Nothing cripples a church's effectiveness like internal strife. In Philippi, Paul addressed a congregation whose private struggles were compounded by opposition and suffering from without. Paul's strategy was to write them a letter of friendship and moral exhortation, reminding them of their "partnership in the gospel," their mutual suffering for the cause of Christ, and their need to "stand firm in one spirit." His approach and counsel can serve us well today. In this warm study of Philippians by Gordon Fee, you will discover what this letter meant for its original hearers as well as what it means to us today.

The growth of information makes for an ever-changing world. However, the importance of Scripture remains unchanged. To ensure the enduring value of inspired sacred texts, Friendship Press, together with the National Council of Churches and in partnership with the Society of Biblical Literature, has undertaken the careful task of updating the NRSV Edition of the Bible. We are pleased to present you with what we can in full confidence call the world’s most meticulously researched, rigorously reviewed, and faithfully accurate English-language Bible translation. You will find that this new NRSV edition is the most extensively updated English-language Bible translation available on the worldwide market to date. Recent scholarship is applied to ancient texts to help readers explore the meanings of ancient texts in light of the cultures that produced them. The NRSV Updated Edition is intended to be as literal as possible so that the meaning of scripture can be as clear as possible to the fervent lay reader as it is to the dedicated biblical scholar. As stewards of the NRSV Updated Edition, we invite you to join the journey of exploration with all the passionate attention and consideration that sacred Scriptures richly deserve.

Features:

• 9-Point Type
• Double column format
• Footnotes
• Thoughtfully crafted with quality paper and durable binding
• Color maps and presentation page

When it seems like everything is falling apart, it can be hard to stay focused on the promises of God. With the weight of the world on your shoulders, it becomes very inviting to sit down and give up. Before you know it, doubts, frustration, and
bitterness begin to creep in and steal all of the joy and power from your life and your relationship with God.

The past is just a memory. God makes all things new.

In Limitless best-selling author Jentezen Franklin encourages you to stop listening to the negative voices in your head that say things are never going to get better. You don’t have to believe that your kids are never going to serve God or you’ll never regain your health. In this book, you’ll discover how to:

• Let go of the baggage and overcome the limits of your past once and for all
• Block the enemy’s access into your life and cancel his assignments to limit you
• Revive your prayer life and worship times through new levels of intimacy with God
• Activate your faith to stop merely talking about miracles and start experiencing them
• Dream God-sized dreams, determine not to become satisfied, and decide to go to the next level in your walk with God
• You don’t have to live a powerless, lukewarm Christian life. You can be victorious through the power of the Holy Spirit!

3 Effective Ways to Study Scripture for an Essential Understanding of Who God Is

The Bible invites us to know God and have eternal life. That makes reading, understanding, and applying Scripture the most important journey we will ever take, but it can be difficult without a guide to provide direction.

In Come and See, Jonathan Pennington helps readers understand what it means to know God from the Bible and details 3 effective approaches to interpreting Scripture. Using the engaging analogy of a road trip, he introduces 3 friends who each have distinct, clear ways of navigating the Bible: informational (understanding genres in Scripture and avoiding exegetical mistakes); theological (reading canonically, traditionally, and creedally); and transformational (focusing on the goal of reading Scripture, our posture as readers, and the role of the Holy Spirit). Pennington gives detailed advice for employing all 3 reading modes, equipping readers to gain wisdom and know God better.

Fear. Discouragement. Loneliness. Anger. Temptation.

These struggles are common to every person, yet not all originate within us. Often they result from a coordinated assault by Satan. In the "When the Enemy Strikes Workbook," best-selling author Dr. Charles Stanley explores the often-overlooked reality of siritual warfare and teaches how to respond effectively.

Product features include:

• Insightful Questions for In-Depth Study
• Guided Prayers
• Quotes from "When the Enemy Strikes"

This important study, which is perfect for individual or group settings, will build your awareness and dependence on God.

