Newsletter January: 2021

Waiting on God – His Characteristics 

January 2021 • Volume XIX Number 05

”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)

THOUGHTS FOR CONSIDERATION:

Greetings again my Brethren.  Well here we are in a new year.  I hear many Christians say 2020 was horrible, the worst year of their life and I shake my head and think what have we, in the last 40 or 50 years been through to make such a comment? Oh how soft America has become.  I truly hope God does not come calling in 2021 to see what America is made of. America has drifted so far from God.  Our government and society has drifted from Biblical morality and truth, oh my friend I would not be too surprised if God would not visit America in strong ways to test the amount of His word that has been delivered to the people.  I often think of all of the countries around the world where the Gospel message has been preached and taught yet there seems to be little spiritual growth or even a desire. The same countries keep asking for help and I wonder when will it ever be enough. When will they be held accountable for what has already been given to them?  I am not jaded for giving, I still travel and give, but there must come a time when all of the countries around the world must stand on their own two feet in God.  America my friend is in trouble and the future looks bleak for her unless she truly turns her heart back to God.  If certain things play out I will be surprised if America will be around in 10 years as the America I was raised in. Oh well we all make choices and recently most of the American people have chosen darkness over light.  Back to Gods call. As America is lost there is a huge danger of allowing conflicting interests to become an excuse to justify unwillingness and lack of interest by individual Americans and the nation to answer God’s call. Jesus shares with us in Luke, “Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: ¹⁷And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.¹⁸And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. ¹⁹And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. ²⁰And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.”  (Luke 14:16-20)  Now these excuses today probably would not be used, but excuses are excuses and we all have them.  Still our excuses we give to God will never measure up to where God would say, “okay you are excused.”  This parable sadly plays out day after day all over the world; God calls and people who God has called (now God knows they are able to answer His call) allow conflicting interests and a sheer lack of interest to drown out in their mind and heart the call of God in their lives. You know God is not very good at accepting excuses.  You know when I think of excuses I think of Moses (so I will not have to think of my own) when he tried to tell God he was not a good speaker, “And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.”  (Exodus 4:10), but God wanted nothing to do with that excuse and replied,
¹¹And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? ¹² Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.”  (Exodus 4:11-12) You know we are really good at making excuses when we do not want to do something and usually, most times, they are a bold face lie that God and the person knows it is a lie.  I invite many people to our Home Group Meeting and when meeting time draws near I remind them of their commitment to come, but  . . . some of the excuses I hear. Usually family is blamed most often like in the passage in Luke.  sickness is used as the next lie why they cannot come.  If they only knew I and God know their heart and if they just told the truth we both would respect them more.  Back in Luke we see God has set a banquet  table full of all that we need to answer His call on our lives and all we need to survive.  The table is set and many were invited. “Deep calleth unto deep.”  God’s servants have been sent to gather in the guests who God called to the supper.  BUT one by one the invited guests made excuses.  What arrogance and pride.  Now the parable only mentions three guests, but in verse 16 it says He “bade many.” Please notice all three excuses were self-indulgent and conflicted with a self-interest that God was not involved with. All were personal in nature. When we make excuses to God we will have our self-life involved and God’s concerns will not be important.  I discuss this topic in January because in 2021, God will be spreading a banquet table before us bidding us come and dine. The question is will we make excuses or answer His call?    

         Next month we will continue  looking at some areas we may not think about. Do you hear Him calling? Please know God is calling. Walter Beuttler said if you build God a temple He will inhabit it. Have  you built God a temple?  If you do He will abide and wait for you.  Written by David Stahl 

ARTICLE REVIEW:

