They understand that in large measure how they think about the gospel will determine how they will live for God's glory. They learn to allow the word of God to do its own work, informing and influencing the way they think in order to shape the way they live. In a series of Scripture-enriched chapters Sinclair B. Ferguson's Devoted to God works out this principle in detail. It provides what he describes as 'blueprints for sanctification'an orderly exposition of central New Testament passages on holiness. Devoted to God thus builds a strong and reliable structural framework for practical Christian living. It stresses the foundational importance of fundamental issues such as union with Christ, the rhythms of spiritual growth, the reality of spiritual conflict, and the role of God's law.

    First you see the problem, then you feel it. It starts with a rush of adrenaline and often a rush of words, but it ends with an overwhelming sense of irritation that impacts how we talk to those we live and work with, complaining, and maybe even a settled bitterness to a person or a group of person. We know anger affects us negatively, but we don’t know any other way to respond when life goes wrong.Good and Angry, a groundbreaking new book from David Powlison, contends that anger is more than a problem to solve. Anger is our complex human response to things we perceive as wrong in a complex world, thus we must learn how to fruitfully and honestly deal with it. Powlison undertakes an in-depth exploration of the roots of anger, moral judgment, and righteous response by looking in a surprising place: God’s own anger.Powlison reminds us that God gets angry too. He sees things in this world that aren’t right and he wants justice too. But God’s anger doesn’t devolve into manipulation or trying to control others to get his own way. Instead his anger is good and redemptive. It causes him to step into our world to make wrongs right, sending his own Son to die so that we can be reconciled. He is both our model for change and our power to change.Good and Angry sets readers on a path toward a faithful and fruitful expression of anger, in which we return good for evil and redeem wrongs. Powlison offers practical help for people who struggle with irritation, complaining, or bitterness and gives guidance for how to respond constructively when life goes wrong. You, your family, and your friends will all be glad that you read this book.

    What does it look like to help others become more like Christ?In this concise guide, pastor Mark Dever outlines the who, what, where, when, why, and how of discipling--helping others follow Jesus.Following the pattern found in Scripture, this book explains how disciple-making relationships should function in the context of the local church, teaching us how to cultivate a culture of discipling as a normal part of our everyday lives.Part of the 9Marks: Building Healthy Churches series.

    But how do we practice it? How does humility--the foundational virtue of the normal Christian life--become a normal part of our everyday lives?Jerry Bridges sees in the Beatitudes a series of blessings from Jesus, a pattern for humility in action. Starting with poverty in spirit--an acknowledgment that in and of ourselves we are incapable of living holy lives pleasing to God--and proceeding through our mourning over personal sin, our hunger and thirst for righteousness, our experience of persecutions large and small, and more, we discover that humility is itself a blessing: At every turn, God is present to us, giving grace to the humble and lifting us up to blessing.

    Too many growing up in Christian homes will not follow Christ as adults. Do you have a strategy for parenting in today's hostile culture?The Disciple-Making Parent will give you confidence in your journey.In the Disciple-Making Parent you will learn: The North Star to Guide Your Parenting The Process Second-Generation Christians Go Through The Reasons Young People Walk Away from the Faith Nine Powerful Influences Found in Wise Families How Your Example Can Commend the Gospel What Your Children are Watching at Home How to Explain Hypocrisy to Them Why the Heart is the Most Important Part of Them (and How to Stay Connected How Discipline Prepares Them for the Gospel How To Clearly Explain the Gospel to Little Children How to Nourish Them with the Word of God Different Ways to Have Family Devotions (and When to Stop) How to Cast a Vision of the World How to Pray for Your Children (and for Yourself) The Doubts Your Children Will Experience and What You Can Do How to Deal with the Electronics and Media Tsunami And Much More

    It comes with the territory. One generation to the next, imperfect men chip away at God's original design for daddies, leaving a flawed pattern for their sons to follow. Overwhelmed by their failures, it's easy for fathers to feel they have blown it for good and can't redeem themselves.Within these pages, Tim Bayly offers a frank and hope-filled path to overcoming the inherent failures of imperfect fathers--and to reclaiming manhood and dignity for the man called Daddy. Drawing from decades of his own journey as an imperfect son, father, and pastor, Bayly makes it clear there are no quick fixes. The road to recovery is paved with blood, sweat, and tears, but our Savior walked this path before us.Daddy Tried makes no apologies for being a book for men. Its subject is the male-only club of fatherhood. It takes the only perfect Father as our guide. Bayly stares the sins of fathers past, present, and future squarely in the face and clears a path to overcoming them--a path that begins with faith in our heavenly Father who tells us He knows our weaknesses.

    He comes from New Zealand but he has lived in some of the most broken (and beautiful) places in the world, including the drug ruled Downtown Eastside inner city of Vancouver, Canada and the slums of Cambodia. Convinced that Jesus places love for the poor and the pursuit of justice as central, Craig Greenfield has sought to follow in Christ’s footsteps by living among people at the edges of society for the last fifteen years.His quest to follow this Subversive Jesus has taken Craig and his young family around the world and back again. This is the story of how Jesus led them to the margins: initiating the Pirates of Justice flash mobs, sharing their home with detoxing crack-addicts, welcoming homeless panhandlers and prostituted women to the dinner table, and ultimately sparking a movement to reach the world’s most vulnerable children.Craig’s story is a radical and potentially controversial critique of the status quo too often found in our own lives and even in our churches, but it also offers an inspirational and hopeful vision of another way. While readers may not relocate to a slum or start dining with drug addicts, they will certainly come to view their lives and ministry through a fresh lens, reconsidering how they are uniquely called by Jesus to subversively love the poor and break down systems of injustice in their own sphere of influence.

    In the wake of political turmoil, who do you follow? When faced with difference and divergence, whose example do you copy? What does it mean to follow a clear path in the midst of cultural confusion?The aim of this little book is simple: to help readers to see more clearly, love more dearly and follow more nearly the way of Jesus Christ.This is a fresh, inspiring look at the meaning of Christian discipleship by one of the world’s greatest theologians, perfect for anyone exploring what it means to follow Christ today or wanting to be refreshed and reinvigorated in the Christian life.

