"Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:14-16)Throughout Scripture we are counseled to live at all times with the understanding that life on this earth is very brief and that it is followed by an eternal existence of either indescribable bliss in God's presence or unbearable agony in separation from Him... A new heaven and a new earth inhabited by a new race descended from a new Adam, Jesus Christ Himself! That is God's purpose and it is staggering to contemplate. From this perspective, it is ludicrous to imagine that the church, by organizing conservative voters or even by preaching the gospel, is going to establish God's kingdom....This realization puts us on our faces before God in wonder and worship, and causes us to yield ourselves wholeheartedly to His will. This "prophetic alarm" for the Bride of Christ will awaken your spirit to the reality of God's purpose and plan for mankind -- and will renew your passion to plug into God's plan of repentance, redemption, and restoration of all things.
In An Urgent Call to a Serious Faith, bestselling author Dave Hunt explains that the gospel is more than ink on paper. He shows how loving God with all ones heart and being changed into His likeness is truly good news for longtime Christians and new believers alike. If we love the Lord, he writes, then we will want to see Him revealed to the world and made known for who He is(and we want to be at His side, singing His praises, pointing men to Him who is the Lover of our souls.An Urgent Call to a Serious Faith presents the powerful message of the gospel and shows readers how understanding the biblical view of Gods plan to save the world will affect how they live the Christian life.
The Bible clearly states that a great apostasy must occur before Christ's Second Coming. Christians today are being deceived by a worldview that is more subtle and seductive than any before. We will look at some of the dangers in the growing acceptance and practice of: Positive and possibility thinking Healing of memories Self-help philosophies Holistic medicine This seduction of Christianity will not appear as a frontal assault or oppression of our religious beliefs. Instead, it will come as the latest fashionable philosophies that will promise to make us happier, healthier, better educated, and even more spiritual. A compelling look at the times in which we live and a clear call to every believer to choose between the original and the counterfeit. Only then can we hope to escape the seduction of Christianity.
It is astonishing how many millions of otherwise seemingly intelligent people are willing to risk their eternal destiny upon less evidence than they would require for buying a car or even a low-carb food item-yet the belief of so many, particularly in the area of religion, has no rational or factual foundation. With well-researched arguments and compelling proof, this book demonstrates that the issue of where one will spend eternity is not a matter of preference (like joining the Elks instead of the Lions). In fact, there is overwhelming evidence that we are eternal beings who will spend eternity somewhere. But where will it be? And how can we know? There is no more important question to be faced-and answered.
After traveling the globe and speaking to thousands of churches worldwide, Paul David Tripp has discovered a serious problem within pastoral culture. He is not only concerned about the spiritual life of the pastor, but also with the very community of people that trains him, calls him, relates to him, and restores him if necessary. Dangerous Calling reveals the truth that the culture surrounding our pastors is spiritually unhealthy—an environment that actively undermines the wellbeing and efficacy of our church leaders and thus the entire church body. Here is a book that both diagnoses and offers cures for issues that impact every member and church leader, and gives solid strategies for fighting the all-important war that rages in our churches today.
In this easy-to-follow, question-and-answer format, you will find the issues you've faced and wondered about. And you will discover the refreshing biblical truths that illuminates the saving grace of Jesus, strengthens your faith in the Bible, and increases your ability to witness for the Lord.
It is astonishing how many millions of otherwise seemingly intelligent people are willing to risk their eternal destiny upon less evidence than they would require for buying a car or even a low-carb food item-yet the belief of so many, particularly in the area of religion, has no rational or factual foundation. With well-researched arguments and compelling proof, this book demonstrates that the issue of where one will spend eternity is not a matter of preference (like joining the Elks instead of the Lions). In fact, there is overwhelming evidence that we are eternal beings who will spend eternity somewhere. But where will it be? And how can we know? There is no more important question to be faced-and answered.
