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

 

Reflecting on 50 years of Ministry Saturday, Dec 6 2025 

Uncategorized , , , , , kennethbow 2:48 pm

Reflections on 50 years of preaching and modern preaching.

One half of a century: In some ways it seems a blink of an eye, in other ways it seems like a bite of eternity.

50 years ago I was 23 and today I am 73. At the end of last July, 2025 I reached 49 years of full time ministry. At the end of July 2026 I will complete 50 years of full time ministry. So much has changed and much has remained the same. 

My focus today is ministry and preaching. Concerning preaching I am referencing style, content, and delivery. These are my somewhat random thoughts.

Recently, over the last few years I have noticed in myself I prefer slower, quieter preaching. I kind of drifted into that without planning or even recognizing it was happening.

It seems to me I gradually began to see this in myself and began to analyze my thoughts. I found myself being disloyal to the loud fast preaching and decided to not allow negative thoughts to influence me in the years that remain in my life. I had found myself grimacing when the screaming got loud. As lame as it may sound I sincerely began to seek God for what He thought as opposed to what I was experiencing.

I may be misreading this next part as to what happened to me, but I see the poetic justice God uses at times in what happened. 

I had been given a small book on Hebrew words as a birthday gift by a dear lady in our church. I have been reading it slowly and carefully. While in the mindset of considering modern preaching it seems God straightened out my thinking.

There is a small Hebrew word TAL. It is the word for dew, morning dew. The small book ignited my thinking on how God speaks to us. This book emphasizes how the dew is so important in scripture. It is used 37 times if I have counted correctly. It is always used in terms of blessing.

As I pondered this I realized God has two major ways to send the water to earth that earth must have to survive. God uses dew and rain.

There are two ways the Word of God comes:

The dew – gentle, quiet, soaking over time -this is teaching.

The rain – loud, powerful, saturating fast – this is preaching.

Both are heavenly.

Both are divine.

Both are needed.

But they are not the same.

THE DEW OF TEACHING: SLOW, CONSISTENT, NOURISHING

The dew falls silently in the night when no one hears it.

It doesn’t shout.

It doesn’t announce itself.

It simply appears.

I will be as the dew unto Israel…

Hosea 14:5

Dew is personal.

Dew is delicate.

Dew doesn’t run off – it soaks in.

Teaching is the dew of heaven.

It comes quietly into the spirit,

line upon line,

precept upon precept.

For precept must be upon precept… line upon line… here a little, and there a little.

Isaiah 28:10

This is teaching:

where the pastor calmly

opens the Scriptures,

and expounds the Word,

and truth sinks gently into the soul.

Pentecostals love the shout 

but we also need the stillness of instruction.

For the dew of teaching forms roots.

THE RAIN OF PREACHING IS SUDDEN, POWERFUL, AND REVIVING.

Now look again at the text:

My doctrine shall drop as the rain…

 Deuteronomy 32:2

Rain is bold.

Rain is public.

Rain makes a noise on the rooftops.

Rain gets everyone’s attention.

This is preaching.

The voice lifts.

The anointing strikes.

The Word thunders like Elijah on Mount Carmel:

there is a sound of abundance of rain.

1 Kings 18:41

When preaching falls,

chains break,

altars fill,

sinners weep,

and backsliders tremble.

Rain produces shout,

but dew produces depth.

Rain revives quickly,

but dew sustains quietly.

THE CHURCH NEEDS BOTH THE DEW AND THE RAIN

Some churches only get dew 

and the saints grow knowledgeable but grow dry in passion.

Some churches only get rain 

and the saints shout but lack foundation.

Their spirituality only lasts a few days.

But God intended both.

In my search I discovered there is no place on planet earth where dew is not found. In some arid locations it is the only form of hydration for plants, hence a desert. Dew is quiet but causes nourishment daily. None of it is lost. It slowly works its purpose without any waste or runoff. The Bible uses dew as a metaphor for blessing. 