    Jacques Philippe develops themes relating to prayer, freedom, the Holy Eucharist, and man’s constant struggle for contentment amid the stresses of everyday life. Through spiritual insights of amazing women of the Church—Etty Hillesum, Thérèse of Lisieux, and Teresa of Avila—Fr. Jacque’s essays examine topics such as:Why look for interior peace?Knowing God through MaryTouching God through prayerThe theological virtues and the Eucharist

    Worshiping God may feel foreign or like a ritual, and adding to that frustration, we worry that God is not pleased with our worship. Does He even like us?This book will show you how to worship God and feel loved by Him. He is waiting to connect with you, if you will only begin to worship him. God wants you to be a prayer warrior and will help you.Author Dan Lancaster was struck by the power of the persecuted believers' worship during his time as an international missionary in Southeast Asia. Their heart for God and love for people brought glory to God and helped advance His Kingdom on Earth. THAT kind of worship is what we need in the world, and that is the direction this book will guide you.Worship was never intended to be complicated. The truth is that Jesus showed His disciples how to worship and He wants to show you how to worship too.The author brings 40 years of his personal experience to the pages of this book, but most importantly, he looks to the Word to unearth what Jesus taught about how to love God. With beautiful simplicity, Dr. Lancaster offers tangible methods to reshape your worship life beginning today.By opening your heart to these actionable techniques, you will begin to experience the true power of worship in your relationship with God, in your community, and in ways you could never have imagined.Select "Buy Now" above to take your worship life to a new level.

    Have his ear. Belong to his body.Three seemingly unremarkable principles shape and strengthen the Christian life: listening to God's voice, speaking to him in prayer, and joining together with his people as the church. Though often viewed as normal and routine, the everyday "habits of grace" we cultivate give us access to these God-designed channels through which his love and power flow--including the greatest joy of all: knowing and enjoying Jesus.A study guide for individual and group study is also available.

    He points out how the struggles are temporary - whereas the blessings can be eternal.

    

    Won best devotional book in the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association's 2017 Christian Book Awards.Do you ever wonder why God created you? The Bible says it plainly: God created you to showcase His glory--to enjoy it, display it, and demonstrate it every day to all those you encounter. An inspirational figure to millions of people in the more than forty years of her ministry, Joni Eareckson Tada has shared honestly about the struggles of living as a quadriplegic and dealing with chronic pain on a daily basis. Through this devotional, Joni will help you discover how to put God’s glory on display--how to say no to complaining and say yes to following God as you walk the most difficult paths. Along the way, you will find great comfort and encouragement by focusing on the One who longs to lead and guide you every step of the way, every day. Your life is not too ordinary, your world is not too small, and your work is not too insignificant. All of it is a stage set for you to glorify God.

    Lectio divina is a practice of Scripture reading that treats the Bible not only as a text to be examined, but also as the living Word of God spoken anew to us. Experienced Bible teacher Jan Johnson gives us forty Scripture meditations, organized topically, giving us the tools we need to practice lectio divina on our own. Each meditation can be used both individually and in group settings, and includesan introductory space of quiet along with an optional preparatory exercise; the full text of a passage from Scripture with explanations of unusual or important words, and with cultural and historical background as needed; cues to help us enter the text; space to contemplate the passage, respond to God in prayer and rest in his presence; and an exercise to try on one of the main ideas of the passage in our daily lives. Meeting God in Scripture moves us beyond merely understanding what the text meant in its original context to a direct spiritual encounter with Christ.

    It is an opportunity.In the chaos of our increasingly fast-paced and hectic society, the annual coming of Holy Week each spring is a reminder to pause and ponder, to carefully mark each day, and not let this greatest of all weeks fly like every other.It is a chance to walk with the church throughout the world and throughout time as she accompanies her Bridegroom through the eight most important days in history. And it is an opportunity to focus our minds on, and seek to intensify our affections for, the highest and most timeless realities in the universe.We have assembled a team of eleven pastors and scholars to walk us through Holy Week as we walk together with our Lord. This collection of short meditations includes readings for each morning and evening from Palm Sunday to the triumph of Easter.

    Tying the Knot offers soon-to-be-married couples a practical vision of Christ-centered marriage

    But this renewed interest in poverty alleviation is doomed to fail if it is not rooted in the local church--God's established means of drawing downtrodden people into a transformative relationship with himself. Emphasizing the priority of the gospel, Mez McConnell and Mike McKinley, both pastors with fruitful ministries among the poor, offer biblical guidelines and practical strategies for planting, revitalizing, and growing faithful churches in hard places--in our own communities and around the world.

    It's a simple, ancient code that all fathers, sons, and husbands need to know, but is rarely taught. While the world is full of fluffy and confusing ideas about how men should behave, Tome uses his practical experience in leading men to expose the clear, simple truths about what makes men most effective.Just knowing these five marks, however, is not enough. True transformation comes from aggressively pursuing them in your everyday life.In Five Marks Of A Man, Tome shows you:- Why it’s critical to have a vision for your life, and how to make hard choices.- Why you need to be a protector of people around you.- How to find a team that will support your goals.- How to establish a ritual to lead your own son into manhood.- And much more. As Tome writes, "I have come to believe that the transition to manhood is not marked by age, it’s about something much more substantial. It’s about your mindset and your actions. It’s about assuming responsibility for your place in the world and stepping into a new reality—one defined by strength, purpose, and a code of honor.”Through Five Marks Of A Man you will discover a code that great men have followed for centuries. Now, it’s your turn to man up.

    We want to be blessed in life, blessed in death, and blessed in eternity. In the Beatitudes, the Son of God tells us about the life that is blessed and about the people who are blessed. But Jesus does more than just describe a blessed life, He gives us a way to actually pursue it.If you want to make strides in overcoming sin, growing in godliness, abounding in good works, and enjoying intimacy with the Lord, this book is for you. And if you have lost hope that any of these things are possible, this book is especially for you. You can make progress, starting today.

