On Reading Good Books

These posts by Tony Reinke are a gold mine of rich treasures for those who want to grow in their ability to read. As the new year approaches, read through these posts for inspiration to read well in 2011.

All ESV Bibles 45% Off

WTS has all ESV Bibles at the best price you'll find (including ESV Study Bibles). Christmas gift ideas!

What's it gonna be?

There is supposed to be a big Cyber Monday sale at WTS books today. Check their website for specifics. Or, I'll be sure to let you know if its good!

5 Reasons to Give Books for Christmas

A few years ago, I wrote a post on the value of books as Christmas gifts. You may want to check it out here.

WTS Challies Sale

10 books all at 10% off. The discount is taken when you add it to your cart.

Another Challenge as Black Friday Approaches

"Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'"
-Hebrews 13:5

A Challenge as Black Friday Approaches

"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."
-Hebrews 13:16

A Prayer as Black Friday Approaches

"Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
and give me life in your ways."
-Psalm 119:37

The Hidden Life of Prayer

I need all the help in prayer I can get. WTS has a new/old book on prayer for $5 for 48 hours. Piper says, "God brings books at their appointed times. The Hidden Life of Prayer arrived late but well-timed. This little jewel-strewn tapestry has done for me at 64 what Bounds' Power Through Prayer did at 34. I could be ashamed that I need inspiration for the highest privilege. But I choose to be thankful."

Imperfect Books

Westminster Books just keeps getting better. They now have a selection of "imperfect" books that are discounted even more than their already best prices on the internet. "Imperfect" simply means that they have slight damage to the cover due to shelf wear or shipping. Unless you are giving a book as a gift, who cares if it has some minor cosmetic damage? After reading them and having them on the shelf for a few years, they are going to get bent and creased anyway.

A Few Suggestions for Leading Corporate Prayer

Make your prayers:

• full of God
• full of Scripture
• full of passion
• full of reverence
• full of humility
• full of gospel

Tips for Corporate Scripture Reading

If the Bible really is God’s Word, if it is His authoritative self-disclosure, and if it is the only source of faith and practice, then reading the Bible in our corporate worship services is one of the most important actions on any given Sunday.

Here is what Paul commanded a young church planting pastor:
“Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture” (1 Tim. 4:13).

The reading of the Scripture is a corporate act of worship. It is not an option. Failure to read God’s Word to God’s people is disobedience to God and unloving to the church.

So, here are 5 important tips for corporate Scripture reading (in no particular order):

Read the Scripture:
1. Prayerfully
As you read, ask God to use His Word to accomplish His purpose in people’s lives. If God’s Word is as powerful as it says it is (Ps. 19:7-11; Heb. 4:12), read it with as much expectation as you would have if you were throwing a grenade into the congregation.

2. Accurately
By this, I mean two things: (1) labor to read the Bible with the correct pronunciation and (2) read from a reliable translation. If we believe that every word of the Bible is inspired by God, then we must try to read it accurately. Also, it could be distracting to people if we fumble through pronunciation. If you don’t know how to pronounce a particular person’s name or place, listen to someone read that passage from an audio Bible as you prepare.

3. Affectionately
Does the Bible bring joy to your heart? Has God spoken to you from this passage? Read the Bible with joyful passion. Communicate through your tone and facial expressions that you love this book. Often, reading the Bible with affection will challenge God’s people to listen attentively to God’s Word. However, we must guard against being overly dramatic in our reading. If we are trying to manipulate the text, thinking that we are making it interesting, we are denying its intrinsic power and authority.

4. Seriously
Corporate Scripture reading is not a time to clown around. This is God’s Word we are handling. We should read the text seriously. We are in the presence of God and He is addressing us. The people need to sense your reverence and awe as you open God’s Word.

5. Clearly
What good is it to read God’s Word if we read it in a way that no one understands us. We need to be careful to articulate the words and phrases clearly. We should not try to speed read the text so that we can move on to something else. We need to slow down and communicate as clearly as possible. Don’t mumble God’s Word.

Here are a few other random tips for corporate Scripture reading:

• Prepare to read God’s Word to God’s people. Read the text over and over throughout the week before you are to read it corporately.


• A brief introduction to the passage is often helpful in getting people ready to hear it. Set up the context of the passage or alert the people to what they should listen for.


• Introducing the reading with a declaration of the power and authority of the Bible adds weight to the reading (for example: “This is the infallible and inerrant Word of God”).


• Introducing the reading with an invitation or admonition to hear or pay attention to the Word could be useful in snapping someone out of just drifting along (for example: “Listen carefully to God as He speaks to us from His Word”).


