Jesus Is Better: The God Who Likes and Enjoys You
Jesus Is Better: The God Who Likes and Enjoys You

Author: Zach Maldonado

Publisher: Zachery Maldonado

Published: 2021-08

Total Pages: 222

ISBN-13: 9780578886206

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What if God Is Better Than You Imagined? Do you find yourself doubting God and weary of religion? Are you tired of the confusing answers, the hypocrisy, and the feeling that God isn't enough? If so, you're not alone. Like many believers, author and pastor Zach Maldonado experienced the same disappointment with Christianity. He asked questions-about God, about Jesus, about himself-that he didn't have answers for. Yet, despite all this, something sparked his passion for Jesus and compelled him to devote his life to sharing a simple message. This message is not dead theology. It's not rule-keeping or a pep talk to be more radical. Instead, it's an invitation to a relationship that's free from to-do lists, shame, and legalism. Jesus Is Better offers answers to the most difficult questions about Christianity, as well as hope for the weary believer, the distant skeptic, and those who desire to leave religion behind and embrace the God who not only loves them without condition, but actually likes and enjoys who they are. Through it you'll rediscover Jesus in a fresh new way that will completely change your life.

If God Is Love, Don't Be a Jerk
If God Is Love, Don't Be a Jerk

Author: John Pavlovitz

Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press

Published: 2021-09-28

Total Pages: 266

ISBN-13: 1646982134

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Thou Shalt Not Be Horrible. Imagine for a moment what the world might look like if we as people of faith, morality, and conscience actually aspired to this mantra. What if we were fully burdened to create a world that was more loving and equitable than when we arrived? What if we invited one another to share in wide-open, fearless, spiritual communities truly marked by compassion and interdependence? What if we daily challenged ourselves to live a faith that simply made us better humans? John Pavlovitz explores how we can embody this kinder kind of spirituality where we humbly examine our belief system to understand how it might compel us to act in less-than-loving ways toward others. This simple phrase, "Thou Shalt Not Be Horrible," could help us practice what we preach by creating a world where: spiritual community provides a sense of belonging where all people are received as we are; the most important question we ask of a religious belief is not Is it true? but rather, is it helpful? it is morally impossible to pledge complete allegiance to both Jesus and America simultaneously; the way we treat others is the most tangible and meaningful expression of our belief system. In If God Is Love, Don't Be a Jerk, John Pavlovitz examines the bedrock ideas of our religion: the existence of hell, the utility of prayer, the way we treat LGBTQ people, the value of anger, and other doctrines to help all of us take a good, honest look at how the beliefs we hold can shape our relationships with God and our fellow humans—and to make sure that love has the last, loudest word.

Jesus Is For You
Jesus Is For You

Author: Judah Smith

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Published: 2015-10-20

Total Pages: 176

ISBN-13: 0718023234

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What would it be like if someone were completely, 100 percent for you? The loser. The rising star. The drug addict. The good Christian kid gone bad. The undeserving overwhelmed with gratitude. Whoever you are and wherever you’ve been—Jesus is for you. Not when you clean up your act or when do the right thing or when put your life back together. Jesus is for you—in the midst of now. Whether you woke up amazed by your blessings or shamed by the worst mistake of your life. Jesus is for you and with you, and He’s not going anywhere. The heartfelt and honest stories in these pages reveal what it means to experience Jesus and discover the real life He promises. With insight from New York Times–bestselling author Judah Smith and backed by Scripture, this book will allow you breathe deeply the profound truth that Jesus is for you.

The Good and Beautiful God
The Good and Beautiful God

Author: James Bryan Smith

Publisher: InterVarsity Press

Published: 2009-12-14

Total Pages: 236

ISBN-13: 0830878343

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Turning to the Gospels, James Bryan Smith invites you to compare your ideas about God with what Jesus himself reveals about his Father. In this Good and Beautiful Series book, Smith leads you through a process of spiritual formation that includes activities aimed at making these new narratives real in your body and soul as well as your mind.

Love Like Jesus: How Jesus Loved People (and how you can love like Jesus)
Love Like Jesus: How Jesus Loved People (and how you can love like Jesus)

Author: Kurt Bennett

Publisher: Enoch Media

Published: 2020-02-11

Total Pages: 183

ISBN-13: 0984189556

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Based on Kurt Bennett's popular-ish blog God Running, Love Like Jesus begins with the story of how after a life of regular church attendance and Bible study, Bennett was challenged by a pastor to study Jesus. That led to an obsessive seven-year deep dive. After pouring over Jesus' every interaction with another human being, he realized he was doing a much better job of studying Jesus' words than he was following Jesus' words and example. The honest and fearless revelations of Bennett's own moral failures affirm he wrote this book for himself as much as for others. Love Like Jesus examines a variety of stories, examples, and research, including: -Specific examples of how Jesus communicated God's love to others. -How Jesus demonstrated all five of Gary Chapman's love languages (and how you can too). -The story of how Billy Graham extended Christ's extraordinary love and grace toward a man who misrepresented Jesus to millions. -How to respond to critics the way Jesus did. -How to love unlovable people the way Jesus did. -How to survive a life of loving like Jesus (or how not to become a Christian doormat). -How Jesus didn't love everyone the same (and why you shouldn't either). -How Jesus guarded his heart by taking care of himself--he even napped--and why you should do the same.-How Jesus loved his betrayer Judas, even to the very end. With genuine unfiltered honesty, Love Like Jesus, shows you how to live a life according to God's definition of success: A life of loving God well, and loving the people around you well too. A life of loving like Jesus.

