Book picks similar to
Cannabis and the Christian: What the Bible Says about Marijuana by Todd Miles
ethics
ministry-preaching-pastoral
modern-theology
current-events
The Hole in Our Gospel: What Does God Expect of Us? the Answer That Changed My Life and Might Just Change the World
Richard Stearns - 2009
Stearns' journey there took much more than a long flight to Africa. It took answering God's call on his life, a call that tore him out of his corner office at one of America's most prestigious corporations--to walk with the poorest of the poor in our world."The Hole in Our Gospel" is the compelling true story of a corporate CEO who setaside worldly success for something far more significant, and discovered the full power of the gospel of Jesus Christ to change his own life. He uses his journey to demonstrate how the gospel--the whole gospel--was always meant to be a world changing social revolution, a revolution that begins with us.ECPA 2010 Christian Book of the Year Award Winner!"Read this compelling story and urgent call for change--Richard Stearns is a contemporary Amos crying 'let justice roll down like waters....' Justice is a serious gospel-prophetic mandate. Far too many American Christians for too long a time have left the cause to 'others.' Read it as an altar call." --Eugene H. Peterson, translator of The Message, Professor Emeritus of Spiritual Theology, Regent College, Vancouver, BC"Rich Stearns calls us to exhilarating obedience to God's life-altering, world-changing command to reflect his love to our neighbors at home and globally. The Hole in Our Gospel is imbued with the hope of what is possible when God's people are transformed to live radically in light of his great love." --Gary Haugen, President & CEO, International Justice Mission"Richard Stearns is quite simply one of the finest leaders I have ever known.... When he became president of World Vision I had a front row seat to witness the way God used his mind and heart to inspire thousands.... His new book, The Hole In Our Gospel will call you to a higher level of discipleship.... Now is the time...Richard Stearns has the strategy...your move!" --Bill Hybels, Founding and Senior Pastor, Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, IL"Rich Stearns has given us a book that makes absolutely clear what God hopes for and expects from each of us.... He reminded me of my personal responsibilities and the priority I must give them and also where life's true rewards and fulfillment are to be found." --Jim Morris, former executive director, United Nations World Food Program"World Vision plays a strategic role on our globe. As the largest relief organization in the history of the world, they initiate care and respond to crisis. Rich Stearns navigates this mercy mission with great skill. His book urges us to think again about the opportunity to love our neighbor and comfort the afflicted. His message is timely and needed. May God bless him, the mission of World Vision and all who embrace it." --Max Lucado, author of 3:16--The Numbers of Hope, Minister of Writing and Preaching, Oak Hills Church, San Antonio, TX"With passionate urging and earnestness, Rich Stearns challenges Christians to embrace the whole Gospel of Jesus Christ by embracing the neediest and most vulnerable among us. After reading the moving stories, the compelling facts and figures, and Stearns' excellent application of scripture and his own experiences at World Vision, you will no doubt be asking yourself: What should I do?" --Chuck Colson, Founder, Prison Fellowship
Could You Not Tarry One Hour: Learning the Joy of Prayer
Larry Lea - 1985
Knowing the necessity and value of prayer isn't necessarily enough to make it a pleasant task. This best-selling book can how you how to make the time you spend with God each day a delightful one. Lea shares the teaching and experiences that have helped him to transform his prayer life from drudgery to delight. It can do the same for yours. Using the Lord's prayer as a model, Lea will show you how to spend an hour each day in prayer and find joy in it. Learning to "tarry one hour" will help you discover a way of entering into God's presence that will change your life. "Lea's book is sparking church growth and influencing the prayer lives of thousands." Yoida Full Gospel Church bulletin Seoul, Korea "Using the revelation on the Lord's prayer as Larry Lea teaches in Could You Not Tarry One Hour? over 100 people rally together for an hour of prayer daily. This has radically transformed our state resulting in approximately 50,000 salvations." Rev. Gary Whetstone, pastor Victory Christian Fellowship, New Castle, Delaware
How Should We Then Live? The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture
Francis A. Schaeffer - 1975
Schaeffer contemplates the reasons for modern society's sorry state of affairs and argues for total affirmation of the Bible's morals, values, and meaning.
