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

Over time, the business of life creeps in and even the most deeply committed couples can feel like they're living parallel lives rather than enjoying life together. Their once happily-ever-after can quickly turn into an endless grind of work, chores, errands, and carpool. And the pull of social media becomes more compelling than engaging with one's spouse. In this book, Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley offer practical ways to rekindle the passionate, intimate, heart-to-heart spark of connection between husbands and wives.

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.

What a many-colored career that was which began amidst the pastoral solitudes of Bethlehem, and ended in the chamber where the dying ears heard the blare of the trumpets that announced the accession of Bathsheba's son! None of the great men of scripture pass through a course of so many changes as David; none of them touched human life at so many points; none of them were so tempered and polished by swift alternation of heat and cold, by such heavy blows and the friction of such rapid revolutions.

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.

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.

All chief executives want to deliver superior returns for their shareholders; however, only a few have been able to do so on a sustainable basis. Beliefs, Behaviors, and Results profiles how the best Fortune 200 CEOs have been able to outperform their peers and sustain superior shareholder returns by institutionalizing a set of beliefs and behaviors in their organizations.

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. "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Tim. 3:12). He is writing this letter to encourage Timothy, his coworker, to be strong in the Lord in spite of suffering. He calls on him to be a good soldier of Jesus Christ, as we should all strive to be ourselves.

“God is light.” This means we can always count on him to overcome evil with good. Having assurance of our salvation in Christ equips us to stand firm in the face of evil. This letter points Christians back to the Gospel. “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.” It encourages believers to live obedient lives in light of the salvation they have in Christ.

After Jesus rose from the dead, he gave his Spirit to dwell within all who believe in him. The Holy Spirit is our counselor, leading, instructing, and equipping us. A sequel to the Gospel of Luke, this book gives a history of the early Church and provides a heavy emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit. In many ways Acts serves as a transition from law keeping to grace and faith in Christ.

Just like in Galatians, Paul teaches the church in Colossae to beware of men who add unnecessary elements to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Anything added to the Gospel results in "no Gospel at all" (Gal. 1:7). The main reminder given in this book is that Jesus is king over all. This means that we must trust in him alone and not in "the tradition of men" (Col.2:8). Listen to Paul's letter to Colossae, and be reminded of the superiority of Jesus, who is our only 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 from much of the opposition we face today. Listen to John as he addresses this in his godly wisdom.

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.

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?

Salvation from the Lord has no barriers. The prophet Zechariah teaches God’s people that the invitation of salvation goes out to all people, regardless of their nationalities. In this book the prophet foresees people from all over the world worshipping God. Listen to Zechariah as he scolds the people for their disobedience and tells of the future restoration of the faithful.

Matthew, a tax collector disliked by many people, was chosen by Jesus to be his apostle. He was one of the unlikeliest of men to be chosen but was nevertheless faithful in this important role. Matthew gives us an eyewitness account of the events in the life of Jesus. This apostle's main goal is to prove to the Jews that Jesus Christ is their long-awaited Messiah. Open your hearts and ears as the truth is revealed to you through the Gospel of Matthew.

The word Gospel means "good news", and this is just what the Apostle Mark shares with us in the second book of the New Testament. Mark tells us that Jesus has two natures: fully divine and fully man. Jesus was human with emotions, and yet he was also God in the flesh. But why did God need to become man? Why did he lower himself when he is the highest in the universe? Listen to the Gospel of Mark as he gives us the answers to these questions.

Humans are prone to amnesia. We easily forget what God has done for us because of an inward focus on ourselves. The Israelites did just this. They forgot about the miraculous things God had done to unite them to himself. In turn they abandoned God's way: "...Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. (Judges 17:6). In Judges we learn that God keeps his promises despite the sinfulness of his people.

False claims about Jesus have been made for centuries, even during Jesus' time on Earth. The Apostle Luke refutes many of the distorted reports about Jesus in this Gospel. He depicts to his listeners the true Christ: the Son of Man who has come to seek and save what is lost. Listen to the third Gospel and learn about our Lord Jesus, a friend of sinners, and what he freely offers us.