Best Thy Stong Word Podcasts (2025)

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Free-Text Friday: The 1700th Anniversary of the Nicene Creed 58:08

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5h ago58:08

58:08

In AD 325, over three hundred bishops gathered to answer a question that threatened to tear the church apart: Was Jesus Christ truly God, or merely the greatest of God's creatures? Their answer, refined at Constantinople in 381, became the Nicene Creed - the most universally confessed statement of Christian faith across all denominations. Pastor Ti…

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Ezra 8: Missing Levites 54:10

16h ago54:10

54:10

Ezra leads 1,500 men and their families on a dangerous 900-mile journey from Babylon to Jerusalem, transporting 35 tons of gold and silver without military protection. When he discovers no Levites have volunteered for the journey, he must recruit worship leaders before the caravan can depart. Through fasting, prayer, and careful accountability, Ezr…

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Ezra 7: Foreign Policy, Divine Purpose 56:09

1d ago56:09

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Nearly sixty years have passed since the events of the previous chapter. Now, a new king reigns over the Persians—Artaxerxes. Ezra receives extraordinary royal authorization from Artaxerxes to lead another group of exiles back to Jerusalem. The episode examines the remarkably generous terms of the king's letter, granting Ezra sweeping authority to …

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Haggai 5 and 6: “Do You Have a Permit for that Temple?” 55:26

3d ago55:26

55:26

Ezra 5–6 reads like a bureaucratic standoff: a nosy governor demands paperwork, and the Jews don’t have it on hand. Yet, hidden in the royal archives of a pagan empire is a dusty old decree from King Cyrus himself. Suddenly, along with King Darius’ decree, the state not only permits the temple to be rebuilt, but it also pays for it. In an age where…

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Free-Text First Friday: The 1700th Anniversary of the Nicene Creed (Rebroadcast) 1:01:06

4d ago1:01:06

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Seventeen centuries ago, in the bustling town of Nicaea, over 300 bishops from across the Roman Empire gathered, summoned by Emperor Constantine to resolve a crisis shaking the very foundations of Christianity. At stake was nothing less than the identity of Jesus Christ: was He truly God, co-eternal and of the same substance as the Father, or merel…

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Zechariah 14: Nations Rage, the Lord Reigns 53:13

7d ago53:13

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It often feels like the world is unraveling. Nations rage, foundations shake, and evil seems to advance on all sides. We see the siege and feel the battle is nearly lost. We look for a hero, a victory, a final turning of the tide. But human plans fail. The prophet Zechariah paints a picture of that final day. The battle rages, the city is taken, an…

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Zechariah 12 & 13: Your Sins Pierced Him 55:32

8d ago55:32

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There are moments you wish you could forget: A word spoken in anger or selfishness that caused another to hurt. The feeling that follows is a unique kind of grief. It's a sense of mourning over what you have caused. We know what it is to wound a friend or a family member. But can we comprehend wounding God Himself? The prophet Zechariah speaks of a…

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Zechariah 10 & 11: Shepherd of the Doomed 56:47

9d ago56:47

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Zechariah gives a stark image of this faithlessness. He tells of shepherds who value God's people so little that their worth is calculated at a mere thirty pieces of silver—the price of a slave gored by an ox. This paltry sum, their shepherd's wages, is then contemptuously thrown into the house of the Lord. It is a chilling prophecy of betrayal, re…

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Zechariah 9: The Afflicted King Rides on a Colt 57:45

10d ago57:45

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If you were to imagine an ancient king entering his capital city, you would likely picture a man sitting atop a powerful warhorse. You might see behind him a gleaming parade of chariots and a conquering army marching in formation. The king displays overwhelming strength and portrays an image that demands submission. This is how the world understand…

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Zechariah 7 & 8: Whose Rite Is It Anyway? 54:24

