THOUGHTS FOR CONSIDERATION: Greetings again my friends. Well, a new year from God which means more opportunities to learn more about Him. Karen refers to our time on earth as a “boot camp” or time of basic training where we learn the fundamentals to how God operates and functions. How He moves in situations and circumstances. Now not just for this time on earth, but also for our next life. If God can train us now on earth then when we get into our next life He will not have to train us. We will already know how He does things and we can go right to work. Karen and I were at a denominational Church Bible Study and we started talking about what the LORD has in store for us in the future. So, I started sharing some things about the Millennial Reign and the Kingdom Age. For most this was the first time they have ever heard of these two periods of time. I was shocked. These folks have been going to church most of their lives, gray heads. Many challenged me and told me that no you are wrong, we were going to spent all of our time in heaven so I opened up the word of God to them and they were amazed. Well, better late than never, but this thinking we all are going to heaven and live in some mansion we never got on earth or float on some cloud with our harp in hand and a crown on our head is sad. On no, we have been made for the earth, we are coming back to the earth and going to work. But, that message does not play well in most churches, it does not appeal to the greed in most people who feel unfulfilled in this present life. A mansion somewhere over the hilltop, a harp, and crown makes for good singing and good preaching but sadly is not what God has in store for us. In 2026 it is important to study the Bible and see what God has for us, now I am serious, see really what the Bible says. Did you know most Christians, according to most surveys, read the Bible less than 5 minutes a week. Anyhow, Happy New Year to you and your family. And if you did not like the way 2025 played out, you will have to change somethings in your life to have a better 2026. God expects change in our lives, we are not to stay the same way we were when we first came to Christ. God expects spiritual growth and development in our character and for this to happen we must change. Now would be a great place to stick in the old saying, “expecting different results while doing the same things is the height of insanity.” Okay back to our main topic “The Prophet of God” as we continue to look at the Prophet of God as a servant. This month we will begin to look at the Prophet of God’s heart and how he must serve with a perfect heart. We read,“And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.10Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it.” (1 Chronicles 9-10) In verse 10, God gives us a warning to take heed to how we build His house. For us, God was not talking about us building a temple made with hands, like to Solomon, but us allowing Him to build US as a “Holy eternal inhabitation for God.” Paul writes in Ephesians 2:21-22, “In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” In as much as I cannot explain it, God is building us, through the Spirit, as His eternal habitation. This thought is beyond me, why God desires to live in us when He has all of the heavens and Heaven to dwell in. Back in 1 Chronicles 28:9, we find and will talk about in months to come seven things God is looking for in His servants’ heart to be like while serving. It is a nugget full of truth that can be used as a springboard for your success in 2026 not just for a prophet, but for anyone who calls themselves a Child of God. The first criteria we read is a perfect heart. WOW a perfect heart. I m not sure we in this age have a perfect heart, the way we think perfect goes. But the word “perfect” here is Strong’s #8003 and means: full, just, made ready, peaceable, perfect (-ed), quiet. Unlike the word “perfect’ in Mathew 5:48 when Jesus said, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Here the word “perfect” both times is G5046 and basically means selfless. We are to be selfless as our Heavenly Father in Heaven is selfless, not never making a mistake or dare I say it this way, even sinning. God’s Prophets, God’s servants are to have a “perfect heart” both, full, just, made ready, peaceable, perfect quiet and selfless.
