Powers of Darkness

Powers of Darkness
Principalities & Powers in Paul's Letters
By Clinton E. Arnold

The last two decades have witnessed a vast upsurge in occult activity. Scores of popular books have warned Christians of the dangers and urged them to do battle against these spiritual forces. Few books, however, have developed a careful biblical theology on demons, principalities and powers.

Clinton Arnold seeks to fill this gap, providing an in-depth look at Paul's letters and what they teach on the subject. For perspective, he examines first-century Greek, Roman and Jewish beliefs as well as Jesus' teaching about magic, sorcery and divination. Arguing against many recent interpretations that have seen principalities and powers as impersonal social, economic and political structures, Arnold contends that the New Testament view is that such forces are organized, personal beings which Jesus defeated at the cross and will bring into full subjection at his return.

In his concluding section Arnold suggests practical ways in which Christians today can contend with the forces of evil.

Features & Benefits
includes subject index, author index, and an index of biblical references
includes bibliography looks at Paul's letters and what they say about the issue
looks also at Jesus' teachings discusses past and present beliefs offers practical help for dealing with such things today

Table of Contents
AbbreviationsPrefaceIntroduction

Part I: First-Century Belief in the Powers

1. Magic and Divination

2. Greco-Roman and Oriental Religions

3. Astrology

4. Judaism

5. The Teaching of JesusPart

II: Paul's Teaching on the Powers

6. What Are the Powers?

7. The Defeat of the Powers at the Cross

8. A New Kingdom and Identity for Believers

9. The Influence of the Powers on Believers

10. Christ and No Other

11. Spiritual Warfare

12. Christ's Final Defeat of the Powers

Part III: Interpreting the Powers for Today

13. Reality or Myth?

14. The Powers and People

15. The Powers and Society

Conclusion: Contending with the Powers

Notes

Selected Bibliography

Author Index

Index of Biblical Passages

Subject Index

Desire: The Journey We Must Take to Find the Life God Offers

What are your deepest desires? If money and resources were unlimited as long as you fulfilled the deepest longing of your heart, what would you do?

What are the passions God has put within you that go deeper than just meeting your natural physical desires?

How will you discover them and what will you do once they become clear to you?

God's Word says in Jeremiah 29:11
In the NIV it sates it as follows;
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future

The Amplified states it this way;
11 For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.

God has created us as a threefold being, for we are created in His image:
1. Spirit
2. Soul (mind, will and emotions)
3. Body

Deep within our Spirit are the God desires. These are often clouded by our soul which suffers under the penalty of sin until we are saved and then must be renewed by the Word of God so that once again we are more like God then our sinful self.

This life long quest or journey to be conformed into His image and become full of His light and fullness can be fulfilled as we discover the Desires he has placed within us.

John Eldgidge's book Desire will help you to fulfill that God given Desire and Plan you were created for.

John's gift of weaving truth and story together will stir-up the life of God within you as he weaves his story and unfolds God's truth for you in this delightful book.

Do not put off purchasing, reading and absorbing these truths. God is waiting to release His desires and passion in your life!

Desire: The Journey We Must Take to Find the Life God Offers
by John Eldridge
The material immediately below is from the authors site.
http://www.ransomedheart.com/ministry/default.aspx

'Can we find a life filled with passion, without being overwhelmed by it?
In Desire John Eldredge writes, "There is a secret set within each of our hearts. It is the desire for life as it was meant to be." Yet how do we uncover our desires and learn to decipher them? As John says, "We all share the same dilemma--we long for life and we're not sure where to find it. We wonder if we ever do find it, can we make it last?...We must journey to find the life we prize. And the guide we have been given is the desire set deep within, the desire we often overlook or mistake for something else or choose to ignore. The greatest human tragedy is to give up the search."
Many good people have been told that the path to a holy life requires us to kill our hearts' desires. And call it sanctification. But in this re-release of one of John's most inspiring works, we discover that God is the author of our deepest desires. He has given us desire, and he loves to fulfill our hearts' desires. For as the Psalms declare, "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart" (37:4).