    The NIV Foundation Study Bible in the world’s most popular modern-English Bible translation—the New International Version—features an approachable and easy-to-use layout, with straightforward and broad study notes that offer a way to discover the beauty and truth of God's Word at an affordable price.The accessible features and affordable price make the NIV Foundation Study Bible perfect for students, church leaders, Bible readers around the world, and homeschool use.Features: Complete text of the New International Version Introductions provide valuable background information for each book of the Bible Cross reference system Verse-by-verse study notes NIV concise concordance Full color Bible maps Words of Jesus in red

    The bestselling first edition ignited a conversation about how to harness the power of movements for the future growth of the church. In this major update, Hirsch shares significant insights gained along the way, provides fresh new examples of growing churches, and reflects on the last ten years of the missional movement. The new edition has been thoroughly updated and revised throughout and includes charts, diagrams, an expanded glossary of terms, new appendices, an index, a new foreword by Ed Stetzer, and a new afterword by Jeff Vanderstelt.Known for his innovative approach to mission, Hirsch is widely acknowledged as a thought leader and mission strategist for churches across the Western world. He considers The Forgotten Ways the guiding work to all of his other writings. The book explores the factors that come together to generate high-impact, exponentially explosive, spiritually vibrant Jesus movements in any time and context. This extensive update to Hirsch's influential work offers a system of six vital keys to movements that will continue shape the future of the missional movement for years to come.

    Now, we can sin with food in many ways—by not sharing it, by eating way too much of it, by throwing it across the table—but we do not sin by bowing our heads over it, saying grace with true gratitude in our hearts, and tucking in. Our current issues are not ones of taste or quality, but of phobias and pharisaism. Sharp-edged but funny, Confessions of a Food Catholic tackles threats to Christian table fellowship, the know-it-all pride of newfangled kosher rules, and the displaced moralism that makes "organic" and "natural" the signs of righteousness and disdains the brethren who buy their beef at Stuffmart. A great starting point for those interested in a biblical approach to food.

    

    Watershed Discipleship is a ""triple entendre"" that recognizes we are in a watershed historical moment of crisis, focuses on our intrinsically bioregional locus as followers of Jesus, and urges us to become disciples of our watersheds. Bibliographic framing essays by Myers trace his journey into a bioregionalist Christian faith and practice and offer reflections on incarnational theology, hermeneutics, and ecclesiology. The essays feature more than a dozen activists, educators, and practitioners under the age of forty, whose work and witness attest to a growing movement of resistance and reimagination across North America. This anthology overviews the bioregional paradigm and its theological and political significance for local sustainability, restorative justice, and spiritual renewal. Contributors reread both biblical texts and churchly practices (such as mission, baptism, and liturgy) through the lens of ""re-place-ment."" Herein is a comprehensive and engaged call for a ""Transition church"" that can help turn our history around toward environmental resiliency and social justice, by passionate advocates on the front lines of watershed discipleship. CONTRIBUTORS: Sasha Adkins, Jay Beck, Tevyn East, Erinn Fahey, Katarina Friesen, Matt Humphrey, Vickie Machado, Jonathan McRay, Sarah Nolan, Reyna Ortega, Dave Pritchett, Erynn Smith, Sarah Thompson, Lydia Wylie-Kellermann "". . . let diverse young peace and justice activists and visionaries instruct you. Their fresh biblical exegesis, interlaced with the experience of coming home to their bioregions and its waters of life, will inspire you from front to back in this remarkable volume"" --Larry Rasmussen, Union Theological Seminary ""Myers brings a much-needed prophetic voice to the church with his call to watershed discipleship. The way he frames the issues--along with hopeful actions--and then engages an array of younger voices makes this anthology poignant. The book helps the church rediscover that the bioregional lens is critical to practicing the good news of the gospel. This material will be required reading in the collegiate courses I teach and with congregations seeking a new paradigm for living out their faith."" --Luke Gascho, Executive Director, Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center, Goshen College; Leader, Mennonite Creation Care Network ""This book is important not just because it offers some shred of hope for the future of the church, but because it shows Christians who are relevant allies in the struggle for the planet."" --Laurel Dykstra, Salal + Cedar Watershed Discipleship Community, Coast Salish Territory ""Ched Myers and the team of young authors he has assembled offer in this volume a Spirit-inspired, theologically grounded call to action that is filled with passionate hope."" --Cynthia Moe-Lobeda, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and the Graduate Theological Union Ched Myers is an author and activist theologian who has worked in social change movements for forty years. He and his partner, Elaine Enns, who helped edit this volume, co-direct Bartimaeus Cooperative Ministries (www.bcm-net.org) in the Ventura River watershed, traditional Chumash teritory in southern California. Their publications can be found at www.ChedMyers.org.

    Tozer What does it mean to have the Holy Spirit in our lives? Many look to extraordinary experiences and manifestations as evidence of the Spirit. But what happens when the event is over? How can we experience the Holy Spirit in the ordinary, everyday world? How can we be filled with the Spirit? In this material taken from Tozer's sermons, he answers these questions and explores life in the Spirit from a balanced perspective. The church needs the gifts of the Spirit--all of them--or it will never be what God intends it to be. But this has to happen in wisdom and humility. Many people talk about being filled with the Holy Spirit, but very few accept the conditions for being filled. Tozer lays down the requirements for the Holy Spirit to come into our lives and transform us into Spirit-filled people. Though every Christian has the Holy Spirit, not every Christian is filled with the Holy Spirit. He explains the difference and how it could change the evangelical church of today.

