Kristendommen

Valentine's day is a beautiful holiday overflowing with love from friends, family, and loved ones. How much more beautiful would it be if we intentionally acknowledged God throughout its season? Love & Beauty is a 5-day devotional and fasting exercise that guides its reader to focus on God's love and beauty through biblical study, reflection, and prayer journaling. The devotional primarily focuses on the Song of Songs, a biblical book that poetically metaphors the relationship between Christ and the church. By the end of the 5 days, the reader will confidently see themself as Christ's lover and bride.

THERE ARE 52 WEEKS IN A YEAR.That's 52 times you start a brand new week.52 times you are faced with new choices.And 52 times where you absolutely need God.Life must have certain things in order for you to grow strong and healthy.Things such as food, water, sleep, exercise, school, a shower, and more.BUT WHAT ABOUT YOUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH?How are you growing in your relationship with God throughout each week?If you take time for games, friends and other things, how much more should you try to make time for God?THESE SHORT LESSONS CAN HELP!These lessons are taken from sermons that were written and presented to elementary aged kids at church services, kids camps and more! Inside each chapter kids will discover life applicable bible lessons, memory verses and even a place to write their thoughts to God all based on what they just learned!

The Ancient Pathways of Heaven is more than a book; it's an invitation to heavenly exploration by faith.For those who know that Holy Spirit dwells within them; for those who know the Father and are covenanted to Jesus and willing to enter the heavenly realms through Him as the gate...The Ancient Pathways of Heaven beckons explorers of faith.This captivating book takes us on a spiritual journey with Jeremy Friedman as he explores the heavenly realms by faith. Each chapter recounts Jeremy's personal encounters, painting vivid pictures of Jesus, men and women in white, and other heavenly beings. These encounters bring deep revelation as he discovers ancient doors and paths, gates, dimensions, star gates, Destiny Scrolls, the commissioning of angels, quantum shifts, and more, providing readers with rich insights for contemplation. Each revelation gives the reader something to consider. The Ancient Pathways of Heaven will inspire and encourage you to enter the heavens and access the ancient pathways yourself.

In the midst of his spiritual anguish, Martin Luther discovered a profound truth that was completely new to him. Since Jesus had already secured a place in heaven for him, he was no longer bound to earn God's forgiveness and favor. Instead, Jesus had called him to be bound to his neighbors in love. More than that, he wanted Luther to see that his neighbors' needs provided his life with a daily and never-ceasing divine purpose.The same holds true for every Christian. Everything we do to supply our neighbors' needs - in every walk of life, whether big or small, easy or hard - is a truly good and religious work, even when the world takes no notice. Fulfilling simple tasks for others makes our lives truly God-pleasing because we're doing what he created us to do rather than inventing our own ways to please him. "Therefore, it happens," Luther later concluded, "that [when] a pious maid does what she is ordered and according to her office sweeps the yard or carries out the manure, or a servant in the same way plows and drives a team - they are walking straight toward heaven on the right road" (AE 75:355).The intention of this brief volume is to explore and summarize what Luther discovered and taught about the doctrine of vocation so that readers can apply these important lessons to their own lives, find comfort, confidence, and purpose in their very unique and necessary callings from God, and rejoice in the fact that they are free to serve in Christ.

As a father of the Chinese evangelical church, Pastor Wang Mingdao is remembered for insisting that the only way to be saved from sin and enjoy eternal life is by God's grace through faith in Christ, even though that insistence cost him his earthly freedom. Although Mingdao experienced a moment of weakness during persecution, he eventually found restoration in Christ and kept the faith through twenty-three years of imprisonment. His courage and strength provide a modern example of how Christians must trust the Lord and remain faithful in times of hardship and persecution.

Present Comfort is for those who have experienced loss as well as for those who are at a loss to understand the myriad emotions of grief. It offers compassion and encouragement to those who grieve, and insight for those who desire to share in the heart and language of grief. The hope is that Present Comfort will inspire a deeper sense of the presence of God in every circumstance of life.Includes a Guide for individual and group study.

You might be living in a fragile place after loss, pain, or grief. Is excitement in life and fullness of purpose too hard to imagine embracing right now? You are not meant to go through this alone. With a voice of empathy, wit, and vulnerability, Cindy Brinker Simmons will walk you through practical tools and biblical truths that will reconnect you to God, others, and yourself. Restored's message is for anyone who needs: a fresh infusion of hope a gentle reminder of God's love and goodness a healthy dose of inspiring thought and strength to persevere a helpful roadmap to move forward and experience God's plan and purpose an effective way to reconcile and strengthen relationships Restored will help you choose joy in the midst of heartache and hardship. You will be encouraged! All net proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to Wipe Out Kids' Cancer (wokc.org) and the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation (mcbtennis.org). "With her faith at the forefront, and through a touching, in-depth account of her own experience, Cindy models how we can triumph over loss and hardship." SARA O'LEARY, University of Virginia women's tennis head coach "Cindy's journey is a roadmap for purpose and peace." JANE McGARRY, "Good Morning Texas" host; National Gracie Award "Best Local Anchor" "Restored is going to change hearts. In such a masterful way, Cindy's compassionate and powerful words provide hope, joy, and faith to a broken world. I love this book!" BILLY DAWSON, Nashville country artist / songwriter / producer

Prayer Wall: Writeable Scripture Art book is uplifting special book featuring scriptures about the peace of God, and space to write in your own prayers and scripture verses.