God is calling to you through the desires of your heart.

How You Respond Will Set The Course for The Rest Of Your Life.'

The Publisher has this to say.

'In Desire, formerly titled The Journey of Desire, John Eldredge writes of the journey people must take to find the life they prize. And the guide that has been given to all is the desire set deep within, the desire often overlooked or mistaken for something else or even ignored.

"Contrary to what you may have heard in church, desire is the key to the Christian life," says John Eldredge. "When we lose desire, we lose passion for God-and everything else. This book will unlock your God-given passions and desires so that you can find the life God meant you to live.

In this groundbreaking book, Eldredge invites readers to acknowledge the significance of desire, abandon resignation, and embark on an adventure he calls "our heart's most important journey."

Chapter Excerpt: http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/additionalinfo.asp?ISBN=0785288422&productid=13184&TopLevel_id=200000&dept_id=0&type=chapter
Ransomed Heart Ministries Website: http://www.ransomedheart.com/

ISLAM AND TERRORISM

Today, Christians need to know more about Islam and terrorism. I recently spent some time with a young Christian leader from Pakistan and ask him to recommend some materials that would give a clear understanding of this issue. The materials below are the ones he has recommended. Please see the website of the author for additional information and materials he has written.

ISLAM AND TERRORISM
by Mark A. Gabriel, Ph.D., 2002
http://www.markagabriel.org/

Islam has been veiled in a vast sea of misinformation for too long! Never before has one book contained such valuable information about the Islamic faith, beliefs and traditions as well as historical and political insights. Dr. Mark Gabriel shares the truth and tells you everything you need to know and understand about Islam and why the United States has become the target of Islamic terrorism.

In Islam and Terrorism you will learn:
1. How Muhammad practiced holy war and why it continues today
2. Why the verses about jihad cancel out the verses about tolerance, causing contradictions in the Quran
3. What Muslims believe about earning your way into Paradise (heaven)
4. Which radical teachings in black market books are being read by the Islamic terrorists of today
5. Why the United States has become the target of Islamic terrorism

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword by J. Lee GradyIntroduction

SECTION I: MY STORY
Disillusioned at Al Azhar
The Egyptian Prison
A Year Without Faith

SECTION II: THE ROOTS OF TERRORISM IN ISLAM
Core Beliefs of Islam
Holy War in the Quran
Misinformed by the Media
Human Rights Under Islam

SECTION III: FOLLOWING MUHAMMAD'S EXAMPLE
Arabian Culture
Muhammad Declares Jihad
The Ultimate Goal of Islam
The Three Stages of Jihad
When Lies Are Justified
Muhammad's Use of Mosques

SECTION IV: THE DEVELOPMENT OF MODERN JIHAD
Forefathers of Terrorism
The Founding Father of Modern Jihad
The Philosophers of Jihad
Recruiting for Holy War
Inspired by Iran
Treachery Between Terrorists
Al_Jihad Prepares and Attacks
Justice Loses, Quran Wins
Jihad Bleeds Out of Egypt
New Strategy: Attack the West

SECTION V: MUSLIMS AND THE GOOD NEWS
The False Christianity Presented to Muslims
Bringing the Gospel to Muslims
Challenges for Muslim Converts
Epilogue

Notes

Glossary

Bibliography

AUTHOR PROFILE
Dr. Mark A. Gabriel was able to quote the entire Quran by the time he was twelve years old. Raised in Egypt--in the midst of a breeding ground of Islam terrorists--he spent his formative years deep inside the confines of Muslim influence. His own family disowned him after he converted to Christianity and tried to kill him several times. He escaped his homeland and now resides in the United States. As a reflection of his new life in Christ, he chose a Christian name to replace his Muslim name.