    But are those a Christian’s only options? The Voting Booth presents a third path for a new generation of Christians seeking to love both God and their neighbor. Written as a fictional dialogue between Christian, a confused voter, and three spirits of cultural engagement—Exodus, Exile, and Incarnation—The Voting Booth addresses many of the questions being asked by those struggling to follow Christ in our post-Christian age like: -How do I respond to those who view Christian faith as oppressive? -Why has Christianity become so political? -What role does fear have in Christian cultural engagement? -How should I interact with neighbors of other faiths? -Have Christians lost the “Culture War”? -How should I think about voting as a Christian? -What is the role of the Church in the culture? With engaging writing and surprising twists, The Voting Booth will challenge your assumptions and leave you with a new way of imagining your place in the culture. What others are saying about "The Voting Booth" "As an immigrant-turned-citizen facing only my second chance to vote in a presidential election, I am troubled by the options presented. Opinions from Christians abound, complete with blogs and Bible verses, but no clear path emerges. Skye’s allegory tale succinctly— if also slightly simplistically— represents the two dominant paradigms of Christian response: the call to escape, and the call to engage. He then offers a third perspective rooted in the incarnation. While the tale stops short of instruction, it is abounding in wisdom. This is an accessible read that provides a thoughtful way to name and evaluate the subconscious grids that undergird our approach to political engagement or disengagement. Best of all, it offers us a way to reflect on our perspective, posture, and purpose in a Christ-shaped way." -Glenn Packiam, Pastor at New Life Downtown "Skye Jethani is one of the most clear-headed, sober voices writing on faith and culture today. The Voting Booth raises questions many Christians wrestle with and provides answers that challenge and delight. In a time of political unrest and cultural upheaval, we can't afford to ignore what this book has to say." - Jonathan Merritt, author of Jesus is Better Than You Imagined; contributing writer for The Atlantic “In a creative and compelling way, Skye Jethani has written yet another book that pushes the American church in the right direction. His uncanny ability to put his finger up to the wind and chart the right direction forward is a huge help to our community as we navigate the increasingly treacherous waters of the secular west.” - John Mark Comer, pastor for teaching and vision at Bridgetown Church and author of Loveology. "In The Voting Booth, Skye Jethani beautifully crafts a dialogue between ‘Christian' and three personified postures we can take toward our culture. Eye-opening and thought provoking, Skye clearly illuminates the dominant but destructive attitudes that have dominated the American church for the last 100 years, and then shines a light on a better way. Highly recommended!” - Phil Vischer, creator of VeggieTales, What’s In The Bible, and The Phil Vischer Podcast.

    Mark Rutland to more deeply explore prayer, he came to understand its miraculous power for soul restoration. Prayer is a declaration of our Father's compassion toward us, a confession of our own inadequacy, and a reminder that he meets our daily needs.As it turns out, these are the elements of prayer Jesus taught his disciples. Praying and meditating on the Lord's Prayer changed Dr. Rutland's life, and since then he has used it to restore others' souls as well.Filled with moving stories and powerful insights, this book will help you discover the truth about God's love and power, and this truth will bless and heal you. In the end, it's not just about saying the Lord's Prayer--it's about getting to know the Lord of the prayer.

    Prayer is a mystery that we struggle to understand. Do you realize that your prayer life is a reflection of your relationship with Christ? Almighty God has given us unlimited access to His throne of grace and with that access there is Power! Power to transform your life and the lives others. I have experienced this power in my own life. God in His goodness rescued me from the dark and dangerous path my life was headed down. In this book I will share some of the blessings available to you as you strengthen your prayer life while seeking God in prayer. When you make prayer a priority and pray with purpose; God’s power will be revealed and lives are transformed! Are you ready to unleash God’s power in your life?

    Yet many might also say that they sense little meaningful relationship with God in their own lives. After all, the foundation of good relationship is communication--but conversation with God often seems to go only one way. We may sing of walking and talking with God in the garden, His voice falling on our ears, but few have heard that beloved voice themselves.Sam Williamson acknowledges the fundamental human longing to hear God's voice and offers a hopeful supposition: God is always speaking--we've just never been taught how to recognize His voice. Williamson handles this potentially heady topic with his characteristic straightforwardness and leavening humor. This book deftly bridges the gap between solid biblical theology and practical application, addressing topics such as how to truly pray without ceasing, how to brainstorm with God, how to navigate our emotions, how to answer God's questions, and how to hear God's voice for others."Hearing God in Conversation" offers simple, step-by-step lessons on how to hear God. Williamson begins with Scripture meditation. He then expands the practice of listening for that voice everywhere--in the checkout line, on the job, in a movie theater, and even in silence. From there, he demonstrates how to hear God's guidance when making any decision. By the end, readers' eyes and ears will be opened to the limitless methods through which God speaks.

    This Biblical exposition will make your understanding and operation on earth smoother as your view of the spiritual realm becomes complete. You will understand faith better and get more results from your faith.Read this book and get the knowledge and skills required to make things happen in the physical realm. Whether you want to change health conditions or financial situations, this book will make all that clear to you.You will learn more about the unseen realm as the Bible makes us to understand.Your prayer life will soar and you will enjoy continual victory in life in whatever warfare you are faced with.

    Inviting others to faith requires leaning in to your own story, overcoming fear, and stepping out. But the good news is for everyone, always. And you can help keep it going.Using Scripture and story, Steve Carter casts a vision for non-threatening conversations that point people to Christ. Most significantly, Steve shows that only through risking it all will we discover what God is truly like.

    And though we know we need more leaders, few of us know how to create a culture of leadership development. This book recounts how Steve Murrell and Every Nation rediscovered four leadership multipliers that solved the leadership shortage of a growing church and global mission organization. The principles and stories in these pages will help you identify leaders, develop current leaders, and multiply future leaders!

    They pray, go to church, perhaps even read their Bible. But they might be stuck if a stranger asked them to explain what they believe and why they believe it.Author, pastor, and theologian Mike Horton unpacks the essential and basic beliefs that all Christians share in a way that is easy to understand and applicable to our lives today. And in a way that will make you excited to be a Christian!Core Christianity covers topics like:Jesus as both fully God and fully man.The doctrine of the Trinity.The goodness of God despite a broken world.The ways God speaks.The meaning of salvation.What is the Christian calling?Includes discussion questions for individual or group use. This introduction to the basic doctrines of Christianity is perfect for those who are new to the faith, as well as those who have an interest in deepening their understanding of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.

    Often it is used in a vague way to refer to the relationship between our 'spirit' and God, resulting in the belief that we can only relate to God with our 'inner' being and not with any other part of ourselves.Within Christianity, this view is commonly based on the assumption that the Bible contrasts the body and all that is physical with the 'spirit', which is good. But is that really what the Bible says? To answer that question, Paula Gooder explores the evidence, dispelling popular misconceptions, and leading us to a deeper understanding of the value of our bodies in the eyes of God.

    It always involves earning our children's trust. Whether we are overwhelmed at being parents, planning to be parents, reacting to our parents, or learning to stand with our kids as they now parent, we need to know there is always a way home, convinced God is in the middle of every stage of our family. Find yourself in this story as you ride along with the Clawsons on vacation. Go inside the episode as each part of the story unfolds, and find the freedom and truth that God offers us as we build trust with our kids, and discover insight and hope for our own painful patterns. This book is filled with joy, insight, wisdom and maybe a fresh way of seeing our families and ourselves. Enjoy the ride.

