Give as Christ Gave

Robert Murray McCheyne on the connection between the gospel and giving to the poor. Quoted in Generous Justice by Keller (p. 108).

Now, dear Christians, some of you pray night and day to be branches of the true vine; you pray to be made all over in the image of Christ. If so, you must be like him in giving. A branch bears the same kind of fruit as the tree…An old divine says well: “what would have become of us if Christ has been as saving of his blood as some men are of their money?”

Objection 1. “My money is my own” Answer: Christ might have said, “my blood is my own, my life is my own”…than were should we have been?

Objection 2. “The poor are undeserving.” Answer: Christ might have said the same thing. “They are wicked rebels against my father’s law: shall I lay down my life for these? I will give to the good angels.” But no, He left the ninety-nine, and came after the lost. He gave His blood for the undeserving.

Objection 3. “The poor may abuse it.” Answer: Christ might have said the same; yea, with far greater truth. Christ knew that thousands would trample His blood under their feet; that most would despise it…yet He gave His own blood.

Oh, my dear Christians! If you would be like Christ, give much, give often, give freely, to the vile and the poor, the thankless and the undeserving. Christ is glorious and happy and so will you be. It is not your money I want, but your happiness. Remember His own word: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

King's Cross Sale

The sale on Tim Keller's new book ends on Monday. I just got my 60% off copy and it looks good.

Praying for the Gospel to Bear Fruit Globally

Jesus said to pray earnestly for the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers (Matthew 9:38).

So last night, my church gathered to pray for global missions. In preparation for the prayer time, I did some research on the most unreached people groups, the most persecuted countries, and the most Bible-less peoples. I put that information along with some suggested ways to pray in a one-page prayer guide. You can view and print this prayer guide here.

Please let me know if you find it helpful...

New Book from Nine Marks

Reverberation: How God's Word Brings Light, Freedom, and Action to His People by Jonathan Leeman looks like a very good book. Leeman explains how and why God's Word is the means of building His Church. Sounds like a breath of fresh air. My copy is on its way.

And, don't forget about the King's Cross special.

The Persecuted Church

If you want to know about, and serve, and pray for your persecuted brothers and sisters around the world, there is no better site than www.opendoorsusa.org. My heart hurts after looking around it. Bookmark it and get involved.

Be sure to check out the World Watch List, which details the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.

King's Cross

Tim Keller's new book looks really good. You can get a copy for 60% this week only (additional copies are 45% off). Check it out.

Practicing Affirmation

I am absolutely loving this new book by Sam Crabtree: Practicing Affirmation. I'm almost done with it and will have much more to say about it (and a hearty recommendation) soon.

Here is a quote from John Piper's forward to whet your appetite:
"When our mouths are empty of praise for others, it is probably because our hearts are full of love for self."

Sermon Duds

Tony Reinke has a most helpful post with meditations on what John Newton said about how to respond when your faithful pastor preaches a dud sermon. Please take the time to read it.

I found myself resonating with Tony's reflection on something Newton said. He writes that in many instances, "the pastor carries within himself a greater desire to serve you than he has the gifts to make it happen."

That's where the people of Christ Baptist Church live. They have a pastor with limited gifts and unlimited desire to care for them. Each week their pastor falls short of serving them as he desires. Please pray for him and them.

Boys Don't Wrestle Girls

Here's a great story. A high school wrestler forfeited a match because he refused to wrestle a girl. All the story cites is that this was because of the boy's faith. I don't know what "faith" that is, but I respect him for it. Boys should not wrestle girls (who are not their wife or daughter). Boys protect girls, not fight them. Plus, it is impossible to wrestle someone without touching them inappropriately. Nice call, Joel Northrup, nice call.

Bite-Sized Grudem

Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology is the best available. I particularly like his abridged version, Bible Doctrine.

Now, you can get sections of Grudem's work published as individual books.

For example,

• The Bible
• Salvation
• Man and Sin
• Who God Is
• The Church
• Christ and the Spirit
• The Future

A Book for Growth in Prayer

WTS has Joel Beeke's newest book on prayer for 45% off this week. It's called Taking Hold of God: Reformed and Puritan Perspectives on Prayer.

