crossway books wheaton il (Over 1,100 results)

Trade Paperback. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Second Printing. good clean flat paperback with only light general wear. light edge rubbing. pages clean and unmarked.

Trade Paperback. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. excellent copy. clean flat covers. pages clean and unmarked. 60 pages.

Trade Paperback. Condition: As New. Dust Jacket Condition: No Dustjacket As Issued. First Edition. First Edition, Second Printing In Wraps; Covers are clean and bright and flat; corners are sharp and spine is not creased; Book Interior is clean, tight and unmarked; 8vo; 127 pages;

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Alex Duke highlights the benefits of church membership-discipleship, accountability, and fellowship-and offers advice on how Christians can encourage faithful church membership in their congregations. Part of the Church Questions series. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Stapled Paperback. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. very good clean copy. clean flat covers. pages clean and unmarked. 30 pages.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Helping Christians put their faith into action and live for more than comfort, Piperteaches us to choose risk for the cause of Christ, the fulfillment of our joy, and the good of others. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Soft Cover. Condition: Good. Wraps have rubbed edges. Pages are clean with no markings in text. Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. A simplified version of The New City Catechism designed for children, this 64-page booklet contains 52 short questions and answers aimed at helping them better understand God, humanity, sin, and salvation. A modern-day resource aimed at teaching the core doctrines of the Christian faith to children ages 4-12, this low-cost booklet is designed for bulk distribution and is ideally suited for Sunday school classes, Christian schools, and homeschooling families. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Paperback. Condition: Good. The nine messages in this volume are masterful and built on Scripture, edifying and applicable for all Christians who want to grow in their understanding of grace and how it transforms us. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine.

Trade Paperback. Condition: Good. Trade Paperback. Christian. This paperback is in good condition. It is a trade size paperback. It deals with the New Age movement. We have cheap media mail rates. We ship daily and on saturdays.

Paperback. Condition: Good. 224 pages.

Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. Pages are clean and unmarked. Cover corners and edges are unmarred. Binding is tight.

Hardcover. Condition: As New. No Jacket. Lawrence, John (illustrator). 1st Edition. Pages are clean and unmarked. Cover corners and edges are unmarred. Binding is tight.

Soft cover. Condition: Fine. No Jacket. Pages are clean and unmarked. Cover corners and edges are unmarred. The binding is tight.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. An affordable option for widespread distribution, the ESV Outreach New Testament, Large Print features a large font size, compact size, and helpful bonus features, presenting God's Word in a readable, approachable format. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. The Gospel of John has always been one of the most-read books of the Bible, and this special paperback edition makes it easy to share with others. The Gospel of John has always been one of the most-read books of the Bible, and this special paperback edition makes it easy to share with others. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Trade Paperback. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. First Edition. 333 pp. First printing. The pages are beginning to tan at the edges. The binding is tight and square, and the text is clean.

Trade Paperback. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. very nice clean copy. pages clean and unmarked. 55 pages.

Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. The central theme of the Bible's New Testament is God's love for you as an individual. This love was revealed through Christ's coming into the world and living among humankind, and through his dying on the cross and rising from the dead. By Christ's death, God offers you forgiveness for your sins, and by his resurrection, the promise of everlasting life.Christ died and rose again for the whole world, but for you to become a Christian is an individual matter. The only way to establish a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is to accept his offer of forgiveness and everlasting life. The following Scriptures show God's part and yours. Read each verse and believe it, for it is the Word of God speaking to you.God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)GOD'S LOVE IS REVEALEDGod loves you and all people. He wants to bless your life and make it full and complete. He offers you not only an abundant life here and now, but also a life that is eternal-- his very own life.All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)HUMANS ARE SINFULThe saying, "Well, we are just human-- nobody is perfect," is biblically sound. When we acknowledge this truth, we can see our separation from God, for he is holy.SIN HAS A PENALTYThe wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)To continue in sin will result in spiritual death, which is separation from God forever. The alternative is to personally receive God's free gift, which is pardon for sin and provision of life everlasting.CHRIST PAID THE PENALTYGod commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)You may think you must lead a "good" life and do charitable acts before God will love you. This is not true. God loves you even in your sin. He sent Christ to die in your place and to pay the penalty for your sin so that you can be reconciled to him.SALVATION IS A FREE GIFT!By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Grace means undeserved favor. God graciously offers to you what you could never do for yourself. All you need to do is receive it. Believe with all your heart that Jesus Christ died to provide deliverance from your sins and to give you eternal life.WE MUST RECEIVE CHRISTAs many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. (John 1:12)When you receive Christ-- when you accept what he has done for you-- you become a child of God. Picture, if you will, Jesus Christ standing at the door of your life. Invite him in. He is waiting to be received into your life.God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. (John 1:12)God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)RECEIVE CHRIST NOWYou can invite Jesus Christ into your life right now by praying to God something like the following: Dear Lord, I know that I am a sinner and that I nee Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. HOW CAN WE KNOW WE'LL GO TO HEAVEN? A recent poll indicated that for every American who believes he or she is going to hell, there are 120 who believe they're going to heaven. This optimism stands in stark contrast to Jesus Christ's words written in the Bible: "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few" (Matthew 7:13-14).The truth is that according to the Bible we don't automatically go to heaven. In fact, hell--not heaven--is our default destination. Unless our sin problem is solved once and for all, we can't enter heaven. That's the bad news. But once that's straight in our minds we're ready to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. Jesus took upon himself, on the cross, the hell we deserve so that we could experience for eternity the heaven we don't deserve! THE ONLY TWO OPTIONS There are two possible destinations when we die: heaven or hell. Can we really know in advance where we'll go? John, one of the writers of the Bible, said this: "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life" (1 John 5:13). We can know for sure that we'll go to heaven when we die. Do you? To sin means to fall short of God's holy standards. Sin is what ended paradise in the Garden of Eden. And all of us, like Adam and Eve, are sinners. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Sin separates us from a relationship with God (Isaiah 59:2) and it deceives us and makes us think that wrong is right and right is wrong (Proverbs 14:12). Sin has terrible consequences, but God has provided a solution: "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, loved us so much that he left the riches of heaven to become a man and deliver us from our sin. