When much of modern devotionals tends to be man-centered, with a pre-occupation with individual and world problems, Alive to God Through Praise restores a Biblical perspective and balance with the superb blending of words from the Bible and devotional classics, brimming with God-directed, joyful praise. A contemporary flavor permeates each page. Each Scripture passage and quote from classic devotional statements is delightfully paraphrased by the author into immediate English. The most eloquent expressions of praise from God's Word and Church history, are blended with the fresh touch of contemporary language. To the unquestioned wealth of the Scriptures is added the golden statements of Thomas ‡ Kempis, Andrew Murray, William Temple, Edward Reynolds, St. Augustine, St. Patrick, Walter Hilton, A. W. Tozer, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, and John Newton.

The book is about the goodness of God in all situations. It examines how we expect great things from God without wanting to give Him the praise that He deserves. It postulates that the law of reciprocity demands that as God is dutifully faithful to us so must we also be dutifully faithful to God. It explains that, in as much as our great expectations are in order, we should, however, not withdraw our worship of God when the anticipated blessings and miracles are not forthcoming. Our hope, the book argues, must be firmly cemented in this God no matter what we are passing through. This is so because our God is `the Hope of the hopeless` and `the Help of the helpless`. The book also enjoins us to worship God without any strings attached – in poverty as in prosperity, in lack as in plenty, in sickness as in good health, in shame as in fame, in failures as in successes, for better or worse and that, under no circumstance should God be relegated. This is against the backdrop that He, forever, remains unchanging, unchangeable and unchallengeable. The seven-chapter book gives 35 tips on praising God. It endeavours to disseminate the message that `God is beautiful for all situations`. The book postulates that when you put absolute trust and hope in God, He will, among other things, make you to live to your potential; release unto you extraordinary good success; give you ultimate breakthrough; endue you with power from above; give you emotional stability; turn you into a charismatic personality and bless you with positive emotion and positive life. The book is also laced with words of wisdom and inspiration from renowned writers on every page. At the end of each chapter are also practical exercises that are designed to enliven the spirit of the reader. I am cock-sure that reading this book will give you a new experience that you will not forget in a hurry.

If in an earlier generation people sometimes were said to be so heavenly-minded that they were no earthly good," begins Carl F. H. Henry, "in our day the very opposite is more apt to be the case." At the same time the hunger for spiritual vitality is growing. What, then, is the nature of spiritual experience, and how can it be integrated into Christian and academic disciplines?

Debra Robinson grew up in a world with little love, and she had no idea what love really was. She experienced a critical, condemning, and heartbreaking childhood, coming close to committing suicide. God transformed her life and helped her overcome that early trauma, giving her hope and purpose. In The ABCs to Praising and Worshipping God, she shares parts of her life story, telling how God performed many miracles throughout the years. Robinson journeys through the alphabet and showcases verses that praise and worship God. From A to Z, this collection features more than 2,450 verses and 38 translations of God’s word. In this compilation, Robinson details how, through scripture, He provides guidance and direction to live the best life, including steps to receiving eternal life. She reveals how falling in love with God and applying His principles daily will help you grow, find contentment and happiness, and become a changed person.

God is fearful in praises; and there is great power in praise! If you have done all you know to do without success, use the weapon of praise, and the result you will get will blow your mind! A classic example of the power of praise is when the people of Moab, Ammon, and Mount Seir came to battle with Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. The Lord fought for them, as they sang and praised. But I want you to notice that it was not praises alone that secured the victory for them. Firstly, they fasted; secondly, they prayed; thirdly, they believed God; fourthly, they appointed holy and sanctified people to offer praises; and fifthly, they sang and praised.

