On the even of His crucifixion Jesus promised His followers that He would send another Person, like Himself. He was speaking of the Holy Spirit, but the term He used has proved rough to translate. Struggling with it, Bible translators have come up with "Advocate," "Counselor," "Helper," and "Comforter." The term, just as accurately, might have been translated "Encourager."

The Encourager–another Person like Jesus–is there for all believers in the crises and hard places of life. No matter what we are faced with He will give us the power we need. When He speaks to us it will be through the Word He inspired, God’s Great Book of Encouragement.

As the Holy Spirit, in Person, meets our various needs, so the Word speaks to us in all our challenges and trials. In its inspired pages there is encouragement for sinners, for those in pain, for those stressed out facing bereavement, death, unemployment, injustice, ill treatment, lostness, uncertainty, loneliness, brokenness–whatever the situation. And in that encouragement, there is power to transform that situation.

Through the Encourager Jesus still says to you, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

David Marshall has many years of experience in popular journalism. His articles–often about travel–have appeared in magazines in the US, Australia, the Caribbean, Africa and India, as well as Britain.

Prior to entering journalism Dr. Marshall took a first degree in Modern History and Politics and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in History from the University of Hull, and enjoyed eleven years as a teacher.

His wife always accompanies him on his travels. They live in the Vale of Belvoir on the border of Lincolnshire and Leicestershire in England. This book was written after they had made a number of visits to the Middle East.