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). He came to identify with us in our humanity and our weakness, but he did so without being tainted by our sin, self-deception, and moral failings (Hebrews 4:15-16). Jesus died on the cross as the only one worthy to pay the penalty for our sins demanded by the holiness of God: "For our sake he [God] made him [Jesus] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21). But in victory over death, God raised Jesus from the grave, defeating the consequences of sin (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 54-57). When Christ died on the cross for us, he said, "It is finished" (John 19:30). In those times "It is finished" was commonly written across certificates of debt when they were canceled. It meant "Paid in full." Christ died so that the certificate of debt consisting of all our sins could once and for all be marked "Paid in full." THE CRITICAL DECISION Only when our sins are dealt with in Christ can we enter heaven. We cannot pay our own way. Jesus said, "No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). "There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). Because of Jesus Christ's sacrificial death on the cross on our behalf, God freely offers us forgiveness. To be forgiven, we must recognize and repent of our sins. Forgiveness is not automatic. It's conditioned upon confession: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Christ offers to every Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. Me permites ofrecerte un boleto al cielo? No tienes que pagarlo, y esa es una cosa muy ventajosa, porque jamas tendrias suficiente dinero para comprarlo! Es gratis, pero solamente porque alguien ya murio pagando asi su precio. Dios te ama y, ademas de desear que tengas una vida llena de satisfaccion sobre la tierra, tambien quiere que vivas con el eternamente en el cielo. El Senor es quien te ofrece un boleto cabalmente pagado. Nadie quiere ir al infierno porque ahi no hay nada de gozo ni de placeres. Dios tampoco desea que alquien vaya a aquel lugar. La Biblia dice que Dios no quiere "que nadie perezca" (2 Pedro 3:9). Pero existe un problema con la adquisicion del boleto gratis. Todos hemos hecho alguna cosa mala--todos hemos pecado, no es cierto? La palabra de Dios dice, "Si afirmamos que no hemos pecado, lo hacemos pasar por mentiroso" (1 Juan 1:8). El pecado corrompe--nos ensucia y nos hace inadecuados para estar en la presencia de Dios en aquel lugar maravilloso y perfecto que llamamos el cielo. El pecado castiga--nos separa del Dios impecable, "Porque la paga del pecado es muerte" (Romanos 6:23). En pocas palabras, nuestra pecaminosidad impide la entrega del boleto que necesitamos para poder entrar al cielo! Quien me lo pago? Pero, la historia no termina ahi! Aun hay buenas nuevas! Jesucristo, el Hijo de Dios, vino a la tierra para nacer y vivir su vida sin pecado. El "murio por los [nuestros] pecados, el justo por los injustos [todos nosotros!], a fin de llevarlos a ustedes a Dios" (1 Pedro 3:18). Cuando Dios "hizo recaer el sobre la iniquidad de todos nosotros" (Isaias 53:6), Jesus clamo, "Dios mio, Dios mio, por que me has desamparado?" (Marcos 15:34). La respuesta es sencilla y a la vez profunda. Jesus fue separado de Dios porque el tomo tu lugar y el mio sobre la cruz, y por medio de la muerte el pago la "paga" cabal que nuestros pecados merecian. Entonces el resucito de entre los muertos, fue visto por centenares de personas y hoy vive para que tu puedas conocerlo y recibir el regalo de la vida eterna--tu boleto al cielo. Esto es la pura verdad! La Biblia declara, "Mas a cuantos lo recibieron [a Jesus], a los que creen en su nombre, les dio el derecho de ser hijos de Dios" (Juan 1:12). Que fantastico! Tu puedes llegar a ser una persona "nueva"--nacida de Dios--y comenzar a vivir una vida completamente nueva que agrade a Dios. Y, por supuesto, todos los hijos de Dios tienen un boleto al cielo! Lo quieres? No es por casualidad que se te ofrecio un boleto al cielo. Dios mismo ha hecho todos los arreglos para que tu puedas aceptarlo. La pregunta clave que determina todo es, Jesus pago por todos tus pecados o no? Dios dice que si lo hizo. Confia en Dios que asi es. "El que cree en el Hijo [de Dios] tiene vida eterna" (Juan 3:36). Asi como un hombre dice, "Si, acepto a esta mujer para que sea mi esposa," asimismo Dios quiere que tu le digas, "Si, acepto a Jesus para que sea mi Salvador. Creo que el es el unico camino al cielo". La Biblia afirma, "El que tiene al Hijo [Jesus], tiene la vida" (1 Juan 5:12). Si crees que el camino divinamente establecido para ir al cielo es el unico camino, puedes "reclamar tu boleto" diciendole a Dios palabras semejantes a estas: Amado Dios, yo he pecado. Se que te he ofendido de muchas maneras. Lo siento mucho. Creo que Jesus padecio y murio por mis pecados, pago cabalmente la deuda ocasionada por ellos y resucito de entre los muertos. Jesus, creo en ti y te doy gracias por todo lo que has hecho por mi. Te pido que me salves del castigo de mis pecados, y que me des el nuevo nacimiento y el poder para vivir por ti. Gracias por esta invitacion a pasar la eternidad contigo! Recuerda lo que afirma Juan 3:3 Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. Why Trust the Bible? Don't believe everything you read. Everybody knows that.So why trust the Bible?What can be known about its historical reliability? Doing History Even more than other religions, Christianity presents itself as history. At its heart, Christianity claims that something extraordinary happened in the course of time--something concrete, real, and