My Strong Refuge

Jim Oesterwind Psalm 71.3 “Be my strong refuge, to which I may resort continually” (Psalm 71.3). Shame, escape, the plea for deliverance, refuge, rock, and fortress are all very clear indicators in this psalm. If we linger over these words, they help us to understand the background of this Psalm. All these definitive descriptors and…

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The Debt You Cannot Pay

Jim Oesterwind It’s hard to love people who feel entitled to your love. I guess you’re just supposed to be grateful to bask in the presence of one so loveable. When a person feels that he is God’s gift to the world, that person has very little to give the world. But when a person…

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A Plea For Prayer Meeting

Wally Morris How many churches still have a Prayer Meeting during the week? I am referring to a church-wide assembly where believers of all ages meet to review prayer needs and then pray about those needs. Prayer Meeting has been replaced by a “mid-week service”, childrens’ ministry, teen ministry, singles ministry, and other activities. Some…

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“The Yearning of the Spirit” James 4:5

Dave Pennington Many consider James 4:5 to be one of the most difficult passages to interpret within the entire epistle. Some believe it is one of the most difficult verses to interpret within the entire New Testament. While every Bible student will wrestle with this challenging verse, interpreting and applying its content provides both intellectual…

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