Earthly man does not always understand the revelations of the Word; it is therefore sometimes necessary to use metaphors or parables as Jesus did when teaching the Jews about the kingdom of God. In the same vein, this dissertation uses the metaphor of a light bulb that can emanate light""when plugged into an electrical source""to the light that shines from God. Going further with this metaphor, the "light bulb of God" takes its energy from the Lord himself as it shines in the lives of everyone who believes in God. Light is used to show the way, as roads, airport runways, and stations are lit to facilitate easier traveling to humans. Light, as humans know it, was only possible after electricity was discovered. Caldwell stated that in New York, "by the late 1870's electric light was no longer a novelty, though the city didn't get its first consumer power grid until eight-teen eighty-two." The city put electrical lights to good use as the New York Train System lit up the tracks twenty-four hours a day""this provided an indication of the way the train would go. This was considered light that would guide the way for so many people travelling the city. This train line pointing to the way people should go can be seen as a metaphor for The Way in a biblical sense. There are people who do not know or believe that the first light was God's light.
In this outstanding Christian Education resource, the entire Bible Genesis 1 to Revelation 22 is divided into teachable units. There are many link-to-life ideas to help teach each unity to any age group.
John Livingston Clark is a graduate of San Diego State University, and Western Baptist Seminary. He is a certified teacher. The author's unique message redefines "recovery" to mean breaking free from the negative results of incorrect religious beliefs. He can be contacted by writing to: HEALING HOPE, P.0. BOX 616, ZILLAH, WA 98953. He also has a blog: healinghopeministries.blogspot.com EXCERPTS 1. Please use the TABLE OF CONTENTS from the book. 2. Introduction, pages 9-10 Every life has a story. This is mine. I am not a famous athlete or a movie star. I am not a head-liner musician. What I am is seen only on Sunday morning, when people sit in church. I am the music worship leader, but the people didn't see the real me. I was a confused, frustrated, angry and depressed person with low-self esteem, a negative and defeated attitude, and a victim-failure mindset. I was in financial bondage. I carried this emotional baggage with me into my fifties. I lugged it around while I was in paid music ministry in local churches... Like millions of Christians, I was raised in a Christian home with a particular set of beliefs and values that was to be accepted, not challenged. My false belief system, combined with some experiences, hurt me more than helped me, and I am to some degree still paying the consequences. CHAPTER 7, Page 59 The most compelling situation in my life was finding out why, especially as a Christian, I had all of these problems..another compelling factor was how all of this was affecting my family life. I knew it was not supposed to be like it was, and was afraid of the potential negative consequences...everything in my life was just the opposite of what my belief system told me it should be. I either needed to change my beliefs or find out why mine weren't working...Furthermore, my negative strongholds had become traps. BACK COVER This book is for professing Christians who sit in church, looking and acting like everything is okay, when they know it is not. The author speaks form personal experience of wearing an "emotional mask" for 25 years, during which time he was a minister of music in churches, while he struggled with anger, low self-esteem, depression, a defeated attitude, and codependency. This is a biblically-based, self-help recovery book. The author talks about the confusion caused by Scripture taken out of context and religious phrases void of meaning. The book addresses the benefits of Christian counseling, the practical and healing process of recovery, and how to fulfill one's potential and live a life of spiritual victory. Practical steps are given for overcoming anger, low self-esteem, a negative attitude, and codependency. The author tells how a person can make a choice to be happy, and how to develop a disciplined thought life. The book is based on Corinthians 10:4-5, where it says to overcome strongholds by "taking every thought captive to obedience of Christ." You will also gain more awareness of how much wrong thinking from childhood and religious teaching can impact the present, and how self-esteem is important in experiencing God's best.
Serving God, Saving the Planet is a study that will broaden the conversation with a focus on the dangers of materialism, workaholism, and spiritual bankruptcy—as well as God’s endless invitations for us to enjoy what he has created. This twelve-session study provides simple, everyday ways to focus on stewardship and sustainability according to Scripture. In the first six sessions, Dr. Matthew Sleeth explores his personal salvation experience and desire to follow Jesus in the context of the love story God tells in Genesis. Dr. Sleeth guides readers through each of the created elements, reminding them of the God-given commission to “tend and protect the planet.” In the final six sessions, Dr. Sleeth examines how God's original command to “tend and protect the planet” extends into the actions and activities of every Christian’s everyday lives. Designed for use with the video.
