BibleStudyNCS

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".

The Anchor Holds, performed by Ray Boltz. My pastor also performs that song and he receives many requests for it. Perhaps because the lyrics are a powerful source of hope for us when our circumstances are, shall we say, less than ideal? Listen to the complete message by clicking on the audio file - "The Anchor Holds Part II".

I want to take a few minutes and be honest with you, the listener this morning. I have had a rough week spiritually. I have felt tired, drained, depressed, angry, bitter, doubtful, unsure, envious, hopeless, worthless, and a host of other negative emotions have piled themselves on like chord wood. It has been a struggle and through it all I was asking, “Has God left me to suffer this yet again?” Listen to the complete message by clicking on the audio file - "The Anchor Holds Part I".

What makes the face different? Why do we seek God's face?

The face is that part by which we recognize someone or some thing.      We see the 'face' of the ground knowing that there are many things unde the ground; rock, dirt, water, bugs, etc... But we recognize it as the ground because we know the face of it.
   
We see the face of a cliff knowing that behind the face is more rock, etc... And we recognize people by their faces. Many people look similar when looked upon from behind or at other angles; or when their face is covered. You can line up a group of people that have similar features but you will know them by their face...(Want the rest? Just download the audio file.)
 

I believe that the Lord has dealt with me often; as of late, on what it really means to be a Christian giver. It seems that there is a lot more to giving than just offering up what we think we can afford to give (See Mark 12:42-44).
All too often I have given of myself out of duty, obligation, and the hope of receiving that I never really thought about God's definition of giving. We live in a society of takers. We constantly trade: giving in order to receive something in return. Commerce after all, is the way of the world and mammon (money, commodities), is its life's blood.
What if we stopped comparing our Godly giving to that of give and take in the world? I mean, I don't see give and take in the Word. What I do see is '...give and it shall be given.' I think we base too much of our Christian walk on trying to apply a 'Godly' veneer over our fleshly foundations when what we should be doing is building Godly foundations based on scripture and spiritual understanding which requires us to 'crucify the flesh.' In other words, our flesh should have no say in the matter. In giving ourselves over to God, we set our will aside and do for God and others, and as you will see throughout this study on giving, when putting God and others first, then it is given to us. God does indeed 'have our back...'

I need to let you know about how I am 'interpreting' the Word of God. First, my understanding of the scriptures comes from careful, and prayerful consideration of what I read. My motivations are God-centered, and people-centric, not self-centered. I simply want to know better the God that I serve and what His will is for humanity.
The Word of God is perfect and infallible. If you don't believe that, then I'm sorry; this blog is not for you. Therefore, if any two scriptures seem to be contradictory, then the interpretation is not correct. There, isn't that easy? Here are some passages from the Bible that makes it clear that no single scripture was designed to be; in and of itself, the determining factor in a biblical decision:

Mat 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

1Co 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
1Co 14:27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
1Co 14:28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
1Co 14:29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

2Co 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

The other reason I include this post is because we are getting ready to touch on a subject that has suffered from many different 'interpretations', most of them being self serving and biblically incorrect. How do I know? Because when I take what most men have tried to teach me concerning the return of Jesus, and I compare it to what I actually read in the bible, the two do not correlate. So get ready because what you read here will be directly supported by scripture.

(1-3) As long as there has been opposition to God there have been false prophets and teachers. Antichristian influences and greed for money and power have been; and still are, the chief motivators for fals teaching.
Many however, think of false teaching and prophecy only in terms of obvious displays of untruth: those claiming to be Christ, or those that have been caught in flagrant acts of dishonesty. These events have always served to capture our attention so that it is focused on obvious things that are easy to judge as false but, the devil is a subtle creature. He likes to work behind the scenes, under the radar, etc... By not calling attention to himself, satan has successfully infiltrated virtually all places of earthly power, including the leadership of nations and those that control the world's wealth and resources.
The devil's influence over Christian doctrine and teaching is arguably, the most subtle and successful of all his ambitions. We live in a day of easy grace; where all you have to do is 'believe in Jesus' or, 'accept Jesus as your savior.' These statements have led innumerable people straight to hell. Why? Because America is a nation that seeks leisure at any expense. Having what we want, when we want it has become the end-all/be-all of American life, and belief in God is no different. To most American Christians, we keep God in a box and bring him out only when we want to look holy in front of others.
The Bible is clear that a life lived for Christ is a life that shuns the world and its ways. Obvious biblical statements like becoming a new creature, the fact that devils believe in one God, and the flesh being emnity against God are glossed over in the vast majority of churches today all for the sake of the earthly quantities of money and masses.
We had better start embracing truth. The end is closer than ever before.

(1-4) Peter does much to answer my questions about our place in the kingdom and how we should continue to grow. In a nutshell, Peter reassures us that God loves us, He wants us to grow in Him, and He is our provider in all things so that we don't have to depend on, nor give credit to the world.
(5-8) gives us an outline of Godly traits that we can aspire to obtain and make part of us. By seeking after these attributes, we show that we are growing in the faith. These are some of the basic building blocks of the Christian. By learning and living this, we go on unto perfection and maturity as Christians and are prepared for service.
(9-11) shows the importance of growth in Christ and the ultimate goal of this growth. Through this we prepare ourselves and lead others into the will of God.
(12-15) indicates that ministry is an life-long commitment not to be 'retired' from. It is important that as we grow, we do not lose sight of lessons learned long ago, or let go of the basic tenants of our faith. We must from time to time, revisit things learned in the past in order to make our calling and election sure.
(16-19) Peter was there. He was a direct witness of events we now regard as history, and that the unbeliever may only regard as myth or story. Peter however, saw the things that occurred during the Lord's ministry and his testimony is purposeful in renewing our faith.
(20-21) illustrates the need for both fellowship and the indwelling of the Holy Ghost. These things help us to stay true in our minds and hearts concerning the Word and its meaning for us.