BOOK SPECIFICATIONS
234 pages, paper.ISBN 0884198847
Islam Expert Answers Challenges
http://bibleprobe.com/MarkGarbriel-Introduction.htm

Dr. Mark A. Gabriel's Other Books

Islam and the Jews
Jesus and Muhammad
Islamic Terrorist
Culture Clash

Grow Your Church From The Outside In

Grow Your Church From The Outside In

There are nearly 100 million unchurched people in the U.S. Do you know how to connect with them in ways that will lead to faith-based life transformation?

In this practical and user-friendly volume, author and researcher George Barna explores the world of the unchurched. Based on research his company conducted among several thousand unchurched people, Barna describes who the unchurched are and how we might most easily and appropriately connect with them. Using additional research he conducted among churches that have had great success in attracting and retaining unchurched people, Barna also outlines perspectives and effective strategies for churches that wish to reach those who avoid churches.

More than 80% of the current growth registered by Protestant churches is biological or transfer growth – very little of the growth comes from penetrating the ranks of the unchurched. Once you understand the values, attitudes, beliefs, religious practices, demographics, life goals, and spiritual expectations of the unchurched, you will have a better chance of relating to them in meaningful ways. Let Grow Your Church From the Outside In be your guidebook in that process.

This book was formerly titled, Re-Churching The Unchurched

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1- The Crowd Waits for You

CHAPTER 2- Sizing Up the Unchurched

CHAPTER 3- Why People Avoid the

Church CHAPTER 4- A Demographic Profile of the Unchurched

CHAPTER 5- Values, Attitudes, and Lifestyles

CHAPTER 6- The Faith of the Unchurched

CHAPTER 7- What the Unchurched Want From a Church

CHAPTER 8- Getting Their Attention

CHAPTER 9- Twelve Misconceptions About Ministry to the Unchurched

CHAPTER 10-How Churches Minister Effectively to the Unchurched

CHAPTER 11- Making a Commitment to a Vision of the Church

Book Excerpt found at
http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=Excerpt&ProductID=230

Transformational Discipleship and Spirit Filled Resources for Discipleship

The following resources and text can be found @http://discipleship.ag.org/index.cfm
These resources are a result of the AG Commission on Discipleship.
These resources can be purchaed@ http://www.gospelpublishing.com/store/startitem.cfm?item=020270


Transformational Discipleship by Charles Crabtree

Recognizing the crisis facing the church in America, Crabtree gives motivating insights and practical applications for:

• Making small groups biblically sound and Sunday School classes relational
• Establishing and sustaining the ultimate church growth mode
Building faith and enthusiasm for discipleship in your church
• Creating an effective church between SundaysHardcover, 176 pages


Transformational Discipleship Teaching DVD



Item Number: 26TW0955
Transform discipleship in your church with the help of this easy-to-use teaching DVD. Transformational Discipleship comes to life as author Charles Crabtree shares his heart about discipleship and adds further insights and practical application for each of the ten chapters.

Designed for group or individual use, this DVD will spark discussion and motivate Small group leaders
Sunday School teachers - Discipleship directors - Pastoral staff 10 Sessions-10 minutes each

The New Believers Handbook
Get new believers off to a great start with this guide for the first weeks of their spiritual journey.

Short chapters share insights on topics like prayer and being filled with the Holy Spirit as well as suggested daily Bible readings from the Book of Mark.

Adapted from Now What?

A Guidebook for New Christians.


The New Believer’s Friend Handbook
Mentor’s companion book. Includes the dos and don’ts for spiritual parenting, lesson outlines for each chapter of The New Believer’s Handbook, and full text and answers to study questions.








Seven Practices for Every Follower of Jesus
In Seven Practices for Every Follower of Jesus, Thomas E. Trask gives basic disciplines believers can apply to grow in faith and personal effectiveness in helping fulfill the mission of the church.

