The mighty men weren't drafted into David's army because of their impressive resumes. They were broken men who, given an opportunity to achieve greatness, responded like champions. The author uses the story to illustrate the six battles David's men fought and men today must win to become powerful and effective warriors in God's kingdom.

    It's hard to keep up, to keep our balance. It's hard to keep trusting in God. And it's especially difficult when the changes we're faced with are unwanted: the death of a loved one, a child leaving home, an illness, a frustrated dream. Craig Barnes knows the dark side of change. As a pastor, he has counseled many Christians through tough times of transition. And he has been challenged by unwanted changes--interruptions--in his own life. At times it seems as though God has moved far, far away. But Barnes has discovered that just the opposite is true: during times of change and seeming abandonment, God is right at our side offering to lead us in a new direction, offering us new life. He writes, A young widow can outlive her grief and decide her life may never be the same but is far from over. A lost job can become the beginning of a new vocation. Here is the book for all who have known disappointment, bereavement or the shattering of faith, a book all the more valuable because it promises hope without denying despair. In When God Interrupts a sensitive, insightful pastor shows us how we can be found by God in the middle of unwanted change.

    An inspirational message from one of America's most popular living artists discusses eighteen simple tenets that can transform lives and build the core spiritual and family values of simplicity and light.

    This book is written to encourage and inspire you. Even though pastor and author Greg Laurie is a “gospel-presenting professional,” in this book he tells stories of his own failure and success. The most important things you will find here are biblical principles that you can apply yourself. Taken from the life and witness of Jesus, and tested over Greg’s forty years of ministry, in both one-on-one experiences and large-scale evangelistic arena and stadium events, these ideas are intended to mobilize every person in the church to “Tell Someone” about Jesus Christ.

    Todd Billings recovers the biblical theme of union with Christ for today's church, making a fresh contribution to the theological discussion with important applications for theology and ministry. Drawing on Scripture and the thought of figures such as Augustine, Calvin, Bavinck, and Barth, Billings shows how a theology of union with Christ can change the way believers approach worship, justice, mission, and the Christian life. He illuminates how union with Christ can change the theological conversation about thorny topics such as total depravity and the mystery of God. Billings also provides a critique and alternative to the widely accepted paradigm of incarnational ministry and explores a gospel-centered approach to social justice. Throughout, he offers a unique and lively exploration of what is so amazing about being united to the living Christ.

    We run into it every day and we all are susceptible to falling victim to its enticements. We're tempted to cheat on our taxes, milk the clock, lust after someone other than our spouse, dishonor our parents, lie to our friends, covet our neighbor's trip to Europe. But just because we must live with temptation doesn't mean we have to let it master us. In "Flirting with the Forbidden," bestselling author Steven James reminds readers that we are always just one step away from bowing to temptation, that we all share the same potential and propensity for evil. Combining powerful first-person narratives from Scripture with thought-provoking reflections on temptation, discipleship, and grace, James helps readers grow in discernment and reliance on the Holy Spirit and develop a deeper, more intimate walk with Christ.

    Should preachers ask for a public response in evangelistic meetings?

    And this work is his magnum opus, the culmination of a lifetime of experience and ministryChapter by chapter, Graham leads us on a journey in faith. We learn about God and his purpose for our lives; who Jesus is and what he has done for us. We are reminded of the things God has given us to live successfully: the Bible, the privilege of prayer, fellowship and the church, and the Holy Spirit. We learn to deal with challenges along the way: temptation; wrong thoughts and motives; emotions that can defeat us; habits that destroy our spirit, and what to do when life turns against us. And we are given practical advice on knowing God's will, making right decision, strengthening our marriages, being wise parents, and using our gifts to share Christ with others.With insight that only comes from a life spent with God, The Journey is filled with wisdom, encouragement, hope, and inspiration for anyone who wants to live a happier, more fulfilling life.