This follow-up devotional to the New York Times bestseller Keep It Shut takes a deeper look at the advice and commands of Scripture concerning the tongue, offering practical how-to's that will inspire you to use your words to build, bless, encourage, and praise. Each day we speak thousands of words in dozens of places. One thing is certain about the words we speak, type, and text: they are powerful, and they have consequences. They can impart love and life or deliver discouragement and defeat. No wonder Scripture contains more than 3,500 verses about the power of the tongue. This devotional will take you on a journey over the next forty days to learn to choose and use your words wisely--saving you a boatload of regret and wounded relationships. Each of the forty interactive entries includes a Scripture-verse focus for the day, a story or teaching point, and reflection questions. Each entry ends with both an action that will help you carry out the directive in the verse and a prayer prompt. The entries in Zip It build upon each other, equipping you with new tools for how--or how not--to use your words. Ultimately, Zip It will challenge you to use your mouth with godly purposes. To build . . . not to break. To bless . . . not to badger. To encourage . . . not to embitter. To praise . . . not to pounce.

Respected Christian counselor H. Norman Wright draws from his extensive experience to help couples establish strong, loving marriages. Whether divorced or widowed, people who marry again face unique challenges. Through 101 questions, Norm helps readers know their own views and understand where they agree and disagree with their future mates on finances, roles, sexuality, children, responsibilities, and previous relationship issues.

Couples will work together to:

• make sure they're ready for a new marriage
• discover the essentials for successful remarriages
• clearly communicate personal and family needs
• establish realistic expectations for their new marriage
• handle common problems in remarriage: previous partners, in-laws (past and present), merged families, money, sexual issues

Offering plenty of room for written responses, this essential premarriage guide helps couples work through problem areas before they become issues. They will also discover areas of strength and agreement that will help them establish a solid foundation for success.

Ideal for couples, study groups, ministers, and counselors.

The perfect Everyday-Carry Large Print Bible There are Bibles for your study, and Bibles you take with you. This is the latter. Designed with the everyday-carry lifestyle in mind, this durable buffalo leather NASB Thinline Large Print Bible is the ideal Bible for people on the go. The blue, genuine leather cover, raised spine hubs, art-gilt pages edges, gilt line, and perimeter stitching make this a rugged, handsome Bible skillfully crafted to keep up with your busy lifestyle. Universally recognized as the gold standard among word-for-word translations, the beloved New American Standard Bible, 1995 Edition, is now easier to read with Zondervan's exclusive NASB Comfort Print (R) typeface. Available in a variety of sophisticated designs, NASB Thinline Bibles give you the translation celebrated for faithfulness to the original biblical languages in a portable, easy-to-read format. Features: The full text of the New American Standard Bible, 1995 Edition Durable buffalo leather in blue with raised spine hubs Smyth-sewn and edge-lined construction for flexibility and durability Art-gilt page edges, with gilt line and perimeter stitching Two double-sided satin ribbon markers, each 3/8-inch wide Less than one inch thick Double-column format Presentation page Eight pages of full-color maps Words of Jesus in red Exclusive Zondervan NASB Comfort Print typeface 10.5-point print size

According to Scripture, Satan can be defeated if believers will stand on God's Word and testify to what it says about the mighty and powerful blood of Jesus. It is only by your testimony, however, and the truth you declare, that you will overcome the devil's schemes. For the first time ever, internationally renowned Bible teacher Derek Prince will lead you to power and victory each day in this 365-day devotional. Each week features a Scriptural declaration of truth to be confessed daily, along with Derek Prince's amazing insight and teaching.

Find freedom from life's hurts, hang-ups, and habits.

If you long to break free from life's hurts, hang-ups, and habits, the NIV Celebrate Recovery Study Bible is a powerful and positive ally. This Bible is based on eight recovery principles found in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount and on the underlying Christ-centered twelve steps of the proven Celebrate Recovery* program. The NIV Celebrate Recovery Study Bible lifts you up and shows you how to walk, step by attainable step, on a path of healing and liberty.

Based on the proven and successful Celebrate Recovery program developed by John Baker and Rick Warren, the NIV Celebrate Recovery Study Bible offers hope, encouragement, and, through developing a relationship with Jesus Christ, empowerment to rise above your struggles.