11d ago54:24

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What if God isn't impressed with our religious habits and pietism? For seventy years, the people of Judah thought they were doing the right thing by sticking to a solemn tradition they started themselves. It was a yearly memorial filled with mourning and weeping over the destruction of the temple. But, seeing as how they were rebuilding the temple,…

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Zechariah 6: The Eighth and Final Vision: A Priest and King?! 57:03

14d ago57:03

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Zechariah's final vision sends four powerful chariots from between bronze mountains to patrol the earth, executing God's sovereign judgment. But the vision gives way to a startling command: Zechariah is to craft a royal crown and place it not on the governor, but on Joshua the High Priest. Why would God command the merging of the royal and priestly…

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Zechariah 4 & 5: The Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Visions: The Flying Scroll and the Woman in the Basket 55:06

15d ago55:06

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After promising His work is fueled "not by might, nor by power," God gives Zechariah two startling visions of judgment. A flying scroll carries a curse to cleanse the land of sin, and a woman named "Wickedness" is captured, sealed in a basket, and carried into exile. How does the promise of the Spirit's power relate to the necessity of purging sin?…

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Zechariah 3: The Fourth Vision: Plucked from the Fire 56:00

16d ago56:00

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What happens when you stand accused in the heavenly courtroom and the charges are true? In this episode, we study the stunning vision of Zechariah 3, where Joshua the High Priest stands before the Angel of the LORD in filthy garments, with Satan himself as the prosecutor. Discover how God's verdict is not a judgment, but a gracious silencing of the…

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Zechariah 2: The Third Vision: Goodness, Gracious, Great Wall of Fire 54:35

17d ago54:35

54:35

In ancient times, a city without walls would be a sitting duck: defenseless, vulnerable, and a ripe target for hostile nations. Writing to discouraged exiles who had returned to a ruined Jerusalem in 520 BC, Zechariah delivers God's stunning promise delivered to him in a third vision: Jerusalem will become a city without walls because of the multit…

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Zechariah 1: The First Two Visions: Three Horses and Four Horns 56:54

18d ago56:54

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With the temple rebuilding stalled and God's people discouraged, the prophet Zechariah receives a series of stunning night visions. Who are the angelic horsemen patrolling a world that is dangerously "at ease"? And what are the four powerful horns and four mysterious craftsmen that signal a clash of cosmic powers? Professor Reed Lessing joins us as…

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Haggai 2: God Presence Makes the Temple Holy and Beautiful 1:00:58

21d ago1:00:58

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You finally commit to that project you've been putting off for years. You dive in with enthusiasm, start making real progress, and then reality hits. It's smaller than you dreamed, less impressive than you imagined, especially when compared to what others have accomplished. That's exactly where we find God's people three weeks into rebuilding the t…

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Haggai 1: Misplaced Priorities 54:10

22d ago54:10

54:10

We left off in Ezra chapter 4, where the returned exiles had started rebuilding the temple with great enthusiasm, but then hit a wall of opposition from their enemies. The work stopped. The people got discouraged, scattered to focus on their own lives, and for 16 long years, the temple lay in ruins while they built beautiful homes for themselves. I…

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Ezra 4: From “Let’s Worship Together” to “Cease and Desist” 55:26

23d ago55:26

55:26

The people of God in Ezra's time experienced opposition strikingly similar to what many Christians face today. Societies and governments have changed, but the tactics haven't. Ezra 4 reveals three familiar strategies: syncretistic offers of "unity" that require compromising the Gospel, bureaucratic warfare that weaponizes legal systems against beli…

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Ezra 3: The Foundations for Worship are Laid 56:47

24d ago56:47

56:47

Have you ever cried in worship? Maybe it was a familiar hymn that carried you through a dark valley, memories of loved ones who once sat beside you, or seeing your children receive the faith you once received or lamenting that they've strayed from it. Ezra 3 reveals a moment when an entire congregation experienced both sorrowful tears and shouts of…

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Ezra 2: Roster of the Returning Remnant 57:00

