Stand Firm in the Faith Book Reviews: Bible

Showing posts with label Bible. Show all posts

Friday, November 13, 2015

The Upper Room: Jesus' Parting Promises for Troubled Hearts

The Upper Room: Jesus' Parting Promises
for Troubled Hearts
John MacArthur

This book is not only an historical account the night Jesus died, it's a book that will help you search your own heart. In a borrowed or rented room atop some shops or large family dwelling in Jerusalem, the drama unfolded. The events and teaching recorded in John 13-16, commonly known as the Upper Room Discourse, reveal some of the most poignant and powerful promises for believers in all of Scripture.

Jesus and His disciples were standing on the precipice of the darkest night in the history of the world. The Lord of glory was about to be betrayed and murdered. The disciples would be scattered, and the boldest of them would deny even knowing Him. The Lord knew full well that He Himself would soon undergo an unimaginable deluge of woe. He would be spit on and mocked by evil men. He would bear the sins of the world. He would be cursed with the wrath of God for others' sins. He would feel as if His Father had utterly abandoned Him. Any other man in that situation would have been in such a state of uncontrollable agitation that he would never have been able to focus his attention on the needs of others - but Jesus was different. He wanted His followers to know the peace of the One who has overcome the world. During those final hours before Jesus' betrayal, He gave His disciples - and consequently, all believers throughout history - His parting promises, that is the inheritance of every believer in Christ. In The Upper Room, pastor John MacArthur takes us back to that night and the glorious hope we have in Christ. If you're interested in searching your heart to see if you are humble, loving, loyal, read the book. I highly recommend it.

Publisher: Kress Biblical Resources
Publication Date: 2014
ISBN: 1934952206
ISBN-13: 9781934952207
This book can be purchased at Grace to you or Christianbook.com

Dr. John MacArthur is one of the best-known and most influential Bible teachers of our time. His distinctive verse-by-verse exposition is heard daily by millions of listeners on radio broadcast “Grace to You.” Since 1969 he has served as pastor and teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA. Dr. MacArthur is president of The Master’s College, and founder of The Master's Seminary, a frequent conference speaker, and a prolific author. He has written several best-selling works.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Care of Souls

From the cover: This book gives reasons why Christians should be opposed to counseling, literally Stop Counseling! and Start Ministering! Reasons are revealed why counseling, because it is problem-centered, inevitably involves sinful conversations.

Central to ministering is helping individuals in need to overcome their fixation on their problems and encouraging them to become Christ-centered on a daily basis.

The book provides ways of equipping those in need with the truths of Scripture and encouraging them to live the daily life that will be honoring to the Lord and beneficial for meeting life’s problems without sinfully talking about them.

“Instead of following the ways of the world, Christians need to search the Word to find out how God changes individuals from the inside out without one human being probing into another person’s inner man, which only God can know. God does the primary work of change and has clearly set forth what believers are to do for one another: preach, pray, admonish, instruct, help, and encourage one another to seek the Lord daily through praying; worshiping; giving thanks; reading, studying, memorizing, and mediating on Scriptures; thinking biblically; walking by faith; loving, serving, and obeying God; and loving and serving one another.

This care of souls is to be practiced mutually in the body of Christ so that all may grow and flourish in the “faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). There is no system or program. Instead, it is the very life of Christ in every believer bearing fruit and bringing each to maturity through the Word of God, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the fellowship of the saints.”

EastGate Publishers 2011
ISBN-10: 0941717224
ISBN-13: 978-0941717229

This book can be ordered from: PsychoHeresy Awareness Ministries
Ministry Website: www.psychoheresy-aware.org

Critical Questions/Critical Answers

Psychology in the Church

SEE VIDEO - http://youtu.be/B0lGqmQiPac

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

The Armor of God

Put on the full Armor of God and defend yourself against the attacks of the enemy! This full color pamphlet leads you through Ephesians 6:10-18, giving the historical context and spiritual application for each piece of armor. Perfect for Bible Study or Sunday school class. Double sided pamphlet from Rose Publishing.

Publisher Rose Publishing
Publication Date: 2005
ISBN: 1596360291
ISBN-13: 9781596360297

Friday, October 21, 2011

Thinking Christians Stand Firm in the Faith

Your Mind Matters

This book was refreshing, thoughtful and will stir your passion for God and His word. It will bring clarity and sense in how we are to use our minds as Christians in all phases of our life and witness. John Stott examines 6 areas in which the mind is absolutely necessary in: Christian living, worship, Faith, holiness, Christian guidance and Christian Evangelism.

In speaking of our evangelistic effort, the author addresses the need for the Christian witness that appeals to the whole person; to the heart, mind and will of a person, with the whole gospel; Christ incarnation, crucified, risen, reigning, coming again and more. It is upon these crucial areas, and appealing to the whole person that conviction and true lasting Faith is built. He gives examples from the Bible how this was done by Jesus, the Apostles and disciples.

