Two Oppositional Figures in Church History Shed Light on Division in the Church Today Our current culture seems to be increasingly divided on countless issues, including those affecting the church. But for centuries, theological disagreements, political differences, and issues relating to church leadership have made it challenging for Christians to foster unity and love for one another. In this book, author Tim Cooper explores this polarization through the lives of two oppositional figures in church history: John Owen and Richard Baxter. Cooper highlights their individual stories while showing how their contrasting life experiences, personalities, and temperaments led to their inability to work together. After exploring these lessons from the past, readers will gain insights into their own relationships, ultimately learning how to love and live in harmony with their fellow believers despite their disagreements. - Timely: In today's deeply divided culture, this book offers past examples to help spur unity among believers today - Historical: Biographical examination of two Puritan writers from the 17th century: John Owen and Richard Baxter - Accessible: Short format and crisp writing style offer an engaging story with no background knowledge required

"May we never forget that without fighting there can be no holiness while we live, and no crown of glory when we die!" —J. C. Ryle "True Christianity is a fight," wrote J. C. Ryle in 1877. He argued that from the day of their conversion until the day they die, Christians are called to be soldiers for Christ in a war for their holiness. This inspiring call to action written more than 100 years ago continues to be a source of great encouragement and inspiration for believers today. In this addition to the Crossway Short Classics series, Ryle explains why the fight for holiness is one of absolute necessity for Christians. Identifying the three main enemies of every believer—the world, the flesh, and the devil—he emboldens them to "either fight or be lost" in their daily battle and offers biblical and historical examples of notable Christian "soldiers." Fighting for Holiness is a bold reminder for believers to daily put on the whole armor of God and train their eyes on Christ.

As an author, speaker, and advocate for people with disabilities, Joni Eareckson Tada has inspired people around the world with her story of faith in the midst of suffering. In this beautiful collection of hymns and devotions she acts as a "song leader," guiding readers through their own painful seasons with heartfelt praises to God. Songs of Suffering includes 25 hymns with accompanying devotions to spark hope in hardship. In this audiobook version, Eareckson Tada performs verses from each song. Opening with a special message from hymn writers Keith and Kristyn Getty, this book is a source of comfort for anyone who needs biblical encouragement, prompting readers to seek refuge in the Lord and rejoice in his goodness.

Pastor Dane Ortlund Explores Jesus's Heart to Reveal His Tender Love for Sinners and Suffers Christians know that God loves them, but can easily feel that he is perpetually disappointed and frustrated, maybe even close to giving up on them. As a result, they focus a lot—and rightly so—on what Jesus has done to appease God's wrath for sin. But how does Jesus Christ actually feel about his people amid all their sins and failures? This book draws us to Matthew 11, where Jesus describes himself as "gentle and lowly in heart," longing for his people to find rest in him. The gospel flows from God's deepest heart for his people, a heart of tender love for the sinful and suffering. These chapters take us into the depths of Christ's very heart for sinners, diving deep into Bible passages that speak of who Christ is and encouraging readers with the affections of Christ for his people. His longing heart for sinners comforts and sustains readers in their up-and-down lives. - Draws on Writings from the Puritans: Including Thomas Goodwin, Richard Sibbes, John Bunyan, John Owen, and others - Provides a Unique Perspective: Confronts readers' typical thoughts on God's heart - Scripture-Based: Explores passages throughout the whole Bible to get a full picture of God's heart for sinners

David Gibson Explores How Death, Viewed Biblically, Teaches Us How to Truly Live Keeping the end in mind shapes how we live our lives in the here and now. Living life backward means taking the one thing in our future that is certain—death—and letting that inform our journey before we get there. Looking to the book of Ecclesiastes for wisdom, Living Life Backward was written to shake up our expectations and priorities for what it means to live "the good life." Considering the reality of death helps us pay attention to our limitations as human beings and receive life as a wondrous gift from God—freeing us to live wisely, generously, and faithfully for God's glory and the good of his world. - Biblical: Walks through the book of Ecclesiastes chapter by chapter - Applicable: Teaches listeners to live wisely, freely, and generously in light of eternity - Hopeful: Counters a modern worldview that pretends we can fix, avoid, or control every facet of our lives - Practical: Includes discussion questions at the end of each chapter

Building and Sustaining a Thriving Leadership Culture Essential to every healthy church is a biblical model of leadership. In the New Testament, church leadership is built around a team of elders working together, each bringing his own unique skills and gifts to the cause of shepherding the flock God entrusted to them. However, in many churches today the principle of plurality in leadership is often misunderstood, mistakenly applied, or completely ignored. Dave Harvey encourages church leaders to prioritize plurality for the surprising ways that it helps churches to flourish. This audiobook not only builds a compelling case for churches to adopt and maintain biblical elder pluralities guided by solid leadership but also supplies practical tools to help elders work together for transformation. Download the free study guide.

