This week’s Free Stuff Fridays is sponsored by The Master’s Academy International (TMAI), who also sponsored the blog this week. 

While supplies last, they are giving away free copies of Declaring His Glory Among the Nations: Daily Scripture Meditations from Pastors Around the World. 
This year-round devotional is the fruit of TMAI’s longstanding commitment to help train indigenous church leaders around the world. Over 200 authors from TMAI’s faculty and graduate bodies—representing 15 countries and nearly as many languages—came together to create this resource that’s FREE for Challies readers today. While the contexts of these authors differ in dramatic ways, God’s word remains ever the same. We pray that you will be richly blessed by their daily meditations on God’s Word.
John MacArthur shares more about this book and the ministry of TMAI:
“The Master’s Academy International (TMAI) was officially formed over 15 years ago to train local, indigenous church leaders all across the world who would then make and equip disciples of Christ in local churches. With a commitment to expositional preaching and the authority of Scripture, more than 15 schools on four continents have trained men to be faithful to the mandate of Christ’s commission in all contexts and places. As I have said elsewhere, I believe the history and impact of these schools is the greatest missions story of our time.”
MacArthur goes on:
“As you read through the entries each day, you will be fed truth from Scripture and will be challenged—whether directly because of its implications for the Christian walk, or indirectly by hearing what ministry is like for these individuals amidst their challenging circumstances. 
You will also gain a glimpse into the spiritual lives of these men around the world as they minister to you personally, demonstrating their love for the truth written and incarnate.
You will be reminded of the global nature of gospel ministry, and how much still needs to be done by way of prayer and support. 
You will feel compelled to pray for these schools and the men leading them, that our Lord who promised to be with us always, even to the end of the age, would be with them in their ministries, strengthening and blessing them for every good work.
May you be encouraged and equipped as you hear God’s glory declared among the nations.” 
Enter Here
While supplies last, if you enter—you win! Simply enter your information into the form below and we’ll ship a copy to your address.
Giveaway Rules: You may enter one time.  U.S. Addresses only. Again, the resource is only available while supplies last. By entering, you will be opted into TMAI’s mailing list to receive ministry update emails.

As you probably know, I have quite a fascination with Christian books and like to keep up with latest releases. Just about every month I scour the catalogs and websites to see what looks most noteworthy. What follows is my list for October 2021, each title followed by its editorial description. I hope there’s something here that will interest you!

