Books in LifeChange Books series

Christians trying to model their lives after Jesus may find that He gets buried under lists, rules, and formulas. Now bestselling author Randy Alcorn offers a simple two-point checklist for Christlikeness based on John 1:14. The test consists of balancing grace and truth, equally and unapologetically. Grace without truth deceives people, and ceases to be grace. Truth without grace crushes people, and ceases to be truth. Alcorn shows the reader how to show the world Jesus -- offering grace instead of the world's apathy and tolerance, offering truth instead of the world's relativism and deception.Grace or Truth…or Both? Truth without grace breeds self-righteousness and crushing legalism. Grace without truth breeds deception and moral compromise. Is it possible to embrace both in balance? Jesus did. Randy Alcorn offers a simple yet profound two-point checklist of Christlikeness. “In the end,” says Alcorn, “we don’t need grace or truth. We need grace and truth. And for people to see Jesus in us, they must see both.”

The Old Testament is our "kindergarten" for understanding the pattern of the Holy Spirit's gifting and work. That pattern is this: God gives an assignment to a person; then the Holy Spirit is given to equip him or her for the assignment. The proof of the Spirit's presence is that the person is able to complete the assignment effectively through the supernatural enabling of the Holy Spirit. Truly understood and embraced, the Holy Spirit's gifts allow the Church to be Christ-centered, to maintain unity and oneness of heart, and to practice genuine, powerful love.WHAT EXACTLY HAVE YOU BEEN GIVEN? Surprises are in store when we explore biblically what spiritual gifts really are, how they fit with our natural strengths and talents, and how they match our calling and assignments from God. This book will help restore the Holy Spirit to the center of your understanding and practice of spiritual gifts, and set you free to serve God as never before.Story Behind the BookThe Old Testament is our "kindergarten" for understanding the pattern of the Holy Spirit’s gifting and work. That pattern is this: God gives an assignment to a person; then the Holy Spirit is given to equip him or her for the assignment. The proof of the Spirit’s presence is that the person is able to complete the assignment effectively through the supernatural enabling of the Holy Spirit. Truly understood and embraced, the Holy Spirit’s gifts allow the church to be Christ-centered, to maintain unity and oneness of heart, and to practice genuine, powerful love.

Twin Towers Down, New Hope on the Rise When the Twin Towers fell, a whole new world of fear and doubt emerged. “Where is God in all of this?” we ask. To be constantly on guard against terrorist attacks, not to mention crises that hit us on a personal level, is exhausting. But in the midst of this “new normal” world of fear, one thing remains the same: God still reigns. While we may be tempted to turn to food, shopping, busyness, even family, God is the only answer we can count on. He is our source for peace, comfort, and confidence in the midst of chaos. Jill Briscoe encourages the hurting and weary to run unencumbered into the arms of God. And this all-encompassing peace that may seem so elusive right now will become yours to stay. Escape Fear Expand Faith Embrace the Future Where is God in the midst of our world’s catastrophic events? Where is God in the midst of our deepest pain? We may think we’re getting along with God, until a 9/11 happens. Global or personal, tragedy wreaks havoc on our souls. How are you supposed to trust the One letting it all happen? The New Normal won’t give you pat answers. But it will guide you to a place of security in the face of inexplicable calamity. By being honest about your anxieties, willing to respond to God’s instruction, and ready to take a leap of faith, you’ll find a new, hope-filled future waiting for you. It’s the new normal you’ve been longing for. Story Behind the Book“I was in the air on September 11, 2001 . More than anything for me, the event served as a wake up call to evangelism,” says Briscoe. “I realized the time is short and the days are evil…the Lord is coming soon! So let’s seize the day!” Based on a sermon she gave at Elmbrook Church soon after that day etched itself in history, The New Normal speaks to an America in shock, but with a message that is even more pertinent today.

In the 11 sessions of this verse-by-verse study of the book of Romans, you will learn how you can be transformed from a sinner on course to getting what you deserve to the saint who reflects Christ’s very essence in your everyday life. If using in a group, personal study is needed between meetings (30-45 minutes, including a Scripture memory verse).

Infants naturally become toddlers, then kids and teenagers, and finally adults. If they didn’t, we would say something is wrong. The same thing is true in our spiritual lives. Growing up spiritually is a sign of healthy faith. In his letter, James challenges Christians to do the necessary work to reach maturity. Let him show you how.This 12-session Bible study includes an excellent leader’s resource. With it, you can study the book of James on your own or with a group. Includes study aids and discussion questions.

The book of Genesis is all about beginnings. The heavens and the earth, the animals and the oceans, man and woman―the Creator’s plan from the start. Not only does this book reveal God’s love and purpose for humanity, it also provides an extraordinary context for all of Scripture. In this book’s 19 lessons, you’ll learn about the giants of the faith―Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph―and their epic stories, and you’ll see how God begins His redemptive work in Genesis to bring us all a new beginning. Includes discussion questions, and study aids.

I Ask Myself Every Day...“Am I Good Enough?” Christians claim that Jesus is the only way to heaven. But how could a good God, who created the entire universe in all its diversity, be so limiting? Is Christianity unfair? Isn’t it more fitting to believe that good people from any religious or nonreligious background go to heaven, rather than people from one particular belief system? Maybe not, says Andy Stanley. In this updated edition of the bestselling book, teen readers will find out why Jesus taught that goodness is not even a requirement to enter heaven—and why Christianity is beyond fair. Andy Stanley leads the next generation of young people to a grateful awareness of God’s enormous grace and mercy.If only good people go to heaven, would I make the cut? If Christianity is true, why is God so narrow-minded? And why aren’t the answers obvious?! They are. Find out why being “good enough” has nothing to do with heaven’s requirements, and why God is, in fact, not fair at all. Story Behind the BookAndy Stanley has a heart for families and a special place for today’s youth. Having served for many years as a youth and young adult pastor at a large church in Atlanta, his greatest goal was to lead a young person to Christ. With the success of his book How Good Is Good Enough and its acceptance as a widely used evangelistic tool, it was a natural step to refine this important question for the youth of today. Andy wanted to write a text that was aimed right at the heart of today’s young culture and put a cover on the book that would interest and attract them to it. Today’s youth are constantly looking for assurances in a crazy world. They get that assurance by learning that it is not how good you are, but that you are forgiven.

Twin Towers Down, New Hope on the Rise When the Twin Towers fell, a whole new world of fear and doubt emerged. "Where is God in all of this?" we ask. To be constantly on guard against terrorist attacks, not to mention crises that hit us on a personal level, is exhausting. But in the midst of this "new normal" world of fear, one thing remains the same: God still reigns. While we may be tempted to turn to food, shopping, busyness, even family, God is the only answer we can count on. He is our source for peace, comfort, and confidence in the midst of chaos. Jill Briscoe encourages the hurting and weary to run unencumbered into the arms of God. And this all-encompassing peace that may seem so elusive right now will become yours to stay.

The book of Philippians expresses the apostle Paul’s heartfelt desire for believers to experience the joy only found in following Jesus. In 8 sessions, this chapter-by-chapter Bible study shows students that it is possible to have peace and joy, no matter what they face. If using in a group, personal study is needed between meetings (30-45 minutes per week, including a Scripture memory verse).