Rain is more noticeable. Rain can be gentle or intense. Rain can bless or cause destruction by flooding with cloud bursts. Rain can be forecast by weathermen. All rain is not salvaged. We must have drains and gutters and French drains due to overflow. Rain was used as a form of judgment in the days of Noah’s ark. Rain has more forms and intensity. Rain is loud and obvious. 

As I pondered this I began to feel like God was chiding me and correcting me. It was clear from a Bible perspective both are needed to give life giving water to our earth.

My conclusion is we need both dew (teaching) and rain (preaching). 

When I began to travel as a young evangelist I was 23 and only knew how my pastor did things. Brother Terry, my pastor, was a strong teacher.  Our general church life was we would have a long revival of six weeks or so and then Brother Terry would teach and establish the new converts. He also preached at times but in my memory he taught more often.

It seems to me this was the case with many churches in the 1960-1970 era. The large churches of those decades were built by men of teaching and preaching (dew and rain). Men like Paul Price, the Davis brothers, David Gray (used charts at times), Voar Shoemake, Clyde Haney, and others. 

I say this to encourage young preachers. Preach it hard and loud and long. 

Bring the rain!

Those of us who have many miles on our odometer can also take confidence in the value of the dew (teaching). The manna was attached to the dew so never doubt the value of teaching.

Numbers 11.9

9 And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it.

In Simple Terms

If an environment is very dry or very stable in temperature, dew will not form. 

Jesus said I would that you were either hot or cold.

Just as there are places on earth where dew is rare, there are hearts where the spirit’s moisture no longer settles. 

Dryness comes when prayer ceases, when the air of faith grows thin. 

But just as Elijah prayed and the heavens gave both rain and dew again,  revival always begins when someone kneels and calls upon the Lord.

So let us not become deserts.  

Don’t let your faith become dry in the heat of distraction.  

Let the dew return – the quiet Word that roots us.  

Let the rain fall – the power that renews us.

When the dew rests upon our spirit, truth takes hold.  

When the rain pours from heaven, the fruit appears.  

And when both move together: teaching and preaching, Word and Spirit — the Church becomes a flourishing field under open heavens.

Lord, make us a people who receive Your dew in the dawn and Your rain in the storm that Your Word may live in us,  

and through us, the earth may be refreshed again.

 

False Teachers Thursday, Dec 4 2025 

Uncategorized , , , kennethbow 9:52 am

False teachers by Kenneth Bow

They stand in garments shining, yet their hearts are full of night;

They speak with swelling words of praise, but never walk in light.

They promise fountains flowing, yet their wells are dry within;

They cause the hurt of Zion, but they never call it sin.

With smooth and crafted speeches they deceive the simple soul;

They bind with cords of flattery, yet never make men whole.

They love the chiefest places, and the greeting in the street;

But tremble not before the Lord, nor bow at Mercy’s seat.

They flee when wolves are coming, for they never knew the Lamb;

Their staff is but a painted rod, their cry a hollow sham.

They steal the words of others, saying, “Thus the Lord hath said,”

While God stands far from their deceit and truth falls cold and dead.

But still the Good Shepherd rises, and His voice the sheep will hear;

His rod corrects, His staff protects, His presence calms their fear.

For every false anointed, there is One who reigns above—

The Shepherd true, whose only crown was truth, sacrifice and love.

So test the spirits daily, weigh each voice against His Word;

For many feign the prophet’s fire, yet do not obey the Lord

Cling to the ancient pathway, let His truth defend your way—

The Lamb will guard His chosen flock until His coming day.