FEATURES

- Full text of the most read, most trusted modern-English Bible - the New International Version (NIV)

- Articles explain eight recovery principles and accompanying Christ-centered twelve steps

- Over 110 lessons unpack eight recovery principles in practical terms

- Recovery stories offer encouragement and hope

- 30 days of recovery-related readings

- Over 50 full-page biblical character studies are tied to stories from real-life people who have found peace and help with their own hurts, hang-ups, and habits

- Book introductions

- Side-column reference system keyed to Celebrate Recovery's eight recovery principles

- Topical index

"I'm excited you're beginning the journey to recovery. Your life will change. You'll experience freedom from your sinful habits, hang-ups, and hurts as you give up control and allow Jesus to be Lord in every area of your life." From the foreword by Dr. Rick Warren, senior pastor, Saddleback Church

"Throughout the pages of Scripture, we see God's heart for celebrating recovery! This collection will help you experience and celebrate that journey, one step at a time. Jump in and see how recovery and spiritual growth are one and the same."Dr. Henry Cloud, Christian psychologist, author, and speaker

*Celebrate Recovery is a biblically based program that helps those who are struggling with hurts, hang-ups, and habits by showing them the loving power of Jesus Christ through the recovery process. The Celebrate Recovery program is offered in thousands of churches worldwide. 9-point type size

New Seeds of Contemplation is one of Thomas Merton's most widely read and best-loved books. Christians and non-Christians alike have joined in praising it as a notable successor in the meditative tradition of St. John of the Cross, The Cloud of Unknowing, and the medieval mystics, while others have compared Merton's reflections with those of Thoreau. New Seeds of Contemplation seeks to awaken the dormant inner depths of the spirit so long neglected by Western man, to nurture a deeply contemplative and mystical dimension in our lives. For Merton, "Every moment and every event of every man's life on earth plants something in his soul. For just as the wind carries thousands of winged seeds, so each moment brings with it germs of spiritual vitality that come to rest imperceptibly in the minds and wills of men. Most of these unnumbered seeds perish and are lost, because men are not prepared to receive them: for such seeds as these cannot spring up anywhere except in the soil of freedom, spontaneity and love."

Celebrated scholar Joseph Campbell shares his intimate and inspiring reflections on the art of living in this beautifully packaged book, part of a new series to be based on his unpublished writings.

In God`s Hands is the 2015 Archbishop of Canterbury`s Lent Book. In this little gem of a book, Archbishop Desmond Tutu distils the wisdom forged through a childhood of poverty and apartheid, an adulthood lived in the glare of the world's media, and the long and agonising struggle for truth and reconciliation in South Africa, into the childlike simplicity which Jesus tells us characterises the Kingdom of God. Archbishop Tutu has produced a meditation on the infinite love of God and the infinite value of the human individual. Not only are we in God`s hands, he says, our names are engraved on his palms. Throughout an often turbulent life, Archbishop Tutu has fought for justice and against oppression and prejudice. As we learn in this book, what has driven him forward is an unshakeable belief that human beings are created in the image of God and are infinitely valuable. Each one of us is a God-carrier, a tabernacle, a sanctuary of the Divine Trinity. God loves us not because we are loveable but because he first loved us. And this turns our values upside down. In this sense the Gospel is the most radical thing imaginable. It is extremely moving that in this book Archbishop Tutu returns to something so simple and so profound after a life in which he has been involved in political, social and ethical issues that have seemed to be so very complex.

A study of identity politics through a biblical lens, looking at idolatry of the self and the elevations of sexual identity.

Our culture is obsessed with identity and it has been the cause of tense interaction with (and within) the Church. Rather than being a new challenge to the Christian faith, however, the identity issue is a very old one; it is fundamentally one of idolatry. Who we are, who we think we are, and how God in Christ restores our knowledge of ourselves in covenant with him, are central Biblical themes.

But these things will only appear with clarity if we have the courage to tackle the idolatries of our own age at the root, and stand true to our calling as Christians to worship God and him alone.

This critique provides a framework for understanding and interpreting the widespread but little-known New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) movement.

