“Humility” by Andrew Murray. This characteristic is at the heart of who Jesus Christ is.

• The humble man: “He can bear to hear others praised and himself forgotten…” (47)
• “In striving after the higher experiences of the Christian life, the believer is often in danger of aiming at and rejoicing in what one might call the more human virtues….While the deeper and gentler, the more divine and heavenly graces are scarcely thought of or valued. These virtues are those which Jesus first taught upon earth–because He brought them from heaven–those which are more distinctly connected with His cross and the death of self–poverty of spirit, meekness, humility, lowliness.” (47-48)
• “…it is not sin that humbles us most, but grace.” (6)

“Humility” by Andrew Murray. He claims it is the cardinal virtue, and sits at the cornerstone of who Jesus is. That he did not consider equality with God to be used to his advantaged, but humbled himself to become our servant.

“We will learn that we can never have more of true faith than we have of true humility.” (68)

“Humility is simply the disposition which prepares the soul for living on trust.” (68)

You can find the book on Amazon here.

From Duncan Hamilton’s biography of Eric Liddell, “For the Glory”.

Known for his Olympic running achievements in 1924, his greatest story occurred after, as he moved to China, giving up a career in athletics in order to become a missionary.

“Skeptical question are always going to be asked when someone is portrayed without apparent faults and also as the possessor of standards that appear so idealized and far-fetched to the rest of us. Liddell can sound too virtuous and too honorable to be true, as if those who knew him were either misremembering or consciously mythologizing. Not so. The evidence is too overwhelming to be dismissed as easily as that. No one could ever recall a single act of envy, pettiness, hubris, or self-aggrandizement from him. He bad-mouthed nobody. He didn’t bicker. He lived daily by the most unselfish credo, which was to help others practically and emotionally. Liddell became the (concentration) camp’s conscience without ever being pious, sanctimonious, or judgmental. He forced his religion on no one. He didn’t expect others to share his beliefs, let alone live up to them. . . His heroism was to be utterly forgiving in the most unforgiving of circumstances” (8)

If you are considering taking a OYC, this book is a great read on sacrifice and a God glorifying perspective in the face of severe trials.

You can buy the book here.

From “The Cost of Discipleship” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

“The road to faith passes through obedience to the call of Jesus. Unless a definite step is demanded, the call vanishes into thin air, and if men imagine that they can follow Jesus without taking this step, they are deluding themselves like fanatics.”

“The Cost of Discipleship” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Considered a classic of Christian thought, is a great read in preparing for an OYC!

“When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.”

“By judging others we blind ourselves to our own evil and to the grace which others are just as entitled to as we are.”

Taking another page from Mike Taliaferro’s “How We Got the Bible and Why You Can Trust it”…

1. 24,970 ancient manuscripts
2. Written shortly after the events
3. Thousands of eyewitnesses were still alive
4. Libraries of the different regions were in agreement
5. Quotes form the letters and journals of the time
6. The peculiar nature of Koine Greek

The above six points are what Taliaferro deems as keys in determining the reliability of the New Testament scriptures. Are you familiar with these?

This is a great and quick read, and very helpful for the preparing a disciple for missional work! If you are considering taking the One Year Challenge, we highly recommend picking this book up!

This week we look into “How We Got the Bible and Why You Can Trust It” by Mike Taliaferro, who is a part of our family of churches.

“So often I speak to believers who do not realize the depth of evidence that substantiates the Scriptures. Students, parents, and other Bible readers don’t realize how much positive evidence exists.”

The book is a quick and helpful read, especially for disciples who grew up around the bible, and may have missed building a belief on its authenticity upon a foundation other than “growing up with it”. A good supplement to quiet times and helpful in answering questions from non religious friends!

Be more equipped and prepared to give an answer!

You can find the book for a good deal here!

Last quote and sharing from the book “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan.

“Sometimes I feel like when I make decisions that are remotely biblical, people who call themselves Christians are the first to criticize and say I’m crazy, that I’m taking the Bible too literally, or that I’m not thinking about my family’s well-being. . . When people gladly sacrifice their time or comfort or home, it is obvious that they trust in the promises of God. Why is it that the story of someone who has actually done what Jesus commands resonates deeply with us, but we then assume we could never do anything so radical or intense? Or why do we call it radical when, to Jesus, it is simply the way it is? The way it should be?

You can get the book here

Continuing in Francis Chan’s “Crazy Love”

““I wonder, then, why the last thing Jesus told us was to go into the world, making disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey all that He commanded? You’ll notice that he didn’t add, ‘But, hey, if that’s too much to ask, tell them to just become Christians- you know, the people who get to go to heaven without having to commit to anything’.”

You can get the book here

This week we dive into the book “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan. An author who has been under the spotlight in modern evangelical culture, and been persistent in challenging the status quo of American Christianity.

““[Y]ou have to stop loving and pursuing Christ in order to sin. When you are pursuing love, running toward Christ, you do not have opportunity to wonder, ‘Am I doing this right?’ or ‘Did I serve enough this week?’ When you are running toward Christ, you are freed up to serve, love, and give thanks without guilt, worry or fear. As long as you are running, you’re safe.”

You can get the book here