Search

God's strength can win back your freedom, your life, and bring you everyday peace. Full of biblical and theological truths, Kirby Kelly encourages and empowers us to end addiction of sin through the practical and authentic battle advice of God's Word. Overcome recurring sin, break generational habits and cycles, and win back your life through the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ.Tired of the same cycle over and over again? Of the endless spirals of self-destructive sin? In You Can Be Free, discover a real-life battle plan to break the spiritual bondage of habitual sin.You're not alone. So many Christians are desperate to find a way to overcome recurring sin in their lives, a dominating factor when it comes to coping mechanisms in today's society. Kirby Kelly has been there, and she's created a battle plan to help others break free from unhealthy thoughts, behaviors, and cycles to find God's actual peace in their lives.Leading from the front, Kelly offers her own story first and shares biblical strategies to:Connect and confessStay in boundsKnow your enemyKnow your GodKnow yourself Set your green and red light zonesTurn around and come homeMakeover your mind Kirby Kelly offers practical, tactical advice to the questions: How does one break, and stay, free? And how does one truly overcome what they thought they broke free from, only to see its disappointing return in their life? Through theology, hope, and God's guidance, there is a way to become vulnerable with your community, grow spiritually and personally, and welcome God's promise of freedom.

ECPA BestsellerThe peace we long for begins with coming to the end of ourselves. There are inescapable aspects of life we are all marked by. We have less control than we want, more anxiety than we're comfortable with and just enough insecurity to continually remind us of our shortcomings. To experience these things is to be human. We aren't superheroes and invincibility isn't an option.But humility is.Whether we've incorrectly defined it or underestimated its relevance to our daily life, humility is the missing piece for the security, strength and confidence we all want. It's time to stop trying so hard to avoid our limitations or overcompensate for them. God has better for us and it begins with bowing low in humility.With relatable stories, practical wisdom and biblical theology broken down into digestible takeaways, The Hidden Peace by Dr. Joel Muddamalle will help you:Overcome the fear of being'found out'or looking like a fraud by realizing God's intent for shortcomings and weaknesses.Walk through hurtful situations in the most God-honoring way by gaining a true understanding of biblical humility.Answer the question'why do bad things happen to good people?'by learning a perspective shift that will change how you process suffering.Know confidently that you're living with purpose and being used by God through seven ways to practically live like Him today.Be led by the biblical definition of self-awareness so you can experience the unexpected ways it brings safety and security to your life.Stop believing the lie that theology is out of touch or too difficult to comprehend as Joel shows you how to dig into scripture and study it yourself. Weakness is not your enemy. Planted in the soil of humility, weakness becomes a means to gaining more strength and more peace.

'Quirky and inviting essays on what it means to live joyfully in a world full of'anger and anxiety'...This optimism booster has a light touch and a lasting impact.'—Publishers WeeklyAn essential companion to Brant Hansen's bestselling Unoffendable, this book is about one idea: a mindset of joy. In a modern culture filled with anxiety, depression, and societal clashes, it is not only possible to have a fulfilling, joyful life, but it's promised to all who follow Jesus. Life is hard, but God is good. And through Him we can start to see the world in a more childlike, humble, and optimistic way.Brant Hansen doesn't follow a success plan. He just keeps simply showing up and taking Jesus very seriously. And by taking Jesus seriously in all of life, he has become more joyful. More peaceful. And full of laughter. And that attitude is contagious to all who read his bestselling books and listen to his award-winning radio show.In?Life Is Hard, God Is Good, Let's Dance, Brant is at his best—sharing stories from around the world, as well as from his own heart and head, with a writing style that will likely make you laugh, cry, and rethink your outlook on life and the kingdom of God. Through his unique life experiences and extensive travels, you will see how God is moving through people all over the world and learn to:Retrain how you think about joy and be mindful of its positive impact in your lifeSee that it's possible to live joyfully in a world of anger and anxietyCompletely trust the character and promises of GodClaim the abundant life mentioned in John 10:10Live each day simply and with contagious faith and joy Brant says,'In this book, I want to take the format of Bob Goff's?Love Does?and mix it with my own strange experiences, in a way that I think Ted Lasso would be proud of.'Through short, energetic, captivating, and often humorous chapters, Brant's message will leave you with a renewed love for a simpler life that overflows with greater joy than you've ever experienced.

The story of Scripture is the story of God's family. That family, like ours today, has its share of hardships, moral failings, betrayals—and dramatic transformations. In Salvation Stories: Family, Failure, and God's Saving Work in Scripture, author Ryan Budd explores the profound humanity of Old Testament figures like Abraham, Jacob, Tobit, Judith, and more and shows how God made his merciful love evident in their sufferings and joy. What Salvation Stories reveals that the families in Scripture experienced all that we do. And just as God shaped their stories for his glory and their good, he does so for each of us.

In a world that screams Be Seen! Be Known! and often measures value by likes and shares and follows, it's easy to feel invisible, unheard, unloved. But God's Word offers a powerful and freeing counternarrative: true treasure is actually found in the'hidden'life of Christ.Somewhere along the way, we've confused our level of visibility with our value. We've mixed up fame with fruitfulness. We've equated exposure with excellence.But what if we stopped trying so hard to be seen, recognized, and affirmed by the world around us? What if there's a different way of living altogether?Seen, Secure, Free unpacks the great promise in Colossians 3:3:'Your life is hidden with Christ in God'and reminds us that when God hides us in himself, he provides a non-negotiable, never-ending source of contentment, identity, and worth.Join Bible teacher Allison Allen as she explores the incredible power of hiddenness in nature, history, and Scripture, which will help you:Let go of the pressure to be recognized and praised by others;Release the resentment that comes from feeling unseen or misunderstood;Find contentment in a loving God who knows you deeply;Find security in a powerful God who establishes your identity, worth, and purpose;Reset your motivations and goals to align with his kingdom; andFeel freed to pursue new adventures with Jesus No more striving to be seen or wondering if you matter; no more pressure to perform or be visible to the world. Instead, rest assured that God truly sees, knows, and loves you more than any person ever could. And let him lead you into the freedom, joy, and transformative power of a life hidden in him.

