The author of Desiring God reveals the biblical evidence to help us see and savor what the pleasures of God show us about Him. Includes a study guide for individual and small-group use. Isn’t it true—we really don’t know someone until we understand what makes that person happy? And so it is with God! What does bring delight to the happiest Being in the universe? John Piper writes, that it’s only when we know what makes God glad that we’ll know the greatness of His glory. Therefore, we must comprehend “the pleasures of God.” Unlike so much of what is written today, this is not a book about us. It is about the One we were made for—God Himself. In this theological masterpiece—chosen by World Magazine as one of the 20th Century’s top 100 books, John Piper reveals the biblical evidence to help us see and savor what the pleasures of God show us about Him. Then we will be able to drink deeply—and satisfyingly—from the only well that offers living water. What followers of Jesus need now, more than anything else, is to know and love—behold and embrace—the great, glorious, sovereign, happy God of the Bible. “This is a unique and precious book that everybody should read more than once.” —J.I. PACKER, Regent College, Vancouver, British Columbia

Profound reflections on the cross that help you to meditate on and marvel at the sacrificial love of Jesus. This book can be used as a devotional, especially during Lent and Easter. These profound reflections on the cross from David Mathis, author of The Christmas We Didn’t Expect, will help you to meditate on and marvel at Jesus’ life, sacrificial death, and spectacular resurrection-enabling you to treasure anew who Jesus is and what he has done. Many of us are so familiar with the Easter story that it becomes easy to miss subtle details and difficult to really enjoy its meaning. This book will help you to pause and marvel at Jesus, whose now-glorified wounds are a sign of his unfailing love and the decisive victory that he has won: “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5) This book can be used as a devotional. The chapters on Holy Week make it especially helpful during the Lent season and at Easter.

It's estimated that there's somewhere in the neighborhood of 2 billion Christians in the world. Yet Jesus tells us (chapter 13 of the book): "The way is narrow that leads to life, and only a few ever find it." {Matthew 7:14} Surely you must see that 2 billion is a far cry from "only a few." And surely we would all be wise to "examine ourselves" (2 Cor. 13:5) to see if we truly believe Jesus when He tells us, "the way is narrow that leads to life." He also tells us, "they that worship him must worship him in truth." John 4:24 (chapter 4 of the book). He at the same time warns us, through one of His prophets, "My people... refuse to stand up for truth." {Jeremiah 9:3 NLT} And I must tell you, that's still applies today: "A time is coming (that time is no longer coming, it's here) when people will no longer listen to right teaching... They will reject the truth." {2 Timothy 4:3, 4 NLT, NIV} And we must make absolutely certain we're not one of those "people that reject the truth." The book contains 20 chapters, each one based on a verse by Jesus. It's packed full of many wonderful Bible passages and it presents profoundly important truths in a clear, convincing, and simple manner.

You're not what you do. You're not what you have. You are not what others say about you. You are God's beloved. Are you ever concerned that you don’t deserve to love and be loved because you are continually having to prove yourself? In You Are Beloved, Bobby Schuller shows you how to let go of these fears and put your trust in the One who sees you for who you really are. Here is an easy to follow, proven path to personal dignity for all those who think they are not good enough no matter how much they achieve. This path is illuminated by the truths that it is not about what you accomplish, but what has already been accomplished for you; not about what you have, but what has already been provided; and not about who others say you are, but who God says you are. Know that you are valued, cared for, and embraced. You Are Beloved will help you rebuild your life as a response to that assurance.

In this challenging book, rising New Testament scholar Simon Gathercole contradicts a commonly held view among biblical scholars -- that the Gospel of John is the only Gospel to give evidence for Jesus' heavenly identity and preexistence. The Preexistent Son demonstrates that Matthew, Mark, and Luke were also well aware that the Son of God existed with the Father prior to his earthly ministry. Gathercole supports his argument by considering the "I have come" sayings of Jesus and strikingly similar angelic sayings discovered in Second Temple and Rabbinic literature. Further, he considers related topics such as Wisdom Christology and the titles applied to Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels. Gathercole's carefully researched work should spark debate among Synoptic scholars and extend the understanding of anyone interested in this New Testament question.

for every healthy tree bears good fruit --; Demand #28 : love your enemies--lead them to the truth --; Demand #29 : love your enemies--pray for those who abuse you --; Demand #30 : love your enemies--do good to those who hate you, give to the one who asks --; Demand #31 : love your enemies to show that you are children of God --; Demand #32 : love your neighbor as yourself,

A great many books have been written about Jesus, the Christ. While they help us to understand the church’s theology, they do little to help us relate to the human side of Jesus, the carpenter from Galilee. Until we can see ourselves as partners with him in the human race, his divine nature seems out of reach and somewhat irrelevant to our daily life. The Rev. Doyle Snyder’s book, This Is My Beloved Son: Jesus, the Man, attempts to address this fact. Drawing on his pastoral experience and his years of Bible study and teaching, Rev. Snyder examines the life and ministry of Jesus from the perspective of his struggles as a human being attempting to share with other humans the mysteries and glory of the Kingdom of God. Soundly based in the basic tenets of the Christian faith, this work still invites the reader to examine those tenets for himself, and to decide whether these parts of the scripture are literal fact or whether they were intended to be metaphorical. Whether you are investigating these truths for the first time or are an experienced student of Bible study, you will find something new and stimulating in these pages. Among the chapter titles in his book are the following: Amazing Surprises Not a Fairy Tale The History of Jesus’ People The Social and Political Climate The Teaching of Jesus The Challenge of the Bible Discovering Jesus in the Gospels Why Was Jesus Crucified? Women in the Church Christians and Miracles Was Jesus Right?