Month: June 2022

The Filament Bible Collection is continuing to grow! We have several exciting new covers releasing this summer and in the fall we are excited to introduce you to the Filament DaySpring Signature Collection.

This summer we will be releasing some new covers in one of our most popular Filament Bible lines, the Filament Large Print Thinline Reference Bibles. There will be two zipper covers one that is navy with flowers and the other looks like a letter in brown and tan. This fall we will be releasing a gorgeous green cover with a mountain on the front.

Three additional covers will be joining the Filament Thinline Reference line as well. The two zipper covers include a leaf pattern with oranges, green, and tan coloring, and a deep brown with stitching and Holy Bible on the cover. There also is a messenger cover that is a darker brown with light brown stitching.

This fall we are excited to introduce the Filament DaySpring Signature Collection. Created in partnership with DaySpring this collection includes five new Bible editions that feature unique head-turning designs and the clear and trusted New Living Translation. All editions of the collection are equipped with the patented Filament Bible app, enabling readers to access curated content that illuminates the very page of the Bible they are reading. There will be one LeatherLike cover in five of the different Filament lines. A light teal cover with subtle gold vertical waving lines in the Filament Thinline Reference and a green cover with gold leaves in the Large Print Thinline Reference. In Personal Size Giant print a autumn orange with a single brown leaf print, and a beautiful spray of autumn leaves in the wide margin. In 16 pt font the Super Giant print has a blush pink cover with soft gold lines.

See all our Filament Bibles

Note from the Christian Basics Bible

“This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry. So he complained to the Lord about it: ‘Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people. Just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.'” Jonah 4:1-3, NLT

“I am the Lord, and I do not change” (Malachi 3:6). This saying, frequently quoted out of context, is often used to prove that God never changes his mind. But Jonah’s story shows us that he does! In fact, the Bible has many examples of this happening. For example, God changed his mind about blessing the human race once sin became rampant on the earth (contrast Genesis 1:27-28 with Genesis 6:6-7); he also changed his mind about destroying Israel after hearing Moses’ prayer (contrast Exodus 32:9-10 with Exodus 32:14). In the first example, blessing is turned into curse, and in the second, curse is turned into blessing.

However, this possibility of change does not mean that God is unreliable; rather, it proves the very opposite. For while God is unchanging in his character, he is not always unchanging in his actions. In fact, sometimes he has to change his declared actions in order to be faithful to his character. So, because his essential nature is one of righteousness, he gladly changes his mind when, threatened with judgment, sinners then repent, just as the Ninevites did ( Jonah 3:10). God clearly changed his mind, but only to be consistent with what he is like and what he wants.

Changing his mind does not mean that God is unreliable or fickle; it means his purposes will surely come to pass.

Learn more about the Christian Basics Bible

by Stephen Arterburn, teaching pastor at Northview Church, Carmel, Indiana; founder and chairman of New Life Ministries; editor, Every Man’s Bible; and coeditor, The Life Recovery Bible

Is there anything that has not been written about biblical manhood? Books, articles, and videos abound with calls for men to demonstrate character, integrity, authenticity, and especially “servant leadership.” In an attempt to not write what has already been written over and over again, I present the following ideas.

First, the term servant leadership is an inaccurate and inadequate description of Paul’s instructions to men in the fifth chapter of Ephesians. A “servant leader” stoops to serve only when he chooses to do so; it is a very tidy role with a narrow focus on serving others. Yet it is already obvious to most Christian men that they need to avoid misinterpreting Scripture as a call to biblical demandhood instead of manhood. They understand that Paul’s words set a standard far beyond that of servant leadership.

Biblical manhood calls us to “Die to Yourself Leadership,” and it is not easy or tidy, which is perhaps why it is not taught in leadership seminars. It is not about coming in from a day of golf and helping with the dishes after dinner. The biblical mandate calls for sacrificing being the fourth man in the foursome outing whenever the family needs us to be present with them.

It is not just being willing to pay for a child to get Christian counseling; it is also getting help for ourselves so we can lead the way by modeling the humility and willingness required to obtain help.

Biblical manhood goes beyond playing catch with the kids and showing up for their games. It is showing up and supporting a son who would rather rock climb, bowl, dance, or sing because he doesn’t like contact sports.

Being a provider and protecting the family are important, but being present is a far greater priority. When we are with them, we need to be fully there, engaged and connected, rather than glued to a television screen, laptop, or cell phone. We need to be eyeball-to-eyeball with family members, downloading love to them.

“Die to Yourself Leadership” refuses to be a donor to the fatherless generation. Even when we’re tempted to abandon our families and let our kids be raised by their mother, we don’t follow through with it. We stay and work through the problems to prevent all sorts of new problems and traumas that come with divorce.

Biblical manhood requires us to do what we don’t want to do exactly at the time we don’t want to do it. We courageously do what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, no matter the consequences—because it is the right thing for any man to do. All our actions are based on the truths of the Bible—not popular philosophy, current culture, or feelings that would keep us from going beyond being just a man to being God’s man, daily dying to self.

Read an excerpt from the Every Man’s Bible

“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:15-20, NLT

Article from the Every Man’s Bible

Ever since God gave the Ten Commandments, some have been tempted to think he enjoys making people miserable and taking away their happiness by denying them earthly pleasures.

The truth is, God wants to give us something much better. But in order for us to receive it, we need to clear some room in our lives. Often, that means getting rid of sins or bad habits that are using up the space God wants to claim. Instead of filling our lives with sexual immorality, impurity, greed, and obscene stories (Ephesians 5:3-4), God wants us to be full of thankfulness. Instead of drunkenness (5:18), God wants us to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Suppose you’re walking along the beach and find an old treasure chest. But when you pry it open, it’s full of sand, not gold coins. Now suppose someone else comes along and offers to give you as much gold as you can fit into the chest. Sounds great, right? Except for one problem: The chest is already full. In order to accept the gold, you’d have to dump out the sand. You’d need to make as much room as possible for the more valuable treasure. Unless you get rid of the sand, the chest will never hold anything of value.

The same goes for the sins in our lives—the sand in the treasure chest. They may provide temporary pleasure, but they won’t deliver lasting fulfillment. Sexual promiscuity may provide an immediate thrill, but the long-term results are catastrophic—it will never provide real happiness. On the other hand, true love for another person and for God can fill us up to overflowing. Drunkenness provides a temporary giddiness or forgetfulness, but it’s nothing like the true peace and joy that come from knowing and loving God.

It’s our choice. We can fill up our lives with whatever silly or sinful things we choose, or we can let God fill us up with the things that will bring ultimate fulfillment.

Learn more about the Every Man’s Bible