Waiting on God – His Characteristics 

April 2019 • Volume XVII Number 08

”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.  Divine enabling how wonderful is that?  You know we enable people every day to do things some times for the good, but most often we enable people to do bad things.  But did you know there is a divine enabling we can receive from God? And that is by walking circumspectly before Him.  The word circumspectly  means to be wary and unwilling to take risks.  In the world we are told to be a risk taker, get out there on the edge and take a chance, well that is not what the LORD wants of us.  If we walk in His will for our lives there will be no risk involved.  Peter was foolish asking the LORD to bid him to step out on the water (taking a risk) leaving a place of security and provision for a place of walking in the supernatural.  So many Christians want to walk in the supernatural with God, but fail to walk in obedience to God in their daily living.  There are three areas I would like to look at this month as we look at walking circumspectly before the LORD.  The first area is before God in sanctification.  In Genesis we read,  “And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. ² And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly ³ And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him,” (Genesis 17:1-3) Here Abram (later became Abraham) was told by God to sanctify himself or he would have to live a sanctified life before God to be ability to walk in the things God has for us to do.  We cannot just do what we want to do, go where we want to go, or say what we want to say.  The word “perfect” is not the word perfect we think when we see a rose in full bloom or a fully ripe apple hanging on a tree.  Oh no the world “perfect” here means selflessness.  When we are selfless our flesh is put in the dust and our lips are still.  There in that place of stillness God can work on our heart and life, but until then our self-life is alive and well and screams to be self-justified not much perfection here.  Sanctification before God is the beginning point to divine enabling by God. The second point to walk circumspectly before God is to walk after God in obedience.  Obedience is always the end result of God working in our lives.  So many Christians want to be a servant, but they lack the desire to be obedient which disqualifies them for service to God and man.  In 2 Kings we read, “And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.’  (2 Kings 23:3) Here again God is talking about entering into a covenant.  And again we read about “waking  before the LORD” or “to walk after the LORD” and to keep His commandments, His testimonies, and His statutes.  Do you see a pattern developing here?  When we keep His commandments, testimonies, and His statutes we are not walking in our way, but His.  We are walking circumspectly in the will for our lives.  One cannot walk according to the way of the LORD and way away from God.  Either we walk our way or we walk God’s way.  And if we walk God’s way then He will supernaturally (divinely enable us) to do the things we need to do, that which he has asked us to do.  How can we fail?  Maybe this is how all things are possible?  And the third area is with God in fellowship. Let us go back to Genesis to help us here.  “And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: ²² And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:²³ And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years ²⁴ And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.”  (Genesis 5:21-24) Here we are not “waking  before the LORD” or “to walk after the LORD”  but, “walking with God.”  Enoch did not walk before or after the LORD, He walked with (or side by side) the LORD and “God took him.” Enoch’s walk with the LORD was so circumspect (to be wary or unwilling to take a risk) and he kept the commandments, testimonies, and  statutes of God to such a degree God just took him from the earth.  Wow would to God that would be us, so sanctified and perfect before God He would pass us through the grave to His loving heart where we who love Him are heading to.  Want to be a risk  taker?  I think not, because there is a better way to just walk circumspectly with the LORD

Next month in order to help man into this divine enabling what does God point us to? 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:

 

