Which study Bible in 2026? Thursday, Dec 18 2025 

Biblical history and Biographical and Church news and Doctrine and Family and Motivational and New Testament and Old Testament and Uncategorized , , , , kennethbow 11:06 am

 Which study Bible for 2026?

One of the most common questions I have been asked over the last 50 years in my travels is simply which is the best study Bible?

I think all of us know there is no singular answer that encompasses everything.

Some Bibles excel in readability like large print. Some Bibles appeal because of their size and ease of carry. I am of the opinion some Bibles are carried in our modern world because they are currently a fad. You know it’s the groovy Bible to carry. It is the latest… Have you got one yet? There are even some Bibles that would carry a certain status with some people. Maybe it’s a collectible. Maybe it’s a new bind in an exotic leather of some type. I really do understand all that, and that is not even my subject today. My subject today is totally trying to focus on the content and what it would add to your knowledge in the next 365 days of 2026.

Every year at this time I spend a little time deciding which study Bible I’m going to use for the next 12 months. This is a simple process that I have used for the last 30 years or so. I have used many study Bibles. Here are a few that I have used. I began with the Thompson Chain Bible. I have also used the Schofield Bible, the Dake Bible, the Companion Bible, the Spirit Application Bible, the Ryrie Study Bible, the Chronological Bible, the Student Bible, the Hebrew Bible, the Apostolic Study Bible, and of course, the Premier Study Bible. There have been others that I have used, but I think you get the picture.

I have read the Bible every year cover to cover since I was 14 years old. The majority of those years has been a different study Bible. I do my best to read not only the Bible text, but the footnotes, the introductions, and all the added information.

When Young ministers ask me what I would recommend them to read I always recommend use a different study Bible every year and read everything. That includes the dates, the notes, the references, all of it. It is my personal opinion this is one way a young preacher can “round out” a lot of his thinking on doctrinal issues and also biblical history.

I would like to tell the young impatient ministers there are no shortcuts to really understanding the Bible. It is a long, lifetime process. There is no one study Bible that’s going to make you brilliant and smart by itself alone. I believe most older advanced ministers would tell you that the more they’ve studied the more they realize what they don’t know.

I would like to add a personal recommendation. If you only read or study so that you can preach a message you’re going to miss the greatest moments in your spiritual life. I believe your study should be because you love Jesus Christ. 

I believe your study should be daily. If you truly study daily, you will never be without a message to preach. You will always have more subjects than you can deliver in public services. Learn to be consistent, learn to put the word of God first, and God will give you sermons and revelations.

Having said that let’s begin. I am not going to include the Premier Study Bible (PSB) in this blog. My reason is, I have spent a number of years participating writing commentary and in the development of this Bible. I am still on the publishing board and the financial board of the PBS. It is impossible for me to be impartial and to not prefer it above the others —so please know that what I’m about to write does not include the PSB. Every young beginning minister should start his ministry by reading the PSB cover to cover.

I realize this next comment will cross swords with a number of preachers, and I am fine if you disagree. I have never read any translation, except the King James version of the Bible. It is my preferred reading and study. I have used other translations to see if there is a meaning in a particular passage that I am overlooking, however, to be honest I’m 99% always using the KJV. I believe in the majority text and I believe it is the correct text to study. This whole subject is maybe for another blog. Suffice it to say that I am not a believer in the minority text and the Bibles that are printed from that textus. This also applies to even the interlinear. It is impossible to remove 60,000 words from the text without affecting what you’re studying.

So today the question I am discussing is: if you could only have one study Bible, which one would it be?

My answer (that excludes the PSB) is if I could only have one Bible, I would want to use the Thompson Chain. It is possible that some of my bias is because it was the first Bible I began to use when I started preaching full-time at 23 years old. I still have it, and it literally has been written on every single page of the Bible. I believe in writing and making notes in my Bible -that is just a personal preference.