Prevail: 365 Days of Enduring Strength from God's Word
Susie Larson - 2020
Everything he asks of us is for our good and his glory. But that doesn't mean life is easy, and sometimes we need to be reminded of God's power over all that we face. We need something or someone to shake us up and teach us the truth about God and ourselves!Susie Larson's newest devotional, Prevail, guides us through the arc of the Scriptures while encouraging us to feel and trust in his presence in our everyday lives. Using practical Scripture passages, thought-provoking questions, and her very own Bible-margin notes, Susie offers 365 days' worth of opportunities for us to strengthen our walk in faith while finding a new level of freedom and redemption.
Rewire Your Heart: Replace Your Desire for Sin with Desire For God
David Bowden - 2018
But in reality, we have a far better weapon in our struggle with sin than the will-power mantras associated with diet and exercise. This weapon is not saying "no" to sin but saying "yes" to God. In Rewire Your Heart, David Bowden helps us discover God's plan to overcoming sin by rewiring our desires with the Gospel. When we invite the Holy Spirit to transform our underlying affections with the good news of Jesus, we begin to break free from the patterns of sin, guilt, and determination, and discover the richer fulfillment found in joyfully obeying God's commands.
Ruth: God's Amazing Love For You: An In-depth Bible Study
Courtney Joseph - 2018
Woven through out this beautiful love story is a greater story of God’s amazing love for us. If you have faced loss and wondered if God really loves you or if God is involved in the details of your life, then this study is for you. Ruth’s courage in the face of adversity will inspire you to trust God with your future. This in-depth Bible Study will take you verse-by-verse and chapter-by-chapter through the book of Ruth. This book will fill you to the brim with hope, as you see an imperfect family be used mightily by God Join me on this journey as we study the depth of God’s amazing love for us! You can find more resources, including a free video series to correlate with this study at the Women Living Well website.
The Walk: Steps for New and Renewed Followers of Jesus
Stephen Smallman - 2009
It assumesno prior understanding of what that means, nor does it assume that the person has actually come toa point of professing faith. It uses as a starting point someone who is simply wondering, what next? .Stephen also addresses those who have grown up Christian and may be wondering how to step out in their own faith.The Walk is designed to be used as much as read. It will be helpful to someone who wants to read on theirown, but also includes readings and projects that will make it useful as a workbook for that individual, in amentor relationship, or for use in groups. The division into twelve chapters is ideal for a typical Sunday School quarter.
Becoming Who You Are: Embracing the Power of Your Identity in Christ
Dutch Sheets - 2010
More than a book about identity in Christ, it is an action plan to help believers conquer the lies that keep them defeated and walk into a newfound freedom. Originally titled Roll Away Your Stone, it provides sound biblical teaching that shows believers how to walk in the Spirit.
Polycarp's Letter to the Philippians & His Martyrdom
Polycarp - 2009
Much can be learned from those who have looked death in the face and yet remained true to the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Polycarp was such a man who learned from the great apostle John. Even under the threat of death, he remained true to his beloved bridegroom, Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, amen! Even today, some 2000 years later, we have his own words and are able to learn from his wisdom. May you be blessed as you read this book. Amen.
Hoping for Happiness: Turning Life's Most Elusive Feeling into Lasting Reality
Barnabas Piper - 2020
Some people are thrill-seekers; others are homebodies. Some people are loners; others love big families or communities. Some people express things creatively; others consume what is created. Some sing; others listen to music. Whatever we find happiness in, we are united by our desire for work that matters and relationships that fulfil.As Christians, we often fall into the trap of basing our hopes on earthly things, even when we know they only make us happy for a short time. But how are we to experience happiness in this life? How do we avoid expecting too much of earthly things and being disappointed, or expecting too little and becoming cynics?In this book, recovering cynic Barnabas Piper helps us to throw off both the unrealistic expectations that end in disappointment and the guilty sense that Christians are not meant to have fun. He shows how having a clear view of the reality of the fall and the promise of redemption frees us to live a life that's grounded, hopeful and genuinely happy.
