Learning to Know God

AFFORDABLE, ACCURATE, AND ATTENTION GRABBING Every verse of these TNIV Bibles has been carefully translated with uncompromising accuracy to bring out its meaning to a 21st-century audience. You won... [Read more]

SPANISH DVD [Read more]

BIBLE REFERENCE LIBRARY IN ONE VOLUME With over 20, 000 notes and an abundance of study tools reflecting the forefront of conservative scholarship, this Bible is a veritable resource library design... [Read more]

NIV Heart of the Outdoors Leather Bible In single copies In single copies

EASIER-TO-READ TEXT IN A HARDCOVER EDITION This simplified version of the NIV Bible, written at a 3.5-grade reading level, is the perfect gift for anyone who wants a more-contemporary translation o... [Read more]

THE BIBLE FOR SPORTSMEN IDEAL FOR YOUR NON-CHRISTIAN HUNTING AND FISHING BUDDIES The Heart of the Outdoors, with its rugged camouflage paperback cover or leather cover, is designed especially for h... [Read more]

Christmas Leaflets #5164 - Jesus The Real Meaning of Christmas

THE GREATEST JOY OF CHRISTMAS IS CELEBRATING CHRIST! Christmas is such a wonderful time to share your faith with friends, family, neighbors, and your community. That is why we are making these beau... [Read more]

Don’t be confused about the pearls — they are US!

Gary — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 01:35:13 +0000

Read Matthew 13:44-52

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it" (Matthew 13:45,46).

What Does This Scripture Mean for Us?

Have you ever really thought about these short, very familiar parables Jesus spoke about the Kingdom of Heaven, and what they mean for us? I'll be you're like I and many others have been when just reading and rereading them over the years: We probably got the message just backwards!

Our pastor, Pastor Dan, read this Scripture on a recent Sunday morning and asked the congregation, "In this story about the merchant and the pearls -- who is the merchant? What do the pearls represent?"

Like me, most people there immediately said the merchant represented us -- and the pearls were the priceless value of God's Kingdom, his presence that is beyond any value we could put on it.

Then he simply said: "Hmm. So God wants us to sacrifice everything we own for his kingdom -- then what? How do we live? For that matter, assuming the ministry of our church is part of the Kingdom -- how do we pay for it??"

That was a mind opener. The "merchant," for this parable to make any sense at all, is NOT us. The merchant is GOD. The pearls of great value ("great price" in the familiar King James Version) represent us. We are of such value to God that he sent his only son, Jesus, to die for us. HE is the one who has given all to purchase US.

How awesome is that as you go about your day? Great to learn something like that about God, isn't it?

« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 Next »

SPANISH DVD [Read more]

NIV Heart of the Outdoors Leather Bible In single copies In single copies

Christmas Leaflets #5164 - Jesus The Real Meaning of Christmas

Live as free people in Christ — free to love God, free to do good

Gary — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 01:34:05 +0000

Read 1 Peter 2:13-25

"Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover up for evil; live as servants of God" (1 Peter 2:16).

What Does This Scripture Mean for Us?

I have been trying to find a quotation I ran onto years ago about the meaning of true freedom. It was a statement either by Martin Luther or by Augustine of Hippo -- see why I'm having trouble finding the quote? -- and it went something like this:

True freedom is not the ability to choose right or wrong, true freedom is the ability to always choose the right.

But I cannot find the quotation, so I can't be sure that I got it right.

I'm sure you get my point though. God's Word through Peter is exactly what that quotation means: We have the ability and the motivation in Christ to live as "free" people. We can choose good and not evil. We can choose confidence and peace instead of fear.

Enjoy your freedom in Christ today. Live for him and for the good you can do in the lives of others!

Technorati Tags: live free in Christ, freedom to do what is right, buy Bibles and more

« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 Next »

SPANISH DVD [Read more]

NIV Heart of the Outdoors Leather Bible In single copies In single copies

Christmas Leaflets #5164 - Jesus The Real Meaning of Christmas

Don’t argue with unbelievers; show them your faith in your daily living

Gary — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 02:38:03 +0000

Read 1 Peter 2:1-12

"Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us" (1 Peter 2:12).

What Does This Scripture Mean for Us?

There's hardly a day that goes by without someone feeling compelled to fight the battle of faith in the pages of our daily newspaper. You've probably seen and read the drill yourself in your local "letters to the editor," or "readers' letters," or whatever it's called in your local newspaper. I'm talking about those good, sincere folks who feel they absolutely MUST defend their faith against godless agnostics/atheists who attack Christianity in their letters and/or guest editorials/opinion pieces.

Problem is, most of these good folks aren't defending the faith. They're merely exercising their right to argue or express their anger at those whom they believe are attacking God or their Christian faith.

You've probably heard and used the expression yourself -- "Practice what you preach."

The essence of our Christianity is in the LIVING, not just the teaching/talking/believing. I've always
found it interesting that God chose to reveal himself to us through the Scriptures, not through
carefully crafted, logical theology textbooks.

And what are the Scriptures? They are accounts of living people -- living out their lives. That's what we are to do: Live our faith, not argue or debate about it.

Show Jesus to the people in your life today by what you do, by the way you live what you believe!

