Here are this week’s top deals, brought to you by Faithlife Ebooks. For more deals, visit our sale page or get our Free Book of the Month. Some of these deals are only good for a few days, so act fast to get these books at the sale price! (more…)
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Get 15% off new Baptist base packages
Logos has just released a whole new line of Baptist base packages! These packages come loaded with all of Logos 5’s smart study tools and a world-class library of Baptist resources.
Get a library specially catered to your religious tradition and learn from some of the most prolific Baptist theologians and pastors.
For a limited time, get 15% off Baptist base packages. But hurry—this deal is only available for a limited time.
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How to Enjoy Logos.com Resources in Your Faithlife Study Bible App
Logos.com is home to more than 46,000 Bible study resources, like commentaries, Bible dictionaries, systematic theologies, collected works, sermon archives, journals, lexicons, handbooks, devotionals, lectionaries, and more. And many of them can be enjoyed inside your Faithlife Study Bible. Here’s a quick explanation of how to do it.
3 Things God Never Promised
In Scripture, God makes a lot of promises. He keeps them all, but there are a few things he never promised that might surprise you. Here are three; can you think of others?
Justice on earth
God keeps score. He promises to heal the wounded, reward the faithful, and punish the wicked (2 Corinthians 5:10). But he doesn’t promise to do any of that until after heaven and earth are remade without the curse of sin. He promises justice. He does not promise swift justice.
God is patient with us all (2 Peter 3:9). That’s a great comfort until we realize that he’s also patient with those who harm, oppress, and offend us.
To my regular frustration, Scripture never gives permission for us to enforce our own interpretation of justice (Romans 12:9). Instead, we’re told to wait on God’s perfect plan to be carried out on his perfect time (Psalm 37:7).
Comfort
Many television preachers have built a personal empire on the false promise that obeying God will lead to material prosperity and success. But God never promised his followers an easy life. In fact, he warned us to expect the opposite (John 16:33)—hardship and persecution from the world, and even correction from his own hand (Hebrews 12:7).
The Christian life is not a comfortable life, but it is a fulfilling one. (Click to tweet)
Instant change
I love hearing stories of miraculous life transformation. They fuel my faith in the transformative power of God’s Word more than anything else. But they also plant a desire for the same sort of instant change in my own life. Yet still I still wrestle with entrenched habits and besetting sins (Hebrews 12:1). Much as I love to see instant change in others, and long to experience it myself, I must remember that God has promised to change me, but hasn’t promised to do it instantly.
He has promised to complete the transformative work that he’s begun in me (Philippians 1:6), a promise that implies this change is going to take a while.
What other nonpromises can you think of? Tell us in the comments.
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Serious Bible study is easier with serious Bible study software. The Faithlife Study Bible is a great place to start, but if you’d like to study in greater detail, Logos 5 is for you. Its powerful, intuitive tools and vast libraries are the perfect way to expand your understanding of the Scriptures. Visit Logos.com/Logos5 to learn more.
4 Books on Sale by N. T. Wright & Josh McDowell
At any given moment, there are hundreds of books on sale at Logos.com, most of which can be enjoyed in your free Faithlife Study Bible app. Here are four books on sale that were too good to go unmentioned.
N. T. Wright, one of the most universally trusted theologians in the modern era. We’re proud to list him among our contributors. Two of his earliest works, which laid the foundation for much of his writing career, are discounted this month:
For All God’s Worth—on sale for $10.95!
An insightful exploration of both the meaning and results of worship, this book addresses a range of church-related issues that inevitably arrive around the activity of worship, while calling for a renewal of worship arts inside today’s church.
Who Was Jesus?—on sale for $13.95!
In the mid-1990s, a wave of controversial books and articles attempted to reframe the historical Jesus. Wild theories emerged, and many were caused to doubt. N. T. Wright wrote this reasoned response, comparing external sources to the Gospel accounts, he forms a clear, faith-inspiring portrait of Christ.
Josh McDowell, a prolific preacher and writer, is best known for his work in Christian apologetics and epistemology. He rose to prominence just in time to meet the challenges of postmodernism.
Evidence for Christianity—on sale for $13.95!
In this book, McDowell boldly addresses many of the most pressing questions surrounding Christianity. The answers contained here are not flimsy, but battle-tested in debates with both Marxists and Islamic apologists. If you have a burning question, this book will give you a straight answer.
Josh McDowell’s Handbook on Apologetics—on sale for $15.95!
This volume systematically answers important questions like, “Is Scripture reliable?” and, “Is the church necessary?” A compilation of McDowell’s popular Evidence series, this volume is a must-read for new or inquisitive believers.
All four of these books are accessible from your free Faithlife Study Bible app. Get them on Logos.com, and you can enjoy them right away.