Topics include:
Be Faithful in Prayer
Read and Study God’s Word Daily
Share Message of Christ with Nonbelievers
Depend on the Spirit in Daily Life
Continue to Grow and Disciple Others
Support Missions
Serve the Poor and Suffering

Nothing’s Too Hard for God Small Group Discussion DVD
Bring the Nothing’s Too Hard for God theme into your Sunday school, small groups, or mid- week services with our Small Group Discussion DVD hosted by Scotty Gibbons. This powerful DVD offers eight separate discussions built on the topics of forgiveness, loneliness, broken relationships, illness, fear, financial need, loss, and addiction. Each topic is depicted through true-life stories of individuals who struggled before discovering—nothing’s too hard for God. Each story is presented in a 10-14 minute video with planned pauses for discussion and group interaction. Our DVD comes with a separate CD of printable files containing questions and notes for leaders. Each story corresponds with eight campaign postcards, print ads, TV ads and Radio ads.
DVD contains 8 discussion videos and separate CD with printable notes for leaders.
DVD also includes navigation for playing testimonies only, without studio discussion segments.

Connections Small Group Studies (Downloadable)
These topical studies are the perfect way to start discussion and change lives in your church.

Each downloadable study features interactive questions, insightful notes, and inspiring points that will get your group talking.

Plus, the downloadable format offers a simple, inexpensive way to meet the needs of your small groups. $1.99 per lesson



Relationships Poster: “Love God/Love Others” (Free Downloadable)
Have you ever heard it said that discipleship is all about relationships? This visually stunning poster expresses the importance of our relationship with God and with others.

This FREE resource is available for downloading in various sizes and includes a version with Scripture (Matthew 22:36-40) and without. Can be used in a variety of ways, including websites, bulletins, newsletters, banners, posters, and more.



Discipleship Solutions Kit From brand-new believers to mature Christians, this kit offers something for everyone in your church:
• Transformational Discipleship with Teaching DVD
• The New Believer’s Handbook with Friend Handbook
• Two sample small group and Bible studies
• God’s Word for Today and Bible Reading Guide (sample backdated issues)


Small Groups and Discipleship Initiatives http://discipleship.ag.org/index.cfm

Discipleship is more than an important program in the church. It is the great priority found in the Great Commission. It is the ultimate proof of effective ministry and genuine church growth. It is the will of God and the desire of Jesus. It is the foundation of a stable faith and the means of rich and rewarding relationships with God and man.

The answer to all the challenges facing the church today is a Spirit-filled laity who is not ashamed of the gospel and loves the Lord 24/7. The Commission on Discipleship is committed to putting dynamic and relevant resources into the hands of every church leader. This website is the portal to all of the Assemblies of God resources for discipleship.

Small Groups – Welcome to the world of the Assemblies of God small groups! Small Groups have the potential of creating dynamic disciples through nontraditional means and ministries. This site gives church leaders wonderful ideas and resources to help address local situations, it provides opportunities to study other churches with effective small groups, and it includes a discussion forum for the exchange of discipleship and small group ideas.

Personal Bible Study and Devotions – A daily discipline with God and His Word for the purpose of gaining a greater intimacy with Christ and His truth. This may also include family devotions.

Pre-Conversion Discipleship – The process of intentionally establishing relationships with pre-converts in order to lead them to Christ. It views discipleship as a process, not an event; with each step that brings someone closer to becoming "a fully devoted follower of Christ" part of that process.

New Convert Care – An intentional ministry of linking spiritual mothers and fathers with babes in Christ for the purpose of spiritual guidance and protection of a new believer’s life.
http://discipleship.ag.org/index.cfm

We Build People – A values-driven philosophy (not a program) designed to help the pastor, his leadership team and the local congregation to respond to Christ’s call to "make disciples."
http://discipleship.ag.org/Discipleship/index.cfm

Making Disciples: Tools to Get Going in 2008

2008 is a year of new beginnings. You may have earnestly desired to make diciples but may have given up for one reason or another. You may have a program in place but desire to see greater results. I recommend reading Barna's book first and then look over the rest and pick the one that seems to fit your interest and needs.