• Having people stand while you read the Scripture is a good way to ensure that all attention is focused on God’s Word.


• Read from an actual Bible. Don’t make a habit of reading from a screen or from just a printed piece of paper. You want to make clear to everyone that you are reading from God’s Word.


• Don’t apologize for reading long portions of Scripture. It’s ok to prepare people for a lengthy passage, but never feel like you have to justify reading the Bible.

Mark Dever says, “Carving out time in our Sunday morning service to read Scripture aloud, without comment, every week, makes a statement about the value we place on God’s Word. It says we are eager to hear the Word of the Lord—we desire it. It acknowledges that the life and growth of our local churches depend on the power of God’s Word, and that we really believe that “man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). It acknowledges our own weakness in that we continually need to be reminded of what God has said. It says we’re willing to listen to God’s Word, to sit under it in order to be instructed, assessed, and evaluated by it. It says we’re willing to agree with its presentation of reality and with is estimation and judgment of us. It says we’re willing to submit to its verdict and commands without qualification. Yet if the regular public reading of Scripture says all this, what are we saying if we neglect it” (The Deliberate Church, pp 81-82)?

Upward I Look

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in Heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace,
One in Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God!

New Pillar Commentary 50% Off

The newest edition to the best commentary series is now available, and half off for one week only. Great Christmas gift for Bible student in your life?

Nothing Lacking in Jesus

“As a Savior he is perfect. Being made perfect through suffering, he is able fully to discharge his office. Nothing is wanting in the character and person of Christ in order to his being able to save to the uttermost. He is a Savior, and a great one. You are wholly lost, but Jesus is perfectly able to save. You are sore sick, but Jesus is perfectly able to heal. You have gone, perhaps, to the extreme of sin; he has gone to the extreme of atonement. In every office essential to our salvation Jesus is perfect. Nothing is lacking in him in any one point.”

-CH Spurgeon

Jesus is the Source of Eternal Salvation

Hebrews 5:9 says that Jesus is "the source of eternal salvation."

I love this title for Jesus: The word “source” means the reason for something existing. The source is the place of origin. Jesus is the supplier of eternal salvation. Hebrews 12 describes Jesus as the author or founder of our faith.

Salvation from sin and an eternal relationship with God is found only in Jesus (He is the sole source). Eternal salvation is found in no other place in the entire universe. Jesus is the source, the supplier, the origin, the place where salvation is found.

And the idea of this phrase is not just that Jesus gives salvation and then goes on about His business as if salvation were a possession to be traded. Salvation is not essentially something that we possess. Salvation is essentially a person that we treasure. That Jesus is the source of eternal salvation means that we must have Him to have eternal salvation.

No one goes to Jesus for salvation and then turns away from Jesus to something else. You don’t stick salvation in a drawer and then live life any way you please. Only those who have Jesus have eternal salvation because Jesus is the source of salvation. At every point in God’s work of drawing us to Himself (justification, sanctification, and glorification), it is Jesus who is our salvation.

And don’t gloss over the word “eternal” in this title for Jesus. Jesus is not just the source of temporary salvation. Jesus is the source of everlasting salvation. For all eternity, Jesus will be the fountain of righteousness that we will drink from. If you have eternal salvation through Jesus, 50,000 years from now, you will need Jesus to be your source of salvation just as much as you need Him today.

It will always be through Jesus’ mediation that we will draw near to the throne of grace.

Who cares about temporary salvation? What good is momentary atonement? Give me eternal salvation! Give me a High Priest who is the source of salvation that will never end. Jesus is in every way a superior High Priest.

For the Fame of God's Name

For the Fame of God's Name: Essays in Honor of John Piper is a fantastic collection of articles. As one who has been heavily influenced by John Piper's ministry, I resonated with nearly every article in this thick volume. This book contains both rigorous scholarship and robust passion. Thus, I think it does a great job in honoring God for the life and ministry of John Piper. Here are a few of the highlights of the book for me:

• David Michael's prayer of thanksgiving in chapter 1 is a powerful way to begin this book.


• I loved how most of the authors related their topic to Piper's influence. All of these great theological and practical themes have been ingrained in me by Piper and its humbling to hear how Piper's influence has even reached to these giants of the faith.


• Talbot's article actually proposes a correction to Piper's teaching. Which, I don't think Piper would disagree with.


• Ware's article on prayer and the sovereignty of God is a great primer on this difficult theological issue.


• Carson's article on the gospel is just splendid (as is everything by Carson).