    This book will help you start missional-incarnational communities in a way that reflects the viral movement of the early New Testament church.JR Woodward (author of Creating a Missional Culture) and Dan White Jr. (author of Subterranean) have trained church planters all over North America to create movemental churches that are rooted in the neighborhood, based on eight necessary competencies:Movement Intelligence Polycentric Leadership Being Disciples Making Disciples Missional Theology Ecclesial Architecture Community Formation Incarnational Practices The book features an interactive format with tools, exercises, and reflection questions and activities. It's ideal for church planting teams or discipleship groups to use together.It's not enough to understand why the church needs more missional and incarnational congregations.The Church as Movement will also show you how to make disciples that make disciples. This is the engine that drives the church as movement, so that everyday Christians can be present in the world to join God's mission in the way of Jesus.

    Following Cherry's successful book The Worship Architect, this work helps Christian leaders think theologically and act pastorally about worship music in their churches. It addresses larger issues beyond the surface struggles of musical styles and provides tools to critically evaluate worship songs. The book is applicable to all Christian traditions and worship styles and is well suited to both the classroom and the local church. Each chapter concludes with suggested practical exercises, recommended reading, and basic vocabulary terms.

    It also provides the reader with the differences between true Christianity and the many pretenders that have arisen over the centuries since its inception. That is one good reason this book, originally published in 1677, continues to sell. It is a must read for anyone who is serious about finding the narrow gate and walking the narrow path that leads to life.In this book, Scougal deals with topics such as: eternal life, born again, salvation, faith, loving God, experiencing God’s presence, absolute surrender, finding peace with God, the nature of God, the character of God, God’s grace, God’s care for us, the sovereignty of God, power to live, abundant life, victory over sin, victory over the world, spiritual growth, developing a personal relationship with God, loving others, transformation, renewing the mind, obedience, holiness, pleasing God, doing God’s will, worshipping God, real humility, real purity, effective prayer, meditation, false ideas about Christianity, the fallen nature, worldly vision vs eternal vision, worshipping in vain, surface religion vs internal religion, hypocrisy, and distinguishing between spirit, soul, and flesh.This book is recommended for establishing new believers in the faith and helping them grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. It is perfectly suited for discipleship, group study, and spiritual development courses.Scougal’s book gives us an opportunity to look back into time at historical, classical Christianity. It is a monument in the advancement and improvement of the Protestant Reformation. Therefore, the reader can better distinguish the differences between the many errors in modern Christianity and Christianity prior to these modern deviations.God has used this book in bringing revivals. Charles Wesley and George Whitefield, who were instrumental during the Great Awakening, testified to the importance of this book in their own lives. Wesley gave Whitefield a copy of this book. For this reason, Whitefield’s quote, “I never knew what real Christianity was until God sent me this excellent book” has adorned the covers of earlier printings. Readers familiar with the great works of Christian literature written in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries will recognize the influence this book had upon those authors.This book will prove to be very helpful to those who know the end time prophecies regarding the corruption, infiltration, and apostasy of organized religion. It will help them to set a course out of the slow fade and into personal revival.All these reasons make this book an invaluable asset to all who desire to grow in their relationship with God. The insights that Scougal penned regarding the deeper, more intimate walk with God will encourage new believers, the most devout saints, and everyone in between.And now there is even more reason for this book to remain popular. Words like adumbrate and inveigle have been replaced with everyday words. The original meanings of the many words and phrases that have changed with the passing of time have been raised from the dead. Now the average person can read and comprehend it without getting a migraine, or even dusting off an old dictionary. There is no longer any need to be reluctant to give this book to a friend or loved one due to the difficult language of the original.The reading is now smooth sailing. And yes, it will still amaze you with the depth of insight, incredible wisdom, and practical advice found in the original!

    Is Lord's Day observance simply a quaint tradition that was nice for previous generations but really isn't relevant for Christians today? Isn't the Sabbath just part of the Old Testament law that New Testament believers don't need to be concerned about? In this pamphlet, author Joseph Pipa carefully guides you through the Scriptures, answering frequently asked questions about the Lord's Day along the way, and helps you to see that the Lord's Day is for you not as a burden, but as a blessing that will lead you to delight in God as you are freed from work and worldly pleasures to worship Him.

    What happens, then, when we follow God's will to the best of our abilities and heartbreak strikes? Do we mean it when we implore "Have Thine own way, Lord" or does that only apply in times of blessings or small, manageable hurts?John Feinberg knows that conundrum intimately. In 1987 his beloved wife was diagnosed with an incurable, genetically transmitted disease. They were immediately challenged in their faith and their approach to God's goodness in the face of the evil of suffering. More, they discovered just how little their Christian community understood about how to support people in crisis.When There Are No Easy Answers considers the problem of grief from every angle, just as the Feinbergs walked through it in their journey. It confronts the question of justice, examines the nature of God, and argues for the reality of grace. Feinberg explores the biblical reasons against the use of traditional clichés and platitudes, especially by those in ministry, and lays out alternatives that can actually comfort and encourage the person who is struggling or grieving.

    It isn’t a soft virtue, expressed only by sweet grandmothers or nice Boy Scouts. Kindness is neither timid nor frail. Instead, it is brave and daring, willing to be vulnerable with those with whom we disagree. It is the revolutionary way that Jesus himself called us to live. The way of selfless risks. The way of staggering hope. The way of authenticity.Dr. Barry Corey, president of Biola University, believes we tend to devalue the importance of kindness, opting instead for caustic expressions of certainty that push people away. We forget that the essence of what God requires of us is to “love kindness.” In this book, filled with stories from his travels around the globe, Barry shows us the forgotten way of kindness. It is a life that calls us to put ourselves at risk. A life that calls us to hope. A life of a firm center and soft edges. It is the life Christ invites us to follow, no matter what the cost.

    Learn about the importance of having a biblical worldview and how to prepare for the battle you are called to fight. Every step of the way is grounded in the truth of God's Word about who God is and who you are in Christ. This battle plan for victory is perfect for those new to the idea of spiritual warfare as well as those who want a basic primer to refresh themselves on the topic.

