”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. All of my life I have heard, “God can do anything, he even spoke to a man using an ass.” Well, it is true God can do anything according to His will, He is God and we are not. A critical truth we must get our heart around if we are to serve Him. I will let that sink in a moment. And Yes, God can even use an “ass” to speak to man. Now I believe this is the only story in the Bible where God used an animal to speak to a man, but make no mistake God is not above using animals and even insects to judge man. In Numbers and 2 Peter we read of the accounts of Balaam, God’s Prophet, being so thick-headed that God had to use an “ass” to communicate and even save His life. Moses writes, “And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. 22And God’s anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him. 23And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way. 24But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side. 25And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall: and he smote her again. 26And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. 27And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff. 28And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? 29And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.30And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay. 31Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face. 32And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me: 33And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.” (Numbers 22:21-33) Now the “ass” (or donkey not a mule) was one of the lowliest animals (a beast of burden), but one of the most favorite animals in the Bible. Historians say, Mary rode a donkey (an ass) to Bethlehem and Jesus entered the City of Jerusalem, in great victory, on the back of a donkey (see Matthew 21:1-5). Today an “ass” is not esteemed much, we like lions, tigers, bears, even camels, but no so with God. God always takes the least and makes it the greatest. I am not sure who was the “ass” in this story. In 2 Peter we get a better view of Balaam’s heart condition, “But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.” (2 Peter 2:16) So, God said of Balaam he was in “iniquity” and that he was “madness.” I am sure God was not talking about Balaam being upset, but his mind was touched by his “iniquity.” When we get over in sin, we miss the mark, know to do right, but wilfully do wrong, and “iniquity” or lawlessness or we do things outside the law of God, or outside the way God wants things done we are mad, we are crazy. People that do not know God who are not saved, who Christ does not dwell within them are crazy they are insane, they are mad. I mean anyone who would not accept Jesus Christ as their Savior so that that can come to know a Holy God and shun Hell and the Lake of Fire forever has to be mad, they have to crazy. Let us guard our heart from such a situation. So, God can use anything to speak to man. He can use, in summary, the timid (Jeremiah 1:6-8), the handicapped (Exodus 4:10-11), the educated (acts 7:22, 2:3) the uneducated (Amos 7:14-15, Acts 4:13), (I like this one) an enemy (John 11:47-51) and yes even an “ass.” After all God uses us, does He not?
Next month we begin to look at the many diverse objects God can use to communicate with us. 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:
Tell me No Lies
Our words should matter more than what they do, but sadly today people (even Christians) tell us things they never intend on doing. Now I can kind of understand someone who is not saved and filled with the Holy Spirit after all I expect ungodly behavior and am not offended too badly, they can only be what is in their heart, but I cannot understand Christians who claim to be born of the Spirit of God, filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, who lie through their teeth. Something my friend is not right here, something just does not add up. Either lying is a part of the Spirit of God (which it is not) or the Christian who tells lies is not born of the Spirit of God. Oh they may be saved and may be on their way to heaven, but unless they are born of the Spirit they may not make it. There is a big difference between being saved where we have asked Jesus to forgive us of our sins and being born of the Spirit where we are walking in the Spirit and led by the Holy Spirit. Today there seems to be a lot of interlopers saying they are born of the Spirit, but have not really allowed Jesus to work in their lives thus working on their character. Do you know how much God is concerned about our character? More than taking us all to heaven. We make it to heaven because we have seen (by the Holy Spirit) the need to have our sins dealt with, but that is just the beginning. Most “Christians” want nothing more to do with the Holy Spirit when He comes calling to draw them the more They have their fire insurance no need to give any more of themselves. Well I am here to tell you there is more much more God is after and if He does not get it well our future with Him may not be as rosy as we think. We sing songs about heaven and tells stories to each other what we think heaven is like, but in reality we do not know. I know it is going to be wonderful because Jesus will be there and that is enough for me. One thing I do know is no