Life Publishers International

12/02/2023

11/23/2023

So thankful for our Life Fam!

Happy Thanksgiving from our Life family! (Minus a few faces)
We’re so thankful for your continuous support to FireBible!🤎

11/17/2023

Gearing up for a fantastic FireBible Sunday, December 10th – a celebration of the FireBible and its mission. Help us bring the Fire of God’s word to the human heart!
To learn more visit firebible.org/firebible-sunday/

10/19/2023

Annual fish fry was a success!

09/22/2023

09/15/2023

FireBible Note for Philippians 4:6 - DON’T WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING. The one sure cure for worry is prayer, for the following reasons: (1) Godly prayer takes the focus off the difficulty of the situation and puts it on the power of God (cf. Eph 3:20). (2) Through prayer, we renew our trust in the Lord’s faithfulness by releasing to him all our anxieties and problems, knowing that he will take them because he cares for us (Mt 6:25-34; 1Pe 5:7). (3) When we release our problems and concerns to God, he will replace them with his peace. This supernatural peace will guard our minds and protect our hearts as a result of our communication and companionship with Christ Jesus (vv. 6-7; Isa 26:3; Col 3:15; see article on THE PEACE OF GOD). (4) Through prayer, God strengthens us to do all that he desires of us (v. 13; 3:20, note; Eph 3:16). (5) Through prayer, we receive mercy, grace and help in time of need (Heb 4:16). (6) As we spend time with God in prayer, he is able to assure us that in all things he is working for our good (see v. 11, note; Ro 8:28, note).

09/01/2023

FireBible Note for Matthew 5:3 -

BLESSES … POOR AND REALIZE THEIR NEED FOR HIM. The word “blesses” refers to the well-being and joy of those who, because of their relationship to Christ and his Word, find their place in God’s kingdom. The benefits of that “membership” include God’s constant love, care, presence and spiritual salvation (see 14:19, note; Lk 24:50, note). There are certain character requirements if we wish to receive the benefits of God’s kingdom; we must be guided by God’s purposes and values and not by the ways and values of the world. The first of these requirements is to be “poor in spirit”–not arrogant or self-reliant. We must humbly recognize that we are not spiritually self-sufficient. That means that we cannot earn a place in God’s kingdom; we need the Holy Spirit’s life, power and grace (i.e., undeserved favor, love, enablement) in order to receive the benefits of spiritual salvation.

Additional notes, articles, and cross references available in the FireBible.

08/25/2023

Excerpts from the FireBible article for 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - The Inspiration and Authority of Scripture:

"The inspired Word of God is the expression of God’s wisdom and character and is, therefore, able to give ultimate wisdom and spiritual life through faith in Christ."

"The Bible is God’s unfailing, true witness to his saving activity for humanity, which he accomplished through Jesus Christ. For this reason, Scripture is incomparable (i.e., it has no equal in literature or message) and forever finished; its truths and authority relate to and apply to all things of this world and life. No human words or declarations of religious institutions are equal to the Bible’s authority."

"The Bible can only be understood fully when we are in right relation to the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit who opens our minds to comprehend the Word’s meaning and gives us the inward assurance of its authority, power and effectiveness."

The entirety of this article, notes, and cross references are available in the FireBIble.

08/18/2023

FireBible Note for Philippians 2:13 -

GOD IS WORKING IN YOU. God works by his Spirit within the lives of Christ’s followers to produce in them both the desire and the power to do what is good and right and to fulfill his purposes for their lives (see article on FAITH AND GRACE). However, God’s work is not forced, and his grace (i.e., his undeserved favor, love and spiritual help) can be resisted. That is to say, we can reject God’s help and guidance and go our own sinful and destructive way if we so choose. God’s work within us (1:6; 1Th 5:24; 2Ti 4:18; Tit 3:5-7) is always dependent on our faithfulness and cooperation (vv. 12, 14-16).

Additional articles, notes, and cross references avaialbe in the FireBible.

08/11/2023

FireBible Note for Psalms 42:1-2 -

I THIRST FOR GOD. Just as water is necessary for physical life, so God and his presence are necessary for our spiritual life and for complete satisfaction and wholeness in all areas of life. Those who truly trust God will hunger and thirst for a deeper relationship with him and for his favor and supernatural activity in their lives.

(1) To stop thirsting for God is to die spiritually. Therefore, we must not allow anything to take away our deep desire to know God and his purposes. We must avoid becoming distracted by the circumstances of life, including worries, needs, successes, attractions and pleasures. These things can choke out our hunger and thirst for God. They can also rob us of the desire and discipline needed to pursue a deeper relationship with God through His Word and through prayer (Mk 4:19).

(2) We should pray that our desire for God’s presence might become deeper and stronger. This will require a greater openness to the Holy Spirit’s gifts, direction and power (see chart on THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT). Our passion to see Christ’s purposes fulfilled on earth must also grow deeper until it drives us to passionate prayer and gives us a spiritual thirst like a deer that “pants for streams of water” in times of drought (v. 1; see Mt 5:6; 6:33, notes).

08/04/2023

FireBible Note for James 1:23 -

GLANCING AT YOUR FACE IN A MIRROR. Hearing and reading God’s Word is like looking at a mirror that reflects and reveals what is truly in our lives. It shows us the way we are and allows us to see what we need to change. With this knowledge, we can choose to respond either with honesty (making a change for the better) or with hypocrisy (refusing to change and pretending everything is all right). The right response is to ask and allow God to help us conform to the standard of his Word by putting it into practice.

Additional notes, articles, and cross references available in the FireBible or in our new FireBible App.

07/28/2023

FireBible Note for Psalm 1:2 -

THEY DELIGHT IN THE LAW OF THE LORD. True followers of God not only avoid evil, but they also build their lives around God’s Word and actively serve his purposes. They try to obey God and follow his plans because they truly take pleasure in what God loves and desires (see 2Th 2:10, where the wicked perish because “they refused to love the truth”). A godly person’s actions are motivated by love for God and a heart that has been changed and made new by the truth of God’s Word.

07/25/2023

Come see us next week at General Council in Columbus!

Come see us at General Council in Columbus next week!

07/21/2023

FireBible note for Hebrews 10:38 -

MY RIGHTEOUS ONES WILL LIVE BY FAITH. This foundational principle, affirmed four times in God’s Word (Hab 2:4; Ro 1:17; Gal 3:11; Heb 10:38), guides and directs our relationship with God and our participation in the salvation provided through Jesus Christ. (1) The person who continues to rely on God, take him at his Word and follow him faithfully through all circumstances will receive what God promises (v. 36) and will be saved eternally (v. 39b). Such people are not afraid to approach God with sincere hearts (see v. 22, note). (2) But God adds, “If [anyone] shrinks back [in unbelief], I will not be pleased with him” (v. 38). The person who “shrinks back” is one who stops relying on God and abandons his or her faith by deliberately and continually sinning against God (i.e., defying him and his standards). Such a person is headed for spiritual destruction (v. 39a), just as the Israelites in the desert (cf. 3:12-19).

Additional notes, articles, and cross references available in the FireBible.