Why is it that when the lights go off our minds start racing? We stew over what we could have done differently that day. We think about details we're afraid we'll forget in the morning. And most of all, we worry. Small anxieties as well as huge fears come alive when we're exhausted and trying to sleep. This 100-day devotional will put your anxieties in their place and bring peace to your soul.In this unique evening devotional, bestselling author Emily Ley shares her own stories and struggles, invites you into contemplation, and brings you back to the unchanging comfort found in the Bible.Near in the Night includes practical ideas to make your evenings calmer along with pages for taking notes, making lists (so you can stop thinking about those to-dos!), and journaling your personal reflections. Each of the 100 devotions will help you:Turn off your worries and regrets at nightRemember God's goodness in an uncertain worldDevelop a grace-filled evening routine so you can sleep well and wake up refreshed for the day aheadThis devotional is perfect for:Anyone looking for uplifting biblical readings for those stress-filled evening hoursFans of Emily and her Simplified brandChristmas, New Year's, Mother's Day, birthdays, and graduationPairing biblical wisdom with Emily's simplicity expertise, Near in the Night reminds us that God is always faithful and ever near, even in the darkest of nights.Look for Emily's companion 100-day morning devotional, Sure as the Sunrise.

Do you struggle to discern God's voice in the decisions and challenges you face? God is always speaking--the key is discovering the unique way He speaks to each of us, which is your unique prophetic personality.Hearing God's voice is one of the greatest gifts we've been given, but it can also feel complex and frustrating. As a teenager, Havilah Cunnington didn't think she could hear God's voice, thinking it was like trying to tune into a radio station and never finding the correct frequency. But one night at a conference, she had an encounter with God that changed everything. She realized He had been speaking to her the whole time--she just hadn't learned to recognize His voice.Now an author, speaker, pastor, and founder of the well-known ministry Truth to Table, Havilah teaches people around the world to recognize the unique way God is speaking to them. After more than twenty-five years studying and teaching about hearing from God, she has discovered four distinct ways we hear His voice. In Created to Hear God you will:identify your unique prophetic personality: Hearer, Knower, Feeler, or Seer;learn the core concepts of a prophetic personality;discover how to strengthen and develop that personality;uncover a relationship with God that has felt hidden for so long; andlearn how God speaks to your family and friends God is alive and well. It's not about Him speaking but us listening. Through biblical teaching and experience, you'll receive guidance in hearing and connecting with God. If you love tools like the Enneagram, join the thousands who have already gained a deeper understanding of themselves and others through learning their unique prophetic personality.

This wasn't part of the plan. The story wasn't supposed to go this way. I didn't sign up for this. If you've ever had these thoughts, chances are that your story has shifted in some unexpected way. Perhaps it's even turned totally upside down, and you're wondering how in the world to move forward. You're not alone. As author Sarah Frazer journeys with you through the story of Moses, you'll find that even a hero of God's people faced all sorts of confusing and painful plot twists too. Moses didn't settle in the Promised Land, but He met the Lord of Promise. His legacy reminds us that even with a life crushed with disappointment, God's plan goes forth, God's presence provides, God's promises are personal, and God's purpose is never thwarted. As you journey through his life in these pages, you'll discover: how life's plot twists and interruptions are actually the ways God is working how God uses the darkest circumstances to proclaim His sovereign goodness how to number your days rightly, recognize God's hand in each branch of your path, and cultivate a heart of wisdom and trust how to say goodbye to disillusionment and instead invite God's plan, presence, promises, and purpose back into your heart Friend, let God pick you up and show you how to grow through whatever detour, setback, heartache, or disappointment life has thrown at you. Like Moses, you may not have signed up for the path you're on, but God can—and will—see you through it.

On the third day, he rose again.The Leader Guide contains everything needed to guide a group through the six-week study, including session plans, activities, discussion questions, and multiple format options. In The Third Day: Living the Resurrection, Tom Berlin uses his gifts of storytelling and understanding the Scriptures to connect the reader to the experiences of several individuals around Jesus in his final days, focusing on new life and redemption rather than loss.Join Peter, Mary Magdalene, and Thomas as they feel the despair of losing Jesus and the surprise and joy that awaits them in the resurrection. This study traces events around these characters, along with Paul and the disciples at Emmaus, and how the resurrection transforms their lives.Additional components include the book, The Third Day: Living the Resurrection, and video teaching sessions featuring Tom(with closed captioning).

On the third day, he rose again.In The Third Day: Living the Resurrection, Tom Berlin uses his gifts of storytelling and understanding the Scriptures to connect the reader to the experiences of several individuals around Jesus in his final days, focusing on new life and redemption rather than loss.Join Peter, Mary Magdalene, and Thomas as they feel the despair of losing Jesus and the surprise and joy that awaits them in the resurrection. This study traces events around these characters, along with Paul and the disciples at Emmaus, and how the resurrection transforms their lives.The book can be read alone or used for a six-week group study and church-wide Lenten program. Components include a comprehensive Leader Guide and video teaching sessions featuring Tom (with closed captioning).

Do you feel like your life these days is basically just carting your people everywhere? Are your mornings filled with horns blaring, cars speeding, and pressure mounting to get out of the house and to the front of the car line on time? Does your blood pressure rise as you fear the inevitable explosion from one of your kids over the wrong breakfast food or forgotten homework assignment? And on the other end of your day, do you find that the afternoon is filled with waiting, at a snail's pace, for the day to conclude? Caris Snider gets it. Whether it's waiting in the car line or waiting for the afternoon to finally end, she knows that those moments of pausing are sacred for a busy mama like you. In those precious moments, Caris has learned that she has a choice to move toward things that induce anxiety for the rest of her day, or instead, move toward God's Word, which floods her with encouragement. In Car Line Mom devotional, she offers you that very same encouragement with 100 fun, warm, and on-the-go devotions that remind you of God's love, energizing you for the many stops ahead in your journey for the day. As you take in each day's devotion, and enjoy relatable stories, life-giving passages of Scripture, and daily action steps, too. You have to get your people everywhere—that's not changing any time soon. But in the waiting moments, discover the joy available to you if you take back your time and soak in God's favor and grace, day by day, stop by stop!

