A Sweet and Bitter Providence

A Sweet and Bitter Providence
Author: John Piper
Publisher: Crossway
Total Pages: 162
Release: 2009-12-21
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1433524341

Sex. Race. Scripture. Sovereignty. The book of Ruth entails them all. So readers shouldn't be fooled by its age, says Pastor John Piper. Though its events happened over 3,000 years ago, the story holds astounding relevance for Christians in the twenty-first century. The sovereignty of God, the sexual nature of humanity, and the gospel of God's mercy for the undeserving-these massive realities never change. And since God is still sovereign, and we are male or female, and Jesus is alive and powerful, A Sweet and Bitter Providence bears a message for readers from all walks of life. But be warned, Piper tells his audience: This ancient love affair between Boaz and Ruth could be dangerous, inspiring all of us to great risks in the cause of love.

Providence

Providence
Author: John Piper
Publisher: Crossway
Total Pages: 529
Release: 2021-02-09
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1433568373

New from Best-Selling Author John Piper From Genesis to Revelation, the providence of God directs the entire course of redemptive history. Providence is "God's purposeful sovereignty." Its extent reaches down to the flight of electrons, up to the movements of galaxies, and into the heart of man. Its nature is wise and just and good. And its goal is the Christ-exalting glorification of God through the gladness of a redeemed people in a new world. Drawing on a lifetime of theological reflection, biblical study, and practical ministry, pastor and author John Piper leads us on a stunning tour of the sightings of God's providence—from Genesis to Revelation—to discover the allencompassing reality of God's purposeful sovereignty over all of creation and all of history. Piper invites us to experience the profound effects of knowing the God of all-pervasive providence: the intensifying of true worship, the solidifying of wavering conviction, the strengthening of embattled faith, the toughening of joyful courage, and the advance of God's mission in this world.

Right Now Counts Forever

Right Now Counts Forever
Author: Robert Charles Sproul
Publisher:
Total Pages: 1398
Release: 2021
Genre: Christian life
ISBN: 9781642893045

"Our Christian assertion is that there is more to our lives than 'now.' If there is not then even the now is meaningless. But we say now counts. Why? Now counts because we are creatures who have an origin and a destiny which is rooted and grounded in God." --R.C. Sproul ------ There is no such thing as a meaningless moment. Since we're made in God's image and created for His eternal glory, everything we think, say, and do today matters forever. The question is, How should this truth direct our daily lives? For more than forty years, Dr. R.C. Sproul wrote his recurring column in Tabletalk magazine, Right Now Counts Forever, to apply the teachings of the Bible and Reformed theology to everyday life. No topic was off-limits because every part of our lives bears enduring significance. Through the years, Dr. Sproul helped Christians give careful thought to topics in theology and history, politics and current events, relationships and entertainment, and more. In this four-volume collection, hundreds of Dr. Sproul's columns have been brought together for the first time. Written to serve the church, this treasury of theological reflection can help guide believers of all ages to live with eternity in mind and devote all of life to the glory of God.

The Skeletons in God's Closet

The Skeletons in God's Closet
Author: Joshua Ryan Butler
Publisher: HarperChristian + ORM
Total Pages: 382
Release: 2014-10-21
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 052910055X

How can a loving God send people to hell? Isn’t it arrogant to believe Jesus is the only way to God? What is up with holy war in the Old Testament? Many of us fear God has some skeletons in the closet. Hell, judgment, and holy war are hot topics for the Christian faith that have a way of igniting fierce debate far and wide. These hard questions leave many wondering whether God is really good and can truly be trusted. The Skeletons in God's Closet confronts our popular caricatures of these difficult topics with the beauty and power of the real thing. Josh Butler reveals that these subjects are consistent with, rather than contradictory to, the goodness of God. He explores Scripture to reveal the plotlines that make sense of these tough topics in light of God’s goodness. From fresh angles, Josh deals powerfully with such difficult passages as: The Lake of Fire Lazarus and the Rich Man The Slaughter of Canaanites in the Old Testament Ultimately, The Skeletons in God's Close uses our toughest questions to provoke paradigm shifts in how we understand our faith as a whole. It pulls the “skeletons out of God’s closet” to reveal they were never really skeletons at all.

When Christians Get it Wrong

When Christians Get it Wrong
Author: Adam Hamilton
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Total Pages: 130
Release: 2013
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1426775237

Following Jesus can be more about serving others rather than judging them.