7 Best Devotionals on Logos.com
No matter what type of devotional you’re searching for, you’re sure to find a great one on Logos.com. Here are seven titles that I highly recommend:
For the Love of God, vol. 1
The first line of D. A. Carson’s devotional reads, “This book, the first of two volumes, is for Christians who want to read the Bible, who want to read all the Bible.” He raises an interesting point. Many Christians spend lots of time in familiar passages, rarely venturing into the lesser-known corners of Scripture. So, this Canadian-born Reformed theologian wrote a devotional to guide anyone who would like to explore the entirety of Scripture.
The Attributes of God, vol. 1
Aiden Wilson Tozer, one of the most prolific writing pastors in history, is best known for his work on the attributes of God. Studying them will help you better understand his actions. When you know who God is, you’ll better understand God’s words and actions. These passages are a little longer and more challenging than many daily devotionals, so make sure you’ve had your coffee before diving in. If these 10 chapters leave you wanting more, volume 2 is just as good.
Morning and Evening: Daily Readings
When Charles Spurgeon set out to create a devotional book, he broke the mold by writing a unique passage to be read at the start and close of each day. Revolutionary at the time, this model has been followed by many devotional writers since. His collection of daily readings is a timeless classic, and one of of the most-read books in my library. Here’s the best news of all: this classic devotional is included for free when you download the Faithlife Study Bible.
Thoughts for the Quiet Hour
D. L. Moody recognized a growing trend of biblical illiteracy, and founded the Sunday school movement to teach young people about God’s Word. He said the brightest sign of the times was that many young believers took to the observance of what he called the “quiet hour”—a time each day set aside to pray and read Scripture. He wrote this little book to provide guidance to his students each day. Don’t let the cover fool you—we are lucky to benefit from Moody’s wisdom too. This great devotional is also delivered for free when you download the Faithlife Study Bible.
365 Days with Wilberforce
There’s no replacement for time meditating on the Scripture, but second to that, nothing accelerates spiritual formation more than the study of and model after great men and women of faith. We have many great examples to choose from, but I recommend William Wilberforce, who (along with Isaac Newton and others) fought to end the trans-Atlantic slave trade. This devotional combines biographical content with Wilberforce’s own writing in daily passages to paint an inspiring portrait of faith.
God’s Inspirational Promises
Any list of exceptional devotionals wouldn’t be complete without at least one title from perhaps the greatest living devotionalist, Max Lucado. In this book, Lucado indexes all God’s promises found in Scripture, compiles them by topic, and riffs on each in the way that only he can. A couple years ago, I spent an entire year studying God’s promises, and it changed the way I understand God’s faithfulness. I wish I had this book at the time.
31 Days to Contagious Living
Larry Moyer conducts evangelism training around the globe. I had him for two college classes, one as an undergrad and one in seminary. His guilt-free approach is refreshing and gave me great hope for the future of the church. He’s also a prolific writer. This book will take only a month to both challenge and motivate you to share your faith more actively with others. In the best way, it will make you uncomfortable with the status quo.
Pick up one of these great books today, and you can enjoy it instantly inside your free Faithlife Study Bible app. Or, if you can’t decide, get the newly updated Devotionals Bundle, a robust collection of extraordinary devotionals bundled for a major discount.
Get Christian Ebooks for 70% Off!
Get 70% off with the 24 Days of Vyrso. Don’t miss out—these deals end January 6. Christmas is over, but Vyrso.com is continuing their sale on 24 hand-picked ebook collections. These deals were offered as one-day specials, but now you have another opportunity to save on all the collections featured during the 24-day promotion! We’ve selected a few that can aid your personal studies and help you learn to live a faith-filled life.
Three bundles for a faith-filled life
Inspirational Bible Study Bundle
This bundle is the second-largest collection offered during the 24 Days of Vyrso. Authored by Stonecroft Ministries, this set is designed to encourage people to know God and grow in his love through the exploration of his life-transforming Word. Designed for both seekers and new believers, this bundle includes easy-to-understand explanations and applications of Bible passages, study questions, and a journal. Get over $65 off the Inspirational Bible Study Bundle.
Develop your ability to discern God’s voice from the distractions of life. Hearing God’s Voice provides eight insightful principles to test whether you’re hearing God or responding to your thoughts or situation. Also included in this bundle are two books by Stephen W. Smith—founder of Potter’s Inn, a ministry devoted to spiritual care. Revive your faith with the Spiritual Growth Bundle.
Prayer is one of the most important tools ministry leaders use. This collection includes a book by Terry Glaspey highlighting 25 keys to a dynamic prayer life. Establish a better foundation for prayer—get $30 off the Powerful Prayer Bundle today.
These deals disappear on New Year’s Day. Act now to save on all the bundles featured in the 24 Days of Vyrso.
Black Friday Deals for Everyone!
The Logos family of brands has exceptional Black Friday deals for everyone across Logos, Vyrso, Proclaim, and Faithlife—check out which ones are best for you.
For students of Scripture
ESV Study Bible Notes
Regularly $39.95—on sale for $29.95
Use the coupon code BLACKFRIDAY2013
Edited by J. I. Packer, these are some of the most universally trusted study notes in the world. More than 80,000 cross-references and over 200 full-color charts make this resource an excellent addition to your Faithlife Study Bible app.