What if that hard thing you're going through is not happening to you but for you?You've tried it all—saying the right words and prayers, reading the right Bible verses—but nothing seems to work. What do you do when your faith doesn't seem to be “working” anymore?Ashley Morgan Jackson is no stranger to this kind of spiritual exhaustion and discouragement. Much like the biblical character Jacob, Ashley wrestled with God, trying desperately to keep trusting Him despite her pain. It was here she found that sometimes God requires us to hold on to Him so we can let go of everything holding us back.Rich with biblical encouragement, personal story, and practical application, Tired of Trying is an invitation to wrestle—and face God in your greatest fears, pains, and unanswered questions. You'll learn to:break out of the cycle of frustration by saying yes to wrestling;identify the lies you are believing about God, yourself, and your circumstances and replace them with truth;shift your perspective so you can choose faith, persevere, and discover God's purpose for you.Choosing to wrestle isn't easy or quick—but it does have purpose. What seemingly tears us down may be an opportunity to grow. God is good at redeeming heartache. When we reach the place where the only choice is to run to God or run from Him, we can hold tight... because transformation and blessing will come.

“Greg Pruett is a man of absolute integrity and faith; a modern-day Elijah.... His passion is contagious. You will love his heart, his words, and his wisdom.”—Max LucadoWhat if you could hear God speaking? What difference would that make in your life?You don't have to wonder if God still speaks. He reveals Himself to everyone, without exception. The difference between God's people and all other people scattered over the face of the earth is this: When God speaks, His people listen.Join Greg Pruett as he teaches you how to develop extraordinary hearing—discernible guidance from God in your day-to-day life, based on the leading of the Holy Spirit within you. He'll offer answers to your questions about prayer and discernment, such as:How can I tell if it's really God speaking?Does God still communicate with us the way He did with people in the Bible?How can I hear Him more clearly when I pray? What can I do to learn to listen?Extraordinary Hearing gives practical, biblical insights on how to pray and how to hear from God that will help unleash the power of prayer in your life.

Have you ever been surprised or confused by what God did in your life or someone else's? Did you expect God to act one way and then he did something entirely different? Have you ever prayed and asked God to do one thing but he did something entirely different? Have you ever made great sacrifices for God and then he chose not to bless your efforts? If so, the reason may be that you are unfamiliar with the ways of God. God's ways are vastly different from ours. We will be constantly disappointed if we assume God will act the same way we would. The problem with the Church, at times, is that it tries to do God's work, the world's way. However, with God, how you do something is as important as what you do. If you intend to be a growing, fruitful disciple of Jesus, you must learn the ways of God. Bestselling author Henry Blackaby along with Roy Edgemon originally wrote a book on this crucial subject. Now, Henry's son Richard has produced a fresh, practical, and expansive treatment of these powerful truths. How do mere mortals relate to and understand a God who is spirit and infinitely greater, wiser, and holier than they are? How do we related to someone who has existed for eternity and who knows what lies ahead for all eternity to come? Blackaby identifies God's ways and examines how they differ from ours. He also provides practical guidance so God's ways can become ours. Do you want God to bless your efforts and to receive glory from your life? Learn to live your life according to the ways of God. If you do, you may well be swept up into the eternal purposes of almighty God.

Live full of faith through hard timesDo you ever feel like you can't take one more thing? You're on the edge. Your nerves are shot. Your mind is done. Your body is tired, and your emotions are a mess. If you could gather yourself for even a moment you might explode at the reality of all you've been through. In the face of the fears, frustrations, and failures of this world, we have a choice. We can sit and stare at the life we live and hope something changes. Or we can rise up and walk in faith.In this Bible study, author and speaker Micah Maddox walks you through the book of James and compares the teaching of James with what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew and the wisdom of Solomon we find in Proverbs. When we discover the themes of what a faith-filled life looked like before, during, and after the time of Christ, we see how Scripture points us to honor God in an active life of faith.This five-week study will help you to:Revisit the foundation of your faithLook to God first in hard situationsDiscover faith isn't a list of do's and don'tsMove from a place of struggle to a place of comfortGain a fresh perspective on how to live full of faith when feeling tired and testedIncludes historical and biblical background insight and questions for reflection.InScribed is a collection of studies that lead women to not just survive but thrive by encouraging them to immerse themselves in the Word of God.

Walking in Faith…even when times are tough.In Thrive, author and teacher Jen Cowart helps women develop the habits and attitudes necessary to thrive, whatever their circumstances. Leading readers through the Book of James, a letter written about enduring hardships, she lifts up six characteristics of mature Christians. From endurance and humility to controlling our words, Jen helps participants find the divine and the practical in living faithfully.Jen's teaching has inspired thousands of women across the country. Her authenticity inspires others to open their hearts and minds. One reviewer wrote, “Her ‘realness'and her vulnerability just work together to open your heart to dig deeper and deeper.”Through this study, women will find inspiration and tools around six traits:Endurance – Embracing obstacles as a means to maturity.Wisdom – Using a heavenly perspective on earthly issues.Action – Living a life where actions match faith.Control – Taming the tongue.Humility – Developing the attitude of Christ.Prayer – Exercising the power tool of the faith.The Leader Guide contains everything needed to guide a group through the six-week study, including session plans, activities, discussion questions, and multiple format options.Additional components for this six-week Bible study, each available separately, are a Leader Guide and six video sessions, 8 to 13 minutes long (with closed captioning).

You're only stuck if you stop moving. Pain and regret can hold us captive. Our past mistakes and trauma tell us to blame others, feel ashamed, or turn to a temporary fix that often becomes a permanent escape. By the time Satan whispers we need to dress it up and call it home, pain is our new normal.Pastor and motivational speaker Real Talk Kim has a message for us: the pain might not be our fault, but the healing is our responsibility. In You Gotta Get Up, Pastor Kim reminds us as only she can that staying stuck requires as much energy as moving forward. She explains how to get up andfigure out what needs to change in your life.unpack the messed-up thinking that holds you back.replace destructive thoughts with God's truth.stop bleeding on people who didn't cut you.stand up just one more time than you fall down.What will you choose today? The effort to get moving or the effort to stay stuck? A powerful blend of biblical wisdom and a loving kick in the pants, You Gotta Get Up calls you to heal, let go, and get moving... because hope is never too far away.

