But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7-8
On Wednesday I wrote my reflections on the Courageous Men Conference in Cwmbran including how we need to be bold and stand up for the gospel. Scripture teaches that we should be strong and willing to fight for what matters. As such we should seek to emulate the heroes of the Bible who were passionate, courageous, uncompromising and spiritually solid.
So who are these heroes?
Obviously the greatest example is Jesus himself - it's impossible not to be impressed by him both as the cross-carrying King of mercy and the exalted King of heaven. All other heroes pale in to insignificance next to him. However there are plenty of other characters in the pages of scripture who can also get our faith charged up and pumping. Among those are David's Mighty Men (a.k.a. The Hard Corps) - elite soldiers serving their king with devotion and distinction.
Their stories are hidden away in some of the obscure parts of the Old Testament but these guys were the real deal. They lived, loved and fought with such intensity that they couldn't fail to inspire anyone around them. Such were their heroics they were rightly lauded as legends in their own lifetimes. But even today they still have lots to teach us about what it means to be true men (and women) of God.
Find out more about these inspirational men in Dai Hankey's, The Hard Corps. Read more and buy the book here for just £2 until midday Monday. Simply use code hc1113 at the checkout.
This offer is available on The Hard Corps printed book only. This offer ends at 12 noon GMT on Monday the 11th of November
More than a fifth of local councils say prayers in meetings
Billy Graham to preach offense of 'The Cross' in last message to America
Israel's Arab Christians are joining the Israeli military
ABC Justin Welby makes a detour to Kenya on way to Iceland
Pope Francis says 'Christianity is like an invitation to the feast'
Gay teen who ripped up Bible in school receives 3 day suspension but now threatens lawsuit
Congregation in Yorkshire read Bible cover to cover in a weekend
Disclaimer: The Good Book Company is not responsible for the content of external sites and does not necessarily agree with the content of articles listed.
It's been a week of change here at The Good Book Company, UK office.
Yesterday we were sad to say "goodbye" to Dave McArthur after 8 years of humble service within the team. Dave has been answering phones, sending out orders and keeping our warehouse spotless throughout his time with us in our New Malden and Epsom offices - his hard work and tendency to sing God's praises as he walks up and down the stairs will be much missed. Dave told The Good Book Blog just how much he has appreciated his colleagues' support and friendship over the years - the feeling is definitely mutual. He's off to work for Bible distribution company, RL Allan and we would love it if you would join with us in praying for him as he embarks on this new phase of ministry.
But we've also been thrilled to welcome our new logistics assistant, Neil Challis to The Good Book family. Neil, who has worked for Sainsbury's in the past, will be picking up the reins of the warehouse operation and is already getting to grips with our stock, pallets and lifting equipment. If you receive an order from us, there's a good chance the books will have been through his hands at some point! He's an active member of his local church and an ardent Chelsea FC supporter ... a fact that fuels a spot of office banter here and there! Please do pray for him too as he settles in and joins with us in Kingdom work.
Most of us fear something – something physical, something more abstract. If we’re honest I suspect most of us would run from a fight rather than stand and face it. We do it at home, at work and elsewhere – it’s human nature, isn’t it?
The Courageous Men’s Conference in Cwmbran, South Wales last weekend looked at what courage in the face of fear might just look and feel like. Focused around wonderfully powerful talks by Dai Hankey, Mez McConnell and Gavin Peacock, the conference looked at Courageous Faith through the eyes of Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20. Courageous Vision came through Caleb the spy in Joshua 14 and Courageous Mission through Isaiah 6.... continue reading
1. Gospel Centred Series Ebook Deal
Until midday on Thursday, the e-book versions of Gospel Centred Series are available for just £1 each.
2. 5 reasons to write in our books
Joel Miller gives 5 reasons that we should write in books
3. John MacArthur answers his critics
Tim Challies has asked John McArthur a number of questions posed to him following the Strange Fire conference
4. Max McLean reciting the Gospel of Mark.
Recorded in 2010, Max McLean inteprets the whole Gospel of Mark from the NIV.
5. Is Gravity the perfect space film for our godless time?
Justine Toh at ABC looks at how 'George Clooney's new film Gravity represents a world adrift from God'
6. And finally, GoThereFor.com from Matthias Media
GoThereFor.com is a new website for resources, ideas and encouragement from our friends at Matthias Media
Found something that you think should make it on to the On to a Good Thing round-up? Send it to: ontoagoodthing@thegoodbook.co.uk
Our passion at The Good Book Company is focusing our resources on God's word, the Bible.
The gospel is at the centre of everything we do and we want others to have that focus, too.
I'm sure lots of you will have seen, and maybe even read, some of our Gospel Centred Series of books.
The series looks at a number of areas of our lives as Christians, and lends biblical, practical help in those areas.
Written by authors who themselves are true to the Bible and pastoring to the situations they are writing about, the books are to-the-point resources to support our Christian living.
We are offering the ebook versions of the Gospel Centred Series for just £1 each until midday on Thursday - use the code gce1113 at the checkout.
This offer is available on Gospel Centred Leadership/Gospel Centred Life/Gospel Centred Church/Gospel Centred Work/Gospel Centred Family and Gospel Centred Marriage ebooks only. This offer ends at 12 noon GMT on Thursday the 7th of November
Then our new online bookstall service might be for you!... continue reading
It hasn't escaped my notice that a lot of people are struggling at the moment. I don't think it's just my friends, I think it's just what life is like in this fallen world.
There are those who are struggling in the wake of illness or grief; those whose relationships are crumbling around their ears; those who are finding it hard to make ends meet or muster the energy to care for those around them; there are those who see no hope for the future. A brief look around our world - our local church - leaves us in no doubt that there is a lot of crying going on.
God is not taken aback by our tears, he knows they are going to flow. After all, he encourages us to weep with those who weep in our congregation (Romans 12:15). But he does have an opinion about how we cry...... continue reading
Praise the Lord.
I will extol the Lord with all my heart
in the council of the upright and in the assembly.
Great are the works of the Lord;
they are pondered by all who delight in them.
Glorious and majestic are his deeds,
and his righteousness endures forever.
He has caused his wonders to be remembered;
the Lord is gracious and compassionate.
He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.
He has shown his people the power of his works,
giving them the lands of other nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy.
They are established for ever and ever,
enacted in faithfulness and uprightness.
He provided redemption for his people;
he ordained his covenant forever—
holy and awesome is his name.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
To him belongs eternal praise.
Psalm 111