Systematic Theology
Regularly $39.95—on sale for $33.95
Use the coupon code BLACKFRIDAY2013
If you’re ready to take the next step in your study of Scripture, a concise, reliable theology resource like this one with strong emphasis on the scriptural basis for each doctrine is a great place to start.
For casual readers
The Insanity of God
Regularly $9.99—on sale for $2.99
Follow Nik and Ruth Ripken as they embark on a missionary pilgrimage to one of the most dangerous places on earth. Watch as they wrestle with doubt, and God shows himself faithful.
The Experience
Regularly $9.99—get it FREE!
There will always be a measure of Christianity that defies explanation and must be experienced. Henry Blackaby has spent a lifetime leading others toward a personal encounter with God. In this book, his son Richard joins him on a return to the basics.
I Believe in Heaven: Real stories from the Bible, History and Today
Regularly $14.99—get it FREE!
Scripture describes many places that none of us have been able to experience—heaven one of the most important among them. This book departs from the traditionally cold descriptions of heaven you’ll encounter in most theology books, and opts instead to tell stories, moving and dramatic.
For romantics
God is a Matchmaker
Regularly $13.99—on sale for $1.99
Bestselling author Derek Prince and his wife, Ruth, expound from personal experience and study seven biblical principles for finding a godly mate.
Songs in the Key of Solomon
Regularly $16.99—on sale for 99¢
Not your average couple’s devotional, Songs in the Key of Solomon will invite you and your spouse to read, laugh, think, and pray together.
For pastors & ministry leaders
Proclaim & Graceway
Get 15% off Proclaim and $20 off Graceway Media
Ministry leaders can save when they start or renew their Proclaim and Graceway Media subscriptions this weekend. Prices are so good, they’re only available over the phone! Call a Proclaim specialist (855-715-6467) to get your presentation-software and worship-art subscriptions for the year.
Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament
Regularly $53.95—on sale for $24.95
Use the coupon code BLACKFRIDAY2013
New Testament authors regularly quote and reference Old Testament passages. D. A. Carson and G. K. Beale led a team of scholars to catalog and comment on each instance, even some of the more subtle allusions. This is a valuable tool for every Bible teacher.
WikiChurch: Making Discipleship Engaging, Empowering, and Viral
Regularly $14.99—on sale for $2.99
Steve Murrell, founding pastor of a multisite church in Manila, explains how the ancient practice of disciple making works in a modern context.
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Available until through Cyber Monday, these are some of the best prices you’ll see all year from Logos, Vyrso, and Proclaim. Act now to save big!
The Importance of Daily Devotions
Today we welcome guest bloggers Drs. Nick and Leona Venditti. Authors of Daily Treasures from the Word of God, the Vendittis have been serving together at INSTE Bible College for many years.
“Why daily devotions?” One of the best responses comes from Psalm 1. It sets the tone for the other 149 psalms. The psalmist compares the lives and fruit of the righteous and unrighteous. The key is in the second verse: “but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”
Let’s ask our text two questions. First, what does the righteous person delight in and meditate on? And second, when does the righteous person delight and meditate? The answer to the first question is the Law. Some think of the Law as a list of dos and don’ts. Others think that Old Testament Law is not applicable because as New Testament believers, we are not under the Law. But these are inaccurate views of this verse. The word “law” (תּוֹרָה tôrāh) can be understood as instruction that comes from God. A Messianic-rabbi friend of ours says the Torah is God’s love letter to humanity. So we can say that it is our daily roadmap in life. The Law shows us what, where, and how to get to the destination God has for us.
When, then, are we to enjoy and reflect on God’s Word? The psalmist answers the question with a word picture. He says we are to do so day and night; in other words, all the time. That’s what Ezra did as we see in Ezra 7:10. When we have our time with God in His word every day, the Holy Spirit that inspires God’s written Word brings it to life in us. That is why we can delight in Him and His Word.
In conclusion, we end with a quote from a daily devotional about the Word of God: “Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure” (Kenneth Osbeck, Amazing Grace: 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions). Make a daily devotional an important part of your spiritual journey.
The Vendittis’ book, Daily Treasures from the Word of God, is available for free on Logos.com with coupon code NVDEVO all week. Download and enjoy it today on your Faithlife Study Bible app.
Save on Christian eBooks at Vyrso.com
Our sister site, Vyrso.com is running a number of specials at Vyrso.com/deals that you won’t want to miss.
Readers will love the Vyrso Voice blog, which features guest posts from prominent Christian authors and leaders like Aaron Smith, founder of HusbandRevolution.com and Cynthia Ruchi, author of Ragged Hope.
Vyrso specializes in Christian ebooks made available at deep discounts over their print counterparts. The free Vyrso app makes it possible to read all of your books on any mobile device where you have it installed. You can find the best Vyrso deals each month at Vyrso.com/deals.
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