benheliles.com - Benjamin H. Liles: 2019

The Christmas Story

By Benjamin H. Liles

Usually when someone is conceived and then born it is to live life abundantly and to the fullest. In the case of Jesus Christ, lord and Savior, He was born to give His life so that those who believe on Him have eternal life. As we're told in Mark, "They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid. Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him: "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again" (Mark 10:32-34).

By Benjamin H. Liles

I often find that forgiveness is a very interesting creature. Recently I wrote that "Reconciliation is more than simple forgiveness, but seeking to make community whole and better." Then I read the majority of the verses of Hebrews 12:14, Matthew 5:24, and Ephesians 2:15-18. In other words, what Deborah and David are doing with their book, The Heart of Recovery, is to show and hep those caught in painful addiction that there is a way out; a way of hope and future. It's why I love what God tells Jeremiah, "For I know the plans I have for you; they arethe way of peace, not evil, to give you a hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).

By Benjamin H. Liles

This is a sweet book by Matt Jacobson about the words of affirmation wives need to hear. It's not a matter of playing to her pride, but a matter of treating her with the love, honor, and respect she needs for all she does daily. I do get where Matt is coming from here, and I agree that it's best to "refresh others so as to be refreshed" (Proverbs 11:25).

By Benjamin H. Liles

Earlier today I realized I'm playing a part of the silent church that refuses to take a stand of faith against the dangers and perils of living and being a part of this world. It's a sign that in this present day and age in history we are becoming like the Laodicean Church that Christ says He will spew out for being neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm (see Revelation 3:14-22). The problem is we ought to be awake, revitalized, faith-filled, taking a stand and doing something with the saving faith we had when we first believed. What's happened?

By Benjamin H. Liles

A sweet book by Lisa Jacobson about the words of affirmation husbands need to hear. It's not a matter of playing to his ego, but a matter of treating him with the love and honor and respect he rightly deserves. It's like Paul wrote to the church as well as to wives: "Wives, submit to your own husbands as to the Lord, for the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of the body. Now as the church submits to Christ, so wives are to submit to their husbands in everything" (Ephesians 5:22-24).

By Benjamin H. Liles

Lately I've been thinking about how truly Christ-like I am. Paul says in Galatians, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law" (5:22-23). I haven't exactly shown those qualities in the least bit toward my neighbors. It hurts my testimony that I do believe I've changed by Jesus Christ, I do maintain that. But I need to be honest, too.

By Benjamin H. Liles

Matt Jacobson wrote this sweet book about how he goes about honoring his wife in the best manner possible. It's hugely true that when there's a happy wife there's a happy home. But more than that, in all honesty, husbands are called to respect and honor their wives. Paul wrote these words: "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it" (Ephesians 5:25). I don't ever go out of my way to mistreat or dishonor my wife, in the least bit, but from time to time I slip up. I'm not perfect.

By Benjamin H. Liles

There are a slew of voices every where telling us which way to go and to grow. First off we have our parents and friends, next we have extended family like grandma, grandpa, aunts, uncles and even cousins. But what can we do to help our next generation grow up in a world of technology and in this digital world? David and Mark both answer that with this book Faith for Exiles. It comes to my attention, even as a programmer myself, that there is a time and place for technology to take a back seat and to re-prioritize our family time.

By Benjamin H. Liles

Julia Jeffress Sadler has her first book Pray Big Things. It's a wonderful book about pray and to be fearless and audacious with our prayers. Julia is both a minister's wife, being married to her high school sweetheart Ryan Sadler, as well as the daughter of pastor Robert Jeffress. It's packed full of practical ways to pray better, to even pray for bigger things we thought possible.

By Benjamin H. Liles

There is a trend in which certain Pastors and Biblical leaders are starting to say things such as "once the New Testament was finished, those sign gifts ceased to have a function", and ended with the conclusion of the Apostolic Age, around 100 AD" (1 Corinthians 12-14). The comment stems from the misunderstanding that the power of the Holy Spirit of God seeming to be non-functional by and large. The real reason the miraculous doesn't happen much any more is due to in large part of those events don't necessarily bring glory and honor to God as it once did, almost 1900 years ago.

