Ministering Grace

Recently, a church member emailed me questions prompted by a discussion with a coworker. What is meant by “means of grace?” What are the means of grace? First, I explained what I am certain he already knew. Grace is unmerited favor or undeserved kindness. It is the only way a person can be forgiven or…

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Podcast – Interview 36: Malinda Duvall on Landing the Learjet

Heart to Heart: Time to Land the Learjet This article is part of our May/June 2024 edition of FrontLine. We include with it a podcast interview of Roger and Malinda Duvall, discussing the article and the occasion of Malinda’s retirement as the FBFI Office Manager. The podcast is available here: Interview 36: Malinda Duvall on…

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The Abimelech Effect: The Thorn King

According to the Book of Judges, Abimelech, the son of Gideon, hired worthless and reckless men to follow him. (See Judges 9.) Together, they murdered all his brothers, except one who escaped. Abimelech did this to gain complete political power over Israel. Jotham, the youngest son of Gideon, escaped from the murderous band, but he…

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Loosening My Grip

I was a small-town girl happily serving in a quiet, country church with my family, and that is how I envisioned my starry future. But what inspired me? Daring acts of faith or testimonies of miraculous provision for a need gave me chills. I could not hold back tears when I heard stories of lives…

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The Working Clothes of Love (3)

We continue to examine Paul’s working definition of love as revealed to him by the Spirit of God and so come to a phrase that should genuinely give us pause. Perhaps, it is because this phrase strikes remarkably close to home. He writes that love “seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no…

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Serving One Another

Paul challenged the Corinthian believers’ perspective on Christianity.  They were puffed up over sin tolerated in their midst (1 Corinthians 5:1-2).  There were divisions among themselves as they laid claim to following their favorite apostles (1 Corinthians 3:3-5).  They misused the gifts of the Holy Spirit given to them to draw attention to themselves in…

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