A blessing is a favor or thing that is conducive to happiness or welfare. Everybody at one point or another needs a blessing be it happiness, provision, a sense of purpose, peace, joy, self-fulfillment, a sense of security, health, good relationships, favor, self-esteem, assurance in times of uncertainty, spiritual growth, anointing, sweet fellowship with God; the list is unending. There are blessings and there are greater blessings. It is God's will and good pleasure to give you His greater blessings however, many Christians haven't been able to experience God at this level. The author through this book gives an in-depth yet easy to read teaching on how to receive and maintain the greater blessings of God. Don't dwell at the level of the blessing, go higher to the realm of the greater blessings. With every chapter packed with deep truths of the word of God and more than 200 scriptural references, you will be edified whether you are a novice or experienced with scriptures.

It's easy to think that emotional pain and feelings of hopelessness are modern issues. But two thousand years ago, Jesus ministered to people who were also longing for peace and happiness. His answer? God's peace--his Shalom, a word so important that it's translated seventy different ways in the Bible. This often-overlooked aspect of the Christian life is the foundation for deep, meaningful happiness. In this uplifting book, Jeremiah Johnston provides a biblical perspective on living a life of Shalom. Johnston reveals: * the peace Jesus offers vs. the peace the world promises but can't deliver * how to apply God's peace to our current situation and combat anxiety, fear, and hopelessness * how to protect this perfect peace in our lives when troubles try to steal it This book is also helpful for lay leaders, pastors, and everyone else who recognizes the church's incredible opportunity today to help individuals and families dealing with anxiety and depression.

Spiritual discernment is a key theme in the Scriptures. From the Garden when Adam and Eve turned away from the simplest terms of a relationship with God, to the Garden when John the Apostle wrote the book of Revelation to a distracted people anticipating eternity, discerning God has been the heart of the matter. In modern times, however, we have forgotten the basic premise of practicing a preference for God, out of which we then are invited to live for God. Instead, we have implanted strategic planning, head-to-head battling, and will-of-God knowing in its place. In The Discerning Life, Stephen A. Macchia seeks to upend the one-eyed and limited Christian understandings of spiritual discernment and invite readers and leaders to reconsider how they prioritize the care of their souls, the grace of their communities, and the mission of their lives, churches, and organizations. When we have a fuller understanding of how spiritual discernment matters to the whole of our lives, we will in turn encourage others to follow likewise and then lean fully into the mission, mandate, and message of the whole counsel of God.