25d ago57:00

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Seventy verses of names, numbers, and roles tell the story of preservation, provision, and a people eager to worship God. From the guarding of the priesthood to the generosity of freewill offerings, and from the smallest servant to the high priest, every part of the community has a place. This chapter, though reminiscent of an ancient phone book, p…

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Ezra 1: Pagan King Cyrus Repatriates God’s People 54:38

28d ago54:38

54:38

After seventy years in exile, the people of Judah must have wondered if God had forgotten them. Their temple was gone. Their city lay in ruins. Their homeland was a memory. But then, a pagan king (!) makes a decree: “Go home. Rebuild the house of the Lord.” Ezra chapter one is a reminder that God’s promises don’t expire, and His plans aren’t hinder…

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NEW STUDY: Ezra, Haggai, Zechariah, Ezra 0:30

28d ago0:30

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The Persian king Cyrus issues an astonishing decree: the exiles may go home. Among them are the Jews—God’s chosen people—whom this pagan ruler not only repatriates, but commands to rebuild the temple of the Lord. Ezra 1–4 tells of their return, the joy of restored worship, and the crushing opposition that brings construction to a standstill. Then t…

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Galatians 6:1–18: Boast in the Cross 54:23

29d ago54:23

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As the letter closes, Paul gives practical instructions for how believers should care for one another: gently restoring, bearing burdens, and sowing to the Spirit. But the final word is not about effort or morality. Paul refuses to boast in anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The new creation has come, and in Christ, we are free. Th…

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Galatians 5:13–26: Life by the Spirit 56:49

1M ago56:49

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Christian freedom is not a license to sin. It is a call to love. Paul urges believers not to indulge the flesh but to walk by the Spirit. The works of the flesh are obvious and destructive, but the fruit of the Spirit is beautiful, life-giving, and rooted in community. This passage offers one of the clearest pictures of what the Spirit-filled life …

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Galatians 4:21–5:12: Children of the Free Woman 56:41

1M ago56:41

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Paul turns to the story of Sarah and Hagar to illustrate the difference between life under the law and life under the promise. Those who belong to Christ are not children of the slave woman, but of the free. His message is simple and urgent: stand firm, and do not return to the yoke of slavery. In Christ, outward rituals mean nothing. What counts i…

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Galatians 4:1–20: From Slaves to Sons 56:16

1M ago56:16

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Paul speaks not as a distant theologian but as a spiritual father pleading with his children. In Christ, they are no longer slaves but sons, adopted by God and filled with the Spirit. So why go back? Paul’s love and anguish come through clearly as he longs to see Christ formed in them once again. The Rev. Gem Gabriel, pastor of St. Peter in Norwalk…

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Free Text First Friday: Lutheran Family Service 59:25

1M ago59:25

59:25

The Executive Director of Lutheran Family Service expands upon the Gospel-driven mercy work LFS carries out across several LCMS districts, from adoption, pregnancy counseling, mental health services, life advocacy in the public square, and crisis response for churches and schools. Also addressed is the recent confusion surrounding similarly named o…

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Galatians 3:15–29: Heirs According to Promise 55:57

1M ago55:57

55:57

What came first, the law or the promise? Paul explains that the covenant with Abraham was not replaced by the law, but fulfilled in Christ. The law had a role to play, but now that faith has come, believers are no longer under a guardian. All who are baptized into Christ are clothed with Him and belong to the one family of faith. The Rev. Neil Wehm…

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Galatians 3:1–14: Who Has Bewitched You? 54:33

1M ago54:33

54:33

Paul is astonished. The Galatians began with the Spirit, but now they are turning to the law to finish what only God can complete. By pointing to Abraham, Paul reminds them that righteousness has always come through faith. Those who rely on works are under a curse, but Christ became that curse for us so that we might receive the blessing. The Rev. …

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Galatians 2:1–21: Did Saint Peter Get It Wrong? 59:01

