Few believers experience God's altar--a place of pure and wholehearted relationship and worship where our holy God can meet with us and the fire of his presence can fall. But such an altar is necessary in our personal lives, our marriages, our churches, and our nations so that we are strengthened, empowered, and equipped for every good work. In this influential, modern-day call back to the altar, Chuck D. Pierce and Alemu Beeftu invite readers to find their way to rebuild the place of God's presence to allow the fire of God--his presence and power--to fall. When we rekindle the altar fire, our lives, prayer, and worship are transformed. The time to rebuild altars for fresh fire is now!
The results of "being filled with the Holy Spirit" begin with the Spirit breaking the power of the sin nature, followed by the isolation and suppression of that nature. This is followed by the person living by the guidance and sustaining energy of the Spirit. The result is the development of the fruit of the Spirit and a desire for t
Encounter God at the Altar When we hear the word, altar, we often associate it with images of death and sacrifice or of surrender and yielding. Although these associations do have their place, there is a New Covenant revelation of the altar that will usher your relationship with God into new experiential dimensions. Robert Stone lays out a revelatory blueprint for you to take your intimacy with God to new, marvelous and wonderful levels. You will: Receive new revelationof how the biblical concept of the altar is a blueprint for you to experience the Holy Spirit more deeply Gain new clarity in following the Holy Spirits leading Experience deep spiritual fulfillment as you learn to fellowship with God on a more personal level Enter into greater depths of worship where you can witness Gods glory more powerfully This New Covenant revelation of the altar invites you into fresh encounters with Gods presence
Where is God when life is filled with so much suffering? How can I be sure of God's presence and affection, even in my pain? Can you believe in God and still wrestle with questions and doubt? These are the questions honestly explored in Relentless. Whether in struggle, illness, death, or failure, the presence of pain causes us to question the presence of God. We pray and watch the sky, crossing our spiritual fingers for hardcore proof of God's nearness. And in the silence, we sense something more sinister: perceived abandonment. But what if we could collect evidence that God hasn't left us? What if we could be absolutely certain of God's presence and affection, strengthening our faith against any assault? Woven throughout Scripture sits a single, extraordinary theme: God is with us. Ours is a God who speaks through burning bushes and leads through pillars of fire, who responds to a broken world by giving himself. Like the Old Testament story of Joshua's altar of twelve stones, Relentless delivers twelve key biblical stories that demonstrate God's unfailing presence. Each chapter offers an invitation to identify a "stone" in your own life as tangible evidence of God's nearness. With the turn of the last page, you will have discovered twelve markers of your own, an altar of memory to carry you through questions and losses, even ones yet to come. For the truth-seekers, those drowning in impossible questions, and those who find themselves swallowed up by the dark, Relentless is an invitation to search for divine presence in our everyday stories. With Michele Cushatt's engaging narrative style, this transformational journey reassures us that God, indeed, is with us.
God's presence among his people set him apart from ancient pagan gods. His presence on earth as God Incarnate split history in two. And today his presence is one of the most significant means of his goodness to us. Interweaving her story of faith and doubt amid suffering, Glenna traces the theme of God's presence from Genesis to Revelation and shows what it means for us in our own daily joys and struggles.
What does it mean to be in the presence of God's holiness? How can it affect us whether we seek it out or stumble upon it? Can it truly change our very reality to encounter it? The essayists in this volume explore these questions at the heart of Christian worship, considering the oft-neglected Old Testament as essential to understand our purpose in worship. Following the structure of the Hebrew canon -- beginning with the Pentateuch, moving through to the Psalms, then wisdom literature -- each chapter considers a separate aspect of worship, from theater to the Sabbath to sacred space, offering new inspiration. In the final essay Carol Bechtel "rereads the book of Job through the lens of our human limitations (as opposed to the usual theme of theodicy)," with compelling applications for both life and worship. Each of these essays concludes with two appropriately themed hymns and a "For Further Reading" list. Five of the seven contain sidebars that illustrate and enrich key points. Evocative woodcut artwork by Margaret Adams Parker provides a striking backdrop to the text. Taken together, these essays testify powerfully to the belief that the Old Testament is not only valuable but also essential to "whole" and fully foundational preaching and worship. Written primarily by Old Testament professors, Touching the Altar will make an engaging supplemental text for introductory or elective Old Testament courses and will also go far toward providing deeper worship for any Christian. Contributors: Carol M. Bechtel Thomas A. Boogaart Corrine L. Carvalho Ellen F. Davis J. Clinton McCann Jr. Dennis T. Olson Margaret Adams Parker John D. Witvliet
Discover a faith that goes beyond doubt and reveals how God continues to fulfill his promises today just as he did in biblical times, unlocking true purpose and fulfillment in our busy, modern lives. Where is the life God promised us? In the midst of our fast-paced schedules and endless distractions, we often push God to the background, struggling to believe that his promises are still relevant. He seems distant, and the abundant life Jesus spoke about doesn't seem possible. When we hear that God wants to give, say, and show us more, we assume it's just a rumor. But what if God really is calling us to something more--a life of deeper purpose, fulfillment, and peace today and right now? In Rumors of God, Jon Tyson and Darren Whitehead challenge us to reimagine what it means to live a life shaped by faith. They invite us to close the gap between the promises we've heard and the reality we experience, helping us see how God's presence and power are at work even in our modern, everyday lives. This book is more than a reminder--it's a call to rediscover a God who is active, present, and moving among us. For those feeling weary, jaded, or uncertain about how faith fits into today's world, Rumors of God offers a fresh perspective on God's timeless promises.
Who is the Holy Spirit anyway? We sing songs about Him. We’ve seen His name in the Bible. And most of us know He’s a part of the Trinity, but misunderstandings, confusion, and contention abound. And it’s keeping us from the abundant, satisfying life God has for us. The solution? We need a biblical understanding of the Holy Spirit. Transforming Presence walks you through ten vital practices that will help you have a new experience of the Holy Spirit. You’ll learn how our relationship with the Holy Spirit changed from the Old Testament to the New Testament, what common misconceptions of the Holy Spirit are, and how to think, speak, (and sing) rightly about Him. It can be hard to discern what’s right and wrong in a world of gray scales, differing preferences, and emotional highs, but when we start with the Bible, all the secondary things fall into place. Discover the transformational, personal, and joyful relationship that comes from meeting the Holy Spirit on His own terms.
