Showing results by narrator "David Cochran Heath" in All Categories

Would you like to know the basics of theology and have an easy route to that knowledge? If so, these short, simple readings are the way to go. Here, Daryl Aaron answers some of the toughest questions about the nature of God, heaven, the Bible, church, and even ourselves. Blending the knowledge of a college professor with friendly, down-to-earth language, Aaron explains theology in a way you can understand. Broken into 40 small chapters, this book gives you quick, clear answers to your questions about theology.

There is a road to life in the unshakable kingdom of God, but it's not an easy journey. In The Magnificent Journey, the author shows us the better road, the road less traveled, but the road full of riches. Along the way, he introduces us to new spiritual practices that will provide the sustenance we need for the deepest, most joy-filled journey of our lives - the journey into the heart of God.

The church reached a turning point in the 16th century. Worship had become a spectacle, the gospel was distorted, the sacraments were replaced by superstition, and ministers lived in immorality. To restore the church to the teachings of Christ, the Reformers cried out for a return to God’s authoritative word. In this classic treatise, John Calvin presents four areas of the church’s life and doctrine that must be carefully guarded and guided by scripture. This timeless call for biblical faithfulness beckons us today. How will we respond?

The Bible is filled with stories of God using ordinary people in extraordinary ways to change the world. Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, and others were just regular, imperfect people who chose to obey God's call - and what a difference that made! God is still in the business of transforming his followers into world changers, and that includes you.

Put James and Paul next to each other and some tough-to-answer questions come up. Paul says we're saved by faith alone, not works - and James seems to say the opposite. If you've been around the church for a while, you probably know enough to say "the right thing" if someone asked about these verses. But would your answers hold up to scrutiny? If pressed, would you know what to say? Dive into the life stories of both apostles, learn more about the context of their letters, and discover the truth about the shared message they both proclaimed.

The essays in The Beauty and Glory of the Reformation illustrate the rich biblical, doctrinal, experiential, and practical heritage passed on by the great 16th-century Reformation. Through these studies, you will be challenged to treasure basic Reformation principles such as Scripture alone, Christ alone, and the glory of God alone, as well as to increase your awareness of what amazing spiritual mentors and models of godliness a variety of Reformation stalwarts were and what they can still teach us today.  

Many Christians are fearful of engaging in conversation with atheists - believing that they will be hostile to Christian beliefs and conversations about the Bible. This short book is designed to help both Christians and whole churches understand more about the questions and issues that atheists of various kinds have about Christian faith, and to reach out to them with the good news of the Gospel.

How did the founding generation intend for us to interpret and apply the Constitution? Are liberals right when they cite its “elastic” clauses to justify big government, or are conservatives right when they cite its explicit limits on federal power? Professor Brion McClanahan, popular author of The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Founding Fathers, finds the answers by going directly to the source—the Founders themselves, who debated all the relevant issues in their state constitutional conventions.

Christian organizations have come to be known mostly for what we're against. And all too often, that includes being against each other. But amid growing distrust of religious institutions, Christ-centered nonprofits have a unique opportunity to link arms and collectively pursue a calling higher than any one organization's agenda. Rooting for Rivals reveals how your ministry can multiply its impact by cooperating rather than competing with others, modeling Christlike love and generosity in the process. 

The lives of many believers rarely escape the tight orbits that circle around their own schedules, their own interests. The familiar gravity of familiar places. But the trajectory of our faith should be one that’s continually cycling outward, fueled by a mission and message that God first brought within reach of us, so that we can now join with Him in taking it within reach of others. Authors Daniel L. Akin and Bruce Riley Ashford are calling today’s church members to lives of going—whether going around the world or to people right where they live—going out with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

With dramatic, vivid detail, the poetic masterpiece of Nahum shows that God refuses to abandon his rebellious people when they stray into destructive paths, instead responding to spiritual adultery with love and power. The application to our own lives may hit close to home, but there is also abundant Gospel hope: Jesus' severe compassion leads him to relentlessly pursue his people for their salvation.

Whether we’re dealing with suffering, temptation, sin, grief, or persecution, it’s easy to feel alone in our troubles. But the reality is that everyone experiences trouble at some point, and we have a Father in heaven who promises to always be with us. In this honest and encouraging book, Phil Ryken offers hope and practical examples from his own life, the lives of major characters from the Bible, and Jesus himself to show us that we’re never alone in our pain.

In light of Jesus' second coming, we should not be compelled to hide out until his return; rather, we should be actively participating in his restoration plan for the world as we wait in anticipation. Paul teaches the Thessalonians that the second coming should not paralyze believers from doing work for the kingdom. Instead it should motivate them to live in a way that is pleasing to God. We all have duties to complete before Jesus' return, so we should "...not grow weary in doing good" (2 Thes. 3:13).

This letter was written by Paul while he was imprisoned Rome. The apostle is experiencing persecution for his faith but this is no surprise to him, nor is it stealing his hope.

John writes to a believer named Gaius urging him to continue walking in truth and love. Along with general instruction for church leaders, the apostle warns about those who oppose the gospel of Jesus Christ, specifically warning Gaius about a man named Diotrephes. An individual with selfish ambition that is never satisfied, Diotrephese is no different than much of the opposition we face today. Listen to John as he addresses this in his godly wisdom.

A plumb line and a basket of ripe fruit: two things the prophet Amos sees in visions. But what could these things symbolize? Listen to Amos, a lowly shepherd, as he warns the wealthy and religious Israelites about their idolatry and injustice to the poor. Could God be giving this prophet signs of the coming judgment?

The day of the Lord is coming. This means total destruction of creation. Zephaniah’s message of judgment on all nations is not complete without his message of hope. God will vindicate the righteous, and he blesses those who repent and trust in him. Listen to the prophet Zephaniah, and be encouraged as we too wait for the final redemption in Christ’s second coming.

The prophet Nahum cries out to Nineveh, hoping they will turn from their wicked ways. They listened to Jonah the first time by repenting and turning to God, but will the powerful and proud Nineveh listen to the warnings of Nahum a century later? This story teaches us that even the strength of a powerful city cannot hold out against God's power.

Edom was at odds with Israel ever since its forefather Esau had struggled in the womb with his twin brother Jacob, the patriarch of Israel. After Edom played a role in the destruction of Jerusalem, the prophet Obadiah gives warning to the nation of their coming judgment, fulfilling God's promise from hundreds of years earlier: "I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curseth thee." (Gen. 12:3)

An entire generation of faithless Israelites have come and gone, Moses has just died in the presence of the Lord, and now it’s up to Joshua to lead the Israelites into victory. Journey with Joshua as he faces many obstacles on the quest to capture the Promised Land while remaining completely committed to God.