 

Holiness and the Talmud Thursday, May 1 2025 

Doctrine , , , , , , , kennethbow 10:21 am

Holiness:

I want to post about our survival as a people-the Aposttolic church so I decided to include the note on the Talmud because it supports our position on holiness in this present day. The Torah is the Jewish name for the Pentateuch. The Pentateuch is the first five books of the Bible. The Talmud is the collection of commentary from Jewish Rabbis on the Torah. Why would this be important to us as Gentiles? My answer is it provides such a beautiful example of how to survive in a world that does not understand us as Apostolics. To live in our world, which views us as outdated and eccentric, is becoming more difficult as society drifts farther and farther from the principals of the Bible. The Jew has survived in every century, in every culture, and in every continent. The Jewish life is as strong today as it was 2000 years ago. As Apostolics, we need to adopt some of the same principles to insure we do not lose our identity. The five books of Moses can be written out in about 350 pages. The Talmud now takes up 523 books in 22 volumes. As the Jew was scuttled from empire to empire, the need arose for a protection from the blows without and the pressure from within. The Talmud has provided that. The Talmud has become the home of the Jew no matter where he lives in the world. The Talmud has single handedly provided the survival of the Jewish person. As Apostolics, it appears to me that we are in danger of losing our heritage of holiness. More and more I see whole churches assimilated into our worlds culture and mores. We need holiness and separation more than ever before. The way we dress and live must not die with this generation. As simple as it may seem, our standards are what will keep us separated from the world. Simple things like sleeve length, and the distinction of dress between male and female, are critical to the survival of the Apostolic heritage. It provides us with the cold concrete of protection from the blows that come from without. In the Talmud, there are many issues that may seem insignificant. But upon inspection the Talmud provided the Jew with answers to the baffling questions of life. The Talmud has done more to preserve the Jewish way of life than any other factor. This oral law that has been discussed over the centuries has kept the Jewish people uniquely Jewish. It is my hope that our holiness standards will keep us Apostolic in a world that has lost all sense of direction. The Rabbis have haggled over every phase of Jewish life. They have argued over every word and comma. In the process of mulling all this over, they created a mandate for survival in a hostile world. When the world attacked, the Talmud was there to soften the blow and stiffen the will. Other ancient cultures have faded from the earth, but the Jew has survived. Can we learn a lesson from them? The authors of the Talmud seemed to think that no issue was too small to discuss. They would debate for months whether a person could wear a false tooth on the Sabbath. A tailor could not take his needle in his hand just before the Sabbath because he might forget and go out with it. You could have candy in your mouth as long as it was put in your mouth before the Sabbath began. They discussed for nine years one statement in the law; “Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother’s milk.” From this one issue came the whole idea of Kosher food and food that was not Kosher. Our first response might be, that is foolish and insignificant. But never forget it is the small things that have kept them as a people. They have survived. We need to appreciate the “small” things if we are going to preserve this Apostolic way of life. Our standards of dress are important to our survival. Our standards of what we watch and what entertainment we allow is important to our future. Our survival depends on the small things. I will be the first to admit that the Rabbis went to extremes to preserve the Jewish way of life. However, it is beyond argument that the Jew has survived while other people have been assimilated and have vanished from the stage of time. Our survival as a distinct people depends on the small things. We must maintain our holiness and our standards of life. When they become unimportant, you can write the epitaph of the Apostolic movement.

 

You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet Monday, Apr 7 2025 

Uncategorized , , , kennethbow 3:29 pm

     YOU AIN’T SEEN NOTHING YET! 

There was a time when the sun never set on the British Empire (13.7 million miles). The Roman Empire coined a phrase all roads led to Rome (1.9 million miles), but there had never been a larger contiguous land empire than that of the Mongols. 

Established in 1206 by Genghis Khan — who was born Temujin in 1162 and whose name, also transliterated as Chinggis, means “universal ruler” His early life was marked by hardship; his father was poisoned by rival tribes, and his family was left destitute. Despite these struggles, Temüjin showed leadership qualities from a young age, uniting various Mongol clans through diplomacy, alliances, and strategic warfare.

In 1206, Temüjin declared himself Genghis Khan, meaning “universal ruler,” after uniting the Mongol tribes under his leadership. This marked the beginning of his ambition to expand Mongol influence beyond the steppes.

