Where’s God when times are hard? He’s winking to let us know He’s with us! Life is mysterious and cryptic. It defies explanation, especially in times of suffering and distress. We wonder, Where is God in all of this? He’s with us—and the Scriptures wink to show us His redemptive activity unfolding in our lives. In Winks from Scripture, Chris Palmer takes you through familiar New Testament stories and points out unfamiliar features that have the effect of a punchline. When the Scriptures wink, you’ll be surprised, delighted, and challenged not to give up hope. “Biblical stories are loaded with mystery,” Chris says. “That mystery keeps us asking questions about the story’s details. In doing so, little ironies and nuances emerge that we hadn’t seen before. This is God winking at us, letting us know He’s there, guiding our lives.” In Winks from Scripture, you will: • Come to embrace mystery • Learn how to appreciate uncertainty and integrate it into a vibrant life of faith • Discover how God triumphs over suffering • Observe how the New Testament writers understood the Old Testament through Jesus • Renew your hope in God’s beautiful plan of creation and redemption Guided by careful scholarship and heartfelt, pastoral reflection, these thirty studies offer a fresh perspective to the most difficult questions of the Christian faith, certain to bring comfort to your soul.
Imagine finding joy unspeakable through a simple hunt in the mountains. It is a beautiful, crisp late October morning. With shotgun in hand, Chris and his young Brittany bird dog, Maddie, head into the mountains. Maddie's excitement boils over as grouse season has finally begun after a long dry summer. The beauty of the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains and the vibrant autumn leaves teach us that there is an Almighty God who created all things. As we search the mind of our Creator, we see that he is a loving God who desires for all mankind to be saved--and has provided a way. While hunting truth, we find that personal relationship with Jesus Christ. As that relationship grows, we learn His plan and His purpose through nature and through the experiences along the way. These help us grow as Christians, and by knowing His will for our lives, we can find that unspeakable joy.
Some say there were two thieves crucified on Golgotha, but I believe there were Three . “Gutsy. Unexpected. Refreshing. Chris Durso explains the story of saving Grace in a language that both the world and the Church, sinners and so-called saints, can understand. The Heist walks us down the road with the prodigal son, inviting us to come home to the One who has a grace-party waiting. Fresh and accessible, I believe this book will help many live fully and freely in Jesus.” —Louie Giglio, pastor of Passion City Church, founder of Passion Conferences, author of Goliath Must Fall In the ultimate act of sacrifice, Jesus robbed the Enemy of every claim he ever had on our lives. He stole all our shame and guilt, and gave us back our lives so that we could live in true freedom. The real scandal of Jesus’ work on the cross is found not only in what it gives but also in what it steals. The Grace of God robs the enemy of his ability to shame us. It robs death of its sting. And it robs sin of its power to destroy. We’ve all felt the weight of shame and brokenness. Like the prodigal son, we’ve pursued our own path only to find ourselves far from home and out of options. We long for a fresh start, but what we need most is the ability to see ourselves through God’s eyes of grace. New York City pastor Chris Durso believes grace is the central message of all Scripture. While there have been some daring heists and cunning capers throughout history, this book is about the greatest heist the world has ever seen…a daring raid where God’s son took back what the enemy had stolen, freeing us from the power of shame, sin, and Satan. Through a fresh take on the parable of the prodigal son, and the fascinating account of a true modern day diamond heist, The Heist offers a bold invitation into God’s boundless grace.
The God of the universe has made you some big promises. He made them first in the Old Testament, and they remain at the core of his heart and have never changed. They're the key to your fulfillment and to his plans for you, both in this life and the life to come. God wants to rescue you from bondage. And he wants you to be a part of a family that is making a difference. This workbook, a companion to the Four Cups DVD Experience, invites you on an eight-week journey toward transformation. In the ancient celebration of Passover, we find a picture of God's heart for us in the four cups of wine, representing each of the core promises. Church of the Highlands pastor and New York Times bestselling author Chris Hodges reveals that, no matter where we are on our spiritual journey, these four cups of promise provide a simple, powerful, unforgettable way of reaching our potential and growing closer to God. Your thirst for more will finally be quenched--and you'll experience a wellspring of joy, hope, and purpose.
The Song of Solomon or "Song of Songs" is a story of intimacy between King Solomon and a Schulamite girl, his bride. It has also been interpreted by some to be an allegory of the love relationship between Christ and His Bride. However you choose to interpret this book, no one can deny the passion and intimacy that the king and his bride enjoy together. In the book Staircase to Transformation, we will take a journey with the Schulamite girl as her groom leads her into intimacy with him, and changes her into a strong woman of God. By following her journey, may your relationship with Christ become closer than ever, and may you be transformed into that woman of God you were created to be. Solomon 2:10 "Arise my darling, my beautiful one and come along." Chris Louer is a native born Californian who lives in Mission Viejo, California. Chris, a Bible teacher, received the Lord at the age of seven, and has been teaching and ministering to women for seventeen years. God's faithfulness to His Word is a reality to Chris and the gentle, practical way she encourages women, has won her the loving respect of women she has ministered to in Bible Studies, retreats and conferences, and individually over the past seventeen years. Chris and her husband Ron have been married for thirty-five years. They have two grown married daughters, Melissa and Adrianne, four grandchildren, as well as two godly son-in-laws, Shane and Aron. With boldness and practical teaching, Chris delivers the Word to this current generation, alerting the Body of Christ to what God requires to remain overcomers in these days.