    Ideal for pastors, teachers, and students, The Christ-Centered Expositor will equip you for greater faithfulness to God, his Word, and his mission.

    Some lead a congregation, youth group or ministry, some in their homes, businesses, or non-professional organizations. The lives of many followers of Christ are marked by a combination of these roles.In Leadership by the Book, Brent Garrison offers examples from each book of the Old and New Testaments of how God’s servants have led His people, and the lessons that today’s leaders can learn from them. From Moses to John, Genesis to Revelations, Garrison offers a new perspective on ancient wisdom.Insightful applications and spiritual adaptations for modern problems on every page, Leadership by the Book will help Christian leaders in their personal, spiritual and professional lives to find timeless answers to difficult questions.

    This accessible work biblically explains what the Lord's Supper is, how it relates to a local church's life together, who should celebrate the Lord's Supper, and how we should approach it.

    In order to bear fruit, we must abide in Christ

    They were willing to allow you to try something challenging and new under their mentorship, and it caused you to find out there was more in you than you thought.You may not realize it, but you have been empowered by these people. This book reveals a solid biblical foundation for living a lifestyle of empowerment. Through empowering people, Jesus set an example for us and revealed the Father's heart in doing so. 'The Culture of Empowerment' gives insight and practical tools for championing people as well as developing empowering beliefs about yourself and others.

    Both were given special missions by God. And both have something very important to teach about obedience to His plan.See biblical typology--the Old Testament people, symbols, and events that foreshadow the New Testament--come to life in Into the Sea, Out of the Tomb: Jonah and Jesus.Recommended for ages 3 and up.About the SeriesWhat do the Old and New Testaments have in common? To answer this question, Maura Roan McKeegan presents biblical typology for children. Taking familiar stories from the Old and New Testaments and placing them side by side, children can easily understand at an early age what St. Augustine meant when he said that "the New Testament lies hidden in the Old and the Old Testament is revealed in the New."About the AuthorMaura Roan McKeegan is a former elementary and middle school teacher who also studied graduate theology and reading education. She is the author of The End of the Fiery Sword: Adam & Eve and Jesus & Mary, the award-winning first book in the Old and New series, which introduces children to biblical typology."Children have a particular sensitivity to the work of the Holy Spirit," she says."Their pure hearts are able to understand Scripture in great depth."Maura grew up in Potomac, Maryland, and now lives in Steubenville, Ohio, with her husband Shaun and their four children.About the Illustrator Ted Schluenderfritz is the illustrator of several books including A Life of Our Lord for Children, The Book of Angels, and Darby O'Gill and the Good People. He is a freelance graphic designer and the art director for Catholic Digest and Gilbert Magazine. He lives in Littleton, Colorado with his wife Rachel and their six children. You can view more of his work at www.5sparrows.com.

    While they may not be talking well to each other, the problem is much deeper than they realize. Communication problems begin in the heart of the person while reaching into the community of the Trinity. James asked, “What causes quarrels and conflicts” and then answered his own question in a threefold manner by saying our passions, desires, and coveting ways are the source of our communication problems. (See James 4:1-2) But communication is more than a heart problem; it is a divine problem. The Trinity is the original communicating community, and we are made in Their image (Genesis 1:26-27). Though our hearts are broken and stand in need of a biblical rewire, that can only happen when we align our hearts to the divine--the original community. This eBooklet will walk you through how to do this. The first chapter will start where all good communication begins: with God. The second chapter will motivate you to branch out by exporting what you have learned to your closest friends. Finally, in the third chapter, you will have the opportunity to expand your communicative prowess to your greater group of friends. The goal is that you will be able to build true community with God, with yourself, with your closest friends, and to your extended group of friends. Who knows...maybe the borders of redemptive communication will not stop there. The most effective way you can use this book is to read slowly, reflectively, and prayerfully while adding journaling and daily practice to your list of habits. I would not recommend reading just to be reading. At the end of each chapter, I have “call to action” opportunities specifically designed to challenge you to work this content into your soul. “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” - Philippians 2:12-13 It would be best if you had a friend, spouse, or mentor that you could immediately share this content with. Finally, if you want to become a more effective communicator then start communicating more effectively today. Let the “call to action” opportunities work for you. Too often books are read and then shelved. I would not recommend you do that with this book. Your goal is not to notch your “book belt” as though you are on a quest to read books for the sake of reading books. Make your aim to be changed. That may mean you read this eBooklet several times. Maybe it becomes the source material for your small group meetings. Perhaps you’ll want to teach a class using this content or maybe preach a sermon series. I appeal to you to not let the words in this eBooklet rest. Use them often. Share them with your friends. I promise that if you can practically grasp this content, which will be measured by how well you talk to those who are closest to you, then your life and relationships will change. That is my prayer for you and your friends. Rick “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” - Ephesians 4:29

    Enjoy having this easy-to-understand guide that includes 30 ready-to- use lessons on 30 discipleship topics on Christian faith and living including salvation, forgiveness, prayer, how to study the Bible, and more!

    By reading the Scripture passages, answering the questions, applying the attributes to your life, and sharing your journey with a spiritual coach, you will learn how to become a fully devoted follower of Jesus. After more than five years of helping Christians grow in their walk with God, FOLLOW has been revised and updated to include the story of God's faithfulness following the motorcycle accident in 2015 when Bryan Koch and his wife, Lynn, were hit head-on by a drunk driver. Though Lynn lost her life and Bryan lost a leg, he has learned that "if God brings you to it, he will bring you through it."