1M ago59:01

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Paul recounts a crucial moment in the history of the early Church, including a direct confrontation with Peter. The heart of the Gospel is laid bare: we are justified by faith in Christ, not by works of the law. Paul makes it clear that anything added to the cross of Christ is not the Gospel at all. The Rev. Nathan Scheck, associate pastor of St. J…

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Galatians 1:1–24: No Other Gospel 55:52

1M ago55:52

55:52

From the very first verses, Paul confronts the Galatians for turning to a different gospel, one that is no gospel at all. This chapter is more than a rebuke. It is also Paul's testimony about how the Gospel came to him directly from Christ and changed everything. He speaks with urgency because the truth of salvation is at stake. The Rev. Dr. Alfons…

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NEW SERIES: Paul's Letter to the Galatians 0:30

1M ago0:30

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There’s urgency in Paul’s voice. No warm greetings. No slow build. Just a sharp rebuke: “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you.” The stakes are that high. Galatians is Paul’s bold stand for the pure Gospel message: Christ crucified and risen, apart from works of the law. When freedom in Christ is threatened by legalis…

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2 Corinthians 13: Final Warnings and Gospel Assurance 55:58

1M ago55:58

55:58

This final chapter brings a clear and serious call from St. Paul: take a hard look at your faith. Not to stir up fear or doubt, but to encourage repentance and renewal. The warnings are real, but they come from an apostolic and pastoral heart that cares deeply and wants to build up, not tear down. Thus, Paul's letter ends not with rebuke, but with …

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2 Corinthians 12: Power Perfected in Weakness 56:30

1M ago56:30

56:30

An extraordinary vision of paradise sets the stage, but the focus quickly shifts to a thorn in the flesh—a painful, humbling reminder of total dependence on God. Despite pleading for relief, God does not answer as Paul expects. Instead of removing the “thorn” (whatever it may have been) God reveals, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is …

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2 Corinthians 11:16-33: Paul's Resume of Suffering 57:30

1M ago57:30

57:30

Paul engages in what he calls “foolish boasting,” but his point is anything but foolish. Instead of bragging about power or success, he lists his hardships, beatings, and close calls with death. These things are the source of mockery by some, but the Apostle boasts about his weaknesses. His suffering is not a sign of failure, but evidence of his de…

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2 Corinthians 11:1-15: False Apostles and True Jealousy 57:40

2M ago57:40

57:40

Paul continues his defense, not to protect his reputation, but to guard the Corinthians and the purity of the Gospel. With sharp irony and deep pastoral concern, he exposes the deceit of false apostles who disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. His so-called "foolish" boasting is really a faithful plea to keep the church from being led a…

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2 Corinthians 10: Paul Addresses the Accusations 56:41

2M ago56:41

56:41

The tone of the Apostle’s letter shifts in chapter 10. After a great deal of warm encouragement and generous appeal, Paul turns to confront the critics who have been undermining his authority and distorting his message. He writes with the sharp edge of apostolic boldness but remains anchored in the meekness and gentleness of Christ. This isn’t a pe…

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2 Corinthians 9: God Loves a Cheerful Giver 54:07

2M ago54:07

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St. Paul's heartfelt appeal for generosity to support the saints in Jerusalem is far from a high-pressure fundraising pitch. Instead, the Apostle paints a vivid picture of gospel-driven generosity, emphasizing joy, freedom, and abundance rooted in God's overflowing grace. In this episode, discover how cheerful giving is intertwined with confidence …

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2 Corinthians 8: Poor, Yet Eager to Give 55:54

2M ago55:54

55:54

Have you ever felt that tug-of-war between wanting to be generous and wanting to feel secure? It’s tough when you want to give but worry about not having enough for yourself. In 2 Corinthians 8, the Apostle Paul shares an incredible example from the Macedonian churches. Even though they were experiencing hardship, they were full of joy and eager to…

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2 Corinthians 7: Godly Grief 55:59