‘A powerful defence of Christian orthodoxy, opening up its expansive, generous and life-giving vision.'ALISTER McGRATH‘Learned and wise, this is a book that achieves what even many Christians may find a startling feat: a demonstration that orthodoxy is far more radical & interesting a concept than heresy.'TOM HOLLAND‘Generous orthodoxy'is a liberating outlook that encourages the Church to embrace different traditions of belief, worship and prayer within a broad framework of Christian faith.But is it really possible to be both generous and orthodox?In Navigating a World of Grace, Graham Tomlin offers his own invigorating vision of a generous orthodoxy that is rooted in the creeds'description of a God who is, by nature, the essence of generous grace. Looking at the history of the church, he explores how orthodoxy can enrich and enhance our perception of the world. Rather than restricting us, it liberates us to be generous in our expressions of faith.This tantalizingly different theology, that brings together the best from every tradition, shows why orthodoxy is so important to the Christian faith – and how it can bring us together as a revitalized, unified and visionary Church.Accessible and insightful, Navigating a World of Grace acts as a companion volume to The Bond of Peace but can also be read by itself as an exploration and celebration how Christians of all denominations can show generosity and grace in embracing different traditions of worship while remaining united by a single orthodoxy of faith.Ideal reading for anyone wanting to understand the meaning of generous orthodoxy better or how we can engage with different parts of the church with grace, this is an encouraging and inspiring vision for the future of the church. Navigating a World of Grace challenges us to see that adopting an attitude of generosity towards other Christians and those outside the Christian faith is part of orthodoxy, and will result in a deeper, fuller experience of God than we can possibly imagine.

Family therapist Nicole Zasowski challenges you to let go of dwelling in your anxieties and fears and instead ask yourself the question: What if it's wonderful?These questions haunt many of us, leaving us sick with anxiety and frozen into inaction: what if my hope only leads to disappointment? What if I embrace joy only to have it ripped from my hands? What if my celebration is the cause of others'sadness? What if my joy takes me away from the God I knew so well in my pain? But these fears don't have to control your life.Author and marriage and family therapist Nicole Zasowski knows what it's like to suffer a blow that makes it difficult to look to the future. Despite the struggle, she found the courage to celebrate, and discovered that God is as present in our joy as He is in our pain.Yes, God's purpose for us is worked out in our struggles. But what if it is also worked out in our dreams and our delighted joy? In What If it's Wonderful? Nicole helps you:Overcome the fears that keep you from looking toward the future with joyLet go of the lies you've believed about happiness and embrace celebration as a part of spiritual growthApproach life with an expectant heart and courage to trust God's good giftsWith a psychological and spiritual case for celebrating, Nicole challenges you to let go of the habit of practicing disappointment and fully embrace joy, beckoning you to ask yourself a new question: What if it's wonderful?

How well do you know the Holy Spirit? How clearly do you hear His voice? How real is He in your everyday life?Bestselling author and creator of the Midnight Mom Devotional community Becky Thompson invites you into a closer relationship with the Holy Spirit by scripturally unpacking who he is and how he moves in and through the life of a believer.In God So Close, Thompson wants to lead you into a deeper understanding of the Holy Spirit so you can have a closer connection with God. Becky will help youexplore who the Holy Spirit is and why He is importantbecome aware of God moving around you and within youlearn how to listen for the prompting of the Holy Spiritdiscern when God is leading youLong gone are the days of believing that the Spirit of God only attends certain church services or speaks to or through particular people. God So Close shows you are a carrier of his Spirit and have been filled with his power and presence. It's for His glory that you've been given gifts to impact the world and reveal the message of Jesus.

More than a book, Raising Prayerful Kids is a tool parents can use to make prayer fit naturally into their daily routines without it feeling like a chore or a lecture. Relatable stories of the authors'successes and failures along with fun activities and games help parents turn everyday moments into faith-filled moments that are naturally filled with prayer.Praying with your kids can be connecting, fun, nonintimidating, and even life changing.Includes:Prayer gamesPrayer Activities

Richard H. Bliese draws on historic architecture of eight-sided churches to call attention to an important but often overlooked emphasis on the eighth day of creation. Early Christians were focused on God's new creation that began in Christ's resurrection on Sunday, the first day of the week. But these Christians understood resurrection as the continuation of God's creative and redemptive activity. So the first day of the week became the eighth day of creation, and therefore the day of resurrection work and time to join with Christ in transforming the world. Christian disciples do this work by living out their baptismal vocations, especially in their daily work and through their ethical economic choices.The author turns to Martin Luther and the Reformation to outline an evangelical spirituality that invested in people and their vocations as worker-priests. Daily life, work, and family were underscored as the place where discipleship came alive. Bliese describes this as an architectural'design'for faithful living. He further draws on parts of Luther's Small Catechism (Ten Commandments, Apostles'Creed, and Lord's Prayer) as keys to this evangelical design. Five additional architectural designs for eighth-day disciples are included.The final chapter describes how eighth-day disciples are called to live by faith in freedom and responsibility. Making disciples today needs to revolve around a gospel story that links one's personal faith with one's work and economic life. Such faith gives us ears to hear God's unfolding drama and eyes to see the needs of the neighbor.The book includes a study guide for personal reflection and group conversation.

Heart Happy: Staying Centered in God's Love Through Chaotic Circumstances takes readers on a journey to discover where their true strength, peace, and joy come from—the Lord—no matter what life offers up. Tricia Goyer—author, podcast host, volunteer, homeschooling mom of ten children, and caregiver to her grandma—understands what it's like to be pulled in different directions with the longing and intention to do all things well. In the midst of chaotic circumstances (which all of us face), she's found uncomplicated but effective practices for nourishing the soul—because everything stems from the heart. This hope-filled guide will inspire you to stay tethered to the Lover of your soul. By taking time to make your heart happy in the Lord, you'll grow closer to the Heavenly Father, fostering true transformation from the inside out. Heart Happy will help you discover the beautiful life you've always hoped for through a connection with God that never seemed possible … until now.

