The author of Desiring God reveals the biblical evidence to help us see and savor what the pleasures of God show us about Him. Includes a study guide for individual and small-group use. Isn’t it true—we really don’t know someone until we understand what makes that person happy? And so it is with God! What does bring delight to the happiest Being in the universe? John Piper writes, that it’s only when we know what makes God glad that we’ll know the greatness of His glory. Therefore, we must comprehend “the pleasures of God.” Unlike so much of what is written today, this is not a book about us. It is about the One we were made for—God Himself. In this theological masterpiece—chosen by World Magazine as one of the 20th Century’s top 100 books, John Piper reveals the biblical evidence to help us see and savor what the pleasures of God show us about Him. Then we will be able to drink deeply—and satisfyingly—from the only well that offers living water. What followers of Jesus need now, more than anything else, is to know and love—behold and embrace—the great, glorious, sovereign, happy God of the Bible. “This is a unique and precious book that everybody should read more than once.” —J.I. PACKER, Regent College, Vancouver, British Columbia

Chapter 1. — Introductory Remarks: coming forth from the Father; with Appendix A. Chapter 2. — The Father's Love Chapter 3. — The Beloved of the Father Chapter 4. — Loved and in the Glory of Sonship before the World's Foundation Chapter 5. — The only-begotten Son of God Chapter 6. — The Word with God: the Only-begotten with the Father; with Appendix B. Chapter 7. — Jehovah saluting his Son Chapter 8. — New Testament use of the Second Psalm Chapter 9. — Image and Firstborn One; with Appendix C. Chapter 10. — The Firstborn Chapter 11. — The Fullness of the Godhead Chapter 12. — The Father's Audible Witness to the Son Chapter 13. — The Son, Himself God and Jehovah, as God's Spokesman; with Appendix D. Chapter 14. — Before the Foundation of the World and before the Ages of Time Chapter 15. — The Manifestation in the Son Chapter 16. — Concluding Remarks: Sonship and Service

"An allegory about The Holy Trinity, the role of Mary of Nazareth in Their divine designs, and the meaning of the acceptance of Jesus Christ as the centre of one's life. The richest man with the best art collection in the world shares his consuming interest with his superlatively good son, who is ably assisted in his benefiscence by their Kindly female estate keeper, who is more than mother to him. The son is called to war, and dies saving his comrades, mirroring the redemptive action of Christ's sacrifice for humanity. The father grieves his son, but is heartened when the estate keeper wheels in the chair of a wounded soldier from the foreign war. The young man presents the father with a portrait depicting the suffering son. As the soldier relates to the father all the insights the son has revealed about the art collection, which actually represents the created world, and especially, his great love for human beings, the pieces are transformed with potential and possibility for restoration to their intended ideal. The father decides to offer his art at auction, but stipulates that the first piece to be on the auction block is to be the portrait of the son. None of the learned bidders condescend to bid on the portrait, but a poor old man who had often been the recipient of the fathers and son's beneficence bids on it and wins. The auctioneer ends the auction, informing the irked would-be bidders that, according go the wishes of the father, the person who takes the portrait of his son wins his entire, vast collection"--

You're not what you do. You're not what you have. You are not what others say about you. You are God's beloved. Are you ever concerned that you don’t deserve to love and be loved because you are continually having to prove yourself? In You Are Beloved, Bobby Schuller shows you how to let go of these fears and put your trust in the One who sees you for who you really are. Here is an easy to follow, proven path to personal dignity for all those who think they are not good enough no matter how much they achieve. This path is illuminated by the truths that it is not about what you accomplish, but what has already been accomplished for you; not about what you have, but what has already been provided; and not about who others say you are, but who God says you are. Know that you are valued, cared for, and embraced. You Are Beloved will help you rebuild your life as a response to that assurance.

The NIV is the world's best-selling modern translation, with over 150 million copies in print since its first full publication in 1978. This highly accurate and smooth-reading version of the Bible in modern English has the largest library of printed and electronic support material of any modern translation.

Profound reflections on the cross that help you to meditate on and marvel at the sacrificial love of Jesus. This book can be used as a devotional, especially during Lent and Easter. These profound reflections on the cross from David Mathis, author of The Christmas We Didn’t Expect, will help you to meditate on and marvel at Jesus’ life, sacrificial death, and spectacular resurrection-enabling you to treasure anew who Jesus is and what he has done. Many of us are so familiar with the Easter story that it becomes easy to miss subtle details and difficult to really enjoy its meaning. This book will help you to pause and marvel at Jesus, whose now-glorified wounds are a sign of his unfailing love and the decisive victory that he has won: “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5) This book can be used as a devotional. The chapters on Holy Week make it especially helpful during the Lent season and at Easter.