50 Most Important Bible Questions by Michael Rydelink

The author, Michael Rydelink, a Moody Bible Institute professor as well as a radio host, has written a book that contains the questions about the Bible that radio listeners most often ask him as well as the answers to those questions.

The Chapters include: Questions About the Gospel and Salvation; Questions about the Bible in General; Questions about the Old Testament; Questions about Jesus the Messiah; Questions about the Jewish People; Questions about Seeming Contradictions and Mysteries and Questions About Biblical Concerns and Practices.

You can either read through the entire book which makes for informative and interesting reading or you can use this book as a resource to answer your questions or the questions someone may ask of you.  Either way it is a book you will want to keep handy as you study the Bible.

I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.  

50 Most Important Theological Terms by J. Brian Tucker and David Finkbeiner

This is a valuable resource that will help you to understand God, ourselves and what it means to follow Him. The information set forth in this book is designed to increase your knowledge in obeying God by clearing defining terms and concepts to help you grow in your Christian faith as set forth in Scripture.

The book is divided into 10 chapters: Theological Practice and Identity, The Doctrine of Revelation, The Doctrine of God, The Doctrine of Christ, The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit, The Doctrine of Angels, Satan and Demons, The Doctrine of Humanity and Sin, The Doctrine of Salvation, The Doctrine of the Church, and The Doctrine of Last Things.

You may use the book as a reference book to look up a theological term you are not familiar with. You may also want to use it to study a specific doctrine of the faith or you may want to read the book straight through to survey all the major doctrines of the Christian faith. However you want to use this book, you will find that is a valuable addition to any study of the Bible and an aid to your Christian growth.

I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.  

 

 

The First Songs of Christmas by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth

 

This beautiful devotional book for Christmas focuses on Luke 1 & 2. As the ancient Jews waited and watched for their Redeemer, their experiences that first Christmas are something that we sing about today. These Jews did not simply have stories to share, they had songs to sing as well.

The songs of Elizabeth, Mary, Zechariah, and Simeon as well as the angels are featured in this devotional covering the 31 days of December. This is a fresh look at the Christmas story and insight into the anthems sung will enrich your worship this Christmas season. This is a welcome additional to one’s personal devotions during the month of December.

I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.

The Pursuit of God Devotional by A.W. Tozer

 

This classic book by A.W. Tozer, published in 1948, still resonates with readers today and has been an inspiration to many through the years. This new edition presented as a 31 day devotional book enables readers to take time to daily ponder the truths of this book.

Each day has its own title and a Scripture verse to focus on. Engaging illustrations capture the reader’s attention to highlight the meaning of the daily reading. This book is for all those who love the works of A.W. Tozer and for those who are interested in discovering his writings. I highly recommend this devotional.

I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.

 

Fractured Faith by Lina Abujamra

                                                                      

Many have been disillusioned with the church and have experienced hurt from other Christians or ministry leaders. Lina Abujamra shares openly and honestly with her deep disappointment and disillusionment with the church and the seeming silence of God throughout her pain.  As the author works through her pain and the fracturing of her faith, she shares biblical truth as she finds her way back to God.

In the chapters of the book, topics addressed include: “Where is God in My Pain”; “Is This How Christians are Supposed to Act”; “Is God Really Fair”; and “Is it Supposed to Be This Hard,” to name a few. At the end of each chapter, there questions for the reader to answer to reflect on the information presented.    

One of the quotes I really appreciated in this book is the statement, “The biggest mistake we make in Christianity is to make ourselves the center of our story.” I think this is a relevant and important book for every Christian to read and think about in finding your way back to God when Christianity doesn’t live up to your expectations.

I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.  

Count It All Joy by John M. Perkins

John Perkins, who has suffered greatly during his 92 years, is well qualified to write a book on finding joy in suffering. Even though suffering is painful, it can also be a great teaching tool to draw a person closer to the Lord. Joy can be found in the midst of the pain.

Using Scripture to guide him, the author shares his personal story and the lessons he learned. The book is organized in three parts: When Suffering Chooses You, When You Choose Suffering, and Joy Comes in the Morning. In the back of the book there are questions for each of the nine chapters which would aid in personal or group study to delve deeper into the topics covered in the book. I highly recommend this important book written by a civil rights leader and a committed Christian community development leader.

I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.

Getting Over Yourself by Dean Inserra

 This is a very relevant book about the problem of the promotion of self-help and prosperity in the evangelical church. While this is nothing new in the church, this new form of the prosperity gospel promotes choosing one’s dreams, fulfilling one’s potential and being the best one can be. Unfortunately in all of this, this false theology has lost it’s connection to Christ and the real gospel message. This real gospel message is to take the focus off oneself and realize that as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, the greatest gift is Christ himself.  One of the results of this is that there is a lack of discipleship which does not equip people to understand a theology that includes hardship, death, failure, and a lack of glory here on earth. Without humility and dependence on Christ, believers are distracted from living as servants of Christ to living as servants of their own desires.

The author does share how believers can embrace the abundant life in Christ including:  Ask God to help you be gospel-centered; By grace, through Scripture, seek to increase your knowledge of God; Pursue the ordinary life; Find godly community and Pray for willingness to be marginalized.

I highly recommend this thought provoking book. I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.