Cathy Bryant's Blog: CatBryant.com ~ Journey Blog, page 51

Christian Kindle Freebies for August 28, 2013

Want a way to read all these great Christian Kindle freebies without purchasing a Kindle? Check out this post that tells you how. All the books listed
here are free at the time of posting, but these free e-books change to
pay status very quickly. Always check to make sure the books are
free before you click to buy. Just so you know, I have not read
all
these books, so I can't testify to their content or scriptural accuracy
(though I try to be discerning about which books I share on WordVessel).
Happy reading!





The Inner Society 

by Melinda Louise Bohannon



Young Adult fiction: A new and very exclusive society has developed in Norfolk, VA, a society
of wealthy people who wield a chilling amount of power. Now Norfolk
High has become infiltrated by rich, spoiled teenagers who believe they
are inherently better than everyone else.

When Maggie Kraus, a
rebellious and troubled teen, comes to Norfolk, she blatantly challenges
the balance of power and becomes the target of a deadly game.



Click HERE to download.





Elderberry Croft 

by Becky Doughty



Fiction: For most of the residents, The Coach House Trailer Park is the last
lonely stop on the road of life. But one day, on a crisp January breeze,
Willow Goodhope sweeps into the neighborhood. She moves into the lonely
little shack on the other side of the driveway, bringing her potted
plants, her elderberry gifts, and her outrageous laughter. The Coach
House residents can't resist her charm as she breathes new life into
hardened hearts, yet there's something about Willow, a terrible sadness
that hovers at the back of her enigmatic eyes, and it has everyone
talking, wondering, worrying. Kathy overhears her sobbing in her
kitchen. Doc catches her burning letters in her fire pit. Myra swears
she drinks alone out on her patio in the middle of the night. Patti
knows the beautiful girl is after her husband, and Eddie and Donny,
forever-feuding brothers, are competing to see who can make her smile
first, even though they're both fairly sure she'd prefer her men with
real jobs, real homes, and real teeth. What--or who--is haunting the
mysterious Willow Goodhope of Elderberry Croft? Will her new "family" be
able to rescue her before it's too late?



Click HERE to download.





The Forever Stone 

by Gloria Repp



Fiction: "Don't bury yourself in that wilderness!" her relatives say. "Even though you're a widow, you're still young."

No
matter what they think, Madeleine decides to go. She'll help her aunt
restore the old house; she'll sign up for an online baking course; and
she'll bury--yes, bury--those terrible memories. ''From now on," she tells herself, "I'm going to be strong and independent."

Her plan seems to be working, except for the panic attacks, until she has to deflect the attentions of two men.

The
doctor, who has a fire-scarred past, is not upset by her panic attacks
and knows he can help her to heal. The writer, who conceals more than
one secret, admires her spirit and is certain that she needs him.

God
uses both men and her father's gift of a floral paperweight to remind
her of His enduring "forever love," and as she yields to Him, she finds
the courage to take a new and challenging path.



Click HERE to download.

Christian Kindle Freebies for August 27, 2013

Want a way to read all these great Christian Kindle freebies without purchasing a Kindle? Check out this post that tells you how. All the books listed
here are free at the time of posting, but these free e-books change to
pay status very quickly. Always check to make sure the books are
free before you click to buy. Just so you know, I have not read
all
these books, so I can't testify to their content or scriptural accuracy
(though I try to be discerning about which books I share on WordVessel).
Happy reading!





***Healing For Damaged Emotions 

by David A. Seamands



Nonfiction: Whether through our own fallen temperament, willful disobedience, or as victims of the hurtful actions of others, many of us struggle with crippling emotions, among them perfectionism, depression, and low self-worth. The pain of such emotions is often present with us even though the incidents and relationships that caused the hurt may be long past.






Healing for Damaged Emotions, first published in 1981 and since translated into over 15 languages, has helped over a million readersworldwide deal honestly and successfully with their inner hurts. Through the realistic, scriptural approach that Dr. David Seamands brings to this deeply personal subject, you too can find healing--and then become an agent of healing for other strugglers.




*** Highly Recommend



Click HERE to download.





Passport Through Darkness 

by Kimberly L. Smith



Nonfiction: As she shares her
extraordinary stories of fighting human trafficking as an ordinary mom,
Kimberly Smith offers hope for readers who wonder if God is calling them
to greater things.