The original Thompson Chain-Reference Bible company was purchased in the last few years by Zondervan. They have produced it in a new binding and a new block text. This is a very good Bible. It is a Bible that if you did not own any other reference material, you would still be able to get a very well-rounded picture of doctrine and Bible history. It is literally the Bible on itself -meaning what does the Bible say about the Bible, and it leads you through chains of scriptures to do that.There is no one “Bible wonder” that does everything, but I do think this particular Bible comes closer than the others.

Just for fun I’m going to list some Bibles and what I prefer about these particular Bibles:

For reading: Schuyler (I like the chapter divisions)

For carry to church: Allan ( I like red letter and Allan does not make any)

For size/convience: Cambridge (my first Bible bought with my own money at 16)

For article/cool notes/introductions: The Student Bible (Zondervan-out of print)

For new preppie cool factor: Humble Lamb

For being a collectible: Thomas Nelson Signature Series (out of print)

Whatever Bible you choose to use in 2026 may I highly recommend reading your Bible cover to cover in 2026.

Blessings

 

The Key: Submission Friday, Dec 6 2024 

Biblical history and Church news and Doctrine and Family and Marriage and Motivational and New Testament and Uncategorized , , , , kennethbow 11:36 am

Napoleon Hill said: You are searching for the magic key that will unlock the door to the source of power; and yet you have the key in your own hands, and you may use it the moment you learn to control your thoughts.

A key that opens many locks is worth buying. A lock that can be opened with many keys isn’t. 

If there truly was one single key that could open all of the blessings and benefits of God, what would it be? Would it be faith? Would it be prayer? Would it be giving? Would it be fasting?

I don’t know that one simple answer is the right key. But I do want to talk about at least one key that I think unlocks many things and possibly all things.

  • This key I am going to speak about unlocks your relationship with God. 
  • It unlocks your relationship with your pastor. 
  • It unlocks your relationship with your spouse. 
  • It unlocks your relationship with your parents and or with your kids. 
  • It unlocks your relationship with other people in the church 
  • It even unlocks your relationship with your boss and coworkers on the job and even neighbors.

I don’t remember ever hearing an entire sermon on the subject of submission. I’ve heard it alluded to and mentioned hundreds of times. But today I want to speak on this subject of submission. The key that unlocks every door. I hope the Lord will help me present it to you in all of its beauty and power. Too often it is seen as confining, or as an impediment to our will. Sometimes people see it limiting them or holding them back, which is not true.

What is the purpose of submission? Have we fallen into the thought processes that I am to submit to God but I don’t have to submit to my pastor, or I don’t have to submit to my spouse or I don’t have to submit to my parents.

By submitting we allow God complete control of our lives. As he works in us and through us, we will  see Him working around us. And where God works there is healing, life, and restoration. You see, our submission is to God so that He can use our lives to touch the lives of others.

Next blog:

Is there a difference between submitting and obeying?

 

The Key Thursday, Dec 5 2024 

Biblical history and Church news and Doctrine and New Testament , , kennethbow 11:50 am

The Key 

Matthew 16.13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

(Among the Hebrews the symbol of keys did not refer to the priests; it referred to the scribes, the teachers of the law whose duty it was to unlock the truth of God. The scribes had failed miserably in their office by not recognizing their Messiah- and now the Lord committed the keys to Simon Peter.)

After telling the parables of the kingdom, the Lord had said, “Every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old” (Matthew 13:52). 

When Peter made His inspired confession of faith (16:16), he became a scribe “instructed unto the kingdom of heaven.” When the Lord said to him, “I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven” (16:19), He was saying in effect, “You are my scribe.” Simon Peter used these keys to open the door first to the Jews, and then to the Samaritans and then the Gentiles—  he was in essence the scribe to show them the way of truth. He took the key Jesus gave him and unlocked the door.

But these keys were much more than the doors they unlocked in Acts 2, 8, &10. Jesus had given Peter the key of David, which is prophesied to be given to Messiah in Isaiah 22.22.  