Why Missions and Evangelism Are an Overflow of Delighting in God Evangelism and missions are parts of the Christian life often accompanied by fears, insecurities, and cultural pressures. In this addition to the Union series, Daniel Hames and Michael Reeves argue that an individual's relationship with God influences their evangelism and missions more than anything else. Scripture clearly shows that a believer's responsibility is to make God known in the world, but this cannot be done without first knowing and enjoying God. To illustrate how knowledge of God influences evangelism and missions, Hames and Reeves address biblical themes such as the glory of God, Christ's sacrifice, the fallenness of man, and the church's future hope. There is hope for those who find these topics intimidating—when believers focus on the glory of the lamb of God, the gospel will shine through them. - Ideal for Laypeople, Pastors, and Students: Specifically for those interested in theology and missions - Union Series: The final audiobook in the Union series which invites readers to experience deeper enjoyment of God - Concise Version Also Available: What Fuels the Mission of the Church? by Daniel Hames and Michael Reeves - Biblically Grounded: Teaches how biblical themes such as the glory of God, Christ's sacrifice, the fallenness of man, and the church's future hope inform evangelism and missions

Special Typeface and Layout Make Reading the Bible Easier for Those with Dyslexia Approximately 17 percent of the global population has dyslexia, yet many do not have the proper resources to easily read God's Word. The ESV Holy Bible: Dyslexia-Friendly Edition features a specialized typeface and typesetting to help those with dyslexia read the Bible with more clarity and comfort. Developed in partnership with Klaus Krogh of 2K and Cambridge University's research department, bottom-weighted letters and distinctive characteristics help readers differentiate similar letterforms. A unique typesetting features generous spacing between letters, words, lines, and paragraphs, making the text even easier to read. Provided color overlays can be placed on top of the Bible text to reduce visual strain and offer additional comfort. Researched and tested, this Bible has proven to be a valuable resource in making God's Word more accessible to those who have dyslexia. Designed for Those with Dyslexia: Bottom-weighted letters and generous spacing make the text easier to read Based on Research: Developed in partnership with Klaus Krogh of 2K and Cambridge University's research department Color Overlays Reduce Visual Strain: Colored plastic sheets can be layered, offering 30 color options for various reading needs Features the Full ESV Text

8 ESV Prayer Journals, Featuring Artwork from Ruth Chou Simons, Help You Engage with Scripture and Pray with Purpose This 8-volume collection of ESV Prayer Journals, written by Erika Allen, helps you turn your quiet time into a meditation on God's Word. Beautiful and portable, each 30-day study guides you through a foundational Scripture topic--the gospel, faith, forgiveness, wisdom, evangelism, peace, hope, or humility--and creates space for writing and prayer. The themed journals each explore 6 key Bible passages over 6 weeks. Every weekly study includes: An overview of that week's passage 5 days of teaching and prayer prompts Clear definitions of biblical terms Lined pages for writing 10.5-point type Providing nearly a year's worth of teaching on vital topics, this 8-volume journaling set helps you engage with Scripture and pray with purpose. Set of 8 Prayer Journals: Covering faith, forgiveness, wisdom, evangelism, peace, hope, the gospel, and humility Interactive Bible Study: Each book includes 6 weeks of teaching, prayer, and journaling prompts Strengthen Spiritual Disciplines: Journals combine prayer and Bible study to connect with God and understand foundational Bible themes A Great Gift for Birthdays, Graduations, and More: Give individual journals or the entire set Popular Study for Women: More than 60,000 ESV Prayer Journals sold

The ESV Journaling Bible provides the perfect way for you to keep a journal of your spiritual life right inside the Bible that you read and study every day. With covers and formats that look like the finest journals, the ESV Journaling Bible features 7-point type and 2-inch ruled margins for writing observations, reflections, prayers, praises, and journal entries. This unique Bible makes a great gift and lasting keepsake for anyone who values God's Word. Personal Bible Study Tool: Includes a one-year reading plan and 2" ruled margins for writing reflections, prayers, and journal entries High-Quality Production: Features 7-point type, cream-colored paper, a ribbon marker, smyth-sewn binding, and elegant TruTone and leather covers designed to last

Examines the wilderness temptations of Christ to underscore thecosmic scale of temptation, the universal strategies of theTempter, and the way of escape made possible for God's peoplein Christ.