Passport Through Darkness takes readers on
Smith’s journey from normal family life and business, to Europe, to the
deserts of Africa and ultimately, to the deserts of her own soul as she
tries to live well as an imperfect American mom, crusade for justice for
orphans around the world, and embrace God’s extraordinary dreams for
her. When Kimberly and her husband risk everything to answer God’s call,
they see God change and restore them—even amid exhaustion, marital
struggles, and physical limitations.

This heartbreaking,
heart-lifting book is for anyone who longs to see God move their life
from normal to one that matters. It is a call to readers to take one
more step on their journey to know God’s heart.



Click HERE to download.





The Inspired Leader 

by Richard Blackaby



Non-fiction: “If you were to ask me where I see God at work today,” writes Richard
Blackaby, acclaimed speaker and bestselling co-author, with his father
Henry Blackaby, of Experiencing God, “I would tell you, ‘In the
marketplace.’” This observation has birthed his newest book The
Inspired Leader: 101 Biblical Reflections for Becoming a Person of
Influence (August 2012, Russell Media), a compilation of 101 short
stories and reflections written by Blackaby and numerous Christian CEOs
who work for $100 million companies.



Compelling, challenging and
amazingly applicable, The Inspired Leader offers a “spiritual oasis”
for business and church leaders.



Click HERE to download.





Altitude 

by Michael Simone



Nonfiction: Who’s flying your plane? Do you know who you are and where you’re going?
Everyone needs courage and hope. Everyone experiences wobbly moments of
faith. Everyone needs to make the next move that changes
everything—that changes the future. Altitude will fly you over eight
moves that will change the trajectory of your life. Altitude’s theme is
Your Next Move Changes Everything. The chapters reflect what every
person struggles with: how to craft a life of meaning and purpose.
Altitude is written by teaching pastor Michael Simone, using successful
sermons and teachings. Combined with his poignant letters God and the
study guide, Altitude will apply transformational moves to help
individuals and church groups.



Click HERE to download.





A Bid For Love 

by Rachel Ann Nunes



Fiction:



Cassi is the head buyer for a prestigious
art gallery in California. Jared is a buyer for an exclusive New York
gallery. Sparks fly as the two come head to head in a bidding war for a
hideous but very expensive Indian Buddha.



Cassi and Jared are
both determined to win the statue, but others also want the Buddha—at
any cost. Thugs, art forgers, the FBI, or Jared’s beautiful and alluring
boss . . . who will end up with the statue? During a string of
hair-raising exploits, Cassi and Jared are forced to develop a tentative
friendship that deepens into romance. Will they survive long enough to
see it through?



Best-selling author Rachel Ann Nunes has crafted
a wonderfully intriguing and romantic drama in this fast-moving novel,
bringing two idealistic people together from opposite edges of the
continent and allowing them, in their own way, to find an unexpected
connection to their Christian faith and each other. In the end, their
very lives depend on the trust they’ve developed.



If you love romance and excitement, you’ll be captivated by A Bid for Love.




Love Series


A Bid for Love (#1)

Framed for Love (#2)

Love on the Run (#3)



Click HERE to download.





Until Forever 

by Darlene Shortridge



Fiction: Jessi hung up the phone. That was the fifth time she tried calling home
with no answer. She had just started eating lunch when she remembered
she had forgotten to call home. It was something she would never
forgive herself for.



It was something she would never forgive herself for…



It
wasn’t until lunchtime that Jessi remembered to call home. No answer.
She tried calling several times while she ate her lunch. Still no
answer. She closed her eyes and rested her arms and head on her desk.
She breathed deeply, wishing she had remembered to call earlier.



Until Forever is a story of a young family that is torn apart by the
devastating effects of alcoholism. Can healing take place in a
relationship when an unforgivable act is committed? Will Jessi's pain
and Mark's guilt keep them apart forever, or will unforeseen
circumstances bind them together?



Click HERE to download.





So, What's Your Point? 

by Fran Sciacca



Nonfiction: "We've all got a story. It's either our own, or someone else's." But,
what if there really was only one Story and you were created for it?
Wouldn't you want to know it? And more importantly, if you had the
opportunity to join it, wouldn't you want to sign up? Fran Sciacca's new
book, So, What's Your Point? tackles the tough questions of: "Who do I
say that I am?" "What's my point?" and "What's my place?" Or put another
way, the questions of Identity, Purpose, and Mission. If you're tired
of the storylines of our day, and want to understand how your passions,
gifts, longings, and your very being find their fulfillment in the One
Story, So, What's Your Point? will take you there. Just make sure your
seats and tray tables are in the upright and locked position!



