Zondervan Inspire

Help Me Overcome My Unbelief

From the Editor: Today's bonus clip of Angela Bassett as Esther sends shivers up and down my spine. It captures the drama of this unparalleled audio production. If you haven't finished your Christmas shopping yet, I can't think of a better gift.

Wishing you blessings today,

Keith 

"From childhood," he answered. "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."

"'If you can?'" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for one who believes." Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again." The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out (Mark 9:21-26a). Listen to Blair Underwood as Jesus (Mark 9:17–26a) and Listen to Angela Bassett as Esther.

 

From Inspired By ... The Bible Experience™: The Complete Bible

 

---

Technorati tags: Blair Underwood, Bible, Angela Bassett, Free MP3 Downloads, Jesus, Zondervan

Just Believe

From the Editor: If you haven't sampled The Bible Experience yet, visit www.zondervan.com/tbe and listen to some of the free clips provided there. I own a copy and enjoy listening to it. The sound effects and quality of the voice talent are unparalleled.

Wishing you blessings today,

Keith 

While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. "Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the teacher anymore?"

Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, "Don't be afraid; just believe."

He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, "Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep." But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum!" (which means "Little girl, I say to you, get up!") Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). (Mark 5:35-42) Listen to Blair Underwood as Jesus (Mark 5:35–43) and Watch the Inspiring Video.

 

From Inspired By ... The Bible Experience™: The Complete Bible

 

Expert Finds Denzel Washington in the Bible?

Yes! And You can, too! Find Denzel Washington as King Solomon in The Bible Experience, a captivating performance of the Bible presented by a stellar ensemble of almost 400 of today’s award-winning actors, musicians, clergy, directors, and producers. This historic production features an original musical underscore by the Prague Symphony Orchestra and Hollywood-style sound design created at Technicolor Studios and was awarded the 2007 Audies Audiobook of the Year for the New Testament edition.

Listen to Denzel as King Solomon in Song of Songs

Learn more about The Bible Experience

Watch the inspiring video:

Good Soil

From the Editor: May the seed of God's Word find good soil in your heart.

Wishing you blessings today,

Keith 

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear" (Matthew 13:1–9). Listen to Blair Underwood as Jesus (Matthew 13:1–13) and Watch the Inspiring Video.

 

From Inspired By ... The Bible Experience™: The Complete Bible

 

Never Stop Believing

From the Editor: Michael Wittmer makes some very good points in today’s inspiration. Any other thoughts on this subject?

Wishing you blessings today,

Keith 

Although postmodern innovators are trending liberal, most have not yet reached liberalism's conclusions. They still believe in the Trinity, the deity of Christ, his resurrection and return, and many other Christian beliefs that liberals have historically denied.

My only concern is that their quest to correct the abuses of previous generations must not lead them to err on the opposite extreme. Authentic Christianity demands our head, heart, and hands. Our labor for Christ flows from our love for him, which can arise only when we know and think rightly about him. Genuine Christians never stop serving, because they never stop loving, and they never stop loving, because they never stop believing.

From Don't Stop Believing: Why Living Like Jesus Is Not Enough

by Michael E. Wittmer

Build on the Rock

From the Editor: Jesus said, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.” Obedience provides a foundation in our lives that will enable us to weather the storms.

Wishing you blessings today,

Keith 

"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? As for those who come to me and hear my words and put them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But those who hear my words and do not put them into practice are like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete" (Luke 6:46–49). Listen to Luke 6:41–49.

Extra: Listen to Denzel Washington in Song of Songs

From Inspired By ... The Bible Experience™: The Complete Bible

Divine Authority to Forgive

From the Editor: Whenever I encounter someone who says that Jesus is not God, this passage that so clearly points to the divinity of Jesus often comes to mind.

Wishing you blessings today,

Keith 

When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven."

The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, "Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." So he said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God (Luke 5:20–25).
Listen to Luke 5:17–25  |  Watch the Inspiring Video

From Inspired By ... The Bible Experience™: The Complete Bible

Prepare the Way

From the Editor: As we enter another Christmas season, let us prepare the way for God in our lives.

Wishing you blessings today,

Keith 

The word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:

"A voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all people will see God's salvation'" (Luke 3:2b–6).
Listen to Luke 3:1–9  |  Watch the Inspiring Video

From Inspired By ... The Bible Experience™: The Complete Bible

The Source of All Strength

From the Editor: When things are going well, it’s so easy to forget that God is our refuge and strength. Perhaps that’s why the Scriptures encourage fasting in conjunction with prayer. Both expose our weakness and need, and point us to the source of all strength. Any other thoughts on this subject?

Wishing you blessings today,

Keith 

The Hebrew Scriptures make it clear that God is the source of all strength. His power is so great that no power in heaven or on earth can compete with it. Moreover, his love impels him to use his power on behalf of his people, to save those who hope in him.

Ultimately, Jesus is presented as the strongest of all men, the One who through his death and resurrection has overpowered Satan, ultimately freeing us from the devastating consequences of sin.

Remember that God's Word is powerful, living and active, able to accomplish far more than we can even ask or imagine. Let it transform your understanding of how God wants to reveal his strength in you and for you.

From The Tender Words of God

by Ann Spangler

Listen for the Living Voice of God

Through its posture of silent, attentive listening, the meditative approach to Scripture opens the reader up to the quiet voice of God. It sets a tone of humility and receptivity, rather than one of assertiveness and control. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German martyr, like many others, commended this approach. He claimed that it was the best way to wait for the Word to address us personally. In Life Together, his little classic on Christian community, Bonhoeffer warned against neglecting to listen for the living voice of God. The obscene alternative is just to prattle on in God's neglected presence. The Bible is a repository of God's past communication, and where God has already spoken is a logical place to look for him to continue to speak.

From A Little Guide to Christian Spirituality: Three Dimensions of Life with God

by Glen G. Scorgie

Any comments or testimonies today?