liars will be in heaven. John tells us in the Book of Revelations those who do these things shall not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven, but will end up hell. John says, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Revelations 21:8) Notice John lumped the liars with the abominable, murders, whoremongers, and idolaters. Is lying as bad as all of these? Oh come on a little white lie doesn’t hurt anybody does it? I would say yes and more. Do you mean when I say I am coming over at 1:00 pm and do not make it till 2:30 (or not at all) I am lying? Yes, and even more. You know we do what we want to do. Do you mean when I say something like you can count on me and not do what I said I will do God is concerned? Oh I just misspoke, no it is a lie and God is listening. God is concerned about our words, our words do matter. Karen and I went to a really nice local church and one Wednesday after services we were standing around and talking about chicken eggs and I made the statement chickens have ears and the color of their ears tell what color the egg is going to be. Well, you would think I told everyone the biggest lie in the world. They all (most were raised in the country) laughed at me and told me I did not know what I was saying. Even the pastor thought I was pulling their legs. I could have shrugged off the ridicule and went on about my way, but my word matters to me and God. How could I say I speak the word of God one moment then tell people lies? If given another chance to minister at church will my words that may seem strange in their ears because they (my words) may be deeper than what they have heard before or will they be cast aside as a lie? I had no choice but to provide the truth. I found the proof easily on the internet and provided copies Saturday at a church function to those who laughed at me. My word matters to me and God. The next Sunday the Sunday School Teacher apologized (which speaks well of her) for laughing at me. The laugher did not matter I have big shoulders, but what mattered was my word as a man of God. My friend God is concerned about our character flaws, especially when it comes to our words. James helps us here with this need in our lives, “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.” (James 5:12) In other words let your word be yes to the things you say you will do and no to the things you say you will not do, “lest ye fall into condemnation.” If we cannot keep our words we will be condemned by God AND man, thus not make it to heaven. Here God’s word is clear, but there is still much more here I would like to share that will really help us with our walk with the LORD and will help with our prayer life. All of my childhood my parents drilled into me and my siblings the importance of honoring our words. Maybe it was my father’s military service and when I joined the U.S. Navy it just resonated within me the importance of keeping my word. I knew (even as a child) there was a spiritual significance other than we are lying when we do not do what we say we are going to do, but I never could put my finger on why these seemingly little falsehoods or white lies really mattered after all they seem so insignificant and no one is really hurt. Well, that is so far from the truth. As I held this before the LORD recently He opened it up to me where little falsehoods and white lies greatly harm us spiritually. When we do not do what we say we will do we are teaching our heart and spirit to believe we really do not mean what we say. We are teaching our heart our words do not really matter. How can we convince our heart we are serious over big things in our lives when we lie about the little things? When we lie we are teaching our heart our words do not matter. How can we believe in our heart for great things of God when we say things to our brothers and sisters not meaning to fulfill them and expect great things from God? How can we engage our faith with God in situations believing we will speak in the name of Jesus to the mountains (trouble, circumstances, and situations in our lives) and they will be removed (Matthew 17:20 and 21:21) when we cannot keep our word. We only deceive ourselves and sadly the truth of the word of God is not in us. And it happens so subtly without anyone or anything telling us what to do. Remember in God things are automatic. If we are not drawing towards God then we are automatically rejecting God. There is no neutral ground or half measures. It is 100% in either direction. Either we are 100% saved or we are 100% lost. Either 100% in heaven some day or 100% in hell someday. The world’s system of distractions, influences, indulgences, and selfishness has trained the youth of the world through technology not to be able to hear the voice of the LORD, not to be able to hear that small still voice. Karen and I go to the gym usually three days a week. One day we arrived early having to wait about 15 minutes, well there were five younger people who beat us to the gym and all five were plugged into social media on their cell phone. As I sat there the LORD spoke to me and said, “they will never hear my voice.” I thought, they have been conformed to this world through observation without anyone telling them what to do. A few years ago Karen and I were up in Pinhook, VA a town way way back in the kountry (that is further back then in the