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This is a follow up to a couple weeks ago when we discussed “Situational Awareness: Are you paying attention?” Here, at the Buckwheat 100 GNCC, we took a look at a current event and then discussed Jesus’ teaching on End Times and persecution. “Hated by all nations.” A lot is happening in our world and in our country. We should be paying attention to the signs! 

There are so many end times prophecies unfolding before our eyes. One teacher called it “a convergence of the signs!” Although we can’t foretell the future, we should be aware as things happen and it should strengthen our faith! We dug into it at the Burr Oak GNCC. 

“If it’s true, it’s worth dying for. If it’s worth dying for, it’s worth living for!”June 29, 2022 was the 1,956th anniversary of the Apostle Paul’s execution by Emperor Nero. We took a closer look at The Mountaineer GNCC. 

Recorded atop Snowshoe Mountain at 4,848 feet, the question was, “Is God real?” With spectacular views, it seemed the answer was/is obvious! Yet, there are still many objections: “What about evil? Suffering? Atrocities committed in the name of Christ? So many Christians are hypocrites.” We dug into these and many more at the 2022 Snowshoe GNCC. 

Leading up to the Mason-Dixon GNCC, there were several shootings in the USA, including the Uvalde, TX tragedy. At the time of recording, gun control debates were raging in Congress, the media and social media. How do we live in this environment? Violence, distrust, opinions, overreach...does God's Word address modern issues? It can always be twisted to fit a narrative, but if it is actually applicable to our lives, how so? The Apostle Paul was in tumultuous times, could see the shipwreck about to happen, and yet remained mission focused. 

“Profane Fire” was the title of this weekend’s message at the John Penton GNCC. Leading to baptism, we studied Leviticus chapter 10 – which might be unusual since baptism isn’t mentioned anywhere in the Old Testament! However, Leviticus provides an example of how we don’t get to come to God on our own terms. We don’t get to make it up as we go! Baptism doesn’t save us, but only Christians need baptized. Give a listen…

Palm Sunday message at the Camp Coker Bullet GNCC! During the week leading up to the crucifixion, Jesus was hungry, saw a fig tree, went to it for some figs but there were none. He said, “May no one ever eat of you again” and the tree died! Mark said it wasn’t the season for figs. So what was Jesus doing?! As with everything - he was purposeful and intentional. The implications are as relevant today as they were 2,000 years ago!

Seems the world is in a tailspin! The typical response is “Ain’t got a chance!!” But there are a few people saying, “For such a time as this.” That term comes from the Book of Esther. She was put in a precarious situation that took courage and wisdom - very applicable to our lives today. We indeed are created ON PURPOSE, FOR A PURPOSE and we are here “for such a time as this.”

One of the COLDEST chapel services we’ve done! But people still came out! We discussed “The Armor of God” from Ephesians 6. Admittedly, my view of this passage has been skewed by cliché analogies. However, when digging in and REALLY looking at it - the Apostle Paul was brilliant!

This meassage was delivered March 5, 2022 as Russia was actively invading Ukraine. The news captivated (and continues to captivate, at the time of this posting) the world. As a Christian, a couple questions come to mind: 1) What do we know and 2) What do we DO? We certainly feel helpless, but God is in control, Satan will be defeated and we DO have an active role in expanding the Eternal Kingdom! 

Too often, we want to insert our lives into the Bible! Yet, the Word of God is living and active - it can speak for itself and is applicable to us. Therefore, we need to insert the Bible into our lives! We see the chaos and bad decisions around us. How should we live? Jeremiah lived in a time of chaos, confusion, blatant sin, hard hearts and poor leadership. There are several things we can pick up on that help us today in 2022.

The story of the wisemen has been embellished and expanded over the years. That’s okay! The birth of the Savior is a story that should be told, retold and romanticized. But what is fact? What is fiction? And is there anything still to be learned? We are 1/2 way through the GNCC winter break and this is the Christmas Message! 

During the 2021 GNCC Race Season, we have studied a lot of prophecy! But how does it all look when the puzzle is put together? What can we learn? Join Chuck Lemaster at the Ironman GNCC race and find out how Dueteronomy 28 fits with Ezekiel 37, Daniel 9, Matthew 24 and more! Are current events depicted in ancient biblical prophecies? It's an interesting topic and has been an interesting studyin 2021! 

Ezekiel 38 is a little bit like reading a weather report. Imagine getting the bulletin, looking to the horizon and seeing the storm clouds you just read about! We don’t know everything, but there is enough in this passage that we should take heed and pay attention to the coming “Gog Magog War.” Chuck wasn’t able to make it the Buckwheat 100 GNCC, so this was recorded from home and is one more piece of the Prophecy Puzzle the church at GNCC has been studying all year. 

Pre-trib, post-trib, mid-trib…all these weird names for when the rapture MIGHT happen! And what is the rapture, anyway? And “Tribulation?!” Lots to cover! Chuck puts all this in its proper, Biblical context at the Burr Oak GNCC Chapel service. The discussion revolves around what we do know and concludes with some interesting observations. 

Christians have been persecuted and killed since the 1st Century. Why? “Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you.” Doesn’t seem too threatening! Yet, at the core, God’s principals are so counter-cultural they are indeed revolutionary! His Word - The Bible, has shaped and changed my perspective, outlook and ultimately my life. We go through a few examples at The Mountaineer GNCC in Beckley, WV. 

Jesus warned that in the last days, there would be a falling away. We are certainnly seeing that in modern times. But what makes a person who professes Jesus is Lord to NOT maintain that core belief? That is the question we walked through atop beautiful Snowshoe Mountain in June, 2021. 

Sometimes it is the backstory that makes the mainstory so incredible! Samuel was the greatest judge and prophet to ever guide ancient Israel. But he should not have been! His backstory should have ruined him. Yet God...God had a plan and a purpose! Samuel's mother obediently delivered him into that purpose and the rest is history. This service was the very first GNCC Church Baby Dedication. 

John the Baptizer came on the scene baptising people for "repentance and forgiveness of sins." Then Jesus came along and wanted John to baptize him. Yet, Jesus had never sinned! So why did he need to be baptized? Afterward, he was led into thee wilderness to be tempted by Satan. Is there a correlation? We discuss these very questions in this chapel service; recorded live at the John Penton GNCC. A baptism follows! 

Jesus talked about the  End Times, Abomination of Desolation, putting oil in the lamp...unusual subjects! Yet, there is meaning and we are seeing "signs of the times" today. We should understand what He was talking about - and so this episode digs into Matthew 24 and Luke 21. Chuck shares his personal thoughts on the subjects and closes out with undisputable, irrefutable Truth.