Technorati Tags: defending the faith, arguing about God, living out our faith, buy Bibles and more

« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 Next »

SPANISH DVD [Read more]

NIV Heart of the Outdoors Leather Bible In single copies In single copies

Christmas Leaflets #5164 - Jesus The Real Meaning of Christmas

Don’t just tell me what you believe — show me, please

Gary — Tue, 27 May 2008 22:11:36 +0000

Read 1 Peter 2:1-12

"Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us" (1 Peter 2:12).

What Does This Scripture Mean for Us?

You've probably heard and used the expression yourself -- "Practice what you preach."

And what are the Scriptures? They are accounts of living people -- living out their lives.

Show Jesus to the people in your life today by what you do, by the way you live what you believe.

« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 Next »

SPANISH DVD [Read more]

NIV Heart of the Outdoors Leather Bible In single copies In single copies

Christmas Leaflets #5164 - Jesus The Real Meaning of Christmas

How to live for Jesus today, ‘by the numbers’

Gary — Wed, 21 May 2008 01:38:23 +0000

Read 1 Peter 1:13-25

"Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to
be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed" (1 Peter 1:13)."

What Does This Scripture Mean for Us?

Preachers -- even us burned out old ex-preachers! -- love 3-point sermon outlines. I don't know why,
exactly, but think about it: When was the last time you heard a 2-point or 4-point sermon??

Anyway, I got distracted there. Here are some thoughts for today about how to live a holy life, pleasing to God, based on today's reading in 1 Peter:

1. Take control of your mind; bring your thoughts under control and offer them up to God.

2. Live a disciplined, "self-controlled" life, i.e., get serious about offering every part of your life
up to God every day of your life.

3. Rely on God's grace in Christ to make all this happen, as you look forward to seeing him!

So there's your "3-pointer" for today. Now get busy and fill in the "sermon" by living each day for Jesus.

Technorati Tags: living for Jesus, self-discipline, God's grace in Christ, buy Bibles and more

« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 Next »

SPANISH DVD [Read more]

NIV Heart of the Outdoors Leather Bible In single copies In single copies

Christmas Leaflets #5164 - Jesus The Real Meaning of Christmas

Show others you really care about them today — REALLY care

Gary — Sun, 18 May 2008 02:43:21 +0000

Read 1 Peter 1:1-12

"Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you
believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal
of your faith, the salvation of your souls" (1 Peter 1:8,9).

What Does This Scripture Mean for Us?

So how are things going for you today? I mean, really, how's it going?

Have you ever asked someone "how are you," knowing full well you didn't REALLY want to know how they are? And knowing that they, too, knew you weren't really all that interested in their particular problems at the time?

It's a social custom. But perhaps, in light of all that Jesus is and all he means to us -- we ought to
move beyond the custom.

Take time today to CARE about people you meet. You needn't become everyone's counselor and
"confessor" to care. But you do need to listen, to take time to really LISTEN to those you meet.

Point them to Jesus through your honest concern and the loving joy they see him put into
your life today!

Technorati Tags: caring about others, asking and listening, showing Christ's love, buy Bibles and more

« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 Next »

SPANISH DVD [Read more]

NIV Heart of the Outdoors Leather Bible In single copies In single copies

Christmas Leaflets #5164 - Jesus The Real Meaning of Christmas

Thinking about Jesus’ return to this world

Gary — Wed, 14 May 2008 20:57:50 +0000

Read James 5:7-20

"Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming" (James 5:7).

What Does This Scripture Mean for Us?

You may have heard a few years ago about the burial box archaeologists found in or near Jerusalem inscribed with lettering that made researchers think it may have been made for James, the brother of Jesus of Nazareth?

It turns out that most archaeologists, after close examination and careful efforts to date it, decided it probably wasn't any way related to Jesus or any of the Jameses mentioned in the New Testament.

No big deal, really, if you think about it. There were many people in and around Jerusalem
named James and Jesus besides them.

But then again --- who knows? The idea of finding physical evidence that can be linked to anyone in the Bible is exciting, especially if we were to find a burial box, parts of a stone wall, or anything else that could be verified as belonging to Jesus or his immediate family.

The point for us, though, is this: We are to focus our energies and our attention on living with the expectation of the SECOND coming of Christ, not the first. Spend your time wisely today. This could be the day Jesus comes back for us! Think about that!

Technorati Tags: Christ's family, Christ's return, buy Bibles and more

« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 Next »

SPANISH DVD [Read more]

NIV Heart of the Outdoors Leather Bible In single copies In single copies

Christmas Leaflets #5164 - Jesus The Real Meaning of Christmas

What does God think about wealth?

Gary — Mon, 12 May 2008 19:00:26 +0000

Read James 5:1-6

"The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty" (James 5:4).

What Does This Scripture Mean for Us?

Is it WRONG or sinful to be rich?

Funny how almost all of us feel about wealth or riches. Those folks who have little money and/or
material possessions, tend to feel cautious about wealth and distrust the wealthy. Those folks who
are "well off" or downright rich, tend to justify their wealth as something they've earned or are
entitled to.

And the really "funny" part of all this is: If the poor gain wealth, they treat it just as those they previously distrusted -- while rich folks who suffer loss and become poor often change their thinking, too.

Read these verses carefully. God is NOT condemning wealth itself -- God is condemning wealthy people
who fail to help those in need and/or act in a haughty or arrogant fashion with their money.

Rich or poor, we must reflect God's love by loving and helping others always and in every way
that we can.

Technorati Tags: material wealth, rich and poor, God's view of wealth, buy Bibles and more

« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 Next »

SPANISH DVD [Read more]