Conflict is inevitable, but how we react to that conflict directly impacts our relationships. In Don't Take the Bait to Escalate, readers will be given tools to help them understand the types of reactions that can fan the flames of a problem and those that will lead to restoration. Rooted in scripture, the reader will discover the impact conflict has upon relationships with family members, colleagues, friends, neighbors, and social media followers, and what you can do to restore any damage that may already have occurred. This book is a must-read in our cancel culture society, where conflict is the name of the game.

Who Is the Holy Spirit—and Why Do You Need Him in Your Life? After His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus gave His disciples an assignment to change the world—but told them to wait until the power of the Holy Spirit had come upon them before setting out. His charge to modern-day believers is no different: To do the works that Jesus did (and even greater ones, as He said), it is imperative that we operate from the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.But Who is this mysterious Third Person of the Trinity? How do we get this power, and what are we to do with it when we receive it?Pat Robertson, founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network and beloved longtime host of The 700 Club, tackles these questions and many others in this, the final book of a life that is now in its ninth decade. Robertson traces the path of the Holy Spirit through both the Old and New Testaments, and shares stories from his own life and that of many 700 Club viewers testifying to how the power of the Holy Spirit has miraculously freed and healed them today.If you want a better understanding of the Holy Spirit and are hungry to know more about the power that is available through Him to every Christfollower today, this book is for you.

Why does it so often feel like Christians can't talk about the real, hard stuff in life? We know our lives should reflect Jesus; what He did and said, and how He interacted with others. But if we're being honest, there are days when we face tough, confusing things that can make us feel, well, very not like Jesus. As our culture moves further from truth and grace, Christians are burned-out, isolated, and unsure of where to turn for sound biblical advice that applies to their everyday struggles. If you've ever felt this way or wished someone would talk about things like forgiveness, mental health, broken friendships, redirected dreams, sex, facts versus feelings, church hurt, rest, weakness, healing, and more in honest, down-to-earth terms while sticking to what Scripture has to say about them, you've come to the right place. Confessions of a Crappy Christian is for you if youhave ever thought you're too messed up for churchfeel exhausted and alone in your strugglesthink you need to complete a checklist before God will love youneed a friend who cares about you too much to let you stay stuckWith honesty and vulnerability, Blake Guichet, host of the popular podcast Confessions of a Crappy Christian, helps us embrace the truth that we can't do it all perfectly and gives us the wisdom, guidance, and hope to move from “crappy” Christian into a freer and fuller walk with Christ.

How long will you limp through life before deciding it's worth the discomfort and outright pain to heal the way Jesus intended you to heal?After a childhood marked by abuse and dysfunction, Penny Maxwell knows how challenging the journey to healing can be. Healing hurts, and Maxwell knows how enticing it is to walk with wounds and dysfunction rather than endure the pain it takes to truly be free. In Setting Broken Bones, Maxwell shares hard truths she learned through her own healing journey and challenges readers to trust God with their hurts. Using the analogy of a person walking around with broken physical bones that never healed properly, Maxwell confronts readers with the truth: we can either walk around in pain with bones that were never healed or experience temporary pain to have them set properly so healing can occur. Sharing from her personal story, Maxwell provides: Powerful teachings from God's WordPractical ways to walk free from a painful past no matter what your personal struggles have beenGuidance to face the pain you've been hiding to experience healing and freedom Sometimes Christians wrap bandages around their pain with more church, more good works, more Bible reading plans, and other seemingly spiritual activities to distract themselves from the pain. This book will help you face the pain you have been hiding from so it can be healed once and for all. Whether you have come from a painful past yourself, have a loved one who is still trapped in that pain, or desire to minister to people who are on the path to healing from pain, this book will reveal God's heart toward that pain, and show you how He will heal it when you surrender it to Him.This book will help you find healing from past pain rather than focusing on blame, becoming bitter, and asking why. You will lean into God to gather strength and healing so that you can minister freedom to others who have faced pain themselves.

We are living in challenging times. And it is easy to escape, pine for the'good old days,'or unrealistically dream our way into the future. Instead, we are invited, in this book, to face our troubled world, to identify our inner struggles of faith, and to voice our anxieties and pain. And most importantly we are invited to wrestle with the God who so often seems absent. Living with a fragile hope, we are called by the gospel to nurture an inner life that responds with faith and courage to the brokenness of our world and the woundedness of our inner being.

Growing in our ability to have a conscious awareness of God's presence with us in the midst of our busy and over-stimulated world is a key to our spiritual health and emotional well-being. Practicing the Ordinary Supernatural Presence of God helps us to do exactly that--by enriching our devotional lives with a richer and deeper biblical theology based on key biblical texts such as Acts 2, John 17, and Matthew 28, and crucial biblical doctrines such as the Trinity, Union with Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

For anyone who is lonely or struggling with anxiety in times of uncertainty, find comfort in knowing that you are deeply loved by God. In God Has Not Forgotten You, New York Times bestselling author Dr. David Jeremiah will help you navigate the uncertainties of the present while embracing God's promises for the future. This book invites you to experience the transforming power of God's Word that will help you:Trust God in uncertain and challenging timesKnow God is at work even when you can't see itDeal with confusing or disappointing circumstancesThe embellished cover design, presentation page, and a ribbon marker make this a thoughtful gift for:Someone who is experiencing a challenging seasonAnyone wanting to grow closer to God and trust in His greater planGod Has Not Forgotten You is the perfect reminder that you are not alone and that God is working all things together for your good.