    The apostles taught it in their writings. And the Church has, through the last 2,000 years, sought to pursue this Christian spiritual life. In The Walk, Adam Hamilton focuses on five essential spiritual practices that are rooted in Jesus’ own walk with God and taught throughout the New Testament. Each of these practices is intended as part of our daily walk with Christ while also being an essential part of growing together in the church.In each chapter, Hamilton explores one of these practices, its New Testament foundation, and what it looks like to pursue this practice daily in our personal life and together in the life of the church. Deepen your walk with Christ as we explore the five essential practices of worship, study, serving, giving, and bearing witness to our faith.Additional components for a six-week adult study include a comprehensive Leader Guide and a DVD featuring the engaging teachings of author and pastor Adam Hamilton. Also available are resources for children and youth.

    Jay Adams defends the idea that the Bible itself, as God's Word, provides all the principles needed for understanding and engaging in holistic counseling. Using biblically directed discussion, nouthetic counseling works by means of the Holy Spirit to bring about change—both immediate and long-term—in the personality and behavior of the counselee.As he points out in his introduction, "I have been engrossed in the project of developing biblical counseling and have uncovered what I consider to be a number of important scriptural principles. . . There have been dramatic results. . . Not only have people's immediate problems been resolved, but there have also been solutions to all sorts of long-term problems as well."Competent to Counsel has helped thousands of pastors, students, laypersons, and Christian counselors develop:A general approach to (and theology of) Christian counseling.Specific, practical responses to particular problems useful for teaching, study, and personal application.Since its first publication in 1970, this book has gone through over thirty printings. It establishes the basis for and an introduction to a counseling approach that is being used in pastors' studies, in counseling centers, and across dining room tables throughout the country and around the world.

    Little did he know that he would meet a man who would compel him, by the example of his life, back into the world of people, for Jesus' sake."The Walk" is Michael Card's story of his relationship with Bill Lane, who forever changed his outlook on life. The book is both a journal and a study of the real meaning of discipleship. Card says, "Bill's walk was a parable of his life. Through him, or because of him, it would become the parable of my life as well."

    The pattern of disciple-making that is set forth in the Book of Acts is applied to the challenges of the contemporary church.

    Many Christians have expressed a deep feeling that there is much more to the Old Testament than one experiences in a first reading. There is a growing hunger among Christians to study the biblical languages to gain this deeper insight. As a Christian who was raised in an evangelical Christian environment, I am convinced there are spiritual lessons in the Old Testament that we as Christians never experienced. As a Hebrew teacher who has studied the Hebrew language from both a Christian and Jewish perspective, I am convinced that there are truths buried in the Old Testament that have never been exposed to us. A day rarely passes that I do not discover something new and exciting about God and my relationship with Him that I have never realized in a lifetime of walking with God. I have learned that the Old Testament is like the heart of God; it is a well that will never run dry. In this book, you will discover things about God and your relationship with him that you may never have considered. Perhaps you have considered such things but found no biblical reference to confirm it. Ultimately, what you will be discovering is God revealing His heart to you through the depths of His Word as shown through the ancient Hebrew. EBOOK DISCLAIMER: Due to device limitations this eBook is not compatible with the iPad/iPhone using an eReader app such as the Kindle or Nook app. Please note that Hebrew text will be transposed with this app.

    A counselee is angry. A church member's child is ill. You want to help, but where do you begin? Author and counselor Michael R. Emlet outlines a model of one-another ministry based on how God sees and loves his people primarily as saints, while bringing comfort to the sufferer, and faithfully speaking truth to the sinner.Filled with everyday illustrations as well as counseling examples, Emlet demonstrates what it looks like to approach fellow believers simultaneously as saints, sufferers, and sinners. Emlet unpacks Scripture and draws on his many years of counseling experience to help counselors, pastors, and friends love others wisely and well.As part of CCEF's Helping the Helper series, this guide for ministry provides an overall framework for wisely helping any person by loving others in the same way that God loves us.

    For new believers and seasoned Christians alike, this book will strengthen their faith by answering that all consuming question, "Why?"