If you have been born again through faith in Jesus Christ, now reckon yourself dead to sin and alive to God in Christ! Learn to think about your "new self" in Christ as God does. With a pastor's heart, Stuart C. Smith explains why the key to New Covenant sanctification is the important concept of biblical reckoning. Obedience to Paul's command in Romans 6:11 can transform your life. Reckoning is not something to do but something to think. So powerful is this thought that it inevitably leads to action. Learn how to overcome the power of sin by a stronger power, and the desire to sin by a stronger desire--adoration of Jesus Christ. Bring your thinking in line with your identity. You are a new creation in Christ, a saint, an adopted child of God, and victor over Satan. Learn about the Father's passion for you, and seek to satisfy his passion for a holy and pure bride for his Son. Midway through the book, these principles come alive in the experience of Cody, a young man who leaves his troubled past for a new life of freedom in Christ.

With the poetic force of Kathleen Norris and the pastoral warmth of Eugene Peterson, Kansas pastor Roth sets forth a vision for vibrant rural churches, for ministry in congregations that bear a profound sense of both loss and possibility, and for harvesting fruits of transformation and renewal. Rooted in stories from Scripture, his own ministry, and interviews with rural church leaders, Roth offers a sturdy theological and practical alternative to church-growth strategies that rely on success stories and flashy metrics. Reclaiming God’s vision for the rural church, Roth writes, means learning how to praise, abide, watch, pray, grow, work the edges, die, befriend, and dream. In God’s Country, rediscover the stunning abundance of God’s presence in rural communities. Name the ways that the rural church testifies to God’s glory and goodness. Learn to live and love and minister right where you are, no matter how small or unassuming it may seem. Winner of the Award of Merit, Christianity Today 2018 Book Awards, The Church / Pastoral Leadership category. Free downloadable study guide available here.

Two respected scholars explore the heart of the Psalms Following in the style of their companion volumes, The Psalms as Christian Worship and The Psalms as Christian Lament, Bruce Waltke and James Houston now explore the depths of Christian praise. Each volume uniquely blends verse-by-verse commentary with a history of Psalms interpretation in the church from the time of the apostles to the present. Since praise is the essence of the book of Psalms, Waltke and Houston have narrowed the focus to Book IV of the Psalter (Psalms 90-106), which magnify God and proclaim him king. To give voice to the psalmist, the authors (carefully) translate and explain each psalm and summarize its theological message. This is followed by listening to the voice of godly churchmen whose comments have stood the test of time. The Psalms as Christian Praise is ideal for anyone seeking to better understand the praise of Israel as found in the Psalms and how Christians also use these Psalms in worship.

Drawing together scholars from fields of biblical studies, systematic theology, liturgics, and pastoral theology, In Praise of Worship questions an overemphasis on singing and music (alone) as worship in today's church. Whilst not minimizing moments of conscious and deliberate worship, the authors show that according to a close reading of Scripture and a clear understanding of theology, the whole of our lives is to be considered as worship-glorifying to the Lord who deserves such honor. Contributors: Nancy Ault Alastair Campbell David J. Cohen David G. Firth Travis Fitch Michael W. Goheen Stephen Haar Brian S. Harris Chris Jack Angela McCarthy Alan Niven John W. Olley Michael O'Neil Robin Parry Michael Parsons Michael J. Quicke

Inspiration for Your Daily Encounters with God Those who have discovered the secret of praise know how powerfully it deepens their experience of God. They’ve seen firsthand how He often works in our times of praise, releasing freedom and joy that transform struggles into blessings. Yet even when you know the delight of daily spending time with God, you may find yourself distracted by life’s busyness or even reluctant to offer praise in the midst of trials. The key, writes author Ruth Myers, is to “choose to cultivate the habit of praise, taking steps to enrich your prayer life.” This inspiring collection of daily encounters will help you do exactly that. Deeply rooted in Scripture and adapted from Ruth’s earlier writings, A Treasury of Praise guides you through personalized prayer and praise, invites you to feast on the words of God, and leads you to a deeper understanding of His power and love. Through each brief reading, you can enter into God’s presence. You can find Him truly sufficient to carry you through every disappointment, every challenge, and every season of life.