Click HERE to download.

It Begins and Ends With The Word

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. ~Genesis 1:1-3 (NASB)



In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. ~John 1:1-3 (NASB)



Can you picture a place of chaos? A place without form? That's what the earth was before God stepped in.



I love how all three persons of the trinity show up at creation. Father God is present to create, His Spirit hovers over the waters, and the Son--the Word of God--is there, for "apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being."



Wow! What power! All He had to do was speak and the world came into being. That boggles my mind!!!



But the story doesn't end there.



At the end of days, He will again speak with the same power. Though the armies of heaven will be with Him, they won't have to lift a finger to defeat Satan and His army.



And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out with a loud voice, saying to all the birds which fly in midheaven, “Come, assemble for the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings and the flesh of commanders and the flesh of mighty men and the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them and the flesh of all men, both free men and slaves, and small and great.” And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh. ~Revelation 19:11-21 (NASB)



Oh, precious Word of God, I stand in awe of Your almighty power. Thank You for winning the victory on the cross that I might also have victory. Lord, I pray that You'll wake our world up to see You for who You truly are. I praise You that one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that You are Lord to the glory of God the Father. In your precious and powerful name I pray. Amen.

Christian Kindle Freebies for August 26, 2013

Want a way to read all these great Christian Kindle freebies without purchasing a Kindle? Check out this post that tells you how. All the books listed
here are free at the time of posting, but these free e-books change to
pay status very quickly. Always check to make sure the books are
free before you click to buy. Just so you know, I have not read
all
these books, so I can't testify to their content or scriptural accuracy
(though I try to be discerning about which books I share on WordVessel).
Happy reading!





Into The Free 

by Julie Cantrell



Fiction: Just a girl. The only one strong enough to break the cycle.



In
Depression-era Mississippi, Millie Reynolds longs to escape the madness
that marks her world. With an abusive father and a "nothing mama," she
struggles to find a place where she really belongs.



For answers,
Millie turns to the Gypsies who caravan through town each spring. The
travelers lead Millie to a key that unlocks generations of shocking
family secrets. When tragedy strikes, the mysterious contents of the box
give Millie the tools she needs to break her family's longstanding
cycle of madness and abuse.



Through it all, Millie experiences
the thrill of first love while fighting to trust the God she believes
has abandoned her. With the power of forgiveness, can Millie finally
make her way into the free?



Click HERE to download.





The Master's Quilt 

by Michael J. Webb



Fiction:The life of Deucalion Quinctus, Commander of the Garrison under Pontius
Pilate, is changed forever by the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection
of Jesus of Nazareth, by his sudden love for the beautiful outcast,
Esther, and by a bundle of parchments given to him by a mysterious
stranger.



Events surrounding the Christos trigger an avalanche
which threatens empires–the relentless guilt of Pilate, the frightening
ambition of Herod, the uncertain future of Caiaphas, the violent madness
of Saul of Tarsus, and the guiding hand of the Watcher, Uriel. Yet,
over it all the tenacious love of God weaves a remarkable tale of
spiritual power and inspiration.



This compelling historical novel
brilliantly pictures dramatic spiritual conflicts in first-century
Israel; webs of religious and political intrigue that have world powers
wavering on cliff’s edge.



Click HERE to download.







A Cast of Stones 

by Patrick W. Carr



Fiction: In the backwater village of Callowford, Errol Stone's search for a drink
is interrupted by a church messenger who arrives with urgent missives
for the hermit priest in the hills. Desperate for coin, Errol volunteers
to deliver them but soon finds himself hunted by deadly assassins.
Forced to flee with the priest and a small band of travelers, Errol soon
learns he's joined a quest that could change the fate of his kingdom.



Protected
for millennia by the heirs of the first king, the kingdom's dynasty is
near an end and a new king must be selected. As tension and danger
mount, Errol must leave behind his drunkenness and grief, learn to
fight, and come to know his God in order to survive a journey to
discover his destiny.



Click HERE to download.