Abandonment to Divine Providence

Abandonment to Divine Providence
Author: Jean Pierre de Caussade
Publisher: Ignatius Press
Total Pages: 454
Release: 2011-01-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1586174711

God is to be found in the simplest of our daily activities and especially through total surrender to whatever is His will for each of us. That is the message of this 18th-century inspirational classic by Jean-Pierre de Caussade. Its encouragement to live in the present moment, accepting everyday obstacles with humility and love, has guided generations of seekers to spiritual peace and holiness. In this timeless spiritual classic, de Caussade presents the simple, profound gospel message that Jesus lived and taught: My meat is to do the will of my Father in heaven. The author states, The will of God gives to all things a supernatural and divine value for the soul submitting to it. The duties it imposes and those it contains become holy and perfect because everything it touches shares its divine character.This special volume of the famous spiritual treatise also includes the many insightful letters of Father de Caussade on the practice of self-abandonment. These numerous letters provide a great additional source of wisdom and much practical guidance for how to grow in abandonment and to deepen our union with God in our daily lives.De Caussade shows that this practice of self-abandonment to God's will is the key to attaining true peace and virtue, and that it is readily available to all people - from beginners to those well advanced in the spiritual life. He also shows how to determine what God's will is for us. He reveals that it is not extraordinary feats that God expects for our growth in holiness, but rather heroic attention to every detail in our lives and humble acceptance of our daily lot in life as coming from His hand. The rich spiritual lessons in this book have stood the test of time, offering real and practical assistance to all people because its message is simple and clear, one that the reader will find to be a rare treasure of inspiration and direction to be referred to again and again.

Suffering Wisely and Well

Suffering Wisely and Well
Author: Eric Ortlund
Publisher: Crossway
Total Pages: 192
Release: 2022-02-07
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1433576511

Why Suffering Exists: God's Purpose for Pain in the Life of Job and throughout Scripture Why does God allow suffering? The pain of suffering can be overwhelmingly mysterious, but the Bible does provide answers. Throughout Scripture, God allows trials in order to accomplish specific purposes in the lives of his people. When faced with suffering they experience spiritual growth; repentance from sin; or, as in the Old Testament story of Job, the chance to demonstrate devotion to God in the face of inexplicable agony. In Suffering Wisely and Well, Eric Ortlund explores different types of trials throughout Scripture, revealing the spiritual purpose for each and reassuring readers with God's promise of restoration. The majority of the book focuses on Job, one of the most well-known yet misunderstood stories of suffering. Ortlund thoughtfully analyzes the text chapter by chapter, including the doubt of Job's friends, God's response to Job's questions, and the meaning behind important imagery including references to Leviathan and Behemoth. Suffering Wisely and Well shows readers how to deepen their relationship with God during painful experiences in their own lives and how to comfort others who are hurting. Explores Lament and Redemption in Scripture: Helps readers understand how to interpret suffering from a Christian perspective Applicable: Each chapter ends with a "What Have We Learned?" summary Biblical Advice on Grief and Support: Teaches Christians how to avoid blame or legalism when addressing the suffering of others

Songs in the Night

Songs in the Night
Author: Michael A. Milton
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
Total Pages: 321
Release: 2024-10-18
Genre: Religion
ISBN:

“Always preach to broken hearts and you will never lack for a congregation,” an old saying goes. And for that reason, this book is for everyone—because there are many, many things that break our hearts. Sicknesses, spiritual depression, disabilities, painful memories, strained relationships... all of these weigh on Christians’ hearts at one time or another. And even when our hearts feel light, there is a longing that runs through us—a crying of the soul for eternity, for a new heavens and a new earth. Yet even in the midst of our heartache, we know there is a faith that comes from Jesus Christ that not only encourages us through our pain, but can even transform our pain... as long as we let it. And here is a collection of warm, pastoral messages, filled with personal illustration, that does just that: helps the brokenhearted Christian to locate the God of all comfort in the center of all pain. We are not left there, either; Mike Milton takes us a step further to see how the gospel actually transforms our private pain into personal praise. So read and discover how God uses the things that seek to destroy us to become the very things that bring us salvation, bring us hope, bring us to prayer, bring us together, and ultimately bring us to heaven.

Gold by Moonlight

Gold by Moonlight
Author: Amy Carmichael
Publisher: Pickle Partners Publishing
Total Pages: 310
Release: 2016-11-11
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1787202747

Originally published in 1935, Gold by Moonlight was not written by the well for the ill, but by one who knows the sensitive lessons that come from a walk with pain. This book is for all who are walking in the difficult places of life. It is a literary signpost pointing toward the peace and comfort that only comes from the Lord. A spiritually rich book, full of courage for anyone who suffers. “Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the adversities of life? Then this encouraging and comforting book is just for you. Written by Amy Carmichael who has known pain and suffering herself and has an amazing capacity to guide a weary soul back into God’s presence.”—Prayer Tray Illustrated throughout with beautiful photographs.

The Uncontrolling Love of God

The Uncontrolling Love of God
Author: Thomas Jay Oord
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
Total Pages: 233
Release: 2015-11-09
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0830899014

Rarely does a new theological position emerge to account well for life in the world, including not only goodness and beauty but also tragedy and randomness. Drawing from Scripture, science, philosophy and various theological traditions, Thomas Jay Oord offers a novel theology of providence—essential kenosis—that emphasizes God's inherently noncoercive love in relation to creation.