historical.In the Bible, the New Testament declares that a man named Jesus was born to a virgin, claimed to be God, did miracles like walking on water and raising people from the dead, was crucified on a Roman cross, then rose from the dead and ascended into heaven to reign as King of the universe. Can we conclude confidently these things are true without simply presupposing the Bible is "the Word of God"? One way to find out is to approach the New Testament as a collection of historical documents that speak for themselves. But are these documents truly reliable, historically speaking? Answering that involves a series of questions. Are Our Bible Translations Accurate? Although translation from ancient languages is neither easy nor simple, scholars have been working at it for centuries. It really is possible for genuine, accurate, correct communication to occur through translation.In the New Testament, there is only a small percentage of content that has proven difficult in translation. The best Bible translations acknowledge these places with a footnote.Moreover, we can confidently say that not one major doctrine of orthodox Christianity rests on any disputed or uncertain passage. We know what the Bible says and what it means. Were the Original Sources Accurately Copied? As with other ancient books, the physical pieces of "paper" on which the original authors first wrote the New Testament have been lost to history. But we have thousands of other ancient writings (on papyrus, vellum, and parchment) with original-language text copied from each book of the Bible--about 5,400 distinct pieces when it comes to the New Testament, many going back to the first three centuries. They allow us to reconstruct with a huge degree of confidence what the originals said. (By comparison, for Julius Caesar's Gallic Wars we have at most ten readable copies, the earliest of which dates nine hundred years after Caesar's time.) By comparing ancient copies of New Testament content with each other, we find a remarkably stable history of copy-making. For a few passages there's genuine doubt about the original text, as reflected by a relatively large number of variations. The vast majority of these variations are minor, not affecting how we ultimately understand the Bible's meaning. Were These Originals Truly the Best Sources? But were these the right documents to be looking at in the first place? Were other "Gospels" out there telling a different but equally reliable story about Jesus?Actually, the only Christian books dated confidently to the first century are the very ones that finally made up the New Testament--most of them already recognized by Christians as authoritative by first century's end.Not until about a hundred years later did books start showing up that departed significantly from New Testament teaching. Meanwhile, Christians had good, plausible, historically meaningful reasons for explaining why the books in our New Testament should be there while others shouldn't. The earlier documents were recognized as reliable witnesses to Jesus's life and teachings. Were the Original Authors Trustworthy? In their narratives, New Testament authors included verifiable details of real, historical facts. Close scrutiny makes clear t Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience--among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved--and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:1-7 When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, their relationship with God was radically and tragically altered. In an instant, they went from enjoying perfect fellowship with their Creator to being estranged from him. Because of Adam's sin, every person comes into the world with a sinful nature (Romans 5:12). Sin affects every aspect of who we are as human beings--our body, mind, and will are all tainted. It's tempting to think that we are born neutral, with the ability to choose between being "good" or "bad"--between following God or not. But the Bible says this isn't the case. Rather, our natural inclination is to sin (James 1:14-15). And we love that sin too much to turn from it by our own power: "no one seeks for God. . . . No one does good, not even one" (Romans 3:11-12); see also (John 6:44). Unable to come to God or even to desire to do so, we are born spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1, 3) and are "by nature children of wrath." Against this backdrop comes one of the most beautiful and remarkable phrases in all of Scripture: "but God . . ." "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved." (Ephesians 2:4-5) While we were still living "in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind," (Ephesians 2:3) and absolutely deserving of eternal punishment--God sought us out and saved us. This was "not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior" (Titus 3:5-6). Because we were dead in our sins, God had to first bring us to lifebefore we could come to Christ for forgiveness. When Paul says that God "made us alive," he refers to the regeneration--or new birth--that God gives us when we place our faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is this new life that enables us to come to Christ in faith. Thus, even faith itself --trusting in Jesus to save us from our sins--is a gift from God. Our salvation is, from start to finish, all of grace (Ephesians 2:5, 8-9). Though we have done nothing to deserve his mercy or love, God lavishes these things on us nonetheless. Let us rejoice, then, in the "immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:7)! If you would like to express your trust in Jesus for salvation and take a first step on your journey as a Christian, we encourage you to pray to God, perhaps using this prayer: Heavenly Father, I believe that because of your love for me, you sent your only Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross to save me from my sin. I believe that he rose again to life, and that he invites me to live forever with him as part of your family. Because of what Jesus has done, I ask you to forgive me of my sin and enable me to receive eternal life. Help me to live in a way that pleases a Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. A twenty-six-word parade of hope: beginning with God, ending with life, and urging us to do the same. Brief enough to write on a napkin or memorize in a moment, yet solid enough to weather two thousand years of storms and questions. If you know nothing of the Bible, start here. If you know everything in the Bible, return here. We all need the reminder. The heart of the human problem is the heart of the human. And God's treatment is prescribed in John 3:16.He loves. He gave. We believe. We live.He loves.God loves you because he chooses to do so. "God wasn't attracted to you and didn't choose you because you were big and important. He did it out of sheer love." (Deut. 7:7-8, MSG). God's love for you depends on his goodness, not yours. And since he is totally good, you are absolutely loved. You don't need to win his love, you already have it. And since you can't win it, you can't lose it. He will love you forever. You may step outside of his will, but never his love. Mark it down. He loves you. So much, in fact, that.He gave.He gave his one and only Son. Jesus is God's "one and only." He is unlike any other person in history. Every quality we attribute to God, we can give to Jesus. Jesus has an eternal life span, unending wisdom, and tireless energy. Most of all, Jesus is sinless. When he lived on the earth, he never sinned. "He never did one thing wrong. Not once said anything amiss" (1 Peter 2:22, MSG).We, on the other hand, do wrong things daily. We stretch the truth. We hurt people. We take advantage of the weak and disrespect our family. What should God do? He has made his position clear. "Anyone whose life is not holy will never see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14, NCV). Where does that leave us?It leaves us depending on the 3:16 promise. "God. gave his one and only son." Though sinless, Jesus took our sin. God placed our sin on his Son and punished it. When Jesus died on the cross, he died for us in our place. Our response to this great gift is simple.We believe.We trust Jesus to do what we can't. We don't trust our own efforts to save us. We can't save ourselves. We don't place our trust in other people to save us. We believe in him.We take similar steps of trust daily, even hourly. Believing the chair will support us, we set our weight on it. Believing water will hydrate, we drink it. Trusting the work of the light switch, we flip it. We have faith in the doorknob, so we turn it. We trust power we cannot see to do work we can't accomplish. Jesus invites us to do the same with him. And when we do, when we believe.We live.God gives us brand-new life. He gives us joy in this life and the promise of eternal life with him. We have joy because we have his Spirit living within us. Little by little his Spirit changes us to be more like Jesus. No guilt in life, no fear of death, he gives life, now.And life for eternity. In Heaven you will be you at your best. No anger or sadness, tears or trouble. Never weary, selfish, or defeated. Clear mind, tireless muscles, unhindered joy. And, most of all, God! "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and the knowledge of God" (Romans 11:33, ESV). Heaven is a perfect place of perfected people with our perfect Lord.He loves. He gave. We believe. We live.Would you like to accept the 3:16 promise? You can. Tell God you accept him. "Father, I believe you love me. You gave your one and only Son so I can live forever with you. Apart from you, I die. With you, I live. I choose life. I choose you." Jesus awaits your prayer. Believe in him and you will.Not.Perish.You will have life, eternal life, forever. Based on the book 3:16, best-selling author Max Lucado reveals the concept of God's love as shown in John 3:16. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. THE TEEN YEARS HAVE BEEN HIJACKED. They've been hijacked by pleasure - fashion, sex, music, movies. They've been hijacked by pressure - from school, peers, and society. And they've been hijacked by distraction - games, smartphones, and social media. None of these things give teens the purpose or identity they were made for. None of these things give teens ultimate happiness and satisfaction. None of these things answer the big and serious questions teens have: Who am I? Why am I here? How can I make a difference in this world? I know this because I am a teenager. There's only one way for teens to find purpose, meaning, and joy. Only one thing more glorious than all these influences. Only one message that has the power to change the life of a teenager. The gospel. GOD MADE YOU WITH A PURPOSE What is the gospel? It's a story. And what teenager doesn't love a good story? This is more than just a good story, though. It's a true story, and that makes it the best kind of story. It starts with God. Before anything else existed (before time, before the universe, before cars, before smartphones, before teenagers), there was God. He's eternal. He's perfect. He's just, kind, good, and faithful. He's holy. And he created this world and everything in it. He made the sun and sky and oceans and moon and anthills and evergreens and emeralds and doves and daffodils and cumulous clouds and lava and watermelon and wallabies. And then he made the pinnacle of his creation, humans. He made you and me. And he made us for a purpose: to love, obey, and enjoy him forever. That's the true purpose of every teen, every human in fact. YOU REJECTED YOUR PURPOSE But we messed things up. Humans chose to rebel against our good maker and look for a different purpose: we wanted to love, obey, and enjoy ourselves instead. We said, "No, thanks, God. We don't believe you actually care about us. We want to go our own way." We sinned. Sin is not a popular word - it sounds intolerant, narrow, and mean. But if we don't understand it, we won't understand ourselves. Because we disobeyed a perfect God and rebelled against him, we deserve to be punished. We deserve death and eternal torment. That's justice. And that's every teenager's biggest problem. Worse than any other worry in your life is the reality that you are a sinner and you deserve to be punished by a holy God. That's horrific and terrifying. So what can you do? GOD CAN GIVE YOU PURPOSE Unfortunately, you can't do anything. No matter how hard we try or what good we do, we can't work our way back to God. But the good news is that God can do something. Actually, God did do something. He knew that we would sin, and he had a plan. It was a shocking, incredible plan. He would send his Son, Jesus Christ, to take the punishment sinful humans deserved. Jesus would come and live the perfect life we couldn't live so that he could die the death we should have died. He would bear the punishment that we deserved because of our sin. But then, Jesus would rise from the grave in a miraculous victory over death, so that we could live forever with him. Sin wouldn't end the story. God would save sinners - even though we didn't deserve it. That's grace. And it's amazing! And that's the greatest news a teenager could ever hear. Now, any person who turns away from their sin and trusts wholly, solely in what Christ did will be saved. No matter how old you are. God calls every teenager to turn from living for themselves (and the pleasures, pressures, and distractions of life) and to put their faith in Christ and live for him. If you do that, you will be saved. And then you can be the teenager God created you to be. HOW TO BE THE TEEN GOD CALLS YOU TO BE</p Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. See the hole in the skyline?" I leaned forward and followed the finger of the driver. He was a rotund guy named Frank. Neck too big for his collar, hands too thick to wrap around the steering wheel. He pointed through the windshield at the forest of buildings called Lower Manhattan. "The towers used to sit right there." He could tell that I couldn't see the spot. "See the hole to the left of the one with the spire? Three days ago that was the World Trade Center. I looked at it each day as I came over the bridge. It was a powerful sight. The first morning I entered the city and saw no towers, I called my wife and cried." Three checkpoints later we parked the car and walked the final half mile. A week earlier this road had been full of flannel suits, cell phones, and market quotes. But on this day the sidewalk was muddy, and the air was thick with smoke. I decided not to think about what I was inhaling. I didn't expect the fires. In spite of the rain and truckloads of water, flames still danced. I didn't anticipate the adjoining damage. Neighboring buildings were devastated. Intact windows were rare. Later that night I spoke with an officer who guarded the entrance to the Family Care Center. He was posted next to the plywood wall of photos--the wailing wall, of sorts--on which relatives had tacked pictures and hopes. I asked him to describe the expressions on the faces of the people who had come to look at the pictures. "Blank," he said. "Blank." "They don't cry?" "They don't cry." "And you, have you cried?" "Not yet. I just push it in." Disbelief, for