Billy Blue Sky

by John L. Koehler



Fiction: Billy Blue Sky is the story of a 10-year-old boy named Billy Pearlman,
nicknamed Billy Blue Sky by his mother, Linda. Billy is smart, charming
and intuitive beyond his years. He also happens to have Down syndrome,
which can cause certain types of heart abnormalities. After open heart
surgery, Billy seems to possess a new power that has profound effects on
other people, changing their lives completely. Linda is not a religious
person, but even she has a hard time understanding or explaining what
is going on with her son. Soon their lives spin out of control. Billy
attracts a following of people, many who do not have his best interests
at heart, and are willing to do anything to obtain his gift. This is a
story of true love, and how a little boy can change hearts and the
world. It is the story of evil forces who try to take what is not
theirs, and about the mother who will give her all to save her son.



Click HERE to download.





The Solitary Envoy 

by T. Davis Bunn and Isabella Bunn



Fiction: Erica Langston's comfortable home and loving family living near
Washington, D.C., carry no outward hint of the sorrows and fears faced
by her Acadian forebears, but she will soon discover that similar
determination and fortitude will be required of her. When the British
once again invade the nation's capital and leave death and destruction
in their wake, Erica is left to deal with the creditors circling around
the crumbling family business. It seems her only recourse is to travel
to England to collect on outstanding debts held in British banks.
Arriving in London at the home of the United States ambassador, Erica is
gradually immersed in a secret mission that brings her face-to-face
with her most feared and reviled enemy. She discovers that Gereth Powers
is part of a group of Christian activists headed up by William
Wilberforce himself. Along the way, Erica comes to realize her faith has
been more cultural than real, and her spiritual journey becomes far
more signi?cant than her journey over the ocean.



Click HERE to download.

The Way of Grace Scheduled to Be Free on Amazon September 9-13, 2013

The Amazon free days have been set for September 9-13 for The Way of Grace (currently rated at 4.7 stars with 65 reviews!). Please share the info with anyone you think might be interested. Here's the book blurb:




In pursuit of justice, in need of grace . . . 

 A justice-seeking
perfectionist pursues her dream of a perfect life in her hometown of
Miller's Creek, Texas. Sidetracked by her desire to be a prosecuting
attorney, Grace Soldano launches into uncharted waters, making herself
over to please her boss and mentor. 




Then a disheveled free spirit turns
her perfectly ordered world upside down, challenging the concept of
personal goodness. A fall from perfection leaves her teetering between
vengeance and grace, caught in a deadly crossfire that leaves her dreams
in a heap of ashes. 




Can she learn to joyfully accept the life God has
given her--far from perfect--but one completely immersed in His grace? 




And here's the Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Grace-Millers-Creek-Novels-ebook/dp/B009H7TIFU/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=

Christian Kindle Freebies for August 25, 2013

Want a way to read all these great Christian Kindle freebies without purchasing a Kindle? Check out this post that tells you how. All the books listed
here are free at the time of posting, but these free e-books change to
pay status very quickly. Always check to make sure the books are
free before you click to buy. Just so you know, I have not read
all
these books, so I can't testify to their content or scriptural accuracy
(though I try to be discerning about which books I share on WordVessel).
Happy reading!





The Kingdom Matrix 

by Jeff Christopherson



Nonfiction: One of the evangelical world’s greatest areas of both interest and
confusion is found in biblical theme of the Kingdom of God. In an era of
denominational decline and even hostile skepticism toward ‘organized
religion’, believers are grappling again with Jesus’ King-dom concepts.
As a result, much deconstruction of the church has taken place with
little attention given to what might replace it.

This book is about the question of how the church properly fits into the larger picture of God’s activity.

Christopherson’s Kingdom Matrix is based upon three solidly biblical yet highly controversial assumptions. These are:

1. At any given moment I am either building the Kingdom of God or the dominion of Darkness. Period.

2. It is possible to participate in church expansion and unintention-ally be an agent for shrinking the Kingdom of God.

3. It is possible to unknowingly value the Kingdom of God before ac-knowledging the value of its Source; the King.

Christopherson’s
work is an intellectual leap for many, but told with humorous stories
and common-place examples making it both an enjoyable and challenging
read.



Click HERE to download.





Why We Eat Our Own 

by Michael Cheshire



Nonfiction:



All too often, Christians who are sinners
themselves become judge, jury, and jailer over others. In his newest
release, Why We Eat Our Own, author and pastor Michael Cheshire boldly
explores some unsavory questions. Why does the world often do a better
job of forgiving their fallen than the Church? When did the Church
become cannibalistic? Is the decline in Christianity due to the world or
have we just become horrible to each other and the world noted it?