In a previous post on my Equippers Network Blog http://equippersnetwork.blogpot.com/ I wrote an article titled 'What Does Success Look Like In Your Church?' Since each church has it's own story and distinctives your discipleship progam will have a different look and feel but the common elements that make passionate effective disciples will be much the same.

I want to challenge you to take the next step in being obedient to the great commission and "Make Disciples of all nations and people groups."

Below is a short list of books to help bring about a proper worldview and ideas for accomplishing our assignment to make disciples of all nations in Matthew 28:20 and to equip them to fulfill God's will by doing the work of the ministry, building up the body of Christ and bring them into maturity in the full measure of Christ as described in Ephesians 4:11-14.


1. Becoming a Healthy Disciple:
Ten Traits of a Vital Christian by Stephen A. Macchia

Are you becoming a healthy disciple? Discipleship is a life-long apprenticeship with the Master, Jesus Christ. He does not expect perfection, only heart and skill development. Becoming a Healthy Disciple outlines ten traits that will help you grow as a Christian. Stephen Macchia looks to John as a human example of a life lived close to Christ. He cites John's Gospel as well as the experiences of himself and others to bring the traits of discipleship into modern context and help you develop them in your own life.



2. Discipleship Essentials
A Guide for Building Your Life in Christ By
Greg Ogden

"Jesus had a big enough vision to think small. Focusing on a few did not limit his influence. Rather, it expanded it! Discipleship Essentials will help you influence others as Jesus did--by investing wholeheartedly in a few."
http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=1169



3. Transforming Discipleship
Making Disciples a Few at a Time By Greg Ogden

"Biblical, practical and tremendously effective, Transforming Discipleship provides the insights and philosophy of ministry behind Ogden's earlier work, Discipleship Essentials. Together, these ground-breaking books have the potential to transform how your church transforms the lives of its people."
http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=2388



4. Disciplemakers' Handbook
Helping People Grow in ChristEdited by Alice Fryling

"What does a healthy discipling relationship look like? What do you do together? In order to answer these and other questions, Alice Fryling gathered a team of experienced disciplemakers. Together they give us practical help in such areas as overcoming our fears about discipling others, beginning a discipling relationship, how to be a friend, learning how people change, modeling the Christian life, using Scripture in disciplemaking, how to help a friend who hurts, and helping others share their faith."
http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=1266

5. The Passionate Church
Lifeshapes Series
Author: Mike Breen, Walt Kallestad

"Church, for many pastors and leaders, has become increasingly difficult. Things that used to work, don't work anymore. The landscape of Church and culture have changed beyond recognition. Pastors everywhere wonder—Is surviving all we can hope for? Is this really Church the way Jesus intended?"
http://www.cookministries.com/catalog/index.cfm


6. Growing True Disciples by George Barna

"How are we doing in discipleship today? In this analysis of American Christians and Protestant churches in relation to discipleship, you will discover many insights into what we're doing, how we're doing, where we're going, and what new directions we might take to enhance the disciple-making ministry of the Church."
http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=Resource&ResourceID=55




7. The Training of the TwelveBy: A.B. Bruce
Published by Kregel Publications / 2000.

" Jesus knew his disciples' training was crucial to the success of his ministry. Equip your church for effective service by using the Master's proven principles! Offering a dynamic model for leadership and discipleship, Bruce's timeless classic encourages leaders and laypeople to develop their gifts for God's kingdom by growing in prayer, faith, self-sacrifice, holiness, and more. 576 pages, softcover from Kregel. "



8. The Complete Book of Discipleship
On Being and Making Followers of Christ
by Bill Hull

The Complete Book of Discipleship is the definitive A-to-Z resource on discipleship for every Christian. It pulls together into one convenient, comprehensive volume relevant topics related to spiritual growth, transformation, spiritual disciplines, and discipleship in the local church and beyond. Best of all, it’s produced by The Navigators, the internationally respected organization with more than seventy years of practical discipleship ministry experience. Well organized, fully indexed, and readily accessible, The Complete Book of Discipleship will help you gain a wealth of insight from experts in the field, whether by reading it cover to cover or by finding immediate answers to specific questions.
http://www.navpress.com/Store/Product/1576838978.html
______________________________________
This is a place to start and to develop a true discipleship program so that success in your church will look like Jesus!

