Showing results by narrator "David Cochran Heath" in All Categories

The apostle Peter writes to churches pertaining to the false teachers and opposition among them. His letter is a reminder that God's grace is not only pardon but also power to live righteously in the face of opposition. Because we have the Holy Spirit, we can pursue holiness, bear fruit, and deny false teachers. Peter's exhortations are an encouragement to remain steadfast and firm in the faith.

When all of the men in her family die, Ruth is left a widow, and her mother-in-law, Naomi, is left helpless. Ruth, a very loyal daughter-in-law, decides to stay with Naomi, hunting for food to help them survive. The widow unexpectedly meets a wealthy man named Boaz, who takes an interest in her. Could this man be God’s rescue plan for Ruth and Naomi?

While there is suffering, evil, sickness, and death in this world, the book of Joel reminds us that we have an everlasting hope through it all. Joel warns the people of Judah as a horrifying locust plague has come upon them. He urges the people to repent and return to God, predicting that this is just the beginning of their judgment. Thankfully Joel's prophecies do not end there.

The second book of Samuel paints a portrait of Israel's greatest king. King David had many military triumphs and was richly blessed by God. Despite this, even David was prone to fall into temptation. In this book we can grow in knowledge of sin and its consequences. More importantly we can better understand how our merciful God still wants to use us in his redemption plan.

After admonishing believers in Corinth for their sinful ways and abuse of grace, Paul writes a second letter, commending them for their positive response to his first letter. He expresses his joy in hearing that they've repented and embraced his teachings. Paul then goes on to encourage believers to "...take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). Listen as he reminds the church at Corinth that God has made them a new creation in Christ.

Paul protests against the perversion of the Gospel. Many are teaching the Galatians that they can be justified by works, and, as a result, they’ve abandoned the truth. Listen to the book of Galatians and rest in the fact that we are justified by grace through faith.

As Christians we have a hope that withstands all trouble. In fact while many strive to avoid suffering, believers can actually rejoice in it. Why? Because God will vindicate his people. We can rest in God's salvation now and look forward to the day he will bring full redemption. This letter, written by the Apostle Peter, points us to Christ in times of tribulation and encourages us to persevere in the midst of suffering.

Many called Jeremiah the "Weeping Prophet" and, as shown in this book, he has every reason to mourn. Jeremiah's ministry is primarily concerned with preaching the word of God to an idolatrous people. When he comes to realize the Israelites' refusal to repent, Jeremiah begins to describe a future judgment. Interestingly enough, even today the words of this prophet provide us with a study of our own sinfulness.

God tells Jonah to preach repentance to Nineveh, a ruthless and idolatrous nation. Jonah, a prophet who does not like the Assyrians, wants Nineveh to be destroyed. Instead of following God’s call, Jonah rebels and sails in the opposite direction, deliberately fleeing from God. Stubborn Jonah ends up in the belly of a fish. Listen to the story of this prophet as God disciplines him for his disobedience and teaches him that he loves all people, even the enemies of his chosen ones.

The apostle John shares with us his main goal: "...that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" (John 20:31). John states that Jesus is the son of God whom the Father sent to us to accomplish something no one else could. Follow John as he prepares the way for the one who is the only way to eternal life.

The Israelites are returning to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. In many ways this story resembles the life of a Christian who repents from sin and rebellion and turns around to find God welcoming them into his unfailing love. The Book of Ezra is a record of hope for those who are weighed down with discouragement. No sin is too big for God’s grace.

Imagine marching hundreds of miles across the wilderness in order to get to a land flowing with abundance, filled with lush meadows and beautiful flowers. In Numbers, the Israelites are headed to the "promised land” of Canaan. This journey may take longer than expected. Will they remain faithful to the God who brought them out of Egypt?

Filled with allegories and themes of the awesome majesty of God, the book of Ezekiel is both painful and rewarding. The difficulties in reading this book derive from Ezekiel’s prophecies of judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem. The comfort, however, exceeds the painful parts. The book closes with a glimmer of hope for the Jews as the prophet depicts the restoration that is to come.

In Ephesians, Paul gives us a detailed description of Church members' relationship to Christ. The apostle is writing to strengthen the churches of Ephesus. He tells them, "In him [Jesus] you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit." (Ephesians 2:22) This reminds us that we are all part of the "body" of Christ, his Church. Listen to Paul, and be encouraged about your role in redemptive history.

God’s providence always comes through, even in the worst of situations. This is something we learn in the life of Queen Esther. A woman of strength and humility, Queen Esther endures the struggles that come with living a life of obedience to God. She knows that God’s hand is on her and that his plans are not moved, not even by the actions of evil men.

Know the enemy. Anticipate his attack. Expert linguist Dr. Andrew Farley encounters a device containing thousands of archived files revealing a worldwide spiritual conspiracy. Operation Screwtape is the largest of these files and details the intelligent scheme to steal, kill, and destroy.

It started with a question: is Christ’s call in Matthew 28, to make disciples of all the world, for all Christians for all time? In 1792, William Carey had noticed that his contemporaries no longer sought to share the gospel with the same zeal as the new believers of the early church. In The Enquiry, he counters this apathy with a theological justification for missions, a history of missionary activity and a survey of the world. He then turns to persuasion, arguing against common objections to sending missionaries and convincing his readers that a missionary society should be formed.

This issue of Christian History explores what life was like for many different types of Christians in the Middle Ages.

There is a road to life in the unshakable kingdom of God, but it's not an easy journey. In The Magnificent Journey, the author shows us the better road, the road less traveled, but the road full of riches. Along the way, he introduces us to new spiritual practices that will provide the sustenance we need for the deepest, most joy-filled journey of our lives - the journey into the heart of God.

Prayer is a crucial part of the Christian life, and believers must give it careful attention and cultivation. As they pray, Christians exercise their faith in repentance, in submission to God's will, and in praise to God. Believers in Christ, then, must grow in their prayer life in their communion with God. In this pamphlet, Joel R. Beeke gives listeners helpful, practical ways to improve their prayer lives by first disciplining themselves, in dependence on the Holy Spirit, and by then taking hold of God. Learn what a blessing it is to pray!