By Benjamin H. Liles

The latest book of Suzanne Woods Fisher, Stitches in Time, will keep readers riveted to each page. It is the newest addition to The Deacon's Family series she's been working on. While I was not able to read Mending Fences, book one of the series, I can imagine it's just as good as this book. Mollie is a teacher doing her best to reach the children of the community of Stoney Ridge. But at the same time she gets herself into trouble. Sam Shrock is a horse trainer who has done his best to remain detached, but he can't remain so because of Mollie Graber, the teacher.

By Benjamin H. Liles

I want to take this moment to praise the work and faith of Dr. Michelle Bengston. To go from feeling hopelessness as well as from depression to having a thriving and successful practice in helping people break free from their chains is wonderful. I count her story and struggles as being the kind of thing we all need as a Christ-centered community and people. If we all knew of those things and reasons and ways as to why we suffer the way we do with a careful and compassionate heart as she's given, we'd all be far better off. But that praise only goes so far. For it is by the power and grace of Jesus Christ that has enabled her to putting her faith, her activity of work into helping others find hope and healing.

By Benjamin H. Liles

I do get the point Zig Ziglar makes in this book Revell re-released, and it's one I believe Ziglar learned from the life of Solomon and Paul, the apostle: "A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed" (Proverbs 11:25) and "if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully" (Romans 12:8).

By Benjamin H. Liles

Always Look Twice by Elizabeth Goddard is a wonderful book and an amazing read. I was able to read it no time flat, it just took some motivation to read it. She is an amazing and gifted writer who gives her best in telling a story the right way. She has believable characters, a great cast within the pages, and you see how Goddard thinks through the story she gives.

by Benjamin H. Liles

In the whole of time that I started this blog/website I not once have taken money for any service I provided. It's because I don't believe it's right to profit from God's word in the least bit. I take a look at how the world has been doing it's best at taking things of Christ's and making it in it's image, specifically con-artists, such as health and wellness preachers, feel good charlatans, as well as prosperity teachers. I don't want anything to do with them or be like that in any point.

By Benjamin H. Liles

This is a wonderful book by Regina Scott about the beginnings of America's historic and famous landmarks being documented. While it is true she does so in a fictional story, she captures the essence of time and the awesome beauty that she takes us to in these pages. I recommend the book to be read on the basis of the fact it's a great story, well written characters, the dialogue she has written, and for the reason there's a love story attached as well.

By Benjamin H. Liles

Micah Berteau does a great job talking about the love Christ has for mankind. Nowhere within the pages of the book do I find much at fault. He's wonderful at explaining the differences between worldly, fleshly love as well as about the kind of love Christ gave us at Calvary's cross. This sacrificial love is the kind of unconditional love that changes hearts; it changes the way we think, the way we do things, and gets us to come around to the thought of: "Hey, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).

By Benjamin H. Liles

Mark McDonough didn't just face a trial by fire when he was a young man, he lost his mom and younger brother as well. His harrowing story is told within these pages. He has seen what pain and heartbreak first hand in his life. Since his youth he has managed to become the man he is now, both known for his faith as well as work as a doctor, helping patients heal in their lives as well. So, when I say Forged through Fire is a hard but worthwhile book to read I mean it with my whole heart.

By Benjamin H. Liles

The latest from Davis Bunn is a tale worthy of an Oscar nomination. It feels about as fast paced as other Davis Bunn books do to me. That's a good thing too. It reminds me of James Scott Bell's books I've read before. Altogether, the book is a wonderful read. Bunn has written numerous books which are worthy of becoming movies, and he has had numerous books gone to being made into movies as well.

By Benjamin H. Liles

Encouragement. It goes a long way for those with weary souls. Then again, Jesus also said, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy" (Matthew 5:7, New King James). Why do a number of us do that? What moves us to do the things God calls us to do even when things are hard for us to do? First off, because it's a command Jesus gave; secondly, love is what fulfills the letter of the law (see Romans 13:10). The biggest reason a sincere follower of Christ, the actual Christian does what he does is because of Christ within Him. Here's another verse I love as well: "Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ’Streams of living water will flow from within him’" (John 7:38, Berean Study).

By Benjamin H. Liles

The author of We Hope for Better Things, Erin Bartels, has done it once again with her latest book The Words Between Us. I have to agree with another reviewer of Erin's work that she is indeed a "new-to-me" kind of author. While I know I reviewed her previous book We Hope for, she still seems new to me in the sense of not knowing how her writing will affect me or how I end up reviewing her work. That said, what I can truly say is she's one of those masterful storytellers for the Christian genre, but I'd say she'd rank up there with other giants such as Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and James Scott Bell.