THE 21 IRREFUTABLE LAWS OF LEADERSHIP

This article will serve to introduce THE 21 IRREFUTABLE LAWS OF LEADERSHIP: Follow Them And People Will Follow You; which will be followed in the future with a more detailed review of the book and the Leadership Bible.

The 10th anniversary edition of John C. Maxwell's 'THE 21 IRREFUTABLE LAWS OF LEADERSHIP: Follow Them And People Will Follow You. '

Through his various organizations, Dr. Maxwell has trained over 2 million leaders worldwide and regularly speaks to Fortune 500 companies and international government leaders. Dr. Maxwell is the founder of EQUIP, an organization designed to "equip international Christian leaders to effectively serve the growing Body of Christ."

In THE 21 IRREFUTABLE LAWS OF LEADERSHIP (Thomas Nelson; Hardcover; September 18, 2007), Dr. Maxwell combines insights learned from his 40-plus years of leadership successes and mistakes with observations from the worlds of business, politics, sports, religion and military conflict.

The previous editions of THE 21 IRREFUTABLE LAWS OF LEADERSHIP sold over one million copies and appeared on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Business Week bestseller lists. For this 10th anniversary edition, Maxwell revised and updated more than 70% of the material. Highlights include two entirely new chapters and 17 new stories. Additionally, application pieces follow every chapter and a leadership evaluation is included.

Table of Contents
Session 1:
The Law of the Lid
The Law of Influence
The Law of Process
The Law of Navigation
Session 2:
The Law of E. F. Hutton
The Law of Solid Ground
The Law of Respect
The Law of Intuition
Session 3:
The Law of Magnetism
The Law of Connection
The Law of the Inner Circle
The Law of Empowerment
Session 4:
The Law of Reproduction
The Law of Buy-In
The Law of the Victory
The Law of the Big Mo
Session 5:
The Law of Priorities
The Law of Sacrifice
The Law of Timing
The Law of Explosive Growth
The Law of Legacy

More details about the book and the author can be found online, including:
-A Chapter Excerpt: http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/additionalinfo.asp?ISBN=0785288376&productid=12364&TopLevel_id=300000&dept_id=0&type=chapter

-More about EQUIP and Dr. Maxwell: http://www.iequip.org/

-Video Introduction with Dr. Maxwell: http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=c5f4832396abf2bcfd66

The Leadership expert, John Maxwell, brings an in-depth look at God's laws for leaders and leadership.

The content of the current Maxwell Leadership Bible is revised and updated to incorporate Maxwell's works since the first release of the Maxwell Leadership Bible.

Features include:
2 New Laws - Law of Addition and the Law of Picture

New major articles and new notes throughout the Bible that connect with the new Laws

New notes that reflect Maxwell's works since the Feb 2002 release of the Maxwell Leadership Bible, including The 360º Leader, Attitude 101, 25 Ways to Win with People, and Leadership 101

Revised indexes to the 21 Laws of Leadership and the 21 Qualities of a Leader

New interior page design

Product Description
Updated by editor John Maxwell to reflect his recent books, this unique Bible is packed with God's guidance for leaders.

Double-column format

Book Introductions

Book Outlines

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: in-depth articles that reveal these laws as seen in the lives of Bible people.

The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader: insightful articles showing positive and negative examples of each of this qualities.

Over 100 biographical profiles: times and events in people's lives that reveal God's truths about leadership.

Hundreds of compelling short articles and expressive "read-as-you-go" notes on mentoring and influence.