                    A Lost Generation                                                                                  

I have really wrestled with this article because I do not want to believe it is possible.  This article is somewhat different than most that I write and in ways is a call to action to parents who do not want to see their kids and an entire generation end up in hell. Lately, God has really opened up my eyes to the lost millennial generation. Now I know there is always hope as long as there is air in our lungs and I do not want to sound defeated, but I fear the youth, the millennial generation, of the day does not have the wherewith all to be saved.  Please let me back up. I am not talking about all millennials there are some raised by Christian parents and there are some who are not so plugged into the world and have a heart for God, but the majority statistically speaking  eight out of ten millennials know not God and the disturbing part is they have no desire to know God. Again I know they can be saved, but for this to happen they (like us all) first must recognize their need for salvation, confess their sins, and then repent (about face or go the opposite direction), but I do not believe they have the social and mental ability to achieve these requirements for salvation. How can they? They have been so mesmerized (since their youth) with fantasy by the school system, TV, movies, games, entertainment, social media, parents, and even their peers that they do not have the spiritual discernment nor the ability to understand the basic concept of salvation.  They have had their minds stuffed with fairies, pixies, vampires, wizards, witches, (since their youth, thank you Disney) to the point they really do not know reality when they hear it or see it.  Bewitched, Star Wars, and Star Trek in the 70s and 80s, Harry Potter and the like now, and all of the trash on TV has stolen their spiritual discernment and understanding. Almost everything in their lives has been designed to pull down the truth of the Gospel in their lives and blur the lines between good and evil. Their lives are filled with distractions (things that give instant gratification, but have no real lasting meaning) and meaningless, unfulfilled relationships communicated through a hand held device. At best their character is selfish, self-seeking, and at worse is narcissistic and delusional. They have been given everything they have asked and more while not really having to work.  Sadly indulgent parents have ruined this generation trying to be a friend (drinking and shopping buddies) with their children (and not parents) and now they are lost. This all has a chilling and damming affect on our society. Take for example the swing in acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle in America, something God called an abomination, the millennial generation (Christian millennials too) have wholeheartedly embraced and why, because of the lack of Godly parenting and the garbage the millennials have been fed all of their lives. You can look at any social issue in America have it be abortion, environmental issues, social justice all the millennials have embraced them against what God’s word says and against what God would have happen in all the earth. Let us face it most parents have raised a generation of children that are lost and do not have the ability in God to know they are lost. 

You would think the church would be a place for them to find safety and sound footing, but not so.  Many churches today where millennials go are nothing more than an extension of discos, theaters, and lounges.  In manner of preaching and worship (a watered down Gospel and a hip Jesus) in most churches where millennials attend have shifted to be like the world so that they can be cool and net them like fish, well what you use to win someone to Christ with you have won them to that.  We do not need to change the message nor do we need to change the delivery all we need to do is give them the truth of the cross with the power of God and God will take it from there. The so called, “Christian music” that most churches have where millennials go is nothing more than rock and roll heavy metal music.  Just turn off the sound and you cannot tell the difference between a Christian band and the heavy metal bands from the 60s, 70s, and 80s.  Remember the duck.  If it walks like a duck and looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck it is probably not a chicken.  In Romans Paul give us a description of a person God would call a “reprobate.” “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;²⁹Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, ³⁰Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, ³¹Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:  ³²Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”  (Romans 1:28-32) Now please notice their ungodly character resulted in their inability to make clear and concise judgments about life and situations in their lives, thus it affected their character and not knowing nor having the ability to correct their character they just drifted farther and farther away from God and He just let them go. This is proven out in the word “reprobate” (Strong’s #96; void of judgment, not standing the test, not approved, that which does not prove itself such as it ought, unfit, spurious). It was not the people were all of those evil things in verses 29-31, but because they were “void of judgment” and “not able to stand the test” “God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.”  And why?  Because God was angry with them?  No because “they did not like to retain God in their knowledge.” They were not concerned about God, they were more concerned with the things of this world: what they will wear and eat, who they will have relationships with, what they will do to make a living. You know it is sad not to know the truth, but it twice as sad not to know you do not know the truth.  This is the case with the millennials today, they care less about God and His word, they live for what they want and can get without much effort in their entitlement world.    