The Story of God's Love for You
The Story of God's Love for You

Author: Sally Lloyd-Jones

Publisher: Zonderkidz

Published: 2015-10-06

Total Pages: 200

ISBN-13: 0310736048

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It’s an adventure story about a young Hero who comes from a far country to win back his lost treasure. It’s a love story about a brave Prince who leaves his palace, his throne—everything—to rescue the one he loves. The best thing about this Story is—it’s true! And at the center of the Story, there is a baby. The Child upon whom everything would depend. All the stars, mountains, oceans, and galaxies were nothing compared to how much God loved his children. He would move heaven and earth to be near them. Always. Whatever happened, whatever it cost him, he would always love them. And so it was that the wonderful love story began. The Story of God’s Love for You: Is for teenagers and adults who want to read and learn about the story of God’s love for them Includes 44 short chapters that lead you through the beautiful story of the Bible—Genesis to Revelation Masterfully shows how all the individual Bible stories fit together into one cohesive narrative that points to Jesus Makes the big picture of Scripture clear to new believers, and helps seasoned believers fall in love with the Bible all over again Features text from bestselling author Sally Lloyd-Jones that brings the truths of the Bible into a new light for today’s world The beauty and peace that only God’s love can provide pulses through every page. Just as The Jesus Storybook Bible is an essential book for the library of every child, The Story of God’s Love for You is an essential book for the library of every adolescent and adult.

Jesus > Religion
Jesus > Religion

Author: Jefferson Bethke

Publisher: HarperChristian + ORM

Published: 2013-10-14

Total Pages: 240

ISBN-13: 1400205409

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Abandon dead, dry, religious rule-keeping and embrace the promise of being truly known and deeply loved. Jefferson Bethke burst into the cultural conversation with a passionate, provocative poem titled "Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus." The 4-minute video became an overnight sensation, with 7 million YouTube views in its first 48 hours (and 23+ million in a year). Bethke's message clearly struck a chord with believers and nonbelievers alike, triggering an avalanche of responses running the gamut from encouraged to enraged. In his New York Times bestseller Jesus > Religion, Bethke unpacks similar contrasts that he drew in the poem--highlighting the difference between teeth gritting and grace, law and love, performance and peace, despair, and hope. With refreshing candor, he delves into the motivation behind his message, beginning with the unvarnished tale of his own plunge from the pinnacle of a works-based, fake-smile existence that sapped his strength and led him down a path of destructive behavior. Along the way, Bethke gives you the tools you need to: Humbly and prayerfully open your mind Understand Jesus for all that he is View the church from a brand-new perspective Bethke is quick to acknowledge that he's not a pastor or theologian, but simply an ordinary, twenty-something who cried out for a life greater than the one for which he had settled. On this journey, Bethke discovered the real Jesus, who beckoned him with love beyond the props of false religion. Praise for Jesus > Religion: "Jeff's book will make you stop and listen to a voice in your heart that may have been drowned out by the noise of religion. Listen to that voice, then follow it--right to the feet of Jesus." --Bob Goff, author of New York Times bestsellers Love Does and Everybody, Always "The book you hold in your hands is Donald Miller's Blue Like Jazz meets C. S. Lewis's Mere Christianity meets Augustine's Confessions. This book is going to awaken an entire generation to Jesus and His grace." --Derwin L. Gray, lead pastor of Transformation Church, author of Limitless Life: Breaking Free from the Labels That Hold You Back

Loving the Way Jesus Loves
Loving the Way Jesus Loves

Author: Philip Ryken

Publisher: Inter-Varsity Press

Published: 2013-04-23

Total Pages: 224

ISBN-13: 1844749509

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Most people are familiar with the ‘love chapter’ of the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13, yet Phil Ryken still has something new to say. He draws on the earthly life and ministry of Jesus to illustrate Paul’s several statements about what love is and isn’t. These aspects of love are then illuminated chronologically through the story of Christ’s advent, teaching, miracle working, sufferings, crucifixion, death, resurrection and ascension. Jesus never does anything without love. His love is everything the love chapter says that love should be. It is patient with sinners and kind to strangers. It does not envy or boast, but offers itself in humble service. It does not insist on its own way, but submits to the Father. It is able to forgive, trust, hope and persevere. This approach highlights the crucial truth that we are able to love only because Christ first loved us in this particularly profound, very real, and transformative manner.

God's Love
God's Love

Author: R. C. Sproul

Publisher: David C Cook

Published: 2012-09-01

Total Pages: 258

ISBN-13: 0781408520

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Dr. R. C. Sproul is one of the most renowned theologians of our time. For over 40 years Dr. Sproul has encouraged, educated, and enlightened millions through his books, teaching, and ministry. God doesn’t just love us. He is love. God’s Love explores the unrelenting love of God, which found its ultimate expression through His Son. This release also explains difficult themes such as the different aspects of God’s nature, how His love coexists with His holiness, and what the Bible means when it mentions God’s hatred. This is a compelling read for all who long to love as God loves.

The Pleasures of God
The Pleasures of God

Author: John Piper

Publisher: Multnomah

Published: 2012-01-17

Total Pages: 401

ISBN-13: 1601422911

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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