This indispensable "field guide" assists readers--sincere skeptics and believers alike--with more than 40 years' experience in seeking (and finding) biblical answers to life's most challenging questions:* Why does God allow so much suffering and evil in the world? * What about all the "contradictions" in the Bible? * Are some people predestined by god to go to hell?* Why would a merciful God punish people who have never heard of Christ?* How can one tell the difference between God's true light and Satan's seductive counterfeits?Readers will be encouraged in their search for truth to find that not only is it commendable to test God's Word, it is actually commanded by Scripture itself: "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
Why am I here? What is God's call in my life? How do I fit God's call with my own individuality? How should God's calling affect my career, my plans for the future, and my concepts of success? First published in 1997 by distinguished author and speaker Os Guiness, The Call remains a treasured source of wisdom for those who ask these questions. According to Guinness, "No idea short of God's call can ground and fulfill the truest human desire for purpose and fulfillment." In this newly updated and expanded anniversary edition, Guinness explores the truth that God has a specific calling for each one of us and guides a new generation of readers through the journey of hearing and heeding that call. With more than 100,000 copies in print, The Call is for all who desire a purposeful, intentional life of faith.
WHAT DOES GOD EXPECT OF US? Is our faith just about going to church, studying the Bible and avoiding the most serious sins—or does God expect more? Have we embraced the whole gospel or a gospel with a hole in it? Ten years ago, Rich Stearns came face-to-face with that question as he sat in a mud hut in Rakai, Uganda, listening to the heartbreaking story of an orphaned child. Stearns’ journey there took much more than a long flight to Africa. It took answering God’s call on his life, a call that tore him out of his corner office at one of America’s most prestigious corporations—to walk with the poorest of the poor in our world. The Hole in Our Gospel is the compelling true story of a corporate CEO who setaside worldly success for something far more significant, and discovered the full power of the gospel of Jesus Christ to change his own life. He uses his journey to demonstrate how the gospel—the whole gospel—was always meant to be a world changing social revolution, a revolution that begins with us. ECPA 2010 Christian Book of the Year Award Winner! “Read this compelling story and urgent call for change—Richard Stearns is a contemporary Amos crying ‘let justice roll down like waters....’ Justice is a serious gospel-prophetic mandate. Far too many American Christians for too long a time have left the cause to ‘others.’ Read it as an altar call.” --Eugene H. Peterson, translator of The Message, Professor Emeritus of Spiritual Theology, Regent College, Vancouver, BC “Rich Stearns calls us to exhilarating obedience to God’s life-altering, world-changing command to reflect his love to our neighbors at home and globally. The Hole in Our Gospel is imbued with the hope of what is possible when God’s people are transformed to live radically in light of his great love." --Gary Haugen, President & CEO, International Justice Mission “Richard Stearns is quite simply one of the finest leaders I have ever known.... When he became president of World Vision I had a front row seat to witness the way God used his mind and heart to inspire thousands.... His new book, The Hole In Our Gospel will call you to a higher level of discipleship.... Now is the time...Richard Stearns has the strategy...your move!” --Bill Hybels, Founding and Senior Pastor, Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, IL “Rich Stearns has given us a book that makes absolutely clear what God hopes for and expects from each of us.... He reminded me of my personal responsibilities and the priority I must give them and also where life’s true rewards and fulfillment are to be found.” --Jim Morris, former executive director, United Nations World Food Program "World Vision plays a strategic role on our globe. As the largest relief organization in the history of the world, they initiate care and respond to crisis. Rich Stearns navigates this mercy mission with great skill. His book urges us to think again about the opportunity to love our neighbor and comfort the afflicted. His message is timely and needed. May God bless him, the mission of World Vision and all who embrace it." --Max Lucado, author of 3:16—The Numbers of Hope, Minister of Writing and Preaching, Oak Hills Church, San Antonio, TX “With passionate urging and earnestness, Rich Stearns challenges Christians to embrace the whole Gospel of Jesus Christ by embracing the neediest and most vulnerable among us. After reading the moving stories, the compelling facts and figures, and Stearns’ excellent application of scripture and his own experiences at World Vision, you will no doubt be asking yourself: What should I do?” --Chuck Colson, Founder, Prison Fellowship
