God does most of the work required for our salvation, but one doctrine of theology, Sanctification, requires our input. Testing and Temptations is about the interplay our actions have in our own spiritual growth. This book explains the difference between trials and temptations and the role each plays in our Christian sanctification.

"DON'T read this book if you want to remain comfortable! Eric challenges us to consider what Biblical discipleship looks like based on what Jesus did. Eric writes this book with the integrity of a man who is not merely theorizing about the way things ought to be, rather he is describing what is actually happening as he builds Biblical disciples in the context of the inner city. This book is soundly Biblical, challenging and practical. This book is about building disciples not programs." Roger Hershey, Campus Crusade For Christ "It is a joy to highly commend to all Discipleship Defined, for it is exactly the prescription that is needed for the Church to regain much of our lost effectiveness. "Discipleship Defined" has carefully described, yet without programming it into a rigid system, how to go about this challenging task." Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., President Emeritus Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary "Eric Russ gives us some very straight forward thinking about discipleship, a topic widely misunderstood and undervalued. Moving away from piety-driven discipleship, Russ points us toward a holistic, Christ-centered way of following Jesus." Jonathan Dodson, Lead Pastor Austin City Life, Austin, TX. "Eric has a healthy obsession about strong discipleship, and it shows in a gracious way in this guidebook for muscular commitment. Can you be obsessed and still have a gracious spirit? Eric does, and so does this book!" Knute Larson, Senior Pastor The Chapel, Akron, OH (1983-2009) Eric Russ is lead pastor of Mack Avenue Community Church in Detroit, Michigan. He is married to Sara and has four children. For more information visit www.discipleshipdefined.com or www.mackave.com.

Although temptation is a common and well-acknowledged part of the human experience, few realize the truth behind temptation and fewer still know how to defeat it. Tempted and Tried will not reassure Christians by claiming that temptation is less powerful or less prevalent than it is; instead, it will prepare believers for battle by telling the truth about the cosmic war that is raging. Moore shows that the temptation of every Christian is part of a broader conspiracy against God, a conspiracy that confronts everyone who shares the flesh of Jesus through human birth and especially confronts those who share the Spirit of Christ through the new birth of redemption. Moore walks readers through the Devil's ancient strategies for temptation revealed in Jesus' wilderness testing. Moore considers how those strategies might appear in a contemporary context and points readers to a way of escape. Tempted and Tried will remind Christians that temptation must be understood in terms of warfare, encouraging them with the truth that victory has already been secured through the triumph of Christ.

If your influence only lasts as long as you do, you failed. This book will help you reach your full potential, inspire greatness in your spouse, children, and friends, and leave a legacy that lasts beyond your lifetime. True influence should increase through the lives of those you have poured into, even after you pass away. Our greatest example of this is Jesus. His followers did greater works after He left them. Jesus never wrote a book or traveled outside of Israel, but He was able to use a band of eleven followers to create the largest, most influential movement the world has ever seen. Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master. He had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher. He had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer. He had no army, yet kings feared Him. He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world. He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him. He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today. In The Jesus Principles, Joseph Mattera helps you unleash greatness in yourself, but even more importantly, in your circle of influence—your spouse, children, friends, and family. Following Jesus’ example, you will be empowered to leave a legacy of helping others fulfill their own potential so that after you have passed, you are still speaking! Become part of a great cloud of witnesses who help to unleash human potential in one another. The four Gospels are not only compilations of important moral and spiritual sayings, but they also contain principles that can enable us to move from potential to fulfillment of purpose.

Our America is one where many Christians do not live life like Christ nor do they read the Bible. The average American Christian is not engaged in service and gives less to the cause of Christ than they do for their entertainment. As part of the church, we need to be walking like Christ and encouraging others. Testing and Temptations will guide you through living for Christ in the midst of trials in your life. We all experience many trials that can be either tests or temptations, but little regard is ever given to what these words mean. Have you ever thought about the concepts behind testing and temptations or what role they may play in your life? While listening in on a sermon and constantly hearing the pastor fumble over test and tempt, the concept behind the book Testing and Temptations was born. In this book, we will examine the differences between tests and temptations and examine four key principles of Testing and Temptations: The Source of the Trial The Method the Trial Works in Us Where the Trial Leads Us The Intention behind the Trial Once we understand how Testing and Temptations are applied in our lives, we will be in a key position to understand how we can leverage our trials in order to grow closer to Christ. Thomas Murosky outlines simple steps to grow closer to God and live a more holy life, dedicated to the service of God.

“If I had my entire life to live over, I’d choose to be a preacher again. It’s been extremely rewarding and gratifying. But I could do ministry a lot better if given a second try. As I look back on my forty years at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY, I wish I had a mulligan. This book lists seven things I’d do differently and seven I’d do about the same. They are written in hopes they’ll be a source of encouragement for those growing weary and losing heart. I pray my observations will inspire others to conclude, ‘If he can do it, I can, too.’ In this book I share both the joys and sorrows of my ministry, both the successes and failures. I’m going to be as transparent as possible in hopes that it will encourage ministers to stand firm in the faith and be faithful unto death. If just one minister is motivated to pick up the sword of the Spirit and re-enter the battle, it will be well worth the effort.” — Bob Russell

God Wants to Help You Overcome Your Greatest Battle of All What we think and believe determines who we are. If that’s so, then why are we so insecure, defensive, lonely, empty, fearful, depressed, self-absorbed, dysfunctional, angry and confused? We are a mess. But that’s not what God has in mind for us. In fact, the Master has hope, strength, beauty, joy, love, creativity, freedom, power, peace, patience, goodness, laughter, organization, effectiveness and purpose for us. So, what went wrong? We lost our identity in our sin. We’ve become unanchored, tossed about on the sea of a million influences, none of which is our Master’s heart or mind. Between the world, the flesh and the devil, we don’t know what to think and therefore our lives are filled with hurt, pain and regret. Someone is running the show in our minds and it’s not us, at least not the real us, nor the real owner. Jesus is not okay with this. He died to save us from our sins and set us free. He made a way for our souls to be rescued from our enemies. He bought the territory of our minds and planted His flag of holy ground. It’s time for us to get angry enough to take back control of our minds, to master them and bring them back in alignment with the Master’s will. It’s time to return to The Master’s Mind.