— the empire eventually reached a size of at least 9 million square miles. To call this unlikely would be an understatement. Temujin rose to power from a tumultuous childhood, and the Mongols were a nomadic people whose territorial expansion came about largely due to brutal military tactics and fierce pragmatism.

At its peak, the empire included all of modern-day China and Mongolia in addition to parts of Armenia, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Romania, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Korea, and the Persian Empire among others.  For all of Genghis’ savvy, however, his descendants proved a fractious bunch who fought among themselves and oversaw his empire’s decline; with the exception of his grandson Kublai Khan, few others in the dynasty are recalled fondly. Even so, Genghis’ massive effect on the world might best be summarized by two staggering statistics: He was responsible for the deaths of as much as 11% of the world’s population (40 million out of 360 million) at the time, and 1 in every 200 men living today are his direct descendants.

No one knows where Genghis Khan is buried.

Though Genghis Khan was one of history’s most consequential figures, there are two things no one knows about the famed leader: what he looked like and where he’s buried. The first is easy enough to explain, as he lived nearly 1,000 years ago and contemporaneous accounts of his appearance differ. The latter is a bit more unusual. Genghis wished to be buried in secret, and the army that escorted his body is said to have slain anyone it came across en route to his final resting place, lest those passersby tell anyone what they saw. After the burial, those same soldiers rode 1,000 horses over Genghis’ grave to bury any trace of it along with him. There are also stories, most likely untrue, that the enslaved people responsible for burying him were then slaughtered so they couldn’t share their knowledge, and that the guards who carried out this act were themselves killed by a second group of soldiers, who then took their own lives. Though the exact location of the grave remains a mystery, scholars believe Genghis is buried somewhere near Burkhan Khaldun, a mountain considered sacred by the Mongols. 

Genghis Khan is remembered as one of the most powerful and influential leaders in history, revered for his military brilliance and feared for his ruthless tactics. His impact continues to resonate in global history.

BUT… YOU AIN’T SEEN NOTHING YET

The Coming King: Jesus’ Return to Reign Over All the Earth

 “And the Lord shall be King over all the earth (57.5 million miles). In that day it shall be — ‘The Lord is one, and His name one.’” (Zechariah 14:9)

 The Hope of His Return

The return of Jesus Christ is central to our faith. Just as He promised, Jesus will return to establish His righteous kingdom on earth. This truth stirs us to live in readiness, holiness, and expectation.

• John 14:3 — “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself…”

• Acts 1:11 — “This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner…” Jesus is coming back.

The return of Jesus is not symbolic — it is literal, visible, and powerful. 

Rev 1.7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. 

The Nature of Jesus’ Return

Jesus’ second coming will involve two key events:

1. The parousia of the Church (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

2. The Second Coming to Establish His Kingdom (Revelation 19:11-16)

Key Scripture:

• 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 — “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout…” (To be caught upg0726. ἁρπάζω harpazō; to seize (in various applications): — catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force).

AV (13) – catch up 4, take by force 3, catch away 2, pluck 2, catch 1, pull 1;

to seize, carry off by force to seize on, claim for one’s self eagerly  to snatch out or away

• Revelation 19:16 — “And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”

We believe the parousia (1 Thes 4.15;the coming, arrival, advent the future visible return from heaven of Jesus, to raise the dead, hold the last judgment, and set up formally and gloriously the kingdom of God  is imminent) — it could happen at any moment. After a period mentioned in Revelation, Jesus will return in power to judge the nations and establish His kingdom.

Jesus Will Establish a Kingdom of Peace and Righteousness

The Bible speaks clearly about a future kingdom where Jesus reigns from Jerusalem, bringing peace to the entire world.

• Isaiah 9:6-7 — “Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end…”

• Zechariah 14:9 — “And the Lord shall be King over all the earth…”

In this kingdom:

• Wars will cease (Micah 4:3)

• Nature will be restored (Isaiah 11:6-9)

• Righteousness will prevail (Psalm 72:7)

The Role of the Church in Preparing for Jesus’ Return

As believers, we have a mandate to prepare for His coming by:

1. Living Holy Lives — “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14)

2. Preaching the Gospel — “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world and then…” (Matthew 24:14)

3. Operating in the Power of the Holy Spirit — The outpouring of the Spirit empowers us to testify boldly. (Acts 1:8)

The Spirit-filled church must actively seek revival, praying for souls to come to Christ before His return.

