Then why do we have sunrise services? Do we need to get up before the crack of dawn and remember He has risen from the dead? If so, why? Will a sunrise service help you believe more than the Gospel message preached under the convicting power of the Holy Spirit? I think not. And please do not get me started on all of the easter egg hunts and bunny face painting parties churches have, oh that’s right this is for the kids. How can we mix the truth with a lie? Sadly, in reality our religious tricks and gimmicks only nullify the power of the Gospel in the lives of people who the Holy Spirit is drawing. In reality when we hold these services we actually are getting in the way. It is no wonder people are not coming to Christ. If the Gospel is not enough then we are wasting our time. There is no other name than Jesus, there is no other message than the Gospel, whereby people can be saved. In Acts we read, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) That means no mixing Santa Claus, Christmas trees, and presents and Christ. That means no mixing easter bunnies, easter egg hunts, and holy week and Christ. And while I am on a roll why do we kill ourselves and throw money for a week to do vacation Bible School then for the other 51 weeks (ah everyone else is doing it) care little to what happens with the kids? My friend when we add to or take away from the Gospel message by example we are saying the Gospel message is not enough whereby someone can be saved. When we mix such things with Christ it is plainly and painfully evident we do not believe the Gospel message is enough to save one from their sins. Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16) The question I ask my friend is are you ashamed of the Gospel of Christ? Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
A House of Cards
A minor incident happened recently that threw me for a loop. Oh, we’re all ok, kids and grandkids are fine, its not even worth mentioning. But, what bothered me most was my attitude towards the whole thing and how I had a hard time letting go of it. So, I went to the scriptures and read; “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD and depart from evil.” (Proverbs 3:7). I thought to myself yes, this is so true. My emotions and mind were going in no good directions. I wanted to get my pound of flesh! So, the departure from evil was so true, because my attitude was nasty. I found myself imagining all kinds of ways to justify myself which was wrong for this situation, because as it turned out the whole thing wasn’t as big of a deal as I thought it was. I would give it to the LORD then take it back, give it to the LORD and snatch it back. What a dope. So, I read Romans 12 the Chapter on principles for Believers. “Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.” And “Be not wise in YOUR OWN conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil.” (Romans 12:14,16,17). Yes, LORD! And the last one: “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him: if he thirst, give him a drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12: 19-21). Well, I’m not going to lie those scriptures took the wind out of my sails, and I felt much better. I was still having a hard time keeping a good attitude (what else is new!) But, the word comforted and corrected me. So, what’s the point in all this. Persecution is coming, if we can’t handle the small stupid stuff, we will fold like “a house made of cards” when the important stuff comes along. “If thou faint in the day of adversity, Thy strength is small.” (Proverbs 24:10). How true, how true. If the religious folks of Jesus’ day treated our precious Lord like the off scouring of the earth are we going to get any better treatment? Oh, heck NO! The Pharisees and Sadducees were on Jesus back from the git-go, always plotting and trying to trip the Lord up and in the end they thought they got rid of Jesus. Folks, persecution and stupid people are not going to stop as long as we are here on earth, All we can and must do is keep our attitude and look unto Jesus. GOD doesn’t want us to fall like “a house of cards,” He wants us to stand strong, look to, and trust in Him. GOD Bless. Read 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:
18 March 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:
March: Local Ministry
April: Mombasa, Kenya
May: 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.