We must take back the mind of the millennial generation through prayer and by telling them the truth and the great danger they face if there will be any hope of their salvation.  Many parents will face alienation from their kids, but we can rest in God knowing we did our part in telling our kids the truth.  We must stand in defiance to the social progressive liberal way of life and stress the traditional principles of self-governance, hard work, family, and God.  No more sugar coated sermons to get people to come to fill seats and offering plates.  No more talking about a hip Jesus.  No more programs ad nauseam to keep the people too busy to spend time with the LORD. We MUST demand the churches we attend stop selling out for mammon (money), for numbers, and cease all of the entertainment based worship. Who cares how much money, how big, and how much influence your church has in the community!  Churches must get back to basics and stop offering all of the amenities of the world to lure people in, if the power of the Gospel does not do it at your church then maybe your church needs to go away. We MUST tell the millennials what they have been told by the world and even by some leaders and teachers in school (elementary, middle, high, and college) that they have been lied to all of their lives. We must tell them they are being conformed into the image of this world through social media and entertainment.  Parents MUST stand up and not be a part of the “beautiful people, the kool crowd” and tell their kids no matter their reaction how much you love them and how much you want them to turn away from the world and all of its delusions and distractions.  Yes the Bible does teach in the last days there will be a great falling away, “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), but that is conditional based on people hearing the truth then making the choice to reject the truth being void of judgment.  We as parents can choose to tell our kids the truth and then allow them to make up their own minds ever keeping the truth before them in word and lifestyle. In Proverbs we read, “Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. ²⁶Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.  ²⁷Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.”  (Proverbs 4:25-27)  We must allow our kids to ponder their ways, but it is our responsibility as a part of our reasonable service to God to teach them, “turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.”  Even though our kids are grown and some have their own kids there hangs a plaque (Daniel bought for us in Germany) over our (Karen and I) front door that reads, “as for me and my house we will serve the LORD”  taken from Joshua 24:15, “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”  (Joshua 24:15)  No matter how old our kids get and no matter how many kids they have our kids are still a part (not physically, but emotionally and spiritually) of our (Karen and I) home and we (Karen and I) have an obligation and duty (while alive and on earth) to train and teach our kids (as they do their own) the right way to walk on the highway of holiness.  Oh we may not have been perfect in this and I promise you if you stand your God given ground you will face challenges from almost everyone who disagrees, even your kids, but that matters not.  The spiritual order in God’s home is:  God, father, mother, children and the accountability to God in order never changes. Today we as parents in America can either accept the possible truth that our kids are a part of the great falling away generation (and that may be the case but, I hope not) or they can stand up to the foolishness the world spins in their mind and heart and counter it with the truth of the word of God in love.  And yes speaking the truth in love will hurt feelings (usually all concerned) and ruffle feathers, but that too should matter not. What matters is character over consideration for feelings. What matters is, we as Godly parents have done that which is right in the eyes of God to help ensure our kids and their friends are not a part of the lost millennial generation of today.

Written by David Stahl

THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:                              

                  Narrow is the Way

Jesus said, “Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7: 13-14).  The narrow way is NOT the world system nor is it  the majority of the world’s religions. This to me is a scary verse from the Bible.  (but not as scary as the verse that I use at the end of this article keep reading….. ) Why? Because it illustrates how gullible and how deceived people are regarding their own lives and beliefs. How many people do you know that live anyhow because of the mistaken belief, “once saved, always saved?” How many pew sitters think they are saved just because they’re a card carrying member  of you can pick the  church?  A few years ago we went on a short hiking excursion with Dan, Sarah  their  kids, and Connie at a mountain park. That was probably my last hike as my knees can’t take the rigors of hiking up and down trails now. It was remote, but not so remote that we didn’t see other people nor was help too far away though with a broken leg or something major like that help  would certainly seem far away. As we went up a few narrow places where we had to go single file I thought of the above scripture. As hard as it was on my knees and back I’d rather that dinky trail than the broad way to hell. The Christian walk is relatively simple, but we make it hard by: 1) wrong believing (which will bring about), 2) wrong thinking, 3) allowing ourselves to be enticed by the world and all its trappings, 4) not knowing The word of GOD, and 5) not allowing GOD to work in our lives. Everything we need to live right and to fulfil the plans GOD has for us  is contained in the Bible,  everything!!  It encourages us, it will admonish us, it will lead and guide us to the narrow way that leads to life—which is Jesus. Remember Jesus came with a sword:   to cut us out of the world, it’s ways, and it’s thinking.  In Matthew Jesus said, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. ³⁵ For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.³⁶ And a man’s (or woman) foes shall be they of his own household.³⁷  He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.³⁸ And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.”  (Matthew 34-38)  The broad way is easy to find and to follow to hell, just follow the rest of the world. Remember if the world is running after you God is not.  Peter said it well,  “And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?”  (1 Peter 4:18)  Take heed to your beliefs, We MUST line up with the word of GOD.  Stay on the narrow way at the straight gate  right behind Jesus.

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:

9 April 2019 & 23 April  2019 at 7:00 pm

At 232 Everett Drive

Sneads Ferry, NC  28460

7:00 pm please RSVP

Home:  (910) 741-0489

NEXT SERVICES FOR THE ROCK FELLOWSHIP AT SNEADS FERRY

7 April  19 Sneads Ferry Community Center 11:00 am

14 April 19 Sneads Ferry Community Center 11:00 am

21 April 19 Sneads Ferry Community Center 11:00 am

28 April 19 Sneads Ferry Community Center 11:00 am

POCs are Freddy Everett (910) 545-7918 or David Stahl (910) 382-9287

FUTURE SCHEDULE:

April: Local Ministry

May: Local Ministry 

June: 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:

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.