Click HERE to download.





All of Grace

by Charles Spurgeon



Nonfiction:


In All of Grace, C.H. Spurgeon outlines the plan of salvation in
such clear, simple language that everyone can understand and be drawn to
the Father. Any attempt to please God based upon our own works brings
self–righteousness and coldness of heart. It is the free grace and mercy
of God that makes the heart glow with warmth and thankfulness for God's
love.

The heartfelt goal of this dynamic classic is summed up in Spurgeon's final cry to the reader, "Meet me in heaven!!"

"Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." –– Revelation 22:17






About the Author

CHARLES H. SPURGEON (1834-1892) was known as
England's most prominent preacher for most of the second half of the
nineteenth century. He preached his first sermon at the age of 16, and
by 22, he was the most popular preacher of his day, habitually
addressing congregations of six to ten thousand. In addition, he was
active in philanthropic work and evangelism. Spurgeon is the author of
numerous books, including All of Grace, Finding Peace in Life's Storms, The Anointed Life, and Praying Successfully.


Click HERE to download.





Spurgeon Gems 

by Charles Spurgeon



Nonfiction: A quality eBook from Chapel Library (active Contents and footnotes)



Spurgeon Gems is a collection of quotations from Spurgeon’s sermons,
preached during the years 1880 through 1892. The 280 quotations mostly
consist of a few sentences up to a paragraph and are arranged into 34
relevant topics. Few if any preachers of the Word ever have preached the
Gospel of the grace of God with greater clarity. These excerpts serve
as an introduction to the writings of Spurgeon, a refreshing reminder of
the glories of the Lord, and a summary of the doctrines proclaimed by
this outstanding man of God.
Topical areas include:
1) About God
2) Salvation: The Message; Centered in Christ; Sin; Faith; Unbelief; Works; Man’s Responsibility; God’s Sovereignty; The Call
3)
Sanctification: Obedience, Walking by Faith; Humility/Pride; Fear of
God; Communion and Worship; False Profession; Worldliness
4) Wisdom
5) Trials and Suffering: Certainty; Slander; Christ as Conqueror; Hope; Perseverance; God’s Sovereignty
6) Prayer: Importance; How to Pray; Earnestness
7) Family
8) Evangelizing the Lost
9) The Bible
10) The Preacher and the Church: Preaching the Word; The Pastor as Shepherd; The Pastor and the Flock; The Church



Click HERE to download.





How to Knock Over a 7-Eleven 

by Michael Cheshire



Nonfiction: A true underdog story. Journey with these young leaders as they do
church their way. A diner, driving school and an odd jobs company are
just some of the ways this group used to build a thriving church. In
"How to Knock Over a 7-Eleven and Other Ministry Training," author and
senior pastor Michael Cheshire brings real-life stories to out of the
box church work. His humor is unmatched and the insights you get will
cut to the core as you journey with him and his team as they build a
church from scratch. This book takes you behind the scenes of a
radically different way to build a church. It's a valuable resource for
those planning to launch a new ministry or for leaders wanting to be
more innovative in their community. This is not a story of the
traditional church. Michael and his team sacrifice more than a few
sacred cows in their pursuit of God's calling. If you're determined to
pursue a calling in any type of ministry, this book will only make your
fire grow.



Click HERE to download.





Tears Fall at Night 

by Vanessa Miller



Fiction: Life was good, God was blessing and the Marshall family was riding high,
until Carmella Marshall’s husband, Nelson asks for a divorce and then
moves in with his girlfriend—who also happens to be her
twenty-three-year-old daughter’s best friend—her son gets arrested, her
daughter drops out of college, the bills go unpaid, and then Carmella
has a nervous breakdown.

The Marshalls have ups and downs like
any other family. However, Carmella always thought that God would see
them through anything. But when Nelson left and her life fell apart, she
realized just how weak she could become, without the strength of God
guiding her way. Through prayer, praise, and a love that bonds families
together, Carmella renews her trust in the Lord and discovers a way to
turn her life around.



Click HERE to download.

Our Personal God

When we still ourselves long enough to think about God, we may be tempted to think that the One who created the universe surely would want nothing personally to do with us.



But that is not the God presented in the Bible.



