Introducing Habakkuk: From “O Lord, How Long?” to “I Will Rejoice”
Among the twelve Minor Prophets in the Old Testament is the book of the prophet Habakkuk. His book is not “Minor” because it is unimportant; it is “Minor” because, as many modern readers will appreciate, it has only three brief chapters, which take about ten minutes to read—that is, if it doesn’t make you stop to think!
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25 Years Later: Remembering 9/11
On September 11, 2001, the world watched in disbelief as a day of unimaginable tragedy unfolded. The terrorist attacks on the United States claimed thousands of lives, reshaped global events, and left a lasting mark on a generation. Twenty-five years later, the memories remain vivid, and the questions raised by that day continue to confront us: Where is God when evil strikes? How should we respond when our sense of security is shaken? And what hope is there in a world marked by suffering and uncertainty?
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What Jesus Wants from the Overachiever
Among the pitfalls of which Christians should be wary, surely one of the most prevalent in our day is the trap of a performance-driven life. For certain high achievers, contentment is hard to come by. Nothing is ever finished, done, or good enough—and it never will be. And while that sort of approach may lead to apparent success in academics, business, and so on, when we try to adopt it in the Christian life, we quickly make our faith little more than a long list of activities to do, lacking in life or spiritual health.
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John Owen: Five Qualities Every Preacher Should Have
Faithful preaching has never been measured merely by eloquence, personality, or even theological precision. Throughout church history, the men God has most powerfully used have recognized that preaching is more than delivering information; it is the work of shepherding souls with the crook of God’s Word.
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Who Wrote the Bible, Really?
To paraphrase Paul in 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is expired.”
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The Language of Rivers and Stars: How Nature Speaks of the Glories of God
There are few experiences as refreshing as stepping outside and being reminded of the beauty, power, and wonder of God’s creation. The Language of Rivers and Stars extends a compelling invitation not only to simply admire the natural world but also to discover how creation itself points to the glory of its Creator. You’ll be encouraged to view rivers, mountains, animals, skies, and stars as part of God’s ongoing testimony to His greatness.
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What Does It Mean for a Christian to Grow Up?
Growing up is no little deal. As children make the transition to adolescence, as adolescents make the transition to adults, and as graduations send kids out of the home to colleges, universities, training programs, and places of work, the question of what it means to grow up becomes a pressing one. Particularly, we might ask: What would it mean to grow up as a Christian?
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No Passive Defense in the Christian Life
In 1 Peter 5:8, Peter issues two incisive imperatives: “Be sober-minded; be watchful.” We have a duty of personal vigilance, since, as Peter goes on to explain, “your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” There can be no passive defense in the Christian life. The moment we let our minds wander, the moment we get lazy, unguarded, or slothful, we are immediately in a spiritual danger zone.
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The Story of God and Us: Finding Our Place in God’s Plan for the World
Have you ever wished you could see how the entire Bible fits together as one cohesive story? In The Story of God and Us, pastor and theology professor Jonathan Murphy retells the grand narrative of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. You’ll begin with creation and trace the line of God’s unfolding plan of redemption through the fall, the patriarchs, the kings, the prophets, and then the coming of the Messiah in the Gospels. You’ll continue the storyline of God’s faithfulness from generation to generation in Acts and the Epistles and finally anticipate all to come as revealed in Revelation. This captivating book connects all the dots for those who’ve never read the Bible in its entirety or those unsure of how all the people and events tell one unified story.
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Nehemiah Knew When to Rest
The book of Nehemiah gives us a spectacular picture of godly leadership and initiative: Facing a run-down Jerusalem with a broken-down wall after the Babylonian exile, Nehemiah, the book’s namesake, leads the people in rebuilding the wall and rededicating the city and its people to God. Yet at the outset of the “great work” that Nehemiah accomplishes and the challenges that accompany it, Nehemiah 2:11 contains a simple sentence that we may be tempted to overlook: “I went to Jerusalem and was there three days.”
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