many, was the drug of choice. We can relate. Calamities can leave us off balance and confused. How would you describe your crisis? "The economy . . . the economy . . . the economy . . . the economy." "The divorce . . . divorce . . . divorce . . . divorce." Do you recite your woes more naturally than you do heaven's strength? Are you assuming God isn't in this crisis? He is. God doesn't manufacture pain, but he certainly puts it to use. His ways are higher than ours (Isa. 55:9). His judgments are unsearchable, and his paths are beyond tracing out (Rom. 11:33). We can't always see what God is doing, but can't we assume he is up to something good? You can't control the weather. You aren't in charge of the economy. You can't undo the tsunami or unwreck the car, but you can map out a strategy. You'd prefer a miracle? You'd rather see the bread multiplied or the stormy sea turned glassy calm in a finger snap? God may do this. Then, again, he may tell you, "I'm with you. I can use this for good. Now let's make a plan." Remember, God is in this crisis. Ask him to give you an index card-sized plan, two or three steps you can take today. Seek counsel from someone who has faced a similar challenge. Ask friends to pray. Look for resources. Reach out to a support group. Most importantly, make a plan. Don't let the crisis paralyze you. Don't let the sadness overwhelm you. Don't let the fear intimidate you. To do nothing is the wrong thing. To do something is the right thing. And to believe is the highest thing. Trust him to help you. Trust God to do what you can't. If you have already accepted God's offer into his family through placing your faith in Jesus Christ, then you can have confidence in God's plan for your life in this crisis. The Bible promises that nothing "in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:39). If you have not yet accepted God's offer, you can do so right now. Not because you've earned it. But because he loves you and because the gift of salvation is available to all who profess him as Lord. Believe that God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. Whoever comes to me I will never cast out. John 6:37John Bunyan is most famous for The Pilgrim's Progress, which is, besides the Bible, history's bestselling book. But he also authored fifty-seven other books. One of the loveliest is Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ, written in 1678. In this particular book he takes John 6:37 and zeroes in on it, looking at it from every angle, wringing it dry. He confronts our innate suspicions of Christ's deepest heart. Using his KJV rendering ("Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out"), Bunyan writes: They that are coming to Jesus Christ, are often times heartily afraid that Jesus Christ will not receive them.This observation is implied in the text. I gather it from the largeness and openness of the promise: "I will in no wise cast out."For this word, "in no wise," cuts the throat of all objections; and it was dropped by the Lord Jesus for that very end; and to help the faith that is mixed with unbelief.But I am a great sinner, say you. "I will in no wise cast out," says Christ. But I am an old sinner, say you. "I will in no wise cast out," says Christ. But I am a hard-hearted sinner, say you. "I will in no wise cast out," says Christ. But I am a backsliding sinner, say you. "I will in no wise cast out," says Christ. But I have served Satan all my days, say you. "I will in no wise cast out," says Christ. But I have sinned against light, say you. "I will in no wise cast out," says Christ. But I have sinned against mercy, say you. "I will in no wise cast out," says Christ. But I have no good thing to bring with me, say you. "I will in no wise cast out," says Christ. What is Bunyan after?Jesus's statement in John 6:37, and the book Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ, and this quote at the center of that book, all exist to calm us with the persevering nature of the heart of Christ. We say, "But I . . ." He says, "I will never cast out."Fallen, anxious sinners are limitless in their capacity to perceive reasons for Jesus to cast them out. We are factories of fresh resistances to Christ's love. Even when we run out of tangible reasons to be cast out, such as specific sins or failures, we tend to retain a vague sense that, given enough time, Jesus will finally grow tired of us and hold us at arm's length. Bunyan understands us. He knows we tend to deflect Christ's assurances."No, wait"--we say, cautiously approaching Jesus--"you don't understand. I've really messed up, in all kinds of ways." I know, he responds."You know most of it, sure. Certainly more than what others see. But there's perversity down inside me that is hidden from everyone." I know it all. "Well--the thing is, it isn't just my past. It's my present too." I understand. "But I don't know if I can break free of this any time soon." That's the only kind of person I'm here to help. "The burden is heavy--and heavier all the time." Then let me carry it. "It's too much to bear." Not for me. "You don't get it. My offenses aren't directed toward others. They're against you." Then I am the one most suited to forgive them. "But the more of the ugliness in me you discover, the sooner you'll get fed up with me." Whoever comes to me I will never cast out. The only thing required to enjoy such love is to come to him. To ask him to take us in. He does not say, "Whoever comes to me with sufficient contrition," or "Whoever comes to me feeling bad enough for their sin," or "Whoever comes to me with redoubled eff Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. 