The most important work of God on earth is the speaking out of His word through man. In the Old Testament God's word was released through the ministry of the prophets, and in the New Testament it was released through the ministry of the Lord Jesus and later through the apostles. Even though God is pleased to allow us to speak His word, the greatest measure of our usefulness as a minister of the Word is not the amount of our Bible knowledge or even the ability to eloquently present the truth; rather, it is the degree to which our inward parts have been molded and shaped by the Holy Spirit. The Ministry of God's Word contains a series of messages given by Watchman Nee in 1948 and 1949 after nearly thirty years of ministry. These messages are deep, profound, subjective, and full of light, revealing both the depth of his experience and extent of our need to open to the Holy Spirit's inward operation.
There is a common question that is asked about God. If God exists as a person, what is he like? Let God speak for himself! Discover the ways of God disclosed in the Word of God—the Holy Bible. The Bible from beginning to end is an account of the ways of God. The inspired scriptures is God in his own words describing his ways—all of which are a reflection of his awesome, unchanging character. The Bible is God making his ways known by words he inspired to be written and by historical events recorded in the pages of Scripture whereby he has visibly expressed his character. God’s way is holiness, but God is also at one and the same time righteous, true, just, loving, gracious, merciful, and good. God’s intent is not only that we know these truths about him but that we also know God as a “person” we can worship, believe in, trust, love, and serve. The proof we want to know God is that we desire in good faith to reflect his ways in our daily lives in everything we think and say and do.
The greatness of God cannot be contained in mere words. It must be shared through the light He's given each of us. After reading this book, I will desire to have the same kind of godly impact on the world as the heroes of faith did from Scripture. No longer will I be fearful to shine God's good and perfect light. Instead, I will step out in boldness and bravery to do exactly what God has called me to do. Pastor Joakim Lundqvist beckons readers to embrace their divine purpose and radiate God's love like never before. Exploring God as light and the pivotal role light plays in creation, Shine Your Light challenges believers to be the lights of our world by discovering the unique way they are gifted to radiate God's love. Renowned for his captivating storytelling, Lundqvist weaves inspiring tales of biblical and historical figures who dared to shine their light in unique ways, leaving an indelible mark on their eras. Through these narratives, readers discover the power God has given them to make a positive impact on the world around them. With humor and insight, Lundqvist empowers readers to recognize that God has bestowed upon each person a distinctive light that is essential for someone else. Readers will gain confidence to embrace their unique light, break free from doubt, and make a lasting difference for Jesus, right here and now. Believers will uncover the joy and fulfillment that come from understanding their profound purpose and the unique, needed light God has placed within them to transform the world!
This book took some great thought to write, but And It Just Had to Be! is paramount to everything that Christianity stands for. The work of Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection, is crucial to our faith. The key factor is the oneness of Christ in us. This book highlights the factor of what Christ really did for us to appease the wrath of God. The choice is freewill. The truth is we have been translated from darkness to light. We are all sinners saved by the grace of God, but we have to accept this gift to have eternal life. However, if you reject this gift, then the wrath of God is on you, my friend. There were elements that were very personal that happened during my rebellious years in unbelief, and it happens to many people. It's sad, but it does, right? Trust me, learn from my mistakes; please repent really quick. You don't know what the price is. I talk about surrender being the first step to accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior. Salvation is a onetime event if it's genuine, but throughout your life, it's an everyday deal, the real one. Sometimes we ride the fence and think everything is A-OK, but it's not. Please have intimacy with God. He loves us very much. The Christian life ends when we're at the Judgment Seat of Christ. I hope no one appears at the Great White Throne Judgment. I covered many topics in this book to illustrate biblical concepts for you to grasp the truth. This is very serious stuff in the eyes of God. The purpose of this book is for you to make the right choice--repent or not. Remember, God believes in you. You might be in that rebellious life, but just surrender back to God.
God's New Testament Economy is a thorough study of the New Testament. It does not provide superficial inspiration nor is it a dry, systematic analysis. However, in this book Witness Lee presents a revelation of the Triune God's plan that will both inform and encourage the reader to pursue a full experience of our wonderful Triune God.