The Weary World Rejoices: Daily Devotions for Advent
Melissa B. Kruger - 2021
The evergreen wreath symbolizes eternal life and includes four candles—typically three purple and one pink, with a white candle in the middle that symbolizes the purity of Christ. Various traditions assign different topics to each candle, and the candles are usually given names to remind us of the good news of Christ's birthTo celebrate this season, TGC's editorial team put together 25 devotional readings that use the Advent wreath as a guide to focus hearts and minds on Christ during the month of December. Structured around traditional Advent themes—hope, peace, joy, love, and faith—these reflections will encourage your heart in this season of celebrating Christ's first coming, and longing for his second.
Its Not about Me Journal
Max Lucado - 2004
In his latest book this message, though still present, has moved to the background. A Copernican revolution is in order, Lucado says: it is time to understand that life revolves around God, not ourselves. The God he describes is neither Santa Claus nor a kindly, reassuring grandpa. He is a God of glory and holiness, eternal and unchanging. "To seek God's glory is to pray, 'Thicken the air with your presence; make it misty with your majesty. Part heaven's drapes, and let your nature spill forth. God, show us God.' " Our role, once we have seen God's glory, is simply to reflect it. We do this by proclaiming his message, using our bodies the way he intended, trusting him in the midst of suffering and acknowledging him as the author of our success. Even our salvation "showcases God's mercy. It makes nothing of [our] effort but everything of his." Sterner generations of Christians memorized the answer to the first question in the Westminster Shorter Catechism: "Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever." Lucado brings this concept to life with his trademark breezy style, good humor, homey anecdotes and passion. His fans may be surprised by this new emphasis, but they will not be disappointed.
How to Talk about Jesus (Without Being That Guy): Personal Evangelism in a Skeptical World
Sam Chan - 2020
But in a post-Christendom world, personal evangelism is viewed negatively--it's offensive, inappropriate, and insensitive. Recent studies confirm that the majority of Christians rarely evangelize, worried they might offend their family or lose their friends. In How to Talk About Jesus (Without Being That Guy), author Sam Chan equips everyday Christians who are reluctant and nervous to tell their friends about Jesus with practical, tested ways of sharing their faith in the least awkward ways possible.Drawing from over two decades of experience as an evangelist, teacher, and pastor, Chan explains why personal evangelism feels so awkward today. And utilizing recent insights from communication theory, cross-cultural ministry, and apologetics, he helps you build confidence in sharing your faith, and teaches you how to evangelize your friends and family in socially appropriate ways.
Alongside: Loving Teenagers with the Gospel
Drew Hill - 2018
In this transformative book, Drew Hill unpacks the challenges teenagers face and how youth leaders and parents can share the gospel with them at this crucial age. Full of practical insight and biblical knowledge, Alongside is an invitation to love teenagers well with the hope of the gospel.Our teenage friends are full of questions and longings. They're trying to figure out who they are, where they belong, and if they matter during this pivotal time of development all while facing new realities of loneliness and isolation, despite their social media followers.Teenagers want to be chased, and Alongside brings Scripture to life and helps parents and those in youth ministry practically connect the life of Jesus to the lives of their adolescent children and friends.Through Scripture and captivating personal stories from years of experience working in youth ministry, Hill pulls back the curtain and invites readers to step into the unfiltered world of teenagers.How do we start meaningful conversations with our teenage friends? How do we build trust across the dining room table? What would it look like to prayerfully cultivate a group of leaders or parents with a shared goal of seeing Christ transform the lives of teenagers in our communities? What does Jesus have to say about caring for our middle or high school friends and how can he use us in his plan to rescue them?Alongside offers practical application and biblical truths to highlight the complexities of relational youth ministry, address the needs real teenagers encounter in their daily lives and engage their hearts rather than just their behavior. Hill explores what it looks like to not only share the love of Jesus with our teenage friends but to share our very lives with them as well.
100 Ways to Love Your Wife: A Life-long Journey of Learning to Love Each Other
Matthew L. Jacobson - 2014
What does it take to have a great marriage? It's not all that complicated - just a whole lot of decisions that say, "I love you," rather than those that say, "I love me." This book provides suggestions that help demonstrate to your spouse that she is a cherished priority in your life.