I always feel that a portion of Scripture like this can in many ways be compared with food. There are some people who bolt their food. They get something out of it, of course they are getting their calories, but they are missing the enjoyment of the flavor and aroma. Many people are like that with the Scriptures. They rush through the passage; they have done it, they think, but oh, what they have missed.
So I propose to chew this with you, and to keep it in our mouths a good time before we swallow it. Do not miss the pleasure of savoring the Scripture. Masticate it thoroughly, break it up, and you will find that there are things there that you never imagined. – D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Romans Vol. 13, pp. 208-209
Author: Josh King
Tolle Lege: The Good News We Almost Forgot
Readability: 1
Length: 247 pgs
Author: Keving DeYoung
I am thankful for what seems to be a catechism comeback in many Christian families. I am also thankful for Kevin DeYoung’s great book on the Heidelberg Catechism, The Good News We Almost Forgot. The Heidelberg Catechism was first published in 1563. While I disagree with it in a few minor places overall it is a superb confession.
Don’t be put off thinking that DeYoung’s treatment of the catechism is scholarly or historic, the catechism was written originally for all Christians, even young ones, and Kevin captures that spirit. The book is comprised of devotions to take you through the catechism in a year, devotions he originally wrote for his own church. Here you will find both food for the mind and warmth for the heart.
The only thing more difficult that finding the truth is not losing it.
We live in a world where we expect to find comfort in possessions, pride, power, and position. But the Catechism teaches us that our only true comfort comes from the fact that we don’t even belong to ourselves. How countercultural and counterintuitive! We can endure suffering and disappointment in life and face death and the life to come without fear or judgment, not because of what we’ve done or what we own or who we are, but because of what we do not possess, namely, our own selves.
We have often heard that God is our Father, which is true, but we don’t always remember that the opposite is just as true: your Father is God.
If you want a more creative, more poetic, and better review of The Good News We Almost Forgot then listen to Curtis Allen’s (aka Voice) rap he wrote in response to C.J. Mahaney’s challenge. You can view the lyrics at Between Two Worlds. Also if you click the little down arrow on the player you can download the track for free.
http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F6376239&
The Doctor: Devolution
The theory of evolution tells us that man has not only evolved, but that is is always an upward process, from the primitive and simple to the more highly organized and involved, moving steadily in the direction of perfection. …
But the Bible, of course, tells us the exact opposite ; the Bible tells us that man started, as it were on top and then fell from that. – D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Great Doctrines of the Bible, Volume 1, p. 156
Tolle Lege: Instructing a Child’s Heart
Readability: 1
Length: 187 pgs
Author: Tedd Tripp
Instructing a Child’s Heart along with Shepherding a Child’s Heart are two of my go to books on raising children. I am so thankful to God for Tedd Tripp’s relentless focus on the heart and the gospel. In contrast to Shepherding a Child’s Heart this book deals with formative instruction, that is instruction that forms or shapes our children. The section on communication alone is worth the price of the book.
Parents are to be the primary teachers of their children (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). This task may not be delegated. This book offers much Biblical wisdom in how to faithfully carry out those this weighty mandate.
This revelation isn’t just about distant physical and spiritual relatives – its about each of us by name. Let that truth wash over you with all it’s implications and power. Bath our children in that truth. Otherwise, the Bible’s prophecies, provisions, promises, and pronouncements will not motivate our speech and behavior. And our children will treat the Bible like a news story.
A primary goal in instruction must be to show your children who God is and what he has done- to show them their story in the pages of Scripture. Make the Bible your family album, not someone else’s story. The Bible is not about ‘them’ and ‘then,’ but ‘us’ and ‘now.
The power of the gospel is not just for our children; it is for us. The power of grace in the gospel will cleanse us, forgive us, change us internally and empower us to be all that we need to be to instruct the hearts of our children. Don’t be put off by your needs and weaknesses. Our weaknesses will never keep us from God as much as our strengths will. Come to Christ each day knowing that you can do all things through him who gives you strength.
The Doctor: Sovereign Salvation
I say it with reverence, nothing less than the omnipotence of God could save a single soul. But, thank God, His is omnipotent, and we are saved by the power of God in and through the Lord Jesus Christ. – D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Great Doctrines of the Bible, Volume 1, p. 67
The Doctor: When What Terrifies Comforts
These attributes of God, they are at one and the same time warnings and comforts. If you have sinned against God you will find it impossible to to get away from Him. … Yes, but is it not a wonderfully comforting thing to think and to realise that it does not matter where your circumstances may put you, God is still with you. – D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Great Doctrines of the Bible, Volume 1, pp. 62-63
Tolle Lege: The Discipline of Grace
Readability: 1
Length: 242 pgs
Author: Jerry Bridges
The Discipline of Grace? Discipline and grace, do these two go together? If you want to pursue holiness they must. Too often we think of grace as the initiatory phase of the Christian life, and discipline as that which follows. This is not only a false dichotomy, it is a deadly one. If you have read The Holiness of God and want more help in pursuing holiness read this wonderful sequel.
Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s grace.
God’s work does not make our effort unnecessary, but rather makes it effective.
The Doctor: The Difficulty of Prayer
If you have never had difficulty in prayer, it is absolutly certain you have never prayed.
Everything we do in the Christian life is easier than prayer. – From Lloyd-Jones: Messenger of Grace by Iain Murray
The Doctor: Essential but Not Enough
I spend half my time telling Christians to study doctrine and the other half telling them that doctrine is not enough. – From Lloyd-Jones: Messenger of Grace by Iain Murray
575 Excommunicated
Too few understand what Church Discipline looks like and why it is important. Here is a good illustration what it should look like.
No Other Boast 