2M ago55:59

55:59

Have you ever had to say something difficult to someone you love and spent sleepless nights worrying if it damaged your relationship? St. Paul understands that feeling. After expressing concern that his previous letter might have hurt the Corinthians, St. Paul now rejoices—not because they were saddened, but because their sorrow led to true repenta…

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2 Corinthians 6: Don’t Waste the Gift of Grace 56:54

2M ago56:54

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The Apostle pleads with the Corinthians, and with us, not to receive the grace of God in vain. That is, not to treat it casually, not to compartmentalize it, and not to keep Jesus at arm’s length when He’s called us to new life. As an Apostle, Paul shares the cost of faithful ministry—beatings, imprisonments, sleepless nights—and yet he opens his h…

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2 Corinthians 5: Believing is Seeing 56:57

2M ago56:57

56:57

What kind of courage does it take to face death with confidence? In 2 Corinthians 5, Paul pulls back the curtain on eternity. This earthly tent will one day be torn down, but a better dwelling awaits. While we groan now, we walk by faith, not by sight. And in the meantime, we’re not aimless—we're ambassadors, driven by Christ's love, called to the …

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2 Corinthians 4: Jars of Clay 54:55

2M ago54:55

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What kind of vessel carries the Gospel? Not gold, not crystal, not anything the world would admire. Paul says it's clay: fragile and weak. That’s what ministry looks like. That’s what the Christian life looks like. In this chapter, we hear that God has placed His priceless treasure—the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus…

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2 Corinthians 3: Living Letters 55:05

2M ago55:05

55:05

Have you ever thought about what your life says to others? Whether we realize it or not, our actions, words, and attitudes communicate something to those around us. In fact, each of us is like a living letter: telling a story through how we live. But whose story are we telling? This episode unpacks where the Apostle Paul describes believers as 'let…

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2 Corinthians 2:5-17: Public Sin, Public Forgiveness 55:25

2M ago55:25

55:25

The goal of church discipline is reconciliation, not punishment. It isn’t complete until forgiveness is given. In this chapter, Paul urges the Corinthians to restore a repentant sinner, reminding them that Satan doesn’t just tempt us to sin, he tempts us to withhold grace. The Apostle urges them not to be victims to the schemes of Satan, but throug…

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2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4: Is Paul a Flip-Flopper? 56:25

2M ago56:25

56:25

What happens when your motives are put under a microscope and people assume the worst? That’s where Paul finds himself in this passage. Some in Corinth are questioning Paul’s honesty and even his faithfulness to Christ; was it all because he changed his travel plans? Paul responds with open-hearted honesty, explaining the real reason for his decisi…

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2 Corinthians 1:1-11 Second Helping of Grace 56:04

2M ago56:04

56:04

Paul begins this letter to the Christians of Corinth by blessing God, calling Him the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. Despite his praise of God, Paul’s journey has not been easy. He writes after enduring intense suffering, likely in Asia, where he says he was burdened beyond strength and felt certain he was going to die. This experien…

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NEW SERIES: Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 0:30

2M ago0:30

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What does it mean to follow Christ in weakness? What does true ministry look like in the face of criticism, suffering, and spiritual warfare? And how can the Church hold fast to the Gospel when pressured by the world—and even by false teachers within? On Thy Strong Word, we walk verse by verse through, arguably, the apostle Paul’s most personal, em…

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Free-Text First Friday: Headlines—Patriotism 56:03

2M ago56:03

56:03

This special Independence Day edition of Headlines features multiple rounds of patriotism-themed headlines, with two fabricated by the host and one real headline. The guest’s challenge is to identify the real headline, which serves as a springboard for a deeper theological discussion. This episode explores the limits of patriotism and what it means…

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Genesis 50:15-26: What You Meant for Evil 57:52

2M ago57:52

57:52

With Jacob dead, the brothers fear Joseph's revenge. They even fabricate a message from their father, begging Joseph's forgiveness. But Joseph weeps at their words and speaks one of Scripture's most profound theological statements: "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept a…