Send Out Your Light: The Illuminating Power of Scripture and Song by Sandra McCracken. “In the middle of Psalm 43, God offers us a dynamic invitation: Send out your light.Prolific singer-songwriter Sandra McCracken believes we each have the opportunity to hear and answer this invitation. This book is written in three parts: part one is the becoming, the creation, how God makes us and gives us an identity. Part two is the disorientation of loss, displacement, and the dark night of the soul. Part three is reorientation, how God brings us through the darkness and illuminates our path with Scripture, sending us out to take his light to others. This has been the shape of Sandra McCracken’s life. Through it all, songs and Scripture have been there to light the way, helping her respond to God’s call. How will you respond to God’s call to send out his light?” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
Dating with Discernment: 12 Questions to Make a Lasting Marriage by Sam Andreades. “Done with dating? Don’t know where to start? Wondering if your date is the one to marry? Pastor-scholar Sam Andreades brings single Christians in that vulnerable life moment the practical, theological help to make the dangerous decision confidently. Bringing the Bible’s wisdom on relationships to bear on the dating scene, he helps you lay a foundation for a love that lasts. This book will teach you how to: Confidently say good-bye to ill-suited suitors; Deepen your relationship with God as you date; Find, and make a lifelong commitment to, a worthy, compatible mate; Understand the role of gender in developing intimacy; Form a strong foundation for marriage in your dating as you grow into what marriage is about.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
Why Did Jesus Live a Perfect Life?: The Necessity of Christ’s Obedience for Our Salvation by Brandon Crowe. “How does Christ’s obedience relate to our salvation? Speaking into current conversations about the nature of salvation, New Testament scholar Brandon Crowe sets out a new, comprehensive account of the nature of the atonement, exploring how this doctrine affects our participation in the life of God and in the shared life of the Christian community. Crowe builds on key insights from other historic substitutionary views, especially those associated with penal substitution, while clearing up persistent misunderstandings regarding those models. Crowe argues that we are saved by Christ’s perfect obedience, which has implications for understanding the gospel message, Christian hope, and discipleship. Not only is Jesus the quintessential model of faithfulness in a fallen world, but his unique work frees us from the burden of perfect obedience. This book will appeal to professors and students of the New Testament, pastors, and laypeople.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School, edited by Cameron Cole & Charlotte Getz. “The pressure of being a teenager can be overwhelming. School, sports, jobs, and relationships all press in at the same time. But the hardest thing can be feeling alone, that you have no one to share your most difficult problems with. In The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School, thirty authors from many different backgrounds come together to say, ‘We get it―and Jesus gets it too. Here’s who Jesus is and how he wants to meet you in this intense time.’ Hear from authors such as Scott Sauls, Sandra McCracken, Michelle Reyes, Jen Pollock Michel, David Zahl, and others as they share firsthand stories of bullying, eating disorders, pregnancy, addiction, racism, family conflict, expectations, and the intense pressure to achieve. See how their encounters with Jesus brought healing, rest, and purpose to their lives and hear what they wish they knew earlier: when you know Jesus, you know what it’s like to be perfectly loved and accepted, have hope for the future, and experience grace and mercy when you mess up.“ (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
Do You Believe?: 12 Historic Doctrines to Change Your Everyday Life by Paul David Tripp. “Doctrine―what Christians believe―directly influences how they live. The biblical truths about God, humanity, and the world are not merely about knowing more―they are also about loving God and making sense of this life and the life to come. But what happens when there is disparity between what believers confess and how they live? In his latest book, Do You Believe?, pastor and best-selling author Paul David Tripp takes a close look at 12 core doctrines and how they engage and transform the human heart and mind. According to Tripp, ‘true belief is always lived.’ To demonstrate, he unpacks each doctrine and presents its relevance for the Christian life. As readers explore topics such as the doctrine of God, the holiness of God, and the doctrine of Scripture, they will be fueled to fall deeper in love with and stand in awe of their Creator and Father―putting the truths of God’s word on display for all the world to see.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
Unfolding Grace for Kids: A 40-Day Journey through the Bible by ESV Bibles. “In Unfolding Grace for Kids, children ages 8–12 are invited on a guided journey through 40 select Scripture readings to uncover the unifying message of God’s Word. Each of the 40 readings is tailored to help encourage consistent time in Scripture and features newly written introductions. Accompanying the readings are captivating illustrations by Peter Voth, inviting children to reflect on what they’ve read. From cover to cover, Unfolding Grace for Kids promotes a love of God’s Word to young readers as they immerse themselves in Scripture through small portions that together tell the overarching story of God’s grace. Free study questions are available for download.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
ESV Concise Study Bible by ESV Bibles. “Enjoy the robust content of a study Bible in a concise and accessible format. The ESV Concise Study Bible was created to help readers explore the essential meaning of the Bible. Inspired by the best-selling ESV Study Bible, this robust Bible offers fresh content for new believers and seasoned saints alike, explaining difficult phrases, defining key terms, identifying important people and places, and highlighting links between biblical passages. Featuring 12,000+ study notes; 150+ maps and charts; 15+ illustrations; and an introduction to each book that outlines its setting, background, and key themes, the ESV Concise Study Bible is rich in content yet approachable and easy to carry―perfect for studying God’s Word in any context.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
Incomparable: Explorations in the Character of God by Andrew Wilson. “There is no greater pursuit, no greater journey, and no greater joy than discovering the extraordinary character of God. Andrew Wilson’s Incomparable explores sixty names and descriptions of our creator. Each chapter is filled with profound Biblical insights and revelations that will inspire and enrich your faith. Selah moments allow for a time of reflection and worship. And practical applications connect each truth with your daily life. Throughout, Incomparable unfolds the greatest wonder our minds and hearts will ever contemplate. Immerse yourself in His character. Delve into the depths of His presence. And experience a God that is truly beyond compare.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
The Acrostic of God: A Rhyming Theology for Kids by Jonathan Gibson & Timothy Brindle. “Catechism can be fun! The Acrostic of God is a joy to read and reread, and a wonderful tool to help kids absorb eternal truth about God. By giving children an alphabetical list of the titles and attributes of God written with a rhyming beat, Jonny Gibson and Timothy Brindle make The Acrostic of God fun to read and easy to memorize. Each characteristic, A to Z, weaves together a beautiful picture of God. Using the alphabet to teach about God has a rich history in the Bible, especially in the Psalms and Lamentations. Several of the psalms—notably Psalm 119—begin with letters of the Hebrew alphabet, forming an acrostic that spells out the entire alphabet. The authors make learning theology fun and effortless. Their book shows God as he is, not “just to know about him more in our brains, but to know him as the God of glory who reigns.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
Fix Your Eyes: How Our Study of God Shapes Our Worship of Him by Amy Gannett. “We live in a polarized time. Christians are quick to conceive of themselves either as theologically-minded or worship-minded; either thinking Christians or feeling Christians. The results are damaging: theology without worship is muted, stifled, and cold, and worship without theology is ungrounded, unrooted, and uninformed. This is not the way it was meant to be. Theology (our study and knowledge of God) should always lead to doxology (our worship of Him). Worship should always be rooted in theology. When we study the nature and character of God as revealed in his Word, we are invited to respond in the affectionate, obedient discipleship of worship. How can we keep our theology from being mere head knowledge? How do we give our worship roots that will last? By fixing our eyes on God Himself–the object of our study and the object of our worship. Fix Your Eyes is an invitation to understand core doctrines of the Christian faith and apply them in our daily worship of God. It walks believers through key theological concepts and shows how each can be lived out in daily life.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)
The Works of Thomas Goodwin, 12 Volumes. “Thomas Goodwin was a prolific author and editor. During the 1630s he coedited with John Ball the works of John Preston and Richard Sibbes. He began to publish his own sermons in 1636. Prior to his death, he had published at least twelve devotional works, most of which were collections of sermons. The fact that they were reissued forty-seven times indicates the high demand and wide circulation of his publications. Most of Goodwin’s major theological writings were the fruit of his riper years and were published posthumously. His unusually large corpus of treatises display a pastoral and scholarly zeal rivaled by few Puritans. Goodwin represents the best of Puritanism in addressing the intellect, will, and heart. His writings reveal the vigor of earlier Puritans such as William Perkins and Richard Sibbes as well as the mature thought of later Puritan divines, supremely represented by Owen. If you want to grow in grace and have your soul fed on the deep things of God, buy and prayerfully read Goodwin’s Works.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Good morning. Grace and peace to you.

