Life is full of unexpected twists and turns. But the most unexpected and significant event in the history of the world actually happened over 2000 years ago when God himself became one of us in the person of Jesus Christ.These Advent reflections, written by David Mathis, help us to lift our eyes to the wonder of the incarnation and worship the one who came to save us.Be amazed once more by the unexpected details of Jesus' unique birth and saving work with these short daily ...

How do I humble myself?Humility, according to the Bible, is not something we can just up and do. Both the negative and positive examples of Scripture—from Pharaoh to Rehoboam, from Josiah to Ahab, from Hezekiah to Manasseh, and even to Christ himself—teach us that humility first comes from the hand of God. He initiates the humbling of his creatures. And once he has, the question confronts us: Will you receive it? Will you humble yourself in response to his humbling han...

Put Yourself in the Path of God's GraceThis study guide is designed to help you connect more deeply with the three crucial power sources for the Christian life: hearing God's voice (in the Bible), having his ear (in prayer), and belonging to his body (in the fellowship of the church).Created as a supplement to the book Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines by David Mathis, and intended for individual and small-group stud...

A Pastor Looks at Physical Exercise and Its Potential to Serve Spiritual LifeWe live in an age dominated by screens. For many, life is sedentary, and it's become increasingly difficult to prioritize physical activity. Quietly conformed to this new normal, they feel sluggish and unmotivated. Others, however, have become entangled in a fitness culture that prioritizes the self, fuels pride, and coddles idolatry. Is it possible to make exercise holy?

A Pastor Looks at Physical Exercise and Its Potential to Serve Spiritual Life and JoyWe live in an age dominated by screens. For many, life is sedentary, and it's become increasingly difficult to prioritize physical activity. Quietly conformed to this new normal, they feel sluggish and unmotivated. Others, however, have become entangled in a fitness culture that prioritizes the self, fuels pride, and coddles idolatry. Is it possible to make exercise holy?...

Seminary is dangerous. Really dangerous. The hard truth is that many seminarians enter pastoral ministry feeling drained, disillusioned, and dissatisfied. But the problem isn't with the faculty or the material. Rather, the most perilous danger to the soul of the pastor-in-training is the sin residing deep within his own heart. Drawing on their years of pastoral ministry and seminary experience, David Mathis and Jonathan Parnell take a refreshingly honest look at this oft-neglected...

Recent cultural interest in evangelicalism has led to considerable confusion about what the term actually means. Many young Christians are tempted to discard the label altogether. But evangelicalism is not merely a political movement in decline or a sociological phenomenon on the rise, as it has sometimes been portrayed. It is, in fact, a helpful theological profile that manifests itself in beliefs, ethics, and church life.DeYoung and other key twenty- and thirty-something evangeli...

John Piper has had a profound impact on countless men and women over his nearly thirty years of ministry. From his online ministry with Desiring God to his preaching ministry at Bethlehem Baptist to his writing ministry in over thirty books, his faithful service has encouraged and challenged many with God’s Word.Piper’s influence does not stem from his own abilities and accomplishments, but finds its source in his consistent and humble leading of others to Scripture, where the brea...

The Christian life is built on three seemingly unremarkable practices: reading the Bible, prayer, and fellowship with other believers. However, according to David Mathis, such "habits of grace" are the God-designed channels through which his glorious grace flows—making them life-giving practices for all Christians. Whether it's hearing God's voice (the Word), having his ear (prayer), or participating in his body (fellowship), such spiritual rhythms of the Christian life have the power to a...

"Male and female he created them." —Genesis 1:27It's one of the most important—and controversial—topics of our time.God created men and women in his image—equal in value and complementary in roles. These distinctive roles are not the vestiges of a bygone era, but integral to God's timeless good design for humanity.Designed for Joy includes fresh contributions from fourteen young leaders, casting a unified vision for Christian manhood and womanhood....

This book is a deep study of the Bible as it pertains to living life to the fullest. We delve deeply into the Old Testament and New Testament scriptures while considering insights from notable biblical commentaries.

David Mathis Examines the Qualifications and Calling of Church Leaders for a New Generation of Congregants and LeadersWe live in an age increasingly cynical about leadership—some of it for good reason, much of it simply the mood of our times. Still, the risen Christ continues the counter-cultural work he's done for two millennia: he appoints leaders in his church—not as a burden, but as a gift to his people. "He gave . . . the shepherds and teache...