                    Do We Really Believe                                                                               

Belief is a powerful tool in our lives.  History is full of examples of men enduring countless moments of death, mighty armies, unbelievable odds on their shear faith of believing something that was spoken or written that was divinely received. So too is the way of the Bible.  Jesus told the disciples, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”  (Mark 9:23) Now I will be the first person to admit I do not have the total revelation on this verse I do not have the ability to “whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”  (Matthew 21:22)  nor have I ever met anyone in my entire life who could “ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive,” asking yes receiving always no.  Maybe someday I will be able to operate in these verses, but for now I am content in walking in the revelation I understand that God has given. You know we will never get more revelation from God till we walk correctly in what He has already given us.  Yet in my spirit I am troubled.  Within me there is a struggle between my desire to see America be the light and salt to the world (spreading the wondrous Gospel message around the world) as I believe God created her for. America was not created by God to spread freedom and democracy around the world oh no in God there is no freedom or democracy only our total obedience and unflinching commitment to our king. Some of my friends say America was birthed in rebellion, well this may be true America did break free of England, but if we take a good look at England spiritually  she was the light bearer of the Gospel till around the middle 1700s when she began to slip into humanism which she still thrives in today. God needed a new light bearer and America was birthed in His heart and today we celebrate our 244th birthday.  Sadly America too has slipped into humanism (because of the humanistic message the church now preaches) and so much more over her many years and today she is no longer the light bearer of the Gospel in the world as God ordained. The other side of the struggle I see  play out in the scriptures and I know (somewhat) what is going to happen before Jesus comes back.  When I do not know, it is not important, but what is important is He said He is coming back and we must believe it.  The struggle in me manifests my belief or maybe my unbelief in His word. For example do I believe such a verse as: “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”  (Hebrews 11:13) Do I really believe I am a “pilgrim” and “stranger” on this earth, if so I would think I would not be so concerned about my home, car, my retirement, all of the eases life can afford,  oh no if I really believed this verse I would be more concerned about doing the things God wants me to do.  Maybe my TV watching would be cut way back maybe completely cut off from my life. The TV is not our friend.  How many Christians watch more TV, spend time on the internet surfing for ungodly websites, and playing ungodly sci-fi computer games than they do in prayer or reading their Bible?  How about this verse?  Do we really believe, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”  (John 16:33)  Do we really believe God promises us tribulation in the world?  Who would want to believe that? And then He says, “be of good cheer” really?  To believe all of this one must believe Jesus has “overcome the world.”  Do you really believe (I do) Jesus overcame the world?  How about a verse like this one, “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;”  (2 Thessalonians 2:3)  Do you believe there will be a great falling away? But that is not what I hear on Christian TV oh no I hear there is a great end-time revival that will sweep the nations, but that is not what the Bible says.  I guess the writers of the word of God did not have a TV program to pay for. Notice “let no man deceive you by any means.” You know we will never be deceived if we know the truth that is why the truth is so dangerous to people (like on Christian TV) who are not honest and full of integrity. Here we go again with another promise from God.  Who would believe, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”  (2 Timothy 3:12) “Suffer persecution” oh no God must have made a mistake, I do not want to “suffer persecution”  I want to know what my destiny in God is.  Well my friend our destiny in God is to die to our selfish, arrogant, carnal nature, and  the best we can ever hope for is to be a servant just like Jesus and to die like John of an old age, anything else is presumption.     

Now we must not get moved out of God by the SCOTUS ruling on gay marriage.  The church reacted in panic  (same way we are acting today) and outrage in 1973 when abortion on demand became the law of the land, but in time they forgot the spiritual damage done to the country and marched on with life building bigger barns and storehouses. We must allow the Holy Spirit to open up our eyes of understanding to the devastation this ruling is bringing to America and to the whole world. This way we will know why things are happening.  It is amazing how soon we forget, but before God can give us mercy He first must judge us, judgment always comes ahead of mercy. God was not moved by the SCOTUS’s decision. He was not taken by surprise, nor has it changed His plans for America. As a matter of fact I would believe it plays right into God’s hands for America.  Do we believe God knows the beginning and the end for America?  Better yet do we believe God knows the beginning and the end for each and everyone one of us? Who would believe God would send us out into the world (even in ministry) like this, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. ¹⁷  But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; ¹⁸ And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. ¹⁹  But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. ²⁰  For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.²¹  And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. ²²  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. ²³  But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. ²⁴  The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.:”  Matthew 10:16-24) Well is the servant (us) greater than the Master (the LORD)?  Do we believe this?  If they vilified (so they could  marginalize Him) and then killed Jesus do we believe we are going to get any better from the world?  The evil spirits then are still in the world have not changed, there is nothing new under the sun.  In Genesis when the men of Sodom wanted to commit sodomy (a homosexual act between two men) with the Angels Lot offered up his two virgin daughters, but they replied, “And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.”  (Genesis 19:9)  In other words,  Lot who are you to judge us watch out we are going to get you.  The same thing the sodimites of today are saying to God and anyone that stands up for the truth in the word of God.  The world is lost and the things we seem to love in the world will destroy our Christian witness and our lives.  All of those things that seem harmless, fun, and even makes sense, but in the end will put us out of God.  Christians hear me loud and clear take great heed to your soul get off of social media  (Facebook, Twitter, etc) before it is too late.  They will use social media to round Christians up in the future. They are already using social media today to track us why do we think they will not use social media for other ungodly purposes?  What else in our lives have such sway? Let us face the truth the “nominal church” has not engaged nor has it effected the social culture of the world.  And why?  Because she has willfully given up the moral high ground (we have the words of life) to politicians and other liars for political favor and financial gain. They (the nominal church) have allowed men and women who despise our God stand behind the sacred desk for popularity and worldly acceptance.  They (the nominal church) have supported and encouraged ungodly spiritual truth by calling evil good and good evil compromising the word of God deceiving many. I asked the LORD what must America (the government and the people) do for Him to turn His wrath away from America and quickly and with a resounding roar in my spirit I heard these words, “the government and the people must humble themselves before me,  put prayer back in school, stop murdering their children, and overturn the abominable ruling on same sex marriage, and then I will heal them and their land.