Next month we will continue looking at the perfect heart of the “Prophet of God.” I hope this is you my friend. Are you a Prophet of God? To be a Prophet we must be able to hear His voice. Listen closely and you will. Written by David Stahl
ARTICLE REVIEW:
Separation from God
I remember a story Charles Haun, my Bible Teacher, told when he was on a platform waiting to minister in a church and the hosting pastor leaned forward and whispered, “there are sinners here today.” Charles somewhat puzzled replied, “that is good I like sinners. As a matter of fact some of my best friends are sinners.” The pastor slid back in his seat. I wonder why so many Christians do not like sinners? There seems to be this big, “them verses us thinking” in the church today. Ah they are sinners we cannot have anything to do with them. Foolishness just foolishness! Funny if Jesus can eat with sinners I wonder why some Christians have such a hard time? In Luke we read, “And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat.” (Luke 7:36) Maybe it is because Christians not wanting to identify with their old life and I can buy into that somewhat, but wait a minute, the Bible says we all were sinners. “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:22-23) Yes for those who have accepted the finished work of Christ on the cross once were sinners, but now we walk in the newness of life, a new creation in Christ Jesus yet still with a nature in us that could pull us back into our old way of living if we do not continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our LORD Jesus Christ. There is no neutral in the LORD either we are moving forward in Christ or we are back pedaling. You know I believe the LORD is more concerned about our coming short than He is of our sin. After all Jesus dealt with our sin, but He did not deal with our coming short. With things like our character, our integrity, honesty, and so many other SMALL things we think God is not so concerned about. This thinking whereby sin separates (even thinking we are better than sinners) us from God and other people in the world who are not Christians can go deep into our walk with God and man. I know in the past I have caught myself thinking such delusional thoughts. Could this be also why most churches are becoming obsolete? Is it because most Christians do not talk to people who need Jesus? Most Christians today hide and wait in a church building ready to pounce on some poor deranged sinner (in the Christians thinking) when (if) they come to church, but to meet the sinner in the market place, door knocking, or some type of evangelism outreach (something most churches never do) well this rarely happens. Most Christians in churches today have little to no spiritual wherewithal (because of the lack of spiritual teaching and the dumbing down of the Gospel message) to be able to discern if someone is even saved, or filled with a demonic spirit, and have no opportunity to experience failure and growth in their walk with the LORD. It seems to be all about denominational agendas: reports to fill out, money to give (maybe pay back) to headquarters, even a rice bowl to protect. I believe denominations have done more to prevent (around the world) the sharing of the Gospel message than Satan. I have seen the lack of spiritual discernment and the denominational control and manipulation (around the world) in action and it is troubling to say the least. Here is a example. One Sunday night, when we lived in Jacksonville, NC we stopped by one of those many “non-denominational denominational” Churches, (non-denominational in name, but belongs to a network of 1,000s of churches) church just to see what it was like. Well, with our Bibles in tow we went in and sat near the back of the church as the service had already started. Before we could get comfortable some people came up to us and started to ask questions not the typical pumping for information, but they started asking us if we were saved. Are you sure you are saved? How long have to been saved. What makes you think you are saved? This went on for some time till I asked the people to just leave us alone. They did, but later another group of people assaulted us with the same tactic. We repelled this second wave of attack by saying (in a more forceful tone) “buzz off and leave us alone.” They left and as we looked around the big crowd we were the among the oldest people in attendance. This told me a lot. This told me there was not much spiritual growth or discernment in the people who were very zealous, but had not much wisdom. During the altar call we were attacked for the third time and was begging us to come down to the altar to give our hearts to the LORD, well I had enough and greatly pushed back to this immaturity. We left that night and never went back. Over the 22 years in the Jacksonville and Sneads Ferry area we have seen the lack of opportunity to serve, learn, and even be trained in service for the LORD seems to have fallen by the wayside for a more comfort driven routine and “just too much work involved attitude.” We have attended and visited many churches in these 22 years, but I am not sure what the end means of our going to church there was. Please let me stop here. I do not want to seem like I am running down the pastors of these churches, but want to say we love these pastors and the people very much and for the truth to be known we want only to see God move in the lives (ours too) of these wonderful people. In hurtful and confusing times I understand clearer, “Open rebuke is better than secret love. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” (Proverbs 27:5-6) But, almost every service we attended was a cookie cutter service. On Wednesday night the same routine: prayer, offering, and preaching by the pastor. The Sunday morning service was about the same routine with a few songs added before the pastor’s prayer and preaching. Now the point is there is no reason for the people to come to church except to give money to the church, hear the pastor minister, and attend the traditional fellowship dinners such as Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Party, with each other. Most if not all had no discipleship program, no evangelic outreach strategy to reach the community, no weekly Bible, or no home group meeting where relationships are built. And why? I think most of the people do not really want to get involved, but again the point I am trying to make is there is no opportunity for personal ministry, no means for discipleship, nor is there a vision to reach the community all three critical elements of a healthy spiritual church that affects the community in a positive way. Let us face it if we are not affecting the community for God and people are not coming to the LORD then we have turned our budget and hearts inward toward the members and become a fortress daring a sinner to come and kick down our doors. If our congregation does not reflect (even in color) the community there are some things going on that needs to be addressed by God and the people. There is a great book, Autopsy of a Deceased Church by Thom S. Rainer I recommend all pastors take a read. It is small you can read it in two days or less, but do yourself a favor prayerfully read it because it is filled with wisdom from God that is needed to stop (grave yard dead) this decline and even departure of the Gospel message in the United States. For better or worse (I vote worse) America has chosen the structure of churches (we really know we are the church) as the means for people in America and the world to hear and spread the Gospel message and yes church denominations have capitalized on this notion and exploited it for money, influence, and power. I have written in the past how I believe the early church got off track and developed this structure for commonness and support, but in the beginning the Christians met (Acts 2:46) house to house breaking bread. I also believe, mind you very slowly, we will be going back to house meetings if the LORD tarries. Now it looks like the Holy Spirit had me drift some so please let me get back on target. I will be honest I do not know why people say sin separates us from God. On the contrary I would say sin draws Now do not get me wrong here we should never go towards sin so that the LORD can forgive us. Nor should we ever languish in sin again and again (enjoying the pleasure for a season) knowing the LORD will forgive us. Paul addressed this issue and thinking with the Christians in Rome, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Romans 6:1-2) But, believe it or not this wrong thinking “cheap grace” is being taught by many of the big prosperity and word of faith preachers and teachers. Shame on them! Yet it is a wrong doctrine that feeds our flesh and allows our emotions and carnal lower nature room to express itself and grow while rejecting the truth. Just like with denominations it is all about money, influence, and power and the people eat it up. To see this truth where sin does not separate God from man all we have to do is read and rightly divide the Scriptures. In Genesis after man disobeyed God and ate of the fruit from the “Tree of Knowledge and of Good and Evil” we find God in the garden not separated from man because of his sin, but calling his name looking to have a time of communion with man. In Genesis we read, “And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.” (Genesis 3:9-10) God did not separate Himself from man when he sinned oh no on the contrary. Because of God’s love for man God came closer trying to redeem man. A few chapters later in Genesis we read where Cain kills his brother Abel. “And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper? 10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.’ (Genesis 4:9-10) and even in this horrific murder and sin God never separated himself from Cain in his sin. Nowhere in the Bible has God ever said I will turn away from man because he has sinned so. What a wonderful love God has for man. What a wonderful truth. Now notice the opposite can happen in man’s life. Man can separate himself from God by rejecting again and again the loving drawing of the Holy Spirit to the point that man drifts away into a reprobate mind where man has no desire for God. I do not understand how this could happen (as I do not understand why a Holy God would want to live inside of us (see Ephesians 2:22), but God is a holy and righteous God and will uphold His eternal word. We read, “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;” (Romans 1:28) and “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” (Titus 1:16) This is not God separating Himself from man, but man separating Himself from God. God’s love for man is unconditional, but not so with man. Back in Romans we read, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” (Romans 5:6-9) What unconditional love. My friend where can we run to separate ourselves from the presence of God? David said, “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.” (Psalm 139:7-8) You know if God separates Himself from man because of sin then God would have separated Himself from His own son Jesus while on the cross, which is not true. I hear many preachers and teachers say because of sin God had to turn His back on Jesus while on the cross and even quote scripture, “And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34) How foolish to think God separated Himself from Jesus because He became sin for us on the cross. God every day of our lives looks at our sin, but “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (1 John 1:8-19) If God separated Himself from Jesus on cross then God will separate Himself from us. But, that is not what Jesus said. Oh no in Matthew Jesus said, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:20). And you know what He means it! Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