country) during the week of the 4th of July at Scotty’s fertilizer warehouse and church. Every year over the 4th they have services all week with different speakers each night. While I was ministering I asked who puts their cell phone in their back pocket? Now the congregation of about 300 was made up with folks mostly in their 40s to 50s, but 70% of the congregation raised their hand. I asked them who told you to put your cell phone in your back pocket? They quickly dropped their hands. Then I said you all have been conformed to this world without anyone telling you what to do. It happens that easy. Mark Zuckerberg founder of Facebook wants to replace the church with a “Facebook Community” and many pastors say it will never happen, well I am not so sure. Today many churches (many I know personally) use Facebook to communicate church events, programs, donations (PAYPAL), and use it to facilitate personal relationships with those on Facebook in the church All others well, they are catch as they can. In Proverbs we read, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 14:120) The “death” is not immediate, but all along the way the life of God contained in relationship is lost and without relationship the body will die. Facebook all seems right, smells right, even feels right, but in the end (as Zuckerberg and others want to see) is death. Oh, I know it sounds like I am over blowing the evil tentacles of Facebook and other social media platforms (and you can pooh pooh me if you want), but many were right when they sounded the alarm over TV yet were called crazy. Sadly, today many Christians have their favorite Hollywood driven TV and computer games that have snared them pushing God’s voice further and further away. God will not be in competition with the world, He will let you go until you wake up one morning dead in your sins. Take heed my friend the more we go after technology the less of God will be in us. The less our words matter to us (we lie) the less God will be able to flow through us and out to the world and our heart will know the truth. Tell me no lies my friend. Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
Tight Spots
Shortly before our trip to Romania and Ukraine, our friend Miss Betty sent me a text, the last line was: “if you get in a tight spot and need help whisper Jesus.” I was intrigued to say the least, this was the first time Miss Betty ever sent a text like this to me before we traveled, well, as far as I can remember anyway. I kept those words in the back of my mind as we prepared for our trip: going, ministering in Romania and Ukraine, and then coming home. On the way to our hotel our truck died at a stop light in the center of three lanes in Virginia – Jesus! Cars whizzing by us – Jesus!! Finally, a policeman arrived came and stayed with us – thank you Jesus. Our truck was towed to a Ford dealership – thank you Jesus. Our flight to the Netherlands was delayed – Jesus. Leg cramps, need to hydrate more – Jesus. Pastor Luke was there to meet us at the airport in Bucharest and take us to the Mission Bible School in Agigea – thank you Jesus. Swollen feet and ankles – Jesus. Smacked my foot on the bed at the Mission Bible School – ouch! Jesus! Our credit card NOT working in Ukraine to buy food for the three villages – Jesus. Russian drones flying around and hitting targets in Odesa and other cities – Jesus. Redirected by somebody to go to a different town to minister and later found out the original church was bombed by the Russians and some people were killed (could have been us) and many people injured – that was Jesus. All along the way Jesus was the answer. My friend Jesus is always the answer. I was really aware of the LORD’s help and provision on this trip. The Bible says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea….” (Psalm 46:1-2) Now I like that, “a very present help in trouble” right now, right away. How wonderful, what a precious Savior we have. He cares for us, even in small inconsequential ways and yes in big ways! If we are doing what He wants us to do, He will take care of us. Now, during this trip, and I know it sounds weird, but I felt weak. I was not sick or overly excited, but in myself, physically and in my spirit, I just felt weak. I cannot explain it, but I was not as strong within myself as I am when at home. And I didn’t understand why. Yet all along the way the Lord showed Himself strong and a present help in all situations while we traveled. It wasn’t until we got back to the Hampton Inn in Dulles, Virginia, after flying all day, I think it was that night I felt my strength come back to me. In fact, I mentioned it to Dave. Never had that happened to me before. In Europe we were weak and saw Jesus strong in our lives. The verse in 2 Corinthians 12:10 took on a whole new meaning to me. Paul writes, “Therefore 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 12:10) I kind of knew what Paul was saying. Not only could I read this verse, but during this trip I lived this verse. The tight spots Miss Betty spoke of were golden opportunities to see the hand of GOD. Thank you miss Betty. Praise the Lord. 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:
19 November 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:
November: Local Ministry
December: Local Ministry
January: 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.