Your community is multilingual. What about your church? In a world where communities thrive with diverse languages, why should our churches lag behind? As migration increases and technology, like livestreaming, becomes commonplace, the need for multilingual churches is more pressing than ever. Still, many churches and mission organizations struggle with one-size-fits-all language solutions, while others desperately seek guidance to embrace multilingualism. This is why we need Jonathan Downie's pioneering work Multilingual Church. It dives into forty years of studies on interpreting, theological wisdom, and practical insights from multiethnic churches. Why settle for one language when the gospel speaks to all? Downie masterfully illustrates the motivation and method for creating a truly multilingual church. From recognizing this urgent need, to uncovering our biblical mandate and choosing the right tools, he provides a comprehensive roadmap for the journey. Multilingual Church is more than a guide; it's a groundbreaking invitation to reflect Christ's universal love. Downie equips church leaders with the resources they need to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing, multilingual landscape. Are you ready to transform your congregation? The path starts here, united in faith across languages.

This book is written for the thinking person who is struggling to believe. It does this by presenting Christianity as a matter of relationships. Good behavior and correct belief do not build relationships, but grow from them. The Bible tells the unfolding story of a relationship given, lost, and reoffered again and again. This is more clear when we begin here, below, where we are, accentuating God's immanence over his transcendence. In such an approach, optional understandings of church teachings become evident, options that are biblically and theologically sound but are seldom offered. There is more than one way to skin a dogma. These alternatives to many teachings provide hope to those outside the church who wish for something more than competition for material possessions, and for those inside the church and struggling to stay. We are socialized into a scientific world view in which there is little room for spirituality. This tension between science and religion is addressed by the presentation of Christianity that is not anti-intellectual, rigid, or defensive. This book shows that we do not need to choose between our worldview and our faith.

This festschrift honors Aloysius Fitzgerald, F.S.C. The essays largely reflect the honoree's interests in the poetic and prophetic material of the Hebrew Bible and the ancient Near Eastern context of that material. The volume includes an introduction by Joseph Jensen, O.S.B. and the following articles: Leslie J, Hoppe, O.ftM., "Vengeance and Forgiveness: The Two Faces of Psalm 79" (pp. 1-22); Mark S. Smith, "The Poetics of Exodus 15 and Its Position in the Book" (pp. 23-34); Susan F. Mathews, "The Power to Endure and Be Transformed: Sun and Moon Imagery in Joel and Revelation 6" (pp. 35-49); Gregory J. Polan, O.S.B., "Zion, the Glory of the Holy One of Israel: A Literary Analysis of Isaiah 60" (pp. 50-71); Maribeth Howell, O.P., "A Closer Look: Isaiah 35:110" (pp. 72-80); Mark D. Futato, "Sense Relations in the 'Rain' Domain of the Old Testament" (pp. 81-94); John J. Ferrie, Jr., "Singing in the Rain: A Meteorological Image in Isaiah 42:10-12" (pp. 95-104); Irene Nowell, O.S.B., "Psalm 88: A Lesson in Lament" (pp. 105-18); Dale Launderville, O.S.B., "Anti-monarchical Ideology in Israel in Light of Mesopotamian Parallels" (pp. 119-28); Edward G. Mathews, Jr., "Water in the First Creation Account of Genesis I in the Commentary on Genesis of Ephrem the Syrian" (pp. 129-44); Deirdre Dempsey, "The Verb Syntax of the Idol Passage of Isaiah 44:9-20" (pp. 145-56); Alice Ogden Bellis, "The New Exodus in Jeremiah 50:33-38" (pp. 157-68); Lawrence Boadt, C.S.P., "Re-Examining a Preexilic Redaction of Isaiah 1-39" (pp. 169-90).

Huh? What exactly do you mean by that... Harrison Perkins, a senior research fellow for the Craig Centre for the Study of the Westminster Standards, introduces us to some of the main themes of Reformed theology in this addition to the Track series. Starting with its principal foundations - the grace and love of God - Harrison goes on to tackle some of the trickier aspects of Reformed theology, such as predestination. With a clear and comprehendible explanation, he demonstrates how these doctrines apply to the life of the believer. Contents: Why Study Reformed Theology? The Grace of God The Sovereign Love of God The Word of God The People of God The Experience of God's Grace Appendix A: Next Steps Appendix B: Further Reading Appendix C Glossary of Terms Track is a series of books designed to disciple the next generation in the areas of culture, doctrine, and the Christian life. While the topics addressed aren't always simple, they are communicated in a manner that is. With the intention of the content being absorbed, examined and applied, each chapter includes a summary of the main point, and reflection questions that can be used individually, in 1-2-1 mentoring or in a group setting.