And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder;

so he shall open, and none shall shut;

and he shall shut, and none shall open.Jesus had the keys to give to Simon Peter. 

Rev 1.18 Jesus has the keys of death and hell. 

In Rev 9 and also in chapter 20 Jesus has the key of the bottomless pit. The keys belong to Jesus to give to whomever he chooses. 

It is altogether possible he has a key he would like to give you today.

For the next few blogs I would like to write a few things about a key that will transform your life.

Stay tuned…

 

How to stand in a slippery place. Saturday, Dec 6 2014 

Church news kennethbow 10:50 am

How to stand in a slippery place.

There are some keys to living for God.

For example, here is a simple short checklist to ask yourself.

What do you listen to? Gospel music or worldly music?
What is your hobby? Games?
What do you read?
How do you spend spare time?

How is your prayer life?
Do you fast? When? ( Emergency only?)
Do you build spiritual resistance and muscle?

Do you think about heaven or the world?
Who are your friends?
When you come to church do you give it your best?
Who is your best friend?
Are there any secrets in your life you are hiding?
Is there secret sin in your life?
Are you consistent or up and down?

You stand in a slippery place by:
Being consistent,
Removing secret sin,
Make godly people your friends,
Giving your best at church,
Thinking about heaven and God,
Fasting and praying,
Using your spare time for godly things instead of carnal things,
Reading good things,
Listening to encouraging music about God and salvation.

So many people won’t pray, listen to worldly music, read worldly books, run with sinners, spend hours on you tube or social media, and then wonder why living for God is a struggle?

Who do you feed, your flesh or your spiritual man?

When you develop good spiritual habits you will stand in a slippery place!

Thanks for reading today!

 

The Abraham factor… Thursday, Aug 21 2014 

Biblical history and Church news and Old Testament and Political kennethbow 2:20 pm

Abraham is the father of three world religions. How much more can one life contribute to planet earth?

Abraham is considered the father of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. This encompasses much of the population of earth. Geographically it is quite a large area covered by these three religions. I would imagine most countries of the world are affected by at least one or more of these religions.

I had a discussion with a young pastor on the east coast and he contributed an interesting observation.

Pastor Bart Adkins of High Point, North Carolina is one of the brilliant young Apostolics of this generation. He is also a talented musician, singer and speaker. He made this observation:

“I had a conversation with dad one day musing on the thought that God has
attempted to make himself known to all the peoples of the Earth. It is
interesting to me in thinking about Judaism, Islam, and Christianity,
specifically, as though each one almost displays a particular aspect of God’s
character. The Jews had His law and Word, to a science. The Muslims have His War
and Judgement. The Christians have seen the revelation of His Grace and Mercy.”

Thank you Pastor Adkins for that keen insight.

Thanks for reading today….

 

Modern Day Matriarch Monday, Dec 9 2013 

Biographical and Church news and Family kennethbow 8:34 am

In the long history of the Bible there is only one woman whose life is chronicled, and her age is given. Only one. Maybe that is why you should never ask a woman her age 🙂 It is a Bible thing!

It was not Elizabeth the mother of John the Baptist. It was not even Mary, the mother of Jesus. It was Sarah. The only woman in the Bible whose age is given is Sarah. Why? I submit it is because she was a/the matriarch!

A matriarch is a venerable old woman. A woman of great age, impressive dignity, and worthy of reverence.

When a woman is a matriarch she rises above the average. She imprints her life on others. She instills her spirit in others.

When a woman is a matriarch, she leaves behind things ordinary women jettison at the grave.

In many ways matriarchs never die. They live in hearts, minds, and memories forever.

Saturday, December 7, 2013, I attended the home going service of a matriarch. Her name is Ruth Luke. She is the mother of my neighboring pastor Mike Luke.

As I sat in the service listening to the impact she left on so many, my mind went back over half a century.

I was about 5 or 6 years old. I was a very battered, mistreated child who was angry and mean. The people of the neighborhood where my grandmother lived asked her to not allow me to go to their houses. In those days kids played late in the neighborhood until after dark.

