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Jun 2016 30 Jun 30, 2016

We’ve looked closely at James 5:13-18 and must now address the question: Why doesn’t God always heal the sick? The reason why many are not healed may be answered in any one of eight ways. Continue reading . . .  We’ve looked closely at James 5:13-18 and must now address the question: Why doesn’t God always heal the sick? The reason why many are not healed may be answered in any one of eight ways. I’ve written on this more extensively i...Read More

Jun 2016 29 Jun 29, 2016

Many of you who are unfamiliar with Bridgeway Church here in Oklahoma City may not fully understand what I mean when I say we are a church committed to both the Word of God and the Spirit of God. Continue reading . . .  Many of you who are unfamiliar with Bridgeway Church here in Oklahoma City may not fully understand what I mean when I say we are a church committed to both the Word of God and the Spirit of God. Or, upon hearing that, you may respond by saying: &ld...Read More

Jun 2016 28 Jun 28, 2016

You have to read it to believe it. This from the blog of Rod Dreher Continue reading . . .  You have to read it to believe it. This from the blog of Rod Dreher: This is not tragedy, it’s farce: “Allah bless us and bless our families and bless our Lord. Lead us on the straight path – the path of all the prophets: Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad,” and so went the prayer offered up by Wajidi Said, from the Portland Muslim C...Read More

Jun 2016 27 Jun 27, 2016

In this installment of 10 Things You should Know we’ll turn our attention to Romans 13:1-7 (and 1 Peter 2) and the Christian’s responsibility toward human government. Continue reading . . .  In this installment of 10 Things You should Know we’ll turn our attention to Romans 13:1-7 (and 1 Peter 2) and the Christian’s responsibility toward human government. (1) All governmental authority comes from God (Romans 13:1,4,6). This applies to Phara...Read More

Jun 2016 24 Jun 24, 2016

Today we continue in our study in James 5 and the relationship between prayer and healing. Our single focus in this article will be on the phrase, “the prayer of faith.” Continue reading . . .  Today we continue in our study in James 5 and the relationship between prayer and healing. Our single focus in this article will be on the phrase, “the prayer of faith.” Here again is the text: “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is...Read More

Jun 2016 23 Jun 23, 2016

We’ve been looking at James 5:13-18 and the subject of prayer and healing. Continue reading . . . We’ve been looking at James 5:13-18 and the subject of prayer and healing. Let’s look again at the text before we continue: “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the...Read More

Jun 2016 22 Jun 22, 2016

James 5:13-18 is an extremely rich and densely packed passage. In the previous article we looked at v. 13. Today we turn our attention to vv. 14-15. Continue reading . . .  James 5:13-18 is an extremely rich and densely packed passage. In the previous article we looked at v. 13. Today we turn our attention to vv. 14-15. Here is the entire passage: “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sic...Read More

Jun 2016 21 Jun 21, 2016

So, let’s be honest with each other today about why we don’t pray as much as we know we should. Continue reading . . .  So, let’s be honest with each other today about why we don’t pray as much as we know we should. When I talk with Christians of all ages and both genders, I hear comments like these: “Come on, Sam, we live in a digital world where religious rituals from medieval times, like prayer, simply don’t fit in. Enlight...Read More

Jun 2016 20 Jun 20, 2016
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In our continuing series on 10 things every Christian should know, we turn our attention to the Roman Catholic Church and its beliefs about the Virgin Mary. Continue reading . . .  In our continuing series on 10 things every Christian should know, we turn our attention to the Roman Catholic Church and its beliefs about the Virgin Mary. (1) Rome believes that when Mary was conceived in the womb of her mother she was preserved and protected from the taint of origina...Read More

Jun 2016 17 Jun 17, 2016

We’ve been looking at biblical texts that are often cited as proof of trichotomy. None are so frequently mentioned as Hebrews 4:12 and 1 Thessalonians 5:23. Continue reading . . .  We’ve been looking at biblical texts that are often cited as proof of trichotomy. None are so frequently mentioned as Hebrews 4:12 and 1 Thessalonians 5:23. Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the div...Read More