Thorough topical indexes for quick access to Scripture passages and articles addressing leadership issues.

Visit the official John C. Maxwell website
http://www.iequip.org/site/c.gqLTI0OBKpF/b.816917/k.12E/Home_iEQUIPorg__Equipping_Leaders_to_Reach_Our_World.htm

http://www.familychristian.com/shop/product.asp?prodID=23381

Read the Bible This Year

Reading the Bible own your own is an awesome experience. You get the truth of God's Word that will transform you and give you real insight into how much God loves people.

This year I want to suggest several unique Bibles, The Renovare Spiritual Formation Bible and the New Inductive Study Bible are two of the Bibles you might think about buying and reading this year.

The Archaeological Study Bible is also among those you might consider. Please see the material in the previous blog article about this Bible.

The term Spiritual Formation has come to be used for the Spiritual development of believers as they travel on their journey from salvation to their passing from this world into the next.

There is a Bible which focuses on that Journey and path of Spiritual Development or Formation.

1. The Renovare Spiritual Formation Bible by Renovare and Dallas Willard is published by Harper Collins. This Bible offers helps and insights in developing 'The With-God Life.' An introductory article titled; A General Introduction to the Renovaré Spiritual Formation Bible Catching the Vision can be found at the link below. Here are a few sentences from the article. "If we want to receive from the Bible the life "with God" that is portrayed in the Bible, we must be prepared to have our dearest and most fundamental assumptions about ourselves and our associations called into question. We must read humbly and in a constant attitude of repentance. Only in this way can we gain a thorough and practical grasp of the spiritual riches that God has made available to all humanity in his written Word. Only in this way can we keep from transforming The Book into a Catholic Bible, an Orthodox Bible, a Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, or even a RENOVARÉ Bible.

The Article points our two faulty reasons people seek to study the Bible and offers insights into why another approach is needed.
a. The first is the practice of studying the Bible for information or knowledge alone. This may include information about particular facts or historical events, knowledge of general truths or doctrines, or even knowledge of how others are mistaken in their religious views, beliefs, and practices.
b. The second common objective of Bible study is to find some formula that will solve the pressing need of the moment. Thus we seek out specific passages that speak to particular needs rather than seeking whole-life discipleship to Jesus. What we must face up to about these two common objectives for studying the Bible is that we or our human instructors are in charge of the process. They are, in fact, ways of trying to control what comes out of the Bible rather than a means of entering the process of transforming our whole person and our whole life into Christ-likeness." http://www.harpercollins.ca/

2. The Inductive Study Bible publishes by Harvest House.
The New Inductive Study Bible is a great tool for independent Bible study. It begins with a 30 or so page section on 'How to Study the Bible' by Kay Arthur. This is from her book 'How to Study the Bible.' Kay teaches the Inductive study method, which is a great tool for independent study. If you want the joy and the challenge of studying the Bible without everyone else’s comments and opinions this is the way to go.

"Readers will discover simple but powerful tools for discovering what the Bible says what it means, and how to live its truths. Features include: updated NASB text in a compact, convenient size; an inductive study method explanation; instructions for marking text; overviews of each book; insights on accurately interpreting biblical truth; full–color charts and maps; wide margins for note–taking." Published by Harvest House Publishers at http://harvesthousepublishers.com/book.cfm?ProductID=6900160


Also you can read the Bible on line at a number of websites. The One Year Bible Blog is listed below.

1. http://oneyearbibleblog.com/

In the days ahead I will offer material on several other newer Bibles. Check back or sign up in the upper right hand corner of this blog for future updates.

Archaeological Study Bible

Every year I try to focus on new Bible resources that you might find useful. The archaeological Bible is my choice for new print Bible this year.

The following information on the Archaeological Study Bible is from the Zondervan web site linked below.
The Archaeological Study Bible is An Illustrated Walk Through Biblical History and Culture with the New International Version

Synopsis: A unique study Bible filled with informative articles and full-color photographs that will take you on an illustrated walk through biblical history and culture.