At the very beginning of the Gospels, Jesus calls us to a radical new way of life, saying: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mk 1:15). The word “repent” in Greek is metanoia — but the original Greek word means much more than just repentance. It means to change, to turn, to think differently. Metanoia is not a one-time event but a process, and as Christians we are called to live a life of metanoia. Living Metanoia explores what this looks like in our daily lives, encouraging believers in all walks of life to go deeper in their relationship with Jesus. In his down-to-earth, approachable style, Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR, addresses basic topics such as who Jesus actually is (rather than who we think he is or who we want him to be); what we need to do in order to inherit eternal life; the reality of evil; and our daily call to a deeper commitment to Christ. Each chapter contains Sacred Scripture to give context and direction, along with reflection questions and a practical “metanoia moment” to help us live a life of change. We all need metanoia — over and over again. Realizing this should be a source of hope and encouragement, for only by living metanoia can we find true and lasting freedom and fulfillment in Jesus Christ. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR, is the president of Franciscan University of Steubenville. He has served for more than thirty years as a spiritual director, retreat leader, and formation director, and also served as the director of Franciscan Pathways. He is a well-known author, conference speaker, and pilgrimage leader. Fr. Pivonka is active in the charismatic renewal and serves on the board of Renewal Ministries.

Find hope and courage to keep moving forward as you learn to depend on God more each day.Today's worries and anxieties can seem overwhelming, but trusted pastor and New York Times bestselling author Max Lucado leads you to greater peace through this 365-day devotional of short, powerful readings and Scripture verses.No matter what happens in this ever-changing world, God invites us to count on him because he never changes. Each dated entry in You Can Count on God includes:an engaging devotion from Lucado with his trademark inspirational stylecomforting Scripture to bring us back to God's promisesencouragement to receive God's peace even in challenging circumstancesreminders of how God gives us courage to try new thingsstrength to make it through any trial we face. This year-long devotional is a perfect gift for men and women needing courage for a new season of life or anyone struggling with anxiety about the future. You Can Count on God calls you to know God on a deeper level as you remember his faithfulness through all generations.

Turn from fear and find peace with one of the most recognized figures in Christian history.Saint Francis of Assisi understood that the surest way for a person to turn from fear and find grace was to embrace a life filled with ordinary miracles. And for twenty-first century living, we can learn from the teachings of this beloved sainttofind a path where our faith is made tangible again and where we embrace listening and gentleness in the face of fear and uncertainty.From author and Saint Francis scholar Jon M. Sweeney comes Feed the Wolf, exploring fifteen spiritual practices from the essential wisdom of Saint Francis. Each lesson begins with an invitation to'embrace the wolf'--to consider another viewpoint, to befriend our fears, and to discover something new--and illustrates the ordinary miracles of Saint Francis's life, such as touch what is frightening; refuse power; have nothing to lose; spend time in the woods; pray with the moon; turn toward what's simple; and more. The nature of these ordinary miracles is that they can be repeated become spiritual practices that lead us toward peace.Allow the insights from the world's most popular saint to move into your heart, feet, mouth, and hands, and discover a peaceful path forward to navigate today's precarious times.

The Christian tradition offers a robust and compelling vision of what it is for human life to be lived well. Faith and Virtue Formation articulates various aspects of that vision in ways that will deepen understanding of the virtues and virtue formation. The collection considers the value of studying the vices for moral formation; the importance of emotion and agency in virtue formation; the connections between certain disabilities and virtue; the roles of divine grace, liturgy, worship, and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in Christian virtue formation; the formation of infused virtues, including the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love; the roles of friendship and the communal life of the Church in cultivating virtue; and new philosophical and theological reflections on some largely neglected virtues. Offering an interdisciplinary approach, the contributors draw on philosophical, theological, and biblical wisdom, along with insights from contemporary psychology and rich narrative examples, in aid of becoming good. By providing deeply insightful and edifying reflections on the prospects, processes, and practices of moral and spiritual formation, this volume demonstrates that moral philosophy not only illuminates, but it can also guide and inspire the formation of virtue.

No is not a four-letter word, but it certainly feels like one.It's one thing to feel God's love when life goes your way, but what happens to your faith when life doesn't go as you had planned?When prayers go unanswered and dreams unfulfilled?When the sick stay sick and the dead do not rise?When you're lost in the desert and the Promised Land seems like empty promise?When God says, “No,” how do you grapple with disappointment?Author Elizabeth Laing Thompson walks alongside readers as she tackles the difficulties that stymie our faith, stifle our prayers, and stunt our relationship with God. When God Says, “No” will help you to discover hope when life feels hopeless, good in what feels bad, and new dreams when old ones have died. This book is a fantastic reminder of Who is in charge—Who He is and how He works. How He loves us and why He limits us. The better we know Him, the more we understand that He says “No” to a few things, so He might say “Yes” to many more.

Parishes of all denominations are in decline, shrinking, closing, dying. We know that there are increasing numbers, young and older, who are religious'nones'and'dones.'This book explores why the decline is taking place, why the distancing is going on. But it goes on to examine parishes from all over the country and from various church bodies that are resurrecting. The central theme of death and resurrection shapes the analysis of parishes covered. Parishes are resurrecting by reinventing their ministries, by repurposing their building to better serve their neighborhoods, thus replanting and reconnecting with them. All of this is the Spirit's doing but through the community of sisters and brothers who make up each congregation of faith. Community as the core of church is the other reality shaping the book's reflection. And community, a parish being with those around, living for more than its own survival are visions for going forward. Other aspects of congregational life are also examined, most importantly the pastors--how they serve when budgets shrink, how they are trained, how pastors act with the community not above it. No recipes are suggested for parish resurrection, but the stories of the parishes that have revived bear within numerous lessons for us in the future.

‘Lessons I have Unlearned makes you feel like you are having a heart to heart with an old friend. Florence wades right into discussions about identity and spirituality, speaking to those inner voices which all of us battle, with clarity and fluency. I highly recommend this book for every person, because we all battle fears and insecurities. There are no easy answers, but this book is an encouragement that hope remains.'Selina Stone, Tutor and Lecturer in Political Theology at St Mellitus CollegeWe all have ideas about what we think life will be like - ideas we pick up from books, films, music videos, the adults around us, and even church. We think we have a roadmap that will guide us towards success. But it isn't long before life throws some curve-balls at us. Florence Gildea looks at a series of myths that we cannot help but absorb from films, fairytales, songs, and advertisements: that we get to call the shots and have control over how our lives turn out; that a happily ever after is within our reach. All the strategies we have learned to make ourselves safe, loveable, and successful will backfire. Life, it turns out, is found exactly where Jesus said it was: at the end of ourselves, at the foot of the cross.