It’s Not Just a Movie
So, Dave and I went to the local food store, and I saw a woman wearing a sweater saying “Bad Witch” on it. I asked her “Bad Witch” you’re advertising that? So, I handed her (a few minutes later) a Chick tract to which she said, “it’s just a movie Sweetie.” No, it’s not. I’ve grown up watching tv and movies and although I don’t have a degree in movie making or “the arts” I know beyond a shadow of a doubt there’s no such thing as “just a movie.” No sir. Movies are NOT just entertainment. Movies are made to say something. They want you to feel something. They are sending a message. Much money is poured into these endeavors for a reason, one to say something and two to make tons of money. When I was a kid, good and bad were a little more defined than they are now, on and off the screen. Now the lines between good and evil are so blurred, and the characters (even bad characters) are such that we feel sympathy for them and or their situation. Most things are black and white in life and as Christians there’s righteousness and unrighteousness. However, if you watch a fantasy movie and can’t tell who is good or who is evil well you’ve become worldly and secular yourself. We cannot hang on to the cross of Christ and buy into this worldly crap that Hollywood spews out. John tells us, “Love not this world nor the things in it.” (John 2:15). GOD does not sanction witchcraft, magic, witches, spells, or any of that other garbage. And quite frankly if you let your kids watch that mess, you’re just opening the spiritual door to evil and wickedness in their little lives. Resist the pressure from your family and friends and keep the kids away from that fantasy crap. Our Christian lives are to line up with the Bible NOT our families, especially if it’s to keep some sort of fake unity in place. True unity is everyone on the same page with Jesus. You best consider your unity with God and worry about Him! It will do the children NO good watching fantasy movies. Read your Bible GOD does not like that fantasy and witchcraft stuff, in fact He said, “Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.” (Exodus 22;18) Movies are trying to send a message, they’re trying to say something, and I am afraid most of them are going against the preaching of the good Book in a sly and slick way. GOD said to Isaiah “Woe unto them that call evil good and good evil; that put darkness for light and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20). Christian movies aren’t much better, especially the ones about the Bible. When our kids were little and we had Bible Book” (a family devotion) we sat down to watch a movie called “The Bible” so, we sat with our Bibles to follow along and compare the verses and the scenes. My friend, the truth is in the Bible not on a screen. We followed along as John Huston narrated the verses and when the movie and the Bible was different we stopped and talked about it. We never got very far in the Bible or the movie because the movie was so far from the truth. We watch Christian movies performed by actors pretending to be someone else, they pretend to pray, pretend to care for someone, pretend to repent. They’re actors pretending to be something they are not. Dave says one of his favorite scenes from a more recent series on the Bible is when a black angel was doing Kung Fu on the people from Sodom and Gomorrah. They have stunt men doing the tough scenes in non-Christian movies, so the actor doesn’t get hurt, they train the actors to use guns, ride horses, fight hand to hand, act sophisticated in certain scenes, act as if they have perfect manners, know how to behave in any (movie) situation. It’s their job. That’s how they make their living. Pretending they’re something they are not—which is a whole another subject. Folks, just because society says a movie is good and harmless, the music is good, and “everybody” is going to see it doesn’t mean we should. The word of GOD saves, movies don’t. Now here is my last point and very important point, watching Christian movies is just another diversion keeping us from doing what we are supposed to be doing, reading our Bible. Shame on those Christians that will weep and sob at a movie and yet never open up their Bible. And Shame on those film companies making profit over Godliness. And to the woman in the store: “no sweetie it’s not just a movie.” 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 and Cathy in Istanbul, Turkey and Pastor Metin in Dalaman Turkey at the Mavi Kilise.
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:
20 January 26 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:
January: Local Ministry
February: Local Ministry
March: Erbil, Iraq and Dalaman, Turkey
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.