By Benjamin H. Liles

This is a very heart-warming and lovely book by Tari Faris. For over twelve years Tari Faris has written numerous stories and novels. With this novel, You Belong With Me, hits a note that will resonate with the reader. I was enchanted with the work she's done on this book since the first page. It's truly a book worth reading.

The Christian Need to be a Witness to Jews

Normally, I use a free graphic I find that I feel summarizes what I'm going to say. Today, however, I want to use two verses to prove why authentic Christ-followers need to bless and sanctify Jews. Paul says in Romans, "To provoke them to jealousy." Why? If we are changed by our faith, it is a personal thing. And God, overall is personal, not impersonal as some suggest. If that was the case why did God call out to our forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (aka Israel)? Moses records of Abraham's faith, saying, "Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness" (Genesis 15:6). Was this done before or after Abraham was circumcised?

By Benjamin H. Liles

By Benjamin H. Liles

When I saw that this book was being released, I knew I had to review it. It's not that I'm a fan of Ted Dekker. Actually, I tried reading a few of his books and they were hard for me to read. So I dove in, wanting to read this book simply because of who his co-writer was. This is his daughter's, Rachelle Dekker, book debut -- as far as I know. I know of Ted Dekker, but Rachelle, not so much. And here's the thing: I loved this book!

By Benjamin H. Liles

I have to ask myself why is being fearful the opposite of having God's perfect love? Is it possible to so love imperfectly that we get and become so afraid to do for others? I think it has more to do with not doing anything at all for others. In that sense of fear it stands that the selfish person wants nothing more than what they want and not normally for others. Paul writes to the church, saying, "For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (Romans 8:15).

By Benjamin H. Liles

Justice is such an interesting word. On one hand it implies a legal term in which two sides come to mediate a sentence due for the person who has done wrong. But is there another meaning for this often misunderstood word? In 1828 Noah Webster provided tons of terms that we get our modern dictionaries and thesaurus's from. The word I'm looking at is the one for justice. It says of this word, "The virtue which consists in giving to every one what is his due; practical conformity to the laws and to principles of rectitude in the dealings of men with each other; honesty; Impartiality; equal distribution of right in expressing opinions; fair representation of facts respecting merit or demerit."

Zion (Aaron Shust Lyric Video)

Brief post edit by Benjamin H. Liles

I want to explain why I'm making this post edit here. There was a point in my life I absolutely hated and was failing at history in high school. We were given the project, as students, to look at and get into our family histories. As it has happened, since those days I had been in high school I am now caretaker of my family's heritage and ancestry.

By Benjamin H. Liles

"Well, darling, it's that time of year again," she says to me as I slowly wake up. "Shake a leg, handsome, Spring cleaning time!" Ugh, those words, they mean moving furniture, clutter, and a possibility of having to, dare I say, throw out trash? I shudder pulling covers back over my head, daring to go back to sleep, and then she comes back in: "Benjamin Herrell!"

"Okay, I'm up!" and I stomp out of bed.

By Benjamin H. Liles

Dean Del Sesto is a prominent author who's written several best sellers that include Shift Your Thinking for Success, Shift Points, and A Shift a Day for Your Best Year Yet. I would have to say after reading his latest book Shift Your Thinking for a Deeper Faith he's hitting notes that make it look the former way of living life in sinfulness and being and feeling defeated are things of the past. A new life in Christ means the person is transformed from the inside out and lives a victorious life even against the odds.

By Benjamin H. Liles

Niki Hardy writes with an abundance of humor about trials and tribulations we go through as people in need of healing and joy. With her book Breathe Again, Niki recounts times in her life, from her mother, her sister and even about her own life dealing with cancer. While she does so with a down-to-earth and easy going, shoot-straight-from-the-hip kind of style in her writing at least she's honest and open that we all can live the best life we absolutely can with God's grace.

By Benjamin H. Liles

I saw something this morning, while reading, that I thought would be a good and loving word: "Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind" (Psalm 107:8, 15, 21, 31). Everytime this verse is mentioned there are certain things mentioned before it: Those who "wandered" and "hungry and thirsty" (v. 4, 5), "Some sat in darkness" (v. 10), "Some became fools" (v. 17), "Some went out on the sea" (v. 23).