Even after achieving our most lofty goals, we are sometimes left confused by the emptiness we feel. We check the boxes. We fill our calendars. We get the promotion. We buy the bigger house. Yet there is still an unquenchable longing deep within us. Simple Mercies: How the Works of Mercy Bring Peace and Fulfillment offers an alternative. You can be the person God created you to be by loving and serving others through the works of mercy. By doing so, we are assured the peace and fulfillment that doesn't come from the world, but from love of God and neighbor. With her accessible, everyday approach to life, writer, mom, and volunteer, Lara C. Patangan helps us realize that our everyday compassion makes a difference in exponential ways and that mercy always matters. Practicing mercy isn't a passive way of renewal; rather, engaging in transformative acts of service empowers us to fulfill our purpose to love and serve God, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Lara C. Patangan earned her undergraduate degree in public relations from the University of Florida. She has written for a variety of news publications and Catholic blogs. Previously she worked in fundraising for various nonprofits, including a domestic violence shelter, an AIDS service organization, and Children's Hospital of New Orleans. She lives in Jacksonville, Florida, with her husband and their two sons.

Even when circumstances feel wildly out of your control, you can make the decision each day to say yes to who God says you are in Him. This 52-week devotional from bestselling author Rebekah Lyons offers practical advice and spiritual wisdom to help you find renewed freedom in your daily rhythms as you intentionally focus on what God has for you in every moment of life.Rebekah found new freedom in discovering that yes in her own life as she and her husband made a cross-country move and adopted a child with Down syndrome. Along the way, she realized that when we say yes in even the small, ordinary moments of life, we experience renewed spiritual vitality for every aspect of God's calling. In A Surrendered Yes, Rebekah draws on biblical truths and her personal story to inspire you to:Say yes to God, yourself, and othersFind freedom from the approval of othersUse your time and energy to live a life of intentionPractice Sabbath to maintain your emotional, physical, and spiritual healthRelease control to find God's presence in play and laughterExperience the truth that God is enoughEach entry in this year-long devotional includes:A Bible verseA thoughtful devotion from RebekahA journal prompt to help you apply that week's theme in your daily lifeA Surrendered Yes features a beautiful cover design and includes a ribbon marker, making it an encouraging gift for a family member, friend, or yourself. Discover the delight of living from a place of freedom in your daily routines and lifelong dreams. Live with joy instead of regret. Freedom instead of fear. Rest instead of striving. Say yes.Look for additional inspirational books and resources from Rebekah Lyons:Rhythms of RenewalYou Are Free

The future of Christianity depends on how we master the art of understanding and giving grace.At the end of the twentieth century, Philip Yancey wrote his classic bestseller What's So Amazing About Grace? as a testament to the power of God's grace and as a rallying cry to the Christian church to see the acting out of grace as its single most important contribution to the world.Now, in this 6-session, video-based participant's guide (DVD/video streaming sold separately), Yancey reexamines—with fresh material and new stories—the scandalous power of grace so that groups and individuals can reflect upon, share, and extend this amazing gift of Christ in new and transformative ways.In this study, you'll discover:The extent of God's love and what it means for us.Why the church seems to have lost the gift of grace-giving and why the world apart from the church can't offer it at all.What it would look like for us to truly understand, receive, and give the gift that God gives so generously to us.Yancey offers compelling and true portraits of grace's life-changing power. He searches for its presence in his own life and in the church. He asks how Christians today can contend graciously with moral issues that threaten all they hold dear. And he challenges each of us to become living answers to a world that desperately wants to know,'what's so amazing about grace?'

My Theology: The world's leading Christian thinkers explain some of the principal tenets of their theological beliefs. ‘In one's encounters with the spectres of God one can become at peace with limitation, precariousness, lack of certainty, and one's fragility and fractures,'writes Rachel Mann. ‘Equally, one can find in divine fragility the hope of the world.'In three chapters – on the body, on love, and on time – Mann explores how God invites us to live in a rich three-dimensional mystery which subverts the mundane experiences of modern life and reveals a world rich with purpose at every point. To be human, she explains, holds together the truths that we are made in blessing, live in complexity, and called into promise.

We all face stress and tension in our daily lives. We might even wonder why our God of abundant goodness doesn't remove the everyday struggles we face. Jesus'interactions with Martha and Mary in the Gospel provide us the key to understanding how God shows us his love by allowing tensions in our lives. As we follow the sisters'transformative journeys through their own struggles, reflecting on what transpires between Scripture verses, we see their initial tension become the catalyst that drives both Mary and Martha to the feet of Jesus — the place where all discover peace. Grace in Tension explores the areas where stress arises in our own lives. Each chapter ends with a thought-provoking prayer to inspire us to go to God with our problems, followed by questions for reflection to help us see all the ways he's working for our good. God doesn't create any of it, but he does show up amid life's difficulties, ready to lead us through. No matter how big or small our struggle, when we seek him out, he reveals what we need to do to resolve our tension, transforming it into grace. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Claire McGarry is the founder of MOSAIC of Faith, a ministry for mothers of infants to school-aged children to explore their faith through motherhood. She contributes regularly to CatholicMom.com and blogs at ShiftingMyPerspective.com. She is the author of Lenten devotional With Our Savior, and her work has appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul, Keys for Kids, These Days, and Focus on the Family magazine. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband and three children.

A 40-day journey to calm your restless, anxious thoughts and listen for the voice of Jesus.In the stress, noise, and activity of modern life, there is a way of finding inner peace and contentment. In the Presence of Jesus will help you learn to quiet your mind and focus your attention on the grace and love that is only available in God's presence. Deeply faithful to Scripture and infused with the truth of Christ's unwavering love on every page, In the Presence of Jesus is an easy-to-understand, step-by-step, daily guide that will empower you to transfer the truth of His everlasting love for you from your head to your heart. This 40-day journey will help you focus on the character of Jesus and open your spirit to His presence in your life.Every day, you'll experience:an invocation welcoming Christ's presence into your devotional timea personal note as if it were written by Jesus to you, drawn carefully from Scripture and opening your heart to the grace of ChristBible verses to meditate ondaily prayers, reflection activities, and blessings to help you focus on Christ's presence with you throughout your day.Awaken moment by moment to the presence of a loving God—and find peace for your mind and soul.