Description: An Illustrated Walk Through Biblical History and Culture The NIV Archaeological Study Bible sheds new light on the Bible. From the beginnings of Genesis to the end of Revelation, this new study Bible is filled with informative articles and full-color photographs of places and objects that will open your eyes to the historical context of the stories you read and the people you meet in Scripture. From kings and empires to weapons of war to clay pots used for carrying water, the archaeological record surrounding God’s Word will help contextualize and inform your personal study.
Features:
• 4-color interior throughout
• Bottom of page study notes highlight and add further explanation to passages that speak on archaeological or cultural facts included in the Scripture

• Articles (520) covering one of the following five categories:
• Archaeological Sites (Hazor, Ugarit, Arad, Ephesus)
• Cultural and Historical Notes (ancient seals and scarabs, perfume and anointing, the missionary journeys of Paul)
• Ancient Peoples and Lands (the Persian empire, the history of Egypt)
• The Reliability of the Bible (the question of the Psalm superscripts, the reliability of Judges, the ending of Mark)
• Ancient Texts and Artifacts (the Mesha Stone, the Prayer of Confession)

• Approximately 500 4-color photographs interspersed throughout
• Detailed book introductions that provide basic, at-a-glance information
• Detailed charts on pertinent topics
• In-text color maps that assist the reader in placing the action
• CD-Rom containing NIV text and all photographs, maps, and charts included in the Bible.

Archaeological Study Bible site http://www.archaeologicalstudybible.com/ printed and video materials.

For a detailed sample go to the following link and look for the PDF (Adobe Reader) file.
http://www.zondervan.com/Cultures/en-US/Product/ProductDetail.htm?ProdID=com.zondervan.9780310926054&QueryStringSite=Zondervan

and this link http://www.archaeologicalstudybible.com/

Equippers Network Ministry Hub Launch

Equippers Network Ministry Hub has been launched. You can click on the link below or above to read the whole thing.

Below is the beginning. http://www.equippersnetwork.com/

MINISTRY OBJECTIVE/OVERVIEW


"Empowering churches, Individual believers, Market place and Ministry leaders to fulfill God's heart in the earth today according to Ephesians 4:11 -13 To:
1. Fulfill their call to release the Life of Jesus among the people of the earth.
2. Build up fellow believers/followers of Jesus.
3. Encourage and assist believers to grow into maturity, reaching the full stature of Christ."


The Equippers Network exists to help you fulfill God's calling and to minister His revolutionary life today. We are experiencing a dramatic change in ideas or practice in the Church today as we seek to fulfill God's plan to make disciples of all nations.


George Barna states in Growing True Disciples; "We need to be igniting and nurturing people’s passion for God and get out of their way.” Those with a unique Vision, those who are called by God need continuous mentoring and training if they are to be sent forth as radical, healthy people of the Spirit who are focused on accomplishing what Jesus has called them to at all cost.


The Equippers Network Vision is to mend, equip, train, mentor and release people into cutting edge Spirit led ministry that flows from God's heart. My passion is to help believers fulfill to the fullest measure God's Call on their life by Coaching and Training them as God works in them, so that they can fulfill Ephesians 4:12-13 to:

1. Birth, Develop and Mature the calling or assignment God has given them vision for.
2. Build up believers by means of connecting them with others who are seeking to fulfill God’s vision for their life.

3. Bring believers to Maturity as passionate followers of Jesus the Messiah by means of Relational Discipleship, Coaching, Mentoring, and Hands on Training and Teaching.


God the Great Creator has given us the His unique ability to create and have the vision to create ministry. These Creative Visions for Ministries flow from His calling in the believer’s life and all that he has created us to uniquely be by His grace and power working in us.


Go to Equippers Network new Ministry Hub @ http://www.equippersnetwork.com/ to read all about it!

It is All by His Grace
The Equipper