I was very mean. I poked the neighbor’s pets with sticks and threw rocks at passing cars.

I was a child pariah.

Across the street from my grandmother’s house on Mark street in Arvin, California, in the 1950’s lived a nice woman. In fact she was the only woman in the entire neighborhood who was ever nice to me.

While others watched to make sure I would not visit their property, she watched to see when I was standing out on the sidewalk looking at her house. She even gave cookies to that childish bundle of anger and hate.

55 years later I went down memory land and thought how crazy life is. The last 15 years of her life I was privileged to spend many times around her talking about “Mark street” many years ago.

Like her namesake in the Bible, Ruth Luke is an amazing woman. She is a modern day matriarch.

She being dead yet speaketh.

Thanks for reading today.

 

Northwest Apostolic Churches Youth Formal Saturday, May 29 2010 

Church news kennethbow 12:41 pm

Departing view of Seattle

Friday May 28, 2010, 175 Apostolic youth and Pastors boarded the boat for the second annual Youth Formal on the Puget Sound.

This annual event has been held for the last few years, and for the first time last year it was held on a Harbor Dinner tour boat.

We gathered and boarded the boat at 7pm, and cast off.  There were 11 churches represented by the 175 people on board.

It was again a great night and great food.  The young people seem to love this event and the chance to dress formally and take a date.

There is no program, just dinner and fellowship.

Kenneth Bow and FPC youth leader Dustin Clanton

Kenneth Bow and Preston and Cameron Reese, sons of Vaughn Reese and grandsons of Bill Burgess

The dinner cruise lasted about 2 hours.  We left at 8pm and returned to dock at 10pm.

Seattle as we returned.

It was a beautiful night.  Our young people do not go to the prom in their high schools.  We want to provide them with a night of their own with other young people that love God.

As we were leaving, I was standing on the sidewalk waiting for the Valet parking and a street bum stumbled up to me.  He was dirty, unshaved, and all eyes.  He was staring open mouthed at 175 people in tuxedos and formal dresses.  I could smell the alcohol on his breath.  He looked at me and slurred…..

“Did I miss the Academy Awards or sumpin?”

As I chuckled to myself I thought no sir, these people are the real award winners!

These young people are striving to win the ultimate award,

“Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of the Lord.”

Good job Northwest Apostolic Youth….see ya next year on the boat!

Thanks for reading today!

 

Apostolic Truth Tabernacle 13th Anniversary, Greensburg Indiana Saturday, May 22 2010 

Church news kennethbow 3:14 pm

Apostolic Truth Tabernacle Greensburg, Indiana

Friday night May 21, 2010 Pastor Jeff Sangl and congregation celebrates their 13th anniversary in Greensburg Indiana.

View of the congregation.

Friday night was an outstanding service with many visiting ministers in attendance.  There were ministers from the home state of Indiana, and surrounding states as well.  The ATT choir sang a dynamic number and the one and only Timothy Spell brought the house down as usual!

Some of the visiting ministers.

Friday night speaker was Rev. Kevin Archer from Cooper City, Florida.  Rev. Archer preached an incredible message entitled “Possession Mentality.”  He challenged us all to have the attitude of a Caleb who was the only one to drive all the inhabitants out of his promised possession!

Kevin Archer

We came back on Saturday and were blessed by several outstanding songs.  Rusty Adkins and John Wyant sang the song they first sang years ago at the first anniversary.  Rusty Adkins did an incredible job on the song “I want to see heaven”.  Tim Spell sang “Heartbreak Ridge” with Bryan and Carissa Tanton.  Then Spell also sang a beautiful song with Carissa entitled “All you need”, written by Christy Ballestero.

The choir again did an outstanding job.

The message was delivered by Rev. Garry Streeval.  His subject was “I’m coming out of this”.  He began with the colorful and interesting story of Macy’s Department store.  How the founder rebounded from a tragic fire and rebuilt after fire destroyed his work.  Streeval preached from the fifteeneth chapter of Luke using the story of the prodical son.  It was truly outstanding, needed, and unforgettable.