What does it mean to be a disciple? The call of discipleship is more than programs and Bible study. In King Jesus and the Beauty of Obedience-Based Discipleship, David Young presents a bold call for obedience-based discipleship and argues that it alone is the proper response to the kingship of Jesus. Many have wrongly associated obedience with bad theology, believing that Jesus'demand for obedience is a form of works righteousness or legalism. Others simply don't like obedience and resist the demands Jesus makes in calling us to follow him.But if we surrender to the kingship of Jesus, we will find the life we were designed to live. We are accustomed to calling Jesus'Savior.'And we should. But until recently, many in the Western church have not learned to call Jesus'King.'The kingship of Jesus has implications for how we live. We can either rebel against him, raising puppet kings and constructing our own kingdoms, or we can submit to him in obedience-based discipleship. Could it be that you are still sitting on the throne of your life, treating King Jesus as a mere advisor? What would change in your life if you started treating Jesus as nothing short of your King?Young unpacks five principles for those who wish to follow Jesus as King.Surrender to the authority of King JesusEmbrace the mission of King JesusLive immersed in King JesusObey the teachings of King JesusBehold the presence of King JesusFollowing these five steps awakens us to a life truly worth living, a life of power, peace, beauty, and love. This is eternal life, that we would know and follow Jesus as King of the Universe, and king over our lives. After all, you don't merely believe in kings. You obey them.

God wants our days to be abundant and thriving! Learn to cultivate habits that produce prosperity and contentment in every area of life.What if you were immersed in a daily experience of prosperity—one that would give you hope and impact all of your life? It is likely you would receive God's blessings as never before. True prosperity goes beyond the area of finances. It is so much more than you ever imagined. The Ways of Prosperity will guide you to identify and engage with opportunities for prosperity in seven vital areas of life:RelationalSpiritualEmotional and Physical HealthFinancialProfessionalMindsetSocialThe Ways of Prosperity is a biblically based holistic guide to building a thriving life. Jeremy and Ally's powerful collaboration utilizes Jeremy's decade-long work with Christian authors and speakers and Ally's expertise in the field of psychology (she is scheduled to receive her doctorate in September 2020).Walk out your prosperous journey with teachings, prayers, reflections, and activations. This book will help you partner with the abundant life Jesus has made available for you.

Experience God through a Crisis—And through PrayerToday we are living through one of the most remarkable human crises in history. The COVID-19 pandemic has halted life as we know it and left us unable to imagine what life ahead may be like. In a time of such uncertainty, we must turn to the Lord for peace—we must turn to the Lord in prayer.How to Pray in a Crisis outlines how God can use a crisis to draw His people near to Him. This four-step guide will help you understand the nature of prayer and how it can lead to spiritual renewal in your life. Learn to pray with conviction, competency, community, and in a way that inspires others. Experience the power of God through life-transforming prayer that incites supernatural gospel impact on our world.

Creator, Father, King is a One Year devotional written to help teens learn more about God and see His love, His perfect character, and His eternal plan of redemption to reconcile lost sinners to Himself. Josh Cooley uses verses from all 66 books of the Bible to show how God can be found throughout Scripture.Each of the 365 devotions includes a “what does it mean” section, a “now what” section, and a “did you know” section. It gives practical ideas for spiritual growth, additional perspectives and background for each devotion, and a summary of how each devotion describes God.

Raising children is a sacred calling—and not for the faint of heart. It shapes the parent every bit as much as parents shape their children. In Devotions for Sacred Parenting, Gary Thomas, author of Sacred Parenting, delves deeper into the conversation and contemplates the soul-transforming journey of being a parent.Many books have been written about how to parent your children effectively, how to become a better parent, and how effective parenting produces better kids. Devotions for Sacred Parenting explores an entirely different reality: how parenting transforms you, the parent. It explores the spiritual dynamics of parenting and why caring for your children is such an effective discipline in shaping your soul and forming the character of Christ within you.With all new material, 52 devotions explore the spiritual dynamics of parenting. These life-related devotions are creative, fresh, and encouraging, inspiring mothers and fathers to look at parenting from a different perspective—as a holy and high calling from God, and as an opportunity to grow spiritually as you strive to raise godly children. Devotions for Sacred Parenting helps you understand how God is parenting you as you parent your children.

The 2014 Christianity Today Book Award of Merit Winner (Spirituality)'I am a recovering speed addict.'Beginning with this confession, pastor and spiritual director Alan Fadling describes his journey out of the fast lane and into the rhythms of Jesus. Following the framework of Jesus'earthly life, Fadling shows how the work of'unhurrying'ourselves is central to our spiritual development in pivotal areas such as resisting temptation, caring for others, praying, and making disciples.We are all called to do work, Fadling affirms, and productivity is not a sin—it is the attitudes behind our work that can be our undoing. So how do we find balance between our sense of calling and the call to rest? An Unhurried Life offers a way. This revised edition, now in hardcover, includes a new five-session group guide and appendix with suggestions for five-minute retreats.

A Grammar of Christian Faith is a two-volume set that aims to confront the widespread disarray in the language and practices of Christian faith today. As a'grammar,'it explains how Christian faith provides special ways of speaking and acting that make sense of human life by giving it meaning, practicality, and hope. It advances the thesis that learning how to speak Christian language in worship and life is crucial to learning how to be a Christian. Rather than supposing that Christian language and theology need continual updating in order to be relevant to the world, Jones urges the church to recover anew how Christian concepts and understanding are intended to form Christian life in all its rich depths. Construing theology as confessional theology in the context of the church, Jones understands the church as that liberative and redemptive community called into being by the Gospel of Jesus Christ to witness in word and deed the triune God for the benefit of the world. The full range of doctrinal themes that are deemed essential to the witness of the church are explored, including clear explanations of why they are essential and how they are to be understood. In pursuit of a truthful and beneficial witness of the church, the work centers on a trinitarian understanding of God, in which God freely and lovingly interacts with the world as Creator, Reconciler, and Redeemer. The work throughout affirms the belief that the gracious triune God is the Ultimate Companion who will redeem all creation.