*this is a sponsored post*
Hello there!
I have been a fan of the missions model of ANM (Advancing Native Missions) since I first learned of their organization. Essentially, it’s about equipping the members of a people group to share the gospel among themselves. So when I heard that Oliver Asher, the president of ANM, had just written a book, I was immediately interested. His book, Invincible Joy: Chasing God’s Dreams for Your Life, was itself an enormous joy to read. Let me tell you more, then you can enter to win a copy of this book for yourself!
About Invincible Joy
Here’s what Invincible Joy author Oliver Asher has to say about his new book:
“I’m not an extraordinary person. I came from next to nothing, from almost nowhere. But God had a plan and a purpose for my life. He picked me up from where I was and took me places I could never have expected to go. He invited me to join him in chasing his God-sized dreams for the world. And that is where I found invincible joy. You may have the same story. Or at least you can, and I hope you will. That’s what this book is for. I pray you will benefit from my story as you follow the Lord on your own adventure from where you came to where he wants to take you. I believe, as the Lord leads, you will end up with a stronger sense of God’s purpose for your life and your place in his plan for the world. That’s where you can find invincible joy too.”
Over the course of 12 chapters (plus a little extra), Asher shares experiences from his own life. These include: his childhood in the “holler” in southwest Virginia; his football scholarship and player time for the University of Virginia; meeting his wife Andrea there; their short-term missions experience; his engineering career; and his foray into full-time missions employment with Advancing Native Missions. Asher came to faith as a child, and over the course of his life he experienced both ups and downs. What he learned in times of danger, loss, provision, and success was that the source of the invincible joy in the book’s title is God and His presence.
This joy is something that each and every person who follows the Lord can have access to, and daily live in. Asher has broken the concept of this invincible joy, and its sources, into three foundational qualities:
- an unshakeable faith in the Father, our provider
- an unshakeable love for Jesus, our Savior
- and an unshakeable hope for the future
How Invincible Joy impacted me
This is what my copy of Invincible Joy looked like on the outside, when I finished it. The inside is pretty colorful as well, since I used both my peach and lavender highlighters on it!
I’m always surprised (but I shouldn’t be), by how God will put exactly the resource in our hands that we need; be it a book, a film, art–or last, but definitely not least, a Bible passage. Again, this book was given to me at just the right moment. Reading it nourished my soul, warmed my heart, and reminded me that God has a wonderful plan for my life. That overall plan will never change, although the particulars of it may (circumstances, jobs, provision). Of course, change does happen in our lives. Our jobs change, our children grow. We may have health issues, or other losses.
But God is not only ALWAYS there–but we can have joy always as well.
And that’s not just joy that’s birthed out of denial of troubles. It’s the joy of: His love and His constant support; of faith in Jesus, who loved us enough to give His life for us; and the hope for the future that we can have because of them.
“God has a plan for you. He will give you hope and joy, no matter what your situation, no matter how chaotic and dark. He’s the one who will shine the light in the darkness. He’s also a provider–not just the physical necessities such as food and shelter, but also the spiritual nourishment you need and the people who will help guide you along the path. Look to the Lord for everything you need.”
Oliver Asher, Invincible Joy
In Invincible Joy, Asher has described these three truths that can place us in the joy of the Lord, regardless of our circumstances. He uses Scripture to define that for us and illustrates them by the stories of God’s hand leading him throughout his own life. The result is a book that will comfort you, inspire you, and bless you as you read, and thereafter. Wonderful, rich, and encouraging–one of the best books I’ve read this year!
Some of my favorite passages
- Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?…With these simple illustrations, Jesus shows the people listening to him that God is aware of our needs. Because God is sovereign and because God designed and created us (and the birds and the flowers), he understands who we are and what we need.” (p. 25-26)
- “So you see, God is a dreamer. He envisions what can be and what will be, and he invites us to move toward that vision with him.” (p. 46)
- “God is writing a beautiful story through his people. I encourage you to find your role in that story and join in. I believe that the great purpose of our lives–my life and your life–is the Lord’s purpose. And I believe that is good and exciting and fulfilling.” (p. 114)
This is a book that I wholeheartedly recommend to you. It will encourage your heart and remind you of God’s enormous love for you (AND for everyone!). Perhaps more than that, I believe that God can use this to help bring healing to you of the moments of suffering you’ve experienced during your own life. God loves us. He cares for us, so deeply. Sometimes we need someone else to remind us of those truths. And Oliver Asher has done that here, as he’s shared with us the ways we really can have joy in in the Lord, every day.
Where you can find Oliver Asher and Advancing Native Missions online
Just click on the links below!
At Oliver Asher’s website, you can find out more about his book Invincible Joy
And, here’s the About page for Advancing Native Missions, where you can find out how they’re enabling leaders in people groups around the globe to bring the gospel to their own.
Where you can purchase Invincible Joy
Invincible Joy is available to buy on Amazon. Just click on the highlighted link below to go to the purchase page.
Purchase Invincible Joy here
And, how to enter to win your own copy!
You can enter to win a copy of the wonderful Invincible Joy from Blessed Freebies! Just click on the link below that says “Enter here!” for your chance to win, then follow the instructions. Giveaway closes 11/27/22. Winner will be contacted by FrontGate Media. Best wishes!
Enjoy! –Wren
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed here are my own honest ones.
finchnwren 