Greetings again my Brethren. Last month we looked at how God uses the uneducated most often over the educated. You know, all of that book learning often gets in the way of the simplistic understanding and receiving of the Gospel message. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians, “Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” (1 Corinthians 1:20-21) “God by the foolishness of preaching” is what He uses to save us not the wisdom of the world. We need to remember that. Too many Bible Schools and Seminaries have adopted the ways and programs of the modern education and higher institutional learning to teach a simple message. My friend it will not work. Maybe that is one reason why the Church is so feckless. So, this month we are going to look at the “enemy.” Now when you think of the “enemy” Satan comes to mind. Now I will be honest I am not a big fan of blaming Satan for everything that happens. He gets blamed for many things that he should not get credit for. You know Satan cannot be after me and you at the same time. It is either you or me he can buffet. He is not present everywhere and cannot get into our minds and make us do things beyond our will. A liar, yes. The father of all lies, yes. Evil, yes. The sponsor of all evil, yes. But he is not as powerful as the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I think it would be good to define what the “enemy” is before we proceed. The “enemy” can be Satan, but most often it is man or a man that is doing evil things maybe sponsored by Satan directly or out from the evil in their heart. In the KJV of the Bible the word “enemy’ is used 107 times. Strongs #G2190, usually translated “foe.” So, the “enemy” of Christ or our “enemy” is anything that is a foe. Death can be our “enemy.” Paul writes in 1 Corinthians, “For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” (1 Corinthians 15:25-26) I can be your enemy for writing this newsletter. Paul again helps us in Galatians, “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” (Galatians 4:16) Children of the devil or Satan can be your “enemy.” “Children of the devil can be our “enemy.” Luke writes, “And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?” (Acts 13:10) As you can clearly see we all are not the sons or daughters of God. Only those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, a join heir with Christ, are a son or daughter to God the Father. All else are enemies of God the Father. There is a huge difference between Creaturehood and Sonship. The Bible nowhere even suggests or teaches that all men are brothers in a great family with God as a common Father over all. It sounds good, but it does great harm at once to the great truth such as the sinfulness of man, the absolute need for salvation, the necessity of faith in the work of Christ on the cross, and the plan of redemption in general. Creaturehood has to do with creation of man while Sonship date from the new birth in Christ. Adam the federal head of the human race and Christ the spiritual head of all who enter into the new birth. We can even become an ”enemy” of God. James shares, “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” (James 4:4) We automatically become an “enemy” of God when we reject the truth of the Gospel. And of course the big one, Satan or the devil can be an “enemy.” Matthew writes, ”He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; 38The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; 39The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 40As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.” (Matthew 13:37-40) As I said, I am not a big fan of blaming Satan for everything that happens to us. I believe we are our greatest “enemy.” James tells us, “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:14But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.15Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” (James 1:13-15) Not the devil or Satan my friend, but the lust from our old man, our flesh causes us to sin. One thing for sure God will use these “enemies” and more to reveal to us our critical need to be saved and go on to a greater walk with Him. Even Satan does not get a pass. God will use anything in our lives that will reveal our need to have Christ formed in us.
More next month as we continue to look at the many diverse instruments 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:
Not Knowing is Enough
Although the LORD does not withhold provision from us as His children (we just think He does at times) we should ask of Him concerning our needs. Then we can express our thankfulness to Him and others who helped when He responds, but if He does not reply when and how we think He ought to (in these times) well . . . not knowing should be enough for us. Whatever we may need we are to first sow that to the LORD believing that He will multiply it back to us – not just the seed that was sown, but many times more. Of course, our greatest need is not things, but more of His Spirit in our lives. Often, we do not receive from God because we have stepped out from under God’s umbrella of dependence for our lives. Many Christians quote, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19) expecting more than the moon and stars, but God’s riches are more than money, jewels, cars, houses, jobs, our health, power, influence, favor, all of those things that stir our senses and move our emotions. Oh no God’s “riches in glory by Christ Jesus” are: righteousness, truth, integrity, wisdom, a Godly character, the ability to render righteous judgment and so much more. I do not see any earthly riches here. My friend no farmer would plant seeds in order to harvest the same amount as was sown. One seed planted for one seed harvested this is foolish even for a non-farmer like me. Rather the planter expects an increase greater than what he plants; maybe 60 , 80, or 100 fold. So too this principle is spiritual. What we want we must give that away expecting to get more than what we plant, but (here is the rub) if not what will our reply to God be? Some believers expect to harvest a crop of financial blessings yet they have failed to first plant seed. They may even say, “When my ship comes in, I will give thousands for your ministry.” I then wonder if they had sent their ship out as they fail to give from the resources they already presently have. This type of thinking and Christianity is NOT what the Bible teaches. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians, “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: and 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)” (2 Corinthians 9:6-8,10) Notice in verse 10 that it is the LORD who provides and that He provides two things; seed for sowing (we have no seed unless the LORD gives it to us) and bread for eating. We will never get beyond having our basic needs met, if we do not sow seed. Now I am not talking about money alone, but sowing of our abilities, talents, and intentions. If we eat the seed there will be nothing to plant and therefore no increase. Again, I do not see anything in these verses that talks about physical earthly things like cars, houses, jobs, etc. The increase of the seed where the LORD gives and we are to eat of is the righteousness He works in us. It is our righteousness we give away. But who wants to eat from the tree of righteousness? You can answer that question for yourself. We all want God to bless us, but what do we do when God is silent during these times? Are we willing to be like the three Hebrew Children and say, “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king 18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” (Daniel 3:17-18) Can we say, “But if not” now there is a place of faith in God. It is easy to have faith in God when all is going well, but allow God to put us to the test (God is good at making us eat our words) and He will see what we are really made of. You know often the path to His provision is through dry places (what I like to call the wilderness) and what do we do when the river of blessings run dry? It is not in the times that flow with milk and honey God is closely scrutinizing our lives oh no, but in the times we allow (it is up to us) Him to lean into us with both feet and give us a gut check to see where we stand with Him. And during this time if God does not answer we need to have enough of God in us to be still and silent holding our request before Him with a pure conscience. Timothy tells us, “Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.” (1 Timothy 3:9) “Holding the mystery of the faith” where? In our heart and thoughts until God gives us the enlightenment. We must look at the LORD’s long-term plan and maybe be willing to go through a bit of tribulation in order to reach the promised land of understanding and knowing, otherwise we may quit. We must believe first the LORD will arrange our circumstances. He will make a way through the impossible as we align ourselves with Him and His will for our lives. Second the LORD will allow us to go through a time of testing and humbling because He is more interested in what we are becoming than in what we are doing for Him in the sowing. And third when we reach our promised land we must not forget the LORD. We may be sure that the LORD will take us through these three stages for our own good and for His glory. Lastly, this not needing to know everything goes to the heart of our walk with the LORD. If we need not know everything then God does not have to bless our every whim and desire. We will be content and happy as a clam with our mouth shut knowing God knows and He will take care of things for us. Man is a nosey, curious beast and sadly the church feeds this selfish desire by teaching some things that makes man even more inquisitive. In Luke Jesus gives us a warning to be careful in this area. Jesus said, “And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Luke 11:9-10) Now many denominations teach if God does not answer keep on knocking, seeking, and asking, well that is NOT what Jesus was saying. Jesus was really saying (just read the words without trying to make them all spiritual) ask and it shall be given you. Jesus was saying if you ask and even keep on asking you will receive something, but it may not be the thing you need at the time you need it. If you seek and keep on seeking you will find something, because everyone that seeks findeth. If you knock and keep on knocking something will be opened to you. Now it may not be what God wants for you, but to some Christians it will not matter. I am not saying not to ask, seek, or knock, but I am saying to be careful, take heed, because God knows what we need before we ask, seek, or knock. Ask, seek, or knock and leave it with God’s good graces and if we get no answer we can hold it in our heart before the LORD. I do not know about you, but when our kids were growing up and they kept bugging me for something my resolve not to give it to them stiffened. Other times I just gave them something knowing that it would work a better purpose developing their character. The more we know the more we want to know and the more we know the greater chance we have in getting off track. There are many unanswered questions in the Scriptures and that is out of God’s arrangement, but it is funny how man cannot be happy not knowing and just trust God. One of the greatest signs of spiritual growth and development in us is not needing to know everything and leaving the unknown things to God’s sovereignty and will. I have been holding many things before the LORD for years and I know in His time and His good graces He will be able to unlock the secrets I have in my heart and unfold the “riches of glory in Christ Jesus.” Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
Strong in Yourself
Strong in yourself just means weak in GOD. If hard trials in our life don’t humble us and draw us closer to the Lord, it’s pretty much been all for naught. Especially like I said, if we get stronger in ourselves. When we are strong in GOD (and weak in ourselves) come hell or high water we know that we know GOD is there for us. The Bible says, “The sacrifices of GOD are a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O GOD, thou will not despise.” (Psalm 51: 17) God does not despise the humble but he surely has heartburn with the proud and haughty: “Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be un punished.” (Proverbs 16:5) I remember reading about Richard Wurmbrand and his years in communist prisons, I was amazed at how he and other religious prisoners could praise the Lord through beatings, torture, starvation and various humiliations. Brother, if you can do that you’ve got something! They were weak in themselves, but strong and mighty in GOD. What a spiritual witness to us all. GOD help us to be as faithful, and humble as they. When Jesus was on the earth He was humble and meek—The Son of GOD!! In Matthew Jeus said of Himself, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) Did you get that my friend? Jesus said to, “learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:” And if we do we, “shall find rest unto our souls.” Rest to our soul is only found in learning the lessons of meekness and lowliness in heart. He is our example. When we are strong in ourselves we step out of the strength and ability of God and depend on the arm of the flesh. This is a place of sure defeat, headaches, and no rest to our soul. In these crazy times of today what is the value of rest? Sanity (rest in God) verses insanity (no rest in God). Choose you this day. And as our good friend Master Guns Stafford always says, “Stay focused, and stay on track with Jesus.” Read your Bible. GOD bless. 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:
15 October 2024 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:
October: Local Ministry
November: Local Ministry
December: 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.