Throughout scripture, Creator God is presented as One who desires communion with people. With Adam and Eve, He walked and talked with them in the garden. He spoke "face to face" with Moses, as a man speaks to a friend. He sent prophets to give people personal messages from Him. He even left the splendor of heaven to come to earth as a helpless baby--God with skin on in our midst! And if that wasn't enough, He paid the price of our sins so that we might be able to stand in His Holy Presence and enjoy a relationship with Him.



Jesus described Him to us as a Father--not a doting grandfather, mind you--but One who cares about us and cares for us. One who is willing to do whatever it takes to make us over in the image of His Son.



Though He is holy, holy, holy and above and beyond anyone else, He's not so high and lofty that He can't commune with us. David, who was described as a man after God's own heart, expresses it this way:



You, God, are my God,
    earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
    my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
    where there is no water.

I have seen you in the sanctuary
    and beheld your power and your glory.
Because your love is better than life,
    my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live,
    and in your name I will lift up my hands.
I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
    with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

On my bed I remember you;
    I think of you through the watches of the night.
Because you are my help,
    I sing in the shadow of your wings.
I cling to you;
    your right hand upholds me. ~Psalm 63:1-8 (NIV)



Praise God for being our God!



Father God, You are wholly other. Your ways and thoughts are higher than our ways and thoughts. But thank You that You didn't just create us and leave us to fend for ourselves. We matter to You, and You desire to have a personal relationship with each of us. That thought leaves us astounded and grateful. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Satan's Strategy: Doubts, Fears, and Lies

In this series of blog posts, I'm hoping to shed light on and remind us all of the tactics of our enemy for the purpose of keeping us on our toes. In the last post, I talked about how he likes to divide and conquer. Today I want to talk about how he uses doubts, fears, and downright lies to get us sidetracked.



Doubts

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” ~Genesis 3:1 (NIV)



The enemy loves to mess with our minds, and he does so by planting seeds of doubt. It causes us to question our beliefs and our knowledge. It makes us wonder if God really did say ___________ (fill in the blank) or really does want _______________.



Fears

For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. ~2 Timothy 1:7

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. ~Matthew 10:8

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. ~1 Corinthians 16:13

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. ~1 John 4:18



These verses are just a small drop in the bucket compared to all the scriptures in the Bible that deal with fear. Throughout God's Word we see the command: "Do not fear!" And throughout God's Word we see examples of godly men and women who moved forward with confidence knowing God was with them--David, Abraham, Moses, Caleb, Noah, Ananias, Paul--the list could go on and on.



Very similar to how Satan plants doubt, he also plants fear. Fear immobilizes us--paralyzes us, if you will--making us ineffective. Sadly, our fears usually revolve around other people when the Bible tells us clearly that we are to fear the Lord only.



Lies

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. ~John 8:44 (ESV)

And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. ~2 Corinthians 11:14 (ESV)



The enemy of our souls is an expert at false accusations and twisting the truth to make it appear truthful. He will stop at nothing to destroy us, and lies are often his tool of choice.



The Good News  

You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. ~1 John 4:4 (NASB)



My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. ~1 John 2:1 (NIV)



And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. ~Revelation 12:11 (KJV) 



Jesus, through His sacrificial atonement, made it possible for us to experience victory over Satan's attempts to block us using doubt, fear, and lies. Since at the cross Christ was victorious over Satan and death, we can overcome the devil as well. Though our enemy is the accuser, the Lord Jesus Christ is our advocate!!!



Oh, Lamb of God, thank You that through You we can have the victory over Satan's attempts to make us doubt and fear. Thank You for being our advocate before the Father against the enemy's accusations. May we grow ever more capable of detecting Satan's lies, and may we be so grounded in Your Word that any untruth is quickly put in its rightful place. We love You, Lord! Amen.  

Christian Kindle Freebies for August 19, 2013

Want a way to read all these great Christian Kindle freebies without purchasing a Kindle? Check out this post that tells you how. All the books listed
here are free at the time of posting, but these free e-books change to
pay status very quickly. Always check to make sure the books are
free before you click to buy. Just so you know, I have not read
all
these books, so I can't testify to their content or scriptural accuracy
(though I try to be discerning about which books I share on WordVessel).
Happy reading!





Courageous Grace 

by Gayle Haggard



Nonfiction: As a Bible teacher, Gayle had taught for decades about the amazing power
of grace in a person’s life. Yet it took a crisis in her husband’s life
and the crumbling of her own life around her for her to have an
epiphany about the true nature of grace. In Courageous Grace, Gayle chronicles and explains her newfound insights.