By Benjamin H. Liles

I want to paint a picture for you here: maybe you're a bit slow, possibly a bit "fluffy" around the middle, maybe not the smartest stack in the pile, or as some say, "A round peg in a square hole;" the point is made clear: "You're not wanted or desired here." Society does that to people. Pigeon-holing those they deem as weak. But God says, "I use the weak things of the world to confound the wise" (1 Corinthians 1:27). Even Jesus called twelve men, most of them fishermen to disciple them to reach out and be "fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19).

By Benjamin H. Liles

I know that with a title like that some would be scratching their heads like, "Okay, what's up with that? Is he about to do the same thing as Joshua Harris and Marty Sampson in recent days?"

Actually, this concerns that. The verse of the day, which is allowed to run even on my site says, "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me" (Revelation 3:14, 20).

By Benjamin H. Liles

I absolutely love how Charles Haddon Spurgeon said this: "Believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and ye shall be saved. Whosoever here will now cast himself as a guilty worm flat on Jesus- whoever will throw himself into the arms of everlasting love, that man shall be accepted; he shall go from that door justified and forgiven, with his soul as sate as if he were in heaven, without the danger of its ever being lost. All this is through belief in Christ.." More or less, he's saying, "Forgive me, O Lord, a sinner!" (Luke 18:!3). For that taxpayer has more of a right to heaven than the self-righteous Pharisee.

By Benjamin H. Liles

The halls not only dimly lit by a shaded hue of what seemed to be medical stale, Matt Shinom stalked down the vast corridors of the Terminal. Hand up, coiled around a saber, drawn and ready, lights flicked on and off gently. Something ripe hung in the air, causing Matt to put his hand to his face. A silver moon hung outside, casting eerie glows upon the cavernous inside of the decaying, molding building. Nothing seemed right in his world. In fact...Ta-zing, a bullet ricocheted off a wall near Matt's right ear; he fell tumbling to the other side.

By Benjamin H. Liles

I recently read this wonderful, great and heart-stopping, race against time novel James Hannibal wrote. The Gryphon Heist is one heck of a read, albeit in my opinion. But opinions do not go well in a world that is in need of facts. So, here are some facts readers ought to be aware of when it comes to picking up this book to read it. James Hannibal, from the back of the book, "is no stranger to secrets and adventure." From the moment I started reading this book, I absolutely could not put it down.

By Benjamin H. Liles

I'm not real sure if I wrote about this topic in a while, but it needs to be said again. Sowing specific types of seed towards others comes back to you in the end. Paul tells the church in Galatia, "Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return" (Galatians 6:7). A lot of people talk about karma, but it's not that when it comes from the Lord on high.

By Benjamin H. Liles

The way he stands there, looking serene, austere, intense, lips flat and pressed wearing a tuxedo, with a bit of tail covering his waist makes the orchestra nervous. He gets in position before the orchestra, facing them and then he starts giving them direction to play their piece. So the conductor normally plies his craft with the orchestra. Where am I going with this? Caleb Breakey, with his book The String does exactly that.

By Benjamin H. Liles

The latest book by Shawn Smucker, Light From Distant Stars, hits several notes of fictional writing that seem both majestic and tragic. I don't mean that in a bad or a mean way. His writing is spot on, in my honest opinion. But what I mean with my "majestic and tragic" comment is that for the main character Cohen Marah, he seems to have a hard time coming to terms with his father's death.

By Benjamin H. Liles

I don't know how many people ago through what I do in my prayer life. Because by large I feel a lot of the time my prayers are hard to pray, and also ineffective. However, Linda Evans Shepherd does a great job with this book to explain and show how we as followers of Christ can get better at praying. She lets us know there are different prayer types: prayers that are simply that and intercessory prayers, where you stand in the gap on behalf of others.

By Benjamin H. Liles

Paul tells us in the Romans 1:16 passage, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." When Paul makes that comment in the verse, "for the Jew first and also for the Greek," he's not being derogatory in any sense. Because of the fact that salvation was to come for Israel, the Messiah would be Jewish, so it stands to reason salvation would come to them first. Then after that salvation comes to the rest who aren't Jewish, and at that time to the rest of the world, mainly the Greek and Roman world.