Now here is the good news fear not my friends God has always had  a remnant and today is no different.  Yes it is true America is a sinking ship    spiritually and you better be in the life boat of His protection and safety bad times are coming our way, but all though out the Bible God has protected those who (how about you?) put their faith and trust in Him.  Their times were tough, persecutions, tribulations, many have died for their faith, but God has always had a remnant He could build on to see His intention done on earth as it is in heaven. My friends in the last days Christianity will continue to break into two. There will be the apostate false church (better run out and take your family now before it is too late) and that which remains true to the Gospel and a biblical worldview, which one are you in?  The true Church (remember we are the church) will boldly speak the truth on moral issues while the rest compromise and fold into the lies and half truths of today’s multi-cultural world.  At the beginning of the age we had an anti-Christian pagan culture that persecuted believers well it is back. We are at a pivotal point in this new period of total lawlessness and apostasy in which whole Christian denominations are falling in line with the world’s changing view of marriage (and other things God hates) is only the latest symptom that the world and the “true” Church, the “church within the church,” the remnant are racing in different directions. Friend we are watching the gradual shift and in some cases a total change of tectonic significance. You know I always thought I would never be alive to see the return of Jesus Christ to the earth, but now I am not so sure do this increased rate of ungodly change.  My friend today great darkness is on the face of the earth, but at the same time I feel in my spirit we are living in the most exciting times known to man and we are standing on the threshold of the greatest event ever known to man.  God has a plan for us all and He will bring it to pass, yes ourGod reigns and we shall reign with Him if we only believe.

Written by David Stahl

THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:                              