    Do this program, not that program. Carole Holliday unpacks how to effectively attack your weight problems & gives practical, real-life wisdom for daily living & practice. Having lost over 120 pounds, she presents her own personal testimony as well as a path to truly free living. Humorous illustrations are included throughout the book, providing a relatable & caring approach to a very serious & sobering topic. In the pages of this book you’ll find a heartfelt plea to understand the true cause behind your burgeoning belly & bigger bottom. Whether you’ve "tried it all" or you are someone who’s just intrigued by the title, “THE FOOD AIN’T THE PROBLEM” will leave you full of truth, hope, & encouragement to begin your path to the true healing & restoration of your body & soul

    It will also improve your relationships—marriage, parenting, small group, the local church, and other community contexts where you are connecting with people. I wrote these chapters with practicality in view. At the end of each chapter is a call to action (CTA) opportunity that will challenge you to do something with what you read. It is best to read this book with someone you can talk to about the content. If you’re married, your spouse is the perfect candidate. Perhaps your small group is looking for solid, practical, sanctification content. You have found it. Share this book with your friend. I’ve divided the chapters into eleven categories: Making the Most of the Journey – Chapters 1 to 2 Your Self-Help Book – Chapters 3 to 4 Discipleship Worldview – Chapters 5 to 6 Personal Struggles – Chapters 7 to 13 The Change Process – Chapters 14 to 17 Helping People Change – Chapters 18 to 22 Communication – Chapters 23 to 25 Marriage and Family – Chapters 26 to 30 Work to Rest – Chapter 31 A Praying Life – Chapter 32 Time to Apply – Chapter 33 to 34 Perhaps you’re looking for something on communication. You can skip the first six categories and read the three chapters on communication. Maybe you want to get into the heart of your marriage struggles. Great. You can start with section eight. There are five chapters for you to read. The most effective way to read this book is to understand the whole process of change; thus, starting with the first chapter, “Making the Most of the Journey,” is the best place to begin. The categories are set up logically with one building upon the next one. Regardless of where you jump into this book, the key to your transformation will be how often you use the book. Reading it once and moving on to the next thing is not the intended purpose of this book. It will take you years to master this material. Let me restate that: it will take years for you to be mastered by this material. Read it often. Grab a nugget. Let that be your meditation for the day. Share your daily thoughts with a friend. Talk about it. Practice what you read daily. Teach someone what you learned. The teacher always learns more than the student. If you can teach others what you are actively practicing in your relationships, you will be the master of and mastered by the content. Let this life-transforming journey begin today. Rick

    Geneva, Brian Thomas provides a biblical defense of the key doctrines that have divided the Lutheran and Reformed traditions for nearly five centuries. It is especially written to help those who may have an interest in the Lutheran church, but are concerned that her stance on doctrines like predestination or the sacraments may not have biblical support. To get to the heart of the matter, Pastor Thomas focuses solely upon those crucial scriptural texts that have led Lutheran and Reformed scholars down different paths to disparate conclusions as he spars with popular Calvinist theologians from the past and the present.About the Author:Brian W. Thomas is a Lutheran pastor, writer, and speaker from the Pacific Northwest. He has had the privilege of serving churches in California and Washington, lecturing at the University of San Diego, and teaching the Bible all over the world. He is the pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Kingston, Washington.

    By putting biblical rituals in conversation with philosophical and scientific views of knowledge, Johnson argues that knowing is a skilled adeptness in both the biblical literature and scientific enterprise. If rituals are a way of thinking in community akin to scientific communities, then the biblical emphasis on rites that lead to knowledge cannot be ignored. Practicing a rite to know occurs frequently in the Hebrew Bible. YHWH answers Abram's skepticism “How shall I know that I will possess the land?” with a ritual intended to make him know (Gen 15:7 21). The recurring rites of Sabbath (Exod 31:13) and dwelling in a Sukkah (Lev 23:43) direct Israel toward discernment of an event's enduring significance. Likewise, building stone memorials aims at the knowledge of generations to come (Josh 4:6).Though the New Testament appropriates the Torah rites through strategic reemployment, the primary questions of sacramental theology have often presumed that rites are symbolically encoded. Hence, understanding sacraments has sometimes been reduced to decoding the symbols of the rite. Knowledge by Ritual argues that the rites of Israel, as portrayed in the biblical texts, disposed Israelites to recognize something they could not have seen apart from their participation. By examining the epistemological function of rituals, Johnson's monograph gives readers a new set of questions to explore both the sacraments of Israel and contemporary sacramental theology.

    While many books cover the nuts and bolts of new faith--how to read the Bible, how to pray, how to find a church--in this book, Alex Early focuses on issues of the heart. What are Christians supposed to feel? What happens when they sin? What does God want from them? Designed to challenge and reassure, this book gives a realistic depiction of the Christian life, and includes such topics as how to rest in God's love, what forgiveness looks like when you blow it, what it means to find your identity in Christ, and how to pray with honesty and transparency.God isn't surprised when we struggle, and although being in a relationship with God is amazing, he never promised that this life would be easy. He can handle "real" people, and he pours out his reckless love regardless of what we do or think on any given day. We all need to be reminded of this, but especially those new to the faith.This book is ideal for new believers, but seasoned Christians should also have copies on hand to give away. Includes end-of-chapter questions and a "Christianese to English" glossary.

    wrestled with while connecting with top global church planters and pastors. Over time, his global experiences convinced him western believers would benefit from: taking our faith beyond Sunday to every dimension of life; shifting from a Christian worldview to a Jesus prism; and moving from religious leaders to disciple leaders. Lessons from the East invites you into the larger story God is telling around the world. It just may change your view of church and the global Christian community.