By Benjamin H. Liles

How do you start off talking about the faith of the leader of the free world? What would you say about a man who's silent prayers, to be the man in the position of being President over the United States? Dwight D. Eisenhower, also known as Ike, was such a man. However, before he became President of America, Eisenhower served as "a five-star general during World War II and also as supreme commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces in Europe" (from Wikipedia).

By Benjamin H. Liles

John penned the words in his gospel narrative, "But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God" (1:12). I wonder, though, do we as followers of Christ show this in our daily walks? Are we going out of our way, putting to death the things of the flesh to ensure Christ is seen within us, working Himself outward to a lost and dying world? In all honesty, I have to say I feel I fall short of the standard Jesus gave to "love others."

By Benjamin H. Liles

I know I have probably said this before, but it bears repeating again: Jesus Christ went to the cross to redeem His people from a life of sin and death. To return to living that way after Jesus says, "Go and sin no more" (John 5:14, John 8:11) is like a dog returning to its own vomit (see Proverbs 26:11). John, the disciple Jesus Christ loved, wrote, "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God remains forever" (1 John 2:15-17, Berean Study).

By Benjamin H. Liles

Susie Finkbeiner's book All Manner of Things has been a highly anticipated book of 2019. Before I jump into the review of this book I want to mention how dedicated of an author she is. Susie is the bestselling author of A Cup of Dust, A Trail of Crumbs, and A Song of Home. She volunteers her time at Ada Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and she speaks at retreats and women's conferences throughout Michigan.

By Benjamin H. Liles

A lot of people believe that when they die they aren't going to Heaven or Hell, kind of a holding place somewhere between. God says otherwise. "The soul who sins is the one who will die. A son will not bear the iniquity of the father, and a father will not bear the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous man will fall upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked man will fall upon him" (Ezekiel 18:20, Berean Study)

By Benjamin H. Liles

When I say that I truly loved a book it has to do with the way an author writes, the phrasing of what is said, the characters given and portrayed. I can say the same for Natalie Walters latest Living Lies, it is really a good read. The book is set against the southern town of Walton, Georgia where Lane Kent has a restaurant. It seems from the outside of the book she's seeking to move on after her husband's death. We see a woman, a bit of how she is--being depressed, and at the same time who ends up seeing a dead body.

By Benjamin H. Liles

When I think of all the things God has done on my behalf and throughout my life I can't help but lift my lips in praise and thankfulness to Him. Even on those days it seems hard to do the same I still look at Him as my source and my comfort. It is with this reason I'm going over a psalm I believe to be important. It's not just important to me, but to every one who reads it.

By, Benjamin H. Liles

While I mainly and always write what I know would please Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, I have to be truly objective when I talk about Chris Nye's book, Less is More. When I say what I do it's about our popular culture, such as Britney Spears, Pope Francis -- also known by the name Jorge Mario Bergoglio, before being crowned "Pope," and admittedly things pertaining to what all Americans desire after: prosperity. I applaud none of that, save Christ alone.

By Benjamin H. Liles

To start this off, I want to apologize for the almost three week break I took without notice. I was feeling led one way until tonight when I remembered what Paul wrote to the Church at Ephesus, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4, Berean Study). I would love to explain why this verse jumped out at me, but at the same time I would rather honor God by being honorable to my parents. To really get a good look, Paul uses a phrase here before he says anything about training a child, as well as instructing them: "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger."

By Benjamin H. Liles

When we're told in scripture, "Perfect love casts out fear," I think of what firemen, even what law enforcement officers do on a daily basis. Firemen don't simply put out fires, they rescue people from burning homes. They help others, while putting themselves at risk. Same with LEO's. So many people see cops as if they are the enemy, but really, they are like every single one of us. They eat, the sleep, have families, and even go out of their way to make sure of this one thing that they put their lives on the line for: "Am I making sure others are safe, while I'm working?"

By Benjamin H. Liles

While I want to praise Emily Freeman's book, The Next Right Thing, as well as her ability to write well, I also find it hard to give this book all the merit it's due. One thing I do like is the tag line for this book: A simple, soulful practice for making life decisions. I see that tag and I have this glimpse of Jesus Christ walking up a mountain to take time to settle down and spend time with God, the Father. While He sits there to quiet Himself, and to spend prayer time with the One who called Him to give His life a ransom for many, He sees His disciples out on the Sea of Galilee getting tossed and driven by waves and wind.

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