BibleStudyNCS

Hello All,

Just a quick note to let you know that We're moving and changing our name! Beginning in January 2009, BibleStudyNCS will become Power with Purpose!

In keeping with the true calling to which we are called, Power with Purpose is being created so that we can better control the content that shows up on our pages.

You see, there have been two main problems with using free blog systems. 1)Some of the advertising content listed in Vox.com or other free blogs may not be to our standards (The Internet can be a dangerous place!). 2)Many of you have desired to comment on postings but heretofore, have not been able to due to Vox's requirement to subscribe.

Power with Purpose is an all-home-grown site where you will be free to comment on all posts without having to sign up for or subscribe to anything!

So join us at www.powerwithpurpose.org today! All posts listed here will be transferred to PWP so that you can leave those comments! Thanks.

   There are times when I need encouragement. Usually those times come when no one and nothing on earth can provide it. When that happens I turn to God. Okay, let's take it 'down' another notch. Sometimes my prayers don't seem to be getting past the ceiling. My faith falters and I wonder where God is. Well, His answer to me today is, "You must make it personal. It is between you an Me!"
   So I did it. I made it personal - and it revived me! There is a small group that I have been in fellowship with for a few weeks now. We have been learning about The Miracle of Life Change with Chip Ingram from Living on the Edge in Atlanta, GA. One of the first things we learned was that the book of Ephesians is a wonderful place to start in the bible when a saint needs to be reminded of who God is and what He has done for us. Chapters 1-3 do just that: they tell us of what God has done for His people. Chapters 4-6 then tell us how we are to live.
   Here's how I took Ephesians 1 and made it personal. Because God is a personal God and Jesus is a personal savior.
   Sorry, no audio today but, please feel free to print this and put it where you can read it and receive encouragement. Then, take it back 'up' a notch and begin reading it aloud to yourself. It sure worked for me. God Bless You!

Ephesians 1 – Personal Edition

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the faithful in Christ Jesus: (Your Name Here!)

Grace be to me, and peace, from God my Father, and from my Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed me with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

According as he hath chosen me in him before the foundation of the world, that I should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Having predestinated me unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made me accepted in the beloved.

In whom I have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Wherein he hath abounded toward me in all wisdom and prudence;

Having made known unto me the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

In whom also I have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

That I should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

In whom I also trusted, after that I heard the word of truth, the gospel of my salvation: in whom also after that I believed, I am sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Which is the earnest (down payment) of my inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession (me), unto the praise of his glory.

Wherefore Paul also, after he heard of my faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

Ceased not to give thanks for me, making mention of me in his prayers;

That the God of my Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto me the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

The eyes of my understanding being enlightened; that I may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to me who believes, according to the working of his mighty power,

Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Sometimes, I just like the Word of God to speak for itself. Today I have for you a short word of encouragement. John has a wonderful way of weaving God's justice together with His grace and love to form a tapestry of edification. Listen to a small part of that here.

After a short time away from the microphone to work on other areas of responsibility, I came to realize this morning that time management is overlooked as a Christian virtue. I believe it is important that we commit ourselves and our resources to Kingdom building, and these resources include the time given to us and how faith and trust stand upon how we use (or misuse) what little we are provided. Hear the complete message. Thanks for listening!

Folks, believing in God is just the very start of your Christian walk. James 2:19 says the devil's believe and tremble. In my search to share something with you today I found that the beginning is always a good place to start, and sometimes go back to... Listen to today's installment of Bible Study NCS here.

I love it when I can find humor in some of the things we endure as Christians. Whether its just our own silliness, or if circumstances come at us without our help; it's refreshing to know that not all tests have too be heavy-laden with drama. Find out what I'm talking about by listening to this audio installment by clicking hear. Yes, it's kind of embarrassing but I hope you'll enjoy the story and be encouraged, knowing that you're not the only one that has days like this. God Bless.  

I love it when I can find humor in some of the things we endure as Christians. Whether its just our own silliness, or if circumstances come at us without our help; it's refreshing to know that not all tests have too be heavy-laden with drama. Find out what I'm talking about by listening to this audio installment by clicking hear. Yes, it's kind of embarrassing but I hope you'll enjoy the story and be encouraged, knowing that you're not the only one that has days like this. God Bless.  

In this installment of BibleStudyNCS, we open the door on some very interesting questions about our existence, and the hope that God gives us by showing us that our ability to create and discover comes directly from Him. To me, it's another expression of His love for us. Listen to this installment here.

This installment comes to you from the office of Pastor Leroy Kelly in Winston Salem, North Carolina. We talk about the church today and what the call is for us to do as we see 'that day' approaching. Pastor Kelly offers some informative and passionate insights into what we as a church need to be prepared to do to reap today's harvest. Listen to the complete interview here. You may also right-click (or Ctrl-Click for Mac) to download this as a podcast.    

We are continuing today with our series entitled, “The Anchor Holds.” Before we move into that I would like to share with you an email comment left by pastor Leroy Kelly of Christ Temple in Winston Salem, North Carolina. Pastor Kelly writes, “Sorry u been thru some stuff this week... this is the after wash...or backwash of all the things you did for the kingdom last week. satan doesn't like what happened there. You were a major reason of the success of it all. so...... when you do something for god... get ready.. the wave goes out as it comes in.“ Listen to the complete message by clicking on the audio file - "The Anchor Holds Part III".