As the authors state in the preface: "We write this book with two major goals in mind. First, to give people an idea of the sheer size and reach of the NAR movement. And second, to systematize its key teachings and practices and evaluate them on the basis of Scripture and careful reasoning . . In our judgment, the NAR perspective crosses these boundaries [that is, certain broad parameters, revealed in Scripture and practiced in the historical orthodox church], and it does so in part because of flawed theology rooted in a flawed understanding of Scripture. We wish to warn readers about a possible confusion: Some critics have linked the NAR movement with mainstream Pentecostalism and charismatics. We do not do this. In fact, it is our contention that the NAR movement deviates from classical Pentecostal and charismatic teachings. This movement has emerged out of independent charismatic churches and, thus, has gained a foothold in many of those churches in varying degrees."

Many Christians believe God can do anything, but they don't understand the completion of His plan through Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. It is in the discovery of what God has already done, that our walk with Him becomes a joy and an adventure! Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was great. He exchanged His perfect life and all the power of heaven for our sins, our weaknesses. Through Him our eternal destiny is set. Yet in our day-to-day lives, It seems that we still deal with so many challenges - sickness, financial struggles, difficult relationships, our own shortcomings. Is it possible to walk in victory in this life? Andrew Wommack reveals powerful truths in this practical view of the work of Jesus Christ-truths that are life changing. Readers will learn how Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection not only paid for their eternal salvation, but gave them everything they need for abundant life right here, right now. Andrew encourages readers to avoid being like the "dog constantly chasing his tail, not realizing he already has it." As readers begin to understand the extent of the work on the cross, their walk with God will be renewed and their life in Christ will become an adventure beyond anything they ever though possible! Wommack approaches faith from a no-nonsense and unique perspective in that he challenges the reader to evaluate their idea of faith in God. Written along the same lines as Kenneth Hagin's How to Turn Your Faith Loose and Right and Wrong Thinking, Wommack goes a step further by revealing the erroneous teachings that encourage believers to beg for God's help. Instead he shows that Jesus already finished His work when He was resurrected and now it's the believer'sresponsibility and privilege to enforce that victory against the powers of darkness.

This hand sized NKJV edition is the perfect travel companion for readers who like to take their Bibles with them throughout the day. Though it fits easily into backpacks and purses, you won’t have to sacrifice readability or study resources.

The exclusive Thomas Nelson NKJV Comfort Print® typeface was designed to be easy to read at any size, so you can experience deeper engagement in God’s Word. This edition also includes over 73,000 cross-references, a concordance, and full-color maps so you have everything you need for serious study at your fingertips.

Features include:

• Presentation page
• Red letter words of Christ
• 73,000+ cross-references trace the connections in Scripture
• Concordance
• Full-color maps
• Satin ribbon marker
• Clear and readable 7-point NKJV Comfort Print

Commissioned in 1975 by Thomas Nelson, 130 international and multi-denominational Bible scholars, church leaders, and lay Christians worked for seven years to create a completely new, modern translation of Scripture that retained the purity and stylistic beauty of the King James Version. The New King James Version is faithful to the original Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic text, and provides transparency to the recent research in archaeology, linguistics, and textual studies in the footnotes. The result is a Bible translation that is both beautiful and uncompromising—perfect for serious study, devotional use, and reading aloud.

Die psalmboek is ’n eeue oue bron van vertroosting. Dit verwoord ons vrese, onsekerhede, vreugde en hoop. Dit spreek tot ons met troos en verwagting en afwagting. Die psalms is hartswoorde wat uit die dankbare of gekwelde hart van mense na God opstyg.

Daar is verwondering oor die skoonheid van die skepping en die vaste patrone daarin. Daar is ook psalms wat deurdronge is van ervarings van krisis en nood. Dis ’n roepe uit ons hart na God. Daar is psalms waarin die lofliedere, dankbaarheid en hernude verwondering oor God se genade en voorsiening opklink. In Die tint van ons toekoms ondersoek Johan Cilliers die psalms as wegwysers na oordenkings oor verwonding, verwondering en verwagting met die hoop dat dit die leser op ’n nuwe weg sal plaas, ’n nuwe toekoms tegemoet.

In die psalms praat en bid, sug en sing mense hul hart voor God uit. Maar God praat daarin ook sy hart teenoor ons uit. In ’n sin is dit ’n gesprek van hart tot hart. Dis God wat ons uit die skadu’s van lyding en leed, verwonding en dood uitlei en ons toekoms algaande versadig met lig.