One Friday night of his ninth grade year he would question his salvation once again. He had probably asked Jesus into his heart 5,000 times before but was he sure? He had been baptized four times already but was that enough? These are pieces to the puzzle at the beginning of J.D. Greear’s excellent book, Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart. Though J.D. Greear is now 62nd President of the Southern Baptist Convention, Pastor of The Summit Church in Durham, NC, and author of 20 plus Christian books, he too has struggled with assurance of Salvation. His honesty and readability combined with his experience and desire to help others helped create this practical book for every age. Read more

Sin is that ugly word that we like to image belongs to other people. It is often reserved for things like embezzlement, adultery, or murder. Things which we think are beyond our capabilities. Yet, this isn’t how God describes sin.

In his book “Respectable Sins,” Jerry Bridges masterfully spends the first three chapters explaining this phenomenon and the true nature of sin. By uncovering the mask that obscures sin’s nature, we can comprehend the problem truly. The cure to sin begins with accurately understanding its heinous character.

Thankfully Dr. Bridges doesn’t leave us with this grim conclusion. He spends chapters four through six illustrating the remedy, power, and process to remove sin. These hope-filled chapters are more than a motivational speech. They are empowering and practical!

While the chapters leading up to this are broad in scope, they are not intended to stay there. Bridges spends the remainder of the book addressing 14 sins in specific ways. With topics like pride, anxiety, and anger it will be hard not to find at least one chapter that is personal. While each section is concise, they provide a great deal of information to work through.

It would be a good idea to refer back to chapters 4-6 after each section. Applying those chapters to each sin would give the reader an opportunity to work through their heart and progress in your spiritual growth. You will benefit from reading through the book, but you will be blessed beyond measure by reading it slowly and with purpose.

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Most people think Christmas is about traditions, family time, and gifts. Marty Machowski doesn’t disagree, but helps us find all of these in Christ. Read more

That’s not my gift. Isn’t that what you do across the ocean. That’s for summer trips. I’m not sure what to say. All of these and many more are the excuses people give for not sharing the gospel with others. And while the excuses abound, God’s Word still calls every believer to,

“…make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:17ff)

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The Bible is probably one of the most undervalued books in all of America! It is a treasure hidden on the shelves of millions, collecting countless dust bunnies, and all because most don’t realize its value. I pray the masses would find this treasure and in their joy sacrifice everything to know, cherish, and practice it. I believe Kevin DeYoung’s latest book, Taking God At His Word, will be a tool used by God to accomplish this task. He portrays the Bible in a way that warms your affections, inspires your devotion, and corrects your priorities. Read more

In John Piper’s book Spectacular Sins, he not only addresses this question but asserts that God is indeed sovereign over sin.  He asserts,

“God did not just overcome evil at the cross.  He mad evil serve the overcoming of evil.  He made evil commit suicide in doing its worst evil.”

This little book goes beyond the category of “thought provoking” into “awe inspiring.”  In a way only Piper can do, he overwhelms his readers with a view of God’s glory that not only produces greater worship, but grounds your faith for the worst of times.(p.14) Read more