Mostrando resultados por narrador "David Heath" en Todas las categorías

Much like the wisdom literature in the OT, James offers snippets of wisdom to Christians. The practical instruction he gives serves to motivate believers to be doers not just hearers of the word. His audience, Jewish Christians, is in the midst of social conflict in which they are seeking worldly advice instead of pursuing God's way. James' letter should inspire Christians today to seek divine wisdom in all situations while translating one's faith into practice.

Ever since the nation's most important secret meeting - the Constitutional Convention - presidents have struggled to balance open, accountable government with necessary secrecy in military affairs and negotiations. For the first 120 years, a culture of open government persisted, but new threats and technology have long since shattered the old bargains. Today, presidents neither protect vital information nor provide the open debate Americans expect.

Just like in Galatians, Paul teaches the church in Colossae to beware of men who add unnecessary elements to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Anything added to the Gospel results in "no Gospel at all" (Gal. 1:7). The main reminder given in this book is that Jesus is king over all. This means that we must trust in him alone and not in "the tradition of men" (Col.2:8). Listen to Paul's letter to Colossae, and be reminded of the superiority of Jesus, who is our only hope.

The Church has always been in danger of “secret agents” who gain entry into the Christian community and thwart the Gospel, consequently leading believers astray. We see this in Jude’s letter as he tackles the same issues Peter did in his second letter. Unfortunately, believers in the Church are using God’s grace as a ticket to sin freely. The author insists that Christians must defend the true Gospel aggressively for the sake of the church’s well-being.

David is dead, and Solomon takes the throne. First Kings begins with a united kingdom and ends with division. This is a story of a monarchy's breakdown, but it is also a story of God's tireless desire to maintain a relationship with his people.

How Christ Came To Church is an enlivening spiritual autobiography that grew out of a beleaguered pastor's dream. This dream was the seminal event out of which blossomed a complete change in Gordon's approach to ministry and a vivid transformation in his parishioners.

A plumb line and a basket of ripe fruit: two things the prophet Amos sees in visions. But what could these things symbolize? Listen to Amos, a lowly shepherd, as he warns the wealthy and religious Israelites about their idolatry and injustice to the poor. Could God be giving this prophet signs of the coming judgment?

The biggest story of the election was how the media ignored the biggest story of the election.

Amid all the breathless coverage of a nonexistent war on women, there was little or no coverage of Obama's war on the economy - how, for instance, part-time work is replacing full-time work, how low-wage jobs are replacing high-wage ones, how for Americans between the ages of 25 and 54 there are fewer jobs today than there were when the recession officially ended in 2009, and fewer, in fact, than at any time since mid-1997.

Salvation from the Lord has no barriers. The prophet Zechariah teaches God’s people that the invitation of salvation goes out to all people, regardless of their nationalities. In this book the prophet foresees people from all over the world worshipping God. Listen to Zechariah as he scolds the people for their disobedience and tells of the future restoration of the faithful.

“God is light.” This means we can always count on him to overcome evil with good. Having assurance of our salvation in Christ equips us to stand firm in the face of evil. This letter points Christians back to the Gospel. “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.” It encourages believers to live obedient lives in light of the salvation they have in Christ.

The apostle Peter writes to churches pertaining to the false teachers and opposition among them. His letter is a reminder that God's grace is not only pardon but also power to live righteously in the face of opposition. Because we have the Holy Spirit, we can pursue holiness, bear fruit, and deny false teachers. Peter's exhortations are an encouragement to remain steadfast and firm in the faith.

Like many of us, the Thessalonians need to be reminded of the reality of Christ's second coming. In this book Paul encourages believers to look forward to the second coming as the final accomplishment of God's promise to save his people. In light of the Thessalonians' false sense of security, Paul addresses the timing of the second coming only by saying, "...the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night" (1 Thes. 5:2).

God’s providence always comes through, even in the worst of situations. This is something we learn in the life of Queen Esther. A woman of strength and humility, Queen Esther endures the struggles that come with living a life of obedience to God. She knows that God’s hand is on her and that his plans are not moved, not even by the actions of evil men.

In this issue of Christian History magazine the editors bring together a collection of articles that explore the depth of C. S. Lewis' robust personality. His loves, his contribution to analysis of historical literature, his friends, and his deep theological thought are all brought to light.

While there is suffering, evil, sickness, and death in this world, the book of Joel reminds us that we have an everlasting hope through it all. Joel warns the people of Judah as a horrifying locust plague has come upon them. He urges the people to repent and return to God, predicting that this is just the beginning of their judgment. Thankfully Joel's prophecies do not end there.

In light of Jesus' second coming, we should not be compelled to hide out until his return; rather, we should be actively participating in his restoration plan for the world as we wait in anticipation. Paul teaches the Thessalonians that the second coming should not paralyze believers from doing work for the kingdom. Instead it should motivate them to live in a way that is pleasing to God. We all have duties to complete before Jesus' return, so we should "...not grow weary in doing good" (2 Thes. 3:13).

After admonishing believers in Corinth for their sinful ways and abuse of grace, Paul writes a second letter, commending them for their positive response to his first letter. He expresses his joy in hearing that they've repented and embraced his teachings. Paul then goes on to encourage believers to "...take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). Listen as he reminds the church at Corinth that God has made them a new creation in Christ.

Giving practical advice for showing hospitality and having a charitable heart toward others, the Apostle John focuses on living life in a way that displays one's love for God. Another vital aspect of this book is John's warnings about false teachers. These individuals "have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist" (2 John 7).

Ken Gire, author of more than 20 books, offers a Christian perspective on the themes inherent in the popular dystopian series, The Hunger Games, written by Suzanne Collins. This audiobook is about the absence of God and the consequences of his absence in our individual lives and in the collective life of the state. And yet, the image of God still resides in us, offering hope. This audiobook offers us tools we’ll need as we prepare to face The Hunger Games to come in all of our lives.

The Gospel does not discriminate. We see this in Paul’s letter to Philemon as he asks him to take back his runaway slave, Onesimus, not as a slave but rather as a beloved brother in Christ. Onesimus ran away from his master, Philemon, and escaped to Rome. On his journey he ran into the Apostle Paul and became a Christian. In Paul’s letter to Philemon, it becomes evident that the Gospel can transform lives and unite two unexpected people as brothers.