In our hyper-virtual world, oozing with the effects of artificial intelligence, the very idea of a real God seems painfully antiquated. The only real gods are those we create, manipulate and control. These are the gods of our own making, made in our images as we supplant God with idols. The God of the Bible appears dead. And yet, for over 30 years I have encountered this seemingly imaginary God in a very intimate way. More specifically, my encounters with God have often been of a prophetic nature, yes, like in the Bible's old testament. These experiences were bewildering the first few years, but I became more accustomed as time passed. My experiences and understanding of them is accounted here in these pages. Before my time on earth was finished, these stories needed to be written down, and so they are here for your edification. Whether these accounts are believable or meaningful is at the discretion of the reader, for good or bad. My work was to finally bring them to bare, and in this effort my work is nearing complete. Death is our final event in life, and each of us must face it alone. If God does exist, will you be ready to speak to him face to face? Have you considered what's next? If you have never talked to God, please consider doing so, even for a moment. Perhaps, you might be surprised ... especially if he replies.
I truly believe that Christ's church is the hope of the world. For the sake of mankind, we've got to keep the lighthouses burning brightly." The church is in decline for the first time in America's history. For many reasons, fewer people walk through church doors and make meaningful connections. The church has lost its steam. If you have questions regarding what to do about this, Chris Sonksen-pastor and founder of ChurchBoom, an organization dedicated to church growth-has some answers. In his latest book, Traction, through the paradigm of a steam locomotive, you'll explore the importance of the following five facets affecting most churches today: ■ Engine: Growth Strategies ■ Fuel: Leadership and Finances ■ Tracks: Staying on Course ■ Conductor: The Essential Role of the Pastor ■ Cars: Alignment of Staff, Leaders, and the Congregation If barriers have left you feeling stuck, let Traction bring you up to speed, so you can gain momentum and smash through them. Get on board. The kingdom of God is too important to let things slide!
The Old Rugged Cross: The Timeless Symbol of Hope Discover the profound and timeless significance of the old rugged cross in this deeply moving and inspirational book, "The Old Rugged Cross: The Timeless Symbol of Hope." This compelling narrative takes you on an extraordinary journey from the dawn of humanity to the ultimate act of love and sacrifice on Calvary, revealing the powerful message of redemption that resonates through the ages. In this book, you will explore: The Dawn of Humanity and the Fall: Understand how sin entered the world through Adam and Eve and its far-reaching consequences. Atonement in the Old Testament: Discover the ancient practices of sacrifices and offerings and the sacred role of the high priest in seeking forgiveness and reconciliation with God. The Holy of Holies: Experience the awe and reverence of entering God's dwelling place, the Tabernacle and Temple, and the significance of the Day of Atonement. The Promise of Redemption: Delve into the prophecies of the Messiah, the suffering servant as envisioned by Isaiah, and the powerful call of John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus. Jesus Christ: The Ultimate Sacrifice: Relive the birth, ministry, miracles, and the passionate journey of Jesus from Gethsemane to Golgotha. The Crucifixion: Walk the road to Calvary with Jesus, feel the agony of His sacrifice, and understand the moment of atonement that changed the world forever. Resurrection and Reconciliation: Celebrate the triumph of the empty tomb, the affirming appearances of the risen Christ, and the profound meaning of the cross for our reconciliation with God. Living in the Light of the Cross: Embrace the transformative power of forgiveness, integrate the cross into your daily life, and join the mission of spreading the good news. The Old Rugged Cross in Hymns and Culture: Learn the story behind the beloved hymn by George Bennard, explore the cross's role in Christian worship and its cultural impact worldwide. In "The Old Rugged Cross: The Timeless Symbol of Hope," Chris weaves biblical insights, historical context, and personal reflections to create a deeply enriching and heartfelt exploration of the cross. This book is a testament to the enduring power of the cross to bring hope, healing, and transformation to our lives. Join us on this extraordinary journey and let the old rugged cross inspire and uplift your soul. Embrace its message of love and redemption, and let it guide you to a deeper, more meaningful faith. Perfect for personal reflection, group study, or as a gift to a loved one, "The Old Rugged Cross: The Timeless Symbol of Hope" will touch your heart and renew your spirit. Discover the hope that only the cross can bring-order your copy today and be transformed by its timeless message.
God often chooses unsuspecting heroes and writes unlikely endings to his stories. Many of the characters in the Bible are even unnamed, yet their adventures reveal the kind of lasting impact that God intends each of us to have. If you have the eyes of faith to see and the courage to act, you can join God's roster of unforgettable heroes. This study guide allows for a more in-depth look at the invitation to take part in the adventure God is writing. * Discussion guide for Unnamed (978-0-7847-7439-7) * Each session parallels a chapter from Unnamed and will encourage you to do the heroic even when you're unexpected, unclean, unpolished, unworthy, underestimated, uncertain, unnoticed, or unranked * Ideal for home small groups, adult Bible fellowships, Sunday school classes, and book clubs
Moments of decision. Your life is full of them. They can be as intense as a cruciblea vessel in a refining fire, a place where precious substances are tested, purified, and strengthened. When the heat is turned up, impurities rise to the surface and elements change. And one thing is for certain: nothing comes out of the crucible the same as it went in. That's a picture of the process God uses in our lives. When the heat is on, whatever is in our hearts rises to the surface. What decisions will we make? What kind of character develops within us? How will we respond to the pressure? The answers to these questions will profoundly shape our future.This study explores the answers to those questions in the life of David. The shepherd-turned-king, the "man after God's own heart," faced a series of crucible moments that both reflected his heart and formed it, and he altered the course of history. God's methods worked then, and they work in your life too. The choices you make in your crucible moments matter. And they will change your life forever.
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