A Comprehensive Anthology of Prayers and Petitions throughout Church History Throughout history, Christians have sought guidance to bolster their spiritual walk with Christ and life of prayer. Even Christ's disciples would ask, "Lord, teach us to pray" (Luke 11:1). But in our current individualistic culture, it's almost too easy to neglect the wisdom of those who came before us. To restore a love of historic Christian tradition, theology, and practice, this comprehensive anthology combines prayers and petitions of the greatest figures throughout the formation of the church, continuing through the medieval, Reformation, and modern eras. Editors Jonathan W. Arnold and Zachariah M. Carter provide context for each prayer through expert introductions, commentary, and biographical explorations. Ultimately readers will be encouraged in their faith as they learn the importance of prayer and witness the hearts and struggles of the saints. - Helpful Historical Resource: A chronological anthology of prayers and petitions throughout church history - Features Church History's Greatest Figures: Clement of Rome, Gregory of Nyssa, Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Charles Spurgeon, and more - Useful as a Devotional Aid: Helps readers strengthen their knowledge of prayer and develop their walk with Christ - Ideal for Church Leaders and Laypeople Alike: Pastors, historians, theologians, Bible teachers, and individual believers

"Lord knows that we have more than enough books about ourselves and never enough books about the God that created us. It isn't until we see him that we can then make sense of ourselves. I believe Jen Oshman's book accomplishes that by widening our vision and helping us fall in love with seeing God again." —Jackie Hill Perry, poet; author; hip-hop artist Women today feel a constant pressure to improve themselves and just never feel like they're "enough." All too often, they live their daily lives disheartened, disillusioned, and disappointed. That's because joy doesn't come from a new self-improvement strategy; it comes from rooting their identity in who God says they are and what he has done on their behalf. This book calls women to look away from themselves in order to find the abundant life God offers them—contrasting the cultural emphasis on personal improvement and empowerment with what the Scriptures say about a life rooted, built up, and established in the gospel.

Accessible Guide from 9Marks Equips Men to Steward Their God-Given Authority Every position of power—in homes, churches, and boardrooms—has the potential to strengthen people or to harm them. Bad leaders abuse their authority or abdicate it. And their actions breed distrust in authority generally. Yet what do godly authority and leadership look like—the kind that causes people to flourish? Many men today have lost their bearings when it comes to leadership. In this condensed version of his book Authority, Jonathan Leeman equips men to take hold of the authority they've received and responsibly steward it for the good of others. Exploring the domains of marriage, fatherhood, church, and the workplace, he offers practical, Scripture-based advice for daily life. This accessible guide, perfect for men's groups, helps listeners submit to God and gain biblical wisdom for their most important roles. - Practical Advice for Various Areas of Leadership: Biblical insights for fathers, husbands, employers, church pastors, and more - Adapted from Jonathan Leeman's Book Authority: Features condensed content - Perfect for Small Groups and Men's Ministries: With engaging questions throughout, this is a great resource for churches and mentors - Includes a New Introduction and a Chapter with Advice for Single Men

God made you for friendship. Friendship is one of the deepest pleasures of life. But in our busy, fast-paced, mobile world, we've lost this rich view of friendship and instead settled for shallow acquaintances based on little more than similar tastes or shared interests. Helping us recapture a vision of true friendship, pastor Drew Hunter explores God's design for friendship and what it really looks like in practice—giving us practical advice to cultivate the kinds of true friendships that lead to true and life-giving joy.