Garry Streeval

The church honored their pastor and wife with a love offering during the Saturday service.

Pastor and Sister Sangl being honored by their congregation.

Sunday morning service will be Rev. Timothy Spell preaching, and Sunday evening service at 4pm will again be Rev. Kevin Archer.

Congratulations to Rev. Sangl and the congregation of Apostolic Truth Tabernacle for 13 years!

God bless you.

Thanks for reading today!

 

Noblesville Indiana New Church Sunday, Apr 25 2010 

Biographical and Church news kennethbow 6:19 am

New Church in Noblesville Indiana nears completion


Calvary Apostolic Church, pastored by Garry Streeval is nearing completion of their new church. The church has a total of approximately 23,000 square feet.  It is on a new location near the growing areas of Noblesville.  Noblesville is located in one of the fastest growing counties of the United States.

It has been a dream come true for Pastor and Mrs Streeval, after 35 years in Noblesville.

The Streevals came to Noblesville March 7, 1975 and started having church in a converted garage.  Their only member was their young daughter Beth.  The last 35 years have seen constant, careful, consistent growth.  Today there is a growing thriving congregation in this city just north of Indianapolis.

Dedication of the new church is tentatively set for July 30th.

View of auditorium from the baptistry.

View from the balcony.

Main entrance foyer.

Main entrance, with beautiful chandelier (Pastor Streeval and Rev Garrett)

Basement: fellowship hall.

As I post these pictures I realize they do not do the building justice.  My recommendation is to come and celebrate their joy on July 30th, and see the beauty of this church for yourself!

Congratulations Pastor Streeval and congregation!

 

Is Pride Always A Sin? Thursday, Apr 22 2010 

Church news kennethbow 1:27 pm

FPC singers and musicians at the fairgrounds. They took second place 🙂

Is Pride Always A Sin?

Most of us, if not all of us, are aware that pride is a sin and God hates it! I am just wondering today if there is ever a time it is not a sin?

Last week our church sang at the fairground in a gospel singing.  There were ten groups chosen from the area to sing and we were one of the ten chosen.

The audience then sent in a text message to vote for who they thought won the event as the best group.  Our church group placed second.

I guess I need to repent, because I was very proud of them.  That nasty old pride sticking it’s head up!

I was off in Arkansas at another meeting and they went and did a wonderful job representing traditional Pentecostal singing.

Here is the newspaper report….

For many churches, music is a reflection of the way they worship. That holds true for First Pentecostal Church of Puget Sound in Lake Tapps, which sent a 20-member choral and instrumental performance group to The Spring Fair.

“We feel like music is an expression of faith itself,” said Kenneth Bow, the church’s senior pastor. “Music is the medium throughout the ages that God has used to reach people, whether it’s gospel or traditional or contemporary.”

Pastor Bow, who has been at First Pentecostal since 1999, said the majority of his church’s musicians have been performing together all that time. They practice for 45 minutes every Sunday and seem to have a smaller learning curve because they’re so familiar with each other, he said.

The First Pentecostal group features saxophones, clarinets, trumpets, keyboards, guitars and percussion to complement its singers. They offered a diverse selection of three songs at The Spring Fair, ranging from a cover of “Say So” by contemporary Christian group Free Chapel to a medley by Ron Kenoly, a widely-known evangelist who specializes in soul and rhythm and blues.

First Pentecostal is a traditional Pentecostal church that uses “exuberant worship” as its focal point, meaning heartfelt music, raised hands and outstretched voices are part of the typical service.

“It’s a vocal expression rather than a meditative environment,” the pastor explained. “The Pentecostal service is going to be an out-loud expression of your feelings. It’s more of an expressive faith than a reflective faith.”

I hope there are times you can be proud of something and not sin! 🙂

Thanks for reading today!