Monthly Resources

The book of Ruth may be one of the loveliest short stories ever written, telling an unforgettable tale of purity, faithfulness, innocence, loyalty, duty, and love. Yet it is set in dark times: the final verse of the book of Judges, which precedes Ruth in the Bible, tells us that “in those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” As one commentator writes, the time was marked by “violent invasions, apostate religion, unchecked lawlessness, and tribal civil war.”

Topics: Ministry Updates, Monthly Resources

What makes a church effective? Is it a functional building, excellent worship music, a vibrant youth program, or a robust teaching ministry? While our answers may vary, the burgeoning church in the book of Acts clearly provides us with seven elements for which every church should strive. These marks include the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the sacraments, prayer, mutual care, worship, and continuous evangelism. No church will ever master all of these elements, but they should be the goals to which church leaders guide their people. Is your church on the right course?

Topics: Monthly Resources

If someone asked you to describe what Christmas means, what would you say? How would you begin to explain the love that Christmas is really all about?

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Richard Baxter. Jeremiah Burroughs. John Bunyan. Samuel Rutherford. Do these names sound familiar? The last several decades have seen an increase in the popularity of the Puritans’ writings. If you’ve never benefited from the impassioned writings of these believers don’t miss requesting this month’s book selection from Truth For Life. It’s called The Glory of Grace, and it introduces eleven Puritans, in their own words, with writings on topics including suffering, contentment, loss, assurance, daily discipleship, and more.

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Brand new from experienced marriage counselor and pastor Jonathan Holmes, Counsel for Couples offers a treasure trove of wisdom and instruction for those counseling couples through marriage difficulty.

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Strained relationships are a weary reality for many married couples—and if your role is to counsel couples in the midst of marriage crisis, you may often feel as though you’re less equipped for the task than you’d like.

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“How are things in your church? Is it a church marked by a joyful Gospel partnership between the pastor and church members? Or not? How well do you know your pastor?” —Christopher Ash, The Book Your Pastor Wishes You Would Read (But Is Too Embarrassed to Ask)

Topics: Monthly Resources

Have you noticed that the most innocuous habits, when allowed to go unchecked, always seem to wreak the most havoc? Consider behaviors such as comparing, complaining, criticizing, and coveting; these habits of a discontented heart can spread like weeds, marring our witness and choking our worship. Eradicating them requires more than just how-to advice.

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Contentment

The pursuit of contentment in worldly things leads to an endless cycle of futility. Yet contentment is possible when we look to Christ alone as our source of comfort and joy.

If you’re in search of the ever-elusive sense of sustained peace, the following books, carefully chosen and highly recommended by the team at Truth For Life, will offer much help

Topics: Ministry Updates, Monthly Resources

Even as a prisoner, the Apostle Paul remained confident about his direction and purpose in life: “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” When pride and jealousy fostered division among the Philippian Christians, then, Paul redirected their focus to Jesus, the supreme example of sacrificial love. Passionate that all should share in God’s grace, he also provided principles to guide the Church in all generations as we set our sights on Him.

Topics: Ministry Updates, Monthly Resources