Based on John Owen's Classic Text Communion with God, This Helpful Resource Answers the Question, "What Does It Mean to Be Friends with Jesus?" In John 15, Jesus says, "I have called you friends." But what does it mean to be friends with Jesus? In the early 1650s, theologian John Owen attempted to answer this question through a series of sermons, eventually compiled as Communion with God. The book is full of truths about having fellowship with God, but Owen's work is often a struggle for modern readers to understand. In Friendship with God, pastor Mike McKinley takes a key idea or insight from Communion with God and clarifies it for readers in each chapter, giving them practical guidance for how to develop fellowship with God—such as obeying the Father's commands, acknowledgment of sin, and prayer. Perfect for new Christians or for those without a church background, this accessible resource offers an introduction to the God who "wants you to know him and be known by him." - Accessible: Written for a broad contemporary audience, perfect for new Christians or for those without a church background - Based on John Owen's Classic Text Communion with God: Takes Owen's work and explains the key themes to a modern audience - Examines Some Key Attributes of God: Including his Trinitarian nature, love, and grace

Noted Attorney and Seminary Graduate Matthew T. Martens Answers the Question: Does the Design and Operation of the American Criminal Justice System Reflect Christian Love of Neighbor? Jesus told his followers that the entirety of the Old Testament's law is encapsulated in the commands to love God and to love their neighbors as themselves. In Reforming Criminal Justice: A Christian Proposal, Matthew T. Martens argues that love of neighbor must be the animating force for true reformation of the criminal justice system, obligating us to seek the best for both the criminally victimized and the criminally accused. Using his theological training Martens reveals how Scripture provides several guideposts (accuracy, due process, accountability, impartiality, and proportionality) for loving our neighbors as it relates to criminal justice. Then, drawing on his near quarter century practicing criminal law, he examines how America's justice system falls short of the biblical standard. By understanding how our current system operates and considering how love of neighbor relates to issues of crime and justice, we will be better equipped to seek true Christian reform of the justice system. - A Biblical Perspective on Criminal Justice: Offers a biblical framework for thinking about the concept of justice for both the victim and the perpetrator - Examines the History of the American Criminal Justice System: Surveys the evolution of the criminal justice system in the United States with a focus on its misuse from the time of the Civil War to the civil rights movement - Assesses the Criminal Justice System: Examines the operation of the American justice system today, including plea bargains, assistance of counsel, the death penalty, and more - Foreword by Derwin L. Gray: Pastor of Transformation Church in Indian Land, South Carolina, and the author of How to Heal Our Racial Divide and Building a Multiethnic Church

Apologetic Primer Explains How Reason Supports Christianity's Claims From the classroom to mainstream media, Christians regularly find their fundamental beliefs discounted by opponents who consider faith to be incompatible with reason. Faith is viewed as subjective, emotional, and a crutch for those who find the real world too hard. The late R. C. Sproul, however, claims faith reveals just how rational Christianity truly is. This audiobook surveys the history and fundamentals of apologetics to demonstrate how reason and scientific inquiry actually support Christianity's claims—thus equipping believers to defend the existence of God and the Bible's authority. The defense of the faith is not a luxury or an intellectual vanity. It is a task appointed by God to give reason to your eternal hope as you bear witness before the world. - A Logical and Biblical Defense: Sets forth the basic truth claims of Christianity to show the rationality of the Christian faith - Comprehensive: Deals with arguments from philosophy, science, reason, logic, and history - Ideal for New and Seasoned Believers Alike: Helps Christians know what they believe and why they believe it - Great Resource for Individual, Small Group, or Classroom Study

Fear is one of the strongest human emotions, and it is one that often baffles Christians. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." —Proverbs 1:7 Fear is one of the strongest human emotions—and one that often baffles Christians. In the Bible the picture can seem equally confusing: Is fear a good thing or a bad thing? And what does it mean to "fear the Lord"? In this audiobook, Michael Reeves clears the clouds of confusion and shows that the fear of the Lord is not a negative thing at all, but an intensely delighted wondering at God, our Creator and Redeemer.

Every day the small wooden people called Wemmicks do the same thing: stick either gold stars or gray dots on one another. The pretty ones-those with smooth wood and fine paint-always get stars. The talented ones do, too. Others, though, who can do little or who have chipped paint, get ugly gray dots. Like Punchinello. In this heartwarming children's tale from the best-selling pen of author Max Lucado, Eli the woodcarver helps Punchinello understand how special he is-no matter what other Wemmicks may think. It's a vital message for children everywhere: that regardless of how the world evaluates them, God cherishes each of them, just as they are. This tale originally appeared within one of the chapters in the award-winning children's bestseller Tell Me the Secrets.