The Sin of Prayerlessness

I heard a quote from Greg Nichols last week that has exposed many of my sins of prayerlessness:

“A Prayerless person is ungrateful because he doesn’t thank God.
He is Self-righteous because he doesn’t confess his sins to God.
He is Self-centered because he doesn’t ask God to bless other people.
He is Presumptuous because he doesn’t pray for his daily needs.
He is Irreverent because he doesn’t praise God.
And he is Unfriendly to God because his prayerlessness evidences that he doesn’t enjoy being with God.”

A Poem for My Wife on Valentine's Day

My very first attempt to express my love for Jeanna in a simple poem:

Glorify the Lord with Me

You are my sweetheart, my only one,
You are a precious gift purchased by the Son.
I love you more now than ever,
I will never stop loving you, never.
Thank you for your gracious care,
A great wife like you is extremely rare.
My affection for you is deeper than I can write,
When you walk in a room, things get really bright.
Glorify the Lord with me, together let us exalt His name,
May our marriage make much of Jesus and bring Him fame.

Resources for Marriage

Marriage is a good gift from God that exists to display the glory of Christ. Good marriages show the relationship of Christ to His Church. Thus, if you are married, strive and pray that you would have the most God-glorifying marriage possible. Here are some resources to help you along the way:

For Husbands and Wives:
What Did You Expect? by Paul Tripp (book)
What Did You Expect? by Paul Tripp (DVD)
This Momentary Marriage by John Piper
When Sinners Say "I Do" by Dave Harvey
Love that Lasts by Ricucci

For Husbands:
Sex, Romance, and the Glory of God by CJ Mahaney
The Exemplary Husband by Stuart Scott
"Husbands, Love Your Wives..." article by Lister

For Wives:
The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace
Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney

Don't Waste Your Sports

I highly recommend CJ Mahaney's new little booklet on sports to anyone who watches or participates in sports (that's just about everyone). This is just a short little booklet, but it packs a punch that helps us glorify God through sports. Sports are a gift from God to be used to honor Him and not us. So, get a copy and pass it along to others. And don't waste your sports.

Cultivating Private Prayer as a Pastor

Attention all pastors: Spend an hour listening to/watching this sermon by Joel Beeke. Seriously.

Sanctified by a Single Sacrifice

Hebrews 10:11-14 gives us 4 features of Christ's death that prove its absolute sufficiency.

1. Jesus' Sacrifice was a single sacrifice.
-In contrast to the multiplicity of sacrifices under the Old Covenant.

2. Jesus' Sacrifice culminated with Jesus being seated at the Father's right hand.
-In contrast to the priests who stand daily, never finished.

3. Jesus' Sacrifice was comprehensive ("for all time")
-In contrast to the limited effectiveness of the Old Covenant sacrifices.

4. Jesus' Sacrifice accomplished perfection for sinners.
-In contrast to the sacrifices that cannot make perfect (Heb. 10:1).

For My Princess, Karis

Oceans of Grace

"Unfathomable oceans of grace are in Christ for you. Dive and dive again, you will never come to the bottom of these depths."

-McCheyne

Abusing Enjoyments

“Brethren, if you are ever so much taken up with any enjoyment that it takes away your love for prayer or for your Bible. . . . then you are abusing this world. Oh! Sit loose to this world’s joy: ‘the time is short.’”

-McCheyne

25 Years of Desiring God

Desiring God is 25 years old. This book has shaped me more than any other outside of the Bible. So, I'm delighted to let you know that there is now a 25th anniversary edition. If any reader of this blog has not spent signficant time with Desiring God, please drop everything else and do so.

Sovereign Grace Annual Crazy Sale

Back again. The annual February sale at Sovereign Grace Ministries.

A few ideas of how to make the most of this sale:
1. Begin a church "resource table" in order to get good material into people's hands all year long.
2. Prepare for Christmas in February!
3. Pick your favorite resource, buy a handful, and give them out to neighbors, co-workers, etc.
4. Buy someone with kids the Sovereign Grace kids music. Walking with the Wise and To Be Like Jesus are the top-played albums in my house.
5. Fill up your iPod or iPhone. Dowloads are just 69 cents!