1. You need to be saved from sin's penaltyAll we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way. Isaiah 53:6There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. Proverbs 14:12For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23The wages of sin is death. Romans 6:23Each of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:12It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment. Hebrews 9:272. You cannot save yourselfUnless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy. Titus 3:5For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. James 2:10Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:63. Jesus has provided for your salvationFor there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God. 1 Peter 3:18For our sake he [God] made him [Jesus] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:164. You can be saved todayWhoever hears my word and believes has passed from death to life. John 5:24Behold, now is the. time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near. Isaiah 55:6Your part: Believe: Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved. Acts 16:31 Repent (turn from your sins): Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Luke 13:3 Confess your sin to Jesus: For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. I Timothy 2:5 Confess Jesus before others: If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 Trust Him to keep you: [He] is able to keep you from stumbling. Jude 24That's what God wants you to know! This redesigned tract explains the plan of salvation in 4 easy-to-understand statements, with Scripture references and clear steps to receive salvation. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. You're Special"There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal," wrote C. S. Lewis. It's true--each one of us is a special creation of God.Believe it or not--no one else is just like you. Your physical appearance, your voice and personality traits--your habits, intelligence, personal tastes--all these make you one of a kind. Even your fingerprints distinguish you from every other human being--past, present, or future. You are not the product of some cosmic assembly line; you are unique.But the most important fact of your identity is that God created you in His own image (Genesis 1:27). He made you so you could share in His creation, could love and laugh and know Him person to person. You are special indeed!The Bible reveals God's total interest in you as an individual. The psalmist wrote in one of his most beautiful prayers, "I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14). God knew you even before you were born. Then, and now, He has plans just for you, plans conceived in love.As we appreciate God's constant concern for us, we really begin to grasp the awfulness of sin. He loves you and me so much; yet how often we go our own way, turning our backs on Him. God's designs for our lives are then blocked; His mercies do not come to the unwilling.But even here we are precious to God, for He continues to love us even when we pay Him no mind. He still sees us as individuals with great value. No wonder the psalmist declared, "How precious are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand" (Psalm 139:17, 18). God is not an unfeeling, cold-hearted monarch of the heavens. He feels our pains; He shares our sorrows. He cares, and He considers each one of us important enough to love.In fact, He loves us so much that He gave His only Son to die for our sins. "Herein is love," the Bible says, "not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation [full payment] for our sins" (1 John 4:10).Because you and I are special to God, He wants to forgive us and give us a full, meaningful life. When we trust in Jesus Christ and let Him put our lives together, the Bible says that we become "God's masterpieces, created in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:10, paraphrase). Can anyone be more special than that?Yes, you are valuable to God! If you have never trusted Jesus Christ for your salvation, you can pray something like this today: Lord, thank You for sending Jesus Christ to die for my sins and rise from the dead so that I can know Your forgiveness and live with You forever. Right now I ask Him to be my Savior so that I can live as the special creation that You intended me to be. This all-time bestselling tract shares how everyone is special to God, and how he loves and desires to know each of us personally. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.