Thoughts on the New Year

Bob Jones, Jr. The attitude of most people in welcoming a new year is somewhat surprising. A year of life has slipped away J yet they seem to be happy about it. By their ringing of bells, their blowing of whistles, and their singing of “Auld Lang Syne,” they seem to say, “This year will…

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A Heartbeat Away from Eternity

Don Johnson My title is a cliché, perhaps a tired cliché, but last week I experienced the truth behind that line. I experienced a heart attack shortly after walking out of one our local Walmart stores. I’d like to tell you the story, both to give glory to God and to urge you to make…

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Cultivating a Life of Faith: A Man of Intolerance (Pt 9)

Jim Oesterwind Genesis 19.1-38 City officials in Couer d’Alene, Idaho passed an ordinance banning discrimination (including sexual orientation) in places of public accommodation. Those who violate the ordinance are faced with astronomical fines and jail time. Donald and Evelyn Knap are ordained ministers who run a for-profit business called The Hitching Post. The city ordinance…

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The Day of Golden Opportunity

R. A. Torrey “The Holy Ghost saith, Today” (Hebrews 3:7). The day of golden opportunity is today. Opportunities of priceless worth are open to everyone of us today. But “tomorrow” has no sure promise for any of us. The Holy Ghost says, “Today,” and Conscience also cries, “Today,” and the voice of Reason and the…

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Cultivating Faith: A Man of Conviction (Pt 6)

Jim Oesterwind Genesis 16.1-16 The descendants of Abraham would number as the stars are numbered in the heaven (Genesis 15). God is gracious to reveal that Abraham’s future descendants would one day come out of Egypt after about 400 years of affliction with great possessions, great numbers, and a great God. While God accomplished much…

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Genuine or Counterfeit?

Marion Fast In 1 Samuel 16:7 we read, “But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth: for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” During nearly…

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Cultivating Faith (5): A Man of Patience

Jim Oesterwind Genesis 15.1-21 Have you ever struggled with what you know to be the promise of God, but it doesn’t seem to be a present reality? As Dr. Bob Jones, Sr. said, “No doubt the trouble is with you!” God provided Abraham with a great promise in Genesis 12, but he was struggling with…

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Cultivating Faith (4): A Man of Courage (Genesis 14.1-16)

Jim Oesterwind The Courage of a Rescuer (Genesis 14.1-16) Every Adventure Story Has a Villain (14.1-11) Every good adventure story has a villain, a victim, and the courage of a victor. There is also a catalyst, circumstance and/or event that sets everything in motion. Look beyond the names that are difficult to pronounce in the…

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Cultivating Faith (2): A Man of Perspective

Jim Oesterwind Genesis 12.5-20 The most wonderful result of cultivating a life of faith is that people will glimpse the character of God in one who genuinely believes His Word. God blessed Abraham, but in him blessed all the families of the earth (Genesis 12.1-3). There are two perspectives which become very important in the…

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