Despite
common misperceptions, grace is not safe. It’s not easy. Frankly, it
takes courage to show grace to those who deserve less. Oftentimes, the
person showing God’s grace gets counted among the sinners, just as Jesus
experienced centuries ago. Gayle explores the story of Jesus forgiving
the adulterous woman to reveal the courageous side of showing grace.



We
live in a society that vacillates between glorifying sin and crucifying
those who fall. Gayle encourages us to take the road less
traveled—daring to do the hard work of showing God’s grace to the
sinners among us. It’s what followers of Christ are called to do.



Click HERE to download.





Dream of Freedom 

by Michael Phillips



Historical: In the Civil War-era South, Richmond and Carolyn Davidson live lives
of ease as wealthy plantation owners. But even though their wealth and
livelihood depends on slave ownership, their Christian consciences speak
against the practice.



When the Davidsons decide to follow their
own moral judgment and God’s will by freeing their slaves, they face
consequences they never could have anticipated. Risking their lives as
an important link in the Underground Railroad helping runaway slaves
escape to the Northern states, the Davidsons must rely on their wits—and
God’s protection—to stay alive.



Click HERE to download.





Moms of Toddlers: Devotions to Go 

by Kathy Stock



Devotional: Moms of Toddlers Devotions To Go is a real, emotional, fun and uplifting
journey that reveals the evidence of God’s love through one mom’s
experiences with a crazy little toddler named Caden. It is a 30 day
collection of stories and lessons learned through living life toddler
style. Some of these lessons come by means of a still, small voice.
Others come the hard way through sweat and tears. Regardless, God is
always there.



Moms of Toddlers Devotions To Go reveals truths
about God learned through encounters with a little one. This book
provides a breath of fresh air and a sneak peek into someone else’s
life, a life that probably looks a lot like yours.



Kathy Stock’s
passion for ministry, God and people, collide in her writings as she
attempts to make you laugh, cry and uplift your spirit with funny
stories, touching memories and truths of God’s word.



Kathy is a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, writer, musician, student of life and child of God.



Click HERE to download.





Vertical Church 

by James MacDonald



Nonfiction: An emergency call, and I rush from my coziness into the dark
community where the police have requested a chaplain. Arriving in
minutes, I find the family imploding with grief having just discovered
their son hanging in the garage. In a moment of unshakable pain, he
jumped off the ladder and into eternity. And I will never shake the look
in their eyes when I asked why he hadn't called a church. "Why would he
do that?" Across town, a pool of tears on my kitchen table as an out of
town guest feels the weight of his infidelity, despairing that his
famished soul finds no refuge and that he has to board a plane to feel
fellowship. "Has your church tried to help you?" And the Christian
leader confesses he hasn't been to church in years.

Infighting, backbiting, heartbreaking, frustrating ... church.

Though
exceptions do exist, the reality is that church in America is failing
one life at a time. Somewhere between pathetically predictable and
shamefully entertaining, sadly sentimental and rarely authentic, church
has become worst of all ... godless.

Vertical Church points to a new day where God is the seeker, and we are the ones found. In Vertical Church God shows up, and that changes everything.

If
you want to experience God as you never have before and witness His
hand at work, if you want to wake up to the first thought, "Thank God
it's Sunday," if you're ready to feel your heart beat faster as you
drive to your place of worship ... then devour and digest the lessons of
Vertical Church.



Click HERE to download.





As Young As We Feel 

by Melody Carlson



Fiction:


Is there room in one little hometown for four very different Lindas to reinvent their lives … together?

 

Once
upon a time in a little town on the Oregon coast lived four Lindas—all
in the same first-grade classroom. So they decided to go by their middle
names. And form a club. And be friends forever. But that was
forty-seven years and four very different lives ago. Now a class reunion
has brought them all together in their old hometown—at a crossroads in
their lives.

 

Janie is a high-powered lawyer with
a load of grief. Abby is a lonely housewife in a beautiful oceanfront
empty nest. Marley is trying to recapture the artistic free spirit she
lost in an unhappy marriage. And the beautiful Caroline is scrambling to
cope with her mother’s dementia and a Hollywood career that never
really happened. Together, they’re about to explore the invigorating
reality that even the most eventful life has second acts … and
friendship doesn’t come with a statue of limitations.


Click HERE to download.

