Scandalous Savior: How Jesus Revealed the Heart of God

Jesus confused and angered the religious leaders of the day. He ignored their rituals and even associated with people who were thought to be unworthy of His time or anyone else’s. He acted like He was God! But Jesus wasn’t just trying to be different; He was showing that something new was happening. Scandalous Savior takes a closer look at the controversy Jesus created and answers four specific questions that reveal the true heart of God.

 

The Lands of the Bible: Places That Shape Scripture

From Genesis to Revelation, God revealed Himself and His story of redemption. He used people and animals in backdrops of mountains and valleys, rivers and seas, empires and villages. But how much do we really know about the places and customs where these stories happened? In The Lands of the Bible, Dr. John Beck engages us in the fascinating geography of Scripture and shows how we can discover new and exciting insights into the stories we thought we already knew.

Moving Mountains: The Practice of Persistent Prayer

The Bible says a lot about the need for persistence and faith in prayer, and that God hears and answers prayers even to the point of moving mountains. But when your prayers aren’t answered based on what you hoped for, it can make you question whether or not you had enough faith. Moving Mountains reminds you that prayer isn’t about the amount of faith you have; it’s a matter of whether or not you believe God can do what you ask Him to do.  

The Power of the Cross

“Even hearts hardened by the heat of battles and the struggle of military service are not beyond the reach of . . . the power of the cross,” writes author Bill Crowder. In this booklet you’ll examine the impact of the crucifixion of Jesus on the centurion at the cross. Find insights to help you truly know Jesus through the power of His sacrifice.

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Missing the Mission? Disciples in an Age of Abundance

We are hardwired for consumerism and comfort. Our deepest need, however, can only be satisfied in Jesus where we ultimately find our identity, security, and peace. So instead of getting comfortable in life and in our church pews, let’s reach out to people with the only “thing” that satisfies—Jesus.

Understanding the Bible: The Pentateuch

Understanding the Bible: The Pentateuch examines the first five books of the Old Testament to help you renew your passion for God and His Word and to grow deeper into the depths of His love.

 

Finding Peace in a Troubled World

Nothing could have been more disturbing to the disciples than to know that Jesus would soon be leaving them. And as their hearts shuddered with fear of the unknown, Jesus comforted them with His promise of peace. In this examination of John 14:1–6, we are reminded of God’s Spirit of peace that is available to us because of the death and resurrection of Jesus. As we put our trust in Jesus, we can find peace to calm our hearts, nurture our souls, and strengthen our relationships.

Mystery of the Manger

You know the Christmas story . . . Mary and Joseph, Jesus in a manger, angels, wise men. But have you stopped to ponder the intricate details in the accounts of both Matthew and Luke? They are two separate writers inspired by the Holy Spirit offering unique perspectives. Yet their  books harmoniously blend together to enhance this life-changing story. Explore how these two stories deepen and illuminate the mystery of God in the manger.

Compassion: Learning to Love Like Jesus

Displaying the character of Christ is not always easy, especially in a society that promotes selfish ambition. In this booklet, Dr. Vernon Grounds brings clarity to the meaning of compassion as he examines the life of Jesus. Discover how you can become a channel of God’s love and kindness when you follow the example of Christ—the One whose compassion never fails.

Filled With the Spirit

Being “filled with the Spirit” can have different meanings to different people. It’s important to first turn to Scripture to understand who the Holy Spirit is and how He works. When we submit ourselves to Him, we are asking Him to take control or “fill us” so that our thoughts and actions are in line with what God wants. Herb Vander Lugt explains what the Spirit-filled life looks like and how we can experience it to the fullest.   

Navigating The Storms Of Life

Although it would be nice to believe otherwise, problems and trials are an inevitable part of life. In this excerpt of True North, author Gary Inrig encourages you to fix your compass on God as your constant reference point in navigating the storms of life. Discover how you can stay on course and weather the storm when His Word becomes the active tool for directing your life.

Following Jesus: Relationship or Religion?

Is there a difference between “doing for Jesus” and “following Jesus”? While religious activities like attending church, giving money, and praying are all worthwhile, they should be done from a heart of thankfulness for what Christ did for you. He loves a broken heart who wants to serve Him rather than someone who is busy doing the “right things.” Without Jesus at the center, it’s all superficial. Understand the difference between religion and relationship so you can please God and find joy in your life.

 

Grace: Accepting God’s Gift to You

Ephesians 2 uses the phrase “dead in your sins.” But what does that really mean? Dead means lifeless, powerless, inanimate. It means we were incapable of doing anything to change our situation. But God is loving and merciful, and He chose to give us new life. That’s the beauty of His grace—we’ve done nothing to deserve it. He simply gives it to us. And once we’re alive in Him, He gives us the privilege of walking in this new life and serving Him.

The Forgiveness Of God

Without the assurance of forgiveness, feelings of guilt and regret can weigh you down. In this booklet, Mart De Haan helps you discover how God’s forgiveness can lift the burden of guilt and shame to give you freedom and peace to move forward in life. Gain a better understanding of God’s love and mercy, as you explore the elements of His forgiveness.