It has been a slow start to the year for Kindle books, but you will find at least a couple of deals.
The first sale of the year at Westminster Books is a good one: strong discounts on their bestselling books of 2022. There are lots of great picks there!
Don’t Let the Culture War Steal Your Joy
This is the second time this week that Trevin Wax has come through with a very strong article. “There’s a worrisome quality in many of today’s would-be prophets—writers and pundits who foresee only doom for the future of civilization, who seem perpetually distressed by the desecration of the church’s witness (whether by external pressures or internal rot).”
His Feet
“I was fourteen and small for my age, a reserved shy shadow of the man I might one day grow into. Others struck me for an unknown reason, some imagined offence I had committed. Verbal assault soon became physical, yet it wasn’t the impact of fist on face that hurt most. I felt alone. I felt small. I felt undone.”
Say It
Peter recounts and applies the well-known but never-tiresome account of Spurgeon’s conversion.
No Mercy Without Rules
Carl Trueman reflects on a NYT story about the death of Pope Benedict XVI and points out that “mercy is incoherent if there are no rules, rules that are rightly believed and applied. Only if there is a rule, and a just rule, can forgiveness for its transgression be seen as an act of mercy.”
Building a “Non-Brittle” Identity
“Ultimately, we cannot build our identity on ourselves. We must build our identity on something outside of ourselves–something that never changes and that never fades away. What follows is nothing you have never heard before, but something we need to be reminded of frequently. Every single one of us forgets the truths of the Gospel in our lives. We must revisit them often.”
7 Reasons Winter Reminds Us to Hold on to Hope
At a time of year when many people are prone to emotional struggles, Ruth offers “seven reminders to hold on to hope; whether in the physical season of winter or the personal wintery trials we encounter.”
Flashback: The Christian Introvert
Both introverts and extroverts will face particular temptations to sin. My temptation as an introvert is to run away from people instead of serve people. It is to be selfish instead of giving.

Hell is not for the worst people. It is for the impenitent people. —Dane Ortlund