The Urgency of the Hour

• Matthew 24:42 — “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.”

Jesus’ return is both a promise and a warning. As believers, we are called to stay vigilant and prepared.

 Living in Expectation

Jesus is coming back to reign, and His kingdom will cover the entire earth. As Children of God, we must stay filled with the Holy Ghost, preach the gospel with urgency, and live in readiness for His return.

Call to Action:

• Examine Your Heart: Are you ready for Jesus’ return?

• Empower Your Witness: Ask God for a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit to boldly proclaim the gospel.

  • Encourage Others: Share the hope of His soon-coming kingdom with those around you.

The future kingdom of Jesus Christ is coming. His kingdom will be greater than the Roman empire or the British empire or the Mongol Empire. It will encompass the whole world.You will be a part of that kingdom if you stay in the church and live for God.

 

Preaching Still Works Sunday, Mar 30 2025 

Uncategorized , , , , , , kennethbow 8:06 pm

Preaching Still Works

Let me tell you something: preaching still works. I don’t care what the world says, I don’t care what culture tries to cancel, the preached Word of God is still God’s chosen weapon to change lives.

It works in the church. It works in the streets. It works in living rooms. It works on the radio. Preaching just works.

Romans 10:14 says, “How shall they hear without a preacher?” Oh, you better believe it—God uses the foolishness of preaching to confound the wise, to break the chains of sin, and to raise the dead things back to life.

Preaching isn’t just talking—it’s declaring. It’s proclaiming. It’s releasing the fire of Heaven into the hearts of people. 

When that anointed Word goes forth, demons tremble, sickness flees, and hearts are pierced with conviction. Preaching is a lifeline, a sword, a trumpet in Zion. It tears down strongholds and lifts up the Name that is above every name—JESUS!

That’s why you need to get involved. That’s why you need to say amen or waive your hand or stand up or do something to show. Yes, I support this. Yes, I am involved. Yes, I’m on board.

You can have your lights, your programs, your productions— if there’s no preaching, there’s no power. It is the one indispensable thing needed to build a church. You must have preaching.

Paul told Timothy, “Preach the Word. Be instant in season and out of season. ” That means when they want it and when they don’t. Because somebody’s soul is hanging in the balance.

Preaching works—because God watches over His Word to perform it. So when the Word is preached, miracles break out. When the Word is preached, prodigals come home. When the Word is preached, revival breaks loose. Preaching makes things happen.

Matt 4.23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom,…..

g2784. κηρύσσω kēryssō; of uncertain affinity; to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel): — preacher(-er), proclaim, publish.

AV (61) – preach 51, publish 5, proclaim 2, preached + g2258 2, preacher 1;

to be a herald, to officiate as a herald to proclaim after the manner of a herald -always with the suggestion of formality, gravity and an authority which must be listened to and obeyed. To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done used of the public proclamation of the gospel and matters pertaining to it, made by John the Baptist, by Jesus, by the apostles and other Christian teachers…

It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe

John preached Matt 3.1

Jesus preached Matt 4.23

Jonah preached Matt 12.41

Apostles preached Acts 8.4

Paul and Barnabas preached Acts 15.35

1 Cor 1.18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

1 Cor 1.21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

1 Cor 2.4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

Titus 1.3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

So don’t stop preaching. 

Don’t water it down. 

Don’t compromise. 

Preach it hot, preach it holy, preach it full of the Holy Ghost. 

Because preaching still works!

Why Preaching Still Works:

Romans 10:13-15

“For ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How then can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without a preacher?”

Preaching is God’s Method, Not Man’s Idea

“How shall they hear without a preacher?”