• Grudem's article is one of the few I have read on how our obedience pleases God. Loved it.


• Thabiti nails it again.


• Randy Alcorn's article has been the most challenging to me. It is basically a summary of his Treasure Principle. But, it helpfully summarizes Piper's radical teaching on money and possessions. Get the book to read this article!


• Justin Taylor's article summarizes Piper's preaching on abortion. I'll be going back to this chapter over the next years.


• Mahaney, Powlison, and Dever are (as always) useful, practical, and rich.


• Mounce's article is one of the best in the book. It is drenched with humility and wisdom for pastors.

You can see the entire table of contents here.

Finishing Strong in 2010

So, November is nearly half way gone. You know what that means. The rest of this year is gonna feel like a blur.

Thanksgiving.
Decorate for Christmas.
Family.
Food.
Football.
Wrapping Paper.
Coast into January and wonder where 2010 went.

Why not take some time to refocus for this final month and a half of 2010. Finish well. Redeem the time. Here are just a few tips:

1. Revisit your goals or resolutions. Not to condemn yourself for your failure, but to keep going by the grace of God. Did you set goals that are now unattainable? Re-evaluate them so as to make the most of them through the rest of the year.

2. Recommit to your Bible reading plan. Make sure you know where you will be each day through the rest of the year. The holidays are the most difficult time to stay consistent in personal devotions. Visitors, traveling, vacation, and family make it difficult to carve out time to meet with God.

3. Plan now to avoid the sin of materialism. The stores have been plotting for a year as to how to get you buying things you don't need. The ads will be relentless for the next month. And you don't stand a chance unless you are equipped and prepared to resist the temptations.

4. Make attendance at your local church a priority. Its easy during the holiday season to neglect the church. As much as possible, plan your schedule around the corporate gathering of God's people.

5. Pray for Joy. The holiday season can be one of the most depressing times of the year. This world cannot deliver on its promises, which often leaves us feeling empty and meaningless. Jesus is enough to sustain your joy through the highs and lows of these next few months. Take refuge in the Savior.

I'm Declaring It 'National Give Away $50 Week'

We should give more to others and keep less for ourselves. So, I thought I'd issue a simple challenge for myself and my readers that I hope in some small way makes an impact for the glory of Christ and encourages us to be better givers.

The challenge is simple: Give away $50 this week that you were not planning to give away (i.e. not part of your regular giving).

Think creatively. What would be the most eternally useful way to "invest" $50? Here are some suggestions (I'd love to hear other ideas):

• Give it to a gospel-proclaiming ministry that you benefit from (like Desiring God).
• Give it to the building fund or adoption fund at your local church.
• Buy 5 copies of your favorite book and give them away.
• Give it to your local pregnancy center or other gospel-minded organization.
• Give it to someone struggling to pay their bills.
• Use it to buy a nice dinner for a family that rarely gets to eat out.
• Give it to a missions organization (like Wycliffe or Gospel for Asia).
• the possibilities are endless...

A few disclaimers:

• $50 is just a random suggestion. Some of you need to give $250 to actually feel it as significant. Others may be stretched to give $5.
• I'm obviously not intending to put a guilt-trip on anybody. If you give, give cheerfully for the glory of Christ.
• My assumption is that you are already giving faithfully, sacrificially, and regularly to your local church. That is where your first and most significant giving should be directed. I think 10% of your income is a great place to start with regular giving (with the desire to be able to give more as the Lord entrusts you with more).

So, if you plan to participate in 'National Give Away $50 Week,' let's do 2 things: (1) leave a comment and tell us how you decided to give away "extra" money this week (not with the goal of exalting ourselves but to inspire others and glorify God), and (2) share a link to this post with as many people as you can. Use Facebook, Twitter, or your blog to extend this challenge to others and let's see what God does.

Parents: Help Arrives for Just $7

Long Story Short is a new devotional book to use in family devotions recommended by CJ Mahaney, Al Mohler, Paul Tripp, and others.

Parents: we need help in leading our kids to behold the glory of God in the Scriptures. Don't fear, help is here. For just 2 days, WTS is offering this new book for 65% off ($7). Details and sample pages here.

Ding, Ding, Ding, attention please: Have anybody with kids to buy Christmas gifts for? You now have a budget-friendly jump on Christmas! You can thank me later.

Generous Justice Now Available

Tim Keller's newest book is now shipping. Details here.

Don't Waste Your Life Audio Book - FREE

For the month of November, you can get Piper's Don't Waste Your Life Audio Book for nothing. I'd recommend you download it for yourself and to give as gifts for Christmas.