    This Teaching will empower you to transform yourself and the world through awakening the omnipotent power hidden in your heart.Existing since time immemorial and called Surya-Vidya in antiquity, this Teaching taught the most worthy people about the sacred meaning of the heart as the sun of their universe — an inexhaustible source of perfect wisdom and divine power. However, humanity was not ready to accept the prevailing role of the heart. Therefore, the Teaching of the Heart has been kept secret and remained the prerogative of only the chosen few — those spiritual teachers who have proclaimed the omnipotence of the pure and loving heart.The time has come to awaken humanity to the almighty treasure we possess because its infinite possibilities can radically change not only individual lives, but also the entire suffering world for the better. This mission has been undertaken by the Greatest Teacher known as the Great Heart — the Lord of Love and Compassion, the King of the legendary kingdom of Shambhala hidden in the Himalayas. He is the Messiah awaited in all religions but under different names: Maitreya, Christ, Mahdi, Kalki Avatar, and so on. Before coming into the world, He has given The Teaching of the Heart , making it accessible to everyone for daily use in modern life. Employing a spiral approach, the inspirational and uplifting books of The Teaching of the Heart series will reveal your heart’s secret powers and cover a wide range of topics from everyday life to travels within the Universe. Through the books published so far, you will:• learn everything you have ever wanted to know about the Coming of the Messiah and receive His first teachings that will be expanded in the following books (Book 1)• experience the Divine Miracle that was predicted by Edgar Cayce long ago and came true but remained wholly unnoticed by humanity (Book 2)• understand the principles of creating a heart-centered society that will help you build good relationships with other people (Book 3)• discover the laws governing the Universe and how your own heart is connected with the Heart of the Cosmos (Book 4)• find out about the Secret Government that rules our planet and how you can become one of its colleagues (Book 5)• gain insight into the profound significance and unknown functions of your invisible energetic heart (Book 6) The Teaching of the Heart was written by Zinovia Dushkova, Ph.D., the best-selling and award-winning author of The Book of Secret Wisdom. She continues the spiritual tradition of the hidden Himalayan Masters who guided Helena Blavatsky and Helena Roerich to lead humanity from intellectual knowledge to the divine wisdom of the heart.“The love and light that seem to magically pour from the pages of prose are both beautiful and healing, and speak a message of hope.”— Alyssa Elmore, Readers’ Favorite“Reading the book’s sublime lines led my heart to tremble with joy. This book really has an amazing energy that affects the heart in a mysterious way.”— Michael Wilkin, Midwest Book Review“It is fresh and alive and as inspirational as any good spiritual work should be.”— Peter Morris, Spirituality Today“I sensed the music behind the words, it was as if I knew what was coming and felt my senses responding to the call.”— Bani Sodermark“[Zinovia Dushkova’s] book is an exquisite symphony of Love played on the strings of her heart directly to yours. ... Those with open, loving hearts will hear!”— Russell Walls“Words cannot do this work justice! This is a must read for the whole world!”— EH GodfreyIf you would like a wise Teacher to guide you through life, offer uplifting advice, and help you fulfill your spiritual potential and true purpose, this book series is for you.Embark on a fascinating spiritual journey with the Greatest Master of Wisdom today to awaken the power of your heart!

    People are unreasonable, arguments flare, feelings are hurt. And no one can make us feel worse than those closest to us. It's easy to fall into the trap of closing ourselves off in order to protect ourselves, rather than opening ourselves up for relationship with each other. But think of who Jesus invited into his life and ministry. They weren't always lovable. Yet he modeled perfect love for us and showed how the mark of a spiritually mature believer was always love.In The Power of Together, pastor and author Jim Putman uncovers the core of true discipleship with an in-depth, biblical look at how Jesus always invited people into relationship with himself. He loved them with God's perfect love and, in the process, showed everyone around him that the act of following God is the act of extending and receiving love that endures all things.

    It is, after all, our great commission. But much of contemporary discipleship is informed by instinct, and as such it is vulnerable to the whims and trends of the broader culture, which can take us further away from our biblical model and mandate.Drawing on a 2015 Barna Group study of the state of discipleship in the United States commissioned by The Navigators, bestselling author Preston Sprinkle provides a holistic, biblical response for discipleship, providing accessible tools for all those who are engaged in making Christ-followers in the 21st century. Sprinkle points pastors, church leaders, and frankly, all Christ-followers, to a discipleship that is responsive to this most current research and accountable to the model of Jesus and his earliest followers, who counted making disciples as their most important work.In an extremely practical fashion, Go helps us to discern, from the Scriptures and from exemplary disciple-making ministries, what discipleship is and is not, what it has become and what it can still be.

    It worked in their pagan times, and it will in ours.Old Paths, New Power: Reviving Our Churches through Prayer and the Ministry of the Word calls us back to the tried-and-true: pray and proclaim the word.Henderson, who leads a growing church revival ministry, guides you through the essentials of sparking a spiritual renaissance:Be a leader who walks with the LordDevelop a strong prayer culture in your life and ministryPreach with unction, dependence, and integrityEquip every saint for the work of the ministryEmbrace the sufficiency of the gospelOur churches don’t need fresh models and fancy things; they need the Holy Spirit, and He rains down when we pray and proclaim the word. Read Old Paths, New Power and follow God’s master plan.

    "Basic Worship" is a concise, easy-to-read primer on the basics of worship theology and practice. Each concept is introduced clearly and concisely. Diagrams, charts, and bulleted lists make the information easy to digest. And preparation and reflection questions help readers apply the material to their own church context. Whether one is a beginner or an experienced worship leader, readers from all traditions will find in this resource a solid foundation for future success. It is particularly well-suited for the first-time worship or praise band leader, as well as for pastors who want to be more intentional about the music in their services.

    The church is God’s plan for evangelism, discipleship, and the Great Commission. This connection between the Great Commission and the church dramatically impacts how both leaders and members should think about their work of making disciples. We do it together.

    But biblical congregationalism isn’t so much about the meetings. It’s about empowering the whole church to promote and protect the gospel. Pastors lead and equip. Members get to work strengthening one another and pursuing Christ’s mission in the world.

    When they are rescued from slavery in Egypt, God sends them into the desert, where they wander for a generation. Jesus and his disciples wander from town to town. In fact, some of God's most important truths are imparted to people with dusty feet as they travel on the road. With his trademark thoughtful introspection, A. J. Swoboda boldly suggests that wandering is not an absence of faith but a central component of faith. In "The Dusty Ones," " "he leads the restless, the frustrated, and the curious on a spiritual journey to uncover the answers to questions like - Do I wander because I'm failing or because God has left me?- Is the desert something I can overcome?- Why is God sometimes "hidden" in the Bible?- What do I do when the end seems nowhere in sight? This compassionate and contemplative book offers hope and peace to Christians and seekers alike as they make their way down the winding road of faith.

    In The Bible Habit readers will discover:* How to build a habit that sticks* What tools are the most useful* How the Bible can fuel a satisfying spiritual life* And much more!The seven strategies in this book are essential for anyone wanting to grow in their knowledge of God's Word and in their relationship with Christ. Don't miss out, jump into The Bible Habit today!

    They begin a search—independently at first—to recapture their lost love and then together lead their fellowship in a successful discovery of the secret to becoming a beacon of love in their community. By the end of the story you clearly see why this secret—so simple yet so profound—is vital and how to apply it to the life of your church.