Christian Kindle Freebies for August 15, 2013

Want a way to read all these great Christian Kindle freebies without purchasing a Kindle? Check out this post that tells you how. All the books listed
here are free at the time of posting, but these free e-books change to
pay status very quickly. Always check to make sure the books are
free before you click to buy. Just so you know, I have not read
all
these books, so I can't testify to their content or scriptural accuracy
(though I try to be discerning about which books I share on WordVessel).
Happy reading!





Becoming Your Spouse's Better Half 

by Rick Johnson



Non-fiction: It's no secret that men and women are different. And it's no secret that
they don't always get along because of these differences, even when
they love each other. But having a successful marriage is not about
finding the perfect person to marry. It's about loving someone in an
unselfish, Christlike manner. Whatever we want out of
marriage--unconditional love, forgiveness, passion--that is what we have
to give to our spouse. Rick Johnson shows couples how to go beyond
merely tolerating each other's differences to using those God-given
differences to add spice and passion to their relationship.



Click HERE to download.





Powerless Consent 

by Janet Nash



Romantic Suspense: Kate Ballard thinks attending a gala on a luxury yacht honoring her old
college friend will be the time of her life, but secret cell phone
videos, threats to her family’s safety, and a hidden sniper force her
into a world of deception and lies. Can her faith erase such horror?
Though powerless, she relentlessly tries to outsmart her captor and
return to the love of her life.

Her husband, Tom, refuses to
accept his wife’s decision to leave and discovers that he must revisit
his past. With the help of an unlikely ally, he finds evidence of theft
and murder tucked away in an old storage locker. When his investigation
starts to uncover the truth, he struggles with whom to believe. Will he
trust his heart, or the deception before his eyes? One thing’s for sure,
nothing can stop him from reuniting his family, not even a force as
great as Invisible Surveillance.



Click HERE to download.





Saving Grace 

by Lesley Ann McDaniel



Romantic Suspense: What happens when a New York City opera singer flees to a small town in
Montana to escape a stalker? Tracy Fontaine is about to find out.

When
an obsessive fan forces Tracy to change her name to Grace Addison and
go into hiding, the last thing she wants is to get to know the locals.
Now, not one but two men have worked their way into her daily routine,
much to the chagrin of jealous local girl Sophia, who insists on prying
into Grace’s past and stirring up deadly trouble.

Will Grace find love in Madison Falls…or will her stalker find her?

Madison Falls. Home of faith, love, peach pie…and a dollop of danger.



Click HERE to download.



A Path Less Traveled

by Cathy Bryant



Romance: Trish James is tired of being rescued. When a spooked horse claims her
husband's life, she’s determined to blaze a path for herself and her
traumatized son without outside help. But will that mean leaving the
place etched on her heart?

Andy Tyler has had to struggle for
everything, and starting a new law practice in Miller's Creek, Texas is
no different. Though prepared for business challenges, he's not prepared
for falling in love--especially with yet another woman who will
probably abandon him for her career.

Will Andy and Trish be able to see past their limited human understanding to take a path less traveled?



Click HERE to download.





When God Breaks Your Heart 

by Ed Underwood



Non-fiction: Why is God letting this happen to me?

If you have never asked this question, you someday will.

There
is perhaps no greater challenge to our faith than personal suffering.
For pastor Ed Underwood this challenge came in the form of chronic
leukemia. Though he prayed for and believed in God's healing, as the
days slipped by and his pain became unbearable, Ed's heart was broken by
a simple realization: The God who could do anything was not helping
him. Yet a revelation from God's Word changed his heart and life
forever.

In this poignant journey from tragedy to hope, Ed takes a
fresh look at the story of Lazarus and his sisters—a story that
explores suffering through the eyes of our Lord and His people. You'll
find comfort during difficulty, be inspired to ask for the impossible,
and discover a God whose heart breaks with yours.



Click HERE to download.





Sweat, Blood, & Tears 

by Xan Hood



Non-fiction: By the time he graduated college, Xan
Hood appeared to have everything a young, privileged modern male needed
for success and adulthood. But like so many others his age, he
was afraid to take that next step. So he took a slight detour and
headed west, surrounding himself wtih a class of men he had been raised
to avoid. Follow Xan as he learns lessons that can only be taught by
God's grace, hard work, and the presence of older men.




Sweat, Blood, and Tears is a searingly honest coming-of-age story. It is a look at how God raises a man--a story for young men and those who love them.




Click HERE to download.