Jun 2016 16 Jun 16, 2016
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Now that we’ve looked at how the words soul, spirit, mind, and heart are used in the Bible, we turn our attention to particular passages of Scripture in the NT that are often used to defend the notion of trichotomy. Continue reading . . .  Now that we’ve looked at how the words soul, spirit, mind, and heart are used in the Bible, we turn our attention to particular passages of Scripture in the NT that are often used to defend the notion of trichotomy. ...Read More

Jun 2016 15 Jun 15, 2016

In the previous article we spent considerable time looking at the use and meaning of the word “soul” in both the Old and New Testaments. We now turn our attention to the words “spirit”, “mind”, and “heart” in both testaments. Continue reading . . .  In the previous article we spent considerable time looking at the use and meaning of the word “soul” in both the Old and New Testaments. We now turn our attent...Read More

Jun 2016 14 Jun 14, 2016

All Christians agree that God created us as a material (or physical) and immaterial (or spiritual) unity. But not all agree on the nature of the immaterial. Some argue that the immaterial dimension in human nature is divided into two distinct and separate faculties: soul and spirit. They are thus called Trichotomists: the three “parts” or “faculties” being the body, the soul, and the spirit. Others believe that the immaterial dimension cannot be s...Read More

Jun 2016 13 Jun 13, 2016

Today we continue our weekly series on 10 things you should know. Our focus is on being filled with the Spirit as Paul describes it in Ephesians 5:18. Continue reading . . .  Today we continue our weekly series on 10 things you should know. Our focus is on being filled with the Spirit as Paul describes it in Ephesians 5:18. 1. Being filled with the Spirit is contrasted with being drunk with wine. Thus, it is a question of influence, control, or power. If you insis...Read More

Jun 2016 9 Jun 9, 2016
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On many occasions I have directed your attention to excellent articles written by Andrew Wilson, pastor in Eastbourne, U.K. The one he posted yesterday (6-8-16) may be the best yet. Like Wilson, I am often asked the question: “Sam, what do you think of Bill Johnson and Bethel?” I’ve been tempted to write an answer, but now I don’t need to. The article is too long to post here, so I urge you to follow the link to Andrew’s blog and read it in ...Read More

Jun 2016 8 Jun 8, 2016
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In chapter five, verse seven of his epistle, James gives an illustration of what our patience should be like. He compares it to the farmer who, after planting his seed, waits patiently for “the early and the late rains” and the fruit of the harvest that it will bring. Continue reading . . .  In chapter five, verse seven of his epistle, James gives an illustration of what our patience should be like. He compares it to the farmer who, after planting his s...Read More

Jun 2016 7 Jun 7, 2016

As I’ve recently been preaching through John 13, the subject of Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus has been much on my mind. In the course of my research, I have looked once again at what appear to be three inconsistencies in the biblical text. I emphasize the word “appear”. Continue reading . . .  As I’ve recently been preaching through John 13, the subject of Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus has been much on my mind. In the c...Read More

Jun 2016 6 Jun 6, 2016

In an earlier article we looked at 10 things we should know about the person of the Holy Spirit. In this article we turn our attention to the work of the Spirit. Continue reading . . .  In an earlier article we looked at 10 things we should know about the person of the Holy Spirit. In this article we turn our attention to the work of the Spirit. (1) The Holy Spirit serves us as a “down payment” on the future inheritance of our salvation (2 Cor. 1:21-22...Read More

Jun 2016 3 Jun 3, 2016
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[A little more than two years ago (April 21, 2014) Jonathan Parnell posted this article at the website of Desiring God (www.desiringgod.org). Many, myself included, found it to be particularly insightful. I thought it would be good to post it again here.] Continue reading . . .  [A little more than two years ago (April 21, 2014) Jonathan Parnell posted this article at the website of Desiring God (www.desiringgod.org). Many, myself included, found it to be particula...Read More

Jun 2016 2 Jun 2, 2016

There is a reason I put a question mark at the end of the title to this article. Continue reading . . . There is a reason I put a question mark at the end of the title to this article. Let me explain. In James 5:10-11, in order to reinforce his call for patience, our author directs our attention to the OT. He mentions the suffering, patience, and steadfastness of “the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord” (v. 10b). We don’t know whom he had in mi...Read More