 

 

Mart DeHaan, grandson of Our Daily Bread Ministries founder, Dr. M. R. DeHaan, and son of former president, Richard W. DeHaan, has served with the ministry for more than 30 years. Mart is heard regularly on the Discover the Word radio program.

 

 

Discover a new way to encounter the life changing wisdom of the Bible! With our new app for tablets, you can keep Discovery Series with you at all times. Not only is our original content available, but we’ve added extra material so you can learn even more as you read through each chapter.

 

 

Check it out here

 

God Has a Plan

Life can seem terribly unfair, even downright cruel. You may be in a rough place due to your own actions or because of circumstances beyond your control.  Either way, God still holds your life in His hands and has a plan for you. Michael Swiger found this to be true during his decade and a half of incarceration and beyond. His compelling story demonstrates how God led every step of the way on Michael’s journey, and how He can lead you too.  

God is Love: Reflections on the Character of God

Love can mean different things to different people depending on their situation. That’s why Oswald Chambers reminds us to turn to Scripture to find the only true, pure form of love there is—God’s love. His love is perfect and powerful, holy and healing. We can’t even begin to comprehend it apart from His Word. God Is Love leads you to a place of understanding how God is love and how He demonstrates His love to us in amazing ways.  

A Rumor of Hope: The Good News of Easter

Is it really true? Did Jesus willingly die a horrible death on a cross and then come back to life? The idea seems impossible for our human minds to comprehend, yet the gospel message isn’t complete without both a brutal sacrifice and beautiful resurrection. A Rumor of Hope: The Good News of Easter walks you through the crucifixion and resurrection from the biblical narrative of those who were there. It gives feet to the good news that otherwise seems almost too good to be true.

The Promises of God

Time and time again in the Bible we see where God is faithful to His promises. They are the heart of the Bible and actually reveal His good, merciful, and trustworthy character. Explore both His conditional and unconditional promises, and know that His promises are perfect even when we don’t completely understand them. In The Promises of God, you’ll see how God is faithful to His promises, how He fulfills them, and how we can understand them.

Kurt DeHaan was a vital part of the ministry that was founded by his grandfather Dr. M. R. DeHaan in 1938. He was the managing editor for Our Daily Bread for 15 years, and often wrote for other ministry publications until his death in 2003. A gifted editor and writer, Kurt had a sense of humor that was surpassed only by his gracious spirit.

God With Us

No matter what you face in life, the decisions you make determine the course of your journey. Where can you find clear direction to help you make wise choices? In God With Us, author Alice Mathews examines the decisions made by Eve and Mary that continue to impact the world from generation to generation. Discover from their stories how you can find hope in God and make choices that reflect His will for your life.

 

Alice Mathews, PhD, served as Distinguished Professor of Educational Ministries and Women’s Ministries at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She is the former Academic Dean for Christian University GlobalNet and cohosted the Discover the Word daily radio program for over 20 years.

What If It’s True?

It’s the great debate: Is there a God or not? Let’s take it one step further and ask, “Is Jesus really God?” There’s a lot riding on the answer. It only makes sense to keep an open mind while figuring out the dilemma. Looking at the facts in Scripture as well as stories from contemporary lives, What If It’s True? reflects on the questions we all ask. So go ahead . . . open up this booklet and read the words with careful consideration. It’s worth your time.

Bill Crowder joined the Our Daily Bread Ministries staff after more than 20 years in the pastorate. Bill works closely with Mart DeHaan as vice president of teaching content. Bill is heard regularly on the Discover the Word radio program and spends much of his time in a Bible-teaching ministry for Christian leaders around the world.

 

*Bibliography Mentioned on Page 10

Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith, by Douglas Groothuis

Evidence that Demands a Verdict, by Josh McDowell

Mere Christianity, by C. S. Lewis

Miracles, by C. S. Lewis

The Case for Faith, by Lee Strobel

The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism, by Timothy Keller

See also:

reasonablefaith.org (William Lane Craig)

rzim.org (Ravi Zacharias International)

Why?

We normally think of pain and suffering as bad, and we do our best to avoid them. But since they are inevitable parts of life, maybe we should adjust our thinking. Instead of grumbling about our problems or blaming someone else, let’s look to the Bible to see how God uses our trials to draw us closer to Him. Why? Seeing God in Our Pain shows the root causes of our pain and suffering and allows us to see Him more clearly as a God who really does care.

Contents include:

  1. The Problem of Pain
  2. Why Do We Suffer?
  3. The Consequences of Choice
  4. Where is God?
  5. The End of Suffering

 

Bill Crowder joined the Our Daily Bread Ministries staff after more than 20 years in the pastorate. Bill works closely with Mart DeHaan as vice president of teaching content. Bill is heard regularly on the Discover the Word radio program and spends much of his time in a Bible-teaching ministry for Christian leaders around the world.