"Why are the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke so similar, yet different? Paul A. Rainbow challenges theories that the evangelists modified each other's work, offering a nuanced hypothesis of a proto-gospel, which the three evangelists independently translated into Greek from Hebrew and enriched with oral testimonies and written fragments"--

Unlike any other time in history, Pastor Rhea Falig believes God is calling the church back into holy alignment. He's cleansing us from mixture and calling His bride to store oil. He's calling the pioneers of His heart to explore a wild, unshakable kingdom, the priests and Levites to be unadulterated and undivided in their affections, and the remnant to return to what He values. Kingdom Pioneers is that mandate.In Kingdom Pioneers, you will receive:Freedom from striving and performance-driven ministry mindsets. Fresh downloads from heaven that will equip, exhort, and edify your life. Healing from trauma and the pain of past rejection. Direction for your unique calling and clarity over your identity. Empowerment to bring Heaven to Earth in your spheres of influence.And much more! Stop striving to build things God never asked for or needed. Jesus really is enough. His yoke is easy, His burden is light, and His banner over you is love. Step into the river as a Kingdom Pioneer and zealously return to the Father's heart.

For some people the idea of enjoying success in life is nothing more than wishful thinking. They believe experiencing success is the fortune of others and erroneously conclude it is far beyond their reach. Some even play "the blame game" to justify their reason for being unsuccessful. They say things like, "I can't get ahead in life because of my ethnicity, pedigree or gender". Others contend, "I can't achieve success because no one will give me a chance".I've got great news for you! Here is your chance. Stop with the excuses. I'm going to help you discover and achieve real success in life through sound, practical principles grounded in Scripture. Once you understand and apply the insights presented in this book, "the good life" will be yours to experience and enjoy. ----A practical, balanced, insightful, and inspirational treatise by one of America's most experienced and successful pastors. A must read for all who are serious about fulfilling kingdom mandates in this unprecedented era of change!-Bishop Harold Calvin Ray

Daily, we are bombarded with messages that our acceptance is earned, our value never exceeds our hustle, and a person's worth never exceeded their net worth. The problem is that these mantras strangle and crush us-in our pursuit of a joy-filled relationship with God.In Enough, Pastors Ben Dailey and Travis Hall dismantle the house of cards of living a performance-driven life to earn God's love. This uplifting narrative will help you:¿Explore and discover the root cause of your striving for God's acceptance.¿Rethink your misperceptions about who God really is and how much He loves you.¿Boldly step into your daily reality . . . that you are enough in Christ!It's time to free yourself from performance-once and for all. Jesus paid that price on the cross so that you wouldn't have to!

Are you a servant of Christ? Author James Alan Lynch asks three crucial questions to help us explore where we are along the path to obedience.

Is the armor of God imagery borrowed from a Roman soldier? No-Paul is simply speaking in his mother tongue: the Old Testament. We are a kingdom of priests. To fight, God's priests need a priestly armor.

Книга погружает в мир тех, кто решил идти за Христом. Эти рассказы далеки от общепринятых представлений о монашеской жизни.

Although baptized as a child and serving faithfully as a pastor and theologian in the German Evangelische Kirche, Paul Leo was persecuted, removed from his church position, and imprisoned by the Nazi regime due to his Jewish ancestry. Leo was a descendent of Moses Mendelssohn, the famous Jewish philosopher, and Fanny Hensel nee Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, the composer and pianist. The book carefully documents how the Nazis took severe measures against Leo, a Christian minister, because of his Jewish lineage. This eventuated in his incarceration in Buchenwald concentration camp before he was able to flee Germany as an exile to the United States. His escape from Germany was mediated through a refugee camp in the Netherlands and emigration to the US through the sponsorship of his colleague and friend Otto Piper, on the faculty of Princeton Theological Seminary. The story of Paul Leo in America includes his teaching at Western Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, pastorates in southern Texas, and professorship at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. This book highlights the teaching and scholarly publications by Leo and his marriage to the accomplished artist Eva (Dittrich) Leo.

The Key to Trusting Comes Down to Knowing His Name Trust. Sounds simple. But trust is a complicated and delicate matter. We know we should trust God, yet we grapple with the question: How do we actually do that? Especially when life presents unexpected trials, trusting a God we can't see seems like a big challenge.In Tethered Trust, best-selling author Becky Harling invites you to look at one small yet life-changing verse. In this study, you'll learn how Jesus wants us to know and trust Him as the "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, [and] Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).So, what are you waiting for? Gather your girlfriends, open your Bibles, and begin to process together how you can trust God more fully!

In his latest book Philip Gulley, known as the voice of small-town America, lyrically and powerfully explains why spirituality, and not institutional religion, is the true pathway to ultimate meaning and purpose.