Church, preaching didn’t come from a church board or a conference committee—it came from the mind of God. 

From the prophets in the Old Testament to John the Baptist in the wilderness, to Jesus Himself declaring, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”to the Apostles—God has always used a voice to carry His message.

Preaching is not a TED Talk. It’s not a motivational speech. It’s not entertainment.

It is the divine delivery system of Heaven’s message to Earth.

Preaching Breaks Chains and Builds Faith.

Romans 10:17 – “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

When the Word is preached—faith is born. 

When Peter preached, 3,000 souls were saved. 

When Paul preached, demons fled and dead men rose.

The preached Word builds up what the devil tried to tear down.

It breaks addiction. 

It heals hearts. 

It stirs the sleeping. 

It calls the prodigal home.

You may not remember the preacher’s name… but you’ll remember what God did through that Word.

Preaching Carries Power Because It Carries God’s Presence

1 Corinthians 1:21 – “It pleased God through the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.”

Don’t let the world call it foolish. Heaven calls it fire.

When preaching is under the anointing—it’s not the preacher talking—it’s the Spirit of God declaring war on darkness.

When preaching goes forth, it’s not just volume—it’s violence in the spirit realm, tearing down strongholds and lifting up the Cross.

Preaching invites the presence of God to invade the present moment.

Preaching Still Works—So Preach On!

The devil would love for the Church to go quiet…

He doesn’t mind a little worship, or a little fellowship—as long as there’s no preaching.

Because when we preach:

• Heaven listens

• Hell trembles

• And hearts are changed

So preach on preacher.

Preach when they shout, preach when they stare.

Preach when it’s popular, and preach when it’s not.

Preach in the pulpit, preach in the streets—preach in power and with fire.

If you’ve been running —it’s time to surrender.

If you’ve forgotten the power in the Word—it’s time to return.

And if you’re hungry for the fire of God to fall again—get to this altar and ask for fresh oil.

Two things about preaching

Number one it is the only indispensable thing in building a church. You can build without a building you can build without music you can build without a lot of things that we like, but preaching is the one thing you cannot do without. 

Number two preaching is the only element that every church in the world uses they may use different music or wear robes or have big cathedrals or meet in living rooms, but every one of them have preaching 

Because preaching still works.

 

The Key: Submission vs Obedience Saturday, Dec 7 2024 

Uncategorized , , , , kennethbow 10:18 am

The Key: Obedience vs Submission

Is there a difference between submitting and obeying?

Here are the definitions of each: Obedience: Obedience refers to the act of following instructions or orders from someone in a position of authority. It involves doing what you are told. Israel, obeyed, and grumbled while they were obeying. They definitely were not submitted.

Submission: Submission refers to the act of yielding your will and desires to the authority or control of someone else.

What is the spiritual meaning of submission? If your pastor is having problems with you, you have a problem with submission.

Submission is the spiritual discipline that frees us from the  burden of always needing to get our own way. If you always need to get your own way, life is frustrating and difficult and contentious. 

In submission we are learning to hold things lightly. 

We are also learning to diligently watch over the spirit in which we hold others— honoring them, preferring them, loving them even above ourselves.

Jesus provides the ultimate example of willing submission as He suffered intense agony in Gethsemane. Not my will but thine.

 Matt 26.39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

Submission does not mean putting the will of the husband before the will of Christ. The Bible clearly teaches that the wife is a follower of Jesus before and above being a follower of her husband especially if he is going on the path of unbelief. She does not follow him in that, because she has been called to be a disciple of Jesus. 

Many years ago, I was at a conference and I heard a story. It was about a new convert and she was getting ready for church. When she walked out of her bedroom and stepped into the hall, her sinner husband was standing at the other end of the hall with a pistol pointed at her. He cocked the hammer back and said to her “you are not going to church tonight.”

She smiled and called him by name and said “if you pull that trigger, I’m going to heaven, and if you don’t pull that trigger, I’m going to church.”

That’s submission.

 

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…