Living the Christian Life today. A selection of topical articles plus verse-by-verse commentary on Ephesians, Romans, Hebrews.
Posted October 20th, 2012 in Selah, Spiritual Life
A Bible Study by Jack Kelley
There’s a theory, only hinted at in Scripture, that Planet Earth had been the domain of Satan prior to his rebellion. Although he was only a created being, Satan was an enormously powerful dignitary in God’s Universe (Jude 1:9). He was the overseer of the Cherubim (the guardians of God’s Throne) and a leader of the angelic host. He was God’s most impressive creation (Ezekiel 28:12-15). Because of his position, his power, and his beauty he became proud and rebelled (Ezekiel 28:17, Isaiah 14:13-14), bringing about a judgment that destroyed planet Earth.
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Posted July 7th, 2012 in Spiritual Life
Commentary by Jack Kelley
A simple line in Mark 9:50 says so much. It’s almost a throw-away and yet when taken in light of the surrounding passage it speaks volumes. “Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”
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Posted May 5th, 2012 in Spiritual Life
A Bible Study by Jack Kelley
Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us. (1 John 2:18-19)
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Posted April 28th, 2012 in Selah, Spiritual Life
A Bible Study by Jack Kelley
So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matt. 6:31-33).
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Posted March 17th, 2012 in Spiritual Life
A Bible Study by Jack Kelley
These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men” (Isaiah 29:13).
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Posted February 25th, 2012 in Selah, Spiritual Life
A Bible Study by Jack Kelley
If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead you will be saved (Rom 10:9).
We’ve all confessed (give assent to or acknowledge) with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and understand its importance to our salvation, but what about the “believe in your heart” portion of the verse?
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Posted January 7th, 2012 in Selah, Spiritual Life
A Bible Study by Jack Kelley
Recently I’ve been asked about witnessing to “unsaved believers” as one writer called them. I usually refer to them as Christians-in-name-only. They call themselves Christians and do some things that make them appear to be Christians. They go to Church, make regular contributions, sign up for volunteer service projects, even teach Sunday School, but they’re not born again. Being born again means you know you’re a sinner in need of a savior. You believe Jesus died for all your sins and have asked Him to be your Savior. According to Jesus, people who are not born again will be denied entrance into the Kingdom (John 3:3) no matter how “good” they’ve been on Earth.
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Posted September 17th, 2011 in Spiritual Life
A Bible Study by Jack Kelley
Once in a while I’m asked to do a study on a specific portion of Scripture. While we’re waiting for the other shoe to drop in the Middle East, I’d like to respond to one I received recently concerning a portion of the Sermon on the Mount commonly called “The Beatitudes”. It’s found in Matt. 5:3-12 with an abbreviated and slightly different version in Luke 6:20-23. While everyone in the world seems to be talking about other things, it might be refreshing to think about peace for a moment. Not peace in the world necessarily, or even in the Middle East, but peace in our hearts and in our lives. If events are leading us in the direction we think, we’ll want to remember these exhortations from our Lord.
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Posted October 30th, 2010 in Spiritual Life
A Bible Study by Jack Kelley
Psalm 19 is one of the best daily prayers I’ve ever found. Commit it to memory and use it in your prayers each morning. Just like your daily bath or shower makes you physically clean, Psalm 19 makes you spiritually clean. It’s a great way to fulfill 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
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Posted July 17th, 2010 in Selah, Spiritual Life
A Bible Study by Jack Kelley
There’s no doubt we’re living in some of the most difficult times of our generation. If experts are correct it’s been 2 ½ years since this recession officially began, and many workers have already exhausted their jobless benefits. But others are just now being laid off and according to projections another million families will lose their homes in the coming months, so it’s not over yet. It’s a sobering thought, but the Bible offers some sure fire advice on living in hard times. Let’s take a look.
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