Publisher's Description :

"Knowledge is indispensable to Christian life and service," writes John Stott. "If we do not use the mind which God has given us, we condemn ourselves to spiritual superficiality." While Christians have had a long heritage of rigorous scholarship and careful thinking, some circles still view the intellect with suspicion or even as contradictory to Christian faith. And many non-Christians are quick to label Christians as anti-intellectual and obscurantist. But this need not be so. In this classic introduction to Christian thinking, John Stott makes a forceful appeal for Christian discipleship that engages the mind as well as the heart.

Christ-Centered Ministry

Christ-Centered Ministry Versus Problem-Centered Counseling

True knowledge and wisdom comes from God’s word the Bible, and gives us this precious promise in 1 Peter 1:3 “seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” Since God is providing us “with everything pertaining to life and godliness,” then why are so many seduced into embracing the blending of psychology with Christianity?

This book reveals the origins, and the history of the psycho-therapy movement, and it’s impact on the church, and the errors that are found in problem-centered counseling which is regularly used and encouraged in churches today. The Authors explain the difference in Christ-centered Ministry and how it differs with problem-centered counseling. The Biblical counseling movement is a concept of integration of worldly psychological systems and theories which are being used by professing Christians, church counselors, and pastors today and while ignoring what the Bible tells us about such things. The Apostle Paul warned believers in Colossians 2:8 “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”

Much of the counseling/discipleship approach today - is a one up, one down method. Counseling involves 2 or more people conversing about problems with one being the so-called expert (Counselor - one up) who is expected to provide answers and solutions for the one in need (Counselee - one down) through a form of Talk Therapy). The goal becomes solving the problem rather than Spiritual Growth. The person or (counselee) becomes the center of attention and the problem more important than Biblical instruction found from the Scriptures and learning to keeping our focus on Christ.

Christ-centered Ministry relies on the work of the Holy Spirit in a Believers life. The Bible informs us that; problems of living are an opportunity for Spiritual Growth, growing in sanctification by denying Self. It also helps us recognize that God uses our sufferings and temptations to purify and mature us. Believers need to learn to come to Christ in their time of need, because only in Christ will they find His will for their lives and His way in each situation.

The Authors; Martin and Deidre Bobgan state in conclusion of chapter 3: “Every problem or trial is meant to conform us to the Image of Christ.

The Bobgans purpose in this Book is based on the preaching and teaching of the Word. This means the emphasis is on Christ and His work in the Believer through the Word of God, the Holy Spirit, and the Body of Christ to the glory of God. This book is written to encourage those who love the Lord Jesus Christ and God’s Word to Stand Firm in the Faith and don’t compromise. Paul exhorted that your faith should not stand on the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Cor. 2:4,5

Martin Bobgan holds four college degrees, including a doctorate from the University of Colorado, and is president of PsychoHeresy Awareness Ministries. Deidre Bobgan holds an M.A. in English from the University of California at Santa Barbara and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. They have coauthored numerous books and articles.

Publisher EastGate Publishers

ISBN 0-941717-19-4

Read/Reviewed March 2006/2011

Monday, September 12, 2011

Stand Firm on the Essential Doctrines

An Excellent Resource

This colorful, eye-friendly, brief, but excellent summary of Christian doctrine pamphlet is beautifully done.

16 points of Essentials are given and explained in concise form.

Other points of interest include: The Essential Doctrines in the Creeds, and a glossary of terms listing some of the words used throughout the writing are included with condensed definitions.

Topics covered in this pamphlet include:
God's Unity---There is only one God.
God's Tri-unity---One God in three Persons
Christ's Virgin Birth Human Depravity---No one can win God's favor by their own efforts
Christ's Sinlessness
Christ's Deity
Christ's Humanity
Necessity of God's Grace
Necessity of Faith
Christ's Atoning Death
Christ's Bodily Resurrection
Christ's Bodily Ascension
Christ's Intercession
Christ's Second Coming
Inspiration of Scriptures

There is also a helpful chart on how other Religious groups treat these Essentials. A great little fold-out that is done on glossy paper for durability. It is a handy resource to have or to give away.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

A compact useful bible reference book

Amazon.com

Find It Quick Handy Bible Encyclopedia

This is a helpful bible study tool we’ve found valuable. The writing is clear, useful and to the point. There are a few helpful charts and diagrams included. The book also includes cross references and highlight brief points at the top of entries that help will help aid you in your study of scripture. There is concise information on People, Places, and customs.

Ron Rhodes is president of Reasoning from the Scriptures Ministries and is heard regularly on christian radio programs and is a speaker at conferences. He holds a Th.M and Th.D from Dallas Theological Seminary and has written many excellent christian books. Visit his website "Reasoning from the Scriptures" to see additional books, articles and for more information. http://www.ronrhodes.org/