Unteachable 

I just love Proverbs a ton of wisdom in one little sentence! Such as the following, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 14:12). What a mouthful right? I’d like to talk about an unteachable spirit this month Now the term unteachable is not in the Bible, but the concept is. The Bible calls it arrogance and pride. It is a form of arrogance and pride to be unteachable. There’s also another term as follows, “A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.” (Proverbs 15:12). I personally prefer the term know-it-all because unteachable sounds so tame and not as annoying or truthful as a know-it-all. An unteachable spirit usually is attached to a religious person as long as they do this, this, and that they’re good in their own  minds. In real life they know everything (again in their minds) which is impossible because none of us know everything–but hey they try to put on a good show! When someone in their life tries to suggest anything they get upset at you and the people around them. Their self-awareness about being unteachable or a know-it-all is nil. You have to be aware that you don’t know everything and need to be taught. One also needs to possess a modicum of humility so you can be taught! But most unteachables are certainly not humble if anything they’re way over in the other corner of pride. So if you can’t or WON’T be taught by other people because you know everything then just how are unteachables to grow “in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18). The answer is—tada— they won’t. Unless they develop some self-awareness and humility. They’ll keep stumbling through life making bad decisions on top of bad decisions while deceiving themselves that all is well. I know I’m speaking to the choir and that most of you are probably quite familiar with the type of person I’m speaking of. A gentleman named Mark Loughridge wrote some good things about unteachable people. Most of our readers ARE NOT know-it-all’s and certainly are teachable, but let’s see what  Mr. Loughridge, who pastors two churches in Ireland and is of the “Gentle Reformation” says. 1) You see everything as a Martin Luther moment, here I stand I can do no other.  2)You see an article on Facebook about quarrelsome people and don’t stop to let it teach you before you pass it on to others (or any other post-hoping the other guy will take the hint!–my thought). 3)You hear a challenging sermon and immediately think of someone else (as opposed to applying it to your own soul!). 4)You have sat in a church for years merely being informed, but not transformed (you’ve not been changed by the word- my thought). 5)You haven’t been wrong for a long time. There’s always an answer for your actions. Now here’s a scary one my friend, 6)You haven’t repented or sought forgiveness in a long time. In theory you admit to being a sinner, but functionally you are sinless. It’s other people who need to repent. 7)You have never changed your mind or altered an opinion (none of us has it all in one sock–we only think we do.- my thought). 8)You see changing your mind as backing down and damaging to your identify (self, rather than a means of growing into your identity of Christ likeness). 9)You focus on minutia when you are wrong increasingly insisting on being in the right in a minor area whilst ignoring fault in the major areas. 10)Your eyes glaze over and you tune out when something challenges your position. You hear arguments against it, but rather than take those on board and respond to them you simply restate your opinion in a different way or over with the same words. 11)Your circumstances override any command GOD has given. Your past or present trumps everything GOD says and His commands or promises may apply to others, but not to you. 12)You continue to search for a supporting opinion from someone (anyone) even when lifelong friends or Biblically qualified leaders tell you otherwise. Unfortunately we must be long suffering with know-it-alls and keep them in our prayers. They are their own worst enemy and they don’t even see it and of course you can’t tell them. Let us keep our hearts and attitudes right and not grieve the Holy Spirit when He tries to work in us. Does not the Bible speak of the importance of sound teaching? I’ll leave you with this thought, “He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.” Proverbs 15:32). Be teachable because nobody likes a know-it-all.
Written by Karen Stahl

NEEDS NO WANTS:

1. In Dobrich, Bulgaria Pastor Niki Marsov and in Silistra  Pastor(s) Yanko, Marcho, and Emil. Times are troubled in Bulgaria much prayer and support is needed. 
2. Constanta, Romania Pastors Luke and Jacob at Bethel Church and Ian at the Romanian Center for Cross-cultural Studies Bible School.
3. In Suceava, Romania Pastors Nicu at St. Andrews Church. They are still standing by God’s grace.
4. Pastor Joseph Mutua in Nairobi, Kenya needs your prayer and financial support.
5. Pastor Mike Olufemi in Aveile,Nigeria. He needs our prayers and support to be a light in great darkness. 
6. Pastor S. J. Peter, Founder of DAWN Ministries in Hyderabad and Pastor Wilson and his son Pastor Julian in Sankaraguptham, India.
7. Dan, Cathy, and members of Uskudar Son Buyruk Kilisesi in Istanbul, Turkey.
8. Pastor Elieti Msangi in Dar Es Salaam and Pastors Isreal Mutaitina and John Balone   in Bukoba, Tanzania.
9. Monthly financial support for Vivian’s Maternity and Child Care Clinic project in Aviele, Nigeria.
10. Pastor Tek Dahl at Gethsemane, Church (his church) and their radio station “Good News 105.1 FM” in Kathmandu, Nepal. 
11. Bishop John, Samuel Kamanzi (from the Congo), and, Emmanuel Ndolimana in Ruhengeli,Rwanda.

NEXT HOME GROUP MEETING:

12 January at 7:00 pm
                 and
26 January at 7:00 pm

At 232 Everett Drive

Sneads Ferry, NC  28460

7:00 pm please RSVP

Home:  (910) 741-0489

FUTURE SCHEDULE:

January: Local Ministry

February: Local Ministry

March: Local Ministry

Email:  charliegolfone@outlook.com

ROCK FELLOWSHIP ON THE RADIO:

On WJCV Jacksonville, NC

1290 AM or 98.3 FM

Every Sunday morning at 9:00 am

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:

Home:    (910) 741-0489

Mobile:  (910) 382-9287

FAX:     (910) 741-0489

Email:

dstahl@beholdinghisglory.com

Website:

www.www.beholdinghisglory.com/

Blog:

http://bhisglory.blogspot.com/

NEW OFFER

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.