Sunday, January 8, 2023

Things God Hates by Rabbi Hershberg

 


Things God Hates, Things God Loves by Rabbi Greg Hershberg

Aneko Press, January 2023

$5.99 ebook

$18.99 Print

About the Book

Journey through this book with me and consider the Scriptures that tell us what the Lord hates and what He loves. Ask the Lord to teach you to live with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength for Him, in such a way that He will look upon you with favor.

My Review

Things God Hates, Things God Loves is a precious look at our Savior through Scripture from the point of view of a messianic Jewish Rabbi. It’s a wonderful story and guidebook of what can happen when we open ourselves to God’s great invitation and enjoy Him. Set up in 18 chapters, seven of which detail things God hates, followed by seven chapters of things God loves, Hershberg walks us through the Bible to help us understand these concepts. Chapters are uniquely balanced between Old and New Testament, bringing stories of favor and trials to life. Those familiar with Proverbs will pick out those things God hates and learn how to clearly understand the original intent in order to put them into perspective and turn away. Those familiar with Psalms and the letters to the early church will see things God loves put into practice for today.

Full of Scripture and thoughtfully laid out, readers who desire a deeper walk with our Lord will find Things God Hates, Things God Loves a treasured added resource to your library of books you’ll want to read more than once. I received an arc from Aneko Press and provide my own opinion.

About the Author

Rabbi Greg Hershberg was born in New York City, and raised in Orthodox Judaism. He graduated from Pace University, Magna Cum Laude in 1980 and worked in the financial sector. He later owned and operated an executive search firm in New York City. In 1989, he married, and while on his honeymoon in Israel had a miraculous visitation from the Lord. From that point on, his heart was set on serving God. He  currently resides in Macon, Georgia with his wife, Bernadette, and their four children and leads the Beth Yeshua International global ministry.


Sunday, January 1, 2023

Updated Timeless classic released Call to the Unconverted

 


Call to the Uncoverted to Turn and Live
by Richard Baxter
Updated and Annotated 

Aneko Press January 2023

1681 pp
Print $12.99

About the Book
This book is from 17th century classic Reformed minister Richard Baxter, revised from the 1863 version. “If you will turn and live, do it determinedly, and do not stand still and deliberate as if it were a doubtful case. Do not stand around wavering as if you were uncertain whether God or the flesh is the better mas­ter, whether sin or holiness is the better way, or whether heaven or hell is the better result.”

My Review
Originally written and published by Mr. Baxter during his ministry in England, this “little treatise” speaks a powerful but simple word, especially to those who have heard the gospel but haven’t chosen to follow it by repenting and living a worthy life. God does not give you prophets, but ordinary ministers, Baxter writes.

Using heart-felt pleas, Baxter makes liberal use of Scripture to appeal to the reader to stand now, while here and alive, before it’s too late. He’s astonished at how many are called but how few will be saved, he writes in his introduction. His goal is two-fold: to convince readers it’s not God’s fault if they are in misery, and it’s their fault if they choose to reject God. Following, he lays out seven principles to support his exhortation.

Baxter’s conclusion again begs the reader to convert to a life of faith, and lays out reasons to do, as well as concise directions, such as “read and heed the word of God,” “immediately give up your known and willful sin,” and the very practical “change your company.” Ending with a lovely prayer, Baxter’s love for people is clear and dear.

Updated with call-outs and readable, elegant typesetting, this timeless plea for the souls of humankind will surely touch all readers.

About the Author
Richard Baxter (1615–1691) preached “as a dying man to dying men.” He was devoted to God and was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. Best known as the minister of Kidderminster in England, his love for God and others resulted in practically the entire town of Kidderminster turning to Jesus during Baxter’s ministry there. Richard Baxter desired unity among Christians, which often resulted in opposition from those who held to church loyalty or theological views rather than to Christ and God’s Word. Baxter had his share of persecution, even being imprisoned on several occasions.